与细胞周期G2/M期进程相关的H2AX磷酸化

γH2AX焦点(foci)被普遍当做DNA双链断裂（DSB）损伤的分子标志物.为探 讨细胞周期进程相关的H2AX磷酸化规律特征,采用胸腺嘧啶双阻滞结合噻氨酯哒唑(nocodazole)的后续处理,将HeLa细胞同步于有丝分裂的前中期．然后,用流式细胞仪检测细胞周期、Western印迹和免疫荧光法,观察γH2AX表达和γH2AX焦点的形成．结果显示,细胞进入G2/M期和有丝分裂过程中,γH2AX水平显著增加 ;在无DNA DSB发生的情况下,部分M期细胞中也存在大量的γH2AX焦点．随着细 胞完成有丝分裂从M期退出再进入G1期,γH2AX的表达水平逐渐降低．这种 γH2AX表达变化特征与G2/M期密切关联的PLK1和Cyclin B1的表达规律相类似． 在4 Gy大剂量照射下,HeLa细胞于照后8 到12 h出现明显的G2/M期阻滞．γH2AX 焦点数在照后1 h达高峰,随后降低,照后8 h又上升,出现了第2个峰值．与之不同的是,在1 Gy低剂量照射下,细胞的G2/M期阻滞微弱,γH2AX焦点数在照后 0.5 h最高,随后下降,且无反弹,符合DNA DSB的修复动力学特征．因此,将γ H2AX当做DNA DSB分子标志物时,还需要考虑细胞周期变化的影响．γH2AX适合 作为1 Gy以下照射的DNA双链断裂损伤的分子标志．     

叶黄素对人RPE细胞氧化应激损伤的保护作用

目的：外源性给予过氧化氢（H2O2）诱导构建人视网膜色素上皮细胞（Retinal pigment epithelial,RPE）细胞氧化损伤模型,探究H2O2的最佳建模浓度,并探讨叶黄素对H2O2诱导人RPE细胞氧化损伤的保护作用。方法：本研究以人RPE细胞为实验对象。不同浓度H2O2（0、50、100、200、400、600μmol/L）处理RPE细胞1 h后,观察细胞形态的改变,并测定细胞生存率和细胞内ROS浓度进而确定H2O2的最佳建模浓度。不同剂量叶黄素（1、2.5、5、7.5、10μg/mL）预处理RPE细胞24h,随后给予100μmol/L H2O2作用1h,测定各组细胞生存率和细胞内活性氧（ROS）浓度,从而评价叶黄素对RPE细胞氧化损伤的作用。结果：H2O2作用后,随H2O2浓度的增加,RPE细胞生存率逐步下降;细胞内ROS浓度随H2O2的浓度增加而显著升高。与损伤对照组相比,各叶黄素处理组RPE细胞生存率显著升高,同时细胞内ROS浓度显著下降。结论：H2O2可导致RPE细胞出现氧化应激损伤,细胞ROS含量显著增加。叶黄素干预后可显著减缓H2O2诱导的氧化应激反应,提示其可通过提高RPE细胞的生存率、抑制细胞内ROS浓度,保护RPE细胞免受氧化损伤,从而对年龄相关性黄斑变性等眼部退行性疾病起到预防和减缓作用。     

重金属镉通过DNA氧化损伤途径诱导细胞中心体扩增

目的:研究氯化镉(CdCl_2)对细胞中心体扩增的影响,及活性氧(ROS)和DNA损伤在CdCl_2诱导细胞中心体扩增中的作用。方法:用不同浓度(0、10、20、40μmol/L)CdCl_2处理HCT116细胞48 h,MTT法检测细胞活性;用低浓度无毒性的CdCl_2处理细胞48 h,免疫荧光实验观察细胞内中心体的扩增;用CdCl_2(20μmol/L)、CdCl_2+N-乙酰半胱氨酸(NAC)处理细胞2 h,活性氧检测试剂盒检测细胞内ROS水平的变化;用CdCl_2(20μmol/L)、CdCl_2+NAC处理细胞6 h,彗星电泳试剂盒检测细胞内DNA损伤水平的变化;用CdCl_2(20μmol/L)、CdCl_2+NAC处理细胞48 h,免疫荧光观察细胞内中心体的扩增。结果:20μmol/L或以下CdCl_2处理细胞48 h不影响细胞活性;CdCl_2 20μmol/L或以下无毒性剂量CdCl_2诱导细胞中心体发生扩增(P0.01),并呈剂量依赖效应;在20μmol/L CdCl_2处理下,细胞内ROS和DNA损伤水平均明显升高(P0.01),当有抗氧化剂NAC存在时,细胞内升高的ROS和DNA损伤水平均被明显抑制(P0.01);抗氧化剂NAC对CdCl_2诱导的中心体扩增也有明显的抑制效果(P0.01)。结论:氯化镉通过DNA氧化损伤途径诱导细胞中心体扩增。     

H2O2致体外培养动脉内皮细胞损伤及山莨菪碱保护

目的:实验以过氧化氢(H2O2)损伤体外培养动脉内皮细胞(AEC),对过氧化氢介导内皮细胞损伤、凋亡的机制进行探讨,观察山莨菪碱(Ani)是否抑制H2O2介导的AEC损伤、凋亡,并探讨Ani保护损伤、凋亡的机制.方法:体外培养AEC随机分组:对照组(正常培养AEC);H2O2损伤组(0.5 mmol/L H2O2损伤12 h);Ani组(不同浓度Ani:0.05,0.1,0.2 mg/mL处理45 min后加0.5 mmol/L H2O2损伤12 h).结果:1.低浓度H2O2(0.5 mmol/L)可以损伤AEC并诱导凋亡.H2O2损伤组台盼蓝着染率及LDH释放率均高于对照组(P<0.01);细胞总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)下降(比对照组P<0.01);琼脂糖凝胶电泳发现凋亡细胞的梯状电泳条带;细胞荧光染色见凋亡形态特征.2.Ani对H2O2诱导的内皮细胞损伤具保护作用.Ani组与H2O2损伤组比较,台盼蓝着染率及LDH释放率下降;T-AOC上升;在Ani 0.2 mg/mL组DNA琼脂糖凝胶电泳未见凋亡细胞特征性的梯状电泳条带;荧光染色未见凋亡细胞特征.结论:1.低浓度过氧化氢使AEC总抗氧化能力明显下降,耗竭细胞抗氧化能力,可致AEC的损伤、凋亡.2.山莨菪碱能减少AEC抗氧化能力的消耗,维持抗氧化能力平衡,保护0.5 mmol/L H2O2 介导的AEC损伤、凋亡.     

西达本胺诱导胰腺癌细胞凋亡

目的：观察西达本胺对胰腺癌细胞BxPC-3和PANC-1生长抑制及诱导细胞凋亡作用,探讨西达本胺抗胰腺癌的机制。方法：西达本胺处理BxPC-3和PANC-1细胞后,用流式细胞术检测细胞的凋亡率,用罗丹明123和DCFH—DA染色方法测定细胞线粒体膜跨膜电位变化和活性氧（ROS）的产生,用Western印迹检测Bcl-2家族和γH2AX蛋白表达的变化。结果：西达本胺对胰腺癌细胞BxPC-3和PANC-1具有生长抑制和诱导细胞凋亡的作用,且呈时间和剂量依赖关系;处理72h后,胰腺癌细胞内ROS产生增强导致DNA损伤发生,且线粒体跨膜电位明显下降;促凋亡蛋白Bax的表达,抑制抑凋亡蛋白Bcl-2和Mcl—1的表达。结论：西达本胺具有抑制胰腺癌细胞增殖,诱导细胞凋亡的作用;西达本胺增强胰腺癌细胞内ROS的产生并导致DNA损伤,最终诱导细胞凋亡的发生。     

籽瓜多糖对H_2O_2致PC12细胞氧化损伤的保护作用

本文研究了籽瓜多糖(SWP)对H2O2致PC12细胞氧化应激损伤的影响及其机制。通过建立H2O2诱导PC12细胞氧化损伤模型,CCK-8法测定细胞存活率;硫辛酰胺脱氢酶催化的INT显色反应检测乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)释放量,DCFH-DA检测细胞内ROS;ELISA法检测8-OHd G;JC-1染色检测细胞线粒体膜电位;利用caspase-3可以催化底物Ac-DEVD-p NA的反应检测caspase-3活性;应用caspase-9催化特异性底物Ac-LEHDp NA检测caspase-9活性。结果显示:过氧化氢组与对照组相比,终浓度为500μmol/L H2O2作用细胞24 h后,细胞活力显著下降(P0.01);LDH释放量和细胞内ROS增加(P0.01);8-OHd G含量上升(P0.01);线粒体膜电位下降(P0.01);caspase-3和caspase-9活性增强(P0.01)。与H2O2损伤组相比,不同剂量的SWP预处理后,能显著改善H2O2引起的上述指标的变化(P0.05)。由此得出:SWP对H2O2诱导的PC12细胞的氧化损伤具有一定的保护作用。     

当归多糖延缓5-氟尿嘧啶所致人骨髓基质细胞衰老

探讨5-氟尿嘧啶(5-fluorouracil,5-FU)对人骨髓基质细胞(human bone marrow stromal cell,h BMSC)的损伤作用机制;当归多糖(angelica sinensis polysaccharides,ASP)对5-氟尿嘧啶损伤h BMSC的保护作用。采用CCK-8法测定人骨髓基质细胞株HS-5对不同浓度5-FU(0μg/mL,12.5μg/mL,25μg/mL,50μg/mL和100μg/mL)的敏感性。流式细胞术分析细胞周期;β-半乳糖苷酶染色检测衰老细胞;DCFH-DA荧光染色流式检测胞内活性氧(reactive oxygen species,ROS)水平;酶学法检测谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(glutathione peroxidase,GSH-Px)、超氧化物歧化酶(superoxide dismutase,SOD)含量;流式细胞术分析γH2AX表达水平;ELISA检测8-羟基脱氧鸟苷(8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine,8-OHd G)的含量;5-FU 12.5~100μg/mL抑制HS-5增殖,抑制作用具有浓度依赖性和时间依赖性。5-FU组较与对照组相比细胞周期发生G1期阻滞,β-半乳糖苷酶染色阳性率升高;胞内ROS含量显著升高;细胞抗氧化能力降低;γH2AX和8-OHd G表达水平增高。ASP治疗组较5-FU组细胞相比细胞周期阻滞减少;衰老细胞比率降低;胞内ROS含量显著降低;细胞抗氧化能力升高;DNA损伤指标表达水平降低。5-FU可通过增强氧化应激诱发DNA损伤致骨髓基质细胞衰老;ASP对骨髓基质细胞损伤有保护作用,其机制可能与ASP降低损伤后骨髓基质细胞氧化应激减轻DNA损伤从而延缓骨髓基质细胞衰老有关。     

氧化低密度脂蛋白下调血管内皮细胞色素上皮衍生因子表达

本研究旨在探讨氧化低密度脂蛋白(oxidized low density lipoprotein,ox-LDL)对人脐静脉内皮细胞(human umbilical vein endothelial cells,HUVECs)色素上皮衍生因子(pigment epithelium-derived factor,PEDF)表达水平的作用。体外培养HUVECs,用不同浓度ox-LDL(6.25、12.5、25、50、100和150 mg/L)处理24 h后,形态学染色观察细胞凋亡,流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡及细胞内活性氧(reactive oxygen species,ROS)水平,MTT法检测细胞活性,Western blot和RT-PCR分别检测PEDF蛋白和mRNA表达变化。结果显示,ox-LDL显著促进HUVECs凋亡、降低细胞活性、增加细胞内ROS含量,呈浓度依赖性地降低PEDF的蛋白和转录表达水平,与对照组相比,ox-LDL浓度达50 mg/L时,PEDF蛋白表达量显著降低(P0.05),而ox-LDL浓度在25 mg/L时PEDF的mRNA表达水平已明显降低(P0.05)。以上结果表明,ox-LDL诱导PEDF表达降低,其机制可能与促进内皮细胞ROS生成有关。     

红杉醇对高糖诱导的人脐静脉内皮细胞NOX4、eNOS表达的影响

目的：观察红杉醇（Scq）对高糖诱导的人脐静脉内皮细胞（HUVECs）损伤的保护作用及机制。方法：原代培养HUVECs,红杉醇（0．1,1,10μmol/L）预处理1h后,30mmol/L葡萄糖诱导内皮细胞损伤。5-溴脱氧尿嘧啶核苷（BrdU）掺入法检测细胞增殖,流式细胞术检测细胞周期,2’7’-二乙酰二氯荧光素（DCFH-DA）免疫荧光法检测细胞内活性氧簇（R0s）水平,比色法检测细胞-氧化氮（NO）、丙二醛（MDA）及过氧化氢（H202）水平,real-timePCR和Westernblot检测细胞内皮型一氧化氮合酶（eNos）及NADPH氧化酶4（NOX4）mRNA和蛋白表达。结果：Seq预处理1h后能明显减轻高糖诱导的血管内皮细胞损伤,促进细胞增殖,降低胞内NOX4的表达及ROS、MDA及H202水平,上调eNOS的表达及NO水平。结论：Seq对高糖诱导的内皮细胞损伤具有一定的保护作用,其机制可能与其抗氧化、上调eNOS的表达有关。     

Akt/HIF-1α信号通路在二氧化硒诱导PC12细胞损伤中的作用

该文主要探讨Akt/HIF-1α(hypoxia inducible factor-1α)信号通路在二氧化硒(Se O2)诱导大鼠肾上腺嗜铬细胞瘤PC12细胞损伤中的作用。将PC12细胞暴露于不同浓度的Se O2(40、80、160μmol/L)24 h以诱导细胞发生损伤。采用噻唑蓝还原法和乳酸脱氢酶漏出率检测法测定细胞损伤程度,倒置显微镜观察细胞形态的变化,用丙二醛(malonic dialdehyde,MDA)和超氧化物歧化酶(superoxide dismutase,SOD)试剂盒检测细胞内活性氧类活性氧类(reactive oxygen species,ROS)水平,Hoechst 33342单荧光染色法观察细胞凋亡,免疫印迹法检测细胞HIF-1α、磷酸化Akt(phosphorylated Akt,p-Akt)、淋巴瘤/白血病-2(B cell lymphoma/leukemia-2,Bcl-2)、Bcl-2相关X蛋白(Bcl-2 associated X protein,Bax)、PI3k、p53和Caspase-3(cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-3)的表达。结果显示,二氧化硒可呈剂量依赖性地诱导PC12细胞损伤,导致细胞内ROS增多和细胞凋亡,引起细胞皱缩,轴突变短。p-Akt、HIF-1α、p53、Caspase-3表达上调,Bax/Bcl-2表达比例显著增加。由此说明,二氧化硒诱导PC12细胞损伤,导致细胞凋亡,与其激活细胞Akt/HIF-1α信号通路,进而促进p53、Bax/Bcl-2、Caspase-3的表达及胞内ROS增加有关。     

Activation of DNA damage response signaling in mouse embryonic stem cells

Mouse embryonic stem cells (mESC) are characterized by high proliferation activity. mESC are highly sensitive to genotoxic stresses and do not undergo G1/S checkpoint upon DNA-damage. mESC are supposed to develop sensitive mechanisms to maintain genomic integrity provided by either DNA damage repair or elimination of defected cells by apoptosis. The issue of how mESC recognize the damages and execute DNA repair remains to be studied. We analyzed the kinetics of DNA repair foci marked by antibodies to phosphorylated ATM kinase and histone H2AX (γH2AX). We showed that mESC display non-induced DNA single-strand breaks (SSBs), as revealed by comet-assay, and a noticeable background of γH2AX staining. Exposure of mESC to γ-irradiation induced the accumulation of phosphorylated ATM-kinase in the nucleus as well as the formation of additional γH2AX foci, which disappeared thereafter. To decrease the background of γH2AX staining in control non-irradiated cells, we pre-synchronized mESC at the G2/M by low concentration of nocodazol for a short time (6 h). The cells were then irradiated and stained for γH2AX. Irradiation induced the formation of γH2AX foci both in G2-phase and mitotic cells, which evidenced for the active state of DNA-damage signaling at these stages of the cell cycle in mESC. Due to the G1/S checkpoint is compromised in mESCs, we checked, whether wild-type p53, a target for ATM kinase, was phosphorylated in response to γ-irradiation. The p53 was barely phosphorylated in response to irradiation, which correlated with a very low expression of p53-target p21/Waf1 gene. Thus, in spite of the dysfunction of the p53/Waf1 pathway and the lack of cell cycle checkpoints, the mESC are capable of activating ATM and inducing γH2AX foci formation, which are necessary for the activation of DNA damage response.     

Autocrine regulation of γ-irradiation-induced DNA damage response via extracellular nucleotides-mediated activation of P2Y6 and P2Y12 receptors

A key component of the response to DNA damage caused by ionizing radiation is DNA repair. Release of extracellular nucleotides, such as ATP, from cells plays a role in signaling via P2 receptors. We show here that release of ATP, followed by activation of P2Y receptors, is involved in the response to γ-irradiation-induced DNA damage. Formation of phosphorylated histone variant H2AX (γH2AX) foci, which are induced in nuclei by DNA damage and contribute to accumulation of DNA-repair factors, was increased at 1-3h after γ-ray irradiation (2.0Gy) of human lung cancer A549 cells. Focus formation was suppressed by pre-treatment with the ecto-nucleotidase apyrase. Pre-treatment with ecto-nucleotidase inhibitor ARL67156 or post-treatment with ATP or UTP facilitated induction of γH2AX, indicating that extracellular nucleotides play a role in induction of γH2AX foci. Next, we examined the effect of P2 receptor inhibitors on activation of ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM; a protein kinase) and accumulation of 53BP1 (a DNA repair factor), both of which are important for DNA repair, at DNA damage sites. P2Y6 receptor antagonist MRS2578, P2Y12 receptor antagonist clopidogrel, and P2X7 receptor antagonists A438079 and oxATP significantly inhibited these processes. Release of ATP was detected within 2.5min after irradiation, but was blocked by A438079. Activation of ATM and accumulation of 53BP1 were decreased in P2Y6 or P2Y12 receptor-knockdown cells. We conclude that autocrine/paracrine signaling through P2X7-dependent ATP release and activation of P2Y6 and P2Y12 receptors serves to amplify the cellular response to DNA damage caused by γ-irradiation.     

Pseudo-DNA damage response in senescent cells

Cellular senescence is currently viewed as a response to DNA damage. In this report, we showed that non-damaging agents such as sodium butyrate-induced p21 and ectopic expression of either p21 or p16 cause cellular senescence without detectable DNA breaks. Nevertheless, senescent cells displayed components of DNA damage response (DDR) such as γH2AX foci and uniform nuclear staining for p-ATM. Importantly, there was no accumulation of 53BP1 in γH2AX foci of senescent cells. Consistently, comet assay failed to detect DNA damage. Rapamycin, an inhibitor of mTOR, which was shown to suppress cellular senescence, decreased γH2AX foci formation. Thus, cellular senescence leads to activation of atypical DDR without detectable DNA damage. Pseudo-DDR may be a marker of general over-activation of senescent cells.     

γH2AX foci on apparently intact mitotic chromosomes: Not signatures of misrejoining events but signals of unresolved DNA damage

The presence of γH2AX foci on apparently intact mitotic chromosomes is controversial because they challenge the assumed relationship between γH2AX foci and DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). In this work, we show that after irradiation during interphase, a variety of γH2AX foci are scored in mitotic cells. Surprisingly, approximately 80% of the γH2AX foci spread over apparently undamaged chromatin at Terminal or Interstitial positions and they can display variable sizes, thus being classified as Small, Medium and Big foci. Chromosome and chromatid breaks that reach mitosis are spotted with Big (60%) and Medium (30%) Terminal γH2AX foci, but very rarely are they signaled with Small γH2AX foci. To evaluate if Interstitial γH2AX foci might be signatures of misrejoining, an mFISH analysis was performed on the same slides. The results show that Interstitial γH2AX foci lying on apparently intact chromatin do not mark sites of misrejoining, and that misrejoined events were never signaled by a γH2AX foci during mitosis. Finally, when analyzing the presence of other DNA-damage response (DDR) factors we found that all γH2AX foci—regardless their coincidence with a visible break—always colocalized with MRE11, but not with 53BP1. This pattern suggests that these γH2AX foci may be hallmarks of both microscopically visible and invisible DNA damage, in which an active, although incomplete or halted DDR is taking place.     

Effect of oocyte vitrification on DNA damage in metaphase II oocytes and the resulting preimplantation embryos

As an assisted reproduction technology, vitrification has been widely used for oocyte and embryo cryopreservation. Many studies have indicated that vitrification affects ultrastructure, gene expression, and epigenetic status. However, it is still controversial whether oocyte vitrification could induce DNA damage in metaphase II (MII) oocytes and the resulting early embryos. This study determined whether mouse oocytes vitrification induce DNA damage in MII oocytes and the resulting preimplantation embryos, and causes for vitrification‐induced DNA damage. The effects of oocyte vitrification on reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, γ‐H2AX accumulation, apoptosis, early embryonic development, and the expression of DNA damage‐related genes in early embryos derived by in vitro fertilization were examined. The results indicated that vitrification significantly increased the number of γ‐H2AX foci in zygotes and two‐cell embryos. Trp53bp1 was upregulated in zygotes, two‐cell embryos and four‐cell embryos in the vitrified group, and Brca1 was increased in two‐cell embryos after vitrification. Vitrification also increased the ROS levels in MII oocytes, zygotes, and two‐cell embryos and the apoptotic rate in blastocysts. Resveratrol (3,5,4′‐trihydroxystilbene) treatment decreased the ROS levels and the accumulation of γ‐H2AX foci in zygotes and two‐cell embryos and the apoptotic rate in blastocysts after vitrification. Overall, vitrification‐induced abnormal ROS generation, γ‐H2AX accumulation, an increase in the apoptotic rate and the disruption of early embryonic development. Resveratrol treatment could decrease ROS levels, γ‐H2AX accumulation, and the apoptotic rate and improve early embryonic development. Vitrification‐associated γ‐H2AX accumulation is at least partially due to abnormal ROS generation.     

Critical role of monoubiquitination of histone H2AX protein in histone H2AX phosphorylation and DNA damage response

DNA damage response is an important surveillance mechanism used to maintain the integrity of the human genome in response to genotoxic stress. Histone variant H2AX is a critical sensor that undergoes phosphorylation at serine 139 upon genotoxic stress, which provides a docking site to recruit the mediator of DNA damage checkpoint protein 1 (MDC1) and DNA repair protein complex to sites of DNA breaks for DNA repair. Here, we show that monoubiquitination of H2AX is induced upon DNA double strand breaks and plays a critical role in H2AX Ser-139 phosphorylation (γ-H2AX), in turn facilitating the recruitment of MDC1 to DNA damage foci. Mechanistically, we show that monoubiquitination of H2AX induced by RING finger protein 2 (RNF2) is required for the recruitment of active ataxia telangiectasia mutated to DNA damage foci, thus affecting the formation of γ-H2AX. Importantly, a defect in monoubiquitination of H2AX profoundly enhances ionizing radiation sensitivity. Our study therefore suggests that monoubiquitination of H2AX is an important step for DNA damage response and may have important clinical implications for the treatment of cancers.     

Fluoride induces oxidative damage and SIRT1/autophagy through ROS-mediated JNK signaling

Fluoride is an effective caries prophylactic, but at high doses can also be an environmental health hazard. Acute or chronic exposure to high fluoride doses can result in dental enamel and skeletal and soft tissue fluorosis. Dental fluorosis is manifested as mottled, discolored, porous enamel that is susceptible to dental caries. Fluoride induces cell stress, including endoplasmic reticulum stress and oxidative stress, which leads to impairment of ameloblasts responsible for dental enamel formation. Recently we reported that fluoride activates SIRT1 and autophagy as an adaptive response to protect cells from stress. However, it still remains unclear how SIRT1/autophagy is regulated in dental fluorosis. In this study, we demonstrate that fluoride exposure generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the resulting oxidative damage is counteracted by SIRT1/autophagy induction through c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling in ameloblasts. In the mouse-ameloblast-derived cell line LS8, fluoride induced ROS, mitochondrial damage including cytochrome-c release, up-regulation of UCP2, attenuation of ATP synthesis, and H2AX phosphorylation (γH2AX), which is a marker of DNA damage. We evaluated the effects of the ROS inhibitor N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and the JNK inhibitor SP600125 on fluoride-induced SIRT1/autophagy activation. NAC decreased fluoride-induced ROS generation and attenuated JNK and c-Jun phosphorylation. NAC decreased SIRT1 phosphorylation and formation of the autophagy marker LC3II, which resulted in an increase in the apoptosis mediators γH2AX and cleaved/activated caspase-3. SP600125 attenuated fluoride-induced SIRT1 phosphorylation, indicating that fluoride activates SIRT1/autophagy via the ROS-mediated JNK pathway. In enamel organs from rats or mice treated with 50, 100, or 125 ppm fluoride for 6 weeks, cytochrome-c release and the DNA damage markers 8-oxoguanine, p-ATM, and γH2AX were increased compared to those in controls (0 ppm fluoride). These results suggest that fluoride-induced ROS generation causes mitochondrial damage and DNA damage, which may lead to impairment of ameloblast function. To counteract this impairment, SIRT1/autophagy is induced via JNK signaling to protect cells/ameloblasts from fluoride-induced oxidative damage that may cause dental fluorosis.