Lens epithelial cell regeneration of a capsule-like structure during postoperative healing in rabbits. 
To determine whether lens epithelial cells (LECs) can regenerate the lens capsule during healing after lens extraction and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation.  Department of Ophthalmology, Wakayama Medical College, Japan.  Extracapsular lens extraction and IOL implantation were performed in 5 adult albino rabbits.  Lens capsules were examined histologically and immunohistochemically 3 and 5 months later.  Lens epithelial cells proliferated and regenerated lens fibers within the capsular bag.  A multilayered homogenous capsule-like structure was present in the equatorial region.  The structures contained type IV collagen but not type I collagen.  Lens epithelial cells can regenerate lens capsule-like structures during healing after lens extraction.  Postoperative LECs without phenotypic conversion to a fibroblastic type may produce this structure.