Cited by 10Occupational and environmental lung diseasesCarcinogens and Genotoxicity AssessmentOccupational Health and Global Justice

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 24 of the 25 references it cites were found in a registry or an index; none of the 34 sources its claims cite is checked for support yet.

Evaluation of the genotoxic and transformation potential induced by asbestos compared to cleavage fragments

Open access
La Maestra, Sebastiano, Militello, Gaia M., Alberti, Stefano, Benvenuti, Mirko, Gaggero, Laura·2025·Scientific Reports

Abstract

The World Health Organization has confirmed that asbestos fibres are carcinogenic, claiming that asbestos-related diseases should be eradicated worldwide. Actinolite, amosite, anthophyllite, chrysotile, crocidolite, and tremolite are regulated asbestiform mineral phases. However, in nature, asbestos minerals occur either in a fibrous and asbestiform (original morphology characterized by high length-to-width ratio and provided of high tensile strength and flexibility) or fibrous but not asbestiform appearance. This study used human epithelial cancer cells (A549) and a mouse fibroblast cell line (Balb/c 3T3) to compare the genotoxic and carcinogenic effects of a sample of amphibole asbestos with samples of fibrous not asbestiform named cleavage fragments (CV) obtained by grinding non-asbestiform amphiboles. The results showed that exposure of alveolar lung cells to asbestos and elongated mineral particles, in the habit of cleavage fragments (CF) derived from the grinding of non-asbestiform amphiboles and serpentines, causes cytotoxic effects, oxidative stress and genotoxic damage. Moreover, CF obtained from an actinolite schist induces a transformation effect in the Balb/c 3T3 model. Together, these findings highlight the importance of considering CF as a potential threat to human health since it can cause genotoxic damage by triggering cellular transformation processes that overlap with the mechanisms involved in the carcinogenesis processes of asbestos.

Overview

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TL;DR

This in vitro study compared amphibole asbestos (F3) with non-asbestiform cleavage fragments (A1, A3, A4, A5) in A549 and Balb/c 3T3 cells, finding cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, DNA damage, and transformation effects for some CFs. The authors conclude that CFs may pose human health risks overlapping with asbestos carcinogenesis mechanisms.

Key findings

  • Grinding non-asbestiform amphiboles produced cleavage fragments without asbestiform phases; A1, A3, A4, and A5 had average length-to-width ratios of 9, 18, 23, and 13, respectively, while asbestiform F3 had an average ratio of 36. Only 2 of 500 measured elongated mineral particles had a ratio < 3. Short fibers (<5 μm) were 28% in A1, 45% in A3, 14% in A4, and 2% in A5.
  • All samples reduced clonogenic capacity with increasing concentration. IC50 values were 1.90 µg/cm² for F3, 46.88 for A1, 1.90 for A3, 60.38 for A4, and 22.73 for A5; no-effects doses were 0.40, 14.20, 0.40, 6.61, and 1.90 µg/cm², respectively.
  • In A549 cells, ROS increased from 3 to 6 h and then plateaued; at 6 h all samples reached P < 0.01. At 24 h, F3 and A5 showed further positive trends (P < 0.001), while A3, A1, and A4 showed declines or maintenance (P < 0.05 to P < 0.01).
  • Significant DNA damage occurred only with A3, A5, and F3. A3 induced damage at IC50 (P < 0.001); A5 induced damage at both no-effects dose (P < 0.01) and IC50 (P < 0.001); F3 followed the same trend as A5 with higher damage (F3 vs. A5 P < 0.01). In transformation assays, F3 was transforming at 1.9 µg/cm² (P < 0.001) and 3.8 µg/cm² (P < 0.01); A5 transformed at 3.8 µg/cm² (P < 0.05) and peaked at 7.6 µg/cm² (P < 0.01); A3 showed no transforming effect.

Methods

  • Mineral samples included non-asbestiform amphiboles A1, A3, A4, and A5 and asbestiform amphibole F3; A2 is listed in Table 4 but not tested in the reported assays. Characterization used optical microscopy, SEM-EDS, µ-Raman, and ζ-potential. CFs were prepared by grinding, sieving through 63 μm, micronizing, freeze-drying, sterilizing, and sonicating before cell exposure.
  • A549 human epithelial cancer cells were used for DCF-DA redox status and alkaline comet assays; Balb/c 3T3 cells were used for clonogenic and cell transformation assays. Cells were exposed to varying concentrations and times, with untreated cells as negative controls and F3 or 3-methylcholanthrene as positive controls where applicable.
  • Statistical analysis used JMP version 17, one-way ANOVA with Bonferroni post hoc testing, and P < 0.05 as significant.

Limitations

  • The paper states that further in vivo studies are needed to better understand EMP actions and clarify etiopathological mechanisms induced by inhalation, and that reassessment of current legislation may eventually be necessary.
  • Evident from the text: all findings are in vitro using A549 and Balb/c 3T3 cell lines, with no in vivo or human exposure data.
  • Evident from the text: transformation tests were performed only on F3, A3, and A5, not on A1 or A4, and sample A2 appears in the sample table but is not included in the reported biological results.

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Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1038/s41598-025-86325-z

Cites

24 of 24 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Figures

Fig. 1 Linear regressions by exposure of Balb/c 3T3 to CF (A1, A3, A4, and A5) or asbestos (F3) at different concentrations (1.90, 3.80, 7.60, 15.20, 30.40, and 45.70 µg/cm2). The results are expressed as the average number of cell colonies (± SD) of three independent experiments and considered 100% Ctrl.
Fig. 1 Linear regressions by exposure of Balb/c 3T3 to CF (A1, A3, A4, and A5) or asbestos (F3) at different concentrations (1.90, 3.80, 7.60, 15.20, 30.40, and 45.70 µg/cm2). The results are expressed as the average number of cell colonies (± SD) of three independent experiments and considered 100% Ctrl.CC BY-NC-ND · PubMed Central
Fig. 2 Fluorescence units referred to DCF emitted intensity in A549 cells. The redox status was evaluated either untreated (Ctrl) or exposed for 24 h to IC50, of corresponding concentrations of varying CFs (A1, A3, A4, and A5) or asbestos (F3). The results are expressed as the average increase of fluorescence (FU) compared to Ctrl, and a t-test was conducted to compare differences between different groups. P values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.
Fig. 2 Fluorescence units referred to DCF emitted intensity in A549 cells. The redox status was evaluated either untreated (Ctrl) or exposed for 24 h to IC50, of corresponding concentrations of varying CFs (A1, A3, A4, and A5) or asbestos (F3). The results are expressed as the average increase of fluorescence (FU) compared to Ctrl, and a t-test was conducted to compare differences between different groups. P values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.CC BY-NC-ND · PubMed Central
Fig. 3 % Tail DNA, as evaluated by the Comet test, in A549 cells after exposure for 12 h to the no-effects dose indicated as - and IC50 concentrations indicated as + (µg/cm2) of CFs or asbestos (F3). The columns report the means + SD of triplicate analyses. Statistical analysis: *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01 and ***P < 0.001 vs. controls.
Fig. 3 % Tail DNA, as evaluated by the Comet test, in A549 cells after exposure for 12 h to the no-effects dose indicated as - and IC50 concentrations indicated as + (µg/cm2) of CFs or asbestos (F3). The columns report the means + SD of triplicate analyses. Statistical analysis: *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01 and ***P < 0.001 vs. controls.CC BY-NC-ND · PubMed Central
Fig. 4 SEM images (Magnification: 2000x) of representative Balb/c 3T3 exposed at different CFs (samples A1, A3, A4 and A5) and amphibole asbestos (F3) for 12 h. Top left: the negative control sample.
Fig. 4 SEM images (Magnification: 2000x) of representative Balb/c 3T3 exposed at different CFs (samples A1, A3, A4 and A5) and amphibole asbestos (F3) for 12 h. Top left: the negative control sample.CC BY-NC-ND · PubMed Central
Fig. 5 Transformation frequency of Balb/c 3T3 cells exposed to samples A3, A5, and F3. Results are expressed as the means + SD of three independent experiments for cell growth assay. Statistical analysis: * P < 0.05, **P < 0.01 and ***P < 0.001 vs. controls (Ctrl −).
Fig. 5 Transformation frequency of Balb/c 3T3 cells exposed to samples A3, A5, and F3. Results are expressed as the means + SD of three independent experiments for cell growth assay. Statistical analysis: * P < 0.05, **P < 0.01 and ***P < 0.001 vs. controls (Ctrl −).CC BY-NC-ND · PubMed Central

Verification

Claims the paper makes

52 Own result · 9 Check pending · 8 Own interpretation · 6 No full text of the sources · 6 Own method · 5 No basis given · 4 Sources not found · 4 Not checked yet

Verify all 16 references — free account

Show all 46 claims

  • Probably not a substantial claim. 26
  • It may state two separate claims as one. 29
48 of 48
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    In vitro results in A549 and Balb/c 3T3 cell lines are predictive of human carcinogenic potential and health threat.

    “This study used human epithelial cancer cells (A549) and a mouse fibroblast cell line (Balb/c 3T3) to compare the genotoxic and carcinogenic effects of a sample of amphibole asbestos with samples of fibrous not asbestiform named cleavage fragments (CV) obtained by grinding non-asbestiform amphiboles.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The Balb/c 3T3 cell transformation assay foci indicate carcinogenic transformation.

    “The possible transforming activity of CFs was investigated using the in vitro transformation model of Balb/c 3T3 cells.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Carcinogenesis requires mutational events that ROS and genotoxic damage could trigger.

    “This choice arises from the awareness that the carcinogenesis process requires mutational events that ROS and genotoxic damage could trigger.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Cleavage fragments produced by laboratory grinding are representative of CFs generated by mechanical action in environmental or occupational settings.

    “CF used in this research were obtained by grinding different non-asbestiform amphiboles derived from different rocks.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Oxidative stress can lead to chronic inflammation, which can trigger chronic diseases like cancer.

    “Moreover, oxidative stress can lead to chronic inflammation, triggering chronic diseases like cancer.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Carcinogenesis is a long and complex multi-step process requiring different DNA mutations.

    “Carcinogenesis is a long and complex multi-step process requiring different DNA mutations, transforming a healthy cell into a cancer cell.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The process of in vitro cell transformation follows a multistage process closer to the model stages of in vivo carcinogenesis.

    “Different studies have shown that the process follows a multistage process closer to the model stages of in vivo carcinogenesis.”
7 of 7

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Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

2 of 2

Citations

Cites

Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. A review of human carcinogens. Part C: Arsenic, metals, dusts, and fibres. Lyons, International Agency for Research on Cancer, 2009 (IARC monographs on the evaluation of carcinogenic risks to humans, Vol. 100 C). http://monographs.iarc.fr/ENG/Monographs/vol100C/mono100C.pdf (Accessed 13 April 2013) (2009).
  2. National Research Council (US) Committee on Nonoccupational Health Risks of Asbestiform Fibers. Asbestiform Fibers: Nonoccupational Health Risks (National Academies Press (US), 1984).

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Metadata

Authors
La Maestra, S., Militello, G. M., Alberti, S., Benvenuti, M., & Gaggero, L.
Affiliations
University of Genoa (IT)
Venue
Scientific Reports
Published
2025-01-29
Volume
15
Issue
1
Pages
3613-3613
ISSN
2045-2322 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W4406891208
Cited by
10
References
25
Citations by year
2026: 8 · 2025: 2
FWCI
5.68
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Scientific Reports (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • CINECA IRIS Institutial Research Information System (University of Genoa) (submittedVersion)
Funders
POligEnetic Mélanges: anatomy, significance and societal impacts (CUP 1 D33C22000350001)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine › Occupational and environmental lung diseases
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cancer Research › Carcinogens and Genotoxicity Assessment
  • Social Sciences › Health › Occupational Health and Global Justice
Keywords
asbestos, cleavage fragments, amphibole asbestos, asbestiform minerals, genotoxicity, carcinogenicity, cell transformation, oxidative stress, cytotoxicity, A549 cells, 3T3 fibroblasts, actinolite, serpentine, asbestos-related diseases
MeSH terms
A549 Cells, Animals, Asbestos, Cell Transformation, Neoplastic, DNA Damage, Humans, Asbestos, Amphibole, Oxidative Stress, BALB 3T3 Cells, Mice

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