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Modulation of microRNA expression by budesonide, phenethyl isothiocyanate and cigarette smoke in mouse liver and lung

Alberto Izzotti1, Patrizia Larghero, Cristina Cartiglia

  • 1Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Via A. Pastore 1, I-16132 Genoa, Italy.

Carcinogenesis
|February 11, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Environmental cigarette smoke (ECS) alters microRNA (miRNA) expression in neonatal mice lungs and livers. Chemopreventive agents budesonide and phenethyl isothiocyanate protected lungs but caused liver damage.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental toxicology
  • Molecular biology
  • Carcinogenesis research

Background:

  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are crucial in cancer, but their regulation by carcinogens in early carcinogenesis is understudied.
  • Environmental cigarette smoke (ECS) is a known carcinogen, yet its impact on miRNA expression during early development requires further investigation.
  • Chemopreventive agents offer potential protection against carcinogen-induced damage.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of ECS exposure on miRNA expression in neonatal mice.
  • To evaluate the modulatory effects of budesonide (BUD) and phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) on miRNA expression following ECS exposure.
  • To assess the protective or detrimental impacts of BUD and PEITC on lung and liver tissues.

Main Methods:

  • Neonatal mice were exposed to ECS.
  • Post-weaning, mice received daily doses of BUD or PEITC.
  • miRNA expression profiling of 576 miRNAs was performed on liver and lung tissues using microarray analysis.

Main Results:

  • ECS exposure downregulated several miRNAs in the lung and caused mixed alterations in the liver.
  • BUD and PEITC treatments did not significantly alter lung miRNA expression but induced substantial changes in the liver, indicating damage mechanisms like inflammation and apoptosis.
  • BUD and PEITC demonstrated a protective effect on lung miRNA expression against ECS-induced changes.

Conclusions:

  • ECS significantly impacts miRNA expression in neonatal mouse lungs and livers.
  • Chemopreventive agents BUD and PEITC protect the lung from ECS-induced miRNA dysregulation.
  • BUD and PEITC exhibit adverse effects on the liver, suggesting tissue-specific responses to these agents.

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