Figure 4. Growth factor-induced enhancement of ROS generation in human lens epithelial cells

This figure depicts EGF-induced ROS sensitive DCF fluorescence and its suppression by DPI or N-acetyl cysteine (NAC). Addition of EGF to the serum starved human lens cells rapidly and dramatically enhances intracellular green fluorescence (derived from the ROS-sensitive DCFA dye). However, this response was completely abolished in cells pretreated with either DPI, the flavoprotein inhibitor or with the anti-oxidant, N-acetyl cysteine. Control cells show a very low level of fluorescence, whereas cells pretreated with either DPI or with NAC do not display any detectable fluorescence. All the samples including control, EGF, DPI and NAC treated, contained the same number of lens epithelial cells.