[Study on malignant transformation of human bronchial epithelial cells induced by glycidyl methacrylate].
OBJECTIVE
To study the malignant transformation of human bronchial epithelial cells induced by glycidyl methacrylate (GMA).


METHODS
16HBE cells were treated multiple times with GMA at concentrations of 1, 2, 4 and 8 microg/ml. Cellular biological characteristics of malignant transformation were identified by the tests of conA, colony forming frequency on soft agar, scanning electron microscope and tumorigenesis in nude mice. Test of immunocytochemical detection was also applied to confirm the derivation of cell and tumor. Groups of solvent control (DMSO) and positive control (MCA) were also performed at the same time.


RESULTS
Transformed foci could be observed after the cells were treated by GMA at concentrations from 1 to 8 microg/ml. The number of transformation foci increased with the concentration of GMA. Transforming rate in 8 microg/ml group (8.48 x 10(-6)) was significantly higher (P < 0.01) than that of solvent control group (4.5 x 10(-7)). The transformed cells lost contact inhibition and exhibited a crossover growth in culture dish. They also could grow in semi-solid agar and showed dose-reaction relations with the concentration of GMA. The colony forming frequency in 2, 4 and 8 microg/ml group was 1.20 per thousand, 2.35 per thousand and 5.70 per thousand respectively, which were higher than that of solvent control group (P < 0.01). The transformed cells could be agglutinated by low concentration of conA. Microvilli on the surface of transformed cells increased and became strong and long under scanning electron microscope. The transformed cells could form subcutaneous tumor in nude mice which was diagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma in morphology. Expression of cytokeratin (CK) was detected in both 16HBE cells and tumor formed in nude mice.


CONCLUSIONS
GMA could induce the malignant transformation of 16HBE cells. This research system might provide a potential tool and lay a foundation for the study of the molecular mechanism of carcinogenesis induced by GMA.
Yang
Min
M
National Institute of Occupational Health and Poison Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China.
Xu
Jian-ning
JN
Wang
Quan-kai
QK
Li
Ying
Y
Sun
Jin-xiu
JX
Li
Jun-yan
JY
Xie
Guang-yun
GY
Wang
Jian
J
D000818:Animals; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D004852:Epoxy Compounds / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D008689:Methacrylates / Q000633:toxicity*; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude
D004852:Epoxy Compounds; D008689:Methacrylates; C007870:glycidyl methacrylate