Concentration dependent effects of hydrogen peroxide on lens epithelial cells

Aims-To evaluate the effects of hydrogen peroxide exposure on the survival and proliferation of cultured lens epithelial cells. Methods-TOTL-86 cells, a line of rabbit lens epithelial cells, were used. T he survival and proliferation of TOTL-86 cells were quantified by a rapid c olorimetric assay (MTT assay). To determine the effects of hydrogen peroxid e, TOTL-86 cells were exposed to different concentrations of hydrogen perox ide, To determine the effect of cell numbers on the survival and proliferat ion of TOTL-86 cells at a fixed concentration of hydrogen peroxide, differe nt numbers of cells were plated and exposed to hydrogen peroxide, To determ ine whether there is a synergistic effect between hydrogen peroxide and EGF , bFGF, PDGF-AA, and insulin, TOTL-86 cells were exposed to hydrogen peroxi de combined with one of these growth factors. Results-High levels (1 mM) of hydrogen peroxide killed TOTL-86 cells and su blethal levels (100 mu M) suppressed their proliferation. From 1 nM to 1 mu M of hydrogen peroxide, there was a dose dependent increase in the cell nu mbers. The initial seeded cell number dramatically affected the response to hydrogen peroxide. Although growth factors showed no synergistic effects w ith hydrogen peroxide on proliferation, both EGF and insulin, bur not bFGF or PDGF, rescued TOTL-86 cells from the sublethal effect. Conclusion-Hydrogen peroxide in cooperation with some growth factors plays an important role in the proliferation of lens epithelial cell.