Aims: Hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) is the major oxidant involved in cataract formation. Lens epithelial cells have been suggested to be the first site of oxidative damage. The authors investigated the relationship between H(2)O(2)-induced cytotoxicity and activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) in human lens epithelial (HLE) cells.
Methods: HLE B-3 cells were stimulated by various concentrations of H(2)O(2) in the presence or absence of pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC), a potent inhibitor of NF-kappaB. H(2)O(2)-induced cytotoxicity was measured by lactate dehydrogenase cytotoxicity assay. Translocation of NF-kappaB was examined by Western blot and immunocytochemistry using anti-p65 antibody.
Results: H(2)O(2)-induced cytotoxicity increased in a concentration-dependent manner. PDTC treatment significantly suppressed the cytotoxicity induced by H(2)O(2). After stimulated with H(2)O(2), NF-kappaB was found translocated from cytoplasm into the nuclei. PDTC treatment also inhibited the translocation of NF-kappaB.
Conclusions: NF-kappaB signal pathway may be important in the development of H(2)O(2)-induced damage in HLE cells that is involved in cataractogenesis.