Objective This study investigated the impact of occupational mercury(Hg) exposure on human gene transcription and expression, and its potential biological mechanisms.Methods Differentially expressed genes related to H...Objective This study investigated the impact of occupational mercury(Hg) exposure on human gene transcription and expression, and its potential biological mechanisms.Methods Differentially expressed genes related to Hg exposure were identified and validated using gene expression microarray analysis and extended validation. Hg-exposed cell models and PTEN lowexpression models were established in vitro using 293T cells. PTEN gene expression was assessed using qRT-PCR, and Western blotting was used to measure PTEN, AKT, and PI3K protein levels. IL-6 expression was determined by ELISA.Results Combined findings from gene expression microarray analysis, bioinformatics, and population expansion validation indicated significant downregulation of the PTEN gene in the high-concentration Hg exposure group. In the Hg-exposed cell model(25 and 10 μmol/L), a significant decrease in PTEN expression was observed, accompanied by a significant increase in PI3K, AKT, and IL-6 expression.Similarly, a low-expression cell model demonstrated that PTEN gene knockdown led to a significant decrease in PTEN protein expression and a substantial increase in PI3K, AKT, and IL-6 levels.Conclusion This is the first study to report that Hg exposure downregulates the PTEN gene, activates the PI3K/AKT regulatory pathway, and increases the expression of inflammatory factors, ultimately resulting in kidney inflammation.展开更多
Lead,a heavy metal,which is nonessential but may be harmful to the human body,has been widely used to manufacture many products for use in the modern world.Lead-acid batteries have the advantages of low price,high saf...Lead,a heavy metal,which is nonessential but may be harmful to the human body,has been widely used to manufacture many products for use in the modern world.Lead-acid batteries have the advantages of low price,high safety,and advanced technology.展开更多
This study explored the association between the lncRNA HOTAIR polymorphism and susceptibility to lead poisoning in a Chinese population. We speculated that lead poisoning caused elevated levels of oxidative stress, wh...This study explored the association between the lncRNA HOTAIR polymorphism and susceptibility to lead poisoning in a Chinese population. We speculated that lead poisoning caused elevated levels of oxidative stress, which, in turn, activate the HOTAIR gene to cause apoptosis. Three lncRNA HOTAIR tagSNPs（rs7958904, rs4759314, and rs874945） were genotyped by TaqM an genotyping technology in 113 lead-sensitive and 113 lead-resistant Chinese workers exposed to lead. Rs7958904 was significantly associated with susceptibility to lead poisoning（P = 0.047）. The rs7958904 G allele had a protective effect compared with the C allele and reduced the risk of lead poisoning（P = 0.016）. Rs7958904 may act as a potential biomarker for predicting the risk of lead poisoning and distinguishing lead-sensitive individuals from lead-resistant individuals.展开更多
基金supported by the Jiangsu Province’s Outstanding Medical Academic Leader Program [CXTDA2017029]the Jiangsu Provincial Key Medical Discipline [ZDXK202249].
文摘Objective This study investigated the impact of occupational mercury(Hg) exposure on human gene transcription and expression, and its potential biological mechanisms.Methods Differentially expressed genes related to Hg exposure were identified and validated using gene expression microarray analysis and extended validation. Hg-exposed cell models and PTEN lowexpression models were established in vitro using 293T cells. PTEN gene expression was assessed using qRT-PCR, and Western blotting was used to measure PTEN, AKT, and PI3K protein levels. IL-6 expression was determined by ELISA.Results Combined findings from gene expression microarray analysis, bioinformatics, and population expansion validation indicated significant downregulation of the PTEN gene in the high-concentration Hg exposure group. In the Hg-exposed cell model(25 and 10 μmol/L), a significant decrease in PTEN expression was observed, accompanied by a significant increase in PI3K, AKT, and IL-6 expression.Similarly, a low-expression cell model demonstrated that PTEN gene knockdown led to a significant decrease in PTEN protein expression and a substantial increase in PI3K, AKT, and IL-6 levels.Conclusion This is the first study to report that Hg exposure downregulates the PTEN gene, activates the PI3K/AKT regulatory pathway, and increases the expression of inflammatory factors, ultimately resulting in kidney inflammation.
基金financially supported by the Jiangsu Province Special Project of Clinical Science and Technology[Grant No.BL2014082]the Jiangsu Provincial Medical Innovation Team[CXTDA2017029]the Jiangsu Provincial Medical Youth Talent[QNRC2016548]
文摘Lead,a heavy metal,which is nonessential but may be harmful to the human body,has been widely used to manufacture many products for use in the modern world.Lead-acid batteries have the advantages of low price,high safety,and advanced technology.
基金financially supported by Jiangsu Province Special Project of Clinical Science and Technology[grant project number BL2014082]supported by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central UniversitiesJiangsu Province Ordinary University Graduate Student Scientific Research Innovation Projects[grant project number SJZZ16-0035]
文摘This study explored the association between the lncRNA HOTAIR polymorphism and susceptibility to lead poisoning in a Chinese population. We speculated that lead poisoning caused elevated levels of oxidative stress, which, in turn, activate the HOTAIR gene to cause apoptosis. Three lncRNA HOTAIR tagSNPs（rs7958904, rs4759314, and rs874945） were genotyped by TaqM an genotyping technology in 113 lead-sensitive and 113 lead-resistant Chinese workers exposed to lead. Rs7958904 was significantly associated with susceptibility to lead poisoning（P = 0.047）. The rs7958904 G allele had a protective effect compared with the C allele and reduced the risk of lead poisoning（P = 0.016）. Rs7958904 may act as a potential biomarker for predicting the risk of lead poisoning and distinguishing lead-sensitive individuals from lead-resistant individuals.
