Lens fibre differentiation is a life-long process related with lens transparency, and is particularly intense during development, being related with an FGF-2 antero-posterior gradient at the equator level as the main growth factor involved which has been related with the basal membrane of the lens anlagen known as “Lens capsule”. However the lens fibre differentiation induced by FGF2 depends, as in other biological systems, on the local bioavailability of FGF-2 regulated by their relationship with extracellular matrix molecules as Heparan Sulphate Proteoglycans. Here, we try to clarify how Perlecan (a heparan sulphate proteoglycan specific from basement membranes) is involved in lens fibre differentiation at earliest stages of eye development. Our results show that Perlecan, is a major component in the lens capsule during the earliest stages of lens development in chick embryos being present during lens plate induction, lens vesicle stage and the onset of lens fibre differentiation. In order to demonstrate a direct involvement of HSPG-Perlecan in lens fibre differentiation, we generate depleted lenses by HSPG-Perlecan synthesis disruption and specific enzymatic digestion. The HSPG-Perlecan depleted lens show a significant delay or abolition in the lens fibre differentiation which remains in an immature cells displaying DNA synthesis in the posterior epithelium and a decrease in FGF2 lens expression. These data support the hypothesis that lens capsule HSPG-Perlecan is a key molecule involved in lens fibre differentiation during development, probably by involvement in FGF-2 biodisponibility.
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