Toxicological Research

Korean Society of Toxicology & Korea Environmental Mutagen Society (한국독성학회)
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Changes in the Expression of Ras-family Genes in Rats Exposed to Formaldehyde by Inhalation

  • Li, Guang-Yong (College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University) ;
  • Lee, Hye-Young (College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University) ;
  • Choi, You-Jin (College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University) ;
  • Lee, Mi-Ock (College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University) ;
  • Shin, Ho-Sang (Department of Environmental Education and Abuse Drug Research Center, Kongju National University) ;
  • Kim, Hyeon-Young (Chemical Safety and Health Research Center, Occupational Safety & Health Research Institute) ;
  • Lee, Sung-Bae (Chemical Safety and Health Research Center, Occupational Safety & Health Research Institute) ;
  • Lee, Byung-Hoon (College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University)
  • Published : 2008.09.01
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Abstract

Exposure to formaldehyde(FA) is closely associated with adverse health effects such as irritation, inflammation, and squamous cell carcinomas of the nasal cavities. Owing to its rapid metabolism and elimination, exposure to FA does not always result in an increased concentration in blood or urine of animals and humans. Therefore, the development of biomarkers for FA exposure is necessary for risk assessment. In the present study, the effects of FA were investigated on the expression of genes involved in the MAPK pathway in vitro and results confirmed in rats exposed to FA by inhalation. Treatment of Hs 680.Tr human tracheal epithelial cells with FA induced gene expression for PDGFA, TNFSF11, SHC1, and HRAS. HRAS expression was also increased in tracheas of rats exposed to FA. In addition, FA exposure induced the expression of RASSF4, a member of the Rasassociation domain family of Ras effectors, in rat tracheas. In conclusion, data showed FA-inducible expression of genes involved in the MAPK pathway occurred and increased expression of HRAS and RASSF4 was noted in rat tracheas subchronically exposed to FA by inhalation. These genes may serve as molecular targets of FA toxicity facilitating the understanding of the toxic mechanism.

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References

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