Autologous cell regeneration of the crystalline lens

Regeneration of ocular tissues using stem cells is currently under investigation for the cornea and the retina. Some more recent studies focus also on the regeneration of the crystalline lens. The lens consists of only two cell types, epithelial cells, which can differentiate and act as progenitor cells to the other cell type, fiber cells. Lens epithelial cells are very active, and due to this it is difficult to prevent their proliferation, migration and differentiation when they develop posterior capsule opacification (PCO) after cataract surgery. We have compared the morphology and histopathology of PCO developed in‐vivo with a PCO model of in‐vitro tissue culture. Our in‐vitro tissue culture showed some volumetric growth of cells which expressed the potential to form lens fiber cells. Some, but not all in‐vivo formed PCO showed doughnut shaped lens like structures with anterior epithelial cells, a lens bow and lens fiber like cells, very similar to the natural lens. Special surgical procedures of lens removal have been applied in rabbits and tested to treat human congenital cataract. Both were capable of regenerating the lens to some extent. These studies on PCO and in‐vivo surgery, demonstrate the potential to regenerate the crystalline lens in humans.