Use of nasal cells in micronucleus assays and other genotoxicity studies

Genotoxicity experiments with exfoliated nasal mucosa cells are a promising minimally invasive approach for the detection of DNA-damaging compounds in ambient air. Results of single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) assays with individual cells and organ cultures from bioptic material show that DNA da...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Mutagenesis 2011-01, Vol.26 (1), p.231-238
Main Authors: Knasmueller, Siegfried, Holland, Nina, Wultsch, Georg, Jandl, Barbara, Burgaz, Sema, Misík, Miroslav, Nersesyan, Armen
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Comet Assay
DNA Damage
Humans
Inactivation, Metabolic
Micronucleus Tests
Mutagens - toxicity
Nasal Mucosa - drug effects
Nasal Mucosa - enzymology
Nasal Mucosa - ultrastructure
Nose - cytology
Nose - enzymology
Rodentia
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Summary:Genotoxicity experiments with exfoliated nasal mucosa cells are a promising minimally invasive approach for the detection of DNA-damaging compounds in ambient air. Results of single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) assays with individual cells and organ cultures from bioptic material show that DNA damage caused by compounds such as nitrosamines, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and pesticides can be detected. Biochemical studies indicate that enzymes involved in the metabolism of environmental mutagens are represented in nasal cells. Several protocols for experiments with nasal cells have been developed and it was shown that formaldehyde, metals, styrene and crystalline silica induce DNA damage in SCGE and/or in micronucleus studies; furthermore, it was also found that polluted urban air causes DNA instability in nasal epithelial cells. Comparisons of these data with results obtained in lymphocytes and buccal cells indicate that nasal cells are in general equally sensitive. Broad variations in the baseline levels, differences of results obtained in various studies as well as the lack of information concerning the impact of confounding factors on the outcome of experiments with these cells indicate the need for further standardisation of the experimental protocols.
ISSN:0267-8357
1464-3804
DOI:10.1093/mutage/geq079