Associations between DNA methylation in DNA damage response-related genes and cytokinesis-block micronucleus cytome index in diesel engine exhaust-exposed workers

DNA Methylation as a Molecular Mechanism of Carcinogenesis in World Trade Center Dust Exposure: Insights from a Structured Literature Review

The collapse of the World Trade Center (WTC) buildings in New York City generated a large plume of dust and smoke. WTC dust contained human carcinogens including metals, asbestos, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), persistent organic pollutants (POPs, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dioxins), and benzene. Excess levels of many of these carcinogens have been detected in biological samples of WTC-exposed persons, for whom cancer risk is elevated. As confirmed in this structured literature review (n studies = 80), all carcinogens present in the settled WTC dust (metals, asbestos, benzene, PAHs, POPs) have previously been shown to be associated with DNA methylation dysregulation of key cancer-related genes and pathways. DNA methylation is, therefore, a likely molecular mechanism through which WTC exposures may influence the process of carcinogenesis.

Specific CpG sites methylation is associated with hematotoxicity in low-dose benzene-exposed workers

Benzene is a broadly used industrial chemicals which causes various hematologic abnormalities in human. Altered DNA methylation has been proposed as epigenetic biomarkers in health risk evaluation of benzene exposure, yet the role of methylation at specific CpG sites in predicting hematological effects remains unclear. In this study, we recruited 120 low-level benzene-exposed and 101 control male workers from a petrochemical factory in Maoming City, Guangdong Province, China. Urinary S-phenylmercapturic acid (SPMA) in benzene-exposed workers was 3.40-fold higher than that in control workers (P < 0.001). Benzene-induced hematotoxicity was characterized by reduced white blood cells counts and nuclear division index (NDI), along with an increased DNA damage and urinary 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (all P < 0.05). Methylation levels of TRIM36, MGMT and RASSF1a genes in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLCs) were quantified by pyrosequencing. CpG site 6 of TRIM36, CpG site 2, 4, 6 of RASSF1a and CpG site 1, 3 of MGMT methylation were recognized as hot CpG sites due to a strong correlation with both internal exposure and hematological effects. Notably, integrating hot CpG sites methylation of multiple genes reveal a higher efficiency in prediction of integrative damage compared to individual genes at hot CpG sites. The negative dose-response relationship between the combined methylation of hot CpG sites in three genes and integrative damage enabled the classification of benzene-exposed individuals into high-risk or low-risk groups using the median cut-off value of the integrative index. Subsequently, a prediction model for integrative damage in benzene-exposed populations was built based on the methylation status of the identified hot CpG sites in the three genes. Taken together, these findings provide a novel insight into application prospect of specific CpG site methylation as epi-biomarkers for health risk assessment of environmental pollutants.

Nitrated Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (Nitro-PAH) Signatures and Somatic Mutations in Diesel Exhaust-Exposed Bladder Tumors

BACKGROUND

Diesel exhaust is a complex mixture, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and nitrated PAHs (nitro-PAH), many of which are potent mutagens and possible bladder carcinogens. To explore the association between diesel exposure and bladder carcinogenesis, we examined the relationship between exposure and somatic mutations and mutational signatures in bladder tumors.

METHODS

Targeted sequencing was conducted in bladder tumors from the New England Bladder Cancer Study. Using data on 797 cases and 1,418 controls, two-stage polytomous logistic regression was used to evaluate etiologic heterogeneity between bladder cancer subtypes and quantitative, lifetime estimates of respirable elemental carbon (REC), a surrogate for diesel exposure. Poisson regression was used to evaluate associations between REC and mutational signatures.

RESULTS

We observed significant heterogeneity in the diesel-bladder cancer risk relationship, with a strong positive association among cases with high-grade, nonmuscle invasive TP53-mutated tumors compared with controls [ORTop Tertile vs.Unexposed, 4.8; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.2-10.5; Ptrend < 0.001; Pheterogeneity = 0.002]. In muscle-invasive tumors, we observed a positive association between diesel exposure and the nitro-PAH signatures of 1,6-dintropyrene (RR, 1.93; 95% CI, 1.28-2.92) and 3-nitrobenzoic acid (RR, 1.97; 95% CI, 1.33-2.92).

CONCLUSIONS

The relationship between diesel exhaust and bladder cancer was heterogeneous based on the presence of TP53 mutations in tumors, further supporting the link between PAH exposure and TP53 mutations in carcinogenesis. Future studies that can identify nitro-PAH signatures in exposed tumors are warranted to add human data supporting the link between diesel and bladder cancer.

IMPACT

This study provides additional insight into the etiology and possible mechanisms related to diesel exhaust-induced bladder cancer.

Prenatal Environmental Stressors and DNA Methylation Levels in Placenta and Peripheral Tissues of Mothers and Neonates Evaluated by Applying Artificial Neural Networks

Exposure to environmental stressors during pregnancy plays an important role in influencing subsequent susceptibility to certain chronic diseases through the modulation of epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation. Our aim was to explore the connections between environmental exposures during gestation with DNA methylation of placental cells, maternal and neonatal buccal cells by applying artificial neural networks (ANNs). A total of 28 mother-infant pairs were enrolled. Data on gestational exposure to adverse environmental factors and on mother health status were collected through the administration of a questionnaire. DNA methylation analyses at both gene-specific and global level were analyzed in placentas, maternal and neonatal buccal cells. In the placenta, the concentrations of various metals and dioxins were also analyzed. Analysis of ANNs revealed that suboptimal birth weight is associated with placental H19 methylation, maternal stress during pregnancy with methylation levels of NR3C1 and BDNF in placentas and mother's buccal DNA, respectively, and exposure to air pollutants with maternal MGMT methylation. Associations were also observed between placental concentrations of lead, chromium, cadmium and mercury with methylation levels of OXTR in placentas, HSD11B2 in maternal buccal cells and placentas, MECP2 in neonatal buccal cells, and MTHFR in maternal buccal cells. Furthermore, dioxin concentrations were associated with placental RELN, neonatal HSD11B2 and maternal H19 gene methylation levels. Current results suggest that exposure of pregnant women to environmental stressors during pregnancy could induce aberrant methylation levels in genes linked to several pathways important for embryogenesis in both the placenta, potentially affecting foetal development, and in the peripheral tissues of mothers and infants, potentially providing peripheral biomarkers of environmental exposure.

Associations between DNA methylation and genotoxicity among lead-exposed workers in China

Studies have shown that lead (Pb) exposure caused genotoxicity, however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. A mechanism may be via DNA methylation which is one of the most widely studied epigenetic regulations for cellular activities. Whether this is involved in Pb-induced genotoxicity has rarely been studied. Our study aimed to examine whether DNA methylation was associated with Pb exposure and genotoxicity, and to explore its potential mediating roles. A total of 250 Pb-exposed workers were enrolled. Blood lead levels (BLLs) and genotoxic biomarkers (Micronuclei and Comet) were analyzed. Methylation levels at CpG sites of LINE1 and Alu and promoter region of P53, BRCA1, TRIM36 and OGG1 were measured by pyrosequencing. Generalized linear model (GLM) combined with restricted cubic splines (RCS) were used to analyze relationships between Pb exposure, DNA methylation and genotoxicity. Mediation effect was used to explore mediating roles of DNA methylation. The distribution of BLLs was right-skewed and showed wide ranges from 23.7 to 636.2 μg/L with median (P₂₅, P₇₅) being 218.4 (106.1, 313.9) μg/L among all workers. Micronuclei frequencies showed Poisson distribution [1.94 ± 1.88‰] and Comet tail intensity showed normal distribution [1.69 ± 0.93%]. GLM combined with RCS showed that Alu methylation was negatively associated with BLLs, while P53 and OGG1 methylation were positively associated with BLLs. Micronuclei were negatively associated with Alu and TRIM36 methylation but positively with P53 methylation. Comet was positively associated with P53 and BRCA1 methylation. Mediation effect showed that Alu methylation mediated 7% effects on association between Pb exposure and micronuclei, whereas, P53 methylation mediated 14% and BRCA1 mediated 9% effects on association between Pb exposure and Comet. Our data show that Pb exposure induced changes of global and gene-specific DNA methylation which mediated Pb-induced genotoxicity.

Toxicomethylomics revisited: A state-of-the-science review about DNA methylation modifications in blood cells from workers exposed to toxic agents

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.

Association between mitochondrial DNA methylation and internal exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), nitrated-PAHs (NPAHs) and oxygenated-PAHs (OPAHs) in young adults from Tianjin, China

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), nitrated-PAHs (NPAHs) and oxygenated-PAHs (OPAHs) are environmental pollutants with adverse effects on human health. The correlation between the concentrations of PAHs, NPAHs and OPAHs in human plasma and the methylation level of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) was investigated using data from 110 plasma samples collected in Tianjin, China. The median concentrations of PAHs, NPAHs and OPAHs were 16.0 (IQR: 14.4-20.7) ng/mL, 82.2 (IQR: 63.1-97.6) ng/mL and 49.6 (IQR: 28.6-53.8) ng/mL, and the mean proportions were 13.4%, 56.5% and 30.1%, respectively. Bisulfite-PCR pyrosequencing was used to measure the methylation level of MT-CO1 and tRNA-Leu. The methylation levels of two mitochondrial genes (MT-CO1, tRNA-Leu) including four CpG sites (MT-CO1-P1, MT-CO1-P2, tRNA-Leu-P1 and tRNA-Leu-P2) were 0.67% ± 1.38%, 13.54% ± 2.59%, 7.23% ± 5.35% and 1.64% ± 2.94%, respectively. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that significant correlations were found between PAHs and their derivatives exposure and mtDNA methylation levels.

Epigenetic alterations induced by genotoxic occupational and environmental human chemical carcinogens: An update of a systematic literature review

Epigenetic alterations, such as changes in DNA methylation, histones/chromatin structure, nucleosome positioning, and expression of non-coding RNAs, are recognized among key characteristics of carcinogens; they may occur independently or concomitantly with genotoxic effects. While data on genotoxicity are collected through standardized guideline tests, data collected on epigenetic effects is far less uniform. In 2016, we conducted a systematic review of published studies of genotoxic carcinogens that reported epigenetic endpoints to better understand the evidence for epigenetic alterations of human carcinogens, and the potential association with genotoxic endpoints. Since then, the number of studies of epigenetic effects of chemicals has nearly doubled. This review stands as an update on epigenetic alterations induced by occupational and environmental human carcinogens that were previously and recently classified as Group 1 by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. We found that the evidence of epigenetic effects remains uneven across agents. Studies of DNA methylation are most abundant, while reports concerning effects on non-coding RNA have increased over the past 5 years. By contrast, mechanistic toxicology studies of histone modifications and chromatin state alterations remain few. We found that most publications of epigenetic effects of carcinogens were studies in exposed humans or human cells. Studies in rodents represent the second most common species used for epigenetic studies in toxicology, in vivo exposures being the most predominant. Future studies should incorporate dose- and time-dependent study designs and also investigate the persistence of effects following cessation of exposure, considering the dynamic nature of most epigenetic alterations.

Global and gene-specific promoter methylation, and micronuclei induction in lead-exposed workers: A cross-sectional study

Perturbation of epigenetic regulation is a well-established mechanism for cancer but its role for lead (Pb)-associated toxicity has not been adequately investigated. We aimed to investigate whether occupational Pb exposure is associated with micronuclei (MN) frequency and to further explored the mediating roles of epigenetic gene regulation. All the Pb-exposed workers recruited from a Chinese acid battery factory, blood lead levels (BLLs) and MN frequency in lymphocytes were measured. In addition, methylation levels of seven genes (Line-1, RASSF1A, RUNX3, p16, CYP26C1, hMLH1, p15) were examined among 230 workers. Robust Poisson regression model was used to investigate the association between BLLs and MN frequency. Mediation analysis was used to explore the mediating role of specific DNA methylation. Among total 677 participants, 71% were male, median BLLs was 229.1 μg/L (P₂₅  = 155.5, P₇₅  = 319.3; ranged from 8.9 to 647.7 μg/L), mean MN frequency was 2.5‰ (SD = 1.8‰; ranged from 0 to 9‰). Results from base model, adjusted for age, sex, and body mass index, showed that MN frequency would increase 1.38 (95%confidential interval: 1.34, 1.43) per 100 μg/L increment in BLLs. Using categorized exposure variable analyses, a BLLs dose-response increase in MN frequency was observed: 2.74 (2.13, 3.51), 3.43 (2.73, 4.32), 4.41 (3.89, 5.01) to 6.86 (6.02, 7.81). Mediation analysis indicated that Line-1 methylation significantly mediated 3.6% of the association of BLLs with MN frequency. Occupational Pb exposure induces MN frequency in a dose-response relationship. Part of this association was mediated by Line-1 promotor methylation.

Association between H3K36me3 modification and methylation of LINE-1 and MGMT in peripheral blood lymphocytes of PAH-exposed workers

To explore the epigenetic alterations in response to DNA damage following polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) exposure and the crosstalk between different epigenetic regulations, we examined trimethylated Lys 36 of histone H3 (H3K36me3) and methylation of 'long interspersed element-1 (LINE-1)' and 'O ⁶-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT)' in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLCs) of 173 coke oven workers (PAH-exposed group) and 94 non-exposed workers (control group). The PAH-exposed group showed higher internal PAH exposure level, enhanced DNA damage and increased MGMT expression (all P < 0.001). Notably, the methylation of LINE-1 and MGMT decreased by 3.9 and 40.8%, respectively, while H3K36me3 level was 1.7 times higher in PBLCs of PAH-exposed group compared to control group (all P < 0.001). These three epigenetic marks were significantly associated with DNA damage degree (all P < 0.001) and PAH exposure level in a dose-response manner (all P < 0.001). LINE-1 hypomethylation is correlated with enhanced H3K36me3 modification (β = -0.198, P = 0.002), indicating a synergistic effect between histone modification and DNA methylation at the whole genome level. In addition, MGMT expression was positively correlated with H3K36me3 modification (r = 0.253, P < 0.001), but not negatively correlated with MGMT methylation (r = 0.202, P < 0.05). The in vitro study using human bronchial epithelial cells treated with the organic extract of coke oven emissions confirmed that H3K36me3 is important for MGMT expression following PAH exposure. In summary, our study indicates that histone modification and DNA methylation might have synergistic effects on DNA damage induced by PAH exposure at the whole genome level and H3K36me3 is more essential for MGMT expression during the course.

DNA methylation changes in promoter region of CDKN2A gene in workers exposed in construction environment

PURPOSE

Construction workers are exposed to a mixture of substances in the workplace considered carcinogenic. This study aimed to characterise gene-specific changes in DNA methylation over the workweek in this population as this type of environmental exposure has not been studied extensively.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We evaluated their DNA methylation in 4 gene-promoter regions (CDKN2A, RASSF1A, MLH1 and APC) and 2 repeat elements (ALU and LINE-1) in blood samples obtained on the first and fifth day of the same workweek of a group of 39 male construction workers. DNA methylation was measured by bisulphite-PCR-Pyrosequencing. We also measured the levels of trace elements in the whole blood by ICP-MS.

RESULTS

Only the CDKN2A gene had significant differences in the average methylation level between the first and fifth day of the workweek. We also observed that the levels of Cu, Pb, Se, Mn, and Ti decreased during the fifth day of exposure, and only lead, titanium and copper showed a low significant correlation with the methylation level mean for three specific CpG sites of the CDKN2A.

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, the data suggest that altered levels of CDKN2A methylation in construction workers may be a potential biomarker of recent exposure in this environment.

Independent effect of main components in particulate matter on DNA methylation and DNA methyltransferase: A molecular epidemiology study

BACKGROUND

There is a paucity of mechanistic information on the DNA methylation and particulate matter (PM) exposure. This study aimed to investigate the association of PM and its component with DNA methylation, and the roles of DNA methyltransferase (DNMTs).

METHODS

There were 240 high-exposed, 318 low-exposed and 210 non-exposed participants in this study. Individual concentrations of PM, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and metals were identified by the monitoring data in their workplaces. Urinary 1-OHP and metals were determined as exposure markers. The global DNA methylation (% 5mC) and the mRNA expression of DNMT1, DNMT3A and DNMT3B were measured. We used mediation analysis to evaluate the role of DNMTs expression on DNA methylation alteration induced by PAHs and metals components.

RESULTS

The decreasing trend of % 5mC was associated with increment of PM exposure in all subjects. We found that one IQR increase in total PAHs (3.82 μg/m³) and urinary 1-OHP (1.06 μmol/mol creatinine) were associated with a separate 6.08% and 7.26% decrease in % 5mC (P = 0.009, P < 0.001), and one IQR increase in urinary Ni (27.75 μmol/mol creatinine) was associated with a 3.29% decrease in % 5mC (P = 0.03). The interaction of urinary 1-OHP with Ni on global DNA methylation (%5mC) was not found (P interaction = 0.89). PM exposure was significantly associated with decreased mRNA level of DNMT3B, but the mediated effect of the PAHs and Ni levels on % 5mC through the DNMT3B pathway was not observed.

CONCLUSIONS

We found the decrement of global DNA methylation and DNMT3B expression with elevated PM levels in population. The independent mode of action on DNA hypomethylation was found from PAHs and metal components. Global DNA hypomethylation might be a potential biomarker for evaluation of adverse health effects in response to PM exposure.

Role of C/EBPα hypermethylation in diesel engine exhaust exposure-induced lung inflammation

Exposure to diesel engine exhaust (DEE) impairs lung function. But the underlying mechanisms are still not fully understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of long-term DEE exposure on lung inflammation and the underlying mechanisms. Sprague-Dawley male rats were exposed to DEE with 3 mg/m³ of diesel exhaust particles (DEP) for 12 weeks. Then urine, blood, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and lung tissue were collected for the determination of biochemistry indexes, DNA methylation status, and histological changes in the lung. The results showed that the metabolites of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) 2-hydroxyphenanthrene (2-OHPh) and 9-OHPh, and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), and malondialdehyde (MDA) level were higher in urine of DEE-exposed rats than control group. The level of proinflammatory cytokines IL-8, IL-6, and TNF-α was significantly higher in serum (1.8, 3.5, and nearly 1.0-fold increase, respectively), BALF (2.2, 3.8, and 2.0-fold increase, respectively) and lung tissues (3.5, 4.3, and 2.4-fold increase, respectively) of DEE-exposed rats than control group. While the level of clara cell secretory protein (CC16) and pulmonary surfactant protein D (SP-D) with anti-inflammatory property was obviously lower in serum (reduction of 29% and 38%, respectively), BALF (reduction of 50% and 46%, respectively) and lung tissues (reduction of 50% and 55%, respectively) of DEE-exposed rats than control group. Exposure to DEE also resulted in significant increases in total white blood cell (WBC), neutrophil, eosinophil, and lymphocyte number in BALF. Airway inflammation and remolding were apparent in DEE group. The methylation level of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha (C/EBPα) promoter was markedly increased (about 3.2-fold increase), and its mRNA and protein expression were significantly decreased (about 62% and 68% decrease, respectively) in the lungs of DEE-exposed rats compared with the group. Further, cell experiments were performed to investigate the relationship between C/EBPα and CC16, and CC16 function under DEP conditions. The results showed that DEP inhibited CC16 expression via methylation of C/EBPα promoter, and the increase of CC16 level significantly relieved the proinflammatory effects caused by DEP exposure. In conclusion, our data indicated that long-term exposure to DEE can cause lung inflammation, at least in part via methylation of C/EBPα promoter, and inhibition of CC16 expression.

Association between methylation of DNA damage response-related genes and DNA damage in hepatocytes of rats following subchronic exposure to vinyl chloride

In the present study, we investigated the association between methylation of DNA damage response-related genes such as cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor (CDKN)2A, Ras association (RalGDS/AF-6) domain family member (RASSF)1A, O6-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT), Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS), and spleen-associated tyrosine kinase (SYK) and DNA damage in hepatocytes of rats following subchronic exposure to vinyl chloride (VC). Sixty-four healthy rats were randomly divided into three VC exposure groups (5, 25, and 125 mg/kg) and an untreated negative control group (n = 16 each). VC was administered by intraperitoneal injection every other day for a total of three times a week. Eight randomly selected rats from each group were sacrificed at the end of 6 and 12 weeks, and liver tissue was harvested for the comet assay and for assessment of DNA methylation level and mRNA expression of related genes by PCR. Overall methylation levels in the genome of hepatocytes in VC-exposed rats were higher than those in the control group at 6 and 12 weeks (P < 0.05), although no differences were observed with regarding to dose (P > 0.05). After 12 weeks of exposure, differences in the methylation of RASSF1A and MGMT promoter regions were observed between the high-dose group and other groups (P < 0.05), whereas no differences were observed for the KRAS, SYK, and CDKN2A promoters (P > 0.05). These results suggest that DNA damage and increased genome-wide methylation are biomarkers for VC exposure and that RASSF1A and MGMT promoter methylation is related to the carcinogenic mechanism of VC.

Cytotoxic and genotoxic effects in mechanics occupationally exposed to diesel engine exhaust

Diesel engine exhaust (DEE), which is the product of diesel combustion, is considered carcinogenic in humans. It comprises toxic gases, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and particulate matter which can reach the pulmonary parenchyma and trigger various diseases, including cancer. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the potential cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of DEE exposure on peripheral blood and buccal epithelial cells in mechanics occupationally exposed to DEE. We recruited 120 exposed mechanics and 100 non-exposed control individuals. Significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of percentage of tail DNA and damage index (DI) in the alkaline comet assay; levels of biomarkers by cytokinesis-block micronucleus cytome (CBMN-Cyt) assay; frequency of micronucleus (MN), nucleoplasmic bridge (NPB), nuclear bud (NBUD) and apoptotic cells (APOP) and levels of biomarkers for micronucleus, karyorrhexis (KRX), karyolysis (KRL) and condensed chromatin (CC) by the buccal micronucleus cytome (BM-Cyt) assay. A significant and positive correlation was found between the frequency of MN in lymphocytes and buccal cells in the exposed group. Also, there was a significant correlation between age and percentage of tail DNA and DI in the comet assay, APOP and MN in the CBMN-Cyt assay and NBUD and MN in the BM-Cyt assay. Additionally, we found a positive and significant correlation of MN frequency in lymphocytes and buccal cells and age and MN frequency in lymphocytes with the time of service (years). Regarding lifestyle-related factors, a significant correlation was observed between meat and vitamin consumption and NBUD formation on CBMN-Cyt and between meat consumption and MN formation on CBMN-Cyt. Of the BM-Cyt biomarkers, there was a correlation between alcohol consumption and NBUD formation and between binucleated cell (BN), pyknosis (PYC), CC and KRL occurrence and family cancer history. These results are the first data in Colombia on the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects induced by continuous exposure to DEE and thus showed the usefulness of biomarkers of the comet, CBMN-Cyt and BM-Cyt assays for human biomonitoring and evaluation of cancer risk in the exposed populations.

Evaluation of DNA Methylation Changes and Micronuclei in Workers Exposed to a Construction Environment

Methylation levels in tumor-suppressor genes and repetitive sequences have previously been used to study the relationship between environmental air pollution and epigenetic changes related to cancer. In this study, we measured the methylation profiles of the promoter regions CDKN2A, MLH1 and APC and the repetitive sequence LINE-1 in 59 workers exposed to the construction environment and in 49 unexposed workers. We also evaluated the micronuclei frequency and levels of trace elements in the blood of all workers. We evaluated of levels of particulate matter and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) at the construction site to characterize the environmental exposure. Our findings demonstrated that exposed workers exhibited significantly higher average levels of promoter methylation of CDKN2A, APC, and MLH1 genes and increased hypomethylation of the LINE-1 in comparison to unexposed workers (all p < 0.05). A higher frequency of micronuclei was observed in the exposed group (2 ± 2) compared to the unexposed group (1 ± 1) with p < 0.001. High levels of particulate matter (51⁻841 μg/m³) and some PAHs were found in samples from the construction environment. In summary, we provide evidence of increased DNA damage and altered DNA methylation of exposed workers, suggesting that genomic approaches to biomonitoring may be an effective way of estimating future cancer risk for construction workers.

Exposure characterization and estimation of benchmark dose for cancer biomarkers in an occupational cohort of diesel engine testers

Exposure to diesel engine exhaust (DEE) was associated with various adverse health effects including lung cancer. Particle size distribution and profiles of organic compounds in both particle and gas phases of DEE that could provide valuable insights into related health effects were measured in a diesel engine testing workshop. Concentrations of urinary 6 mono-hydroxylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (OH-PAHs) in 137 DEE-exposed workers and 127 non-DEE-exposed workers were determined. Benchmark dose method was applied to estimate lower limit of benchmark dose (BMDL) of urinary OH-PAHs most specific to DEE exposure for previously reported cancer biomarkers. We found that 84.3% of diesel exhaust particles were ultrafine particles. Indeno[123-cd]pyrene and phenanthrene were the most abundant carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic PAHs in the particle phase of DEE, respectively. Principal component analysis demonstrated that urinary hydroxyphenanthrene (OHPhe) had highest loading value on principal component (PC) representative of DEE exposure and lowest loading value on PC representative of smoking status. BMDLs of urinary OHPhe from best-fitting models for cancer biomarkers including micronucleus and 1,N⁶-ethenodeoxyadenosine were 1.08 μg/g creatinine and 2.82 μg/g creatinine, respectively. These results provided basis for understanding DEE exposure induced health effects and potential threshold for regulating DEE levels in an occupational setting.

DNA methylation: A critical epigenetic mechanism underlying the detrimental effects of airborne particulate matter

Exposure to airborne particulate matter (PM) does great harm to the health of human beings. To date, PM exposure has been closely associated with respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, as well as some types of cancer. As the associations of PM with the adverse health effects are well documented in literatures, the underlying mechanisms have not been completely clarified. With the field of epigenetics rising in recent years, PM-associated epigenetic alterations have gradually turned into the hot research topic. DNA methylation is one of the earliest-discovered and best-studied epigenetic mechanisms, of which the alteration can influence the transcription initiation of genes. A number of studies have been published to demonstrate that PM exposure is linked with DNA methylation patterns in the human genome. DNA methylation is the potential regulator of the biological effects of PM exposure. In the present review, DNA methylation related to PM exposure was elaborated on genome-wide and gene-specific methylation. In particular, genome-wide DNA methylation was composed of the alterations in global methylation content and genome-wide methylation profile; gene-specific methylation included the methylation changes in mechanism-related and disease-specific genes. Representative epidemiological and experimental studies were cited to elucidate the viewpoints, focusing on both PM-related methylation changes and the mediating effects of DNA methylation between PM and the health impacts. This review will provide advantageous clues for subsequent studies on the DNA methylation in relation to PM exposure.

Epigenetic regulation of DNA repair genes and implications for tumor therapy

DNA repair represents the first barrier against genotoxic stress causing metabolic changes, inflammation and cancer. Besides its role in preventing cancer, DNA repair needs also to be considered during cancer treatment with radiation and DNA damaging drugs as it impacts therapy outcome. The DNA repair capacity is mainly governed by the expression level of repair genes. Alterations in the expression of repair genes can occur due to mutations in their coding or promoter region, changes in the expression of transcription factors activating or repressing these genes, and/or epigenetic factors changing histone modifications and CpG promoter methylation or demethylation levels. In this review we provide an overview on the epigenetic regulation of DNA repair genes. We summarize the mechanisms underlying CpG methylation and demethylation, with de novo methyltransferases and DNA repair involved in gain and loss of CpG methylation, respectively. We discuss the role of components of the DNA damage response, p53, PARP-1 and GADD45a on the regulation of the DNA (cytosine-5)-methyltransferase DNMT1, the key enzyme responsible for gene silencing. We stress the relevance of epigenetic silencing of DNA repair genes for tumor formation and tumor therapy. A paradigmatic example is provided by the DNA repair protein O⁶-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT), which is silenced in up to 40% of various cancers through CpG promoter methylation. The CpG methylation status of the MGMT promoter strongly correlates with clinical outcome and, therefore, is used as prognostic marker during glioblastoma therapy. Mismatch repair genes are also subject of epigenetic silencing, which was shown to correlate with colorectal cancer formation. For many other repair genes shown to be epigenetically regulated the clinical outcome is not yet clear. We also address the question of whether genotoxic stress itself can lead to epigenetic alterations of genes encoding proteins involved in the defense against genotoxic stress.

TRIM36 hypermethylation is involved in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons-induced cell transformation

Long term exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is associated with the increasing risk of lung cancer. To identify differentially hypermethylated genes associated with PAHs-induced carcinogenicity, we performed genome-wide DNA methylation analysis in 20 μM benzo(a)pyrene (BaP)-transformed human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells at different stages of cell transformation. Several methylated genes (CNGA4, FLT1, GAREM1, SFMBT2, TRIM36) were differentially hypermethylated and their mRNA was suppressed in cells at both pre-transformed and transformed stages. Similar results were observed in HBE cells transformed by 20 μg/mL coke oven emissions (COEs) mixture collected from a coking manufacturing facility. In particular, hypermethylation of TRIM36 and suppression of TRIM36 expression were gradually enhanced over the time of COEs treatment. We developed bisulfite pyrosequencing assay and assessed TRIM36 methylation quantitatively. We found that hypermethylation of TRIM36 and reduced gene expression was prevalent in several types of human cancers. TRIM36 hypermethylation appeared in 90.0% (23/30) of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLCs) tissues compared to their paired adjacent tissues with an average increase of 1.32 fold. Furthermore, an increased methylation rate (5.90% v.s 7.38%) and reduced levels of TRIM36 mRNA were found in peripheral lymphocytes (PBLCs) of 151 COEs-exposed workers. In all subjects, TRIM36 hypermethylation was positively correlated with the level of urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (P < 0.001), an internal exposure marker of PAHs, and the DNA damage (P = 0.013). These findings suggest that aberrant hypermethylation of TRIM36 might be involved in the acquisition of malignant phenotype and could be served as a biomarker for risk assessment of PAHs exposure.