Expression of nuclear factor- κB in traumatic cataract

Objective: To study the differences in expression of nuclear factor-κB ( NF-κB ) between human traumatic cataract and normal lenticular epithelial cells. Methods: Total RNA of anterior capsule specimens was taken under the microscope from normal cadaveric eyes donors and those suffering from traumatic cataract to make semi-quantitative RT-PCR and conduct analysis of differences in expression of NF-κB between them. Results: As compared with the mean of 0.8337 in normal control group, the expression equivalent of NF-κB was 0.9074 for the lenticular epithelial cells in traumatic cataract sufferers, and the differences are of noticeable significance (t=2.447, P<0.05) accordingly. Conclusions: NF-κB is likely a kind of transcription factor necessary to maintain metabolism of normal lenticular epithelial cells. Higher NF-κB available in the traumatic cataract sufferer’s lenticular epithelial cells means NF-κB is of possible relevance to occurrence and development of traumatic cataract.