AIM:To study the relationship between JAK-STAT pathway and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in human lens epithelial cells. Meanwhile, the function of AG490 as a JAK inhibitor was also demonstrated in this article.

METHODS:Human lens epithelial cells SRA01/04(LECs)were treated by low concentration of glucose(5.5mmol/L). High concentration of glucose(30.5mmol/L)was used to treat the cells in order to form the high glucose model. According to adding AG490 or not, cells were divided into the control group and the experimental group, appropriate concentration 10μmol/L and 50μmol/L of AG490 were chosen and acting time of 6, 12, 24, 48h were selected. Effect of AG490 on cell migration was measured by wound healing test. The expression of TGF-β₁, FN, α-SMA mRNA were examined by RT-PCR.

RESULTS:With the prolonged acting time(6, 12, 24 and 48h), cell activity increased in the HG group, as well as more expression of TGF-β₁, FN, α-SMA mRNA were detected compared to the LG group(P<0.05). In AG490 group, the cell migration activity and expression of TGF-β₁, FN, α-SMA mRNA decreased compared to the HG group(P<0.05).

CONCLUSION:JAK-STAT pathway takes part in high glucose-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition in human lens epithelial cells. The mechanism is that it impacts the transcriptional expression of TGF-β₁ and extracellular matrix. AG490, a JAK inhibitor, inhibits high glucose-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition in human lens epithelial cells, And the inhibition enhances with the increasing concentration of AG490.