Dear Editor:

I have recently read an article in your journal by Zhuang et al.⁽¹⁾ and became interested in this work, specifically because as indicated in the title, the lens cell line FHL124 was used as an experimental model. I was curious to read in the Methods section that the authors obtained these cells from American Type Culture Collection (ATCC). As far as I am aware, FHL124 cells are not commercially available. Upon accessing the ATCC website and searching for lens cells, only human lens epithelial (HLE-B3) are available for sale. Indeed, the latter are virally transformed, whereas FHL124 cells are spontaneously transformed and better reflect observations in tissue culture models⁽²⁾. Therefore, the authors should confirm that the cells they have used are indeed FHL124 and not HLE-B3 and, if so, clearly present the source of their FHL124 cells.

Kind regards,

REFERENCES

1. Zhuang H, Zheng NX, Lin L, Zhang WZ, Zhang WY, Yu QQ, et al. Fluorofenidone inhibits epithelial-mesenchymal transition in human lens epithelial cell line FHL 124: a promising therapeutic strategy against posterior capsular opacification. Arq Bras Oftalmol. 2021:S0004-27492021005001227. doi: 10.5935/0004-2749.20210040.

2. Wormstone IM, Eldred JA. Experimental models for posterior capsule opacification research. Exp Eye Res. 2016;142(1):2-12.

Submitted for publication: February 12, 2021.
Accepted for publication: February 19, 2021.

Funding: This study received no specific financial support.

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest: None of the authors have any potential conflicts of interest to disclose.