Intracellular protein binding to asbestos induces aneuploidy in human lung fibroblasts

Do Carbon Nanotubes and Asbestos Fibers Exhibit Common Toxicity Mechanisms?

During the last two decades several nanoscale materials were engineered for industrial and medical applications. Among them carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are the most exploited nanomaterials with global production of around 1000 tons/year. Besides several commercial benefits of CNTs, the fiber-like structures and their bio-persistency in lung tissues raise serious concerns about the possible adverse human health effects resembling those of asbestos fibers. In this review, we present a comparative analysis between CNTs and asbestos fibers using the following four parameters: (1) fibrous needle-like shape, (2) bio-persistent nature, (3) high surface to volume ratio and (4) capacity to adsorb toxicants/pollutants on the surface. We also compare mechanisms underlying the toxicity caused by certain diameters and lengths of CNTs and asbestos fibers using downstream pathways associated with altered gene expression data from both asbestos and CNT exposure. Our results suggest that indeed certain types of CNTs are emulating asbestos fiber as far as associated toxicity is concerned.

Methods, models, mechanisms and metadata: Introducing the Nanotoxicology collection at F1000Research

Nanotoxicology is a relatively new field of research concerning the study and application of nanomaterials to evaluate the potential for harmful effects in parallel with the development of applications. Nanotoxicology as a field spans materials synthesis and characterisation, assessment of fate and behaviour, exposure science, toxicology / ecotoxicology, molecular biology and toxicogenomics, epidemiology, safe and sustainable by design approaches, and chemoinformatics and nanoinformatics, thus requiring scientists to work collaboratively, often outside their core expertise area. This interdisciplinarity can lead to challenges in terms of interpretation and reporting, and calls for a platform for sharing of best-practice in nanotoxicology research. The F1000Research Nanotoxicology collection, introduced via this editorial, will provide a place to share accumulated best practice, via original research reports including no-effects studies, protocols and methods papers, software reports and living systematic reviews, which can be updated as new knowledge emerges or as the domain of applicability of the method, model or software is expanded. This editorial introduces the Nanotoxicology Collection in F1000Research. The aim of the collection is to provide an open access platform for nanotoxicology researchers, to support an improved culture of data sharing and documentation of evolving protocols, biological and computational models, software tools and datasets, that can be applied and built upon to develop predictive models and move towards in silico nanotoxicology and nanoinformatics. Submissions will be assessed for fit to the collection and subjected to the F1000Research open peer review process.

The Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) in the Development and Metastasis of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an aggressive tumor mainly associated with asbestos exposure and is characterized by a very difficult pharmacological approach. One of the molecular mechanisms associated with cancer onset and invasiveness is the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), an event induced by different types of inducers, such as transforming growth factor β (TGFβ), the main inducer of EMT, and oxidative stress. MPM development and metastasis have been correlated to EMT; On one hand, EMT mediates the effects exerted by asbestos fibers in the mesothelium, particularly via increased oxidative stress and TGFβ levels evoked by asbestos exposure, thus promoting a malignant phenotype, and on the other hand, MPM acquires invasiveness via the EMT event, as shown by an upregulation of mesenchymal markers or, although indirectly, some miRNAs or non-coding RNAs, all demonstrated to be involved in cancer onset and metastasis. This review aims to better describe how EMT is involved in driving the development and invasiveness of MPM, in an attempt to open new scenarios that are useful in the identification of predictive markers and to improve the pharmacological approach against this aggressive cancer.

Live-cell imaging of macrophage phagocytosis of asbestos fibers under fluorescence microscopy

Background

Frustrated phagocytosis occurs when an asbestos fiber > 10 μm in length is engulfed imperfectly by a macrophage, and it is believed to be associated with chromosomal instability. Few studies have focused on dynamic cellular imaging to assess the toxicity of hazardous inorganic materials such as asbestos. One reason for this is the relative lack of fluorescent probes available to facilitate experimental visualization of inorganic materials. We recently developed asbestos-specific fluorescent probes based on asbestos-binding proteins, and achieved efficient fluorescent labeling of asbestos.

Results

Live-cell imaging with fluorescent asbestos probes was successfully utilized to dynamically analyze asbestos phagocytosis. The fluorescently labeled asbestos fibers were phagocytosed by RAW 264.7 macrophages. Internalized fibers of < 5 μm in length were visualized clearly via overlaid phase contrast and fluorescence microscopy images, but they were not clearly depicted using phase contrast images alone. Approximately 60% of the cells had phagocytosed asbestos fibers after 2 h, but over 96% of cells remained alive even 24 h after the addition of asbestos fibers. Immediate cell death was only observed when an asbestos fiber was physically pulled from a cell by an external force. Notably, at 24 h after the addition of asbestos fibers an approximately 4-fold increase in the number of binucleated cells was observed. Monitoring of individual cell divisions of cells that had phagocytosed asbestos suggested that binucleated cells were formed via the inhibition of cell separation, by asbestos fibers of > 10 μm in length that were localized in the proximity of the intercellular bridge.

Conclusions

Fluorescently labeled asbestos facilitated visualization of the dynamic biological processes that occur during and after the internalization of asbestos fibers, and indicated that (i) frustrated phagocytosis itself does not lead to immediate cell death unless the asbestos fiber is physically pulled from the cell by an external force, and (ii) macrophages that have phagocytosed asbestos can divide but sometimes the resulting daughter cells fuse, leading to the formation of a binucleated cell. This fusion only seemed to occur when a comparatively long asbestos fiber (> 10 μm) was shared by two daughter cells.

Multipolar mitosis and aneuploidy after chrysotile treatment: a consequence of abscission failure and cytokinesis regression

Chrysotile, like other types of asbestos, has been associated with mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. However, the cellular abnormalities induced by these fibers involved in cancer development have not been elucidated yet. Previous works show that chrysotile fibers induce features of cancer cells, such as aneuploidy, multinucleation and multipolar mitosis. In the present study, normal and cancer derived human cell lines were treated with chrysotile and the cellular and molecular mechanisms related to generation of aneuploid cells was elucidated. The first alteration observed was cytokinesis regression, the main cause of multinucleated cells formation and centrosome amplification. The multinucleated cells formed after cytokinesis regression were able to progress through cell cycle and generated aneuploid cells after abnormal mitosis. To understand the process of cytokinesis regression, localization of cytokinetic proteins was investigated. It was observed mislocalization of Anillin, Aurora B, Septin 9 and Alix in the intercellular bridge, and no determination of secondary constriction and abscission sites. Fiber treatment also led to overexpression of genes related to cancer, cytokinesis and cell cycle. The results show that chrysotile fibers induce cellular and molecular alterations in normal and tumor cells that have been related to cancer initiation and progression, and that tetraploidization and aneuploid cell formation are striking events after fiber internalization, which could generate a favorable context to cancer development.

Malignant mesothelioma as an oxidative stress-induced cancer: An update

Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is a relatively rare cancer that occurs almost exclusively following respiratory exposure to asbestos in humans. Its pathogenesis is closely associated with iron overload and oxidative stress in mesothelial cells. On fiber exposure, mesothelial cells accumulate fibers simultaneously with iron, which either performs physical scissor function or catalyzes free radical generation, leading to oxidative DNA damage such as strand breaks and base modifications, followed by activation of intracellular signaling pathways. Chrysotile, per se without iron, causes massive hemolysis and further adsorbs hemoglobin. Exposure to indigestible foreign materials also induces chronic inflammation, involving consistent generation of free radicals and subsequent activation of NALP3 inflammasomes in macrophages. All of these contribute to mesothelial carcinogenesis. Genomic alterations most frequently involve homozygous deletion of INK4A/4B, and other pathways such as Hippo and TGF-β pathways are also affected in MM. Recently, analyses of familial MM sorted out BAP1 as a novel responsible tumor suppressor gene, whose function is not fully elucidated. Five-year survival of mesothelioma is still ~8%, and this cancer is increasing worldwide. Connective tissue growth factor, a secretory protein creating a vicious cycle mediated by β-catenin, has been recognized as a hopeful target for therapy, especially in sarcomatoid subtype. Recent research outcomes related to microRNAs and cancer stem cells also offer additional novel targets for the treatment of MM. Iron reduction as chemoprevention of mesothelioma is helpful at least in an animal preclinical study. Integrated approaches to fiber-induced oxidative stress would be necessary to overcome this currently fatal disease.

Receptor role of the annexin A2 in the mesothelial endocytosis of crocidolite fibers

Asbestos-induced mesothelioma is a worldwide problem. Parietal mesothelial cells internalize asbestos fibers that traverse the entire lung parenchyma, an action that is linked to mesothelial carcinogenesis. Thus far, vitronectin purified from serum reportedly enhances the internalization of crocidolite by mesothelial cells via integrin αvβ5. To reveal another mechanism by which mesothelial cells endocytose (phagocytose) asbestos, we first evaluated the effects of serum on asbestos uptake, which proved to be nonessential. Thereafter, we undertook a study to identify proteins on the surface of mesothelial cells (MeT5A) that act as receptors for asbestos uptake based on the assumption that receptors bind to asbestos with physical affinity. To this end, we incubated the membrane fraction of MeT5A cells with crocidolite or chrysotile and evaluated the adsorbed proteins using sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel analysis. Next, we extensively identified the proteins using an in-solution or in-gel digestion coupled with mass spectrometry. Among the identified proteins, annexin A2 (ANXA2) and transferrin receptor protein 1 (TFRC) were distinguished because of their high score and presence at the cell surface. Crocidolite uptake by MeT5A cells was significantly decreased by shRNA (short hairpin RNA)-induced knockdown of ANXA2 and direct blockade of cell surface ANXA2 using anti-ANXA2 antibody. In addition, abundant ANXA2 protein was present on the cell membrane of mesothelial cells, particularly facing the somatic cavity. These findings demonstrate that ANXA2 has a role in the mesothelial phagocytosis of crocidolite and may serve as its receptor.

Continuous exposure to chrysotile asbestos can cause transformation of human mesothelial cells via HMGB1 and TNF-α signaling

Malignant mesothelioma is strongly associated with asbestos exposure. Among asbestos fibers, crocidolite is considered the most and chrysotile the least oncogenic. Chrysotile accounts for more than 90% of the asbestos used worldwide, but its capacity to induce malignant mesothelioma is still debated. We found that chrysotile and crocidolite exposures have similar effects on human mesothelial cells. Morphological and molecular alterations suggestive of epithelial-mesenchymal transition, such as E-cadherin down-regulation and β-catenin phosphorylation followed by nuclear translocation, were induced by both chrysotile and crocidolite. Gene expression profiling revealed high-mobility group box-1 protein (HMGB1) as a key regulator of the transcriptional alterations induced by both types of asbestos. Crocidolite and chrysotile induced differential expression of 438 out of 28,869 genes interrogated by oligonucleotide microarrays. Out of these 438 genes, 57 were associated with inflammatory and immune response and cancer, and 14 were HMGB1 targeted genes. Crocidolite-induced gene alterations were sustained, whereas chrysotile-induced gene alterations returned to background levels within 5 weeks. Similarly, HMGB1 release in vivo progressively increased for 10 or more weeks after crocidolite exposure, but returned to background levels within 8 weeks after chrysotile exposure. Continuous administration of chrysotile was required for sustained high serum levels of HMGB1. These data support the hypothesis that differences in biopersistence influence the biological activities of these two asbestos fibers.

Iron overload as a major targetable pathogenesis of asbestos-induced mesothelial carcinogenesis

Few people expected that asbestos, a fibrous mineral, would be carcinogenic to humans. In fact, asbestos is a definite carcinogen in humans, causing a rare but aggressive cancer called malignant mesothelioma (MM). Mesothelial cells line the three somatic cavities and thus do not face the outer surface, but reduce the friction among numerous moving organs. MM has several characteristics: extremely long incubation period of 30-40 years after asbestos exposure, difficulty in clinical diagnosis at an early stage, and poor prognosis even under the current multimodal therapies. In Japan, 'Kubota shock' attracted considerable social attention in 2005 for asbestos-induced mesothelioma and, thereafter, the government enacted a law to provide the people suffering from MM a financial allowance. Several lines of recent evidence suggest that the major pathology associated with asbestos-induced MM is local iron overload, associated with asbestos exposure. Preclinical studies to prevent MM after asbestos exposure with iron reduction are in progress. In addition, novel target genes in mesothelial carcinogenesis have been discovered with recently recognized mesothelioma-prone families. Development of an effective preventive strategy is eagerly anticipated because of the long incubation period for MM.

Distinct affinity of nuclear proteins to the surface of chrysotile and crocidolite

The inhalation of asbestos is a risk factor for the development of malignant mesothelioma and lung cancer. Based on the broad surface area of asbestos fibers and their ability to enter the cytoplasm and nuclei of cells, it was hypothesized that proteins that adsorb onto the fiber surface play a role in the cytotoxicity and carcinogenesis of asbestos fibers. However, little is known about which proteins adsorb onto asbestos. Previously, we systematically identified asbestos-interacting proteins and classified them into eight sub-categories: chromatin/nucleotide/RNA-binding proteins, ribosomal proteins, cytoprotective proteins, cytoskeleton-associated proteins, histones and hemoglobin. Here, we report an adsorption profile of proteins for the three commercially used asbestos compounds: chrysotile, crocidolite and amosite. We quantified the amounts of adsorbed proteins by analyzing the silver-stained gels of sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with ImageJ software, using the bands for amosite as a standard. We found that histones were most adsorptive to crocidolite and that chromatin-binding proteins were most adsorptive to chrysotile. The results suggest that chrysotile and crocidolite directly interact with chromatin structure through different mechanisms. Furthermore, RNA-binding proteins preferably interacted with chrysotile, suggesting that chrysotile may interfere with transcription and translation. Our results provide novel evidence demonstrating that the specific molecular interactions leading to carcinogenesis are different between chrysotile and crocidolite.

Differences and similarities between carbon nanotubes and asbestos fibers during mesothelial carcinogenesis: shedding light on fiber entry mechanism

The emergence of nanotechnology represents an important milestone, as it opens the way to a broad spectrum of applications for nanomaterials in the fields of engineering, industry and medicine. One example of nanomaterials that have the potential for widespread use is carbon nanotubes, which have a tubular structure made of graphene sheets. However, there have been concerns that they may pose a potential health risk due to their similarities to asbestos, namely their high biopersistence and needle-like structure. We recently found that despite these similarities, carbon nanotubes and asbestos differ in certain aspects, such as their mechanism of entry into mesothelial cells. In the study, we showed that non-functionalized, multi-walled carbon nanotubes enter mesothelial cells by directly piercing through the cell membrane in a diameter- and rigidity-dependent manner, whereas asbestos mainly enters these cells through the process of endocytosis, which is independent of fiber diameter. In this review, we discuss the key differences, as well as similarities, between asbestos fibers and carbon nanotubes. We also summarize previous reports regarding the mechanism of carbon nanotube entry into non-phagocytic cells. As the entry of fibers into mesothelial cells is a crucial step in mesothelial carcinogenesis, we believe that a comprehensive study on the differences by which carbon nanotubes and asbestos fibers enter into non-phagocytic cells will provide important clues for the safer manufacture of carbon nanotubes through strict regulation on fiber characteristics, such as diameter, surface properties, length and rigidity.

Asbestos surface provides a niche for oxidative modification

Asbestos is a potent carcinogen associated with increased risks of malignant mesothelioma and lung cancer in humans. Although the mechanism of carcinogenesis remains elusive, the physicochemical characteristics of asbestos play a role in the progression of asbestos-induced diseases. Among these characteristics, a high capacity to adsorb and accommodate biomolecules on its abundant surface area has been linked to cellular and genetic toxicity. Several previous studies identified asbestos-interacting proteins. Here, with the use of matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry, we systematically identified proteins from various lysates that adsorbed to the surface of commercially used asbestos and classified them into the following groups: chromatin/nucleotide/RNA-binding proteins, ribosomal proteins, cytoprotective proteins, cytoskeleton-associated proteins, histones and hemoglobin. The surfaces of crocidolite and amosite, two iron-rich types of asbestos, caused more protein scissions and oxidative modifications than that of chrysotile by in situ-generated 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal. In contrast, we confirmed the intense hemolytic activity of chrysotile and found that hemoglobin attached to chrysotile, but not silica, can work as a catalyst to induce oxidative DNA damage. This process generates 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine and thus corroborates the involvement of iron in the carcinogenicity of chrysotile. This evidence demonstrates that all three types of asbestos adsorb DNA and specific proteins, providing a niche for oxidative modification via catalytic iron. Therefore, considering the affinity of asbestos for histones/DNA and the internalization of asbestos into mesothelial cells, our results suggest a novel hypothetical mechanism causing genetic alterations during asbestos-induced carcinogenesis.

Cell entry of one-dimensional nanomaterials occurs by tip recognition and rotation

Materials with high aspect ratio, such as carbon nanotubes and asbestos fibres, have been shown to cause length-dependent toxicity in certain cells because these long materials prevent complete ingestion and this frustrates the cell. Biophysical models have been proposed to explain how spheres and elliptical nanostructures enter cells, but one-dimensional nanomaterials have not been examined. Here, we show experimentally and theoretically that cylindrical one-dimensional nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes enter cells through the tip first. For nanotubes with end caps or carbon shells at their tips, uptake involves tip recognition through receptor binding, rotation that is driven by asymmetric elastic strain at the tube-bilayer interface, and near-vertical entry. The precise angle of entry is governed by the relative timescales for tube rotation and receptor diffusion. Nanotubes without caps or shells on their tips show a different mode of membrane interaction, posing an interesting question as to whether modifying the tips of tubes may help avoid frustrated uptake by cells.

Proteomic characterization of engineered nanomaterial-protein interactions in relation to surface reactivity

Adsorption of proteins onto an engineered nanoparticle surface happens immediately after particles come in contact with a biological fluid. However, at the moment very little is known about the mechanisms of interactions between biomolecules and nanomaterials. In this study, eleven thoroughly characterized materials were first investigated in vitro for their ability to enter human lung epithelial cells and human monocyte-derived macrophages. All tested materials were taken up by primary macrophages and epithelial cells. Some of the engineered nanomaterials (ENM) were found in the cytoplasm. Large quantitative and qualitative variation in the binding efficiencies to cellular proteins was observed between different tested nanoparticles. Pulmonary surfactant components significantly reduced the overall protein adsorption on the surface of ENMs. Fibrinogen chains were attached to all materials after exposure to plasma proteins. Common ENM-bound cytoplasmic protein identifications were peroxiredoxin 1, annexin A2, and several ribosomal and cytoskeletal proteins. The underlying mechanism of the ENM-plasma protein interaction may diverge from that of cell lysate proteins, as the binding efficiency to cell lysate proteins appears to depend on the characteristics of the ENM surface, whereas the adsorbed plasma proteins are involved in particle phagocytosis and seem to cover ENMs independently of the their surface properties. Identification of the composition of the nanomaterial-protein complex is crucial for understanding of the uptake mechanisms, biodistribution, and clearance of ENMs, knowledge which is required for safety evaluation and biomedical applications of these materials.

Proteomic detection of cancer in asbestosis patients using SELDI-TOF discovered serum protein biomarkers

OBJECTIVES

To identify biomarkers for cancer in asbestosis patients.

METHODS

SELDI-TOF and CART were used to identify serum biomarker profiles in 35 asbestosis patients who subsequently developed cancer and 35 did not develop cancer.

RESULTS

Three polypeptide peaks (5707.01, 6598.10, and 20,780.70 Da) could predict the development of cancer with 87% sensitivity and 70% specificity. The first two peaks were identified as KIF18A and KIF5A, respectively, and are part of the Kinesin Superfamily of proteins.

CONCLUSIONS

We identified two Kinesin proteins that can be potentially used as blood biomarkers to identify asbestosis patients at risk of developing lung cancer.

The role of p53 in silica-induced cellular and molecular responses associated with carcinogenesis

Crystalline silica (silica), a suspected human carcinogen, produces an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) when fractured using mechanical tools used in several occupations. Although ROS has been linked to apoptosis, DNA damage, and carcinogenesis, the role of enhanced ROS production by silica in silica-induced carcinogenesis is not completely understood. The goal of this study was to compare freshly fractured and aged silica-induced molecular alterations in human immortalized/transformed bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-IIB) and lung cancer cells with altered (H460) or deficient (H1299) p53 expression. Exposure to freshly fractured or aged silica produced divergent cellular responses in certain downstream cellular events, including ROS production, apoptosis, cell cycle and chromosomal changes, and gene expression. ROS production increased significantly following exposure to freshly fractured silica compared to aged silica in BEAS-IIB and H460 cells. Apoptosis showed a comparable enhanced level of induction with freshly fractured or aged silica in both cancer lines with p53 functional changes. p53 protein was present in the BEAS-IIB and was absent in cancer cell lines after silica exposure. Exposure to freshly fractured silica also resulted in a rise in aneuploidy in cancer cells with a significantly greater increase in p53-deficient cells. Cytogenetic analysis demonstrated increased metaphase spreads, chromosome breakage, rearrangements, and endoreduplication in both cancer cells. These results suggest that altered and deficient p53 affects the cellular response to freshly fractured silica exposure, and thereby enhances susceptibility and augments cell proliferation and lung cancer development.

Chrysotile effects on human lung cell carcinoma in culture: 3-D reconstruction and DNA quantification by image analysis

Background

Chrysotile is considered less harmful to human health than other types of asbestos fibers. Its clearance from the lung is faster and, in comparison to amphibole forms of asbestos, chrysotile asbestos fail to accumulate in the lung tissue due to a mechanism involving fibers fragmentation in short pieces. Short exposure to chrysotile has not been associated with any histopathological alteration of lung tissue.

Methods

The present work focuses on the association of small chrysotile fibers with interphasic and mitotic human lung cancer cells in culture, using for analyses confocal laser scanning microscopy and 3D reconstructions. The main goal was to perform the analysis of abnormalities in mitosis of fibers-containing cells as well as to quantify nuclear DNA content of treated cells during their recovery in fiber-free culture medium.

Results

HK2 cells treated with chrysotile for 48 h and recovered in additional periods of 24, 48 and 72 h in normal medium showed increased frequency of multinucleated and apoptotic cells. DNA ploidy of the cells submitted to the same chrysotile treatment schedules showed enhanced aneuploidy values. The results were consistent with the high frequency of multipolar spindles observed and with the presence of fibers in the intercellular bridge during cytokinesis.

Conclusion

The present data show that 48 h chrysotile exposure can cause centrosome amplification, apoptosis and aneuploid cell formation even when long periods of recovery were provided. Internalized fibers seem to interact with the chromatin during mitosis, and they could also interfere in cytokinesis, leading to cytokinesis failure which forms aneuploid or multinucleated cells with centrosome amplification.

Molecular and genetic changes in asbestos-related lung cancer

Asbestos-exposure is associated with an increased risk of lung cancer, one of the leading causes of cancer deaths worldwide. Asbestos is known to induce DNA and chromosomal damage as well as aberrations in signalling pathways, such as the MAPK and NF-kappaB cascades, crucial for cellular homeostasis. The alterations result from both indirect effects through e.g. reactive oxygen/nitrogen species and direct mechanical disturbances of cellular constituents. This review describes the current knowledge on genomic and pathway aberrations characterizing asbestos-related lung cancer. Specific asbestos-associated molecular signatures can assist the development of early biomarkers, molecular diagnosis, and molecular targeted treatments for asbestos-exposed lung cancer patients.

Neoplastic transformation of human bronchial cells by lead chromate particles

Particulate hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) is a well-established human lung carcinogen with widespread exposure among people in occupational settings and the general public. However, no studies have examined the chromate-induced malignant transformation of human lung epithelial cells, its predominant target. Human papillomavirus-immortalized human bronchial epithelial (BEP2D) cells were used to better understand the mechanisms involved in human bronchial carcinogenesis induced by particulate chromate. We found that aneuploid cells increased in a concentration-dependent manner after chronic exposure to lead chromate. Moreover, chronic exposure to lead chromate induced BEP2D cell transformation. Transformed BEP2D cells developed through a series of sequential steps, including altered cell morphology, loss of cell contact inhibition and anchorage-independent growth. Specifically, a 5-day exposure to lead chromate induced foci formation with 0, 1, 5, and 10 microg/cm2 lead chromate inducing 0, 7, 3, and 15 foci in 10 dishes. Anchorage independence was observed in cell lines derived from these foci. These foci-derived cells also showed centrosome amplification and increases in aneuploid metaphases. Our study demonstrates that particulate Cr(VI) is able to transform human bronchial epithelial cells, and that chromosome instability may play an important role in particulate Cr(VI)-induced neoplastic transformation.