Rare germline deleterious variants increase susceptibility for lung cancer.

Although multiple common susceptibility loci for lung cancer (LC) have been identified by genome-wide association studies, they can explain only a small portion of heritability. The etiological contribution of rare deleterious variants (RDVs) to LC risk is not fully characterized and may account for part of the missing heritability. Here, we sequenced the whole exomes of 2777 participants from the Environment and Genetics in Lung cancer Etiology study, a homogenous population including 1461 LC cases and 1316 controls. In single-variant analyses, we identified a new RDV, rs77187983 [EHBP1, odds ratio (OR) = 3.13, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.34-7.30, P = 0.008] and replicated two previously reported RDVs, rs11571833 (BRCA2, OR = 2.18; 95% CI = 1.25-3.81, P = 0.006) and rs752672077 (MPZL2, OR = 3.70, 95% CI = 1.04-13.15, P = 0.044). In gene-based analyses, we confirmed BRCA2 (P = 0.007) and ATM (P = 0.014) associations with LC risk and identified TRIB3 (P = 0.009), involved in maintaining genome stability and DNA repair, as a new candidate susceptibility gene. Furthermore, cases were enriched with RDVs in homologous recombination repair [carrier frequency (CF) = 22.9% versus 19.5%, P = 0.017] and Fanconi anemia (CF = 12.5% versus 10.2%, P = 0.036) pathways. Our results were not significant after multiple testing corrections but were enriched in cases versus controls from large scale public biobank resources, including The Cancer Genome Atlas, FinnGen and UK Biobank. Our study identifies novel candidate genes and highlights the importance of RDVs in DNA repair-related genes for LC susceptibility. These findings improve our understanding of LC heritability and may contribute to the development of risk stratification and prevention strategies.

Impact of an asbestos cement factory on mesothelioma incidence in a community in Italy.

BACKGROUND: Broni is a small town (9000 inhabitants) in the province of Pavia, Lombardy, north-west Italy, where the second largest Italian asbestos cement factory (Fibronit) was in operation between 1932 and 1993. Based on Lombardy Mesothelioma Registry (RML) data (2000-2011), we previously showed a high impact of asbestos exposure on malignant mesothelioma (MM) incidence among Fibronit workers, their families, and people living in Broni and in the nearby town of Stradella (11,000 residents). Given the great concern of the community, we have recently updated the data regarding 5 more years (2012-2016). METHODS: From the RML database we extracted subjects who ever worked in Fibronit, their family members, ever residents in Broni, and subjects living in Stradella and nearby towns at the time of diagnosis. For each type of exposure we calculated standardized incidence ratios (SIR = observed/expected cases). RESULTS: In the period 2000-2016 we registered 56 cases (2.52 expected, SIR = 22.2), 49 men (41 pleural, 8 peritoneal MM), 7 women (5 pleural, 2 peritoneal MM) with past occupational exposure in Fibronit. Among subjects never occupationally exposed and never exposed to extra-occupational sources unrelated to Fibronit, we counted 39 cases (4.24 expected, SIR = 9.2), 10 men (all pleural MM), 29 women (28 pleural, 1 peritoneal MM) in Fibronit workers' families, 91 pleural mesothelioma cases (7.43 expected, SIR = 12.2, 31 men, 60 women), ever residents in Broni, and 25 pleural mesothelioma cases (3.05 expected, SIR = 8.2, 6 men, 19 women) living in Stradella at the time of diagnosis. The overall number of excess cases was about 194 (211 against 17.24 expected). In the remaining adjacent (No. 8) and surrounding (No. 17) municipalities (32,000 people) there were 7 cases (1 men, 6 women, 8.85 expected). CONCLUSION: The mesothelioma burden related to the asbestos cement factory is still high on factory workers, their families, and residents in Broni and Stradella towns.

Estimate of environmental and occupational components in the spatial distribution of malignant mesothelioma incidence in Lombardy (Italy).

INTRODUCTION: Measuring and mapping the occurrence of malignant mesothelioma (MM) is a useful means to monitor the impact of past asbestos exposure and possibly identify previously unknown sources of asbestos exposure. OBJECTIVE: Our goal is to decompose the observed spatial pattern of incidence of MM in the Lombardy region (Italy) in gender-specific components linked to occupational exposure and a shared component linked to environmental exposure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We selected from the Lombardy Region Mesothelioma Registry (RML) all incident cases of MM (pleura, peritoneum, pericardium, and tunica vaginalis testis) with first diagnosis in the period 2000-2016. We mapped at municipality level crude incidence rates and smoothed rates using the Besag York and Mollié model separately for men and women. We then decomposed the spatial pattern of MM in gender-specific occupational components and a shared environmental component using a multivariate hierarchical Bayesian model. RESULTS: We globally analyzed 6226 MM cases, 4048 (2897 classified as occupational asbestos exposure at interview) in men and 2178 (780 classified as occupational asbestos exposure at interview) in women. The geographical analysis showed a strong spatial pattern in the distribution of incidence rates in both genders. The multivariate hierarchical Bayesian model decomposed the spatial pattern in occupational and environmental components and consistently identified some known occupational and environmental hot spots. Other areas at high risk for MM occurrence were highlighted, contributing to better characterize environmental exposures from industrial sources and suggesting a role of natural sources in the Alpine region. CONCLUSION: The spatial pattern highlights areas at higher risk which are characterized by the presence of industrial sources - asbestos-cement, metallurgic, engineering, textile industries - and of natural sources in the Alpine region. The multivariate hierarchical Bayesian model was able to disentangle the geographical distribution of MM cases in two components interpreted as occupational and environmental.

Epigenome-wide analysis of DNA methylation in lung tissue shows concordance with blood studies and identifies tobacco smoke-inducible enhancers.

Smoking-associated DNA hypomethylation has been observed in blood cells and linked to lung cancer risk. However, its cause and mechanistic relationship to lung cancer remain unclear. We studied the association between tobacco smoking and epigenome-wide methylation in non-tumor lung (NTL) tissue from 237 lung cancer cases in the Environment And Genetics in Lung cancer Etiology study, using the Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip. We identified seven smoking-associated hypomethylated CpGs (P < 1.0 × 10-7), which were replicated in NTL data from The Cancer Genome Atlas. Five of these loci were previously reported as hypomethylated in smokers' blood, suggesting that blood-based biomarkers can reflect changes in the target tissue for these loci. Four CpGs border sequences carrying aryl hydrocarbon receptor binding sites and enhancer-specific histone modifications in primary alveolar epithelium and A549 lung adenocarcinoma cells. A549 cell exposure to cigarette smoke condensate increased these enhancer marks significantly and stimulated expression of predicted target xenobiotic response-related genes AHRR (P = 1.13 × 10-62) and CYP1B1 (P < 2.49 × 10-61). Expression of both genes was linked to smoking-related transversion mutations in lung tumors. Thus, smoking-associated hypomethylation may be a consequence of enhancer activation, revealing environmentally-induced regulatory elements implicated in lung carcinogenesis.

Gender differences in pleural mesothelioma occurrence in Lombardy and Piedmont, Italy.

BACKGROUND: Higher mesothelioma rates in men (vs women) reflect more frequent and more intense asbestos exposure. We assessed the impact of exposure difference between genders on age-specific rates of pleural mesothelioma (PM) occurrence using data from two Italian regions. METHODS: We used data from the Lombardy and Piedmont mesothelioma registries (period 2000-2016, age 45-74 years) to compare rates of PM in men and women and to estimate the rate advancement period (RAP). RESULTS: Based on 3384 cases (2405 men, 979 women) in Lombardy and 2042 (1389 men, 653 women) in Piedmont, the rate ratio was 2.81 (90% confidence interval: 2.61-3.03) in Lombardy and 2.39 (2.17-2.62) in Piedmont. In both regions RAP ranged from 7 to 10 years (at age 45 and 63 in men, respectively). CONCLUSION: Men showed more than twofold increased PM rates and reached the same incidence as women 7-10 years earlier. RAP can be a useful measure of exposure impact on premature disease occurrence.

Menstrual and reproductive factors and lung cancer risk: A pooled analysis from the international lung cancer consortium.

Many clinical features of lung cancer are different in women and men. Sex steroid hormones exert effects in nonreproductive organs, such as the lungs. The association between menstrual and childbearing factors and the risk of lung cancer among women is still debated. We performed a pooled analysis of eight studies contributing to the International Lung Cancer Consortium (4,386 cases and 4,177 controls). Pooled associations between menstrual or reproductive factors and lung cancer were estimated using multivariable unconditional logistic regression. Subgroup analyses were done for menopause status, smoking habits and histology. We found no strong support for an association of age at menarche and at menopause with lung cancer, but peri/postmenopausal women were at higher risk compared to premenopausal (OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.11-1.93). Premenopausal women showed increased risks associated with parity (OR 1.74, 95% CI 1.03-2.93) and number of children (OR 2.88, 95% CI 1.21-6.93 for more than 3 children; p for trend 0.01) and decreased with breastfeeding (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.30-0.98). In contrast, peri/postmenopausal subjects had ORs around unity for the same exposures. No major effect modification was exerted by smoking status or cancer histology. Menstrual and reproductive factors may play a role in the genesis of lung cancer, yet the mechanisms are unclear, and smoking remains the most important modifiable risk factor. More investigations in large well-designed studies are needed to confirm these findings and to clarify the underlying mechanisms of gender differences in lung cancer risk.

Short-term particulate matter exposure induces extracellular vesicle release in overweight subjects.

BACKGROUND: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) represent a plausible molecular mechanism linking particulate matter (PM) inhalation to its systemic effects. Microvesicles (MVs) are released from many cell types in response to various stimuli. Increased body mass index (BMI) could modify the response to PM exposure due to enhanced PM uptake and/or an underlying pro-oxidative state. We investigated the relationship between EV release and PM10/PM2.5 exposure in a cohort of 51 volunteers. Subjects were stratified based on their BMI to evaluate whether overweight BMI is a determinant of hypersusceptibility to PM effects. RESULTS: Exposure to PM10/PM2.5 was assessed with a personal sampler worn for 24hours before plasma collection and confirmed with monitoring station data. Size and cellular origin of plasma EVs were characterized by Nanosight analysis and flow cytometry, respectively. Multivariate regression models were run after log-transformation, stratifying subjects based on BMI (≥ or <25kg/m2). PM exposure resulted in increased release of EVs, with the maximum observed effect for endothelial MVs. For PM10 and PM2.5, the adjusted geometric mean ratio and 95% confidence interval were 3.47 (1.30, 9.27) and 3.14 (1.23, 8.02), respectively. Compared to those in normal subjects, PM-induced EV alterations in overweight subjects were more pronounced, with visibly effect in all MV subtypes, particularly endothelial MVs. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings emphasize the role of EV release after PM exposure and the susceptibility of overweight subjects. Larger studies with accurate exposure assessment and complete EVs characterization/content analysis, could further clarify the molecular mechanism responsible for PM effects and of hypersusceptibility of overweight subjects.

Somatic Genomics and Clinical Features of Lung Adenocarcinoma: A Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the most common histologic subtype of lung cancer and has a high risk of distant metastasis at every disease stage. We aimed to characterize the genomic landscape of LUAD and identify mutation signatures associated with tumor progression. METHODS AND FINDINGS: We performed an integrative genomic analysis, incorporating whole exome sequencing (WES), determination of DNA copy number and DNA methylation, and transcriptome sequencing for 101 LUAD samples from the Environment And Genetics in Lung cancer Etiology (EAGLE) study. We detected driver genes by testing whether the nonsynonymous mutation rate was significantly higher than the background mutation rate and replicated our findings in public datasets with 724 samples. We performed subclonality analysis for mutations based on mutant allele data and copy number alteration data. We also tested the association between mutation signatures and clinical outcomes, including distant metastasis, survival, and tumor grade. We identified and replicated two novel candidate driver genes, POU class 4 homeobox 2 (POU4F2) (mutated in 9 [8.9%] samples) and ZKSCAN1 (mutated in 6 [5.9%] samples), and characterized their major deleterious mutations. ZKSCAN1 was part of a mutually exclusive gene set that included the RTK/RAS/RAF pathway genes BRAF, EGFR, KRAS, MET, and NF1, indicating an important driver role for this gene. Moreover, we observed strong associations between methylation in specific genomic regions and somatic mutation patterns. In the tumor evolution analysis, four driver genes had a significantly lower fraction of subclonal mutations (FSM), including TP53 (p = 0.007), KEAP1 (p = 0.012), STK11 (p = 0.0076), and EGFR (p = 0.0078), suggesting a tumor initiation role for these genes. Subclonal mutations were significantly enriched in APOBEC-related signatures (p < 2.5×10-50). The total number of somatic mutations (p = 0.0039) and the fraction of transitions (p = 5.5×10-4) were associated with increased risk of distant metastasis. Our study's limitations include a small number of LUAD patients for subgroup analyses and a single-sample design for investigation of subclonality. CONCLUSIONS: These data provide a genomic characterization of LUAD pathogenesis and progression. The distinct clonal and subclonal mutation signatures suggest possible diverse carcinogenesis pathways for endogenous and exogenous exposures, and may serve as a foundation for more effective treatments for this lethal disease. LUAD's high heterogeneity emphasizes the need to further study this tumor type and to associate genomic findings with clinical outcomes.

Lung cancer risk among bricklayers in a pooled analysis of case-control studies.

Bricklayers may be exposed to several lung carcinogens, including crystalline silica and asbestos. Previous studies that analyzed lung cancer risk among these workers had several study design limitations. We examined lung cancer risk among bricklayers within SYNERGY, a large international pooled analysis of case-control studies on lung cancer and the joint effects of occupational carcinogens. For men ever employed as bricklayers we estimated odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) adjusted for study center, age, lifetime smoking history and employment in occupations with exposures to known or suspected lung carcinogens. Among 15,608 cases and 18,531 controls, there were 695 cases and 469 controls who had ever worked as bricklayers (OR: 1.47; 95% CI: 1.28-1.68). In studies using population controls the OR was 1.55 (95% CI: 1.32-1.81, 540/349 cases/controls), while it was 1.24 (95% CI: 0.93-1.64, 155/120 cases/controls) in hospital-based studies. There was a clear positive trend with length of employment (p < 0.001). The relative risk was higher for squamous (OR: 1.68, 95% CI: 1.42-1.98, 309 cases) and small cell carcinomas (OR: 1.78, 95% CI: 1.44-2.20, 140 cases), than for adenocarcinoma (OR: 1.17, 95% CI: 0.95-1.43, 150 cases) (p-homogeneity: 0.0007). ORs were still elevated after additional adjustment for education and in analyses using blue collar workers as referents. This study provided robust evidence of increased lung cancer risk in bricklayers. Although non-causal explanations cannot be completely ruled out, the association is plausible in view of the potential for exposure to several carcinogens, notably crystalline silica and to a lesser extent asbestos.

Microvesicle-associated microRNA expression is altered upon particulate matter exposure in healthy workers and in A549 cells.

Cardiovascular disease risk has been consistently linked with particulate matter (PM) exposure. Cell-derived microvesicles (MVs) are released into plasma and transfer microRNAs (miRNAs) between tissues. MVs can be produced by the respiratory system in response to proinflammatory triggers, enter the circulatory system and remotely modify gene expression in cardiovascular tissues. However, whether PM affects MV signaling has never been investigated. In this study, we evaluated expression of microRNAs contained within plasma MVs upon PM exposure both in vivo and in vitro. In the in vivo study, we isolated plasma MVs from healthy steel plant workers before and after workplace PM exposure. We measured the expression of 88 MV-associated miRNAs by real-time polymerase chain reaction. To assess a possible source of the MV miRNAs identified in vivo, we measured their miRNA expression in PM-treated A549 pulmonary cell lines in vitro. MiRNA profiling of plasma MVs showed 5.62- and 13.95-fold increased expression of miR-128 and miR-302c, respectively, after 3 days of workplace PM exposure (P < 0.001). According to Ingenuity Pathway Analysis, miR-128 is part of coronary artery disease pathways, and miR-302c is part of coronary artery disease, cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure pathways. In vitro experiments confirmed a dose-dependent expression of miR-128 in MVs released from A549 cells after 6 h of PM treatment (P = 0.030). MiR-302c was expressed neither from A549 cells nor in reference lung RNA. These results suggest novel PM-activated molecular mechanisms that may mediate the effects of air pollution and could lead to the identification of new diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.

Heme-related gene expression signatures of meat intakes in lung cancer tissues.

Lung cancer causes more deaths worldwide than any other cancer. In addition to cigarette smoking, dietary factors may contribute to lung carcinogenesis. Epidemiologic studies, including the environment and genetics in lung cancer etiology (EAGLE), have reported increased consumption of red/processed meats to be associated with higher risk of lung cancer. Heme-iron toxicity may link meat intake with cancer. We investigated this hypothesis in meat-related lung carcinogenesis using whole genome expression. We measured genome-wide expression (HG-U133A) in 49 tumor and 42 non-involved fresh frozen lung tissues of 64 adenocarcinoma EAGLE patients. We studied gene expression profiles by high-versus-low meat consumption, with and without adjustment by sex, age, and smoking. Threshold for significance was a false discovery rate (FDR) ≤ 0.15. We studied whether the identified genes played a role in heme-iron related processes by means of manually curated literature search and gene ontology-based pathway analysis. We found that gene expression of 232 annotated genes in tumor tissue significantly distinguished lung adenocarcinoma cases who consumed above/below the median intake of fresh red meats (FDR = 0.12). Sixty-three (∼ 28%) of the 232 identified genes (12 expected by chance, P-value < 0.001) were involved in heme binding, absorption, transport, and Wnt signaling pathway (e.g., CYPs, TPO, HPX, HFE, SLCs, and WNTs). We also identified several genes involved in lipid metabolism (e.g., NCR1, TNF, and UCP3) and oxidative stress (e.g., TPO, SGK2, and MTHFR) that may be indirectly related to heme-toxicity. The study's results provide preliminary evidence that heme-iron toxicity might be one underlying mechanism linking fresh red meat intake and lung cancer.

APOBEC shapes tumor evolution and age at onset of lung cancer in smokers.

APOBEC enzymes are part of the innate immunity and are responsible for restricting viruses and retroelements by deaminating cytosine residues1,2. Most solid tumors harbor different levels of somatic mutations attributed to the off-target activities of APOBEC3A (A3A) and/or APOBEC3B (A3B)3-6. However, how APOBEC3A/B enzymes shape the tumor evolution in the presence of exogenous mutagenic processes is largely unknown. Here, by combining deep whole-genome sequencing with multi-omics profiling of 309 lung cancers from smokers with detailed tobacco smoking information, we identify two subtypes defined by low (LAS) and high (HAS) APOBEC mutagenesis. LAS are enriched for A3B-like mutagenesis and KRAS mutations, whereas HAS for A3A-like mutagenesis and TP53 mutations. Unlike APOBEC3A, APOBEC3B expression is strongly associated with an upregulation of the base excision repair pathway. Hypermutation by unrepaired A3A and tobacco smoking mutagenesis combined with TP53-induced genomic instability can trigger senescence7, apoptosis8, and cell regeneration9, as indicated by high expression of pulmonary healing signaling pathway, stemness markers and distal cell-of-origin in HAS. The expected association of tobacco smoking variables (e.g., time to first cigarette) with genomic/epigenomic changes are not observed in HAS, a plausible consequence of frequent cell senescence or apoptosis. HAS have more neoantigens, slower clonal expansion, and older age at onset compared to LAS, particularly in heavy smokers, consistent with high proportions of newly generated, unmutated cells and frequent immuno-editing. These findings show how heterogeneity in mutational burden across co-occurring mutational processes and cell types contributes to tumor development, with important clinical implications.

Are women who smoke at higher risk for lung cancer than men who smoke?

Worldwide lung cancer incidence is decreasing or leveling off among men, but rising among women. Sex differences in associations of tobacco carcinogens with lung cancer risk have been hypothesized, but the epidemiologic evidence is conflicting. We tested sex-smoking interaction in association with lung cancer risk within a population-based case-control study, the Environment and Genetics in Lung Cancer Etiology (EAGLE) Study (Lombardy, Italy, 2002-2005). Detailed lifetime smoking histories were collected by personal interview in 2,100 cases with incident lung cancer and 2,120 controls. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for pack-years of cigarette smoking were estimated by logistic regression, adjusted for age, residence area, and time since quitting smoking. To assess sex-smoking interaction, we compared the slopes of odds ratios for logarithm of pack-years in a model for men and women combined. Overall, the slope for pack-years was steeper in men (odds ratio for female-smoking interaction = 0.39, 95% confidence interval: 0.24, 0.62; P < 0.0001); after restriction to ever smokers, the difference in slopes was much smaller (odds ratio for interaction = 0.63, 95% confidence interval: 0.29, 1.37; P = 0.24). Similar results were found by histological type. Results were unchanged when additional confounders were evaluated (e.g., tobacco type, inhalation depth, Fagerström-assessed nicotine dependence). These findings do not support a higher female susceptibility to tobacco-related lung cancer.

A genome-wide association study of lung cancer identifies a region of chromosome 5p15 associated with risk for adenocarcinoma.

Three genetic loci for lung cancer risk have been identified by genome-wide association studies (GWAS), but inherited susceptibility to specific histologic types of lung cancer is not well established. We conducted a GWAS of lung cancer and its major histologic types, genotyping 515,922 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 5739 lung cancer cases and 5848 controls from one population-based case-control study and three cohort studies. Results were combined with summary data from ten additional studies, for a total of 13,300 cases and 19,666 controls of European descent. Four studies also provided histology data for replication, resulting in 3333 adenocarcinomas (AD), 2589 squamous cell carcinomas (SQ), and 1418 small cell carcinomas (SC). In analyses by histology, rs2736100 (TERT), on chromosome 5p15.33, was associated with risk of adenocarcinoma (odds ratio [OR]=1.23, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.13-1.33, p=3.02x10(-7)), but not with other histologic types (OR=1.01, p=0.84 and OR=1.00, p=0.93 for SQ and SC, respectively). This finding was confirmed in each replication study and overall meta-analysis (OR=1.24, 95% CI=1.17-1.31, p=3.74x10(-14) for AD; OR=0.99, p=0.69 and OR=0.97, p=0.48 for SQ and SC, respectively). Other previously reported association signals on 15q25 and 6p21 were also refined, but no additional loci reached genome-wide significance. In conclusion, a lung cancer GWAS identified a distinct hereditary contribution to adenocarcinoma.

Increased lung cancer risk among bricklayers in an Italian population-based case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Bricklayers may be at increased risk of lung cancer, although a firm association has not been established. We examined this association within the EAGLE (Environment And Genetics in Lung cancer Etiology) study, a population-based case-control study conducted in Italy between 2002 and 2005. METHODS: For men in selected occupations in the construction sector we calculated smoking-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). For bricklayers we estimated the population attributable fraction (PAF) and the attributable community risk (ACR). RESULTS: We found increased lung cancer risk for bricklayers (OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.12-2.21; 147 cases, 81 controls). The PAF was 3.5% (95% CI 0.6-6.3), corresponding to an ACR of 3.6 cases annually per 100,000 men (95% CI 0.6-6.6) [corrected] in the whole community. Among bricklayers, there were increased risks for squamous cell (OR 2.03, 95% CI 1.32-3.13, 56 exposed cases) and small cell carcinomas (OR 2.29, 95% CI 1.29-4.07, 21 exposed cases), while no excess (OR 1.06, 95% CI 0.68-1.65, 41 exposed cases) was found for adenocarcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings provide additional evidence of increased lung cancer risk in Italian bricklayers. The association is plausible because they are exposed to several carcinogens, notably crystalline silica.

Global DNA methylation and low-level exposure to benzene.

INTRODUCTION: Global genomic hypomethylation is a common event in cancer tissues that is frequently observed in hematopoietic malignancies, including leukemia. Benzene, an established leukemogen at high doses, has been suggested to induce hypomethylation based on investigations of DNA methylation in LINE-1 and Alu repetitive elements. Whether global genomic DNA methylation content is reduced in response to benzene exposure is still undetermined. METHODS: We measured global DNA methylation in 78 gasoline station attendants and 58 controls in peripheral blood cells using high-resolution gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. PCR-Pyrosequencing measures of DNA methylation at Alu and LINE-1 repetitive elements, representing a large proportion of methylation in non-coding regions, were also available. Exposure markers included personal airborne benzene, and urinary benzene, t,t-muconic acid (t,t-MA) and S-phelylmercapturic acid. RESULTS: Mean global DNA methylation was 5.474 (+/- 0.083) %5mC in controls and 5.409 (+/- 0.142) %5mC in exposed participants (p = 0.01). All methylation markers were negatively correlated with airborne benzene. Alu and LINE-1 methylation, but not global DNA methylation, were negatively associated with t,t-MA; no association with the other urinary biomarkers was found. Multiple linear regression analysis adjusted for gender and age confirmed the results of correlation analysis and showed a 1.6% decrease in global DNA methylation associated with being gasoline station attendants. Alu and LINE-1 methylation levels were not associated with global DNA methylation. CONCLUSION: Our results show that benzene exposure is associated with alterations in both global DNA and repetitive element methylation. Global and repetitive element methylation levels are not correlated in blood DNA, likely representing independent responses to benzene exposure.

Novel MAPK/AKT-impairing germline NRAS variant identified in a melanoma-prone family.

While several high-penetrance melanoma risk genes are known, variation in these genes fail to explain melanoma susceptibility in a large proportion of high-risk families. As part of a melanoma family sequencing study, including 435 families from Mediterranean populations we identified a novel NRAS variant (c.170A > C, p.D57A) in an Italian melanoma-prone family. This variant is absent in exomes in gnomAD, ESP, UKBiobank, and the 1000 Genomes Project, as well as in 11,273 Mediterranean individuals and 109 melanoma-prone families from the US and Australia. This variant occurs in the GTP-binding pocket of NRAS. Differently from other RAS activating alterations, NRAS D57A expression is unable to activate MAPK-pathway both constitutively and after stimulation but enhances EGF-induced PI3K-pathway signaling in serum starved conditions in vitro. Consistent with in vitro data demonstrating that NRAS D57A does not enrich GTP binding, molecular modeling suggests that the D57A substitution would be expected to impair Mg2 + binding and decrease nucleotide-binding and GTPase activity of NRAS. While we cannot firmly establish NRAS c.170A > C (p.D57A) as a melanoma susceptibility variant, further investigation of NRAS as a familial melanoma gene is warranted.

Differences among peritoneal and pleural mesothelioma: data from the Lombardy Region Mesothelioma Register (Italy).

BACKGROUND: The relationship between asbestos exposure and peritoneal mesothelioma (PEM) is under investigation. Some authors suggest that the association could be weaker than that observed for pleural mesothelioma (PLM). OBJECTIVE: To compare individual, clinical and exposure characteristics of peritoneal and pleural mesothelioma cases that occurred in the Lombardy Region (Italy). METHODS: Cases were drawn from the regional mesothelioma registry (base population > 9 million). We selected all PEM cases diagnosed between 2000 and 2007 (N = 110) and all PLM cases that occurred between 2000 and 2001 (N = 515). Asbestos exposure data (occupational, environmental/familial, or both) were collected by a standardized and validated questionnaire administered to each case or case's relative. Based on available chest CT scans, we also investigated the concomitant presence of asbestosis and/or pleural plaques as markers of asbestos exposure. RESULTS: PEM and PLM cases had similar proportions of occupational (around 60%) and environmental/familial (7%) asbestos exposure. The proportion of PEM subjects with co-existent occupational and environmental/familial exposures was, however, twice as high as PLM cases (6.1% vs 3.1%). Asbestosis and pleural plaques were more frequent in PEM than in PLM cases (7.7% and 20.9% vs 0.4% and 12.1%, respectively). No differences were detected for duration of exposure and latency among occupationally exposed cases. CONCLUSION: Our findings from a population-based Registry suggest that high cumulative asbestos exposures are the main risk factors not only for pleural but also for peritoneal mesothelioma.

SARS-CoV-2 anti-spike antibody titres after vaccination with BNT162b2 in naïve and previously infected individuals.

Great expectations are placed in vaccines against COVID-19 to control the pandemic. We reviewed the antibody titres in a cohort of healthcare workers (HCWs) vaccinated with BNT162b2 to assess the influence of a previous infection on them. We stratified the results according to the individual history of nasopharyngeal swab (NPS) and symptoms. Among 3475 HCWs the highest titres were recorded among those infected more than 6 months before vaccination, independently of symptoms, followed by those infected less than 6 months before vaccination, especially in those with symptoms, and by uninfected HCWs. Vaccination with BNT162b2 can boost immunity acquired through infection, particularly in those infected more than 6 months before vaccination.

Associations Among PCSK9 Levels, Atherosclerosis-Derived Extracellular Vesicles, and Their miRNA Content in Adults With Obesity.

Background: Extracellular vesicles (EV) concentration is generally increased in patients with cardiovascular diseases, although the protective role of EVs in atherosclerosis has been reported. Among the specific cargo of EVs, miRNAs contribute to different stages of atherosclerosis. Aim of the present report has been to investigate, in individuals with obesity, the interplay among EVs derived from cells relevant for the atherosclerotic process (i.e., platelets, endothelium, monocytes/macrophages, and neutrophils), their miRNA content and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), one of the main regulators of low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR). Methods and Results: EVs have been isolated from 936 individuals with obesity (body mass index = 33.6 ± 5.6 Kg/m2) and a raised cardiovascular risk (e.g., LDL-C = 131.6 ± 36.4 mg/dL, HOMA-IR = 3.1, and roughly 50% on anti-hypertensive medications). PCSK9 levels were negatively associated with EV count in the range 150-400 nm and with those derived from macrophages (CD14+), endothelium (CD105+), and neutrophils (CD66+). The association between PCSK9 and platelet-derived EVs (CD61+) was modified by platelet counts. PCSK9 was significantly associated with five EV-derived miRNAs (hsa-miRNA-362-5p,-150,-1244,-520b-3p,-638). Toll-like receptor 4 and estrogen receptor 1 were targeted by all five miRNAs and LDLR by four. The effect on LDLR expression is mainly driven by hsa-miR-150. Considering the implication of EV in atherosclerosis onset and progression, our findings show a potential role of PCSK9 to regulate EV-derived miRNAs, especially those involved in inflammation and expression of low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) receptor.