title: Identification of pathway-based toxicity in the BALB/c 3T3 cell model.
abstract: The particulate matter represents one of the most complex environmental mixtures, whose effects on human health and environment vary according to particles characteristics and source of emissions. The present study describes an integrated approach, including in vitro tests and toxicogenomics, to highlight the effects of air particulate matter on toxicological relevant endpoints. Air samples (PM2.5) were collected in summer and winter at different sites, representative of different levels of air pollution. Samples organic extracts were tested in the BALB/c 3T3 CTA at a dose range 1-12m(3). The effect of the exposure to the samples at a dose of 8m(3) on the whole-genome transcriptomic profile was also assessed. All the collected samples induced dose-related toxic effects in the exposed cells. The modulated gene pathways confirmed that toxicity was related to sampling season and sampling site. The analysis of the KEGG's pathways showed modulation of several gene networks related to oxidative stress and inflammation. Even if the samples did not induce cell transformation in the treated cells, gene pathways related to the onset of cancer were modulated as a consequence of the exposure. This integrated approach could provide valuable information for predicting toxic risks in humans exposed to air pollution.
authors.affiliation: Center for Environmental Toxicology, Environmental Protection and Health Prevention Agency - Emilia-Romagna Region (ER-EPA), Bologna, Italy. Electronic address: monica.vaccari4@unibo.it.
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vaccari
authors.affiliation: Center for Environmental Toxicology, Environmental Protection and Health Prevention Agency - Emilia-Romagna Region (ER-EPA), Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Grazia
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Mascolo
authors.affiliation: Center for Environmental Toxicology, Environmental Protection and Health Prevention Agency - Emilia-Romagna Region (ER-EPA), Bologna, Italy; Interdepartmental Center for Cancer Research "G. Prodi", University of Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rotondo
authors.affiliation: Center for Environmental Toxicology, Environmental Protection and Health Prevention Agency - Emilia-Romagna Region (ER-EPA), Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Morandi
authors.affiliation: Center for Environmental Toxicology, Environmental Protection and Health Prevention Agency - Emilia-Romagna Region (ER-EPA), Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Quercioli
authors.affiliation: Center for Environmental Toxicology, Environmental Protection and Health Prevention Agency - Emilia-Romagna Region (ER-EPA), Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Perdichizzi
authors.affiliation: Center for Environmental Toxicology, Environmental Protection and Health Prevention Agency - Emilia-Romagna Region (ER-EPA), Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zanzi
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine-Cancer Research Section, University of Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Serra
authors.affiliation: Center for Urban Areas, Environmental Protection and Health Prevention Agency - Emilia-Romagna Region (ER-EPA), Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Vanes
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Poluzzi
authors.affiliation: Public Health Service, Emilia-Romagna Region, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Angelini
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine-Cancer Research Section, University of Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Sandro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Grilli
authors.affiliation: Center for Environmental Toxicology, Environmental Protection and Health Prevention Agency - Emilia-Romagna Region (ER-EPA), Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Annamaria
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Colacci
mesh_terms: D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*; D000818:Animals; D041702:BALB 3T3 Cells; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D051379:Mice; D046228:Microarray Analysis; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D052638:Particulate Matter
keywords: Cell transformation assay; Environmental mixtures; Gene expression; Particulate matter; Pathway-based toxicity