Abstract:Objective To investigate the role of Nrf2 in the oxidative damage and apoptosis of crystal epithelial cells. Methods Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) with different concentration was co-cultured with human lens epithelial cells (HLECs) for establishment of oxidative stress with or without Nfr2. Cellular activity was determined by MTT assay. Flow cytometry was used to detect the apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the superoxidase dismutase (SOD). The expression of Cleaved-Caspase-3, Bax, Bcl-2, Nrf2 protein, Nrf2 protein and Nrf2 protein were detected by Western blotting. Cellular localization of Nrf2 in in epithelial cells were identified by immunofluorescence. Results The crystal epithelial cells irreversibly died when concentration of H2O2 was more than 400?μmol/L. ROS production was increased while expression of SOD was decreased significantly with treatment of H2O2 for 48 hours when compared with normal control group (P?0.05), which was attenuated by Nrf2 (P?0.05). Western blotting data suggested that H2O2 induced an obvious increase of Bcl-2 (P?0.05) and decrease of cleaved-Caspase-3 and Bax (P?0.05), all of which was abolished by Nrf2 treatment (P?0.05). Expression of Nrf2 in H2O2 group was increased, along with tendency of nuclear translocation. Conclusions The expression and nuclear translocation of Nrf2 in human lens epithelial cells enhances anti-oxidative and anti-apoptotic capability.