Type II epithelial cells, which line the alveolar surface of the lung, are
exposed to a variety of potentially mutagenic and carcinogenic insults. The
purpose of this study was to determine if type II cells are susceptible to
oxidative DNA damage in vitro. Treatment of cultured rat type II lung epit
helial cells with hydrogen peroxide led to increased concentrations (nmol/m
g DNA) of 12 of 14 monitored DNA base modifications, suggesting oxidative d
amage by the hydroxyl radical. These base modifications are typically assoc
iated with oxidative stress, and elevated levels have been correlated with
mutagenesis and carcinogenesis. These data demonstrate that type II cells a
re indeed vulnerable to oxidative DNA damage. Environ. Mel. Mutagen. 33:273
-278, 1999 (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.