Identification of deregulated genes by single wall carbon-nanotubes in human normal bronchial epithelial cells

In order to identify genes affected by single-wall carbon-nanotubes (SWCNTs) in human normal lung cells, we compared the gene expression profile of human normal bronchial epithelial (HNBE) cells with those SWCNTs-treated cells. A cDNA microarray analysis consisting of 54 675 human genes revealed significant changes in the expression of 14 294 genes, with 7 029 genes being up-regulated and 7 265 being down-regulated. This comprehensive list of genes included those associated with cell cycle, apoptosis, cell survival, cell adhesion and motility, signal transduction and transcription regulator. Additional analysis of 19 genes using reverse transcription (RT)-PCR supported the reliability of the microarray analysis. More specifically, our study demonstrates, for the first time, evidence that Rho GTPase-26, GTP binding protein-2, Protein phosphatase-1, Inhibin beta-E, Growth differentiation factor-15, Activating transcription factor-3 and Forkhead-a2 are up-regulated in the SWCNTs-treated HNBE cells compared to untreated cells; while Serpin peptidase inhibitor-4, Chemokine-11, Kinesins (14, 15 and 20A), Leupaxin, Repetin and Hyaluronan-mediated motility receptor are down-regulated in SWCNTs-treated HNBE cells in comparison with their control cells. These findings provide a large body of information regarding gene expression profiles associated with SWCNTs exposure in human lung bronchial epithelial cells, and also represent a source to investigate the mechanism of the effect of SWCNTs in human normal lung cells.