Objective: To observe the expression and distribution of caveolin and phosphorylated caveolin-1 in human lens epithelial cells (HLECs) under H(2)O(2) treatment.
Methods: HLECs (SRA01/04) were exposed to different concentrations of H(2)O(2) for different periods of time. The distribution of caveolin and phosphorylated caveolin-1 in H(2)O(2) treated cells was observed by laser scanning confocal microscopy and fluorescence microscopy. Western blot was conducted to analyze the protein expression alterations of caveolin and caveolin-1 phosphorylation.
Results: HLECs contained abundant caveolin. Immunofluorescence image of caveolin in cytoplasm increased significantly in H(2)O(2) treated cells. One hour after H(2)O(2) treatment, the cells membranes began to break, whereas the immunofluorescence image of caveolin could still be observed. Caveolin-1 was phosphorylated on tyrosine 14 in HLECs after stimulation with H(2)O(2). Western blot analysis revealed that caveolin protein level was down regulated under H(2)O(2) stress.
Conclusions: The caveolin is redistributed and the caveolae is destroyed in HLECs when stimulated by H(2)O(2). And the caveolin expression also down regulated by H(2)O(2) stimulation. Caveolae and caveolin are likely to play an important role in the HLECs.