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XLSX file - 10K, List of epigenetic genes differentially expressed between subjects with occupational exposure and referents

XLSX file - 26K, Genes changed 1.5 fold in acute nickel exposure of PBMCs in vitro. Genes were changed for all doses of 0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 mM NiCl2

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XLSX file - 17K, List of DNA repair genes differentially expressed between subjects with occupational exposure and referents

XLSX file - 189K, Gene list of differentially expressed genes (DEG) (adjusted p

Background: Occupational exposure to nickel (Ni) is associated with an increased risk of lung and nasal cancers. Ni compounds exhibit weak mutagenic activity, alter the cell's epigenetic homeostasis, and activate signaling pathways. However, changes in gene expression associated with Ni exposure have only been investigated in vitro. This study was conducted in a Chinese population to determine whether occupational exposure to Ni was associated with differential gene expression profiles in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of Ni-refinery workers when compared with referents.Methods: Eight Ni-refinery workers and ten referents were selected. PBMC RNA was extracted and gene expression profiling was conducted using Affymetrix exon arrays. Differentially expressed genes (DEG) between both groups were identified in a global analysis.Results: There were a total of 2,756 DEGs in the Ni-refinery workers relative to the referents [false discovery rate (FDR) adjusted P < 0.05] with 770 upregulated genes and 1,986 downregulated genes. DNA repair and epigenetic genes were significantly overrepresented (P < 0.0002) among the DEGs. Of 31 DNA repair genes, 29 were repressed in the Ni-refinery workers and 2 were overexpressed. Of the 16 epigenetic genes, 12 were repressed in the Ni-refinery workers and 4 were overexpressed.Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that occupational exposure to Ni is associated with alterations in gene expression profiles in PBMCs of subjects.Impact: Gene expression may be useful in identifying patterns of deregulation that precede clinical identification of Ni-induced cancers. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 22(2); 261–9. ©2012 AACR.

XLSX file - 192K, Gene list for genes associated with nasopharyngeal carcinoma found in study set. All genes were differentially expressed in referent population (p