Cytoprotective effects of a blue light–filtering intraocular lens on human retinal pigment epithelium by reducing phototoxic effects on vascular endothelial growth factor-α, Bax, and Bcl-2 expression

• Published in: Journal of cataract and refractive surgery Vol. 35; no. 2; pp. 354 - 362
• Main Authors: Kernt, Marcus, MD, Neubauer, Aljoscha S., MD, Liegl, Raffael, Eibl, Kirsten H., MD, Alge, Claudia S., MD, Lackerbauer, Carlo A., MD, Ulbig, Michael W., MD, Kampik, Anselm, MD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.02.2009
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; bcl-2-Associated X Protein - genetics; bcl-2-Associated X Protein - metabolism; Blotting, Western; Cell Survival; Cells, Cultured; Cytoprotection; Gene Expression; Humans; Lenses, Intraocular; Light; Microscopy, Phase-Contrast; Middle Aged; Ophthalmology; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 - genetics; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 - metabolism; Radiation Protection - instrumentation; Retinal Pigment Epithelium - metabolism; Retinal Pigment Epithelium - radiation effects; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; RNA, Messenger - metabolism; Ultraviolet Rays; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A - genetics; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A - metabolism
• ISSN: 0886-3350; 1873-4502
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcrs.2008.10.052

Purpose To compare the possible protective effects of the ultraviolet (UV)-filtering and blue light–filtering SN60AT intraocular lens (IOL) and the untinted UV-filtering SA60AT IOL with regard to light-induced stress on human retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Setting Department of Ophthalmology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany. Methods Primary human RPE cells were exposed to white light, and a tinted or untinted IOL was placed in the light beam. After 15 to 60 minutes of irradiation, cell viability was determined by a colorimetric test (tetrazolium dye-reduction assay) and a microscopic live/dead assay. The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor-α (VEGF-α), Bax, and Bcl-2 and their mRNA was determined by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting. Results Without an IOL, white-light exposure decreased cell viability compared with the decrease with the nonirradiated control in a time-dependent manner. Light-induced cell death was significantly reduced by both the tinted IOL and untinted IOL. The combined UV and blue-light filtering attenuated light-induced cell damage significantly more than UV filtering alone. Results of RT-PCR and Western blotting showed a significant time-dependent decrease in Bcl-2 and increase in Bax and VEGF-α that were significantly less with the tinted IOL than with the untinted IOL. Conclusions Both IOLs reduced light-induced RPE damage. The UV- and blue light–filtering IOL reduced damage more than the conventional IOL. This supports the hypothesis that blue light–filtering IOLs may prevent retinal damage in clinical use.