title: Association analysis of toluene exposure time with high-throughput mRNA expressions and methylation patterns using in vivo samples.
abstract: The emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) resulting from outdoor air pollution can contribute to major public health problems. However, there has been limited research on the health effects in humans from the inhalation of VOCs. Therefore, this study conducted an in vivo analysis of the effects of toluene, one of the most commonly used chemicals in many industries, on gene expression and methylation over time using the high-throughput technique of microarray analysis. We separated participants into three groups (control, short-term exposure, and long-term exposure) to investigate the influence of toluene exposure time on gene expression. We then comprehensively analyzed and investigated the correlation between variations in gene expression and the occurrence of methylation. Twenty-six genes were upregulated and hypomethylated, while 32 genes were downregulated and hypermethylated. The pathways of these genes were confirmed to be associated with cell survival and the immune system. Based on our findings, these genes can help predict the effects of time-dependent exposure to toluene on human health. Thus, observations from our data may have implications for the identification of biomarkers of toluene exposure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Bio-Nanotechnology, Hanyang University, 55, Hanyangdaehak-ro, Sangnok-gu, Ansan, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Ji Young
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular & Life Science, Hanyang University, 55, Hanyangdaehak-ro, Sangnok-gu, Ansan, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: So Yeon
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Department of Bio-Nanotechnology, Hanyang University, 55, Hanyangdaehak-ro, Sangnok-gu, Ansan, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Seol Young
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Bio-Nanotechnology, Hanyang University, 55, Hanyangdaehak-ro, Sangnok-gu, Ansan, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jeong Jin
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Ahn
authors.affiliation: Department of Bio-Nanotechnology, Hanyang University, 55, Hanyangdaehak-ro, Sangnok-gu, Ansan, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Youngjoo
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular & Life Science, Hanyang University, 55, Hanyangdaehak-ro, Sangnok-gu, Ansan, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Gi Won
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Korea University Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Sang Wook
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Son
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Gojan 1-dong, Danwon-gu, Ansan, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jong-Tae
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Bio-Nanotechnology, Hanyang University, 55, Hanyangdaehak-ro, Sangnok-gu, Ansan, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea; Department of Molecular & Life Science, Hanyang University, 55, Hanyangdaehak-ro, Sangnok-gu, Ansan, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: syhwang@hanyang.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Seung Yong
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Hwang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000032:analysis; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D059014:High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure; D008745:Methylation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D056910:Republic of Korea; D013997:Time Factors; D014050:Toluene / Q000032:analysis*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014050:Toluene
keywords: Gene expression; Methylation; Microarray; Time-dependent exposure; Toluene