Adverse Health Effects of the Long-Term Simultaneous Exposure to Arsenic and Particulate Matter in a Murine Model.

PM2.5 and arsenic are two of the most hazardous substances for humans that coexist worldwide. Independently, they might cause multiple organ damage. However, the combined effect of PM2.5 and arsenic has not been studied. Here, we used an animal model of simultaneous exposure to arsenic and PM2.5. Adult Wistar rats were exposed to PM2.5, As, or PM2.5 + As and their corresponding control groups. After 7, 14, and 28 days of exposure, the animals were euthanized and serum, lungs, kidneys, and hearts were collected. Analysis performed showed high levels of lung inflammation in all experimental groups, with an additive effect in the coexposed group. Besides, we observed cartilaginous metaplasia in the hearts of all exposed animals. The levels of creatine kinase, CK-MB, and lactate dehydrogenase increased in experimental groups. Tissue alterations might be related to oxidative stress through increased GPx and NADPH oxidase activity. The findings of this study suggest that exposure to arsenic, PM2.5, or coexposure induces high levels of oxidative stress, which might be associated with lung inflammation and heart damage. These findings highlight the importance of reducing exposure to these pollutants to protect human health.

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) promotes chemoresistance and aggressive phenotype of A549 lung cancer cells.

Lung cancer is one of the most aggressive malignancies with a high mortality rate. In large cities, particulate matter (PM) is a common air pollutant. High PM levels with aerodynamic size ≤2.5 µm (PM2.5) associates with lung cancer incidence and mortality. In this work, we explored PM2.5 effects on the behavior of lung cancer cells. To this, we chronically exposed A549 cells to increasing PM2.5 concentrations collected in México City, then evaluating cell proliferation, chemoresponse, migration, invasion, spheroid formation, and P-glycoprotein and N-cadherin expression. Chronic PM2.5 exposure from 1 µg/cm2 stimulated A549 cell proliferation, migration, and chemoresistance and upregulated P-glycoprotein and N-cadherin expression. PM2.5 also induced larger multicellular tumor spheroids (MCTS) and less disintegration compared with control cells. Therefore, these results indicate lung cancer patients exposed to airborne PM2.5 as urban pollutant could develop more aggressive tumor phenotypes, with increased cell proliferation, migration, and chemoresistance.

Sampling, composition, and biological effects of Mexico City airborne particulate matter from multiple periods.

Air pollution is a worldwide environmental problem with an impact on human health. Particulate matter of ten micrometers or less aerodynamic diameter (PM10) as well as its fine fraction (PM2.5) is related to multiple pulmonary diseases. The impact of air pollution in Mexico City, and importantly, particulate matter has been studied and considered as a risk factor for two decades ago. Previous studies have reported the composition of Mexico City particulate matter, as well as the biological effects induced by this material. However, material collected and used in previous studies is a limited resource, and sampling and particle recovery techniques have been improved. In this study, we describe the methods used in our laboratory for Mexico City airborne particulate matter PM10 and PM2.5 sampling, considering the years 2017, 2018 and 2019. We also analyzed the PM10 and PM2.5 samples obtained to determine their composition. Finally, we exposed lung cell line cultures to PM10 and PM2.5 to evaluate the biological effect of the material in terms of cell viability, cell death, inflammatory response, and cytogenetic alterations. Our results showed that PM10 composition includes inorganic, organic and biological compounds, while PM2.5 is a mixture of more enriched organic compounds. PM10 and PM2.5 treatment in lung cells does not significantly impact cell viability/cell death. However, PM10 and PM2.5 increase the secretion levels of IL-6. Moreover, PM10 as well as PM2.5 induce cytogenetic alterations, such as micronuclei, anaphase bridges, trinucleated cells and apoptotic cells in lung cells. Our results update the evidence of the composition and biological effects of Mexico City particulate matter and provide us a reliable basis for future approaches.

Effects of PM10 Airborne Particles from Different Regions of a Megacity on In Vitro Secretion of Cytokines by a Monocyte Line during Different Seasons.

Several epidemiological studies have demonstrated that particulate matter (PM) in air pollution can be involved in the genesis or aggravation of different cardiovascular, respiratory, perinatal, and cancer diseases. This study assessed the in vitro effects of PM10 on the secretion of cytokines by a human monocytic cell line (THP-1). We compared the chemotactic, pro-inflammatory, and anti-inflammatory cytokines induced by PM10 collected for two years during three different seasons in five different Mexico City locations. MIP-1α, IP-10, MCP-1, TNF-α, and VEGF were the main secretion products after stimulation with 80 µg/mL of PM10 for 24 h. The THP-1 cells showed a differential response to PM10 obtained in the different sites of Mexico City. The PM10 from the north and the central city areas induced a higher pro-inflammatory cytokine response than those from the south. Seasonal pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion always exceeded anti-inflammatory secretion. The rainy-season-derived particles caused the lowest pro-inflammatory effects. We concluded that toxicological assessment of airborne particles provides evidence supporting their potential role in the chronic exacerbation of local or systemic inflammatory responses that may worsen the evolution of some chronic diseases.

Particulate matter (PM10) destabilizes mitotic spindle through downregulation of SETD2 in A549 lung cancer cells.

Air pollution represents an environmental problem, impacting negatively in human health. Particulate matter of 10 µm or less in diameter (PM10) is related to pulmonary diseases, including lung cancer. Mitotic spindle is made up by chromosome-microtubule (MT) interactions, where SETD2 plays an important role in MT stability. SETD2 binds and activates α-TUBULIN sub-unit and promotes MT polymerization. Alongside this mechanism, the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) senses the adequate mitotic progression through proteins such as BUBR1, AURORA B and SURVIVIN. Alterations in MT dynamics as well as in SAC cause aneuploidy and chromosomal instability, a common phenotype in cancer cells. In this study, we evaluated the effect of PM10 in the expression and protein levels of SETD2, as well as the effect in the expression and protein levels of SAC and mitotic components involved in chromosomal segregation/mitosis, using the A549 lung cancer cell line. A549 cell cultures were exposed to PM10 (10 µg/cm2) for 24 h to evaluate the expression and protein levels of SETD2 (SETD2), TUBA1A (α-TUBULIN), CCNB1 (CYCLIN B1), BUB1B (BUBR1), AURKB (AURORA B) and BIRC5 (SURVIVIN). We observed that PM10 decreases the expression and protein levels of SETD2, α-TUBULIN and BUBR1 and increases the levels of AURORA B and SURVIVIN in A549 cells, compared with non-treated cells. PM10 also caused a decrease in mitotic index and in the percentage of cells in G2/M when compared with control group. Co-localization of SETD2/α -TUB was lower in PM10-treated cells in comparison with non-treated cells. Finally, micronuclei (MN) frequency was higher in PM10-treated cells in contrast with non-treated cells, being whole chromosomes more common in PM10-treated MN than in non-treated MN. Our results suggest that PM10 causes missegregation and aneuploidy through downregulation of SETD2 and SAC components, inducing aneuploidy and predisposing to the generation of chromosomal instability in transformed cells.

Particulate Matter (PM10) Promotes Cell Invasion through Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) by TGF-ß Activation in A549 Lung Cells.

Air pollution presents a major environmental problem, inducing harmful effects on human health. Particulate matter of 10 µm or less in diameter (PM10) is considered an important risk factor in lung carcinogenesis. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a regulatory program capable of inducing invasion and metastasis in cancer. In this study, we demonstrated that PM10 treatment induced phosphorylation of SMAD2/3 and upregulation of SMAD4. We also reported that PM10 increased the expression and protein levels of TGFB1 (TGF-ß), as well as EMT markers SNAI1 (Snail), SNAI2 (Slug), ZEB1 (ZEB1), CDH2 (N-cadherin), ACTA2 (α-SMA), and VIM (vimentin) in the lung A549 cell line. Cell exposed to PM10 also showed a decrease in the expression of CDH1 (E-cadherin). We also demonstrated that expression levels of these EMT markers were reduced when cells are transfected with small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) against TGFB1. Interestingly, phosphorylation of SMAD2/3 and upregulation of SMAD induced by PM10 were not affected by transfection of TGFB1 siRNAs. Finally, cells treated with PM10 exhibited an increase in the capacity of invasiveness because of EMT induction. Our results provide new evidence regarding the effect of PM10 in EMT and the acquisition of an invasive phenotype, a hallmark necessary for lung cancer progression.

Long-term exposure to particulate matter from air pollution alters airway ß-defensin-3 and -4 and cathelicidin host defense peptides production in a murine model.

Epidemiological studies have associated long-term exposure to environmental air pollution particulate matter (PM) with the development of diverse health problems. They include infectious respiratory diseases related to the deregulation of some innate immune response mechanisms, such as the host defense peptides' expression. Herein, we evaluated in BALB/c mice the effect of long-standing exposure (60 days) to urban-PM from the south of Mexico City, with aerodynamic diameters below 2.5 µm (PM2.5) and 10 µm (PM10) on the lung's gene expression and production of three host defense peptides (HDPs); murine beta-defensin-3, -4 (mBD-3, mBD-4) and cathelin-related antimicrobial peptide (CRAMP). We also evaluated mRNA levels of Il1b and Il10, two cytokines related to the expression of host defense peptides. Exposure to PM2.5 and PM10 differentially induced lung inflammation, being PM2.5, which caused higher inflammation levels, probably associated with a differential deposition on the airways, that facilitate the interaction with alveolar macrophages. Inflammation levels were associated with an early upregulation of the three HDPs assessed and an increment in Il1b mRNA levels. Interestingly, after 28 days of exposure, Il10 mRNA upregulation was observed and was associated with the downregulation of HDPs and Il1b mRNA levels. The upregulation of Il10 mRNA and suppression of HDPs might facilitate microbial colonization and the development of diseases associated with long-term exposure to PM.

Airborne Particulate Matter (PM10) Inhibits Apoptosis through PI3K/AKT/FoxO3a Pathway in Lung Epithelial Cells: The Role of a Second Oxidant Stimulus.

Outdoor particulate matter (PM10) exposure is carcinogenic to humans. The cellular mechanism by which PM10 is associated specifically with lung cancer includes oxidative stress and damage to proteins, lipids, and DNA in the absence of apoptosis, suggesting that PM10 induces cellular survival. We aimed to evaluate the PI3K/AKT/FoxO3a pathway as a mechanism of cell survival in lung epithelial A549 cells exposed to PM10 that were subsequently challenged with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Our results showed that pre-exposure to PM10 followed by H2O2, as a second oxidant stimulus increased the phosphorylation rate of pAKTSer473, pAKTThr308, and pFoxO3aSer253 2.5-fold, 1.8-fold, and 1.2-fold, respectively. Levels of catalase and p27kip1, which are targets of the PIK3/AKT/FoxO3a pathway, decreased 38.1% and 62.7%, respectively. None of these changes had an influence on apoptosis; however, the inhibition of PI3K using the LY294002 compound revealed that the PI3K/AKT/FoxO3a pathway was involved in apoptosis evasion. We conclude that nontoxic PM10 exposure predisposes lung epithelial cell cultures to evade apoptosis through the PI3K/AKT/FoxO3a pathway when cells are treated with a second oxidant stimulus.

Urban Air Pollution Particulates Suppress Human T-Cell Responses to Mycobacterium Tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis (TB) and air pollution both contribute significantly to the global burden of disease. Epidemiological studies show that exposure to household and urban air pollution increase the risk of new infections with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) and the development of TB in persons infected with M.tb and alter treatment outcomes. There is increasing evidence that particulate matter (PM) exposure weakens protective antimycobacterial host immunity. Mechanisms by which exposure to urban PM may adversely affect M.tb-specific human T cell functions have not been studied. We, therefore, explored the effects of urban air pollution PM2.5 (aerodynamic diameters ≤2.5µm) on M.tb-specific T cell functions in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). PM2.5 exposure decreased the capacity of PBMC to control the growth of M.tb and the M.tb-induced expression of CD69, an early surface activation marker expressed on CD3+ T cells. PM2.5 exposure also decreased the production of IFN-γ in CD3+, TNF-α in CD3+ and CD14+ M.tb-infected PBMC, and the M.tb-induced expression of T-box transcription factor TBX21 (T-bet). In contrast, PM2.5 exposure increased the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 in CD3+ and CD14+ PBMC. Taken together, PM2.5 exposure of PBMC prior to infection with M.tb impairs critical antimycobacterial T cell immune functions.

Urban airborne particle exposure impairs human lung and blood Mycobacterium tuberculosis immunity.

RATIONALE: Associations between urban (outdoor) airborne particulate matter (PM) exposure and TB and potential biological mechanisms are poorly explored. OBJECTIVES: To examine whether in vivo exposure to urban outdoor PM in Mexico City and in vitro exposure to urban outdoor PM2.5 (< 2.5 µm median aerodynamic diameter) alters human host immune cell responses to Mycobacterium tuberculosis. METHODS: Cellular toxicity (flow cytometry, proliferation assay (MTS assay)), M. tuberculosis and PM2.5 phagocytosis (microscopy), cytokine-producing cells (Enzyme-linked immune absorbent spot (ELISPOT)), and signalling pathway markers (western blot) were examined in bronchoalveolar cells (BAC) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from healthy, non-smoking, residents of Mexico City (n=35; 13 female, 22 male). In vivo-acquired PM burden in alveolar macrophages (AM) was measured by digital image analysis. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: In vitro exposure of AM to PM2.5 did not affect M. tuberculosis phagocytosis. High in vivo-acquired AM PM burden reduced constitutive, M. tuberculosis and PM-induced interleukin-1ß production in freshly isolated BAC but not in autologous PBMC while it reduced constitutive production of tumour necrosis factor-alpha in both BAC and PBMC. Further, PM burden was positively correlated with constitutive, PM, M. tuberculosis and purified protein derivative (PPD)-induced interferon gamma (IFN-γ) in BAC, and negatively correlated with PPD-induced IFN-γ in PBMC. CONCLUSIONS: Inhalation exposure to urban air pollution PM impairs important components of the protective human lung and systemic immune response against M. tuberculosis. PM load in AM is correlated with altered M. tuberculosis-induced cytokine production in the lung and systemic compartments. Chronic PM exposure with high constitutive expression of proinflammatory cytokines results in relative cellular unresponsiveness.

Urban particulate matter induces the expression of receptors for early and late adhesion molecules on human monocytes.

Exposure to urban particulate matter (PM) is correlated with increases in the emergence of health services due to adverse events and deaths and is mainly related to cardiorespiratory complications. The translocation of particles from the lung into circulation has been proposed as a factor that may trigger systemic effects. Monocytes may be exposed to PM, and if the monocytes are activated, then they are likely to adhere to endothelial cells in a distant organ due to the expression of receptors for adhesion molecules. In the present study, we evaluated the expression of receptors for adhesion molecules (sLex, PSGL-1, LFA-1, VLA-4 and αVß3) in monocytes (U937 cells) exposed for 3 or 18 h to PM10 (0.001, 0.003, 0.010, 0.030, 0.300, 3 or 30 µg/mL). Exposed cells were co-cultured with human endothelial cells that were naive or previously exposed to the same particles. When U937 cells were exposed to PM10, similar levels of expression for early and late receptors for adhesion molecules were observed from 30 ng/mL as those induced by TNF-α. Cells exposed to particles at concentrations above 30 ng/mL were more adhesive to naive or exposed human endothelial cells. Taken together, our results suggest that it is plausible that activated monocytes may play a role in systemic effects induced by PM10 due to the size distribution of the particles and the concentrations required to trigger the expression of receptors for adhesion molecules in monocytes.

Phthalate esters on urban airborne particles: Levels in PM10 and PM2.5 from Mexico City and theoretical assessment of lung exposure.

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) from the environment are associated with reproductive abnormalities (i.e. decreased sperm concentration; increased endometriosis) and alterations of the cardiovascular system (i.e. increased blood pressure and risk of coronary disease). Some phthalates esters have been identified as EDCs, for which inhalation is considered as one of the routes of exposure. However, only little is known regarding inhalational exposure to EDCs via urban airborne particles. In the present study, we report the monthly concentration of 8 phthalate esters measured in PM10 and PM2.5 collected and recovered during 7 months in a highly populated area of Mexico City. Using the levels of PM10 and PM2.5 reported by the automatized network of environmental monitoring of Mexico City for the sampling site, we estimated exposure levels for people of different ages and gender. Two endocrine disrupting compounds, the phthalate esters DEHP and DnBP, were found on the particles in higher concentrations during the warmer months of the year. The highest concentration was reported for DEHP (229.7µg/g of particles) in PM2.5 collected in May 2013. After calculations of the DEHP concentration in the atmosphere, and using the respiratory flow rate, we determined males were potentially exposed to larger quantities of DEHP, reaching up to 18ng/8h in April 2013. Despite the concentrations of phthalates seem to be rather small, a comprehensive characterization of its presence is necessary in order to evaluate the overall exposure to these compounds, providing a clear view of exposure on children, adolescents and pregnant women.

Airborne particulate matter in vitro exposure induces cytoskeleton remodeling through activation of the ROCK-MYPT1-MLC pathway in A549 epithelial lung cells.

Airborne particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter ≤10µm (PM10) is considered a risk factor for the development of lung cancer. Little is known about the cellular mechanisms by which PM10 is associated with cancer, but there is evidence that its exposure can lead to an acquired invasive phenotype, apoptosis evasion, inflammasome activation, and cytoskeleton remodeling in lung epithelial cells. Cytoskeleton remodeling occurs through actin stress fiber formation, which is partially regulated through ROCK kinase activation, we aimed to investigate if this protein was activated in response to PM10 exposure in A549 lung epithelial cells. Results showed that 10µg/cm2 of PM10 had no influence on cell viability but increased actin stress fibers, cytoplasmic ROCK expression, and phosphorylation of myosin phosphatase-targeting 1 (MYPT1) and myosin light chain (MLC) proteins, which are targeted by ROCK. The inhibition of ROCK prevented actin stress fiber formation and the phosphorylation of MYPT1 and MLC, suggesting that PM10 activated the ROCK-MYPT1-MLC pathway in lung epithelial cells. The activation of ROCK1 has been involved in the acquisition of malignant phenotypes, and its induction by PM10 exposure could contribute to the understanding of PM10 as a risk factor for cancer development through the mechanisms associated with invasive phenotype.

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles induce the expression of early and late receptors for adhesion molecules on monocytes.

BACKGROUND: There is growing evidence that exposure to titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) could be harmful. Previously, we have shown that TiO2 NPs induces endothelial cell dysfunction and damage in glial cells. Considering that inhaled particles can induce systemic effects and the evidence that nanoparticles may translocate out of the lungs, we evaluated whether different types of TiO2 NPs can induce the expression of receptors for adhesion molecules on monocytes (U937 cell line). We evaluated the role of reactive oxygen spices (ROS) on these effects. METHODS: The expression of receptors for early (sLe(x) and PSGL-1) and late (LFA-1, VLA-4 and αVß3) adhesion molecules was evaluated in U937 cells on a time course (3-24 h) using a wide range of concentrations (0.001-100 µg/mL) of three types of TiO2 NPs (<25 nm anatase, 50 nm anatase-rutile or < 100 nm anatase). Cells exposed to TNFα were considered positive controls, and unexposed cells, negative controls. In some experiments we added 10 µmolar of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) to evaluate the role of ROS. RESULTS: All tested particles, starting at a concentration of 0.03 µg/mL, induced the expression of receptors for early and late adhesion molecules. The largest increases were induced by the different molecules after 3 h of exposure for sLe(x) and PSGL-1 (up to 3-fold of the positive controls) and after 18 h of exposure for LFA-1, VLA-4 and αVß3 (up to 2.5-fold of the positive controls). Oxidative stress was observed as early as 10 min after exposure, but the maximum peak was found after 4 h of exposure. Adhesion of exposed or unexposed monocytes to unexposed or exposed endothelial cells was tested, and we observed that monocytes cells adhere in similar amounts to endothelial cells if one of the two cell types, or both were exposed. When NAC was added, the expression of the receptors was inhibited. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that small concentrations of particles may activate monocytes that attach to endothelial cells. These results suggest that distal effects can be induced by small amounts of particles that may translocate from the lungs. ROS play a central role in the induction of the expression of these receptors.

TNFα and IL-6 Responses to Particulate Matter in Vitro: Variation According to PM Size, Season, and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon and Soil Content.

BACKGROUND: Observed seasonal differences in particulate matter (PM) associations with human health may be due to their composition and to toxicity-related seasonal interactions. OBJECTIVES: We assessed seasonality in PM composition and in vitro PM pro-inflammatory potential using multiple PM samples. METHODS: We collected 90 weekly PM10 and PM2.5 samples during the rainy-warm and dry-cold seasons in five urban areas with different pollution sources. The elements, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and endotoxins identified in the samples were subjected to principal component analysis (PCA). We tested the potential of the PM to induce tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) secretion in cultured human monocytes (THP-1), and we modeled pro-inflammatory responses using the component scores. RESULTS: PM composition varied by size and by season. PCA identified two main components that varied by season. Combustion-related constituents (e.g., vanadium, benzo[a]pyrene, benzo[a]anthracene) mainly comprised component 1 (C1). Soil-related constituents (e.g., endotoxins, silicon, aluminum) mainly comprised component 2 (C2). PM from the rainy-warm season was high in C2. PM (particularly PM2.5) from the dry-cold season was rich in C1. Elevated levels of cytokine production were associated with PM10 and C2 (rainy-warm season), whereas reduced levels of cytokine production were associated with PM2.5 and C1 (dry-cold season). TNFα secretion was increased following exposure to PM with high (vs. low) C2 content, but TNFα secretion in response to PM was decreased following exposure to samples containing ≥ 0.1% of C1-related PAHs, regardless of C2 content. The results of the IL-6 assays suggested more complex interactions between PM components and particle size. CONCLUSIONS: Variations in PM soil and PAH content underlie seasonal and PM size-related patterns in TNFα secretion. These results suggest that the mixture of components in PM explains some seasonal differences in associations between health outcomes and PM in epidemiologic studies. CITATION: Manzano-León N, Serrano-Lomelin J, Sánchez BN, Quintana-Belmares R, Vega E, Vázquez-López I, Rojas-Bracho L, López-Villegas MT, Vadillo-Ortega F, De Vizcaya-Ruiz A, Rosas Perez I, O'Neill MS, Osornio-Vargas AR. 2016. TNFα and IL-6 responses to particulate matter in vitro: variation according to PM size, season, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon and soil content. Environ Health Perspect 124:406-412; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1409287.

Air pollution particulate matter alters antimycobacterial respiratory epithelium innate immunity.

Inhalation exposure to indoor air pollutants and cigarette smoke increases the risk of developing tuberculosis (TB). Whether exposure to ambient air pollution particulate matter (PM) alters protective human host immune responses against Mycobacterium tuberculosis has been little studied. Here, we examined the effect of PM from Iztapalapa, a municipality of Mexico City, with aerodynamic diameters below 2.5 µm (PM2.5) and 10 µm (PM10) on innate antimycobacterial immune responses in human alveolar type II epithelial cells of the A549 cell line. Exposure to PM2.5 or PM10 deregulated the ability of the A549 cells to express the antimicrobial peptides human ß-defensin 2 (HBD-2) and HBD-3 upon infection with M. tuberculosis and increased intracellular M. tuberculosis growth (as measured by CFU count). The observed modulation of antibacterial responsiveness by PM exposure was associated with the induction of senescence in PM-exposed A549 cells and was unrelated to PM-mediated loss of cell viability. Thus, the induction of senescence and downregulation of HBD-2 and HBD-3 expression in respiratory PM-exposed epithelial cells leading to enhanced M. tuberculosis growth represent mechanisms by which exposure to air pollution PM may increase the risk of M. tuberculosis infection and the development of TB.

In vitro induction of abnormal anaphases by contaminating atmospheric dust from the city of Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico

Mexicali dust (MD) is a mixture of particles of potassium aluminum silicates (98 percent) and sodium dioxide (2 percent) that induces pulmonary damage under experimental conditions, and is capable of inducing in vitro chromosomal alterations in exposed lymphocytes. It has been proposed as an atmospheric contaminant with pathogenic potential. among the chromosomal alterations observed, numeric alterations were predominant. The present study was designed to evaluate the capacity of MD to induce anaphasic changes in the Balb c 3T3 cell line. Chrysotile asbestos was used as a positive control. MD was found to induce abnormal anaphases, and the percentage of abnormalities increased as the dose increased (27.41 percent with 20 mg/mL, 29.60 percent with 40 mg/mL and 37.10 percent with 80 mg/mL). Multipolar anaphases constituted the most frequent altertion (69.1 - 78.8 percent), followed by lagging chromosomes (18.2 -29.5 percent) and anaphasic bridges (1.51 - 5.9 percent). The anaphasic alterations induced by MD showed differences in comparison to those observed with asbestos, especially for anaphasic bridges (10.4 percent vs. 1.51 percent, p<0.05). The capacity of MD to induce alterations resported in the process of chromosomal disjunction could explain the numeric aberrations reported previously by the authors of this paper. Therefore, these data support that MD could act as a clastogenic agent