Changes in miR-222 expression, DNA repair capacity, and MDM2-p53 axis in association with low-dose benzene genotoxicity and hematotoxicity.

Mechanisms for hematotoxicity and health effects from exposure to low doses of benzene (BZ) remain to be identified. To address the information gap, our investigation was focused onto using appropriate populations and cell cultures to investigate novel BZ-induced effects such as disruption of DNA repair capacity (DRC). From our study, abnormal miRNAs were identified and validated using lymphocytes from 56 BZ-poisoned workers and 53 controls. In addition, 173 current BZ-exposed workers and 58 controls were investigated for key miRNA expression using RT-PCR and for cellular DRC using a challenge assay. Subsequently, the observed activities in lymphocytes were verified using human HL-60 (p53 null) and TK6 (p53 wild-type) cells via 1,4-benzoquinone (1,4-BQ) treatment and miR-222 interferences. The targeting of MDM2 by miR-222 was validated using a luciferase reporter. Our results indicate induction of genotoxicity in lymphocytes from workers with low exposure doses to BZ. In addition, miR-222 expression was up-regulated among both BZ-poisoned and BZ-exposed workers together with inverse association with DRC. Our in vitro validation studies using both cell lines indicate that 1,4-BQ exposure increased expression of miR-222 and Comet tail length but decreased DRC. Loss of miR-222 reduced DNA damage, but induced S-phase arrest and apoptosis. However, silencing of MDM2 failed to activate p53 in TK6 cells. In conclusion, our in vivo observations were confirmed by in vitro studies showing that BZ/1,4-BQ exposures caused genotoxicity and high expression of miR-222 which obstructed expression of the MDM2-p53 axis that led to failed activation of p53, abnormal DRC and serious biological consequences.

[Association of the glycophorin A gene mutation in peripheral erythrocytes and chronic benzene poisoning].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the association of the glycophorin A(GPA) gene mutation in peripheral erythrocytes and chronic benzene poisoning. METHODS: Sixty-three patients with chronic benzene poisonings and 45 benzene-exposed workers who were engaged in the same job title were investigated. Fluorescence immunolabeling technique and flow cytometry were used to detect GPA mutation frequency in peripheral read blood cell. RESULTS: A significant decrease in WBC count and neutrophil count was found in patients with chronic benzene poisoning compared with control individuals (P<0.01). The WBC count and neutrophil count both decreased along with the GPA-NN frequency, and the trends were significant(P<0.05).Both WBC counts and neutrophil counts decreased as the frequency, and trends were significant(P<0.05). GPA-NN frequency increased along with the accumulative exposure score, and the trend was significant (P = 0.0026). There was no significant trend between the GPA-Nphi frequency and the accumulative exposure score (P = 0.2037). CONCLUSION: A decrease in WBC count and neutrophil count is found in patients with chronic benzene poisoning, which can arise from genetic damage in bone marrow stem cells, namely gene-duplicating mutations (NN) at the GPA locus in bone marrow cells of MN-heterozygous subjects, GPA-NN mutagens contributed to the pathogenesis of chronic benzene poisoning.

[Study on repair capacity of DNA damage associated with chronic benzene poisoning].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the repair capacity of DNA damage associated with chronic benzene poisonings. METHODS: 63 workers suffered from chronic benzene poisonings and 45 workers exposed to benzene, who were engaged in the same job title, were investigated. Comet assay and cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) detection were used to evaluate gamma-radiation-induced DNA and chromosomal damage and repair capacity in peripheral blood lymphocyte. RESULTS: The comet tail length difference of the benzene poisoning group (4.64 +/- 1.57 microm) was significantly higher than that of the control group (3.77 +/- 1.30 microm) (P = 0.0029). There was no significant difference of the 3AB index between the poisoning group and the control group. The relative risk of benzene poisoning in the subject with comet tail length difference > 3.81 was significantly higher than that in the subject with comet tail length difference < or = 3.81 microm (OR = 2.490, 95% CI:1.068 - 5.806, P = 0.0346). The relative risk increased along with the comet tail length difference, and the trend was significant (P = 0.0024). There was no significant difference between the relative risk of benzene poisoning in the subject with 3AB index < 0.20 and that in the subject with 3AB index > or = 0.20. CONCLUSION: DNA repair capacity on DNA-strand level might tightly associate with chronic benzene poisoning. The DNA repair capacity on DNA-strand level would be worse, and the benzene poisoning risk could be higher. There was no clear relation between the DNA repair capacity on chromosome level and the benzene poisoning risk.

[Detection of DNA damages of peripheral white blood cells in benzene-exposed workers].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of benzene exposure on DNA damage of the peripheral white blood cells and to assess the possible dose-response relationship between benzene and DNA damage. METHODS: Personal benzene exposure was sampled with 3M organic vapor monitors. The time weighted average concentration (8h-TWA) and the cumulative dose were calculated. Single cell gel electrophoresis assay was used to detect DNA damage in white blood cells of benzene-exposed workers. The Olive tail moment and the grade of DNA breakage were used to measure DNA damage. RESULTS: The Olive tail moment and the grade of DNA breakage in benzene exposure groups were significantly increased in comparison with those in the control group (F = 30.03, P < 0.0001, chi2 = 239.9, P < 0.0001, respectively) and showed a dose-response relationship with benzene concentration. Correlation analysis showed that Olive tail moment was correlated with benzene exposure concentration. CONCLUSIONS: Benzene exposure resulted in an increase of DNA damage of the peripheral white blood cell, which was in a dose-response relationship manner; cumulative dose was better than simply concentration to reflect benzene exposure.