Do inflammatory processes induced by berthierine (Fe-Al serpentine) play a role in the lung cancer epidemic of Xuan Wei, China?

Professor Tian, Linwei   (Principal Investigator (PI))

Professor Chan Michael Chi Wai   (Co-Investigator)

Dr Mak Judith Choi Wo   (Co-Investigator)

Dr Ho Kin-fai   (Co-Investigator)

Dr Zhang Hongqiao   (Co-Investigator)

Professor Lu Senlin   (Co-Investigator)

42

2019-09-01

2023-02-28

1016539

Do inflammatory processes induced by berthierine (Fe-Al serpentine) play a role in the lung cancer epidemic of Xuan Wei, China?

Asbestos-like minerals in coal, Environmental epidemiology, Iron induced inflammation, Lung cancer epidemic, Mitochondria iron chelation

Environmental ResearchPublic Health

Biology and Medicine (M)

17613819

General Research Fund (GRF)

2019

Completed

1) To characterize berthierine in C1 coal associated with high lung cancer risk, in coal emissions, and in resected cancer tissues. We aim to address three questions: A) Berthierine crystal characterization in coal; B) Transformation during combustion; and C) Transformation after phagocytosis; 2)To compare berthierine-dominant coal PM (*particulate matter*) with other PM samples on their capacities in causing inflammation, cell malignant transformation, and tumor formation. This includes: A) Potential to generate oxidative stress; B) Inflammatory responses in Nrf2-ARE pathway; C) In vitro malignant transformation to predict tumorigenicity; D) Tumorigenicity of the transformed cells in nude mice; E) Coal PM enhanced tumor progression in spontaneous lung tumor model; 3) To examine whether mitochondria-targeted iron chelation can alleviate lung inflammation and tumor progression in berthierine-dominant coal PM exposed rats. This includes: A) Intervention by prolonged use of deferiprone (DFP or ferriprox); and B) Intervention by late use of DFP.