Caspase-3 and its inhibitor Ac-DEVD-CHO in rat lens epithelial cell apoptosis induced by hydrogen in vitro.
- Author:
Ke YAO
1
;
Kaijun WANG
;
Wen XU
;
Zhaohui SUN
;
Xingchao SHENTU
;
Peijin QIU
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH: Animals; Apoptosis; drug effects; Caspase 3; Caspase Inhibitors; Caspases; metabolism; physiology; Cysteine Proteinase Inhibitors; pharmacology; Enzyme Activation; Epithelial Cells; cytology; Female; Hydrogen Peroxide; pharmacology; Lens, Crystalline; cytology; Oligopeptides; pharmacology; Organ Culture Techniques; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley
- From: Chinese Medical Journal 2003;116(7):1034-1038
- CountryChina
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of caspase-3 and its inhibitor Ac-DEVD-CHO in rat lens epithelial cell apoptosis induced by hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) in vitro.
METHODSRat lenses were incubated in modified Eagle's medium containing 2 mmol/L H(2)O(2) to induce apoptosis in vitro. Apoptosis in lens epithelial cells was assessed by transmission electron microscopy and annexin V-propidium iodide (PI) double staining flow cytometry after 12, 24 and 48 h of incubation. The activity of caspase-3 was analyzed by western blotting.
RESULTSObservations under transmission electron microscopy revealed that 2 mmol/L H(2)O(2) could effectively induce lens epithelial cell apoptosis in vitro. Caspase-3 activity increased during cell apoptosis and the peak measurement occurred at 24 h after treatment with H(2)O(2). Cell apoptosis was blocked by caspase-3 inhibitor Ac-DEVD-CHO.
CONCLUSIONSThe activation of caspase-3 plays an important role in executing apoptosis in H(2)O(2)-treated lens epithelial cells and in the formation of cataract. The caspase-3 inhibitor Ac-DEVD-CHO may effectively prevent lens epithelial cell apoptosis caused by oxidative injury.
