Ferritin adsorption onto chrysotile asbestos fibers influences the protein secondary structure.

Asbestos fiber exposure triggers chronic inflammation and cancer. Asbestos fibers can adsorb different types of proteins. The mechanism of this adsorption, not yet completely understood, has been studied in detail mainly with serum albumin and was shown to induce structural changes in the bound protein.

Effect of Synthetic Vitreous Fiber Exposure on TMEM16A Channels in a Oocyte Model.

Many years ago, asbestos fibers were banned and replaced by synthetic vitreous fibers because of their carcinogenicity. However, the toxicity of the latter fibers is still under debate, especially when it concerns the early fiber interactions with biological cell membranes. Here, we aimed to investigate the effects of a synthetic vitreous fiber named FAV173 on the oocyte membrane, the cell model we have already used to characterize the effect of crocidolite asbestos fiber exposure.

A Pharmacological Investigation of the TMEM16A Currents in Murine Skeletal Myogenic Precursor Cells.

TMEM16A is a Ca-activated Cl channel expressed in various species and tissues. In mammalian skeletal muscle precursors, the activity of these channels is still poorly investigated. Here, we characterized TMEM16A channels and investigated if the pharmacological activation of Piezo1 channels could modulate the TMEM16A currents in mouse myogenic precursors.

Asbestos Fibers Enhance the TMEM16A Channel Activity in Xenopus Oocytes.

Background: The interaction of asbestos fibers with target cell membranes is still poorly investigated. Here, we detected and characterized an enhancement of chloride conductance in oocyte cell membranes induced by exposure to crocidolite (Croc) asbestos fibers.

Methods: A two-microelectrode voltage clamp technique was used to test the effect of Croc fiber suspensions on outward chloride currents evoked by step membrane depolarization.

Ferruginous bodies exert a strong proinflammatory effect.

One of the main problems related to ferruginous-asbestos bodies (ABs) exposure is their potential pathogenetic role in asbestos-related diseases. The aim of this study was to examine whether purified ABs, might stimulate inflammatory cells. ABs were isolated by exploiting their magnetic properties, therefore avoiding the strong chemical treatment usually employed for this purpose.