| 1. |
- Jiang, Zheshun, et al.
(author)
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Circulating lung-cancer-related non-coding RNAs are associated with occupational exposure to hexavalent chromium : A cross-sectional study within the SafeChrom project
- 2024
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In: Environment International. - : Elsevier. - 0160-4120 .- 1873-6750. ; 190
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Hexavalent chromium (Cr(Ⅵ)) is classified as a group 1 human carcinogen and increases the risk of lung cancer. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have key regulatory roles in lung cancer, but less is known about their relation to Cr(Ⅵ) exposure.OBJECTIVES: We aimed to 1) measure the expression of lung cancer-related circulating ncRNAs in exposed workers and controls; 2) assess associations between ncRNAs expression and Cr concentrations in red blood cells (RBC) and urine; and 3) evaluate correlations between the ncRNAs.METHODS: The study included 111 Cr(VI) exposed workers and 72 controls recruited from the SafeChrom project. Cr concentrations were measured in RBC (biomarker of long-term exposure) and urine (biomarker of short-term exposure) samples. Long ncRNA (lncRNA) and microRNA (miRNA) were extracted from plasma followed by deoxyribonuclease treatment, complementary DNA synthesis, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction using target-specific assays for three lncRNAs (H19, MALAT1, NORAD), and four miRNAs (miR-142-3p, miR-15b-5p, miR-3940-5p, miR-451a).RESULTS: Expression levels of lncRNAs MALAT1 and NORAD, and all four miRNAs, were significantly lower in Cr(VI) exposed workers compared with controls, and correlated significantly with RBC-Cr concentrations (rS = -0.16 to -0.38). H19 was non-significantly increased in exposed workers but significantly correlated with miR-142-3p (rS = -0.33) and miR-15b-5p (rS = -0.30), and NORAD was significantly positively correlated with all four miRNAs (rS = 0.17 to 0.46). In multivariate regression models adjusting for confounders, expressions of lncRNAs MALAT1 and NORAD and all miRNAs were still significantly lower in the exposed group compared with controls, and the expression decreased with increasing RBC-Cr concentrations.CONCLUSIONS: Cr(VI) exposure was inversely and in a dose-response manner associated with the expression of circulating non-coding RNA, which suggests ncRNAs as potential biomarkers for Cr(VI)-induced toxicity. Correlations between miRNAs and lncRNAs suggest that they participate in the same lncRNA-miRNA-messenger RNA regulatory axes, which may play important roles in Cr(VI) carcinogenesis.
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| 2. |
- Jiang, Zheshun, et al.
(author)
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Hexavalent chromium still a concern in Sweden : Evidence from a cross-sectional study within the SafeChrom project
- 2024
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In: International journal of hygiene and environmental health. - : Elsevier. - 1438-4639 .- 1618-131X. ; 256
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- ObjectivesHexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) is classified as a human carcinogen. Occupational Cr(VI) exposure can occur during different work processes, but the current exposure to Cr(VI) at Swedish workplaces is unknown.MethodsThis cross-sectional study (SafeChrom) recruited non-smoking men and women from 14 companies with potential Cr(VI) exposure (n = 113) and controls from 6 companies without Cr(VI) exposure (n = 72). Inhalable Cr(VI) was measured by personal air sampling (outside of respiratory protection) in exposed workers. Total Cr was measured in urine (pre- and post-shift, density-adjusted) and red blood cells (RBC) (reflecting Cr(VI)) in exposed workers and controls. The Bayesian tool Expostats was used to assess risk and evaluate occupational exposure limit (OEL) compliance.ResultsThe exposed workers performed processing of metal products, steel production, welding, plating, and various chemical processes. The geometric mean concentration of inhalable Cr(VI) in exposed workers was 0.15 μg/m3 (95% confidence interval: 0.11–0.21). Eight of the 113 exposed workers (7%) exceeded the Swedish OEL of 5 μg/m3, and the Bayesian analysis estimated the share of OEL exceedances up to 19.6% for stainless steel welders. Median post-shift urinary (0.60 μg/L, 5th-95th percentile 0.10–3.20) and RBC concentrations (0.73 μg/L, 0.51–2.33) of Cr were significantly higher in the exposed group compared with the controls (urinary 0.10 μg/L, 0.06–0.56 and RBC 0.53 μg/L, 0.42–0.72). Inhalable Cr(VI) correlated with urinary Cr (rS = 0.64) and RBC-Cr (rS = 0.53). Workers within steel production showed the highest concentrations of inhalable, urinary and RBC Cr. Workers with inferred non-acceptable local exhaustion ventilation showed significantly higher inhalable Cr(VI), urinary and RBC Cr concentrations compared with those with inferred acceptable ventilation. Furthermore, workers with inferred correct use of respiratory protection were exposed to significantly higher concentrations of Cr(VI) in air and had higher levels of Cr in urine and RBC than those assessed with incorrect or no use. Based on the Swedish job-exposure-matrix, approximately 17 900 workers were estimated to be occupationally exposed to Cr(VI) today.ConclusionsOur study demonstrates that some workers in Sweden are exposed to high levels of the non-threshold carcinogen Cr(VI). Employers and workers seem aware of Cr(VI) exposure, but more efficient exposure control strategies are required. National strategies aligned with the European strategies are needed in order to eliminate this cause of occupational cancer.
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| 3. |
- Jiang, Zheshun, et al.
(author)
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O-193 THE SAFECHROM PROJECT - CIRCULATING LUNG-CANCER-RELATED NON-CODING RNAS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO HEXAVALENT CHROMIUM
- 2024
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In: Occupational Medicine. - 0962-7480. ; 74:Suppl 1, s. 378-379
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Conference paper (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Hexavalent chromium, Cr(VI), is classified as a Group 1 human carcinogen and causes lung cancer. This study was to investigate associations between occupational exposure to Cr(VI) and lung cancer-related non-coding RNAs.The study included 111 Cr(VI) exposed workers and 72 controls in Sweden, 91.4\smokers. Cr concentration in red blood cells (RBC-Cr) was measured. MicroRNA (miRNA) and long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) were extracted from plasma followed by DNAse treatment, cDNA synthesis, and qPCR using target-specific assays for four miRNAs (miR-142-3p, miR-15b-5p, miR-3940-5p, miR-451a), and three lncRNAs (H19, MALAT1, NORAD).Median RBC-Cr concentrations were significantly higher in the exposed group (0.73 µg/L, 5-95\.51-2.33) compared with controls (0.53 µg/L, 0.42-0.72). Plasma relative expression levels of all miRNAs, MALAT1 and NORAD were significantly lower in the exposed workers compared with controls. In the exposed group, significant negative correlations (rS=-0.19 - -0.27) were found between RBC-Cr and miR-142-3p, miR-15b-5p, miR-451a and NORAD. NORAD correlated with miR-142-3p (rS=0.34) and miR-15b-5p (rS=0.28). In multivariate regression models adjusting for confounders, expression of the miRNAs, MALAT1 and NORAD was still significantly lower in the exposed group compared with controls, and the expression decreased with increasing RBC-Cr.Cr(VI) exposure was associated in a dose-response manner with differential expression of circulating non-coding RNAs in exposed workers, which suggests non-coding RNAs as potential toxicological biomarkers for Cr(VI). Relations between miRNAs and lncRNAs suggest that they participate in the same lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory axes, which may play important roles in Cr(VI) carcinogenesis.Occupational Cr(VI) exposure may impact circulating lung-cancer-related non-coding RNAs expression.
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| 4. |
- Jiang, Zheshun, et al.
(author)
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P-205 THE SAFECHROM PROJECT - EVIDENCE FROM A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY SHOWS THAT HEXAVALENT CHROMIUM IS STILL A CONCERN IN SWEDEN
- 2024
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In: Occupational Medicine. - 0962-7480. ; 74:Suppl 1, s. 291-292
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Conference paper (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Hexavalent chromium Cr(VI) is a human carcinogen, but the current exposure to Cr(VI) at Swedish workplaces is unknown.Recruitment of 113 workers with potential Cr(VI) exposure and 72 controls was combined with measurements of inhalable Cr(VI) (only exposed workers) and total Cr in urine and red blood cells (RBC), Bayesian analysis of occupational exposure limit (OEL) compliance was used, as well as the Swedish job-exposure-matrix.Exposed workers performed processing of metal products, steel production, welding, and plating. The geometric mean concentration of inhalable Cr(VI) in exposed workers was 0.15 μg/m3. Eight workers (7\ exceeded the Swedish OEL (5 μg/m3), and the share of OEL exceedances was estimated to be up to 19.6\ and RBC-Cr were significantly higher in exposed workers compared with controls. Workers with inferred non-acceptable local exhaustion ventilation showed significantly higher inhalable Cr(VI), urine- and RBC-Cr than those with acceptable ventilation. Workers with inferred correct use of respiratory protection had higher inhalable Cr(VI), and, paradoxically, higher urine- and RBC-Cr concentrations than workers with incorrect use. We estimate that ~17 900 Swedish workers are occupationally exposed to Cr(VI) today.Our study showed that although most air measurements were relatively low, 7\ and particularly stainless steel workers are at risk for exceeding the OEL. The existing protective measures implemented at workplaces are still inadequate and insufficient.Some workers in Sweden are exposed to high levels of the non-threshold carcinogen Cr(VI). National strategies aligned with European strategies are needed to eliminate occupational cancer.
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