Inhibition of Transforming Growth Factor-/3-Induced Cataractous Changes in Lens Explants by Ocular Media and a2-Macroglobuliii

Methods. Explants prepared from 21-day-old rats were cultured with TGF/?2 with and without 50% bovine aqueous or vitreous or a2-macroglobulin. a2-macroglobulin was added to an aqueous concentrate, shown to contain endogenous TGF/3 activity by blocking with antiTGF/J. Explants were monitored by phase-contrast microscopy for 5 days and assessed in terms of capsule wrinkling, spindle-cell formation, blebbing, and cell loss. a2-macroglobulin in the ocular media was assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blot analysis.