α-SMA is expressed in lens epithelial cells in vivo. Western blot of α-SMA from lens epithelial cells isolated from fresh lenses of different species. An equal amount of protein (20 μg) was loaded for human, rabbit and bovine samples and 10 μg of protein was loaded for the mouse sample. M, marker; Hu, human; Ra, rabbit; Bov, bovine; Per, peripheral lens epithelia; Cen, central lens epithelia; Mou, mouse, To, fresh lens epithelial cells; D4, lens epithelial cells explants cultured for four days in basal media.