AIM:To evaluate the role of intercellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1) in the pathogenesis of diabetic cataract,and to investigate the effects of transforming growth factorβ-1(TGF - β1) on the expression of ICAM-1 in the lens epithelium cells.METHODS:Totally 120 SD rats were randomly divided into two groups:normal control group and diabetic cataract group.Diabetic model was built in diabetic cataract group.Immunohistochemical streptavidin-peroxidases(SP) method was used to observe changes of the expression of ICAM-1 in the lens epithelium cells in two groups.RT-PCR method was used to detect the effects of TGF-β1 and TGF-β1 antibody on the expression of ICAM-1 in the cultured human lens epithelium cells.RESULTS:The expression of ICAM-1 in the lens epithelium cells was significantly higher in diabetic cataract group than that in normal control group,and increasing with the development of disease (P<0.01).The expression of ICAM-1 in the lens epithelium cells was significantly increased in TGF-β1 cultured group,which had statistical significance compared with normal serum cultured group(P<0.05).The expression of ICAM-1 was significantly inhibited in TGF-β1 antibody cultured group,which had statistical significance compared with TGF-β1 cultured group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:TGF-β1 could induce the expression of ICAM-1 in the lens epithelium cells,and played an important role in the occurence of diabetic cataract through promoting attachment and proliferation of lens epithelium cells.