Diethyldithiocarbamate inhibits iNOS expression in human lens epithelial cells stimulated by IFN-gamma and LPS

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the biological activity of human lens epithelial cells (HLEC) in producing inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and nitric oxide (NO), and to assesse the effect of diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC) on iNOS mRNA levels and expression of NOS. Methods: The human lens epithelial cell line SRA 01/04 was used in this experiment. Semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting were used to detect, respectively, iNOS mRNA expression and protein production. Results: A costimulation by interferon gamma (IFN-γ) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was necessary for iNOS expression in HLEC. The expression of iNOS was significantly reduced in a dose-dependent manner by adding DDC from 10 μmol/L to 1 mmol/L. Conclusion: The expression of iNOS in HLEC needs co-stimulation with IFN-γ and LPS and it is inhibited by DDC. ©2005 CPS and SIMM.