Hydrogen peroxide induces oxidative DNA damage in rat type II pulmonary epithelial cells

Type II epithelial cells, which line the alveolar surface of the lung, are exposed to a variety of potentially mutagenic and carcinogenic insults. The purpose of this study was to determine if type II cells are susceptible to oxidative DNA damage in vitro. Treatment of cultured rat type II lung epithelial cells with hydrogen peroxide led to increased concentrations (nmol/mg DNA) of 12 of 14 monitored DNA base modifications, suggesting oxidative damage by the hydroxyl radical. These base modifications are typically associated with oxidative stress, and elevated levels have been correlated with mutagenesis and carcinogenesis. These data demonstrate that type II cells are indeed vulnerable to oxidative DNA damage.