Effects of cadmium chloride on the cultured human lens epithelial cells

PURPOSE: To investigate cadmium chloride cytotoxicity in human lens epithelial cells as well as the mode of cell death and its mechanism. METHODS: Cultured human lens epithelial cells were challenged with cadmium chloride. Morphological changes of human lens epithelial cells caused by cadmium chloride exposure were evaluated by microscope. Cell viability was evaluated by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-dipheny tetrazolium bromice (MTT) assay. To explore the mechanism of cell death, p53 and caspase-8 levels were measured by western blotting. RESULTS: Microscopic examination indicated that cell death increased after cadmium chloride exposure compared to untreated cells. The MTT assay demonstrated that cadmium chloride significantly decreased cell viability in a dose dependent way. Western blot and quantitative analysis showed that both p53 and caspase-8 increased after cell exposure to cadmium chloride. p53 increased 210% and caspase-8 increased 30% in the experimental group as compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Cadmium chloride induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis in human lens epithelial cells and the mechanism of apoptosis involve an increased expression of p53 and caspase-8.