Figure 5. Effect of rofecoxib on EMT in LEC

In canine lens capsules treated for 2 weeks with 10 μM rofecoxib immediately following sham cataract surgery, remaining LEC had altered morphology and adhesion (A and B). Magnification 40X. "a" indicates the anterior capsule and "p" indicates the posterior capsule. Immunohistochemistry revealed little or no staining for COX-2, decreased expression of PCNA and α-SMA, and increased expression of cleaved caspase-3 (C-F, respectively). Bars, 20 μm. Western blot analysis of the LEC treated with 10 μM Rofecoxib following sham cataract surgery (G). COX-2 protein was decreased in rofecoxib-treated capsules compared to vehicle-treated capsules.