UNASSIGNED: Occupational and environmental exposure to the heavy metal cadmium (Cd) and its inhalation from cigarette smoke are associated with @entity2415 . Many growth factors and extracellular matrix (ECM) cell signaling molecules are directly involved in the epithelial bronchial cell pathway. This study investigated the direct effects of Cd on the production of several ECM components in @entity1 bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) that were exposed in vitro for 48h to sub-toxic and toxic concentrations of Cd. Gene expression of collagens, metalloproteases (MMPs), integrins, tenascin and @entity4732 were quantified by RT-PCR. To study apoptosis cascade, annexin assay and cellular @entity137 by MTT assay were performed. We also investigated whether an imbalance in the @entity2533 / @entity2533 receptor (TGFbR) expression mediated Cd effects. The results showed the sub-toxic Cd dose significantly increased tenascin, @entity4732 , b1 and b5 integrin gene expression. The toxic Cd dose decreased type IV and V collagen, a1, a2 and b3 integrins. Both Cd doses down-regulated type I collagen and up-regulated metalloproteases. Each Cd dose caused a different imbalance in the complex pattern of @entity2533 and its receptors. No alteration in classic apoptotic marker protein expression was observed in presence of the sub-toxic dose of Cd, suggesting this metal alters ECM production without apoptotic activation. In conclusion, all these data show even sub-toxic Cd dose exposure alters the specific gene expression of several ECM components that are crucially implicated in the mechanical properties of lung parenchyma supporting the hypothesis that the mechanism underlying Cd-induced @entity358 may involve downstream changes in @entity2533 /TGFbR signaling.

In vitro cadmium effects on ECM gene expression in XXXX bronchial epithelial cells.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['human'] @entity137 :: ('MESH:D064420', 'Disease') :: ['cytotoxicity'] @entity2415 :: ('MESH:D004646', 'Disease') :: ['emphysema'] @entity2533 :: ('7040', 'Gene') :: ['TGFb'] @entity358 :: ('MESH:D008171', 'Disease') :: ['lung disease'] @entity4732 :: ('7448', 'Gene') :: ['vitronectin']
@entity1 :: (9606,Species) :: ['human']
