Reactive oxygen species-dependent transient induction of genotoxicity by retene in human liver HepG2 cells

In this study, the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of retene were investigated in human HepG2 liver cells. Our data showed that retene had minimal effect on cell viability, but induced DNA strand breaks, micronuclei formation, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Stronger effects were observed at earlier time points than at longer, indicating transient genotoxicity. Retene activated phosphorylation of Checkpoint kinase 1 (Chk1), an indicator of replication stress and chromosomal instability, which was in accordance with increased formation of micronuclei. A protective effect of the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) towards ROS generation and DNA damage signaling was observed, suggesting oxidative stress as a key mechanism of the observed genotoxic effects of retene in HepG2 cells. Altogether our results suggest that retene may contribute to the harmful effects caused by biomass burning PM and represent a potential hazard to human health.PMID:37302535 | DOI:10.1016/j.tiv.2023.105628
Source: Toxicology in Vitro - Category: Toxicology Authors: Source Type: research