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Biomedical subjects

Andrew J Ghio

Publications and source records attributed to Andrew J Ghio.

57 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Asbestos-induced activation of cell signaling pathways in human bronchial epithelial cells.

Using respiratory epithelial cells transfected with either superoxide dismutase (SOD) or catalase, the authors tested the hypothesis that the activation of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor signal pathway after asbestos exposure involves an oxidative stress. Western blotting using phospho-specific antibodies demonstrated that the EGF receptor kinase inhibitor PD153035 decreased both the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 and its upstream signal pathway, including mitogen-activate protein kinase/ERK kinase (MEK)1/2. Similarly, the MEK1/2 kinase inhibitor PD98059 also demonstrated the ability to decrease phosphorylation of ERK1/2. Crocidolite-induced phosphorylation of EGF receptor, ERK1/2, and MEK1/2 was reduced by transfection of BEAS-2B cells with a catalase vector, supporting a participation of oxidative stress in this pathway. These results show that crocidolite can activate the phosphorylation of EGF receptor and its downstream cell signal pathway in BEAS-2B cells and this is associated with the oxidative stress presented by the fibers.

Asbestos, Crocidolite↗

Ferruginous bodies: implications in the mechanism of fiber and particle toxicity.

Exposures to fibers and particles can be associated with several different lung injuries including bronchitis, bronchiolitis, pneumonitis, pleuritis, pulmonary alveolar proteinosis, pneumoconiosis, mesotheliomas, and lung cancers. The mechanism of biological effect exerted by fibers and particles has not been exactly defined. Exposures to all fibers and particles introduce a solid-liquid interface into the lower respiratory tract. These surfaces all have some concentration of oxygen-containing functional groups that demonstrate a capacity to coordinate iron. Radical generation is catalyzed by this metal resulting in a cascade of cell signaling, transcription factor activation, and mediator release. We propose that the ferruginous body (i.e., a fiber or particle with a coating of both protein and iron) provides direct evidence of a participation of iron in the biological effect of both fibers and particles. It is recommended that an identification of ferruginous bodies in the lung be regarded as support for a metal-catalyzed oxidative stress in the mechanism of cell and tissue injury.

Animals↗