title: Increased leukemia-associated gene expression in benzene-exposed workers.
abstract: Long-term exposure to benzene causes several adverse health effects, including an increased risk of acute myeloid leukemia. This study was to identify genetic alternations involved in pathogenesis of leukemia in benzene-exposed workers without clinical symptoms of leukemia. This study included 33 shoe-factory workers exposed to benzene at levels from 1 ppm to 10 ppm. These workers were divided into 3 groups based on the benzene exposure time, 1- < 7, 7- < 12, and 12- < 24 years. 17 individuals without benzene exposure history were recruited as controls. Cytogenetic analysis using Affymetrix Cytogenetics Array found copy-number variations (CNVs) in several chromosomes of benzene-exposed workers. Expression of targeted genes in these altered chromosomes, NOTCH1 and BSG, which play roles in leukemia pathogenesis, was further examined using real-time PCR. The NOTCH1 mRNA level was significantly increased in all 3 groups of workers, and the NOTCH1 mRNA level in the 12- < 24 years group was significantly higher than that in 1- < 7 and 7- < 12 years groups. Compared to the controls, the BSG mRNA level was significantly increased in 7- < 12 and 12- < 24 years groups, but not in the 1- < 7 years group. These results suggest that CNVs and leukemia-related gene expression might play roles in leukemia development in benzene-exposed workers.
authors.affiliation: 1] Basic Medical College, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, P. R. China, 300070 [2].
authors.forename: Keqiu
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: 1] Basic Medical College, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, P. R. China, 300070 [2].
authors.forename: Yaqing
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Jing
authors.affiliation: 1] Basic Medical College, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, P. R. China, 300070 [2].
authors.forename: Caihong
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Tianjin Central Gynecology Obstetrics Hospital, Tianjin, P. R. China, 300109.
authors.forename: Shasha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Basic Medical College, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, P. R. China, 300070.
authors.forename: Yuxia
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Basic Medical College, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, P. R. China, 300070.
authors.forename: Xiaobo
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: He
authors.affiliation: Basic Medical College, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, P. R. China, 300070.
authors.forename: Fei
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Basic Medical College, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, P. R. China, 300070.
authors.forename: Jiayi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: Basic Medical College, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, P. R. China, 300070.
authors.forename: Guang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D051926:Basigin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D001554:Benzene / Q000633:toxicity*; D002273:Carcinogens; D002274:Carcinogens, Environmental / Q000633:toxicity*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D056915:DNA Copy Number Variations; D005260:Female; D015973:Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic; D006801:Humans; D015470:Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D051881:Receptor, Notch1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015854:Up-Regulation
chemical_list: C497886:BSG protein, human; D002273:Carcinogens; D002274:Carcinogens, Environmental; C497761:NOTCH1 protein, human; D051881:Receptor, Notch1; D051926:Basigin; D001554:Benzene