Mouse Lens Epithelial Cells

The lens is a transparent structure in the eye that is designed to refract light and focus the light onto the retina. The mammalian lens consists of two cell types, lens fiber cells which form the bulk of the lens, and a monolayer of epithelial cells that cover the anterior surface of the fibers. Lens epithelial cells (LEpiC) are responsible for homeostasis regulation of the lens, including electrolyte and fluid transport. Under normal development, LEpiC progressively differentiate and mature. LEpiC then migrate from the equatorial region into the interior of the lens to produce transparent crystallins, elongate to form lens fiber cells, and eventually lose their nuclei and other organelles. Studies have shown that LEpiC differentiation and lens polarization are regulated by growth factors present in the ocular fluids, such as epidermal growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor, insulin growth factor, and insulin. Mouse LEpiC (MLEpiC) are a useful model for studying issues associated with the lens, including cataracts.

MLEpiC from ScienCell Research Laboratories are isolated from postnatal day 8 CD-1 mouse lens. MLEpiC are cryopreserved at passage one and delivered frozen. Each vial contains >5 x 10⁵ cells in 1 ml volume. MLEpiC are characterized by immunofluorescence with antibodies specific to cytokeratin-18. MLEpiC are negative for mycoplasma, bacteria, yeast and fungi. MLEpiC are guaranteed to further expand for 5 population doublings.

Recommended Medium

It is recommended to use Epithelial Cell Medium (EpiCM Cat. #4101) for culturing MLEpiC in vitro.

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