Beasley, Allen, Crow, Methvin, Portis & Miles, P.C.

Results of a recently completed study reveal a possible genetic predisposition to developing asbestos related diseases, including mesothelioma and asbestosis. Findings were published August 7 in BMC Genomics, an open access journal publishing original peer-reviewed research articles in all aspects of gene mapping, sequencing and analysis, functional genomics, and proteomics.

The study notes that despite asbestos regulations, in place in the U.S. since the 1970s, around 200,000 people are diagnosed each year with asbestosis, and there are approximately 4,000 asbestos-related deaths annually. Diagnoses include mesothelioma, asbestosis, fibrosis and lung carcinoma.

Because of the complexity of response to asbestos and the many unanswered questions about its effect on the human body, researchers felt there was a need for a systems biology approach. The study focused on the introduction of crocidolite asbestos in A549 human lung ephithelial cells.

Researchers catalogued a comprehensive data set documenting crocidolite-induced changes in the sample lung cells, and explored the effects of crocidolite in the context of known molecular interactions.

As a result of the study, researchers mapped a complex system of communications between known and previously unknown asbestos-related genes, and identified novel, putative crocidolite-related genes. From this, they were able to develop new hypotheses regarding genes that are important to the asbestos response.

Among its conclusions, the BMC Genomics report says this study represents the first function-based global approach toward understanding the response of human lung epithelial cells to the carcinogen crocidolite, and provides a broad base for further research to follow.

Related posts:

1. Oz tackles asbestos disease research
2. Clinical trial for pleural mesothelioma
3. Libby meso epidemic predicted
4. $4.9 for meso research in Minnesota
5. Asbestos Beach open for summer

Tags: asbestos, asbestosis, crocidolite, mesothelioma

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