Homeostasis in the vertebrate lens: mechanisms of solute exchange

Dahm, Ralf; van Marle, Jan; Quinlan, Roy A.; Prescott, Alan R.; Vrensen, Gijs F.J.M.

Abstract

The eye lens is avascular, deriving nutrients from the aqueous and vitreous humours. It is, however, unclear which mechanisms mediate the transfer of solutes between these humours and the lens' fibre cells (FCs). In this review, we integrate the published data with the previously unpublished ultrastructural, dye loading and magnetic resonance imaging results. The picture emerging is that solute transfer between the humours and the fibre mass is determined by four processes: (i) paracellular transport of ions, water and small molecules along the intercellular spaces between epithelial and FCs, driven by Na+-leak conductance; (ii) membrane transport of such solutes from the intercellular spaces into the fibre cytoplasm by specific carriers and transporters; (iii) gap-junctional coupling mediating solute flux between superficial and deeper fibres, Na+/K+-ATPase-driven efflux of waste products in the equator, and electrical coupling of fibres; and (iv) transcellular transfer via caveoli and coated vesicles for the uptake of macromolecules and cholesterol. There is evidence that the Na+-driven influx of solutes occurs via paracellular and membrane transport and the Na+/K+-ATPase-driven efflux of waste products via gap junctions. This micro-circulation is likely restricted to the superficial cortex and nearly absent beyond the zone of organelle loss, forming a solute exchange barrier in the lens.

Citation

Dahm, R., van Marle, J., Quinlan, R. A., Prescott, A. R., & Vrensen, G. F. (2011). Homeostasis in the vertebrate lens: mechanisms of solute exchange. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 366(1568), 1265-1277. https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2010.0299

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Online Publication Date: Mar 14, 2011
• Publication Date: 2011-04
• Deposit Date: Apr 23, 2012
• Journal: Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
• Print ISSN: 0962-8436
• Electronic ISSN: 1471-2970
• Publisher: The Royal Society
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 366
• Issue: 1568
• Pages: 1265-1277
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2010.0299
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1500287