Abstract

Aims: Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) 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 H₂O₂-induced cytotoxicity and activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) in human lens epithelial (HLE) cells.

Methods: HLE B-3 cells were stimulated by various concentrations of H₂O₂ in the presence or absence of pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC), a potent inhibitor of NF-κB. H₂O₂-induced cytotoxicity was measured by lactate dehydrogenase cytotoxicity assay. Translocation of NF-κB was examined by Western blot and immunocytochemistry using anti-p65 antibody.

Results: H₂O₂-induced cytotoxicity increased in a concentration-dependent manner. PDTC treatment significantly suppressed the cytotoxicity induced by H₂O₂. After stimulated with H₂O₂, NF-κB was found translocated from cytoplasm into the nuclei. PDTC treatment also inhibited the translocation of NF-κB.

Conclusions: NF-κB signal pathway may be important in the development of H₂O₂-induced damage in HLE cells that is involved in cataractogenesis.