Analysis of fibulin-3 after exposure to asbestos-like fibers

A significantly increased incidence of malignant mesothelioma in Biancavilla (Sicily, Italy) has been ascribed to exposure to fluoro-edenite, a fibrous amphibole extracted from a local stone quarry. Fibulin-3 is a highly conserved glycoprotein proposed as a biomarker for malignant mesothelioma that belongs to the family of extracellular matrix proteins. Previous studies demonstrated high Fibulin-3 plasma levels in workers with pleural plaques exposed to fluoro-edenite. Therefore, in order to gain insight into the biomolecular mechanisms of fluoro-edenite toxicity, we performed the analysis of Fibulin-3 expression by immunohistochemistry in the lung samples derived from sheep belonging to the area of Biancavilla. Furthermore, an in vitro model of exposed fluoro-edenite fibroblasts was used to perform functional experiments to better understand the modulation of Fibulin-3 expression. The percentage of immunostained area by Fibulin-3 was very much higher in exposed lungs compared with non-exposed ones. The Fibulin-3 protein level was significantly expressed in primary human lung fibroblasts exposed to 50 and 100µg/ml of fluoro-edenite fibers for 72h, compared to the unexposed controls. The results from the present study further demonstrate the implication of Fibulin-3 during fluoro-edenite exposure. This would endorse our previous results regarding the use of Fibulin-3 as a possible screening biomarker for fluoro-edenite exposed individuals, thereby contributing to the monitoring of the population at risk. The present study also suggested that the Fibulin-3 overexpression may reflect a defensive response of the tissues after exogenous stimuli and may be implicated in cancer development, especially in the context of fluoro-edenite contamination. However, further studies are necessary in order to make Fibulin-3 a customized screening tool.