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Gregory J. Riely, MD, PhD
Gregory J. Riely, MD, PhD
Posted: Monday, April 22, 2024
Jayanta Kumar Das, PhD, of Florida Memorial University, Miami Gardens, and colleagues used various databases and informatics methods to analyze the toxic effects and epigenetic reprogramming of lung epithelial cells exposed to indoor aerosols. Through the Comparative Toxico-genomics Database (CTD) and other resources, the investigators identified common genes highly expressed in response to different carcinogens present in indoor aerosols. The investigators presented their findings at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2024 (Abstract 859/3).
“Our results are significant for the carcinogenic effects of indoor aerosols causing development of lung cancer epigenetically, which may give a clue for the prevention and treatment of nonsmoking lung cancer,” the investigators commented.
The researchers employed a combination of databases including the CTD, Environmental Health Perspectives (EHP), and National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), along with generative artificial intelligence (AI) and other biologic informatics methods. By analyzing chemical-gene interactions, they identified common genes transcriptionally expressed in response to different carcinogens found in indoor aerosols. Of note, 31 common genes were highly expressed in response to phthalic acids and sodium dodecyl sulfate, and 107 common genes were identified for formaldehyde and acetaldehyde.
Moreover, the study delved into the epigenetic mechanisms underlying the reprogramming of lung epithelial cells exposed to indoor aerosols. Using data from the National Institutes of Health Roadmap Epigenomics Mapping Consortium, they identified histone modifications such as H3K4me3, H3K9me3, and H3K27ac, as well as specific miRNAs involved in the process. Specifically, they found that genes such as CD44, CD80, ALDH2, ALDH3A1, and ALDH3B2 were epigenetically reprogrammed by these toxic ingredients.
Disclosure: The study authors reported no conflicts of interest.
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