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Publication
GENE EXPRESSION PROFILES AS BIOMARKERS IN HUMAN BIOMONITORING
Book - Report
Subtitle:study of time-bound variation in gene expression and relationships with exposure and effects of environmental pollution (Technical Specifications LNE//OL200700049/8031/M&G)
Within the framework of a preventive environment and health policy, there is a strong need for the development of new biomarkers of exposure and/or impact of environmental pollutants, which give an early indication of possible health effects. Measuring gene expression in peripheral blood using microarray is an attractive concept. The underlying hypothesis is that circulating blood reflects the physiological response of an organism and that these blood cells, and more specifically lymphocytes, adapt their transcriptome (gene expression profile) according to the health status of the host. The monitoring of gene expression profiles is therefore considered a promising approach for the identification of sensitive biomarkers within a human biomonitoring programme. These
The aim of the study is to contribute to the identification of sensitive markers of adverse effects that give an indication of health effects at an early stage. In a first work package (WP1), a literature review was made of the possibilities and difficulties of using gene expression as a biomarker in human environmental monitoring, and the possible advantages compared to traditional biomarkers. An important requirement for using gene expression in biomonitoring is that the normal transcriptional variability is documented. It is important to characterize the variation at the population level, but also time-bound variation at the individual level. Only if such background values are known, gene expression profiles obtained after exposure to pollutants can be used to determine whether there is a significant increase or decrease in gene expression. In this study, the stability of gene expression in blood as a function of time was investigated on the basis of data from a study population of healthy adults. Short and long term variability in gene expression was described and analysed in work package 2. In a third study (WP3), the impact of pollutant exposure on gene expression was investigated. The policy usefulness of gene expression profiles in the context of a human biomonitoring monitoring network is discussed in WP4.
The study indicated that in an environmental health context, the measurement of gene expression is promising but not yet as well developed as for clinical applications. The technology appears to be robust but there is a continuous evolution in data processing and interpretation. The short-term and seasonal variability of individual genes has been documented in a study in healthy young adults. Exposure-effect relationships were observed and the response often turned out to be gender-specific. The technology can be used in a biomonitoring context as an "early warning signal" for complex exposures, but the interpretation of the meaning for health requires further monitoring.
The aim of the study is to contribute to the identification of sensitive markers of adverse effects that give an indication of health effects at an early stage. In a first work package (WP1), a literature review was made of the possibilities and difficulties of using gene expression as a biomarker in human environmental monitoring, and the possible advantages compared to traditional biomarkers. An important requirement for using gene expression in biomonitoring is that the normal transcriptional variability is documented. It is important to characterize the variation at the population level, but also time-bound variation at the individual level. Only if such background values are known, gene expression profiles obtained after exposure to pollutants can be used to determine whether there is a significant increase or decrease in gene expression. In this study, the stability of gene expression in blood as a function of time was investigated on the basis of data from a study population of healthy adults. Short and long term variability in gene expression was described and analysed in work package 2. In a third study (WP3), the impact of pollutant exposure on gene expression was investigated. The policy usefulness of gene expression profiles in the context of a human biomonitoring monitoring network is discussed in WP4.
The study indicated that in an environmental health context, the measurement of gene expression is promising but not yet as well developed as for clinical applications. The technology appears to be robust but there is a continuous evolution in data processing and interpretation. The short-term and seasonal variability of individual genes has been documented in a study in healthy young adults. Exposure-effect relationships were observed and the response often turned out to be gender-specific. The technology can be used in a biomonitoring context as an "early warning signal" for complex exposures, but the interpretation of the meaning for health requires further monitoring.
Number of pages: 181
Publication year:2019
Accessibility:Open