WRN inhibits oxidative stress-induced apoptosis of human lensepithelial cells through ATM/p53 signaling pathway and its expression is downregulated by DNA methylation

BACKGROUND: Apoptosis and oxidative stress are the main etiology of age related cataract (ARC). This article aims to investigate the role of WRN in lens epithelial cells (LECs). METHODS: We estimated the methylation level of WRN in anterior lens capsule tissues of ARC patients. SRA01/04 (LECs) cells were treated with H(2)O(2) or combined with 5-aza-2-deoxycytidine (5-Aza-CdR) or chloroquine. CCK8 and flow cytometry were performed to explore proliferation and apoptosis. The content of ROS was detected by fluorescent probe DCFH-DA. The gene and protein expression was assessed by quantitative real-time PCR or western blot. RESULTS: WRN was down-regulated and the methylation level of WRN was increased in the anterior lens capsule tissues. WRN overexpression and 5-Aza-CdR enhanced proliferation and repressed apoptosis and oxidative stress of SRA01/04 cells. 5-Aza-CdR enhanced WRN expression. WRN knockdown inhibited proliferation and promoted apoptosis and oxidative stress of SRA01/04 cells, which was rescued by 5-Aza-CdR. WRN overexpression and 5-Aza-CdR repressed ATM/p53 signaling pathway. Furthermore, chloroquine inhibited proliferation and promoted apoptosis and oxidative stress of SRA01/04 cells by activating ATM/p53 signaling pathway. The influence conferred by chloroquine was abolished by WRN overexpression. CONCLUSION: Our study reveals that DNA methylation mediated WRN inhibits apoptosis and oxidative stress of human LECs through ATM/p53 signaling pathway.