title: Mitochondria-Targeted Antioxidant Peptide SS31 Protects Cultured Human Lens Epithelial Cells against Oxidative Stress.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effects of the mitochondria-targeted peptide, SS31, on cultured human lens epithelial cells (HLECs) under conditions of oxidative stress.
  
  
  METHODS
  Optimal concentrations of SS31 were determined by MTT assay. HLEB-3 cells were first treated with SS31 for 2 h and then with 500 µM t-BHP for 6 h. Cell apoptosis was revealed by Annexin V/PI staining. Morphological changes in nuclei were observed by fluorescence microscopy after Hoechest 33258 fluorescent staining. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured by MitoSOX staining. Changes in mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) were detected using the JC-1 fluorescent dye. Activation of p38 and c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) were quantified by Western Blot analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  SS31 protected HLEB-3 cells against t-BHP-induced cell apoptosis, reduced ROS, maintained ΔΨms, and inhibited activation of JNK and p38 pathways.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SS31 was able to protect HLEB-3 cells against oxidative damage and, thus, represents a potential new treatment modality for preventing the formation of cataracts and other age-related disorders.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University , Guangzhou , P.R. China.
authors.forename: Meng
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cai
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Shaofen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Xiaoyun
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Xiaoyan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Lizhu
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Luo
mesh_terms: D017304:Annexin A5 / Q000378:metabolism; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002470:Cell Survival; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D019610:Cytoprotection / Q000187:drug effects; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D048031:JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D053078:Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial / Q000502:physiology; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects*; D009842:Oligopeptides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D020122:tert-Butylhydroperoxide / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D017304:Annexin A5; D000975:Antioxidants; D009842:Oligopeptides; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; C506540:arginyl-2,'6'-dimethyltyrosyl-lysyl-phenylalaninamide; D020122:tert-Butylhydroperoxide; D048031:JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
keywords: Antioxidant; SS31; cataract; cell model; in vitro