Transcriptomic Analysis of Human Lens Epithelium Tissue With and Without Cataract Surgery: Uncovering Novel Pathways of Post-Surgical Lens Epithelium Remodeling.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Cataract surgery is the most commonly performed ophthalmic procedure worldwide, yet long-term molecular adaptations of lens epithelial cells (LECs) following surgery remain poorly understood.

Methods

We conducted bulk RNA sequencing on lens capsules from 34 human donors, including 17 with an average of 7 years post-cataract surgery and 17 non-cataract controls.

Results

Differential expression analysis revealed substantial transcriptional changes in post-surgical LECs, including 1690 upregulated and 579 downregulated genes. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) and Gene Ontology (GO) identified activation of oxidative stress response, cell survival, and immune response signatures. Notably, genes involved in antioxidant defense (e.g. SOD2, GCLC, and TXN), anti-apo

SUBMITTER: Hao C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12266286 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature