Hyperoxia induces extensive DNA damage and lung cell death by apoptotic and nonapoptotic pathways. We analyzed the regulation of Poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase-1 (PARP-1), a nuclear enzyme activated by DNA damage, and its relation to cell death during hyperoxia in vitro and in vivo. In lung epithelial-derived A549 cells, which are known to die by necrosis when exposed to oxygen, a minimal amount of PARP-1 was cleaved, correlating with the absence of active caspase-3. Conversely, in primary lung fibroblasts, which die mainly by apoptosis, the complete cleavage of PARP-1 was concomitant to the induction of active caspase-3, as assessed by Western blot and caspase activity. Blockade of caspase activity by Z-VAD reduced the amount of cleaved PARP-1 in fibroblasts. Hyperoxia induced PARP activity in both cell types, as revealed by poly-ADP-ribose accumulation. In A549 cells, the final outcome of necrosis was dependent on PARP activity because it was prevented by the PARP inhibitor 3-aminobenzamide. In contrast, apoptosis of lung fibroblasts was not sensitive to 3-aminobenzamide and was not affected by PARP-1 deletion. In vivo, despite evidence of PARP activation in hyperoxia-exposed mouse lungs, absence of PARP-1 did not change the extent of lung damage, arguing for redundant oxidative stress-induced cell death pathways.