Analysis of lens epithelium telomere length in age-related cataract. (December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Yinhao; Liu, Ziyuan; Huang, Chen; Zhao, Liming; Jiang, Xiaodan; Liu, Yan; Liu, Yushi; Wan, Yu; Chou, Yilin; Li, Xuemin
• Is Part Of: Experimental eye research. Volume 201(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-12
• Subjects: Cataract -- Telomere length -- Aging; Ophthalmology -- Periodicals; Eye -- Periodicals; Œil -- Périodiques; Ophthalmology; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 612.8405
• DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2020.108279
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0014-4835

Abstract

Abstract: We aimed to investigate the associations among lens epithelium telomere length (LETL), cataract types, and systemic pro-senescence factors in patients with age-related cataract. In this prospective study, the general demographic factors, body mass index, smoking history, depression, hypertension, diabetes, various psychological measures, and uncorrected distant visual acuity of patients with age-related cataract were recorded. Lens Opacities Classification System III (LOCS III) scores and lens density measured by Scheimpflug imaging were used to evaluate the cataracts. LETL was measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Correlations among these parameters were analyzed. The LOCS III nuclear opalescence (NO) score was associated with age (β = 0.053, P < 0.001) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 score (β = −0.042, P = 0.004). Smoking was identified as a risk factor affecting LOCS III NO score (odds ratio = 1.546, 95% confidence interval, 1.128–2.119), but not the LOCS III cortical or posterior subcapsular scores. LETLs showed a weak association with systemic factors and LOCS III scores, and a significantly moderate correlation with the average objective lens densities of different regions measured by Scheimpflug imaging (r values ranged from −0.278 to −0.523, P < 0.05). However, there was no correlation between the LETLs and the maximum lens densities. The groups with a relatively low lens density had longer LETLs. In Conclusion, being an age-related disease, cortical cataract was also associated with "aging of the lens epithelium." Notably, lens epithelium activity rarely showed systemic effects. Thus, future studies should emphasize the importance of the telomeric system in cataractous process and aging. Highlights: LOCS III nuclear opacity score, but not cortical or posterior subcapsular score, was influenced by systemic factors. LOCS III scores were positively associated with maximum lens densities. With lens epithelium telomere length reduction, average lens density decreased significantly. Association of lens epithelium telomere length with mean cortical lens density was larger than nucleus.