| Objective To investigate the expression of human telomerase reverse transcriptase(hTERT)and proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA) in the lens epithelial cells(LEC)of age-related cataract and the interaction of them on age-related cataract formation. Methods In situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry techniques were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression of hTERT and PCNA in age-related cataract LEC (100 cases) and normal LEC (15 cases). Result The positive rate of hTERT in age-related cataract LEC was significantly high and the main staining intensity were moderate and strong. Comparing the staining rate and intensity of age-related cataract LEC and normal LEC , respectively, there were all highly significant differences(P＜0.01＝. There was no correlation in protein expression of hTERT and PCNA in age-related cataract LEC (rs=－0.800, P＞0.05). Conclusions The increased expression of hTERT in age-related cataract LEC did not correlate with increased proliferation in LEC; instead, it could be a response to DNA damage induced by oxidative stress and ultraviolet light exposure, decreased telomere length, or other unidentified factors. While the damage built up to such a degree that the senescent or apoptotic LEC induced cataract because the elevated telomerase activity couldn’t prevent telomere length shorten or also exist alternative telomeres length mechanism decreasing.
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