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Cell cycle dependent aneuploidy induction by X-rays in vitro in human lymphocytes.

Although ionising radiation mainly induces DNA strand breaks leading to chromosomal aberrations, there are indications that it also might induce numerical chromosome aberrations (aneuploidy). The existing data, however, do not provide evidence for a mechanism. To assess the relative sensitivity of the G1 vs. G2 cellular targets, whole blood cultures of lymphocytes were irradiated in vitro with different doses of X-rays (0.5, 1 and 2 Gy). The lymphocytes were harvested after cytochalasin-B blockade to allow the selective study of binucleated cells, having undergone only one division in culture. Harvesting was performed at different sampling times (70, 74, and 78 hours). To evaluate the micronuclei, regarding whole chromosomes or acentric fragments, an oligonucleotide probe that recognises the centromeric region of all human chromosomes was used. The relative percentage of centromere-positive micronuclei ranged from 5 up to 18% depending on the cell cycle stage and on the received dose. Cells exposed during the G1 phase exhibited a slightly higher frequency of centromere-positive micronuclei than cells that were in G2 at the time of exposure. G1 exposure induced a centromere-positive micronuclei dose-effect relationship that was not observed after G2 exposure. The observed difference in response of both phases on the centromere-positive micronuclei yields may be due to the involvement of different targets.

Aneuploidy↗

Growth inhibitory effects of paclitaxel on human epithelioid sarcoma in vitro: heterogeneity of response and the multidrug resistance phenotype.

BACKGROUND: Epithelioid sarcoma is a highly malignant soft tissue tumor that is largely resistant to conventional chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Because paclitaxel has been proven to be effective in other human malignancies refractory to conventional chemotherapy, the authors analyzed the in vitro growth inhibitory effects of paclitaxel on the human epithelioid-sarcoma cell line GRU-1 and its clonal subpopulations GRU-1A, GRU-1B, and GRU-1C. METHODS: Paclitaxel-induced morphologic alterations were visualized using light microscopy, immunofluorescence microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The antiproliferative effects of paclitaxel on the cell lines were determined by 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium' bromide (MTT) assay. The extent of paclitaxel-induced apoptosis was determined by light microscopy. The expression and function of P-glycoprotein and the multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP) were defined by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis. RESULTS: Paclitaxel-induced morphologic alterations such as micronucleus formation and microtubule bundles showed no significant differences between the parental cell line and its clonal subpopulations. A significant (P < 0.05) dose-dependent growth inhibition was observed in GRU-1 and its clonal subpopulations, with the IC(50) (concentration that inhibits 50%) values ranging from 0.04-0.49 microM in the different subpopulations. Paclitaxel-induced growth inhibition was accompanied by a slight increase in apoptosis. All cell lines showed an expression of and an effective function of P-glycoprotein and MRP. CONCLUSIONS: The differential response of GRU-1 and its clonal subpopulations to paclitaxel could not be predicted by the expression and function of P-glycoprotein and MRP, suggesting that other drug resistance mechanisms might be relevant in the heterogenous response observed in the epithelioid sarcoma cell lines in the current study.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

Chemoprevention by N-acetylcysteine of urethane-induced clastogenicity and lung tumors in mice.

A major goal in pre-clinical cancer chemoprevention research is to assess the predictive value of intermediate biomarker modulation towards tumor prevention. With this aim, BALB/c mice were treated with 10 daily i.p. injections of urethane (ethyl carbamate), each of 400 mg/kg body weight. Groups of mice received with drinking water either a drug containing the thiol N-acetylcysteine (NAC), at 0.1 or 0.5 g/kg body weight, or its excipient, starting 27 days before the first injection of the carcinogen until the end of the experiment. Out of the 30 mice, 10 per group were identified and individually monitored for 8 sequential times in order to assess the course of micronucleated normochromatic erythrocytes in peripheral blood. This systemic genotoxicity biomarker increased during the 10-day period of treatment with urethane, reached a peak 2 to 6 days after the last injection, and was still significantly higher than the baseline after 10 additional days. Clastogenicity was significantly inhibited by NAC, with a dose-related effect, but not by the drug excipient. As evaluated 4 months after the first injection of urethane, most mice developed lung tumors, whose multiplicity was not affected by the drug excipient but was significantly decreased in the presence of NAC. Correlation between the frequency of micronucleated normochromatic erythrocytes at peak levels and lung-tumor multiplicity was highly significant when evaluated in the context of all 40 mice undergoing cytogenetic analyses (r = 0.561, p = 0.0002). It was similarly high, but did not reach the significance threshold, within each treatment group, due to the lower number of animals and some deviations from the regression line. Therefore, the prediction of lung-tumor yield based on the intensity of the early genotoxicity biomarker is justified when formulated within a sufficiently large group of animals, but is not absolute at individual level.

Acetylcysteine↗

Induction of micronuclei in cultured mammalian cells by fume condensates of roofing asphalt.

A considerable number of workers in the United States are employed in asphalt industries and are potentially exposed to asphalt fumes. The information regarding the potential carcinogenic hazards of such fumes to exposed workers is still limited. Studies have been conducted to determine the cytogenetic effects of roofing asphalt fume using cultured mammalian cells. Exponentially growing Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts (V79 cells) were exposed to different concentrations of condensates of type I and type III roofing asphalt fumes, generated at temperatures similar to actual roofing operation (316 +/- 10 degrees C). The frequencies of micronucleated cells in the treated and control cultures were determined. Additionally, immunofluorescent staining of kinetochore with human anti-kinetochore primary antibody and flouresceinated goat anti-human IgG was used to investigate the potential mechanism of micronucleus formation. The results show that both types of roofing asphalt fume condensates caused a significant increase in the frequency of micronucleated cells, and that 70% of micronucleated cells induced by asphalt fume condensates carried kinetochore-positive micronuclei. These findings indicate that both type I and type III roofing asphalt fumes are capable of causing principally cytogenetic damage by spindle apparatus alterations in cultured mammalian cells.

Animals↗

Acute radiodermatitis from accidental overexposure to X-rays.

Approximately 2 weeks after accidental overexposure to X-ray radiation, a worker developed acute radiodermatitis on fingers of both hands. Exposure simulation indicated that total ionizing radiation absorbed by his fingers amounted to about 20 Gy. After 2 years, acute radiodermatitis evolved to chronicity of lesions with presence of atrophic skin, teleangiectasia, alopecia, and dyskeratosis on three right-hand fingers. Cytogenetic dosimetry of peripheral blood lymphocytes, performed 2 months after acute radiation, showed an increase of micronuclei (7% vs. 1 +/- 0.4% according to laboratory reference data). The increase was ascribed to the high dose of ionizing radiation absorbed by circulating lymphocytes in the vessels of overexposed tissues. The cytogenetic examination was repeated 27 months after acute irradiation; it was found that the percentage of micronuclei had been restored to within reference levels. The possibility of using cytogenetic dosimetry, following acute partial exposure to X-rays, not just as an indicator of previous exposure, but also as an indicator of the absorbed radiation dose is examined. Lastly, the possible stochastic effects that may set in on the skin of the affected fingers and the need for periodically monitoring the evolution of chronic skin lesions, are discussed.

Absorption↗

Genetic monitoring of malathion-exposed agricultural workers.

The aerial application of malathion over large urban populations in Southern California during the early 1990s raised concerns about adverse health effects, including the potential to cause genetic damage. Workers in the Mediterranean fruit fly eradication program, which involved application of malathion as ground treatment, were studied to examine micronucleus formation and mutation frequencies assessed by the glycophorin A (GPA) assay. In the 1992 pilot project the mean micronuclei level appeared higher in lymphocytes of exposed workers (n = 13) compared to controls (n = 4) (20.1 +/- 7.1 vs 14.3 +/- 7.2 respectively, P = 0.09). During the 1993 season, neither of the cohorts examined showed a higher level of micronuclei in workers exposed to malathion compared to unexposed, nor did the pooled total (n = 53; means = 17.8 +/- 7.2 vs 18.5 +/- 6.3, respectively), even after adjustment by multiple regression. The GPA variant frequency was not associated with malathion exposure in any of the cohorts. These results suggest that any potential risk of genotoxic damage from exposure to malathion is relatively low, but other assays may be more sensitive, and the sample size was small.

Adult↗

Detection of centromeres in vinblastine- and radiation-induced micronuclei of human lymphocytes using FISH with an alpha satellite pancentromeric DNA probe.

Fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) with a human alphoid satellite pancentromeric DNA probe was used to detect centromeres in micronuclei of human lymphocytes induced by gamma irradiation and by Vinblastine sulfate. In a cytokinesis-block micro-nucleus assay a dose-dependent increase of micronuclei was detected for both agents. 72-89% of vinblastine-induced micronuclei, but only 7-48% of radiation-induced micronuclei showed centromere-positive fluorescence signals. Vinblastine treatment frequencies of centromere-negative micronuclei did not increase compared to control values, nor did frequencies of centromere-positive micronuclei in irradiated lymphocytes. Since FISH with an alpha satellite DNA probe allows the direct detection of centromeric DNA sequences the spindle damaging or clastogenic effectiveness of a compound can be easily and reliably examined in a cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay in human lymphocytes.

Adult↗

Cytogenetic monitoring of occupational exposure to pesticides: characterization of GSTM1, GSTT1, and NAT2 genotypes.

Occupational exposure of floriculturists is characterized by alternating periods of intense pesticide spraying and reduced or no activity. Induction of sister chromatid exchanges (SCE), structural chromosome aberrations (CA) and micronuclei (MN) was investigated in peripheral lymphocytes of a group of 23 Italian floriculturists and 22 matched controls. Blood sampling was performed during and one month after the end of intensive pesticide treatments, in order to cover a period of high and low exposure, respectively. Each donor was genotyped for glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1), T1 (GSTT1), and N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2), three polymorphic genes involved in xenobiotic metabolism, to assess their potential role in individual genotoxic response to the pesticide exposure. No effect of the pesticide exposure on the cytogenetic parameters were detected. Smoking, however, was found to increase SCE levels. The only significant influence of phenotype composition on cytogenetic response was an increase in SCE levels in the GSTT1 positive individuals compared with the GSTT1 nulls (P=0.02). This finding was, however, based on only four GSTT1 null donors (n=41 for GSTT1 positive donors). In addition, a possible interaction was observed between smoking and GSTM1 genotype in the CA assay, GSTM1 null smokers, earlier reported to have an elevated risk for lung cancer, showing higher CA frequencies than GSTM1 positive smokers.

Adult↗

Micronuclei induced in round spermatids of mice after stem-cell treatment with chloral hydrate: evaluations with centromeric DNA probes and kinetochore antibodies.

The chromosomal effects of chloral hydrate (CH) on germ cells of male mice were investigated using two methods to detect and characterize spermatid micronuclei (SMN); (a) anti-kinetochore immunofluorescence (SMN-CREST) and (b) multicolor fluorescence in situ hybridization with DNA probes for centromeric DNA and repetitive sequences on chromosome X (SMN-FISH). B6C3F1 mice received single intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections of 82.7, 165.4, or 413.5 mg/kg and round spermatids were sampled at three time intervals representing cells treated in late meiosis, early meiosis, or as spermatogonial stem cells. No increases in the frequencies of SMN were detected for cells treated during meiosis using either SMN-CREST or SMN-FISH methods. After spermatogonial stem-cell treatment, however, elevated frequencies of SMN were detected by both methods. With SMN-FISH, dose trends were observed both in the frequencies of spermatids containing micronuclei and in the frequency of spermatids carrying centromeric label. These findings corroborate the recent report by Allen and colleagues [Allen JW et al.(1994): Mutat. Res. 323:81-88] that CH treatment of spermatogenic stem cells induced SMN. Furthermore, our findings suggest that chromosomal malsegregation or loss may occur in spermatids long after CH treatment of stem cells. Further studies are needed to understand the mechanism of action of the CH effect on stem cells and to determine whether similar effects are induced in human males treated with CH.

Anesthetics, Intravenous↗

No radioadaptive response to micronucleated polychromatic erythrocyte (MN-PCE) induction in murine peripheral blood in vivo.

The effect of conditioning pretreatment with 0.025 Gy of gamma rays on micronucleated polychromatic erythrocyte (MN-PCE) induction by 1.0 or 0.1 Gy of gamma rays was determined in murine peripheral blood. The adaptive and challenge doses as well as the timing of their administration were taken from a previously reported experiment [Farooqi and Kesavan (1992). Mutat Res 302:83-89]. The response was determined by the strategy of measuring the area below the curve (ABC) of MN-PCE induction vs. time. This strategy permits one to determine an index of total damage and to establish if conditioning exposure affects the timing of MN-PCE appearance in the blood stream, which in turn could cause an apparent difference in response between the conditioned and the unconditioned groups at specific times. The results indicate that low dose gamma ray pretreatment does not protect against MN-PCE induction by the challenge gamma ray dose, and that there was no change on the kinetics of MN-PCE appearance in peripheral blood.

Animals↗

B[a]P-DNA adduct formation and induction of human epithelial lung cell transformation.

In this study we tested the suitability of the human epithelial lung cell line BEAS-2B for in vitro studies of lung carcinogenesis. The human bronchial epithelial lung cell line BEAS-2B, immortalized with an SV-40/Ad-12 hybrid virus construct, was treated for 24 hours with five different concentrations of the lung carcinogen benzo(a)pyrene (B[a]P) to assess the relationship between DNA adduct levels, cell cycle distribution, micronuclei formation (MN), colony forming efficiency (CFE), and anchorage independent growth (AIG). There appeared to be a strong linear correlation between B[a]P concentration and DNA adduct formation, but no difference in cell cycle distribution was observed after incubation with various concentrations of B[a]P. In the incubation range of 4 to 100 nM B[a]P, the number of DNA adducts was linearly correlated with colony formation in AIG and with the number of cells within individual colonies but not the number of colonies in the CFE test. At higher B[a]P concentrations, the clonal expansion of cells in the CFE and the number of colonies in the AIG declined. Also, the number of micronuclei increased with the formation of DNA adducts. It is concluded that after 24 hours of incubation with 100 nM B[a]P, the formation of BPDE-DNA adducts in the human epithelial lung cells BEAS-2B results in maximal induction of cell transformation. Because of this correlation between DNA adduct formation and lung epithelial cell transformation, the BEAS-2B cells seem suitable for in vitro studies on lung carcinogens.

Benzo(a)pyrene↗

Frequencies of micronucleated lymphocytes and Epstein-Barr virus contamination in Altai region residents living near the Semipalatinsk atomic testing ground.

We assessed the frequencies of micronucleated lymphocytes in 3,036 individuals living in 16 settlements in the western part of the Altai region. The majority of individuals with significantly high frequencies of micronucleated lymphocytes were detected in settlements adjacent to the Semipalatinsk atomic testing ground (SATG). The most considerable genome instability was found in individuals born in the period of intensive testing at the SATG (1949 to 1962). Moreover, we determined that the residents of the settlements adjacent to the SATG have significantly high levels of antibodies to potentially oncogenic Epstein-Barr virus, in addition to high frequencies of micronucleated lymphocytes. The considerable Epstein-Barr virus contamination among the residents in the radiation-polluted zone around the SATG was supposed to be caused by immunodeficiency disorders in these individuals and was correlated with high frequencies of micronucleated cells.

Antibodies, Viral↗

Measurement of micronucleated erythrocytes and DNA damage during chronic ingestion of phenolphthalein in transgenic female mice heterozygous for the p53 gene.

Phenolphthalein, a common ingredient in nonprescription laxatives and a multisex, multispecies rodent carcinogen, was evaluated under chronic exposure conditions for genotoxicity in transgenic female mice heterozygous for the p53 gene (heterozygous TSG-p53 mice). Phenolphthalein was administered in the diet at 200, 375, 750, 3,000, and 12,000 ppm (corresponding to a time-weighted average of 37, 71, 146, 569, and 2,074 mg/kg/day, respectively) for 6 months (183 days). On days 39, 92, 137, and 183 of treatment, peripheral blood samples were collected and evaluated for the frequency of micronucleated polychromatic and normochromatic erythrocytes (MN-PCE and MN-NCE, respectively), the percentage of PCE (%PCE) among total erythrocytes, and the extent of DNA damage (single strand breaks, alkali labile sites, DNA crosslinking) in leukocytes. In addition, the extent of DNA damage was evaluated in liver parenchymal cells sampled from mice at the end of the 6-month treatment period. DNA damage was evaluated using the alkaline (pH > 13) Single Cell Gel (SCG) assay. In addition, using a modified SCG technique, the frequencies of leukocytes and liver parenchymal cells with extremely low molecular weight DNA (indicative of apoptosis and/or necrosis) were determined. At each sample time, phenolphthalein induced a highly significant, dose-dependent increase in the frequency of MN-PCE and MN-NCE and in %PCE. Maximal induction of MN-PCE and %PCE decreased with increasing treatment duration, most likely due to a treatment duration-dependent decrease in the relative amount of ingested phenolphthalein. A comparative analysis of the kinetochore status of MN in erythrocytes sampled from control mice and mice ingesting phenolphthalein at 12,000 ppm for 183 days indicates that the induced MN resulted predominantly but not exclusively from numerical chromosomal damage. The analysis for increased levels of DNA damage in blood leukocytes was inconclusive, with a small but statistically significant increase in DNA migration on days 39 and 137 but not on days 92 and 183. The extent of DNA migration in liver parenchymal cells sampled from mice at the end of treatment was not altered significantly. The frequencies of apoptotic and/or necrotic leukocytes and liver parenchymal cells were not increased among mice ingesting phenolphthalein. The lowest effective dose at which a significant genotoxic response (i.e., the induction of MN-NCE) was detected was 200 ppm, the lowest dose tested in this study. This dose in mice is comparable to doses (on a mg/m2 basis) experienced by humans.

Administration, Oral↗

Significance of formaldehyde-induced DNA-protein crosslinks for mutagenesis.

Formaldehyde (FA) is a genotoxic substance, induces tumors in the nasal epithelium of rats, and is suspected to be a human carcinogen. As a primary DNA lesion, FA induces DNA-protein crosslinks (DPC) and the formation of DPC has been used as a measure of exposure for risk estimation. However, the significance of DPC for mutagenesis and carcinogenesis is at present poorly understood. We therefore performed comparative investigations on the induction of DPC and other genetic endpoints by FA in V79 Chinese hamster cells. The amount of DPC was comparatively determined with the K-SDS assay and the comet assay. Both tests gave similar results but the comet assay was much foster and easier to perform. Our results show that FA significantly induces DPC, sister-chromatid exchanges, and micronuclei in the same range of concentrations, parallel to the induction of cytotoxicity (relative cloning efficiency). In contrast, treatment of V79 cells with FA did not induce gene mutations in the HPRT test even after variations of the treatment protocol. Our results indicate that FA-induced DPC seem to be related to cytotoxicity and clastogenicity but do not lead to the formation of gene mutations in mammalian cells. It is suggested that FA-induced DPC do not cause gene mutations that are involved in FA-induced carcinogenesis.

Animals↗

Feasibility of micronucleus methods for monitoring genetic damage in two feral species of small mammals.

Peromyscus leucopus (white-footed mouse) and Cryptotis parva (least shrew) possess desirable attributes for biomonitoring contamination of terrestrial ecosystems, but few studies have examined the potential use of these species for monitoring exposure to genotoxic contaminants. The susceptibility of laboratory-reared C. parva, P. leucopus, and Mus musculus (house mouse, strain CD-1) to micronucleus (MN) induction by known clastogens was evaluated. Animals were exposed for 24 hr to methyl methanesulfonate (MMS; 12.5, 25, and 50 mg/kg), 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide (4-NQO; 7.5, 15, and 30 mg/kg), or mercuric chloride (HgCl2; 6, 12, and 24 mg/kg). Both MMS and 4-NQO induced dose-related increases in micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MNPCE) in all three species, whereas HgCl2 induced a weak response only in P. leucopus. P. leucopus and C. parva were more sensitive than M. musculus to MMS. Similar micronucleus responses to 4-NQO were seen in each of the species. The feasibility of using blood for MN assessment was evaluated by comparing MN frequencies in bone marrow (BM) PCE, and blood PCE and normochromatic erythrocytes (NCE) in untreated animals, and following daily treatment for 1, 2, 3, and 10 days with 0.4 mg/kg triethylenemelamine (TEM). The results indicated that micronucleated erythrocytes were removed from the circulating blood in P. leucopus, but not in C. parva. Measurement of BM and blood MN levels appears feasible for monitoring exposure to genotoxic agents in C. parva and P. leucopus, and for distinguishing between acute and chronic exposure in C. parva.

4-Nitroquinoline-1-oxide↗

Micronuclei formation in bone marrow cells of rats treated with meothrin (synthetic pyrethroid).

The production of micronuclei in rat bone marrow cells by the synthetic pyrethroid insecticide meothrin was investigated. Three different doses of meothrin were orally administered to rats for 14 consecutive days. All tested doses of meothrin increased the frequency of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes but the increase was statistically significant only at the two highest doses. Meothrin also affected the rate of bone marrow cell proliferation, as determined by changes in the ratio of polychromatic erythrocytes to normochromatic erythrocytes.

Administration, Oral↗