title: Global DNA hypomethylation has no impact on lung function or serum inflammatory and fibrosis cytokines in asbestos-exposed population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the effect of asbestos exposure on global DNA methylation and determine whether lung function and inflammatory and fibrosis biomarkers are correlated with the methylation state.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 26 healthy subjects without asbestos exposure (Group 1), 47 healthy subjects with exposure (Group 2), and 52 subjects with benign asbestos-related disorders (ARDs) (Group 3) participated in this cross-sectional study. Blood global 5-methylcytosine (5mC) and serum TNF-α, collagen IV, CCL5 and CC16 concentrations were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay-like assays. Spirometric maneuvers were performed to assess lung function.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Decreased 5mC levels were observed in Groups 2 and 3 compared to Group 1, irrespective of lung function (p < 0.01). There was no significant change in 5mC between Groups 2 and 3. Overall, 5mC was negatively correlated with CCL5 and collagen IV (p < 0.05), but no significant inverse relationship was found between 5mC and CCL5 or collagen IV in each group. Additionally, both 5mC and CC16 were inversely associated with FEV1/FVC% (p = 0.001, adjusted R2= 0.145) for non-smokers, and consistently significant inverse relationships were found between CC16 and FEV1/FVC%, independent of asbestos exposure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Asbestos exposure causes global DNA hypomethylation. DNA hypomethylation has no influence on serum biomarkers and lung function in asbestos-exposed population with or without pleural and pulmonary parenchymal abnormalities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational and Environmental Health Science, School of Public Health, Peking University, 38 Xueyuan Road, Beijing, 100191, People's Republic of China.|Department of Occupational Diseases, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences, 182 Tian Mu Shan Road, Zhejiang, 310013, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Min
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Diseases, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences, 182 Tian Mu Shan Road, Zhejiang, 310013, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Jianlin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lou
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Diseases, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences, 182 Tian Mu Shan Road, Zhejiang, 310013, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Hailing
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Xia
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Diseases, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences, 182 Tian Mu Shan Road, Zhejiang, 310013, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Min
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Diseases, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences, 182 Tian Mu Shan Road, Zhejiang, 310013, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Yixiao
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Diseases, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences, 182 Tian Mu Shan Road, Zhejiang, 310013, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Junqiang
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Diseases, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences, 182 Tian Mu Shan Road, Zhejiang, 310013, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Xing
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Diseases, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences, 182 Tian Mu Shan Road, Zhejiang, 310013, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Shibo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ying
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Diseases, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences, 182 Tian Mu Shan Road, Zhejiang, 310013, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Lijin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Diseases, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences, 182 Tian Mu Shan Road, Zhejiang, 310013, People's Republic of China. zjwstllh@163.com.
authors.forename: Lihong
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational and Environmental Health Science, School of Public Health, Peking University, 38 Xueyuan Road, Beijing, 100191, People's Republic of China. jiaguangjia@bjmu.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Guang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Jia
mesh_terms: D044503:5-Methylcytosine / Q000097:blood; D000368:Aged; D001194:Asbestos / Q000633:toxicity*; D001195:Asbestosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood; D019175:DNA Methylation / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011658:Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D014797:Vital Capacity
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D016207:Cytokines; D001194:Asbestos; D044503:5-Methylcytosine
keywords: Asbestos; CC16; CCL5; Fibrosis; Global DNA methylation; Lung function