Focal amplification of HOXD-harboring chromosome region is implicated in multiple-walled carbon nanotubes-induced carcinogenicity.

Wu, Ping; Yuan, Shin-Sheng; Ho, Chao-Chi; Hsieh, Wan-Yu; Hong, Qi-Sheng; Yu, Sung-Liang; Chen, Wei; Chen, Hsuan-Yu et al. · Nano Lett · 2013

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Multiple-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) may cause carcinogenesis. We found that long-term exposure to MWCNTs can induce irreversible oncogenic transformation of human bronchial epithelial cells and tumorigenicity in vivo. A genome-wide array-comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) analysis revealed global chromosomal aberration in MWCNTs-treated clones, predominantly at chromosome 2q31-32, where the potential oncogenes HOXD9 and HOXD13 are located. Functional assays confirmed that this variation can modulate oncogenic signaling and plays a part in MWCNTs-induced tumorigenesis, suggesting that MWCNTs are carcinogens that act by altering genomic stability and oncogenic copy numbers.

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