title: Expression of the CYP1A1 gene in peripheral lymphocytes as a marker of exposure to creosote in railroad workers.
abstract: We have conducted a pilot study to assess levels of cytochrome CYP1A1 gene expression in human peripheral lymphocytes as a molecular biomarker assay for polycyclic hydrocarbon exposure. Basal and 3-methylcholanthrene-induced levels of gene expression were measured by standard slot-blot mRNA analyses in mitogen-stimulated cultures of peripheral blood lymphocytes from creosote-exposed railroad workers and unexposed control subjects. Dermal and inhalation exposure of workers to creosote may vary substantially as a function of working conditions related to temperature. Therefore, blood specimens were collected from separate groups during the winter, fall, and summer. Basal and induced CYP1A1 gene expression levels were not elevated in workers from any of the three seasonal studies. However, induced/basal (inducibility) CYP1A1 mRNA ratios from workers sampled in the summer (when actual exposures were greatest) were significantly higher when compared to those of controls (P < 0.01). These studies demonstrate the potential usefulness of specific gene expression assays in human peripheral lymphocytes for the assessment of carcinogen exposure in human populations.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Environmental Medicine, New York University Medical Center, New York 10016.
authors.forename: G N
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Cosma
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Toniolo
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Currie
authors.forename: B S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Pasternack
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Garte
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis*; D003407:Creosote; D019363:Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000737:chemistry*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D010088:Oxidoreductases / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D011890:Railroads; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012621:Seasons
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D003407:Creosote; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System; D010088:Oxidoreductases; D019363:Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1