title: Ca2+ homeostasis and Ca2+ signalling in sulphur mustard-exposed normal human epidermal keratinocytes.
abstract: To investigate the role of increased cytoplasmic free calcium levels ([Ca]i) in sulphur mustard-induced cellular toxicity, the [Ca]i of human epidermal keratinocytes exposed to sulphur mustard concentrations between 50 and 800 microM were measured. No early increase in [Ca]i was observed during the first 20 min after application of the agent. Furthermore, at 3, 6 and 24 h after exposure to sulphur mustard, the [Ca]i of sulphur mustard-exposed cells differed only slightly from that of control cells. However, sulphur-mustard exposed cells responded with a weaker rise of [Ca]i upon stimulation with histamine and ATP than control cells. These results suggest that sulphur mustard can induce small increases in [Ca]i, which reflect abnormal cellular physiology rather than acute toxicity. In addition, it has been shown that sulphur mustard disturbs cellular Ca2+ signalling in human epidermal keratinocytes.
authors.affiliation: TNO Prins Maurits Larboratory, Rijswijk, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Mol
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000494:pharmacology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000378:metabolism; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000187:drug effects*; D009151:Mustard Gas / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D002273:Carcinogens; D002118:Calcium; D009151:Mustard Gas