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International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health

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01-01-2011 | Original Article

Gene expression analysis in induced sputum from welders with and without airway-related symptoms

Authors: Lena S. Jönsson, Jørn Nielsen, Karin Broberg

Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health | Issue 1/2011

Abstract

Purpose

To identify changes in gene expression in the airways among welders, with and without lower airway symptoms, working in black steel.

Methods

Included were 25 male, non-smoking welders. Each welder was sampled twice; before exposure (after vacation), and after 1 month of exposure. From the welders (14 symptomatic, of whom 7 had asthma-like symptoms), RNA from induced sputum was obtained for gene expression analysis. Messenger RNA from a subset of the samples (n = 7) was analysed with microarray technology to identify genes of interest. These genes were further analysed using quantitative PCR (qPCR; n = 22).

Results

By comparing samples before and after exposure, the microarray analysis resulted in several functional annotation clusters: the one with the highest enrichment score contained “response to wounding”, “inflammatory response” and “defence response”. Seven genes were analysed by qPCR: granulocyte colony-stimulating factor 3 receptor (CSF3R), superoxide dismutase 2, interleukin 8, glutathione S-transferase pi 1, tumour necrosis factor alpha-induced protein 6 (TNFAIP6), interleukin 1 receptor type II and matrix metallopeptidase 25 (MMP25). Increased levels of CSF3R, TNFAIP6 and MMP25 were indicated among asthmatic subjects compared to non-symptomatic subjects, although the differences did not reach significance.

Conclusions

Workers’ exposure to welding fumes changed gene expression in the lower airways in genes involved in inflammatory and defence response. Thus, microarray and qPCR technique can demonstrate markers of exposure to welding fumes and possible disease-related markers. However, further studies are needed to verify genes involved and to further characterise the mechanism for welding fumes-associated lower airway symptoms.

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Title: Gene expression analysis in induced sputum from welders with and without airway-related symptoms
Authors: Lena S. Jönsson
Jørn Nielsen
Karin Broberg
Publication date: 01-01-2011
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health / Issue 1/2011
Print ISSN: 0340-0131
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1246
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-010-0579-2

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Gene expression analysis in induced sputum from welders with and without airway-related symptoms

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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