%0 Journal Article %A Ghosh, Manosij %A Öner, Deniz %A Poels, Katrien %A M. Tabish, Ali %A Vlaanderen, Jelle %A Pronk, Anjoeka %A Kuijpers, Eelco %A Lan, Qing %A Vermeulen, Roel %A Bekaert, Bram %A Hoet, Peter HM %A Godderis, Lode %D 2017 %T Changes in DNA methylation induced by multi-walled carbon nanotube exposure in the workplace %U https://tandf.figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/Changes_in_DNA_methylation_induced_by_multi-walled_carbon_nanotube_exposure_in_the_workplace/5657242 %R 10.6084/m9.figshare.5657242 %2 https://ndownloader.figshare.com/files/9868663 %K Epigenetics %K DNA methylation %K carbon nanotubes %K occupational exposure %X

This study was designed to assess the epigenetic alterations in blood cells, induced by occupational exposure to multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT). The study population comprised of MWCNT-exposed workers (n=24) and unexposed controls (n=43) from the same workplace. We measured global DNA methylation/hydroxymethylation levels on the 5th cytosine residues using a validated liquid chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method. Sequence-specific methylation of LINE1 retrotransposable element 1 (L1RE1) elements, and promoter regions of functionally important genes associated with epigenetic regulation [DNA methyltransferase-1 (DNMT1) and histone deacetylase 4 (HDAC4)], DNA damage/repair and cell cycle pathways [nuclear protein, coactivator of histone transcription/ATM serine/threonine kinase (NPAT/ATM)], and a potential transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) repressor [SKI proto-oncogene (SKI)] were studied using bisulfite pyrosequencing. Analysis of global DNA methylation levels and hydroxymethylation did not reveal significant difference between the MWCNT-exposed and control groups. No significant changes in Cytosine-phosphate-Guanine (CpG) site methylation were observed for the LINE1 (L1RE1) elements. Further analysis of gene-specific DNA methylation showed a significant change in methylation for DNMT1, ATM, SKI, and HDAC4 promoter CpGs in MWCNT-exposed workers. Since DNA methylation plays an important role in silencing/regulation of the genes, and many of these genes have been associated with occupational and smoking-induced diseases and cancer (risk), aberrant methylation of these genes might have a potential effect in MWCNT-exposed workers.

%I Taylor & Francis