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Dose-dependent transcriptome changes by metal ores on a human acute lymphoblastic leukemia cell line
Nina N Sun1, Cynthia D Fastje, Simon S Wong
1Southwest Environmental Science Center and Department of Pediatrics, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, USA.
Toxicology and Industrial Health
|March 8, 2005
Summary
Environmental metal ores from mining sites in Nevada and Arizona were found to increase childhood leukemia cell growth. These ores altered gene expression in human T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells, highlighting potential health risks.
Area of Science:
- Environmental toxicology
- Molecular biology
- Cancer research
Background:
- Childhood leukemia morbidity is elevated in Fallon, Nevada, and Sierra Vista, Arizona.
- Environmental pollution from abandoned mining operations is a shared characteristic of these areas.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the transcriptome effects of metal ores from Fallon and Sierra Vista on a human T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) cell line.
- To determine the association between quantified metals and cell growth/transcriptome activation.
Main Methods:
- Treatment of T-ALL cells with varying concentrations of metal ores from Fallon and Sierra Vista.
- Cell growth assessment using trypan-blue assay.
- Gene expression analysis using human cDNA microarray.
- Quantification of 28 metals in the ore samples.
Main Results:
- Metal ore from Fallon significantly increased T-ALL cell growth at 1.5 microg/mL after 24, 48, and 72 hours.
- Sierra Vista ore significantly increased cell growth at 0.15 and 1.5 microg/mL after 72 hours.
- Microarray analysis revealed 8 up-regulated genes (including metallothionein genes) and 10 down-regulated genes after 72 hours of exposure.
Conclusions:
- Environmental metal ores from abandoned mining operations can promote T-ALL cell growth.
- The identified gene expression changes suggest a dose-dependent transcriptome activation in immature T-cells.
- The presence of specific metals in the ores may be linked to observed biological effects, warranting further investigation into environmental health risks.