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Metallothionein gene expression in peripheral lymphocytes from cadmium-exposed workers
J Lu1, T Jin, G Nordberg
1Department of Occupational Health, Shanghai Medical University, People's Republic of China.
Cell Stress & Chaperones
|October 16, 2001
Summary
Metallothionein (MT) gene expression in blood cells can indicate cadmium exposure levels in workers. This biomarker may also predict susceptibility to cadmium-induced kidney damage.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Toxicology
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Metallothionein (MT) is crucial for detoxifying heavy metals like cadmium.
- Assessing cadmium exposure and toxicity requires reliable biomarkers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate metallothionein (MT) gene expression in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) as a biomarker for cadmium exposure.
- To determine if MT gene expression in PBLs can predict susceptibility to cadmium's renal toxicity.
Main Methods:
- Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was employed to measure MT gene expression in PBLs.
- Blood cadmium (BCd) and urinary cadmium (UCd) levels were quantified.
- Urinary N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (UNAG) was measured as a marker of renal dysfunction.
Main Results:
- Both basal and induced MT expression levels in PBLs correlated positively with BCd and UCd.
- A dose-response relationship was observed between internal cadmium dose and MT expression.
- In vitro induced MT expression showed an inverse correlation with UNAG levels.
Conclusions:
- MT gene expression in PBLs serves as a valid biomarker for assessing cadmium exposure.
- MT expression in PBLs may indicate susceptibility to cadmium-induced renal toxicity.