Sulfur mustard induces expression of metallothionein-1A in human airway epithelial cells.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Sulfur mustard can cause several long-term complications in the organs of individuals exposed to this toxic gas, and among these, pulmonary sequelae are the most important. More than 25 years after the Iran-Iraq war, thousands of Iranians are suffering from the chronic respiratory complications of sulfur mustard. Currently, based on several clinical findings, bronchiolitis obliterans is confirmed as the major diagnosis in these patients. Numerous studies have revealed that this disorder is strongly associated with oxidative stress due to excessive production of harmful reactive substances and decreased levels of endogenous antioxidants. Metallothioneins (MTs) are a group of low molecular weight sulfhydryl-rich intra-cellular proteins, and several isoforms have been ident

SUBMITTER: Nourani MR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3119583 | biostudies-literature | 2011

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature