Oxidative stress is considered important for the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), which is characterized by the formation of extracellular senile plaques, mainly composed of amyloid beta-protein (Abeta). Abeta also accumulates within AD neurons and is believed to exert cellular toxicity through lysosomal labilization. We report that the exposure of human neuroblastoma cells to hyperoxia (40% vs. 8% ambient oxygen) induced the accumulation of large (over 1 microM) Abeta-containing lysosomes, which were not typical of control cells, showing a distinct localization of Abeta and lysosomal markers. An inhibitor of autophagy, 3-methyladenine, suppressed the effect of hyperoxia. The results suggest a link between the involvement of oxidative stress and lysosomes in AD.