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Kharboush TG, Ahmed IA, Farag AA, Kharboush T, Sayed AEDH, Abdel-Kareim AM, Al Mohaini M, Attia H, Eid RA, Zaki MSA, Al-Tabbakh ASM. Epigenetic alterations of miR-155 and global DNA methylation as potential mediators of ochratoxin A cytotoxicity and carcinogenicity in human lung fibroblasts. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:5473-5483. [PMID: 38114706 PMCID: PMC10799132 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-31283-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a well-known mycotoxin that adversely affects different human cells. Inhalational exposure to OTA and subsequent pulmonary diseases have been previously reported, yet its potential carcinogenicity and underlying molecular mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. This study aimed to evaluate the OTA-induced cytotoxicity and the epigenetic changes underlying its potential carcinogenicity in fetal lung fibroblast (WI-38) cells. OTA cytotoxicity was assessed by MTT assay; RT-qPCR was used to determine the expression of BAX, BCL-2, TP53, and miR-155, while ELISA was used for measuring 5-methyl cytosine percentage to assess global DNA methylation in OTA-treated versus control cells. WI-38 cells demonstrated sensitivity to OTA with IC50 at 22.38 μM. Though BAX and Bcl-2 were downregulated, with low BAX/BCL-2 ratio, and TP53 was upregulated, their fold changes showed decline trend with increasing OTA concentration. A significant dose-dependent miR-155 upregulation was observed, with dynamic time-related decline. Using subtoxic OTA concentrations, a significant global DNA hypermethylation with significant dose-dependent and dynamic alterations was identified. Global DNA hypermethylation and miR-155 upregulation are epigenetic mechanisms that mediate OTA toxicity on WI-38 cells. BAX downregulation, reduced BAX/BCL-2 ratio together with miR-155 upregulation indicated either the inhibition of TP53-dependent apoptosis or a tissue specific response to OTA exposure. The aforementioned OTA-induced variations present a new molecular evidence of OTA cytotoxicity and possible carcinogenicity in lung fibroblast cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taghrid G Kharboush
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Benha University, Benha, 13518, Egypt
| | - Inas A Ahmed
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Benha University, Benha, 13518, Egypt
- Central Laboratory for Research, Faculty of Medicine, Benha University, Benha, 13518, Egypt
| | - Amina A Farag
- Department of Forensic Medicine & Clinical Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Benha University, Benha, 13518, Egypt
| | - Tayseir Kharboush
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, Benha University, Benha, 13518, Egypt
| | - Alaa El-Din H Sayed
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Assiut University, Asyut, 71516, Egypt.
- Molecular Biology Research & Studies Institute, Assiut University, Asyut, 71516, Egypt.
| | - Amal M Abdel-Kareim
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Benha University, Benha, 13518, Egypt
| | - Mohammed Al Mohaini
- Basic Sciences Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, 31982, Alahsa, Saudi Arabia
- King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, 31982, Alahsa, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hend Attia
- Clinical and Chemical Pathology, School of Medicine, Newgiza University (NGU), Giza, Egypt
| | - Refaat A Eid
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, P.O. Box 62529, Abha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohamed Samir A Zaki
- Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, P.O. Box 62529, Abha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Al-Shaimaa M Al-Tabbakh
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Benha University, Benha, 13518, Egypt
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