ALBERT

Description:    Several asbestos-like mineral fibres, including fluoro-edenite, may cause lung cancer and/or other lung diseases. However, biological and molecular mechanisms linked to cancer development after mineral fibre exposure have not been fully investigated. In the present study, human non-malignant mesothelial (MeT-5A) and human bronchoalveolar alveolar epithelial (A549) cell lines were incubated with rising concentrations of fluoro-edenite to evaluate the expression of retinoblastoma (Rb) protein, which has been demonstrated to play an important role in cell cycle control and tumour progression. Intriguingly, these results show that Rb expression was unchanged, while the level of the phosphorylated protein increased significantly in a dose-dependent manner, suggesting an involvement of this regulator protein in the pathogenesis of the lung diseases induced by mineral fibres. In conclusion, fluoro-edenite regulates the expression of phospho-retinoblastoma to trigger a network of signals strictly connected with cell proliferation and neoplastic cell transformation. Content Type Journal Article Pages 217-225 DOI 10.1007/s10565-011-9183-9 Authors Giuseppe Musumeci, Department of Anatomy, Diagnostic Pathology, Forensic Medicine, Hygiene and Public Health, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 87, 95123 Catania, Italy Venera Cardile, Department of Physiological Sciences, University of Catania, Via Andrea Doria 6, 95123 Catania, Italy Concettina Fenga, Section of Occupational Medicine, Department of Social and Environmental Medicine, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, Gazzi, 98124 Messina, Italy Silvia Caggia, Department of Physiological Sciences, University of Catania, Via Andrea Doria 6, 95123 Catania, Italy Carla Loreto, Department of Anatomy, Diagnostic Pathology, Forensic Medicine, Hygiene and Public Health, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 87, 95123 Catania, Italy Journal Cell Biology and Toxicology Online ISSN 1573-6822 Print ISSN 0742-2091 Journal Volume Volume 27 Journal Issue Volume 27, Number 3