Abstract
Background: Benzo(a)pyrene is known as a ubiquitous environmental pollutant. The general population can be exposed to benzo(a)pyrene through ambient air, tobacco smoke, water, and food. Genotoxicity and carcinogenicity are well-known adverse effects of benzo(a)pyrene exposure. However, few studies have focused on the effects of oral benzo(a)pyrene exposure on the respiratory system in terms of gene expression profiling. Objectives: We explored the effect of benzo(a)pyrene on respiratory organs through bioinformatics analysis using public gene expression data. Key genes associated with respiratory toxicity were selected through network analysis and validated by Western blot and qRT-PCR. Results: NRF2-mediated oxidative stress response and CREB signaling in neurons were identified as the main canonical pathways related to benzo(a)pyrene toxicity in the respiratory system. Potential biomarkers were validated in human lung cells. Conclusion: Our study suggested canonical pathways related to benzo(a)pyrene toxicity in the respiratory system and validated potential biomarkers in human lung cells.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 521-529 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Molecular and Cellular Toxicology |
Volume | 18 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Oct 2022 |
Keywords
- Benzo(a)pyrene
- DNA repair
- Network analysis
- Oxidative stress