New insights on the biomineralisation process developing in human lungs around inhaled asbestos fibres.
Once penetrated into the lungs of exposed people, asbestos induces an in vivo biomineralisation process that leads to the formation of a ferruginous coating embedding the fibres. The ensemble of the fibre and the coating is referred to as asbestos body and is believed to be responsible for the high toxicological outcome of asbestos. Lung tissue of two individuals subjected to prolonged occupational exposure to crocidolite asbestos was investigated using synchrotron radiation micro-probe tools. The distribution of K and of elements heavier than Fe (Zn, Cu, As, and Ba) in the asbestos bodies was observed for the first time. Elemental quantification, also reported for the first time, confirmed that the coating is highly enriched in Fe (~20% w/w), and x-ray absorption spectroscopy indicated that Fe is in the 3+ oxidation state and that it is present in the form of ferritin or hemosiderin. Comparison of the results obtained studying the asbestos bodies upon removing the biological tissue by chemical digestion and those embedded in histological sections, allowed unambiguously distinguishing the composition of the asbestos bodies, and understanding to what extent the digestion procedure altered their chemical composition. A speculative model is proposed to explain the observed distribution of Fe.
CNR-Nanotec - Soft and Living matter Lab (S.Li.M. Lab) c/o Department of Physics, La Sapienza University, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy.
Fabrizio
F
Bardelli
CNRS/CEA/University of Grenoble Alpes, Laboratoire Chimie et Biologie des Métaux (CBM-UMR 5249), 17, avenue des Martyrs, 38054, Grenoble, France.|European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF), 71, avenue des Martyrs, 38043, Grenoble, France.
Giulia
G
Veronesi
Department of Earth Sciences, University of Torino, via Valperga Caluso 35, 10125, Torino, Italy.|Centre for Studies on Asbestos and other Toxic Particulates "G. Scansetti", University of Torino, via Pietro Giuria 9, 10125, Turin, Italy.
Silvana
S
Capella
Department of Pathological Anatomy, ASL-TO1, Martini Hospital, via Tofane 71, 10154, Torino, Italy.
Donata
D
Bellis
Institute of Earth Science (ISTerre-OSUG UMR 5275), University of Grenoble Alpes, 1381, rue de la Piscine, 38400, Grenoble, France.
Laurent
L
Charlet
CNR-Nanotec - Soft and Living matter Lab (S.Li.M. Lab) c/o Department of Physics, La Sapienza University, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy.
Alessia
A
Cedola
Department of Earth Sciences, University of Torino, via Valperga Caluso 35, 10125, Torino, Italy.|Centre for Studies on Asbestos and other Toxic Particulates "G. Scansetti", University of Torino, via Pietro Giuria 9, 10125, Turin, Italy.|CNR IGG - Torino Unit, via Valperga Caluso 35, 10125, Torino, Italy.
Elena
E
Belluso
D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001194:Asbestos / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001195:Asbestosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D001706:Biopsy; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron; D008168:Lung / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D019016:Mineral Fibers / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014131:Trace Elements
D019216:Metals, Heavy; D019016:Mineral Fibers; D014131:Trace Elements; D001194:Asbestos; D007501:Iron