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Global DNA hypomethylation has no impact on lung function or serum inflammatory and fibrosis cytokines in asbestos-exposed population

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Abstract

Purpose

To examine the effect of asbestos exposure on global DNA methylation and determine whether lung function and inflammatory and fibrosis biomarkers are correlated with the methylation state.

Methods

A total of 26 healthy subjects without asbestos exposure (Group 1), 47 healthy subjects with exposure (Group 2), and 52 subjects with benign asbestos-related disorders (ARDs) (Group 3) participated in this cross-sectional study. Blood global 5-methylcytosine (5mC) and serum TNF-α, collagen IV, CCL5 and CC16 concentrations were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay-like assays. Spirometric maneuvers were performed to assess lung function.

Results

Decreased 5mC levels were observed in Groups 2 and 3 compared to Group 1, irrespective of lung function (p < 0.01). There was no significant change in 5mC between Groups 2 and 3. Overall, 5mC was negatively correlated with CCL5 and collagen IV (p < 0.05), but no significant inverse relationship was found between 5mC and CCL5 or collagen IV in each group. Additionally, both 5mC and CC16 were inversely associated with FEV1/FVC% (p = 0.001, adjusted R 2 = 0.145) for non-smokers, and consistently significant inverse relationships were found between CC16 and FEV1/FVC%, independent of asbestos exposure.

Conclusions

Asbestos exposure causes global DNA hypomethylation. DNA hypomethylation has no influence on serum biomarkers and lung function in asbestos-exposed population with or without pleural and pulmonary parenchymal abnormalities.

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Acknowledgements

This work was financially supported by the grants from the Health and Family Planning Commission of Zhejiang Province (2015ZDA010, 2015KYA058, 2016KYB074), and the Project of Zhejiang Province Science and Technology Plan (2013F20004, 2014C03030). The contents of this article do not necessarily reflect the views of its sponsors, nor do they necessarily reflect the views and policies of the sponsors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Occupational and Environmental Health Science, School of Public Health, Peking University, 38 Xueyuan Road, Beijing, 100191, People’s Republic of China

    Min Yu & Guang Jia

  2. Department of Occupational Diseases, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences, 182 Tian Mu Shan Road, Zhejiang, 310013, People’s Republic of China

    Min Yu, Jianlin Lou, Hailing Xia, Min Zhang, Yixiao Zhang, Junqiang Chen, Xing Zhang, Shibo Ying, Lijin Zhu & Lihong Liu

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  1. Min Yu
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  2. Jianlin Lou
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  3. Hailing Xia
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  4. Min Zhang
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Yu, M., Lou, J., Xia, H. et al. Global DNA hypomethylation has no impact on lung function or serum inflammatory and fibrosis cytokines in asbestos-exposed population. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 90, 265–274 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-017-1195-1

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