原卟啉Ⅸ-声动力学疗法诱导S180肿瘤细胞的凋亡

采用频率为2.2MHz,声强为3W/cm2的低强度聚焦超声结合原卟啉Ⅸ对S180肿瘤细胞的损伤以及诱导细胞凋亡的发生进行研究,并探讨其作用的分子机制。超声激活原卟啉Ⅸ作用于S180肿瘤细胞处理后,不同时间段取材,通过Annexin V-PI荧光双染观察凋亡细胞的形态学变化;采用TUNEL末端标记法检测细胞凋亡的发生率;利用间接免疫荧光技术和免疫细胞化学技术检测细胞内凋亡相关蛋白Caspase-8、Caspase-3以及死亡底物聚ADP核糖聚合酶[poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase,PARP]的表达活性变化。实验结果显示:超声激活原卟啉Ⅸ可以诱导S180肿瘤细胞凋亡的发生,并且凋亡细胞的比例随着取材时间的延迟明显增加;免疫细胞化学染色表明声动力学处理显著增强了细胞内Caspase-8和Caspase-3的蛋白表达活性,并且其活化程度分别于处理后1h和3h达到最高,而死亡底物PARP也发生时间相关性剪切。研究表明,超声结合原卟啉Ⅸ可以通过诱导细胞凋亡的方式发挥其抗肿瘤活性,其作用的分子机制可能涉及到膜受体介导的Caspase-8、Caspase-3以及PARP依赖性的凋亡信号调节通路     

mTOR／STAT3信号通路在谷氨酸诱导的PC12细胞损伤中的作用

目的：研究谷氨酸（glutamate,GIu）诱导PCI2细胞损伤后mTOR／STAT3信号通路的表达情况及对细胞损伤的保护作用。方法：用不同浓度谷氨酸作用不同时间诱导PCI2细胞损伤,筛选出合适的浓度和作用时间后,将细胞分为3组进行下一步实验,分别为A组：正常对照组;B组：20mmol／L谷氨酸处理组;C组：20mmol／L谷氨酸＋800nmol／L雷帕霉素（rapamycin,RAPA）处理组。应用流式细胞术检测各组处理12h后细胞凋亡率,Westernblot观察各组处理1h、4h、8h、12h后,P-mTOR,P-STAT3蛋白表达情况。结果：（1）谷氨酸对PCI2细胞的生长抑制作用随作用时间和作用浓度的增加而增强。（2）C组凋亡率明显高于A组和B组。（3）Westernblot检测结果表明B组各时间点p-mTOR,P．STAT3表达均高于A、c组,并在4h时达到高峰。结论：细胞损伤激活了mTOR／STAT3信号通路,该通路的激活减少了细胞凋亡,对谷氨酸导致的神经细胞损伤具有保护作用,有助于神经损伤的修复。     

高温诱导HeLa细胞凋亡的相关机理的研究

目的研究不同高温作用后HeLa细胞bcl-2、bax和p53表达的变化.方法人子宫颈癌细胞系(HeLa细胞)分为37℃、40℃、43℃三个温度组,每组经1h相应的温度处理后,以免疫组织化学的方法检测bcl-2、bax和p53的表达并经图象分析仪检测反应产物的光密度并进行统计分析.结果 40℃、43℃组的Bcl-2的平均光密度明显低于37℃组,而43℃组Bax的平均光密度明显高于37℃组和40℃组,P53随着温度的升高平均光密度也随之升高.形态学观察:43℃组均见明显的细胞凋亡.结论温和性高温使HeLa细胞周期受阻,P53表达上调诱导bax基因表达、抑制bcl-2基因的表达,从而导致细胞凋亡.     

黄芪对镉致大鼠睾丸支持细胞超微结构及波形蛋白、E-钙粘蛋白表达改变的保护作用

目的 探讨黄芪对镉致大鼠睾丸支持细胞损伤的保护作用.方法 21只成年雄性SD大鼠随机分成镉组(0.1％氯化镉腹腔内注射,1mg/Kg体重/天,5天/周,处理后1、2、3、4周取材)、镉加黄芪组(注射氯化镉的同时注射黄芪,10g/Kg体重/天,5天/周,处理后2、4周取材)和对照组(腹腔内注射等量生理盐水).睾丸取材作光镜、免疫组织化学染色和图像分析及超微结构观察.结果 光镜H.E染色对照组支持细胞核不规则,染色浅,核仁明显,镉处理后胞浆内有空泡形成,镉加黄芪组支持细胞未见明显改变.对照组波形蛋白阳性产物在支持细胞靠近基室腔的胞浆中表达,E-钙粘蛋白阳性产物则主要定位于生精上皮近腔室的支持细胞和部分生精细胞胞浆中.镉处理后支持细胞胞浆中波形蛋白和E-钙粘蛋白阳性产物表达的平均光密度值均明显降低(P＜0.05),镉加黄芪组阳性产物表达虽较对照组减弱但明显高于相应镉组(P＜0.05).镉处理组支持细胞胞质特化区和紧密连接破坏,镉加黄芪组支持细胞超微病变较相应镉组为轻.结论 镉降低大鼠睾丸支持细胞波形蛋白和E-钙粘蛋白的表达并造成支持细胞的超微结构损伤,黄芪具有较好的保护效果.     

流体剪切力对成骨细胞LEF-1蛋白表达的影响

目的：探讨MC3T3-E1细胞在流体剪切力作用下LEF-1的表达。方法：通过流体剪切加载系统对MC3T3-E1爬片细胞施加12dyn/cm的流体剪切力,分别作用0h,2h,4h,8h,12h,用RT-PCR方法检测细胞受力前后LEF-1 mRNA表达的变化;应用免疫荧光双标记法检测不同时间点流体剪切力作用下MC3T3-E1细胞中的LEF-1 mRNA表达改变。结果：RT-PCR和免疫荧光双标记法的结果表明12dyn/cm 8h流体剪切力作用下的MC3T3-E1细胞LEF-1 mRNA的表达较其它各组明显增强。结论：通过流体剪切力力学刺激,激活了成骨细胞LEF-1/TCF1转录活动,LEF-1 mRNA的表达增强可能是成骨细胞经典Wnt信号通路对剪切应力的应答反应。     

乳粘素与半胱氨酸蛋白酶3抑制剂检测舌鳞癌细胞CAL-27凋亡中差异性的比较研究

目的：比较荧光标记的乳粘素（Lactadherin）和半胱氨酸天冬肽酶3（caspase-3）在检测由三氧化二砷（As2O3）诱导舌鳞癌细胞CAL-27凋亡中的敏感性,以期对两种方法在检测结果方面的不同意义有进-步的了解。方法：将配置好终浓度的As20。分别作用舌鳞癌细胞CAL．270h、3h、6h、12h,用荧光标记的caspase-3抑制剂（FAM200—1）标记原位激活的caspase-3,荧光标记的Lactadherin647检测细胞凋亡,荧光倒置显微镜分析其形态学变化,流式细胞仪定量检测并分析其活性变化。结果：As20,诱导细胞3h后．98．5％细胞被FAM200．1标记,只有1．3％细胞被Lactadherin647标记。6h、12h后,被Lactadherin647标记的细胞分别增至2．5％、6．1％。结论：As203作用细胞3h后细胞发生凋亡。FAM200—1先于乳粘素检测出早期凋亡的细胞,caspase-3的激活早于PS翻转。     

大豆异黄酮对大鼠乳腺癌细胞内cAMP/PKA信号途径的影响

本实验研究了大豆异黄酮对SHZ-88大鼠乳腺癌细胞内cAMP／PKA信号途径的影响。实验设3组：空白对照组、50μg／ml大豆黄酮及15μg／ml染料木素组。采用放射免疫测定法（RIA）检测了胞内cAMP的浓度、腺苷酸环化酶（adenylate cyclase,AC）和磷酸二酯酶（phosphodiesterase,PDE）的活性,用（γ-^32P）ATP掺入法测定cAMP依赖性PKA的活性,半定量RT-PCR法分析cAMP反应元件结合蛋白（cAMP response element binding protein,CREB）mRNA表达的变化。结果表明：在处理后5min,大豆黄酮组和染料木素组细胞的cAMP浓度分别比对照组升高了9．5％和11．0％（P〈0．05）：10min时,分别比对照组升高31．0％和40.3％（P〈0．01）。3组细胞的AC活性在处理时间内没有明显变化。但在处理后5min,大豆黄酮组和染料木素组细胞的PDE活性分别降至对照组的71．8％和71．6％（P〈0．05）。处理后20min,大豆黄酮组和染料木素组细胞PKA活性分别上升到对照组的125．8％和122．3％（P〈0．05）;到40min时仍维持在高水平。大豆黄酮组和染料木素组细胞CREB mRNA的表达量在处理后3h分别比对照组增加31．6％和51．1％（P〈0．05）;6h后开始下降。这些结果提示,大豆异黄酮能够激活大鼠乳腺癌细胞内cAMP／PKA信号途径;而且是通过抑制磷酸二酯酶的活性,导致胞内cAMP浓度升高而实现的。     

非小细胞肺癌EGFR表达与^18F-FDG-PET SUVmax值的相关性研究

目的：探讨非小细胞肺癌组织中EGFR蛋白在的表达与PET-CT检测的SUVmax的相关性。方法：临床收集30例非小细胞肺癌患者,每一病例首先行PET-CT检查,然后行CT导引下活检穿刺,同一病灶取2个穿刺部位,分别为肿瘤组织内SUVmax值2.5-5区域及SUVmax〉5区域,采用免疫组化方法检测检测30例非小细胞肺癌肿瘤内部不同部位EGFR表达。结果：EGFR蛋白表达、SUVmax值在不同年龄、性别、病理类型中表达的差异无统计学意义（P均〉0.05）。EGFR蛋白表达、SUVmax值在不同的肿瘤直径、临床分期组表达差异有统计学意义（P均〈0.05）。NSCLC肿块SUVmax值与组织EGFR表达呈显著正相关（P〈0.05）。结论：NSCLC组织SUV值与组织EGFR表达有显著相关性,可以为非小细胞肺癌的放疗提供指导。     

过表达CREG抑制高糖诱导的人脐静脉内皮细胞凋亡

目的：探讨E1A激活基因阻遏子（Cellular repressor of ElA-stimulated genes,CREG）在高糖引起的人脐静脉内皮细胞（Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells,HUVECs）损伤中的作用,为寻找糖尿病血管病变新的治疗靶点提供实验依据。方法：采用胶原酶消化法分离原代HUVECs,并用内皮细胞标志物CD31免疫荧光染色进行鉴定。分别用含有5．5mmol／1葡萄糖（正常糖对照组）、5．5mmol／1葡萄糖＋27．5mmol／1甘露醇（渗透压对照组）或33mmol／l葡萄糖（高糖组）的培养液培养HUVECs48h。WesternBlot检测剪切体caspase-3表达;AnnexinV／PI双染后流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡。通过感染表达CREG基因的腺病毒获得CREG过表达的HUvECs,WesternBlot及流式细胞术评价CREG过表达对HUVECs凋亡的影响。结果：高糖处理48h后,HUVECs内剪切体caspase-3的蛋白表达增加,细胞凋亡率增加;过表达CREG后,高糖处理的HUVECs内剪切体Caspase-3表达和凋亡细胞比例均明显降低,但仍高于正常糖对照组。结论：CREG过表达可抑制高糖引起的HUVECs凋亡。     

马桑内酯激活的星形胶质细胞条件培养液对正常大鼠脑内及培养的神经元内PLCβ1的影响

目的揭示星形胶质细胞对大鼠脑内及培养的神经元磷脂酶Cβ1(PLCβ1)的影响及其在癫痫发病中的作用。方法将马桑内酯激活的星形胶质细胞条件培养液(astrocyte-conditioned medium,ACM)注射入正常SD大鼠侧脑室,观察大鼠的行为变化;运用免疫组织化学方法,观察大鼠大脑皮质、海马内PLCβ1免疫反应的变化;将培养的神经元随机分为2组:1.对照组(无血清培养基组),2.ACM组。各组细胞分别培养4、8、12h后,免疫细胞化学方法观察培养神经元内PLCβ1表达的变化,Western blot法检测各组培养神经元PLCβ1含量的变化。结果ACM组大鼠在注射ACM后30 min出现癫痫行为,2 h恢复正常;免疫组织化学显示:ACM作用后4h,大鼠大脑皮质、海马PLCβ1免疫反应阳性神经元数和平均光密度值显著增高(P<0.05);培养神经元的免疫细胞化学染色证明ACM组在作用4h时PLCβ1免疫阳性反应产物明显增加,与对照组比较有明显差异(P<0.05);Western blot结果表明PLCβ1含量在ACM作用4h较对照组明显增多(P<0.05)。结论马桑内酯激活的星形胶质细胞条件培养液可上调大鼠脑内及培养的神经元内PLCβ1的表达,并导致动物痫性发作。     

Study of cell killing and morphology on S180 by ultrasound activating hematoporphyrin derivatives

Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) is one of antitumor strategies that kill tumor cells through the synergistic effects caused by the combined use of HpD and US[1]. SDT is based on the following principle. Ultrasound used in SDT can penetrate the deep tissue and activate HpD, which accu- mulated in tumor cell, and produce highly active oxygen species[2] such as singlet oxygen (1O2), which can destroy the structure of tumor cells. So far the studies on the SDT have focused mainly on the mechan…     

Study of cell killing and morphology on S180 by ultrasound activating hematoporphyrin derivatives

The inhibition of ascitic S180 and induced sarcoma 180 in vivo was studied with the combination of hematoporphyrin derivatives (HpD) and ultrasound (US) at the frequency of 1.1 MHz and different intensities by light microscopy observation, electronic microscopy observation, cytochemical analysis and fluorescence labeling. The present study indicated that the injury of ascitic S180 increased as time passed and the inhibitory effect was stronger in US plus HpD group than that in other groups. Our results also indicated that the changes in cell structure, cytochrome C oxidase activity, the degradation and missing of DNA were the important factors that inhibited the tumor cell growth and even induced celldeath. The phenomenon of apoptosis of tumor cells indicated that cell death andinduced apoptosis exist in the treatment of sonodynamic therapy (SDT). Our study investigated the mechanism underlying the killing effect of S180 induced by USactivating HpD by the observation of cell morphology and dynamic changes from seminal injury to succeeded injury even to death. It would provide rich referencefor the study of SDT.     

声化学诱导艾氏腹水瘤细胞凋亡机制初探

本研究采用频率1.43MHz,声强3W/cm2的高频聚焦超声处理艾氏腹水肿瘤细胞,研究超声激活血卟啉诱导艾氏腹水肿瘤细胞凋亡的途径及其与癌细胞内的氧自由基之间的关系。通过细胞免疫组织化学方法检测与癌细胞凋亡相关的Bax,细胞色素c和caspase-3蛋白的动态表达,黄嘌呤氧化酶法检测超氧化物歧化酶活性变化,硫代巴比妥酸法检测膜脂质过氧化物的含量。结果发现超声加血卟啉处理1h,癌细胞胞浆中的三种促凋亡蛋白表达增多,3h时表现为高表达;处理1h的癌细胞,超氧化物歧化酶活性下降,膜脂质过氧化物增多。研究结果表明超声激活血卟啉诱导艾氏腹水肿瘤细胞凋亡可能通过线粒体途径,且与癌细胞受损后产生的氧自由基有关。     

EGFR phosphorylation-dependent formation of cell-cell contacts by Ras/Erks cascade inhibition

Cell-cell contacts play important roles in the homeostasis of normal epithelium and in the steps of metastasis of tumor cells, although signaling mechanisms to regulate cell-cell contacts are unclear. In this study, we observed that phenotype of no cell-cell contacts in rat intestinal epithelial cell subline (RIE1-Sca) correlated with increased Erk1/2 signaling activity, compared to that of parental RIE1 cells growing in colonies. Furthermore, cell-cell contacts between RIE1-Sca cells were reformed by treatment with a specific MEK inhibitor (U0126), with translocation of ZO1 and beta-catenin to cell-cell contacts, without changes of their expression levels. U0126 treatment also increased EGFR phosphorylation in a ligand-independent manner. Pretreatment with EGFR kinase inhibitor abolished U0126 treatment-mediated EGFR phosphorylation, and expression of dominant negative H-Ras N17 allowed EGFR phosphorylation and cell-cell contacts even without U0126 treatment. Furthermore, the expression of a nonphosphorylatable EGFR Y5F mutant abolished U0126-mediated cell-cell contacts. U0126 treatment also caused less efficient wound healing by keeping monolayer integrity intact, compared to control untreated cells. This U0126-mediated reduction in wound healing was further altered either by pretreatment of EGFR kinase inhibitor or expression of H-Ras N17 or EGFR Y5F. Taken together, this study supports a unique mechanism of cell-cell contact formation through MEK/Erks inhibition-mediated EGFR phosphorylation.     

Isolation and characterization of stromal progenitor cells from ascites of patients with epithelial ovarian adenocarcinoma

Background

At least one-third of epithelial ovarian cancers are associated with the development of ascites containing heterogeneous cell populations, including tumor cells, inflammatory cells, and stromal elements. The components of ascites and their effects on the tumor cell microenvironment remain poorly understood. This study aimed to isolate and characterize stromal progenitor cells from the ascites of patients with epithelial ovarian adenocarcinoma (EOA).

Methods

Seventeen ascitic fluid samples and 7 fresh tissue samples were collected from 16 patients with EOA. The ascites samples were then cultured in vitro in varying conditions. Flow cytometry and immunocytochemistry were used to isolate and characterize 2 cell populations with different morphologies (epithelial type and mesenchymal type) deriving from the ascites samples. The in vitro cell culture model was established using conditional culture medium.

Results

The doubling times of the epithelial type and mesenchymal type cells were 36 h and 48 h, respectively, indicating faster growth of the epithelial type cells compared to the mesenchymal type cells. Cultured in vitro, these ascitic cells displayed the potential for self-renewal and long-term proliferation, and expressed the typical cancer stem/progenitor cell markers CD44^high, CD24^low, and AC133⁺. These cells also demonstrated high BMP-2, BMP4, TGF-β, Rex-1, and AC133 early gene expression, and expressed EGFR, integrin α₂β₁, CD146, and Flt-4, which are highly associated with tumorigenesis and metastasis. The epithelial type cells demonstrated higher cytokeratin 18 and E-cadherin expression than the mesenchymal type cells. The mesenchymal type cells, in contrast, demonstrated higher AC133, CD73, CD105, CD117, EGFR, integrin α₂β₁, and CD146 surface marker expression than the epithelial type cells.

Conclusion

The established culture system provides an in vitro model for the selection of drugs that target cancer-associated stromal progenitor cells, and for the development of ovarian cancer treatments.     

Superoxide dismutase induces G1‐phase cell cycle arrest by down‐regulated expression of Cdk‐2 and cyclin‐E in murine sarcoma S180 tumor cells

As an efficient reactive oxygen species–scavenging enzyme, superoxide dismutase (SOD) has been shown to inhibit tumor growth and interfere with motility and invasiveness of cancer cells. In this study, the molecular mechanisms of cell cycle arrest when S180 tumor cells were exposed to high levels of SOD were investigated. Here, both murine sarcoma S180 tumor cells and NIH‐3T3 mouse fibroblasts were respectively treated with varying concentrations of Cu/Zn‐SOD for 24, 48 and 72 h to determine optimal dose of SOD, which was a concentration of 800 U/ml SOD for 48 h. It is found that SOD induced S180 cell cycle arrest at G1‐phase with decreasing level of superoxide production, whereas SOD had less effect on proliferation of NIH‐3T3 cells. Moreover, the expression rate of Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA) in S180 tumor cells was suppressed after SOD treatment, which indicated the inhibition of DNA synthesis in S180 cells. Besides, there were significant down‐regulations of cyclin‐E and Cdk‐2 in S180 cells after SOD treatment, which contributed to the blockage of G1/S transition in S180 cell cycle. Together, our data confirmed that SOD could notably inhibit proliferation of S180 tumor cell and induce cell cycle arrest at G1‐phase by down‐regulating expressions of cyclin‐E and Cdk‐2. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Constitutive Activation of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Promotes Tumorigenesis of Cr(VI)-transformed Cells through Decreased Reactive Oxygen Species and Apoptosis Resistance Development

Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) compounds are well-established lung carcinogens. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a tyrosine kinase transmembrane receptor that regulates cell survival, tumor invasion, and angiogenesis. Our results show that chronic exposure of human bronchial epithelial (BEAS-2B) cells to Cr(VI) is able to cause malignant cell transformation. These transformed cells exhibit apoptosis resistance with reduced poly ADP-ribose polymerase cleavage (C-PARP) and Bax expression and enhanced expressions of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL. These transformed cells also exhibit reduced capacity of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation along with elevated expression of antioxidant manganese superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2). The expression of this antioxidant was also elevated in lung tumor tissue from a worker exposed to Cr(VI) for 19 years. EGFR was activated in Cr(VI)-transformed BEAS-2B cells, lung tissue from animals exposed to Cr(VI) particles, and human lung tumor tissue. Further study indicates that constitutive activation of EGFR in Cr(VI)-transformed cells was due to increased binding to its ligand amphiregulin (AREG). Inhibition of EGFR or AREG increased Bax expression and reduced Bcl-2 expression, resulting in reduced apoptosis resistance. Furthermore, inhibition of AREG or EGFR restored capacity of ROS generation and decreased SOD2 expression. PI3K/AKT was activated, which depended on EGFR in Cr(VI)-transformed BEAS-2B cells. Inhibition of PI3K/AKT increased ROS generation and reduced SOD2 expression, resulting in reduced apoptosis resistance with commitment increase in Bax expression and reduction of Bcl-2 expression. Xenograft mouse tumor study further demonstrates the essential role of EGFR in tumorigenesis of Cr(VI)-transformed cells. In summary, the present study suggests that ligand-dependent constitutive activation of EGFR causes reduced ROS generation and increased antioxidant expression, leading to development of apoptosis resistance, contributing to Cr(VI)-induced tumorigenesis.     

As2O3干预口腔鳞癌A431 细胞EGFR 表达的研究

目的：研究三氧化二砷（As2O3）对人口腔鳞癌A431细胞生长的抑制作用,探讨其抗肿瘤的机制。方法：合成特异性靶向到肿 瘤细胞表面表皮生长因子受体（EGFR）的近红外荧光分子对比剂EGF-Cy5.5,验证试剂合成的靶向特异性。口腔鳞状细胞癌 A431 细胞系暴露于浓度分别为0 滋M,0.5 滋M,2.5 滋M和5.0 滋M的三氧化二砷溶液中0,24 h,48 h和72 h。共聚焦显微镜、流式 细胞仪及免疫组化证实EGFR的表达水平,上述实验均测量三次,结果取平均值。结果：EGF-Cy5.5 靶向荧光对比剂的标记率为 68%~70 %。对比对照组,越高浓度的三氧化二砷处理的肿瘤细胞其获得的细胞荧光信号强度越小,这与药物浓度越高细胞表面表 达EGFR 的量越少相一致。流式细胞仪显示,在72 小时,作用于细胞的三氧化二砷药物浓度分别为0.5 滋M,2.5 滋M,和5.0 滋M, 其相对应获得的细胞EGFR 表达量分别为57.28± 3.2 %(P<0.05), 29.91± 2.2 %(P<0.01) 和10.73± 2.4 %(P<0.01),明显低于对照 组的细胞EGFR 表达量74.42± 1.8 %,（P <0.05)。结论：本研究应用近红外荧光分子成像的方法体外检测口腔鳞状细胞癌A431 的 EGFR表达水平,实验证明三氧化二砷对其EGFR 具有明显的抑制作用,且抑制作用具有时间- 剂量依赖性。     

Extracellular generation of hydrogen peroxide is responsible for activation of EGF receptor by ultraviolet A radiation

Receptor tyrosine kinases such as the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) have been proposed to be activated in cells exposed to ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation (320-400 nm) and to be involved in photocarcinogenesis. Singlet oxygen and hydrogen peroxide are being discussed as mediators of the activation of signal transduction pathways by UVA. It is demonstrated here that EGFR is not activated in cells exposed to UVA in the absence of extracellular photosensitizers. Rather, UVA was capable of activating the EGFR and the related ErbB2 receptor tyrosine kinase in HeLa cells and human keratinocytes only under conditions that allowed for the extracellular photochemical generation of H(2)O(2), such as when cells were covered with cell culture medium during exposure to UVA. Pretreatment of cells with vanadate was required for UVA-induced EGFR activation, pointing to the involvement of protein tyrosine phosphatases. Unlike H(2)O(2), photochemically generated singlet oxygen did not activate EGFR but instead impaired the activation of EGFR by its ligand, EGF. In summary, extracellularly generated H(2)O(2) mediates UVA-induced activation of the EGFR and of ErbB2, whereas intracellular generation of reactive oxygen species upon exposure of cells to UVA is not sufficient for activation of the receptor.