Chemopreventive Activities of Sulforaphane and Its Metabolites in Human Hepatoma HepG2 Cells.

Sulforaphane (SFN) exhibits chemopreventive effects through various mechanisms. However, few studies have focused on the bioactivities of its metabolites. Here, three metabolites derived from SFN were studied, known as sulforaphane glutathione, sulforaphane cysteine and sulforaphane--acetylcysteine.

AGEs in human lens capsule promote the TGFβ2-mediated EMT of lens epithelial cells: implications for age-associated fibrosis.

Proteins in basement membrane (BM) are long-lived and accumulate chemical modifications during aging; advanced glycation endproduct (AGE) formation is one such modification. The human lens capsule is a BM secreted by lens epithelial cells. In this study, we have investigated the effect of aging and cataracts on the AGE levels in the human lens capsule and determined their role in the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of lens epithelial cells.

Ku80 Counters Oxidative Stress-Induced DNA Damage and Cataract Formation in the Human Lens.

Purpose: Oxidative stress in the human lens leads to a wide range of damage including DNA strand breaks, which are likely to contribute to cataract formation. The protein Ku80 is a fundamental component of the nonhomologous end-joining pathway that repairs DNA double strand breaks. This study investigates the putative impact of Ku80 in cataract prevention in the human lens.

Experimental models for posterior capsule opacification research.

Millions of people worldwide are blinded due to cataract formation. At present the only means of treating a cataract is through surgical intervention. A modern cataract operation involves the creation of an opening in the anterior lens capsule to allow access to the fibre cells, which are then removed.

Sulforaphane can protect lens cells against oxidative stress: implications for cataract prevention.

Purpose: Protecting the lens against oxidative stress is of great importance in delaying the onset of cataract. Isothiocyanates, such as sulforaphane (SFN), are proposed to provide cytoprotection against oxidative stress. We therefore tested the ability of SFN to perform this role in lens cells and establish its ability to delay the onset of cataract.

Age-related differences in signaling efficiency of human lens cells underpin differential wound healing response rates following cataract surgery.

Purpose: Cataract surgery is blighted by posterior capsule opacification (PCO), which is more severe and frequent in the young than the elderly (>60 years). Our aim was to understand the biological basis for these age-related differences in PCO/wound healing rates.

Methods: Human capsular bags were prepared by cataract surgery on donor lenses (young [<40 years] and elderly [>60 years] groups) and maintained in serum-free Eagle's minimum essential medium.

TGFbeta/Smad4-dependent and -independent regulation of human lens epithelial cells.

Purpose: Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta can mediate fibrotic responses via Smad4-dependent and -independent signaling pathways. TGFbeta-induced transdifferentiation of lens epithelial cells to myofibroblasts and matrix contraction contribute to posterior capsule opacification (PCO) after cataract surgery. The primary objective of the study was to determine the importance of Smad4 in TGFbeta2-induced transdifferentiation, matrix contraction, and Smad signaling by human lens epithelial cells.

TGF beta-induced contraction is not promoted by fibronectin-fibronectin receptor interaction, or alpha SMA expression.

Purpose: Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta is a potent inducer of both transdifferentiation and contraction, which are regarded as critical processes that underpin tissue fibrosis. Consequently, transdifferentiation is believed to drive TGFbeta-mediated contraction. This study was conducted to determine the relationship between transdifferentiation of human lens epithelial cells and matrix contraction.

Lens cell survival after exposure to stress in the closed capsular bag.

Purpose: Despite recent improvements in IOL design posterior capsule opacification (PCO) remains a significant clinical problem after cataract surgery. The Perfect Capsule device (Milvella, Ltd., Epping, Australia) permits the introduction and subsequent removal of potentially toxic agents into the closed capsular bag.