title: Autophagy in hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells exposed to heavy metals: Biological implications and toxicological relevance.
abstract: The inherent toxicity of many metal compounds, together with their widespread environmental distribution, raises concerns of potential health hazards. Little is known about the impact of these important environmental toxicants on adult stem/progenitor cells, necessary for tissue homeostasis and repair. We recently reported that autophagy is implicated in the response of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells to toxic concentrations of hexavalent chromium (Cr[VI]) and cadmium (Cd), two well known carcinogenic heavy metal cations. Autophagy may lead to cell death if carried out too extensively, but also acts as a survival pathway in cells under stress. In stem/progenitor cells, an autophagic phenotype could mitigate metal-induced toxicity, contributing to the conservation of tissue renewal capability. Given the key role of toxic damage to adult stem/progenitor cells in cancer, it is necessary to investigate whether autophagic responses modulate the carcinogenic potential of exposure to heavy metals during stem/progenitor cell differentiation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Science of Ageing, G. d'Annunzio University, Chieti, Italy. m.digioacchino@unich.it
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Di Gioacchino
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Petrarca
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Perrone
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Martino
authors.forename: Diana L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Esposito
authors.forename: Lavinia Vittoria
authors.initials: LV
authors.lastname: Lotti
authors.forename: Renato
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mariani-Costantini
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology; D001343:Autophagy / Q000502:physiology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity; D006412:Hematopoietic Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D019216:Metals, Heavy