Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 30, 2026
A Detailed Protocol for Characterizing the Murine C1498 Cell Line and its Associated Leukemia Mouse Model
Published on: October 14, 2016
Benzene-Induced Aberrant miRNA Expression Profile in Hematopoietic Progenitor Cells in C57BL/6 Mice
Haiyan Wei1, Juan Zhang2, Kehong Tan3
1Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China. 230129497@seu.edu.cn.
Abstract:
Benzene is a common environmental pollutant that causes hematological alterations. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) may play a role in benzene-induced hematotoxicity. In this study, C57BL/6 mice showed significant hematotoxicity after exposure to 150 mg/kg benzene for 4 weeks. Benzene exposure decreased not only the number of cells in peripheral blood but also hematopoietic progenitor cells in the bone marrow. Meanwhile, RNA from Lin(-) cells sorted from the bone marrow was applied to aberrant miRNA expression profile using Illumina sequencing. We found that 5 miRNAs were overexpressed and 45 miRNAs were downregulated in the benzene exposure group. Sequencing results were confirmed through qRT-PCR. Furthermore, we also identified five miRNAs which significantly altered in Lin(-)c-Kit⁺ cells obtained from benzene-exposed mice, including mmu-miR-34a-5p; mmu-miR-342-3p; mmu-miR-100-5p; mmu-miR-181a-5p; and mmu-miR-196b-5p. In summary, we successfully established a classical animal model to induce significant hematotoxicity by benzene injection. Benzene exposure may cause severe hematotoxicity not only to blood cells in peripheral circulation but also to hematopoietic cells in bone marrow. Benzene exposure also alters miRNA expression in hematopoietic progenitor cells. This study suggests that benzene induces alteration in hematopoiesis and hematopoiesis-associated miRNAs.
Insights
Benzene exposure causes significant hematotoxicity in mice, impacting blood and bone marrow cells. This study reveals benzene alters microRNA (miRNA) expression in hematopoietic progenitor cells, suggesting a role for miRNAs in benzene-induced blood damage.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Molecular Biology
- Hematology
Background:
- Benzene is a widespread environmental pollutant linked to hematological damage.
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are implicated as potential mediators of benzene-induced hematotoxicity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the hematotoxic effects of benzene exposure in a mouse model.
- To identify microRNA expression profile changes in hematopoietic progenitor cells following benzene exposure.
Main Methods:
- Establishment of a benzene-induced hematotoxicity mouse model (C57BL/6 mice, 150 mg/kg benzene for 4 weeks).
- Isolation and sorting of hematopoietic progenitor cells (Lin(-) and Lin(-)c-Kit⁺ cells) from bone marrow.
- Illumina sequencing for aberrant miRNA expression profiling, confirmed by qRT-PCR.
Main Results:
- Benzene exposure significantly reduced peripheral blood cells and bone marrow hematopoietic progenitor cells.
- A total of 50 miRNAs showed altered expression, with 5 overexpressed and 45 downregulated.
- Five specific miRNAs (mmu-miR-34a-5p, mmu-miR-342-3p, mmu-miR-100-5p, mmu-miR-181a-5p, mmu-miR-196b-5p) were significantly altered in Lin(-)c-Kit⁺ cells.
Conclusions:
- Benzene exposure induces significant hematotoxicity affecting both circulating blood cells and bone marrow hematopoietic cells.
- Benzene exposure leads to substantial alterations in miRNA expression within hematopoietic progenitor cells.
- This study highlights the role of benzene in altering hematopoiesis and associated miRNAs, providing a basis for understanding benzene toxicity mechanisms.
