Telomerase gene expression bioassays indicate metabolic activation of genotoxic lower chlorinated polychlorinated biphenyls.

ABSTRACT: Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are ubiquitously occurring pollutants with different chemical and toxicological properties. In this study we evaluated blood plasma samples of two PCB-exposed cohorts for their ability to alter telomerase (hTERT) gene expression. Blood plasma from PCB-exposed individuals inhibited hTERT expression depending solely on the concentration of lower chlorinated PCBs, with the lowest observed adverse effect level (LOAEL) at a plasma concentration between 0.5 and 2 µg/L of LC PCBs. Individual OH-metabolites derived from the WHO indicator congeners PCB 28 and PCB 101 mimicked these effects on hTERT expression in vitro with high toxicity, including DNA damage. However, by the combination of different OH-metabolites, the bio effective PCB concentration was reduced and

SUBMITTER: Vasko T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6237825 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature