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Das SK, Ali M, Shetake NG, Pandey BN, Kumar A. Thorium Alters Lung Surfactant Protein Expression in Alveolar Epithelial Cells: In Vitro and In Vivo Investigation. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024. [PMID: 38772857 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c00254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2024]
Abstract
Thorium-232 (Th), the most abundant naturally occurring nuclear fuel, has been identified as a sustainable source of energy. In view of its large-scale utilization and human evidence of lung disorders and carcinogenicity, it is imperative to understand the effect of Th exposure on lung cells. The present study investigated the effect of Th-dioxide (1-100 μg/mL, 24-48 h) on expression of surfactant proteins (SPs) (SP-A, SP-B, SP-C, and SP-D, which are essential to maintain lung's surface tension and host-defense) in human lung cells (WI26 and A549), representative of alveolar cell type-I and type-II, respectively. Results demonstrated the inhibitory effect of Th on transcriptional expression of SP-A, SP-B, and SP-C. However, Th promoted the mRNA expression of SP-D in A549 and reduced its expression in WI26. To a significant extent, the effect of Th on SPs was found to be in accordance with their protein levels. Moreover, Th exposure altered the extracellular release of SP-D/A from A549, which remained unaltered in WI26. Our results suggested the differential role of oxidative stress and ATM and HSP90 signaling in Th-induced alterations of SPs. These effects of Th were found to be consistent in lung tissues of mice exposed to Th aerosols, suggesting a potential role of SPs in Th-associated lung disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sourav Kumar Das
- Radiation Biology & Health Sciences Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai 400 085, India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai 400 094, India
| | - Manjoor Ali
- Radiation Biology & Health Sciences Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai 400 085, India
| | - Neena Girish Shetake
- Radiation Biology & Health Sciences Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai 400 085, India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai 400 094, India
| | - Badri Narain Pandey
- Radiation Biology & Health Sciences Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai 400 085, India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai 400 094, India
| | - Amit Kumar
- Radiation Biology & Health Sciences Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai 400 085, India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai 400 094, India
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Man GT, Albu PC, Nechifor AC, Grosu AR, Tanczos SK, Grosu VA, Ioan MR, Nechifor G. Thorium Removal, Recovery and Recycling: A Membrane Challenge for Urban Mining. MEMBRANES 2023; 13:765. [PMID: 37755188 PMCID: PMC10538078 DOI: 10.3390/membranes13090765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
Although only a slightly radioactive element, thorium is considered extremely toxic because its various species, which reach the environment, can constitute an important problem for the health of the population. The present paper aims to expand the possibilities of using membrane processes in the removal, recovery and recycling of thorium from industrial residues reaching municipal waste-processing platforms. The paper includes a short introduction on the interest shown in this element, a weak radioactive metal, followed by highlighting some common (domestic) uses. In a distinct but concise section, the bio-medical impact of thorium is presented. The classic technologies for obtaining thorium are concentrated in a single schema, and the speciation of thorium is presented with an emphasis on the formation of hydroxo-complexes and complexes with common organic reagents. The determination of thorium is highlighted on the basis of its radioactivity, but especially through methods that call for extraction followed by an established electrochemical, spectral or chromatographic method. Membrane processes are presented based on the electrochemical potential difference, including barro-membrane processes, electrodialysis, liquid membranes and hybrid processes. A separate sub-chapter is devoted to proposals and recommendations for the use of membranes in order to achieve some progress in urban mining for the valorization of thorium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geani Teodor Man
- Analytical Chemistry and Environmental Engineering Department, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 011061 Bucharest, Romania; (G.T.M.); (A.C.N.); (A.R.G.)
- National Research and Development Institute for Cryogenics and Isotopic Technologies—ICSI, 240050 Râmnicu Valcea, Romania
| | - Paul Constantin Albu
- Radioisotopes and Radiation Metrology Department (DRMR), IFIN Horia Hulubei, 023465 Măgurele, Romania; (P.C.A.); (M.-R.I.)
| | - Aurelia Cristina Nechifor
- Analytical Chemistry and Environmental Engineering Department, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 011061 Bucharest, Romania; (G.T.M.); (A.C.N.); (A.R.G.)
| | - Alexandra Raluca Grosu
- Analytical Chemistry and Environmental Engineering Department, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 011061 Bucharest, Romania; (G.T.M.); (A.C.N.); (A.R.G.)
| | - Szidonia-Katalin Tanczos
- Department of Bioengineering, University Sapientia of Miercurea-Ciuc, 500104 Miercurea Ciuc, Romania;
| | - Vlad-Alexandru Grosu
- Department of Electronic Technology and Reliability, Faculty of Electronics, Telecommunications and Information Technology, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 061071 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Mihail-Răzvan Ioan
- Radioisotopes and Radiation Metrology Department (DRMR), IFIN Horia Hulubei, 023465 Măgurele, Romania; (P.C.A.); (M.-R.I.)
| | - Gheorghe Nechifor
- Analytical Chemistry and Environmental Engineering Department, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 011061 Bucharest, Romania; (G.T.M.); (A.C.N.); (A.R.G.)
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Zhai B, Tian Q, Li N, Yan M, Henderson MJ. SAXS study of the formation and structure of polynuclear thorium(IV) colloids and thorium dioxide nanoparticles. JOURNAL OF SYNCHROTRON RADIATION 2022; 29:281-287. [PMID: 35254289 PMCID: PMC8900854 DOI: 10.1107/s1600577521012923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Stable actinide colloids and nanoparticles are of interest because of their potential to affect the transportation of radionuclides in the near-field of a nuclear waste repository. At high concentrations, thorium(IV) can precipitate to form intrinsic colloids. In the present study, polynuclear thorium colloids and thorium dioxide crystallites, formed by the condensation of hydrolyzed Th4+ solutions (3 mM; initial pH 5.5) aged for up to 18 months, were studied using small-angle X-ray scattering. Scattering profiles were fitted using a unified Guinier/power-law model (Beaucage model) to extract the radii of gyration and Porod exponents. Analysis of the scattering profiles from a dispersion aged for 5 months indicated that both polymer coils and more compacted structures (radius of gyration Rg ≃ 10 nm) were present, which translated in the Kratky plots as a plateau and a peak maximum, respectively. After 18 months, the SAXS data were consistent with the presence of agglomerates of ThO2 particles suspended in aqueous solution (pH 3.2; [Th] = 1.45 mM). The measured radius of gyration (Rg) of the agglomerates was 5.8 nm, whereas the radius of the ThO2 particles was 2.5 nm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baihui Zhai
- State Key Laboratory of Environment-Friendly Energy Materials, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang 621010, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qiang Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Environment-Friendly Energy Materials, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang 621010, People’s Republic of China
| | - Na Li
- National Facility for Protein Science in Shanghai, Zhangjiang Laboratory, Shanghai 201204, People’s Republic of China
| | - Minhao Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Environment-Friendly Energy Materials, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang 621010, People’s Republic of China
| | - Mark J. Henderson
- State Key Laboratory of Environment-Friendly Energy Materials, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang 621010, People’s Republic of China
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Das SK, Ali M, Shetake NG, Dumpala RMR, Pandey BN, Kumar A. Mechanism of thorium-nitrate and thorium-dioxide induced cytotoxicity in normal human lung epithelial cells (WI26): Role of oxidative stress, HSPs and DNA damage. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 281:116969. [PMID: 33845224 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Inhalation represents the most prevalent route of exposure with Thorium-232 compounds (Th-nitrate/Th-dioxide)/Th-containing dust in real occupational scenario. The present study investigated the mechanism of Th response in normal human alveolar epithelial cells (WI26), exposed to Th-nitrate or colloidal Th-dioxide (1-100 μg/ml, 24-72 h). Assessment in terms of changes in cell morphology, cell proliferation (cell count), plasma membrane integrity (lactate dehydrogenase leakage) and mitochondrial metabolic activity (MTT reduction) showed that Th-dioxide was quantitatively more deleterious than Th-nitrate to WI26 cells. TEM and immunofluorescence analysis suggested that Th-dioxide followed a clathrin/caveolin-mediated endocytosis, however, membrane perforation/non-endocytosis seemed to be the mode of Th internalization in cells exposed to Th-nitrate. Th-estimation by ICP-MS showed significantly higher uptake of Th in cells treated with Th-dioxide than with Th-nitrate at a given concentration. Both Th-dioxide and nitrate were found to increase the level of reactive oxygen species, which seemed to be responsible for lipid peroxidation, alteration in mitochondrial membrane potential and DNA-damage. Amongst HSPs, the protein levels of HSP70 and HSP90 were affected differentially by Th-nitrate/dioxide. Specific inhibitors of ATM (KU55933) or HSP90 (17AAG) were found to increase the Th- cytotoxicity suggesting prosurvival role of these signaling molecules in rescuing the cells from Th-toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sourav Kumar Das
- Radiation Biology & Health Sciences Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai, 400 085, India
| | - Manjoor Ali
- Radiation Biology & Health Sciences Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai, 400 085, India
| | - Neena G Shetake
- Radiation Biology & Health Sciences Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai, 400 085, India
| | - Rama Mohan R Dumpala
- Radiochemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai, 400 085, India
| | - Badri N Pandey
- Radiation Biology & Health Sciences Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai, 400 085, India; Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai, 400 094, India
| | - Amit Kumar
- Radiation Biology & Health Sciences Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai, 400 085, India; Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai, 400 094, India.
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