Objective To examine the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) transcriptional activity and the protein levels of heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) and γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase (γ-GCSc) in SH-SY5Y cells induced by lead.
Methods SH-SY5Y cells cultured in vitro were exposed to 0, 5, 25, and 125 μmol/L lead acetate solutions. After 12 h and 24 h of exposure, cell viability was determined by methly thiazolyl tetrazolium assay, and capacity of Nrf2-antioxidant response element (ARE) binding was measured by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. Western blot was used to detect the protein levels of HO-1 and γ-GCSc.
Results Compared with the control group, the viability of the lead acetate cultured cells was significantly decreased; the capacity of Nrf2-ARE binding and the protein levels of HO-1 and γ-GCSc were obviously increased (P< 0.05).
Conclusion Lead toxicity in SH-SY5Y cells presents in a dose-dependent manner. Lead can activate the transcriptional activity of Nrf2, and upregulate the expressions of Nrf2-mediated antioxidant enzyme HO-1 and γ-GCSc.
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