Conclusion
The study identified ultrastructural changes in the anterior lens capsules in PACG accompanied by reduced LTBP-2 expression, especially in PAC+ARC patients. This suggests a potential role for LTBP-2 in PACG development, warranting further investigation.
Methods
Tissue samples of the anterior lens capsule were collected from patients undergoing cataract phacoemulsification surgery. Patients in the experimental group were diagnosed with primary angle-closure (PAC) combined with ARC (PAC+ARC) and PACG combined with ARC (PACG+ARC). The control group consisted of patients with only ARC. The techniques used included scanning electron microscopy, real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), western blotting and immunofluorescence.
Objective
This study investigated the role of latent-transforming growth factor β-binding protein 2 (LTBP-2) in primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) by analysing its expression and the ultrastructure of the anterior lens capsule in PACG patients with age-related cataract (ARC).
Results
Ultrastructural analysis revealed disordered connections in PAC+ARC, loose connections in PACG+ARC and well-ordered connections in ARC. RT-qPCR and western blotting showed significantly lower LTBP-2 mRNA and protein expression in PAC+ARC and PACG+ARC than in ARC, with PAC+ARC having the lowest levels. Immunofluorescence confirmed these findings, showing varying LTBP-2 fluorescence intensities across groups.