title: Induction of mesothelioma in p53+/- mouse by intraperitoneal application of multi-wall carbon nanotube.
abstract: Nanomaterials of carbon origin tend to form various shapes of particles in micrometer dimensions. Among them, multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) form fibrous or rod-shaped particles of length around 10 to 20 micrometers with an aspect ratio of more than three. Fibrous particles of this dimension including asbestos and some man-made fibers are reported to be carcinogenic, typically inducing mesothelioma. Here we report that MWCNT induces mesothelioma along with a positive control, crocidolite (blue asbestos), when administered intraperitoneally to p53 heterozygous mice that have been reported to be sensitive to asbestos. Our results point out the possibility that carbon-made fibrous or rod-shaped micrometer particles may share the carcinogenic mechanisms postulated for asbestos. To maintain sound activity of industrialization of nanomaterials, it would be prudent to implement strategies to keep good control of exposure to fibrous or rod-shaped carbon materials both in the workplace and in the future market until the biological/ carcinogenic properties, especially of their long-term biodurability, are fully assessed.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cellular and Molecular Toxicology, Biological Safety Research Center, National Institute of Health Sciences, Kamiyoga, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Atsuya
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Takagi
authors.forename: Akihiko
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hirose
authors.forename: Tetsuji
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nishimura
authors.forename: Nobutaka
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Fukumori
authors.forename: Akio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ogata
authors.forename: Norio
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ohashi
authors.forename: Satoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kitajima
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kanno
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D016158:Genes, p53 / Q000235:genetics; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D007668:Kidney; D008297:Male; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000633:toxicity*; D010534:Peritoneal Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D010537:Peritoneum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D002273:Carcinogens; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon