Study Examines Interactions Between Asbestos Fibers and Cells

New Study Examines Interactions Between Asbestos Fibers and Cells

Researchers at Ohio State University believe they are the first group in the world to study the interactions between asbestos fibers and human cells on a molecular level.

Their research examines how asbestos fibers bind to specific receptor proteins on cell surfaces and whether this can trigger events within a cell that can then lead to illness and possibly cancer. Scientists hypothesize that asbestos fibers are able to elicit unique signals that trigger inflammation which can lead to the formation of pre-malignant cells and eventually develop into cancerous cells.

They want to understand what molecules are involved and whether the binding process takes place over minutes or hours and what events it triggers. They hope that by discovering how fibers interact with specific proteins they can develop medicines to prevent and possibly undo the effects of asbestos exposure.

Crocidolite also known as blue asbestos is the first fiber to be studied. It is a member of the amphibole group of asbestos fibers and is considered one of the more toxic forms of the material. They are analyzing how it reacts with epidermal growth factor receptor which is present on every human cell.

Understanding how proteins react to specific forms of asbestos will provide a large amount of biological information and from that researchers could develop individual toxicity profiles for the different fiber types. More on pathogenesis of mesothelioma.

The US Department of Labor estimates that 1.3 million workers face asbestos exposure at work not only from asbestos containing materials but also because asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral in soil and bedrock.

The National Science Foundation has provided funding for the research and scientists from the University of Maryland and the University of Vermont are assisting on the project.

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