Hydrogen peroxide stimulates pigment epithelium-derived factor gene and protein expression in the human hepatocyte cell line OUMS-29

Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) may have a protective role in atherosclerosis and is associated with the presence of components of the metabolic syndrome. Since oxidative stress has been postulated to play an important role in the pathogenesis of vascular injury in the metabolic syndrome, this study investigated the effects of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) on PEDF in the immortalized human hepatocyte cell line OUMS-29. PEDF gene expression was measured using quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and PEDF protein expression was analysed by Western blot. H₂O₂ upregulated PEDF mRNA levels and increased PEDF protein production in OUMS-29 cells in time- and dose-dependent manners. The anti-oxidant N-acetylcysteine significantly blocked H₂O₂-induced PEDF overexpression in OUMS-29 cells. These results suggest that hepatic PEDF levels may be elevated to counteract the effects of oxidative stress. H₂O₂-induced PEDF overproduction in the liver may act as a negative feedback system against vascular damage in the metabolic syndrome.