Hexavalent chromium compounds are well-documented human carcinogens. In vitro experiments show Cr (VI) induces cell death by apoptosis by activating p53 protein. The aim of this study was to evaluate Cr (VI)-induced apoptosis in a human bronchial epithelial cell line (BEAS-2B) and in a lymphoblastic leukemia cell line (MOLT-4). Cr (VI) caused a dose- and time-dependent increase in the apoptosis rate in both cell lines. Western blotting showed increased p53 protein expression in MOLT-4 cells, but not in BEAS-2B cells, after exposure to 0.5 and 3 μM hexavalent chromium for 12 hours and 4 hours, respectively. Apoptotic cell death induced by Cr (VI) was not decreased by pretreatment with caspase-3, -8, and -9 inhibitors. These preliminary results provide evidence of Cr (VI)-induced apoptosis, which deserves further investigation in occupationally exposed workers.
Gambelunghe, A., Piccinini, R., Abbritti, G., Ambrogi, M., Ugolini, B., Marchetti M, C., et al. (2006). Chromium VI-Induced apoptosis in a human bronchial epithelial cell line (BEAS-2B) and a Lymphoblastic Leukemia cell line (MOLT-4). JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINE, 48/2006(3), 319-325.
Chromium VI-Induced apoptosis in a human bronchial epithelial cell line (BEAS-2B) and a Lymphoblastic Leukemia cell line (MOLT-4)
GAMBELUNGHE A.;
2006
Abstract
Hexavalent chromium compounds are well-documented human carcinogens. In vitro experiments show Cr (VI) induces cell death by apoptosis by activating p53 protein. The aim of this study was to evaluate Cr (VI)-induced apoptosis in a human bronchial epithelial cell line (BEAS-2B) and in a lymphoblastic leukemia cell line (MOLT-4). Cr (VI) caused a dose- and time-dependent increase in the apoptosis rate in both cell lines. Western blotting showed increased p53 protein expression in MOLT-4 cells, but not in BEAS-2B cells, after exposure to 0.5 and 3 μM hexavalent chromium for 12 hours and 4 hours, respectively. Apoptotic cell death induced by Cr (VI) was not decreased by pretreatment with caspase-3, -8, and -9 inhibitors. These preliminary results provide evidence of Cr (VI)-induced apoptosis, which deserves further investigation in occupationally exposed workers.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
