KR20180077806A - Biomarker for identification of exposure to air pollutants and method of identifying exposure to air pollutants using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a biomarker for determining whether an air pollutant is exposed to air. The biomarker of the present invention, the tohomphoin beta chain, vimentin, or moesin protein is an air pollutant, for example, Since the expression is increased by exposure, it can be usefully used as a biomarker for confirming exposure to air pollutants.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a biomarker for detecting exposure to air pollutants,

The present invention relates to a biomarker for confirming exposure to air pollutants, and more particularly, to a biomarker for determining whether or not an air pollutant, such as acrolein, has been exposed.

Smoking is a major risk factor for global mortality. Smoking makes it difficult to control the symptoms of asthma and weakens the response to treatments for asthma. Compared with nonsmokers with asthma, smokers with asthma show symptom control of aggravated asthma, rapidly declining lung function, and high mortality. Steroid therapy and smoking cessation can improve symptoms of asthma and improve lung function. Leakage of blood vessels and plasma congestion have been reported in all asthmatic patients ranging from mild to fatal levels (Harkness LM et al ., 2015, Pharmacol Ther , 148: 17-33).

In order to produce blood vessels, proliferation and migration of endothelial cells are required, and the importance of endothelial cell proliferation for swelling increase of vascular network has been known for a long time. The endothelium is a single layer of cells covering the blood vessels and the lymphatic canal. These cell layers attach to the basement membrane and participate in the exchange of substances between blood and tissue. Endothelial cells play an important role in regulation of vascular function, production of new blood vessels and recovery of damaged blood vessels. Endothelial cells release many biological mediators such as growth factors, mediators acting on blood vessels, clotting and fibrinolysis proteins, and immune factors. These cells are usually silent, reflecting the stability and integrity of the vessel wall.

On the other hand, volatile acrolein (2-propenal) at room temperature is an α, β-unsaturated aldehyde that is very irritating to eyes and respiratory tract. Is acrolein a cooking oil? It can be produced when the fat is heated above 300 ° C, and it can be generated when cooking using biomass as a fuel in the home, and it exists in tobacco smoke in the environment. This is a significant health risk in the restaurant business. Acrolein exacerbates chronic airway disease and increases levels in the sputum and condensed exhalation of patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (Corradi M et al ., 2004, Eur Respir J , 24: 1011-7).

 Harkness LM et al., 2015, Pharmacol Ther, 148: 17-33  Corradi M et al., 2004, Eur Respir J, 24: 1011-7

The inventors of the present invention studied the effect of exposure time of acrolein on protein expression using proteomic approach in order to develop a marker for determining the exposure of acrolein, , The inventors of the present invention have found that the above specific proteins have an excellent effect in confirming exposure to air pollutants as the expression of specific proteins in the lungs of mice exposed to acrolein is increased.

An object of the present invention is to provide a biomarker for judging whether or not air pollutants are exposed.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a kit for confirming the exposure of air pollutants, which comprises an agent for detecting the biomarker.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a method for providing information on exposure to air pollutants, which comprises confirming the expression level of the biomarker in a sample separated from a subject suspected of exposure to air pollutants.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a DNA microarray chip for confirming exposure to air pollutants in which a gene of the biomarker or a complementary nucleic acid thereof is integrated.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a biomarker for confirming exposure of acrolein, which is an air pollutant, as a tohomomycin beta chain, vimentin, or moesin.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a kit for confirming the exposure of acrolein, which is an air pollutant, including a substance for measuring the amount of gene expression of toropomaiosin beta chain, visentin, or moesin.

In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides a method of measuring a biomarker gene expression level in a sample separated from a subject suspected of exposure to air pollutants, and comparing the expression level of the biomarker with a normal control group And providing information necessary for judging whether or not the air pollutant is contained.

In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides a DNA microarray chip for confirming exposure to air pollutants in which a gene encoding torofomycosis beta chain, visentin, or moesin gene or a complementary nucleic acid thereof is integrated.

Since the expression of the biomarker of the present invention is increased by exposure to air pollutants such as acrolein, the biomarker for confirming the exposure of air pollutants, As shown in FIG.

FIGS. 1A and 1B show two-dimensional electrophoresis of human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells treated with 30 nM acrolein (FIG. 1A) and 300 nM (FIG. 1B), respectively. A 2-D PAGE image of the acrolein-untreated cell lysate was used as the master gel and reference map.
FIG. 2 is a graph showing a significant differential expression (> 3-fold change) of 11 proteins at 8 hours and 24 hours after treatment with 30 nM acrolein in human lung microvascular endothelial cells. Each protein expression profile was categorized by colony analysis. Proteins named by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) are shown in each cluster.
FIG. 3 is a graph showing a significant differential expression (> 3-fold change) of 10 proteins at 8 and 24 hours after treatment with 300 nM of acrolein in human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells. Each protein expression profile was categorized by colony analysis. Proteins named by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) are shown in each cluster.
FIG. 4A is an experimental protocol of the asthma model, and FIGS. 4B and 4C show results of Western blot and immunohistochemical staining of mucin expression in lung tissue of acrolein and sham-treated mice, respectively.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a biomarker for confirming exposure to air pollutants, comprising at least one protein selected from the group consisting of a tropomyosin beta chain, vimentin, and moesin.

Tropomyosin beta chain (TPM2), also known as beta-Tropomyosin, is a protein encoded by the TPM2 gene. The protein stabilizes the actin filament and regulates muscle contraction. The sequence of the protein can be referred to NP_001288156.1 (NCBI).

Vimentin (VIM) is an intermediate light filament protein specific for mesenchymal cells such as fibroblasts and leukocyte cells. The mesoscopic filaments together with microtubules and actin microfilaments constitute the cytoskeleton. The protein is responsible for maintenance of cell morphology, integrity of the cytoplasm, and stabilization of cytoskeletal interactions. In addition, the protein is involved in the immune response and regulates the transport of low density lipoprotein (LDL) -derived cholesterol from the lysosome to the site of the esterification reaction. For the sequence of the protein, reference can be made to NP003371.2 (NCBI).

Moesin (MSN) represents a membrane-organizing extension spike protein and belongs to the ERM family along with ezrin and radixin. The ERM protein acts as a cross-linking protein between the plasma membrane and the actin-based cytoskeletons. Moesin is concentrated in the protrusions of filopodia and other membranes that play an important role in cell recognition and signaling and cell movement. The sequence of the protein can be found in EAX05399.1 (GenBank).

The term "air pollutant" as used herein may also be acrolein, and acrolein is the simplest unsaturated aldehyde compound with a spicy odor of irritating fats and is highly reactive, ≪ / RTI > It is irritant to the mucous membrane and should be exposed. It has a property of polymerizing at room temperature and turns into a slightly sticky yellow substance. Only about 2 ppm in the air can cause a toxic reaction and may be produced as a metabolite of cyclophosphamide, one of the anticancer drugs. Acrolein can cause respiratory irritation and cardiovascular abnormalities, and there is also a claim that acrolein in tobacco is associated with lung cancer. Acrolein can irritate the eyes, skin, mucous membranes, and lungs and may cause central nervous system depression due to exposure to high concentrations. It has a strong irritant and rarely causes death when exposed. In addition, acrolein is mainly a synthetic intermediate or disinfectant of acrylic acid. Acute aspiration exposure causes inflammation and stagnation of upper respiratory tract. Dyspnea due to aspiration or chest tightness may occur.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a kit for detecting an air pollutant exposure, comprising an agent for detecting at least one protein selected from the group consisting of a tropomyosin beta chain, vimentin, and moesin or a gene encoding the same, to provide.

The detection agent may be a primer or a probe capable of complementarily binding to a gene encoding the protein, and may be an antibody that specifically binds to the protein.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for detecting an air pollutant, comprising the steps of: 1) measuring the amount of gene expression of a toroformomycin beta chain, vimentin, or moesin in a sample separated from a subject suspected of exposure to air pollutants; 2) Comparing the expression level of the normal control sample, and 3) determining that the subject is exposed to air pollutants when the gene expression level is higher than that of the control. to provide.

(2-D) electrophoresis, MALDI-TOF MS (Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption / ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry) or Western blot analysis Western Blot Analysis) can be used.

Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis is a gel electrophoresis method that combines electrophoresis of different principles and two-dimensionally develops it, and is used to separate samples composed of many components. High resolution electrophoresis can be obtained because proteins can be separated in two dimensions according to difference of isoelectric point and molecular weight.

The MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) is a method in which ions are irradiated to a crystal having a relatively large molecular weight and a matrix by laser irradiation, and charged ions are passed through a time-of-flight mass spectrometer And measuring the time taken to reach the detector. In addition, MALDI-TOF MS is a relatively easy-to-handle mass spectrometer that does not require extreme conditions such as pyrolysis and does not use a column. This assay is widely used to measure the molecular weight of proteins or DNA fragments.

Western blot analysis is one of the well-known techniques for detecting specific proteins through an antigen-antibody reaction using an antibody that targets the protein to be detected. This technique, which is used to search for a specific protein in a given tissue sample, separates the pure protein or denatured protein by size in the form of a three-dimensional shape by electrophoresis, then transfers the proteins to the membrane, ) Are processed to detect the specific protein of interest.

The step of measuring the gene expression level of TPM2, VIM, or MSN may be performed by measuring the mRNA of the gene. Also, in the above step, a probe or a primer that specifically binds to the TPM2, VIM, or MSN gene may be used. &Quot; Primer " or " probe " refers to a nucleic acid sequence having a free 3 'hydroxyl group capable of complementarily binding with a template and allowing the reverse transcriptase or DNA polymerase to initiate replication of the template do. Based on the known sequence information of the genes, the probe or the primer can be easily produced using techniques well known in the art.

(RT-PCR) / polymerase chain reaction, competitive RT-PCR, real-time RT-PCR, Nuclease protection assay (NPA) for detection at the mRNA level, detection of expression level or pattern, RNase, S1 nuclease analysis, in situ hybridization, DNA microarray chip, or Northern blot can be used. These assays are well known and can also be performed using commercially available kits, and those skilled in the art will be able to select appropriate ones for the practice of the present invention. For example, Northern blot can detect the size of a transcript present in a cell, and it has an advantage that various probes can be used. NPA is useful for multi-marker analysis, and in situ hybridization Or tissue, and the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction is useful for detecting a small amount of a sample. Also, an array comprising a binding agent or a binding agent that specifically binds to a nucleic acid such as mRNA or cRNA derived from a gene encoding the biomarker protein according to the present invention may be used.

The reagent or substance used in the method for detecting the biomarker is well known. For example, in the method for measuring the presence and amount of mRNA by RT-PCR, the detection reagent may be, for example, a polymerase, / RTI > and / or < / RTI > The detection reagent may be labeled as a chromogenic, luminescent or fluorescent material for signal detection.

The detection reagent can be labeled indirectly, either directly or in sandwich form, for detection according to the specific method used for detection. In the case of direct labeling methods, serum samples used in arrays and the like are labeled with fluorescent labels such as Cy3 and Cy5. In the case of sandwiches, unlabeled serum samples are first bound by reaction with an array attached with a detection reagent, and then the target protein is detected by binding with the labeled detection antibody. In the case of the sandwich method, sensitivity and specificity can be increased, and detection up to pg / mL level is possible. Other radioactive materials, coloring materials, magnetic particles, and high-density electron particles can be used as labeling materials. Fluorescence intensity can be measured using a scanning confocal microscope, for example, from Affymetrix, Inc. or Agilent Technologies, Inc.

On the other hand, when TPM2 or VIM was expressed in the above step, it was found that it was exposed to air pollutants of 30 nM or more, and when MSN was expressed in individuals, it was exposed to air pollutants of 300 nM or more. This is described in detail in the second embodiment of the present invention.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a DNA microarray chip for confirming exposure to air pollutants in which a gene encoding torofomycosis beta chain, visentin, or moesin gene or a complementary nucleic acid thereof is integrated.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the following examples. However, the following examples are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

Preparation Example 1. Cell culture and acrolein stimulation

Primary human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (HMVEC-L) (Lonza, Switzerland) (5000 cells / cm ² ) used in the following examples were cultured in EGM ^TM -2 MV BulletKit ^TM (Lonza, Basel, Switzerland). The medium was replaced every 48 hours at 37 ° C and 5% CO ₂ until the cells reached 90% confluence. The cells were seeded on a 150 cm ² plate. Then, the HMVEC-L was regenerated with EGM ^TM -2 MV for 30 minutes in 0.1% FBS, treated with various concentrations of acrolein, cultured in an incubator at 37 ° C and 5% CO ₂ for 8 hours and 24 hours Respectively.

Preparation Example 2. Two-dimensional (2-D) electrophoresis and image analysis

The cell culture was centrifuged to harvest the HMVEC-L cells and disrupted with a lysis buffer containing 5 mM Tris-HCl (pH 7.4), 100 mM NaCl, 1% Triton X-100, and 2 mM PMSF. The cell lysate was centrifuged at 12,000 x g for 30 minutes, and a supernatant portion was obtained. Protein concentration was measured with a BCA assay kit (Pierce). Immobiline DryStrips (Amersham Biosciences) was used for isoelectric focusing (IEF) performed with 1 mg of protein extracted from the IPGphor system (Amersham Biosciences). After IEF isolation, the proteins were separated by SDS-PAGE (Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis) on a two-dimensional gel.

For image analysis, the gel was visualized using a Coomassie Brilliant Blue G-250 according to the manufacturer's instructions. The 2-D gels were scanned using the ImageScanner (Amersham Biosciences) transfer mode. Spot detection and matching were performed using ImageMaster 2D version 5.0 (Amersham Biosciences). The digitized images were analyzed and standardized using the ImageMaster program to measure the intensity of the 2-D spot while incorporating the spot density (the "volume" of the spot) as well as the optical density. The intensity measurements were normalized and transmitted to SPSS 12.0 for statistical analysis.

Preparation Example 3. Protein identification and database search by MALDI-TOF MS analysis

The mass spectrometry (MS) used in the following Examples was carried out by Yonsei Proteomics Research Institute (YPRC, Korea). SF and serum peptide profiles were analyzed with a MALDI-TOF / TOF mass spectrometer (4800 ABSciex, USA). In the preparation of the sample, 70% ACN was allowed to flow through the Porous tip to remove impurities attached to the resin. A 2% formaldehyde solution was then passed through the column to make it acidic. After this pretreatment, the samples to be analyzed were passed through a column. Then a detergent (2% FA) was used to remove impurities such as salts and chemicals. Finally, the peptide attached to the resin was eluted using one drop of elution buffer.

Preparation Example 4. Database Search and Protein Identification

MS and MS / MS data were used for subsequent searches by Mascot software (Matrix Science; http://www.matrixscience.com ) using the main storage data base (MSDB) protein sequence database of human proteins.

Preparation 5. Exposure and histological examination of acrolein

Studies were conducted under the approval of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) at Bucheon Hospital of Soonchunhyang University and mice were stored under SPF (Specific pathogen free) conditions. In the following examples, 6-8 week old BALB / c female mice (n = 8 mice; Orient Bio, Sungnam, Korea) were used. The mice were exposed to filtered air (control), albumin albumin (3 ug / ul) or acrolein (5 ppm, 6 h) and then observed.

To investigate changes induced by acrolein in lung tissue, mice were injected intraperitoneally with 2.5 mg / kg tiletamine and xylazine (Zolethyl and lumpum; Bayer Korea Co., Seoul, Korea) And anesthetized by injection. The following day, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was obtained, centrifuged and the supernatant was stored at -20 < 0 > C. Cell pellets were resuspended in 1.05X PBS and Cytospin slides were prepared for cell differential (500 cells / mouse, Diff-Quick-staining ). A portion of the lung was fixed with 4% phosphate buffered paraformaldehyde, embedded in paraffin, and sectioned and stained.

Fixed lungs were treated with Dulbecco's phosphate buffered saline (Sigma) containing Ca ²⁺ , Mg ²⁺ , 6.1 mM D-glucose, and 0.33 mM sodium pyruvate (DPBS; Cat. No. 14287-080, Life Technologies, Carlsbad, CA) (30-70%), and embedded in paraffin blocks (Hypercenter XP, Shandon, Ramsey, MN). The lung tissue was cut (4 mu m) and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. The total protein in the cell-free supernatant was measured using a bicinchoninic acid assay (BCA; Thermo Scientific, USA) using bovine serum albumin as a standard.

Preparation Example 6. Western blot analysis for expression of moesin

The extracted lung tissue was homogenized in distilled water in a protein solution containing 50 mM Tris-HCl (pH 7.4), 50 mM NaCl, 0.1% SDS, 1% Triton X-100, 0.5 mM EDTA and 100 mM PMSF, And centrifuged at 14000 rpm for 30 minutes at 4 < 0 > C to obtain insoluble materials. Proteins were fractionated by 10% SDS-PAGE and transferred to a PVDF membrane (millipore). The membrane was blocked for 1 hour in TBS containing 5% BSA and incubated with polyclonal rabbit anti-MOESIN antibody (1: 1000 dilution) (EP1863Y, abcam) overnight at 4 ° C . The membrane was washed three times for 10 min each with TBS containing 0.01% Tween-20 to remove unbound primary antibody. The membrane was then incubated with a goat anti-rabbit antibody (Alexa Fluor 488, abcam) for 1 hour. ECL detection of moesin was performed according to the manufacturer's instructions (Roche Applied Science).

Preparation Example 7. Immunohistochemical staining Morphogenesis in lung tissue of acrolein-exposed mice

To investigate the secretion of moesin, paraffin was removed from mouse lung slices and rehydrated with ethanol in stepwise concentrations. 4 μm tissue sections slides were treated with 0.3% H ₂ O ₂ -methanol for 30 minutes to block endogenous peroxidase and then incubated overnight at 4 ° C with a synergistic antibody (1: 100 dilution, abcam) . After rinsing with Tris-buffered saline, the slides were incubated with avidin-biotin peroxidase complex (ABC kit, Vector Laboratory, Burlingame, Calif.). The color reaction was increased by staining with a liquid DAB + substrate kit (Golden Bridge International Inc, Mukilteo, WA). Following immunohistochemical staining, the slides were counterstained with Herris ' s hematoxylin for 1 minute.

Preparation Example 8. Statistical Analysis

Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 14.0 software. Differences in spot intensity on 2-D gels were compared among three independent populations or samples using the non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis H test for continuous data. When differences were found significant, the Mann-Whitney U test (two-sample rank sum test) was applied to the density and concentration differences of the two groups. All data were expressed as median (range of quartiles) and significance was defined as p < 0.05.

Example  1. 2-D electrophoresis and protein identification

A proteomic approach was used to determine the differential expression of the proteins at 8 and 24 hours after HMVEC-L cells were treated with 30 nM and 300 nM acrolein. Protein fractions were obtained by fractional centrifugation and were separated by 2-D electrophoresis using six replicate gels per treatment. Representative images of proteomic profiles of HMVEC-L cells prior to treatment are shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B.

A total of 427 (median, 425; range, 400-460) protein spots were detected in each gel, as shown in Figures 1A and 1B. All identified spots were confined to the pH range of 3-10 with a molecular mass range of 10-200 kDa. The 2-D gel image was used as the master gel and reference map. 2-D PAGE of acrolein-treated cell extracts showed 11 spots at 30 nM, 10 spots at 300 nM, and more than 3-fold at 8 and 24 hours after treatment with acrolein. The spots were excised from the gel, incubated with trypsin to digest the protein in the gel, and then analyzed using MALDI-TOF MS.

Example 2. Cluster Analysis &lt; RTI ID = 0.0 &gt;

The hierarchical clustering technique was used to visualize the expression profiles of 21 proteins showing significant (p <0.05) differential expression. (Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, Group C), continuous increase (Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, Group B), temporary decrease (Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, Group C) , And sustained reduction (Figure 2 and Figure 3, Group D).

2.1. Treatment of HMVEC-L cells with 30 nM acrolein

When HMVEC-L cells were treated with 30 nM acrolein, 11 protein spots were changed in two-dimensional gels and analyzed using MALDI-TOF MS. These proteins include antioxidants (adenylyl cyclase related protein (CAP), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH)), signaling (annexin A5 (ANXA5), 14-3-3 protein epsilon isotype (YWHAE), initiation factor 4D (eIF-4D)), the cytoskeleton (torromomycin beta chain (TPM2) and vimentin (VIM)), protein transfer (phospholipase A2 (PLA2) S-transferase P (GST-π)) proteins.

The proteins were classified into four groups by changes in expression patterns over time, such as steady increase, transient increase, transient decrease, and steady decrease. This is shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, adenylyl cyclase related protein (CAP), annexin A5 (ANXA5), 14-3-3 protein epsilon isotype (YWHAE), phospholipase A2 (PLA2) eIF-4D) and fibrin beta were included in group A, the torromomycin beta chain (TPM2) and visentin (VIM) were in group B. In addition, a temporary decrease in glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and glutathione S-transferase P (GST-π) was observed in group C and a sustained decrease in glutathione S-transferase P (GST-π) Were observed in group D.

2.2. Treatment of HMVEC-L cells with acrolein 300 nM

When HMVEC-L cells were treated with 300 nM acrolein, 10 protein spots were changed in two-dimensional gels and analyzed using MALDI-TOF MS. These proteins include signal transduction (annexin A1 (ANXA1), 14-3-3 protein epsilon isotype (YWHAE), annexin A5 (ANXA5), glucose-regulated protein 78 precursor (part) (GRP78) (TPM4), moesin, equivalent CRA_b (MSN)), protein transfer (71Kd heat shock kinetic protein (HSP7C)), catalytic reduction (glyceraldehyde-3- phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) Proteins.

The proteins were classified into four groups by changes in expression patterns over time, such as steady increase, transient increase, transient decrease, and steady decrease. This is shown in FIG.

(ANXA1), 71Kd heat shock kinable protein (HSP7C), toropomaiosin 4 (TPM4), 14-3-3 protein epsilon isotype (YWHAE), annexin A5 ) Were classified into group A, and moesin and CRA_b (MSN) was classified into group B. A temporary reduction in the glucose-regulated protein 78 precursor (partial) (GRP78) A continuous decrease in glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) was observed in group D, respectively.

Example 3. Identification of HMVEC-L cells expressing moesin in lungs of acrolein-treated mice

After stimulation with acrolein in the body, mice were exposed to albumin (3 ug / ul) (OVA) for 3 days or acrolein 5 ppm for 5 hours for 3 days to determine if the expression of moesin was increased in lung tissue .

Specifically, BALB / c mice were injected with saline or OVA intraperitoneally on days 0 and 14 and divided into three groups (control (Sham), OVA treated (OVA / OVA), acrolein treated (OVA / ACR )). From day 21 to day 23, control mice were exposed to filtered air, OVA treated mice were injected intraperitoneally with OVA 3 μg / μl, and acrolein treated mice received 5 ppm of acrolein 1 hour after OVA treatment (Fig. 4A).

Protein expression of the lung cells extracted from control, OVA treated group or acrolein treated group mice was analyzed (Fig. 4B). In addition, lung tissues of OVA-treated group, acrolein-treated group and control mice were incubated with biotinylated anti-goat MOESIN antibody (1: 100 dilution) with avidin-biotin peroxidase The complex kit and 3,3'-diaminobenzidine tetrachloride (Zymed Laboratories Inc.) were used for staining, and hemacoxylin was used for control staining (Fig. 4C).

As shown in FIGS. 4A-4C, the expression of intracellular mucin nephropathy was further increased in the mouse population exposed to OVA and acrolein as compared to the control mouse group (FIG. 4B). The evaluation of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid showed increased total cell counts and differential cell counts in the acrolein-exposed mouse population compared to the control mouse population (Figure 4c). Expression of moesin protein in bronchial bronchus was investigated using immunohistochemical staining. Western blot analysis of a homogenous suspension of the lung lysate (20 ug of protein / lane) in the control, OVA treated group and acrolein treated group mice showed that the morestin protein in the lungs of the acrolein treated mice, as compared to the control mice, (Fig. 4A). Moesin was observed in endothelial cells, bronchial and bronchial epithelial cells, and inflammatory cells (Fig. 4B).

Claims (14)

A biomarker for the confirmation of exposure to air pollutants, comprising at least one protein selected from the group consisting of tropomyosin beta chain, vimentin and moesin.
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein said air pollutant is acrolein.
A kit for confirming exposure to air pollutants, comprising an agent for detecting at least one protein selected from the group consisting of a tryptomycin beta chain, vimentin, and moesin or a gene encoding the same.
The method of claim 3,
Wherein the air pollutant is acrolein.
The method of claim 3,
Wherein the detection agent is a primer or a probe capable of complementarily binding to a gene encoding the protein.
The method of claim 3,
Wherein the detection agent is an antibody that specifically binds to the protein.
1) measuring the amount of gene expression of the tofuromycin beta chain, vimentin, or moesin in samples isolated from suspected air pollutants;
2) comparing the amount of gene expression with the expression level of a normal control sample; And
3) determining that the subject has been exposed to airborne contaminants when the gene expression level is higher than the control.
8. The method of claim 7,
Wherein the air contaminant is acrolein.
8. The method of claim 7,
The gene expression level can be determined by two-dimensional (2-D) electrophoresis, MALDI-TOF MS, Western blot analysis and ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry ). &Lt; / RTI &gt;&lt; Desc / Clms Page number 21 &gt;
8. The method of claim 7,
Wherein the step of measuring the amount of gene expression is carried out by measuring the mRNA of the gene.
8. The method of claim 7,
Wherein the method further comprises the step of providing information that the subject has been exposed to at least 30 nM air pollutants when the totho-myosin beta chain or visentin is expressed.
8. The method of claim 7,
Wherein the method further comprises the step of providing information that when exposed to the moesin in the subject is exposed to at least 300 nM air pollutants.
A DNA microarray chip for exposure to air pollutants integrated with a toroformomycin beta chain, visentin, or moesin gene or its complementary nucleic acid.
14. The method of claim 13,
Wherein the air pollutant is acrolein.

Images