title: Differential protein folding and chemical changes in lung tissues exposed to asbestos or particulates.
abstract: Environmental and occupational inhalants may induce a large number of pulmonary diseases, with asbestos exposure being the most risky. The mechanisms are clearly related to chemical composition and physical and surface properties of materials. A combination of X-ray fluorescence (μXRF) and Fourier Transform InfraRed (μFTIR) microscopy was used to chemically characterize and compare asbestos bodies versus environmental particulates (anthracosis) in lung tissues from asbestos exposed and control patients. μXRF analyses revealed heterogeneously aggregated particles in the anthracotic structures, containing mainly Si, K, Al and Fe. Both asbestos and particulates alter lung iron homeostasis, with a more marked effect in asbestos exposure. μFTIR analyses revealed abundant proteins on asbestos bodies but not on anthracotic particles. Most importantly, the analyses demonstrated that the asbestos coating proteins contain high levels of β-sheet structures. The occurrence of conformational changes in the proteic component of the asbestos coating provides new insights into long-term asbestos effects.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: Lorella
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pascolo
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Science, University of Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: Violetta
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Borelli
authors.affiliation: Division of Pathology, CRO Centro di Riferimento Oncologico, National Cancer Institute, IRCCS, Aviano (PN) Italy.
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Canzonieri
authors.affiliation: Elettra - Sincrotrone Trieste, Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gianoncelli
authors.affiliation: 1] Elettra - Sincrotrone Trieste, Trieste, Italy [2] Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Birarda
authors.affiliation: 1] Elettra - Sincrotrone Trieste, Trieste, Italy [2] Physics Department, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: Diana E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Bedolla
authors.affiliation: European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Grenoble Cedex 9, France.
authors.forename: Murielle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Salomé
authors.affiliation: Elettra - Sincrotrone Trieste, Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vaccari
authors.affiliation: Servizio Diagnostica Veterinaria, University of Udine, Italy.
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Calligaro
authors.affiliation: European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Grenoble Cedex 9, France.
authors.forename: Marine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cotte
authors.affiliation: European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Grenoble Cedex 9, France.
authors.forename: Bernhard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hesse
authors.affiliation: Sovrintendenza Medica Regionale, Inail, Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Luisi
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Science, University of Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuliano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zabucchi
authors.affiliation: Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Melato
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical, Surgical, and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: Clara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rizzardi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001194:Asbestos / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001195:Asbestosis / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017510:Protein Folding; D017433:Protein Structure, Secondary / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D001194:Asbestos