Predictive early gene signature during mouse Bhas 42 cell transformation induced by synthetic amorphous silica nanoparticles

• Published in: Chemico-biological interactions Vol. 315; p. 108900
• Main Authors: Kirsch, Anaïs, Dubois-Pot-Schneider, Hélène, Fontana, Caroline, Schohn, Hervé, Gaté, Laurent, Guichard, Yves
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ireland Elsevier B.V 05-01-2020; Elsevier [1969-....]
• Subjects: Animals; Bhas 42 cells; Biomarkers, Tumor - genetics; Cell Adhesion - drug effects; Cell Adhesion - genetics; Cell Line; Cell Proliferation - drug effects; Cell Proliferation - genetics; Cell transformation; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic - drug effects; Life Sciences; Mice; Nanomaterials; Nanoparticles - administration & dosage; Silica particles; Silicon Dioxide - pharmacology; Toxicology; Transcriptome - drug effects; Transcriptome - genetics; Transcriptomic profile; Nanomaterials; Bhas 42 cells; Transcriptomic profile; Silica particles; Cell transformation
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2019.108900
• EISSN: 1872-7786
• ISSN: 0009-2797

Synthetic amorphous silica nanoparticles (SAS) are used widely in industrial applications. These nanoparticles are not classified for their carcinogenicity in humans. However, some data still demonstrate a potential carcinogenic risk of these compounds in humans. The Bhas 42 cell line was developed to screen chemicals, as tumor-initiators or -promoters according to their ability to trigger cell-to-cell transformation, in a cell transformation assay. In the present study, we performed unsupervised transcriptomic analysis after exposure of Bhas 42 cells to NM-203 SAS as well as to positive (Min-U-Sil 5® crystalline silica microparticles, and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate) and negative (diatomaceous earth) control compounds. We identified a common gene signature for 21 genes involved in the early stage of the SAS- Min-U-Sil 5®- or TPA-induced cell transformation. These genes were related to cell proliferation (over expression) and cell adhesion (under expression). Among them, 12 were selected on the basis of their potential impact on cell transformation. RT-qPCR and western blotting were used to confirm the transcriptomic data. Moreover, similar gene alterations were found when Bhas 42 cells were treated with two other transforming SAS. In conclusion, the results obtained in the current study highlight a 12-gene signature that could be considered as a potential early “bio-marker” of cell transformation induced by SAS and perhaps other chemicals.
•Synthetic amorphous silica nanomaterials induce transformation of Bhas 42 cells.•Early modulated signaling pathways are linked to cell adhesion and proliferation.•Twelve genes were selected based on their potential role in cell transformation.•These genes may serve as early markers of Bhas 42 cell transformation induced by SAS.