Development of stable HSPA1A promoter-driven luciferase reporter HepG2 cells for assessing the toxicity of organic pollutants present in air

• DOI: 10.1007/s12192-012-0332-8
• Publication Date: 2012-02-25T00:44:19Z
• Authors: Lili Xin; Xiaohai Li; Huaxin Deng; Dan Kuang; Xiayun Dai; Suli Huang; Feng Wang; Meian He; R. William Currie; Tangchun Wu
• Keywords: Viability assay

HSPA1A (HSP70-1) is a highly inducible heat shock gene up-regulated in response to environmental stresses and pollutants. The aim of our study was evaluate the sensitivity stable metabolically competent HepG2 cells containing human promoter-driven luciferase reporter (HepG2-luciferase cells) for assessing toxicity organic pollutants present air. HepG2-luciferase were validated by treatment testing three compounds (pyrene, benzo[a]pyrene, formaldehyde) that are ubiquitous maximal level relative activity induced over nine times control level, respectively. Pyrene, formaldehyde all significantly elevated levels dose-dependent manner. Extractable matter (EOM) from urban traffic coke oven emissions ambient air tested on cells. EOM significant increase at concentrations picogram per liter. produced strong induction up six value. Significant increases observed as low, or lower than decreased cell viability, increased malondialdehyde concentration, Olive tail moment, micronuclei frequency. Therefore, we conclude valuable tool rapid screening overall