World Trade Center Exposure, DNA Methylation Changes, and Cancer: A Review of Current Evidence

oleh: Stephanie Tuminello, Emelie Nguyen, Nedim Durmus, Ramazan Alptekin, Muhammed Yilmaz, Maria Cecilia Crisanti, Matija Snuderl, Yu Chen, Yongzhao Shao, Joan Reibman, Emanuela Taioli, Alan A. Arslan

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: MDPI AG 2023-12-01

Deskripsi

<b>Introduction</b>: Known carcinogens in the dust and fumes from the destruction of the World Trade Center (WTC) towers on 9 November 2001 included metals, asbestos, and organic pollutants, which have been shown to modify epigenetic status. Epigenome-wide association analyses (EWAS) using uniform (Illumina) methodology have identified novel epigenetic profiles of WTC exposure. <b>Methods</b>: We reviewed all published data, comparing differentially methylated gene profiles identified in the prior EWAS studies of WTC exposure. This included DNA methylation changes in blood-derived DNA from cases of cancer-free “Survivors” and those with breast cancer, as well as tissue-derived DNA from “Responders” with prostate cancer. Emerging molecular pathways related to the observed DNA methylation changes in WTC-exposed groups were explored and summarized. <b>Results</b>: WTC dust exposure appears to be associated with DNA methylation changes across the genome. Notably, WTC dust exposure appears to be associated with increased global DNA methylation; direct dysregulation of cancer genes and pathways, including inflammation and immune system dysregulation; and endocrine system disruption, as well as disruption of cholesterol homeostasis and lipid metabolism. <b>Conclusion</b>: WTC dust exposure appears to be associated with biologically meaningful DNA methylation changes, with implications for carcinogenesis and development of other chronic diseases.