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Yu G, Wu L, Su Q, Ji X, Zhou J, Wu S, Tang Y, Li H. Neurotoxic effects of heavy metal pollutants in the environment: Focusing on epigenetic mechanisms. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 345:123563. [PMID: 38355086 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123563] [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: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 02/04/2024] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
The pollution of heavy metals (HMs) in the environment is a significant global environmental issue, characterized by its extensive distribution, severe contamination, and profound ecological impacts. Excessive exposure to heavy metal pollutants can damage the nervous system. However, the mechanisms underlying the neurotoxicity of most heavy metals are not completely understood. Epigenetics is defined as a heritable change in gene function that can influence gene and subsequent protein expression levels without altering the DNA sequence. Growing evidence indicates that heavy metals can induce neurotoxic effects by triggering epigenetic changes and disrupting the epigenome. Compared with genetic changes, epigenetic alterations are more easily reversible. Epigenetic reprogramming techniques, drugs, and certain nutrients targeting specific epigenetic mechanisms involved in gene expression regulation are emerging as potential preventive or therapeutic tools for diseases. Therefore, this review provides a comprehensive overview of epigenetic modifications encompassing DNA/RNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs in the nervous system, elucidating their association with various heavy metal exposures. These primarily include manganese (Mn), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), cobalt (Co), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), sliver (Ag), toxic metalloids arsenic (As), and etc. The potential epigenetic mechanisms in the etiology, precision prevention, and target therapy of various neurodevelopmental disorders or different neurodegenerative diseases are emphasized. In addition, the current gaps in research and future areas of study are discussed. From a perspective on epigenetics, this review offers novel insights for prevention and treatment of neurotoxicity induced by heavy metal pollutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangxia Yu
- Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350122, China; Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350122, China
| | - Lingyan Wu
- Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350122, China
| | - Qianqian Su
- Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350122, China
| | - Xianqi Ji
- Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350122, China
| | - Jinfu Zhou
- Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350122, China; Fujian Maternity and Child Hospital College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350001, China
| | - Siying Wu
- Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350122, China; Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350122, China
| | - Ying Tang
- Fujian Center for Prevention and Control Occupational Diseases and Chemical Poisoning, Fuzhou 350125, China
| | - Huangyuan Li
- Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350122, China; Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350122, China.
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Sekovanić A, Dorotić A, Pašalić D, Orct T, Kljaković-Gašpić Z, Grgec AS, Stasenko S, Mioč T, Piasek M, Jurasović J. The effects of maternal cigarette smoking on cadmium and lead levels, miRNA expression and biochemical parameters across the feto-placental unit. Heliyon 2022; 8:e12568. [PMID: 36636214 PMCID: PMC9830161 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e12568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Several miRNAs have been previously identified to be associated with cigarette smoke and/or the toxic metals cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb). The aim of this study was to investigate the associations of maternal cigarette smoking with cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) levels, candidate miRNA expression and biochemical parameters across the feto-placental unit. miRNAs were isolated according to protocols provided by manufacturer from 72 healthy postpartum women using Qiagens' kits based on phenol/guanidine samples lysis and silica-membrane purification of total RNA. Candidate miRNAs (miR-1537, miR-190b, miR-16, miR-21, and miR-146a) were quantified by real-time PCR. Biochemical parameters were analyzed in plasma samples by standardized and harmonized enzymatic methods using appropriate calibrators, while CRP was determined by immunoturbidimetric method. Concentration of Cd and Pb in whole blood and placenta samples were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy. Cd levels in smokers were higher in all of the analyzed compartments of the feto-placental unit, Pb in maternal blood and placenta than non-smokers. Smokers also had a higher expression of miR-16 in maternal and miR-146a in cord plasma, and lower expression of miR-21 in the placenta in comparison to non-smokers. Urate concentrations in the maternal plasma of smokers were lower than this value in non-smokers. The study has demonstrated that maternal smoking was associated with toxic metals (Cd and Pb) levels, urate concentration and alteration of miRNA expression. Given that the effects of maternal smoking on miRNA expression are inadequate, all compartments of the feto-placental unit should be analyzed to obtain a complete picture. This paper is the first to report on the results of expression of cellular and circulating miRNAs simultaneously in maternal and fetal compartments and in the placenta.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankica Sekovanić
- Analytical Toxicology and Mineral Metabolism Unit, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Adrijana Dorotić
- Department of Medical Laboratory Diagnostics, University Hospital Sveti Duh, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Daria Pašalić
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Biochemistry and Clinical Chemistry, University of Zagreb, School of Medicine, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Corresponding author.
| | - Tatjana Orct
- Analytical Toxicology and Mineral Metabolism Unit, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Zorana Kljaković-Gašpić
- Analytical Toxicology and Mineral Metabolism Unit, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Antonija Sulimanec Grgec
- Analytical Toxicology and Mineral Metabolism Unit, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Sandra Stasenko
- Clinical Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Merkur University Hospital, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Tatjana Mioč
- Clinical Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Merkur University Hospital, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Martina Piasek
- Analytical Toxicology and Mineral Metabolism Unit, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Jasna Jurasović
- Analytical Toxicology and Mineral Metabolism Unit, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
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Li W, Xu X, Jiang Q, Long P, Xiao Y, You Y, Jia C, Wang W, Lei Y, Xu J, Wang Y, Zhang M, Liu C, Zeng Q, Ruan S, Wang X, Wang C, Yuan Y, Guo H, Wu T. Circulating metals, leukocyte microRNAs and microRNA networks: A profiling and functional analysis in Chinese adults. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 169:107511. [PMID: 36095929 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Metals in the human body represent both environmental exposure and nutritional status. Little is known about the miRNA signature in relation to circulating metals in humans. OBJECTIVES To characterize metal-associated miRNAs in leukocytes, individually and collectively as networks. METHODS In a panel of 160 Chinese adults, we measured 23 metals/metalloids in plasma, and sequenced miRNAs and mRNAs in leukocytes. We used linear regression to model the associations between ln-transformed metal concentrations and normalized miRNA levels adjusting for potential confounders. We inferred the enriched leukocyte subtypes for the identified miRNAs using an association approach. We utilized mRNA sequencing data to explore miRNA functions. We also constructed modules to identify metal-associated miRNA networks. RESULTS We identified 55 metal-associated miRNAs at false discovery rate-adjusted P < 0.05. In particular, we found that lead, nickel, and vanadium were positively associated with potentially lymphocyte-enriched miR-142-3p, miR-150-3p, miR-28-5p, miR-361-3p, and miR-769-5p, and were inversely associated with potentially granulocyte-enriched let-7a/c/d-5p and miR-1294. Interestingly, the five lymphocyte-enriched miRNAs inhibited, whereas miR-1294 activated, ROS and DNA repair pathways. We further confirmed the findings using oxidative damage biomarkers. Next, we clustered co-expressed miRNAs into modules, and identified four miRNA modules that were associated with different metals. The identified modules represented miRNAs enriched in different leukocyte subtypes, and were involved in biological processes including hematopoiesis and immune response, mitochondrial functions, and response to the stimulus. CONCLUSIONS At commonly exposed low levels, circulating metals were associated with distinct miRNA signatures in leukocytes. The identified miRNAs, individually or as regulatory networks, may provide a mechanistic link between metal exposure and pathophysiological changes in the immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wending Li
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Xuedan Xu
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Qin Jiang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Pinpin Long
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Yang Xiao
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Yutong You
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Chengyong Jia
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Yanshou Lei
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Jianjian Xu
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Yufei Wang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Min Zhang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Chong Liu
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Qiang Zeng
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Shuping Ruan
- Health Management Center, Sinopharm Dongfeng General Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442008, China
| | - Xiaozheng Wang
- Health Management Center, Sinopharm Dongfeng General Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442008, China
| | - Chaolong Wang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Yu Yuan
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Huan Guo
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Tangchun Wu
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China.
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Olmedo-Suárez MÁ, Ramírez-Díaz I, Pérez-González A, Molina-Herrera A, Coral-García MÁ, Lobato S, Sarvari P, Barreto G, Rubio K. Epigenetic Regulation in Exposome-Induced Tumorigenesis: Emerging Roles of ncRNAs. Biomolecules 2022; 12:513. [PMID: 35454102 PMCID: PMC9032613 DOI: 10.3390/biom12040513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Environmental factors, including pollutants and lifestyle, constitute a significant role in severe, chronic pathologies with an essential societal, economic burden. The measurement of all environmental exposures and assessing their correlation with effects on individual health is defined as the exposome, which interacts with our unique characteristics such as genetics, physiology, and epigenetics. Epigenetics investigates modifications in the expression of genes that do not depend on the underlying DNA sequence. Some studies have confirmed that environmental factors may promote disease in individuals or subsequent progeny through epigenetic alterations. Variations in the epigenetic machinery cause a spectrum of different disorders since these mechanisms are more sensitive to the environment than the genome, due to the inherent reversible nature of the epigenetic landscape. Several epigenetic mechanisms, including modifications in DNA (e.g., methylation), histones, and noncoding RNAs can change genome expression under the exogenous influence. Notably, the role of long noncoding RNAs in epigenetic processes has not been well explored in the context of exposome-induced tumorigenesis. In the present review, our scope is to provide relevant evidence indicating that epigenetic alterations mediate those detrimental effects caused by exposure to environmental toxicants, focusing mainly on a multi-step regulation by diverse noncoding RNAs subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Ángel Olmedo-Suárez
- International Laboratory EPIGEN, Consejo de Ciencia y Tecnología del Estado de Puebla (CONCYTEP), Puebla 72160, Mexico; (M.Á.O.-S.); (I.R.-D.); (A.P.-G.); (A.M.-H.); (M.Á.C.-G.); (S.L.); (P.S.); (G.B.)
- Licenciatura en Médico Cirujano, Universidad de la Salud del Estado de Puebla (USEP), Puebla 72000, Mexico
| | - Ivonne Ramírez-Díaz
- International Laboratory EPIGEN, Consejo de Ciencia y Tecnología del Estado de Puebla (CONCYTEP), Puebla 72160, Mexico; (M.Á.O.-S.); (I.R.-D.); (A.P.-G.); (A.M.-H.); (M.Á.C.-G.); (S.L.); (P.S.); (G.B.)
- Facultad de Biotecnología, Campus Puebla, Universidad Popular Autónoma del Estado de Puebla (UPAEP), Puebla 72410, Mexico
| | - Andrea Pérez-González
- International Laboratory EPIGEN, Consejo de Ciencia y Tecnología del Estado de Puebla (CONCYTEP), Puebla 72160, Mexico; (M.Á.O.-S.); (I.R.-D.); (A.P.-G.); (A.M.-H.); (M.Á.C.-G.); (S.L.); (P.S.); (G.B.)
- Licenciatura en Médico Cirujano, Universidad de la Salud del Estado de Puebla (USEP), Puebla 72000, Mexico
| | - Alejandro Molina-Herrera
- International Laboratory EPIGEN, Consejo de Ciencia y Tecnología del Estado de Puebla (CONCYTEP), Puebla 72160, Mexico; (M.Á.O.-S.); (I.R.-D.); (A.P.-G.); (A.M.-H.); (M.Á.C.-G.); (S.L.); (P.S.); (G.B.)
- Licenciatura en Médico Cirujano, Universidad de la Salud del Estado de Puebla (USEP), Puebla 72000, Mexico
| | - Miguel Ángel Coral-García
- International Laboratory EPIGEN, Consejo de Ciencia y Tecnología del Estado de Puebla (CONCYTEP), Puebla 72160, Mexico; (M.Á.O.-S.); (I.R.-D.); (A.P.-G.); (A.M.-H.); (M.Á.C.-G.); (S.L.); (P.S.); (G.B.)
- Decanato de Ciencias de la Salud, Campus Puebla, Universidad Popular Autónoma del Estado de Puebla (UPAEP), Puebla 72410, Mexico
| | - Sagrario Lobato
- International Laboratory EPIGEN, Consejo de Ciencia y Tecnología del Estado de Puebla (CONCYTEP), Puebla 72160, Mexico; (M.Á.O.-S.); (I.R.-D.); (A.P.-G.); (A.M.-H.); (M.Á.C.-G.); (S.L.); (P.S.); (G.B.)
- Licenciatura en Médico Cirujano, Universidad de la Salud del Estado de Puebla (USEP), Puebla 72000, Mexico
| | - Pouya Sarvari
- International Laboratory EPIGEN, Consejo de Ciencia y Tecnología del Estado de Puebla (CONCYTEP), Puebla 72160, Mexico; (M.Á.O.-S.); (I.R.-D.); (A.P.-G.); (A.M.-H.); (M.Á.C.-G.); (S.L.); (P.S.); (G.B.)
| | - Guillermo Barreto
- International Laboratory EPIGEN, Consejo de Ciencia y Tecnología del Estado de Puebla (CONCYTEP), Puebla 72160, Mexico; (M.Á.O.-S.); (I.R.-D.); (A.P.-G.); (A.M.-H.); (M.Á.C.-G.); (S.L.); (P.S.); (G.B.)
- Laboratoire IMoPA, CNRS, Université de Lorraine, UMR 73635 Nancy, France
- Lung Cancer Epigenetic, Max-Planck-Institute for Heart and Lung Research, 61231 Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - Karla Rubio
- International Laboratory EPIGEN, Consejo de Ciencia y Tecnología del Estado de Puebla (CONCYTEP), Puebla 72160, Mexico; (M.Á.O.-S.); (I.R.-D.); (A.P.-G.); (A.M.-H.); (M.Á.C.-G.); (S.L.); (P.S.); (G.B.)
- Licenciatura en Médico Cirujano, Universidad de la Salud del Estado de Puebla (USEP), Puebla 72000, Mexico
- Laboratoire IMoPA, CNRS, Université de Lorraine, UMR 73635 Nancy, France
- Lung Cancer Epigenetic, Max-Planck-Institute for Heart and Lung Research, 61231 Bad Nauheim, Germany
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Wang L, Bayanbold K, Zhao L, Wang Y, Adamcakova-Dodd A, Thorne PS, Yang H, Jiang BH, Liu LZ. Redox sensitive miR-27a/b/Nrf2 signaling in Cr(VI)-induced carcinogenesis. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 809:151118. [PMID: 34718002 PMCID: PMC9387726 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.151118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/17/2021] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] is a well-known carcinogen that can cause several types of cancer including lung cancer. NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), the redox sensitive transcription factor, can protect normal cells from a variety of toxicants and carcinogens by inducing the expression of cellular protective genes and maintaining redox balance. However, Nrf2 also protects cancer cells from radio- and chemo-therapies and facilitates cancer progression. Although Cr(VI) treatment has been demonstrated to upregulate Nrf2 expression, the mechanisms for Nrf2 regulation upon chronic Cr(VI) exposure remain to be elucidated. We found that Nrf2 was upregulated in BEAS-2B cells exposed to Cr(VI) from 1 to 5 months, and also in Cr(VI)-induced transformed (Cr-T) cells with Cr(VI) treatment for 6 months. We showed that KEAP1, the classic negative regulator of Nrf2, was downregulated after Cr(VI) exposure for 4 months, suggesting that Nrf2 induction by Cr(VI) treatment is through KEAP1 decrease at late stage. To further decipher the mechanisms of Nrf2 upregulation at early stage of Cr(VI) exposure, we demonstrated that miR-27a and miR-27b were redox sensitive miRNAs, since reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavengers induced miR-27a/b expression. After Cr(VI) exposure for 1 month, the expression levels of miR-27a/b was dramatically decreased. The changes of miR-27a/b and their target Nrf2 were confirmed in vivo by mouse model intranasally exposed to Cr(VI) for 12 weeks. Nrf2 was a direct target of miR-27a/b, which acted as tumor suppressors in vitro and in vivo to inhibit tumorigenesis and cancer development of Cr-T cells. The results suggested that the inhibition of miR-27a/b was responsible for Nrf2 upregulation at both early stage and late stage of Cr(VI) exposure. This novel regulation of Nrf2 upon chronic Cr(VI) exposure through redox-regulated miR-27a/b will provide potential targets for preventing and treating Cr(VI)-induced carcinogenesis in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Wang
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Academy of Medical Science, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Khaliunaa Bayanbold
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Department of Pathology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Lei Zhao
- Department of Medical Oncology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Yifang Wang
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Andrea Adamcakova-Dodd
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Peter S Thorne
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Hushan Yang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Bing-Hua Jiang
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States.
| | - Ling-Zhi Liu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States.
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6
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Goodman S, Chappell G, Guyton KZ, Pogribny IP, Rusyn I. Epigenetic alterations induced by genotoxic occupational and environmental human chemical carcinogens: An update of a systematic literature review. MUTATION RESEARCH. REVIEWS IN MUTATION RESEARCH 2022; 789:108408. [PMID: 35690411 PMCID: PMC9188653 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrrev.2021.108408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Goodman
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | | | | | - Igor P Pogribny
- National Center for Toxicological Research, US Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, AR, USA
| | - Ivan Rusyn
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
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7
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Shi L, Feng L, Tong Y, Jia J, Li T, Wang J, Jiang Z, Yu M, Xia H, Jin Q, Jiang X, Cheng Y, Ju L, Liu J, Zhang Q, Lou J. Genome wide profiling of miRNAs relevant to the DNA damage response induced by hexavalent chromium exposure (DDR-related miRNAs in response to Cr (VI) exposure). ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 157:106782. [PMID: 34329887 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
AIM We aimed to explore the expression of miRNAs and their potential roles in the DNA damage response (DDR) induced by Cr (VI) exposure in human B lymphoblast cells (HMy2.CIR cells) and in a population of Cr (VI)-exposed humans. METHODS Differentially expressed miRNAs were found by a combination of miRNA sequencing and RT-qPCR validation in HMy2.CIR cells treated with K2Cr2O7. Differentially expressed miRNAs related to DDR were selected for functional study. The expression levels of differential miRNAs were also investigated in chromate workers. RESULTS A total of 214 differentially expressed miRNAs were identified by sequencing, and the expression of 5 miRNAs among 25 associated with DDR was found to be consistent between sequencing and validation studies.Functional studies showed that miR-148a-3p, miR-21-5p, and miR-424-3p might be related to Cr (VI)-induced cell apoptosis, and miR-221-3p might participate in Cr (VI)-induced DDR. We also found that the expression of miR-21-5p and miR-424-3p was upregulated in chromate workers. CONCLUSIONS Cr (VI) exposure could significantly impact miRNAs expression in vitro and in chromate workers. Functional studies showed that miR-148a-3p, miR-21-5p and miR-221-3p might take a crucial role in the cellular DDR induced by Cr (VI) exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Shi
- School of Public Health (Institute of Occupational Diseases), Hangzhou Medical College (Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Lingfang Feng
- School of Public Health (Institute of Occupational Diseases), Hangzhou Medical College (Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yan Tong
- Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University, School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Junlin Jia
- Center for Biostatistics, Bioinformatics and Big Data, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Tao Li
- School of Public Health (Institute of Occupational Diseases), Hangzhou Medical College (Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jing Wang
- School of Public Health (Institute of Occupational Diseases), Hangzhou Medical College (Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zhaoqiang Jiang
- School of Public Health (Institute of Occupational Diseases), Hangzhou Medical College (Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Min Yu
- School of Public Health (Institute of Occupational Diseases), Hangzhou Medical College (Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hailing Xia
- School of Public Health (Institute of Occupational Diseases), Hangzhou Medical College (Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qi Jin
- School of Public Health (Institute of Occupational Diseases), Hangzhou Medical College (Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiyi Jiang
- School of Public Health (Institute of Occupational Diseases), Hangzhou Medical College (Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yongran Cheng
- School of Public Health (Institute of Occupational Diseases), Hangzhou Medical College (Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Li Ju
- School of Public Health (Institute of Occupational Diseases), Hangzhou Medical College (Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jiaqi Liu
- School of Public Health (Institute of Occupational Diseases), Hangzhou Medical College (Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Quan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jianlin Lou
- School of Public Health (Institute of Occupational Diseases), Hangzhou Medical College (Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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8
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Howe CG, Foley HB, Farzan SF, Chavez TA, Johnson M, Meeker JD, Bastain TM, Marsit CJ, Breton CV. Urinary metals and maternal circulating extracellular vesicle microRNA in the MADRES pregnancy cohort. Epigenetics 2021; 17:1128-1142. [PMID: 34696694 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2021.1994189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Exposure to metals increases risk for pregnancy complications. Extracellular vesicle (EV) miRNA contribute to maternal-foetal communication and are dysregulated in pregnancy complications. However, metal impacts on maternal circulating EV miRNA during pregnancy are unknown. Our objective was to investigate the impact of multiple metal exposures on EV miRNA in maternal circulation during pregnancy in the MADRES Study. Associations between urinary concentrations of nine metals and 106 EV miRNA in maternal plasma during pregnancy were investigated using robust linear regression (N = 231). Primary analyses focused on metal-miRNA associations in early pregnancy (median: 12.3 weeks gestation). In secondary analyses, we investigated associations with late pregnancy miRNA counts (median: 31.8 weeks gestation) in a subset of participants (N = 184) with paired measures. MiRNA associated with three or more metals (PFDR<0.05) were further investigated using Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression (BKMR), an environmental mixture method. Thirty-five miRNA were associated (PFDR<0.05) with at least one metal in early pregnancy. One association (an inverse association between cobalt and miR-150-5p) remained statistically significant when evaluating late pregnancy miRNA counts. Eight miRNA (miR-302b-3p, miR-199a-5p, miR-188-5p, miR-138-5p, miR-212-3p, miR-608, miR-1272, miR-19b-3p) were associated with three metals (barium, mercury, and thallium) in early pregnancy, and their predicted target genes were enriched in pathways important for placental development. Results were consistent when using BKMR. Early pregnancy exposure to barium, mercury, and thallium may have short-term impacts on a common set of EV miRNA which target pathways important for placental development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin G Howe
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, 1 Medical Center Dr, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - Helen B Foley
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Shohreh F Farzan
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Thomas A Chavez
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Mark Johnson
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - John D Meeker
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Theresa M Bastain
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Carmen J Marsit
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Emory Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Department of Epidemiology, Emory Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, Ga, USA
| | - Carrie V Breton
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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9
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Wang L, Liu LZ, Jiang BH. Dysregulation of microRNAs in metal-induced angiogenesis and carcinogenesis. Semin Cancer Biol 2021; 76:279-286. [PMID: 34428550 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2021.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small endogenous non-coding RNAs that regulate cancer initiation, development, angiogenesis, and therapeutic resistance. Metal exposure widely occurs through air, water, soil, food, and industrial contaminants. Hundreds of millions of people may have metal exposure associated with toxicity, serious health problems, and cancer occurrence. Metal exposure is found to induce oxidative stress, DNA damage and repair, and activation of multiple signaling pathways. However, molecular mechanisms of metal-induced carcinogenesis remain to be elucidated. Recent studies demonstrated that the exposure of metals such as arsenic, hexavalent chromium, cadmium, and nickel caused dysregulation of microRNAs that are implicated to play an important role in cell transformation, tumor growth and angiogenesis. This review focuses on the recent studies that show metal-induced miRNA dysregulation and underlined mechanisms in cell malignant transformation, angiogenesis and tumor growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Wang
- Academy of Medical Science, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China; Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, United States
| | - Ling-Zhi Liu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, United States.
| | - Bing-Hua Jiang
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, United States.
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10
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Goyal T, Mitra P, Singh P, Ghosh R, Sharma S, Sharma P. Association of microRNA expression with changes in immune markers in workers with cadmium exposure. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 274:129615. [PMID: 33545588 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.129615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 12/26/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Human exposure to cadmium (Cd) is known to produce severe health effects. Recently, molecular mechanism of Cd toxicity has revealed the role of Cd in causing epigenetic alterations. miRNAs are small, non-coding RNAs which are involved in translational repression of genes. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the alterations in expression of miRNAs associated with inflammation, carcinogenesis and, further, study their possible correlation with immune profile, in occupationally Cd exposed workers of Jodhpur. 106 workers from metal handicraft and welding factories were recruited as subjects, while, 80 apparently healthy non-exposed individuals served as control for this study. Blood Cd levels (BCd) were determined by Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (GFAAS). Lymphocyte cell subset were measured by flow cytometry, serum interleukins were assessed by ELISA and miRNA expression was determined by Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). BCd levels were significantly higher in the exposed individuals when compared to the non-exposed, with welders reporting the highest amongst all. Among the lymphocyte subset, exposed group showed significantly higher percentage of Th17 and lower percentage of Treg population. Cytokine profile expressed by exposed workers were predominantly pro-inflammatory in nature. Among, the studied miRNAs, miR-221 was significantly higher in exposed group with a fold change of 3.05. Additionally, miR-221 and miR-155 showed significant positive correlation with Th17 cell %. Regression analysis showed duration of exposure and IL-17 to have significant effect on miR-221 in exposed group. In conclusion, miR-221 was significantly upregulated in exposed and was correlated with immune alteration making it a potential candidate for further exploration of mechanism underlying Cd toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taru Goyal
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, India.
| | - Prasenjit Mitra
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, India.
| | - Preeti Singh
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, India
| | - Raghumoy Ghosh
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, India.
| | - Shailja Sharma
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, India.
| | - Praveen Sharma
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, India.
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11
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Mitra P, Goyal T, Singh P, Sharma S, Sharma P. Assessment of circulating miR-20b, miR-221, and miR-155 in occupationally lead-exposed workers of North-Western India. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:3172-3181. [PMID: 32902755 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-10676-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/30/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Lead (Pb), a toxic heavy metal, is capable of inducing several adverse health effects following its accumulation in the body. Lead is a potential carcinogen, capable of causing multisystem alterations. Recent reports identify small regulatory RNA molecules-miRNAs-which show differential expression in individuals exposed to similar levels of lead. These miRNAs can become potential molecular biomarkers of lead toxicity in the future and may unravel the possible molecular pathways through which this metal may exert its toxic manifestations. The present study aimed to assess the circulating levels of miRNA-20b, 221, and 155 in occupationally lead-exposed workers and correlate them with blood lead levels. One hundred ten participants working in various factories of Jodhpur and 97 participants not occupationally exposed to lead were recruited after obtaining due informed consent. Blood lead level (BLL) was estimated by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry (GF-AAS). Circulating miRNAs were isolated from serum by Qiagen miRNA isolation kit and converted to cDNA by commercial kit. Expression profiles of miR-20b, miR-221, and miR-155 were performed in RT-PCR using Qiagen miRNA PCR assays. The blood lead level (mean ± SD) of occupationally lead-exposed subjects was 6.94 ± 11.96 μg/dL while that of non-exposed was 2.39 ± 4.66 μg/dL. Out of the three miRNAs, miR-155 and miR-221 were significantly upregulated, while miR-20b did not show significant difference among study groups. The fold change of miR-20b, miR-221 and miR-155 expression were 1.08, 2.71 and 2.07 respectively. Functional analysis revealed that these miRNAs have the potential to trigger various genes and cellular pathways. The findings of our study highlight the importance of miRNA dysregulation in lead-exposed individuals that may contribute to the systemic effects of lead toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prasenjit Mitra
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Taru Goyal
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Preeti Singh
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Shailja Sharma
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Praveen Sharma
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India.
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