We present a brief review of different potential mechanisms at the molecular and cellular levels that may be involved in asbestos-induced carcinogenicity. The usefulness of considering such mechanisms in developing appropriate biologically based models to estimate carcinogenic risk at environmental levels of asbestos fibers is discussed.
References
1.
1. IARC. (1977). IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of the Carcinogenic Risk of Chemicals to Man: Asbestos, Vol. 14. Lyon, France: World Health Organization.
2.
2. Craighead, J.E., and Mossman, B.T. (1982). The pathogenesis of asbestos-associated diseases. N. Engl. J. Med.306, 1446–1455.
3.
3. Davis, J.M.G. (1984). The pathology of asbestos related disease. Thorax39, 801–808.
4.
4. Stanton, M.F., and Wrench, C. (1972). Mechanisms of mesothelioma induction with asbestos and fibrous glass. J. Natl. Cancer Inst.48, 797–821.
5.
5. Bertrand, R., and Pezerat, H. (1980). Fibrous glass: carcinogenicity and dimensional characteristics. IARC Sci. Publ.30, 901–911.
6.
6. Monchaux, G., Bignon, J., Jaurand, M.C., et al. (1981). Mesothelioma in rats following inoculation with acid leached chrysotile asbestos and other mineral fibres. Carcinogenesis2, 229–236.
7.
7. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (1988). Report to Congress: Study of Asbestos-Containing Materials in Public Buildings. Washington, DC, p. 5.
8.
8. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (1986). Airborne Asbestos Health Assessment Update. Washington, DC: Office of Health and Environment Assessment. (EPA/600/8-84/003F).
9.
9. Topping, D.S., and Nettesheim, P. (1980). Two-stage carcinogenesis studies with asbestos in Fischer 344 rats. J. Natl. Cancer. Inst.65, 627–630.
10.
10. Mossman, B.T., Light, W., and Wei, E. (1983). Asbestos: mechanisms of toxicity and carcinogenicity in the respiratory tract. Ann. Rev. Pharmacol. Toxicol.23, 595–615.
11.
11. Macdonald, J.L., and Kane, A.B. (1986). Identification of asbestos fibers within single cells. Lab. Invest.55, 177–185.
12.
12. Brody, A.R., Hill, L.H., Stirewalt, W.S., and Adler, K.B. (1983). Actin-containing microfilaments of pulmonary epithelial cells provide a mechanism for translocating asbestos to the interstitium. Chest83, 11–12.
13.
13. Davis, J.M.G. (1974). An electron microscope study of the response of mesothelial cells to the intrapleural injection of asbestos dust. Br. J. Exp. Pathol.55, 64–70.
14.
14. Haugen, A., Shafer, P.W., Lechner, J.F., Stoner, G.D., Trump, B.F., and Harris, C.C. (1982). Cellular ingestion, toxic effects, and lesions observed in human bronchial epithelial tissue and cells cultured with asbestos and glass fibers. Int. J. Cancer30, 265–272.
15.
15. Jaurand, M.C., Kaplan, H., Thiollet, J., Pinchon, M.C., Bernaudin, J.F., and Bignon, J. (1979). Phagocytosis of chrysotile fibers by pleural mesothelial cells in culture. Am. J. Pathol.94, 529–538.
16.
16. Wang, N.S., Jaurand, M.C., Magne, L., Kheuang, L., Pinchon, M.C., and Bignon, J. (1987). The interactions between asbestos fibers and metaphase chromosomes of rat pleural mesothelial cells in culture. Am. J. Pathol.126, 343–349.
17.
17. Jaurand, M.C., Renier, A., Van Der Meeren, A., Magne, L., Pinchon, M.C., and Bignon, J. (1986). In vitro growth characteristics of rat mesothelioma cells in culture. Biol. Cell57, 249–256.
18.
18. Lechner, J.F., Tokiwa, T., Laveck, M., Benedict, W.F., Banks-Schlegei, S., Yeager, H., Banerjee, A., and Harris, C.C. (1985). Asbestos-associated chromosomal changes in human mesothelial cells. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. (USA)82, 3884–3888.
19.
19. Hesterberg, T.W., Cummings, T., Brody, A.R., and Barrett, J.C. (1982). Asbestos induces morphological transformation of Syrian hamster embryo cells in culture. J. Cell Biol.95, 449.
20.
20. Sincock, A., and Seabright, M. (1975). Induction of chromosome changes in Chinese hamster cells by exposure to asbestos fibres. Nature252, 56–58.
21.
21. Price-Jones, M.J., Gubbings, G., and Chamberlain, M. (1980). The genetic effects of crocidolite asbestos: comparison of chromosome abnormalities and sister-chromatid exchanges. Mutat. Res.79, 331–336.
22.
22. Sincock, A.M., Delhanty, J.D.A., and Casey, G. (1982). A comparison of the cytogenetic response to asbestos and glass fibre in Chinese hamster and human cell lines. Mutat. Res.101, 257–268.
23.
23. Fornace, A.J., Jr. (1982). Detection of DNA single-strand breaks produced during the repair of damage by DNA-protein cross linking agents. Cancer Res.42, 145–149.
24.
24. Mossman, B.T., Eastman, A., Landesman, J.M., and Bresnick, E. (1983). Effectos of crocidolite and chrysotile asbestos on cellular uptake and metabolism of benzo[a]pyrene in hamster tracheal epithelial cells. Environ. Health Perspect.51, 331–335.
25.
25. Libbus, B.L., Illenye, S.A., and Craighead, J.E. (1989). Induction of DNA strand breaks in cultured rat embryo cells by crocidolite asbestos as assessed by nick translation. Cancer Res.49, 5713–5718.
26.
26. Reiss. B., Solomon, S., Tong, C., Levenstein, M., Rosenberg, S.H., and Williams, G.H. (1982). Absence of mutagenic activity of three forms of asbestos in liver epithelial cells. Environ. Res.27, 389–397.
27.
27. Kenne, K., Ljungquist, S., and Ringertz, N.R. (1986). Effects of asbestos fibers on cell division, cell survival, and formation of thioguanine-resistant mutants in Chinese hamster ovary cells. Environ. Res.39, 448–464.
28.
28. Chamberlain, M., and Tarmy, E.M. (1977). Asbestos and glass fibers in bacterial mutation tests. Mutat. Res.43, 159–164.
29.
29. Denizeau, F., Marion, M., Chevalier, G., and Cote, M.G. (1985). Inability of chrysotile asbestos fibers to modulate the 2-acetylaminofluorene-induced UDS in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes. Mutat. Res.155, 83–90.
30.
30. Yang, L.L., Kouri, R.E., and Curren, R.D. (1984). Xeroderma pigmentosum fibroblasts are more sensitive to asbestos fibers than are normal human fibroblasts. Carcinogenesis5, 291–294.
31.
31. Dubes, G.R., and Mach, L.R. (1988). Asbestos-mediated transfection of mammalian cell cultures. In Vitro Cell Dev. Biol.24, 175–182.
32.
32. Appel, J.D., Fasy, T.M., Kohtz, D.S., Kohtz, J.D., and Johnson, E.M. (1988). Asbestos fibers mediate transformation of monkey cells by exogenous plasmid DNA. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. (USA)85, 7670–7674.
33.
33. Ke, Y., Reddel, R.R., Gerwin, B.I., Reddel, H.K., Somers, A.N.A., Mcmenamin, M.G., Laveck, M.A., Stahel, R.A., Lechner, J.F., and Harris, C.C. (1989). Establishment of a human in vitro mesothelial cell model system for investigating mechanisms of asbestos-induced mesothelioma. Am. J. Pathol.134, 979–991.
34.
34. Valentine, R., Chang, M.J.W., Hart, R.W., Finch, G.L., and Fisher, G.L. (1983). Thermal modification of chrysotile asbestos: evidence for decreased toxicity. Environ. Health Perspect.51, 357–368.
35.
35. Begin, R., Masse, S., and Bureau, M.A. (1982). Morphologic features and function of the airways in early asbestosis in the sheep model. Am. Rev. Respir. Dis.126, 870–879.
36.
36. Bozelka, B.E., Gaumer, H.R., Nordberg, J., and Salvaggio, J.E. (1983). Asbestos-induced alterations of human lymphoid cell mitogenic responses. Environ. Res.30, 281–290.
37.
37. Warheit, D.B., Chang, L.Y., Hill, L.H., Hook, G.E.R., Crapo, J.D., and Brody, A.R. (1984). Pulmonary macrophage accumulation and asbestos-induced lesions at sites of fiber deposition. Am. Rev. Respir. Dis.129, 301–310.
38.
38. Mossman, B.T., Marsh, J.P., Hardwick, D., Gilbert, R., Hill, S., Sesko, A., Shatos, M., Doherty, J., Weller, A., and Bergeron, M. (1986). Approaches to prevention of asbestos-induced lung disease using polyethylene glycol (PEG)-conjugated catalase. J. Free Radicals Biol. Med.2, 335–338.
39.
39. Wong, S.F., Halliwell, B., Richmond, R., and Skowroneck, W.R. (1981). The role of superoxide and hydroxyl radicals in the degradation of hyaluronic acid induced by metal ions and by ascorbic acid. J. Inorg. Biochem.14, 127–134.
40.
40. Eberhardt, M.K., Roman-Franco. A.A., and Quiles, M.R. (1985). Asbestos-induced decomposition of hydrogen peroxide. Environ. Res.37, 287–292.
41.
41. Weitzman, S.A., and Graceffa, P. (1984). Asbestos catalyzes hydroxyl and superoxide radical generation from hydrogen peroxide [communication]. Arch. Biochem. Biophys.228, 373–376.
42.
42. Mossman, B.T., Marsh, J.P., and Shatos, M.A. (1986). Alteration of superoxide dismutase activity in tracheal epithelial cells by asbestos and inhibition of cytotoxicity by antioxidants. Lab. Invest.54, 204–212.
43.
43. Fisher, G.L., Mossman, B.T., Mcfarland, A.R., and Hart, R.W. (1987). A possible mechanism of chrysotile asbestos toxicity. Drug Chem. Toxicol.10, 109–131.
44.
44. Leanderson, P., Soderkvist, P., Tagesson, C., and Axelson, O. (1988). Formation of 8-hydroxyguanosine by asbestos and man made mineral fibers. Br. J. Ind. Med.45, 309–311.
45.
45. Moalli, P.A., Macdonald, J.L., Goodglick, L.A., and Kane, A.B. (1987). Acute injury and regeneration of the mesothelium in response to asbestos fibers. Am. J. Pathol.128, 426–445.
46.
46. Brody, A.R., Hill, L.H., Adkins, B., and O'connor, R.W. (1981). Chrysotile asbestos inhalation in rats: deposition pattern and reaction of alveolar epithelium and pulmonary macrophages. Am. Rev. Respir. Dis.123, 670–679.
47.
47. Warheit, D.B., Overby, L.H., George, G., and Brody, A.R. (1988). Pulmonary macrophages are attracted to inhaled particles through complement activation. Exp. Lung Res.14, 51–66.
48.
48. Goodglick, L.A., and Kane, A.G. (1986). Role of reactive oxygen metabolites in crocidolite asbestos toxicity to mouse macrophages. Cancer Res.46, 5558–5566.
49.
49. Weitzman, S.A., and Stossel, T.P. (1981). Mutation caused by human phagocytes. Science212, 546–547.
50.
50. Topping, D.C., Nettesheim, P., and Martin, D.H. (1980). Toxic and tumorigenic effects of asbestos on tracheal mucosa. J. Environ. Pathol. Toxicol.3, 261–275.
51.
51. Topping, D.S., and Nettesheim, P. (1980). Promotion-like enhancement of tracheal carcinogenesis in rats by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate. Cancer Res.40, 4352–4355.
52.
52. Copeland, E.S. (1983). Free radicals in promotion–-a chemical pathology study section workshop. Cancer Res.43, 5631–5637.
53.
53. Birnboim, H.C., and Kanabus-Kaminska, M. (1985). The production of DNA strand breaks in human leukocytes by superoxide anion may involve a metabolic process. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. (USA)82, 6820–6824.
54.
54. Cerutti, P.A. (1985). Prooxidant states and tumor promotion. Science227, 375–380.
55.
55. Slaga, T.J., Sivak, A., and Boutwell, R.K., eds. (1978). Mechanisms of Tumor Promotion and Cocarcinogenesis, Vol 2. New York: Raven Press.
56.
56. Weinstein, I.B. (1988). The origins of human cancer; molecular mechanisms of carcinogenesis and their implications for cancer prevention and treatment. Cancer Res.48, 4135–4143.
57.
57. Troll, W., Witz, G., Goldstein, B., Stone, D., and Sugimura, T. (1982). The role of free oxygen radicals in tumor promotion and carcinogenesis. In: Hecker, E., Kunz, W., Fusenig, N.E., Marks, F., Thielmann, H.W., eds. Carcinogenesis. New York: Raven Press, pp. 593–597.
58.
58. Marx, J.L. (1983). Do tumor promoters affect DNA after all?Science219, 158–159.
59.
59. Yano, E. (1988). Mineral fiber-induced malondialdehyde formation and effects of oxidant scavengers in phagocytic cells. Int. Arch. Occup. Environ. Health61, 19–23.
60.
60. Cox, J.A., Jeng, A.Y., Sharkey, N.A., Blumberg, P.M., and Tauber, A.I. (1985). Activation of the human neutrophil nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-oxidase by protein kinase C. J. Clin. Invest.76, 1932–1938.
61.
61. Marsh, J.P., and Mossman, B.T. (1988). Mechanisms of induction of ornithine decarboxylase activity in tracheal epithelial cells by asbestiform minerals. Cancer Res.48, 709–714.
62.
62. Roney, P.L., and Holian, A. (1989). Possible mechanism of chrysotile asbestos-stimulated superoxide anion production in guinea pig alveolar macrophages. Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol.100, 132–144.
63.
63. Kishimoto, A., Takai, Y., Mori, T., Kikkawa, U., and Nishizuka, Y. (1980). Activation of calcium and phospholipid-dependent protein kinase by diacylglycerol, its possible relation to phosphatidylinositol turnover. J. Biol. Chem.255, 2273–76.
64.
64. Streb, H., Irvine, R.F., Berridge, M.J., and Schulz, I. (1983). Release of Ca2+ from a nonmitochondrial intracellular store in pancreatic acinar cells by inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate. Nature306, 67–69.
65.
65. Gabrielson, E.W., Rosen, G.M., Grafstrom, R.C., Strauss, K.E., and Harris, C.C. (1986). Studies on the role of oxygen radicals in asbestos-induced cytopathology of cultured human lung mesothelial cells. Carcinogenesis7, 1161–1164.
66.
66. Wickelgren, I. (1989). DNA's extended domain. Sci. News136, 234–237.
67.
67. Gibas, A., Li, F.P., Antman, K.H., Bernal, S., Stahel, R., and Sandberg, A.A. (1986). Chromosome changes in malignant mesothelioma. Cancer. Genet. Cytogenet.20, 191–201.
68.
68. Popescu, M.C., Chahinian, A.P., and Dipaolo, J.A. (1988). Nonrandom chromosome alterations in human malignant mesothelioma. Cancer Res.48, 142–147.
69.
69. Tiainen, M., Tammilehto, L., Mattson, K., and Knuutila, A. (1988). Nonrandom chromosomal abnormalities in malignant pleural mesothelioma. Cancer. Genet. Cytogenet.33, 251–274.
70.
70. Oshimura, M., Hesterberg, T.W., Tsutsui, T., and Barrett, J.C. (1984). Correlation of asbestos-induced cytogenetic effects with cell transformation of Syrian hamster embryo cells in culture. Cancer Res.44, 5017–5022.