Aldose reductase inhibition or ablation reduces levels of gene transcripts corresponding to TGF-β2–induced EMT markers. Messenger RNA was collected from either HLE B3 cells (A–D) or murine lens culture (E, F). Human lens epithelial B3 cells were treated with the vehicle or Sorbinil in the absence or presence of TGF-β2 (5ng/mL) for 24 hours. Lenses from wild-type or AR-null mice were treated with or without TGF-β2 (5 ng/mL) for 24 hours. Real-time analysis of mRNA levels of α-SMA (A, E), fibronectin (B, F), Snail (C), and Slug (D) was performed in HLE B3 cells or murine lens culture. Data shown are means ± SEM (n = 3). *P < 0.05; **P < 0.01.