Altered Expression of Genes in Signaling Pathways Regulating Proliferation of Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells in Mice with Subchronic Benzene Exposure.
Leukemias and hematopoietic disorders induced by benzene may arise from the toxicity of benzene to hematopoietic stem or progenitor cells (HS/PCs). Since there is a latency period between initial benzene exposure and the development of leukemia, subsequent impact of benzene on HS/PCs are crucial for a deeper understanding of the carcinogenicity and hematotoxicity in post-exposure stage. This study aims to explore the effects of benzene on HS/PCs and gene-expression in Wnt, Notch and Hh signaling pathways in post-exposure stage. The C3H/He mice were injected subcutaneously with benzene (0, 150, 300 mg/kg/day) for three months and were monitored for another 10 months post-exposure. The body weights were monitored, the relative organ weights, blood parameters and bone marrow smears were examined. Frequency of lineage(-) sca-1(+) c-kit(+) (LSK) cells, capability of colony forming and expression of genes in Wnt, Notch and Hedghog (Hh) signaling pathways were also analyzed. The colony formation of the progenitor cells for BFU-E, CFU-GEMM and CFU-GM was significantly decreased with increasing benzene exposure relative to controls, while no significant difference was observed in colonies for CFU-G and CFU-M. The mRNA level of cyclin D1 was increased and Notch 1 and p53 were decreased in LSK cells in mice exposed to benzene but with no statistical significance. These results suggest that subsequent toxic effects of benzene on LSK cells and gene expression in Wnt, Notch and Hh signaling pathways persist in post-exposure stage and may play roles in benzene-induced hematotoxicity.
Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education. sunrongli20609@163.com.
Rongli
R
Sun
Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education. 101011288@seu.edu.cn.
Juan
J
Zhang
Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education. xmzseu@hotmail.com.
Mengzhen
M
Xiong
Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education. why_314614@163.com.
Haiyan
H
Wei
Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education. kehom123@126.com.
Kehong
K
Tan
Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education. lhyin@seu.edu.cn.
Lihong
L
Yin
Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education.
Yuepu
Y
Pu
D000818:Animals; D001554:Benzene / Q000633:toxicity*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D006412:Hematopoietic Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D059550:Toxicity Tests, Subchronic
D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D001554:Benzene
Hedghog; Notch; Wnt; benzene; hematopoietic stem cell; post-exposure toxicity