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Clues hint how particulates harm lungs

By eavesdropping on the chemical chatter within lung cells exposed to particulate pollution, researchers have identified intracellular messages that may trigger disease.

 

References:

Timblin, C., et al. 1998. Ambient particulate matter causes activation of the c-jun Kinase/Stress-activated protein kinase cascade and DNA synthesis in lung epithelial cells. Cancer Research 58(Oct. 15):4543.

 

Further Readings:

1994. ‘Legal’ air pollution may also kill. Science News 145(Jan. 1):15.

Raloff, J. 1998. How inhaled dust harms the lungs. Science News 153(Jan. 31):68.

______. 1997. Climate protection saves lives now. Science News 152(Nov. 8):292.

______. 1997. Clinton accepts new clean air proposals. Science News .152(July 5):6

_______. 1995. Heart-y risks from breathing fine dust. Science News 148(July 1):5.

Szabo, E. . . . M.J. Birrer, et al. 1996. Altered cJUN expression: An early even in human lung carcinogenesis. Cancer Research 56(Jan, 15):305.

 

Sources:

Michael J. Birrer
National Cancer Institute
Cell, Cancer, and Biology Department
Division of Cancer Prevention and Control
9610 Medical Center Drive
Room 300
Rockville, MD 20850

Cynthia Timblin
University of Vermont, Burlington
Department of Pathology
Burlington, VT 05405

From Science News, Vol. 154, No. 17, October 24, 1998, p. 262.
Copyright Ó 1998 by Science Service.

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