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Nicklas JA, Vacek PM, Carter EW, McDiarmid M, Albertini RJ. Molecular analysis of glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor deficient aerolysin resistant isolates in gulf war i veterans exposed to depleted uranium. ENVIRONMENTAL AND MOLECULAR MUTAGENESIS 2019; 60:470-493. [PMID: 30848503 DOI: 10.1002/em.22283] [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: 12/20/2018] [Revised: 03/01/2019] [Accepted: 03/04/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
During the First Gulf War (1991) over 100 servicemen sustained depleted uranium (DU) exposure through wound contamination, inhalation, and shrapnel. The Department of Veterans Affairs has a surveillance program for these Veterans which has included genotoxicity assays. The frequencies of glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor (GPIa) negative (aerolysin resistant) cells determined by cloning assays for these Veterans are reported in Albertini RJ et al. (2019: Environ Mol Mutagen). Molecular analyses of the GPIa biosynthesis class A (PIGA) gene was performed on 862 aerolysin-resistant T-lymphocyte recovered isolates. The frequencies of different types of PIGA mutations were compared between high and low DU exposure groups. Additional molecular studies were performed on mutants that produced no PIGA mRNA or with deletions of all or part of the PIGA gene to determine deletion size and breakpoint sequence. One mutant appeared to be the result of a chromothriptic event. A significant percentage (>30%) of the aerolysin resistant isolates, which varied by sample year and Veteran, had wild-type PIGA cDNA (no mutation). As described in Albertini RJ et al. (2019: Environ Mol Mutagen), TCR gene rearrangement analysis of these isolates indicated most arose from multiple T-cell progenitors (hence the inability to find a mutation). It is likely that these isolates were the result of failure of complete selection against nonmutant cells in the cloning assays. Real-time studies of GPIa resistant isolates with no PIGA mutation but with a single TCR gene rearrangement found one clone with a PIGV deletion and several others with decreased levels of GPIa pathway gene mRNAs implying mutation in other GPIa pathway genes. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 60:470-493, 2019. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janice A Nicklas
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont
| | - Pamela M Vacek
- Medical Biostatistics Unit, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont
| | - Elizabeth W Carter
- Jeffords Institute for Quality, University of Vermont Medical Center, Burlington, Vermont
| | - Melissa McDiarmid
- Occupational Health Program, Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Richard J Albertini
- Department of Pathology, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont
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Albertini RJ, Nicklas JA, Vacek PM, Carter EW, McDiarmid M. Longitudinal study of t-cell somatic mutations conferring glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchor deficiency in gulf war I veterans exposed to depleted uranium. ENVIRONMENTAL AND MOLECULAR MUTAGENESIS 2019; 60:494-504. [PMID: 30848527 DOI: 10.1002/em.22281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Revised: 03/01/2019] [Accepted: 03/04/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Fifty Veterans of the first Gulf War in 1991 exposed to depleted uranium (DU) were studied for glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchor (GPIa) deficient T-cell mutants on three occasions during the years 2009, 2011, and 2013. GPIa deficiency was determined in two ways: cloning assays employing aerolysin selection and cytometry using the FLAER reagent for positive staining of GPIa cell surface proteins. Subsequent molecular analyses of deficient isolates recovered from cloning assays (Nicklas JA et al. [2019]: Environ Mol Mutagen) revealed apparent incomplete selection in some cloning assays, necessitating correction of original data to afford a more realistic estimate of GPIa deficient mutant frequency (MF) values. GPIa deficient variant frequencies (VFs) determined by cytometry were determined in the years 2011 and 2013. A positive but nonsignificant association was observed between MF and VF values determined on the same blood samples during 2013. Exposure to DU had no effect on either GPIa deficient MF or VFs. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 60:494-504, 2019. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J Albertini
- Department of Pathology, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont
| | - Janice A Nicklas
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont
| | - Pamela M Vacek
- Medical Biostatistics Unit, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont
| | - Elizabeth W Carter
- Jeffords Institute for Quality, University of Vermont Medical Center, Burlington, Vermont
| | - Melissa McDiarmid
- Occupational Health Program, Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC
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Liu G, Ye CJ, Chowdhury SK, Abdallah BY, Horne SD, Nichols D, Heng HH. Detecting Chromosome Condensation Defects in Gulf War Illness Patients. Curr Genomics 2018; 19:200-206. [PMID: 29606907 PMCID: PMC5850508 DOI: 10.2174/1389202918666170705150819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2016] [Revised: 01/07/2017] [Accepted: 02/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Gulf War Illness (GWI) impacts 25-30% of gulf war veterans. Due to its heterogeneity in both etiology and symptoms, it has been challenging to establish the commonly accepted case definition for GWI. Equally challenging are the understanding of the general mechanism of GWI and the development of biomarkers useful for its clinical diagnosis and treatment. Objective: We have observed that chromosome condensation defects can be detected in GWI patients. To document this phenomenon in GWI, we aim to describe and compare different types of chromosomal condensation defects in GWI patients, if possible. Since chromosomal condensation represents an important step of ensuring genome integrity, condensation defects could be used as a potential biomarker of GWI. Methods: Lymphocytes from GWI patients have been used for short term cell culture followed by chromosome slide preparation. Both Giemsa staining and multiple color spectral karyotyping (SKY) were applied to study chromosome aberrations, focusing on different types of condensation defects. Results: At least three subtypes of Defective Mitotic Figures (DMFs) were observed. Some individuals displayed elevated frequencies of DMFs. Another type of condensation defect identified as sticky chromosomes were also observed. Conclusion: Various types of condensation defects have been observed in GWI patients. It is rather surprising that some GWI patients exhibited a high level of chromosomal condensation defects. Previously, the elevated frequency of DMFs was only observed in cancer patients. Since chromosome condensation can be linked to other types of chromosome aberrations, as well as cellular stress conditions, the detailed mechanism and clinical impact should be further studied, especially with increased sample size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guo Liu
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI48201, USA
| | - Christine J Ye
- The Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI48109, USA
| | | | - Batoul Y Abdallah
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI48201, USA
| | - Steven D Horne
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI48201, USA
| | - Denise Nichols
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI48201, USA.,The Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI48109, USA.,John D. Dingell VA Medical Center, Detroit, MI48201, USA.,Department of Pathology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI48201, USA
| | - Henry H Heng
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI48201, USA.,Department of Pathology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI48201, USA
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Asic A, Kurtovic-Kozaric A, Besic L, Mehinovic L, Hasic A, Kozaric M, Hukic M, Marjanovic D. Chemical toxicity and radioactivity of depleted uranium: The evidence from in vivo and in vitro studies. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2017; 156:665-673. [PMID: 28472753 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2017.04.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2016] [Revised: 04/03/2017] [Accepted: 04/22/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The main aim of this review is to summarize and discuss the current state of knowledge on chemical toxicity and radioactivity of depleted uranium (DU) and their effect on living systems and cell lines. This was done by presenting a summary of previous investigations conducted on different mammalian body systems and cell cultures in terms of potential changes caused by either chemical toxicity or radioactivity of DU. In addition, the authors aimed to point out the limitations of those studies and possible future directions. The majority of both in vitro and in vivo studies performed using animal models regarding possible effects caused by acute or chronic DU exposure has been reviewed. Furthermore, exposure time and dose, DU particle solubility, and uranium isotopes as factors affecting the extent of DU effects have been discussed. Special attention has been dedicated to chromosomal aberrations, DNA damage and DNA breaks, as well as micronuclei formation and epigenetic changes, as DU has recently been considered a possible causative factor of all these processes. Therefore, this approach might represent a novel area of study of DU-related irradiation effects on health. Since different studies offer contradictory results, the main aim of this review is to summarize and briefly discuss previously obtained results in order to identify the current opinion on DU toxicity and radioactivity effects in relation to exposure type and duration, as well as DU properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adna Asic
- Department of Genetics and Bioengineering, International Burch University, Francuske revolucije bb, Ilidza, 71210 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Amina Kurtovic-Kozaric
- Department of Genetics and Bioengineering, International Burch University, Francuske revolucije bb, Ilidza, 71210 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina; Department of Pathology, Cytology and Human Genetics, Clinical Center of the University of Sarajevo, Bolnicka 25, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina; Department of Biology, University of Sarajevo, Zmaja od Bosne 33-35, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
| | - Larisa Besic
- Department of Genetics and Bioengineering, International Burch University, Francuske revolucije bb, Ilidza, 71210 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Lejla Mehinovic
- Department of Biology, University of Sarajevo, Zmaja od Bosne 33-35, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Azra Hasic
- Department of Biology, University of Sarajevo, Zmaja od Bosne 33-35, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Mirza Kozaric
- Department of Genetics and Bioengineering, International Burch University, Francuske revolucije bb, Ilidza, 71210 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina; Department of Pathology, Cytology and Human Genetics, Clinical Center of the University of Sarajevo, Bolnicka 25, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Mirsada Hukic
- Department of Genetics and Bioengineering, International Burch University, Francuske revolucije bb, Ilidza, 71210 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina; Academy of Sciences and Art of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bistrik 7, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina; Institute for Biomedical Diagnostics Nalaz, Hasana Brkica 2, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Damir Marjanovic
- Department of Genetics and Bioengineering, International Burch University, Francuske revolucije bb, Ilidza, 71210 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina; Institute for Anthropologic Research, Ljudevita Gaja 32, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
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Guéguen Y, Roy L, Hornhardt S, Badie C, Hall J, Baatout S, Pernot E, Tomasek L, Laurent O, Ebrahimian T, Ibanez C, Grison S, Kabacik S, Laurier D, Gomolka M. Biomarkers for Uranium Risk Assessment for the Development of the CURE (Concerted Uranium Research in Europe) Molecular Epidemiological Protocol. Radiat Res 2017; 187:107-127. [DOI: 10.1667/rr14505.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Lourenço J, Mendo S, Pereira R. Radioactively contaminated areas: Bioindicator species and biomarkers of effect in an early warning scheme for a preliminary risk assessment. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2016; 317:503-542. [PMID: 27343869 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2016.06.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2016] [Revised: 05/26/2016] [Accepted: 06/08/2016] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Concerns about the impacts on public health and on the natural environment have been raised regarding the full range of operational activities related to uranium mining and the rest of the nuclear fuel cycle (including nuclear accidents), nuclear tests and depleted uranium from military ammunitions. However, the environmental impacts of such activities, as well as their ecotoxicological/toxicological profile, are still poorly studied. Herein, it is discussed if organisms can be used as bioindicators of human health effects, posed by lifetime exposure to radioactively contaminated areas. To do so, information was gathered from several studies performed on vertebrates, invertebrate species and humans, living in these contaminated areas. The retrieved information was compared, to determine which are the most used bioindicators and biomarkers and also the similarities between human and non-human biota responses. The data evaluated are used to support the proposal for an early warning scheme, based on bioindicator species and on the most sensitive and commonly shared biomarkers, to perform a screening evaluation of radioactively contaminated sites. This scheme could be used to support decision-making for a deeper evaluation of risks to human health, making it possible to screen a large number of areas, without disturbing and alarming local populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Lourenço
- Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - Sónia Mendo
- Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Ruth Pereira
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto & CIIMAR - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research & GreenUP/CITAB-UP, Porto, Portugal
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Medical effects of internal contamination with actinides: further controversy on depleted uranium and radioactive warfare. Environ Health Prev Med 2016; 21:111-7. [PMID: 27002520 DOI: 10.1007/s12199-016-0524-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2015] [Accepted: 03/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The Nuclear Age began in 1945 with testing in New Mexico, USA, and the subsequent bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Regardless of attempts to limit the development of nuclear weapons, the current world arsenal has reached the staggering dimensions and presents a significant concern for the biosphere and mankind. In an explosion of a nuclear weapon, over 400 radioactive isotopes are released into the biosphere, 40 of which pose potential dangers including iodine, cesium, alkaline earths, and actinides. The immediate health effects of nuclear explosions include thermal, mechanical, and acute radiation syndrome. Long-term effects include radioactive fallout, internal contamination, and long-term genotoxicity. The current controversial concern over depleted uranium's somatic and genetic toxicity is still a subject of worldwide sustained research. The host of data generated in the past decades has demonstrated conflicting findings, with the most recent evidence showing that its genotoxicity is greater than previously considered. Of particular concern are the osteotropic properties of uranium isotopes due to their final retention in the crystals of exchangeable and nonexchangeable bone as well as their proximity to pluripotent stem cells. Depleted uranium remains an unresolved issue in both warfare and the search for alternative energy sources.
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Bolognesi C, Migliore L, Lista F, Caroli S, Patriarca M, De Angelis R, Capocaccia R, Amadori S, Pulliero A, Balia C, Colognato R, La Gioia V, Bonassi S, Izzotti A. Biological monitoring of Italian soldiers deployed in Iraq. Results of the SIGNUM project. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2015; 219:24-32. [PMID: 26306831 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2015.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2015] [Revised: 07/22/2015] [Accepted: 08/01/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Leukemia/lymphoma cases reported in 2001 among United Nation soldiers or peacekeepers deployed to the Balkans aroused alert on the exposure to depleted uranium. Recent epidemiological studies carried out in different European countries among peacekeepers who served in the Balkans failed to demonstrate a higher than expected risk of all cancers but, mostly due to their limitations in size and follow up time, leave open the debate on health risk of depleted uranium. The aim of SIGNUM (Study of the Genotoxic Impact in Military Units) was to identify potential genotoxic risk associated with the exposure to depleted uranium or other pollutants in the Italian Army military personnel deployed in Iraq. METHODS Blood and urine samples were collected before and after the deployment from 981 Italian soldiers operating in Iraq in 2004-2005. As, Cd, Mo, Ni, Pb, U, V, W, and Zr were determined in urine and serum. DNA-adducts, 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanine and micronuclei frequency were evaluated in blood lymphocytes. Three different genetic polymorphisms, GSTM1, XRCC1, OGG1 were analyzed. RESULTS Significant T0-T1 reduction in the total concentration of uranium, increases for Cd, Mo, Ni, Zr, and decreases for As, Pb, W, and V in urine and plasma were observed. Increases in oxidative alterations and in micronuclei frequency, included in the range of values of non-occupationally exposed populations, were observed at the end of the period of employment. CONCLUSIONS Our results did not detect any toxicologically relevant variation of DNA-damage biomarkers related to the deployment in the operational theater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Bolognesi
- IRCCS AUO San Martino-IST Istituto Nazionale Ricerca sul Cancro, Genoa, Italy.
| | - Lucia Migliore
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Florigio Lista
- Army Medical and Veterinary Research Center, Rome, Italy
| | - Sergio Caroli
- Department of Food Safety and Veterinary Public Health, Italian National Institute of Health (ISS), Rome, Italy
| | - Marina Patriarca
- Department of Food Safety and Veterinary Public Health, Italian National Institute of Health (ISS), Rome, Italy
| | - Roberta De Angelis
- National Centre for Epidemiology, Surveillance and Health Promotion (CNESPS), Italian National Institute of Health (ISS), Rome, Italy
| | - Riccardo Capocaccia
- National Centre for Epidemiology, Surveillance and Health Promotion (CNESPS), Italian National Institute of Health (ISS), Rome, Italy
| | | | - Alessandra Pulliero
- IRCCS AUO San Martino-IST Istituto Nazionale Ricerca sul Cancro, Genoa, Italy
| | - Cristina Balia
- IRCCS AUO San Martino-IST Istituto Nazionale Ricerca sul Cancro, Genoa, Italy
| | - Renato Colognato
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Stefano Bonassi
- Unit of Clinical and Molecular Epidemiology, IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana, Rome, Italy
| | - Alberto Izzotti
- IRCCS AUO San Martino-IST Istituto Nazionale Ricerca sul Cancro, Genoa, Italy; Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genova, Italy
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