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Cheng Q, Liu QQ, Lu CA. A state-of-the-science review of using mitochondrial DNA copy number as a biomarker for environmental exposure. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 346:123642. [PMID: 38402934 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Mitochondria are bioenergetic, biosynthetic, and signaling organelles in eukaryotes, and contain their own genomes, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), to supply energy to cells by generating ATP via oxidative phosphorylation. Therefore, the threat to mitochondria' integrity and health resulting from environmental exposure could induce adverse health effects in organisms. In this review, we summarized the association between mtDNA copy number (mtDNAcn), and environmental exposures as reported in the literature. We conducted a literature search in the Web of Science using [Mitochondrial DNA copy number] and [Exposure] as two keywords and employed three selection criteria for the final inclusion of 97 papers for review. The consensus of data was that mtDNAcn could be used as a plausible biomarker for cumulative exposures to environmental chemical and physical agents. In order to furtherly expand the application of mtDNAcn in ecological and environmental health research, we suggested a series of algorithms aiming to standardize the calculation of mtDNAcn based on the PCR results in this review. We also discussed the pitfalls of using whole blood/plasma samples for mtDNAcn measurements and regard buccal cells a plausible and practical alternative. Finally, we recognized the importance of better understanding the mechanistic analysis and regulatory mechanism of mtDNAcn, in particular the signals release and regulation pathways. We believe that the development of using mtDNAcn as an exposure biomarker will revolutionize the evaluation of chronic sub-lethal toxicity of chemicals to organisms in ecological and environmental health research that has not yet been implemented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Cheng
- College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, People's Republic of China
| | - Qing Qing Liu
- College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, People's Republic of China
| | - Chensheng Alex Lu
- College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, People's Republic of China; School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.
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Pelland-St-Pierre L, Pham MC, Nguyen AQH, Pasquet R, Taylor SA, Bosson-Rieutort D, Koushik A, Ho V. The Influence of Smoking and Occupational Risk Factors on DNA Methylation in the AHRR and F2RL3 Genes. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2024; 33:224-233. [PMID: 38051301 DOI: 10.1158/1055-9965.epi-23-0828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AHRR and F2RL3 hypomethylation has been associated with lung cancer. In this study, we investigated the cross-sectional association between smoking and occupational exposures, and AHRR and F2RL3 methylation. METHODS A case-control study was nested in CARTaGENE to examine the association between AHRR and F2RL3 methylation and lung cancer risk (200 cases; 400 controls). A secondary analysis was conducted using the data collected from this nested study; namely, baseline information on participants' smoking behavior and longest-held job was obtained. A cumulative smoking index summarized information on the number of cigarettes smoked, duration of smoking, and time since cessation. Exposure to 13 occupational agents was estimated using the Canadian Job Exposure Matrix. In baseline blood samples, methylation ratios of 40 CpG sites in the AHRR and F2RL3 genes were measured using Sequenom EpiTYPER. Separate least squares regression models were used to estimate the associations between smoking and occupational exposures, and average AHRR and F2RL3 methylation levels, while adjusting for confounders identified from directed acyclic graphs. RESULTS In both genes, smoking was associated with lower average methylation levels. Occupational exposure to aromatic amines, cadmium, and formaldehyde were associated with lower AHRR methylation while, only benzene was associated with F2RL3 hypomethylation; these associations were stronger among ever smokers. CONCLUSIONS Our findings support that smoking and occupational exposures to some agents are associated with AHRR and F2RL3 hypomethylation. IMPACT Our results inform on mechanisms underlying environmental exposures in lung cancer etiology; future studies should prioritize studying joint exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Pelland-St-Pierre
- Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Health Innovation and Evaluation Hub, University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre (CRCHUM), Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Centre de recherche en santé publique (CReSP), University of Montréal and CIUSSS Centre-Sud, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Michael C Pham
- Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Health Innovation and Evaluation Hub, University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre (CRCHUM), Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Alice Quynh Huong Nguyen
- Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Health Innovation and Evaluation Hub, University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre (CRCHUM), Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Romain Pasquet
- Health Innovation and Evaluation Hub, University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre (CRCHUM), Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Sherryl A Taylor
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Delphine Bosson-Rieutort
- Centre de recherche en santé publique (CReSP), University of Montréal and CIUSSS Centre-Sud, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Department of Health Management, Evaluation and Policy, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Anita Koushik
- Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Health Innovation and Evaluation Hub, University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre (CRCHUM), Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Vikki Ho
- Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Health Innovation and Evaluation Hub, University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre (CRCHUM), Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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Jiménez-Garza O, Ghosh M, Barrow TM, Godderis L. Toxicomethylomics revisited: A state-of-the-science review about DNA methylation modifications in blood cells from workers exposed to toxic agents. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1073658. [PMID: 36891347 PMCID: PMC9986591 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1073658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Epigenetic marks have been proposed as early changes, at the subcellular level, in disease development. To find more specific biomarkers of effect in occupational exposures to toxicants, DNA methylation studies in peripheral blood cells have been performed. The goal of this review is to summarize and contrast findings about DNA methylation in blood cells from workers exposed to toxicants. Methods A literature search was performed using PubMed and Web of Science. After first screening, we discarded all studies performed in vitro and in experimental animals, as well as those performed in other cell types other than peripheral blood cells. Results: 116 original research papers met the established criteria, published from 2007 to 2022. The most frequent investigated exposures/labor group were for benzene (18.9%) polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (15.5%), particulate matter (10.3%), lead (8.6%), pesticides (7.7%), radiation (4.3%), volatile organic compound mixtures (4.3%), welding fumes (3.4%) chromium (2.5%), toluene (2.5%), firefighters (2.5%), coal (1.7%), hairdressers (1.7%), nanoparticles (1.7%), vinyl chloride (1.7%), and others. Few longitudinal studies have been performed, as well as few of them have explored mitochondrial DNA methylation. Methylation platforms have evolved from analysis in repetitive elements (global methylation), gene-specific promoter methylation, to epigenome-wide studies. The most reported observations were global hypomethylation as well as promoter hypermethylation in exposed groups compared to controls, while methylation at DNA repair/oncogenes genes were the most studied; studies from genome-wide studies detect differentially methylated regions, which could be either hypo or hypermethylated. Discussion Some evidence from longitudinal studies suggest that modifications observed in cross-sectional designs may be transitory; then, we cannot say that DNA methylation changes are predictive of disease development due to those exposures. Conclusion Due to the heterogeneity in the genes studied, and scarcity of longitudinal studies, we are far away from considering DNA methylation changes as biomarkers of effect in occupational exposures, and nor can we establish a clear functional or pathological correlate for those epigenetic modifications associated with the studied exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Octavio Jiménez-Garza
- Health Sciences Institute, Autonomous University of Hidalgo State, Pachuca Hidalgo, Mexico
| | - Manosij Ghosh
- Environment and Health Department, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Timothy M Barrow
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Wellbeing, University of Sunderland, Sunderland, United Kingdom
| | - Lode Godderis
- Environment and Health Department, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Zhou S, Wang Y, Yu C, Ding C, He J, Liu Y, Wang H, Ni C. Metal Exposure-Related Welder's Pneumoconiosis and Lung Function: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Container Factory of China. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:16809. [PMID: 36554689 PMCID: PMC9779211 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192416809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Long-term inhalation of welding fume at high exposure can cause welder's pneumoconiosis, and metals in welding dust are associated with respiratory dysfunction. This cross-sectional study, which contains 384 Chinese male workers who were or had been working in a container factory, aimed to assess the potential risk of haemal and urinary metal content in welder's pneumoconiosis. Further, we investigated their effects on lung function parameters. Metal content and lung function were measured using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and spirometer, respectively. The concentration and metal content of respirable dust as well as total dust were collected at this container factory. Lung function of cases with welder's pneumoconiosis was significantly worse, as indicated by lower values of FVC, FVC% predicted, FEV1, FEV1% predicted, MEF25% predicted, and MMEF% predicted (p < 0.05). Results of logistic regression models showed that haemal Cr and Zn were risk factors of welder's pneumoconiosis (OR = 4.98, 95%CI: 1.73-21.20, p = 0.009 for Cr; OR = 5.23, 95%CI: 1.56-41.08, p = 0.033 for Zn) after adjusted with age, BMI, working years, welding dust exposure years, and smoking status. Multiple linear regression models showed that several metals (haemal Cd and Pb; urinary Cd and Fe) were significantly associated with different lung function indices in the welder's pneumoconiosis group. Compared to non-welders, welders were exposed to considerably higher levels of respirable dust, total dust, and six kinds of metals (p < 0.05). In conclusion, haemal Cr and Zn are positively related to welder's pneumoconiosis. Meanwhile, Cd and Pb might worsen lung function in welder's pneumoconiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyun Zhou
- Department of Occupational Medical and Environmental Health, Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Yue Wang
- Department of Occupational Medical and Environmental Health, Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Chen Yu
- Department of Occupational Respiratory Disease, National Institute of Occupational Health and Poison Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Chunguang Ding
- National Center for Occupational Safety and Health, Beijing 102300, China
| | - Jiayu He
- Department of Occupational Respiratory Disease, National Institute of Occupational Health and Poison Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Yi Liu
- Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Huanqiang Wang
- Department of Occupational Respiratory Disease, National Institute of Occupational Health and Poison Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Chunhui Ni
- Department of Occupational Medical and Environmental Health, Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
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Cediel-Ulloa A, Isaxon C, Eriksson A, Primetzhofer D, Sortica MA, Haag L, Derr R, Hendriks G, Löndahl J, Gudmundsson A, Broberg K, Gliga AR. Toxicity of stainless and mild steel particles generated from gas-metal arc welding in primary human small airway epithelial cells. Sci Rep 2021; 11:21846. [PMID: 34750422 PMCID: PMC8575907 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-01177-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Welding fumes induce lung toxicity and are carcinogenic to humans but the molecular mechanisms have yet to be clarified. The aim of this study was to evaluate the toxicity of stainless and mild steel particles generated via gas-metal arc welding using primary human small airway epithelial cells (hSAEC) and ToxTracker reporter murine stem cells, which track activation of six cancer-related pathways. Metal content (Fe, Mn, Ni, Cr) of the particles was relatively homogenous across particle size. The particles were not cytotoxic in reporter stem cells but stainless steel particles activated the Nrf2-dependent oxidative stress pathway. In hSAEC, both particle types induced time- and dose-dependent cytotoxicity, and stainless steel particles also increased generation of reactive oxygen species. The cellular metal content was higher for hSAEC compared to the reporter stem cells exposed to the same nominal dose. This was, in part, related to differences in particle agglomeration/sedimentation in the different cell media. Overall, our study showed differences in cytotoxicity and activation of cancer-related pathways between stainless and mild steel welding particles. Moreover, our data emphasizes the need for careful assessment of the cellular dose when comparing studies using different in vitro models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Cediel-Ulloa
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Box 210, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Organismal Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Christina Isaxon
- Ergonomics and Aerosol Technology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- NanoLund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Axel Eriksson
- Ergonomics and Aerosol Technology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- NanoLund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Daniel Primetzhofer
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Applied Nuclear Physics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- The Tandem Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | - Lars Haag
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | | | - Jakob Löndahl
- Ergonomics and Aerosol Technology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- NanoLund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Anders Gudmundsson
- Ergonomics and Aerosol Technology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- NanoLund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Karin Broberg
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Box 210, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anda R Gliga
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Box 210, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden.
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