The interaction of DNA with crystalline silica in buffered aqueous solutions at physiologic pH has been investigated by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). In aqueous buffer, significant changes occur in the spectra of DNA and silica upon coincubation, suggesting that a DNA-silica complex forms as silica interacts with DNA. As compared to the spectrum of silica alone, the changes in the FT-IR spectrum of silica in the DNA-silica complex are consistent with an Si-O bond perturbation on the surface of the silica crystal. DNA remains in a B-form conformation in the DNA-silica complex. The most prominent changes in the DNA spectrum occur in the 1225 to 1000 cm1 region. Upon binding, the PO_ asymmetric stretch at 1225 cm1 is increased in intensity and slightly shifted to lower frequencies; the PO-symmetric stretch at 1086 cm1 is markedly increased in intensity; and the band at 1053 cm-, representing either the phosphodiester or the C-O stretch of DNA backbone, is significantly reduced in intensity.In D20 buffer, the DNA spectrum reveals a marked increase in intensity of the peak at 1086 cm-1 and a progressive decrease in intensity of the peak at 1053 cm-1 when DNA is exposed to increasing concentrations of silica. The carbonyl band at 1688 cm-diminishes and shifts to slightly lower frequencies with increasing concentrations of silica. The present study demonstrates that crystalline silica binds to the phosphate-sugar backbone of DNA. The close proximity of the silica surface to the DNA molecule, brought about by this binding, may contribute to DNA strand breakage produced by silica-derived free radicals. The ability of silica to form stable complexes with DNA may play an important role in the mechanisms of silica-induced toxicity and carcinogenesis. -Environ Health Perspect 102(Suppl 10):1 65-171 (1994)

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In recent years, more attention has been given to the mechanism of disease induction caused by the surface properties of minerals. In this respect, specific research needs to be focused on the biologic interactions of oxygen radicals generated by mineral particles resulting in cell injury and DNA damage leading to fibrogenesis and carcinogenesis. In this investigation, we used electron spin resonance (ESR) and spin trapping to study oxygen radical generation from aqueous suspensions of freshly fractured crystalline silica. Hydroxyl radical (0OH), superoxide radical (02-) and singlet oxygen (102) were all detected. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) partially inhibited *OH yield, whereas catalase abolished 0OH generation. H202 enhanced 0OH generation while deferoxamine inhibited it, indicating that OH is generated via a Haber-Weiss type reaction. These spin trapping measurements provide the first evidence that aqueous suspensions of silica particles generate O-and 10 Oxygen consumption measurements indicate that freshly fractured silica uses molecular oxygen to generate 02-and 10 . Electrophoretic assays of in vitro DNA strand breakages showed that freshly fractured silica induced DNA strand breakage, which was inhibited by catalase and enhanced by H202. In an argon atmosphere, DNA damage was suppressed, showing that molecular oxygen is required for the silica-induced DNA damage. Incubation of freshly fractured silica with linoleic acid generated linoleic acid-derived free radicals and caused dose-dependent lipid peroxidation as measured by ESR spin trapping and malondialdehyde formation. SOD, catalase, and sodium benzoate inhibited lipid peroxidation by 49, 52, and 75%, respectively, again showing the role of oxygen radicals in silica-induced lipid peroxidation. These results show that in addition to -OH, 0°and 102 may play an important role in the mechanism of silica-induced cellular injury. -Environ Health Perspect 102(Suppl 10):149-154 (1994)

The carcinogenic effects of crystalline silica in rat lungs were extensively demonstrated by many experimental long-term studies, showing a marked predominance for adenocarcinomas originating from alveolar type II cells and associated with areas of pulmonary fibrosis (silicosis). In contrast with its effects in rats, silica did not induce alveolar type II hyperplasia and lung tumors in mice and hamsters, pointing to a critical role for host factors. Using these animal models, we are investigating the role of cytokines and other cellular mediators on the proliferation of alveolar type II cells. Immunohistochemical localization of TGF-beta 1 precursor in alveolar type II cells adjacent to silicotic granulomas was shown to occur in rats, but not in mice, and hamsters, suggesting a pathogenetic role for this regulatory growth factor. Recent investigations in our laboratory on the biologic mechanisms of crystalline silica included determination of anionic sites on crystalline silica surfaces by binding of the cationic dye Janus Green B; binding of crystalline silica to DNA, demonstrated by infrared spectrometry; production of oxygen radicals by crystalline silica in aqueous media; induction of DNA strand breakage and base oxidation in vitro and its potentiation by superoxide dismutase and by hydrogen peroxide; and induction by crystalline silica of neoplastic transformation and chromosomal damage in cells in culture. On the basis of these in vitro studies, we propose that DNA binding to crystalline silica surfaces may be important in silica carcinogenesis by anchoring DNA close to sites of oxygen radical production on the silica surface, so that the oxygen radicals are produced within a few A from their target DNA nucleotides.

The interaction of DNA with crystalline silica in buffered aqueous solutions at physiologic pH has been investigated by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). In aqueous buffer, significant changes occur in the spectra of DNA and silica upon coincubation, suggesting that a DNA-silica complex forms as silica interacts with DNA. As compared to the spectrum of silica alone, the changes in the FT-IR spectrum of silica in the DNA-silica complex are consistent with an Si-O bond perturbation on the surface of the silica crystal. DNA remains in a B-form conformation in the DNA-silica complex. The most prominent changes in the DNA spectrum occur in the 1225 to 1000 cm-1 region. Upon binding, the PO2- asymmetric stretch at 1225 cm-1 is increased in intensity and slightly shifted to lower frequencies; the PO2- symmetric stretch at 1086 cm-1 is markedly increased in intensity and the band at 1053 cm-1, representing either the phosphodiester or the C-O stretch of DNA backbone, is significantly reduced in intensity. In D2O buffer, the DNA spectrum reveals a marked increase in intensity of the peak at 1086 cm-1 and a progressive decrease in intensity of the peak at 1053 cm-1 when DNA is exposed to increasing concentrations of silica. The carbonyl band at 1688 cm-1 diminishes and shifts to slightly lower frequencies with increasing concentrations of silica. The present study demonstrates that crystalline silica binds to the phosphate-sugar backbone of DNA.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

In recent years, more attention has been given to the mechanism of disease induction caused by the surface properties of minerals. In this respect, specific research needs to be focused on the biologic interactions of oxygen radicals generated by mineral particles resulting in cell injury and DNA damage leading to fibrogenesis and carcinogenesis. In this investigation, we used electron spin resonance (ESR) and spin trapping to study oxygen radical generation from aqueous suspensions of freshly fractured crystalline silica. Hydroxyl radical (.OH), superoxide radical (O2.-) and singlet oxygen (1O2) were all detected. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) partially inhibited .OH yield, whereas catalase abolished .OH generation. H2O2 enhanced .OH generation while deferoxamine inhibited it, indicating that .OH is generated via a Haber-Weiss type reaction. These spin trapping measurements provide the first evidence that aqueous suspensions of silica particles generate O2.- and 1O2. Oxygen consumption measurements indicate that freshly fractured silica uses molecular oxygen to generate O2.- and 1O2. Electrophoretic assays of in vitro DNA strand breakages showed that freshly fractured silica induced DNA strand breakage, which was inhibited by catalase and enhanced by H2O2. In an argon atmosphere, DNA damage was suppressed, showing that molecular oxygen is required for the silica-induced DNA damage. Incubation of freshly fractured silica with linoleic acid generated linoleic acid-derived free radicals and caused dose-dependent lipid peroxidation as measured by ESR spin trapping and malondialdehyde formation. SOD, catalase, and sodium benzoate inhibited lipid peroxidation by 49, 52, and 75%, respectively, again showing the role of oxygen radicals in silica-induced lipid peroxidation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)ImagesFigure 7.

MarylandThe carcinogenic effects of crystalline silica in rat lungs were extensively demonstrated by many experimental long-term studies, showing a marked predominance for adenocarcinomas originating from alveolar type 11 cells and associated with areas of pulmonary fibrosis (silicosis). In contrast with its effects in rats, silica did not induce alveolar type 11 hyperplasia and lung tumors in mice and hamsters, pointing to a critical role for host factors. Using these animal models, we are investigating the role of cytokines and other cellular mediators on the proliferation of alveolar type 11 cells. Immunohistochemical localization of TGF-,B1 precursor in alveolar type 11 cells adjacent to silicotic granulomas was shown to occur in rats, but not in mice, and hamsters, suggesting a pathogenetic role for this regulatory growth factor. Recent investigations in our laboratory on the biologic mechanisms of crystalline silica included determination of anionic sites on crystalline silica surfaces by binding of the cationic dye Janus Green B; binding of crystalline silica to DNA, demonstrated by infrared spectrometry; production of oxygen radicals by crystalline silica in aqueous media; induction of DNA strand breakage and base oxidation in vitro and its potentiation by superoxide dismutase and by hydrogen peroxide; and induction by crystalline silica of neoplastic transformation and chromosomal damage in cells in culture. On the basis of these in vitro studies, we propose that DNA binding to crystalline silica surfaces may be important in silica carcinogenesis by anchoring DNA close to sites of oxygen radical production on the silica surface, so that the oxygen radicals are produced within a few A from their target DNA nucleotides. -Environ Health Perspect 102(Suppl 10): 159-164(1994)