Gene Expression Response in Peripheral Blood Cells of Petroleum Workers Exposed to Sub-Ppm Benzene Levels

Katarina M. Jørgensen, Ellen Færgestad Mosleth, Kristian Hovde Liland, Nancy B. Hopf, Rita Holdhus, Anne-Kristin Stavrum, Bjørn Tore Gjertsen and Jorunn Kirkeleit
Additional contact information
Katarina M. Jørgensen: Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, P.O. Box 7804, N-5020 Bergen, Norway
Ellen Færgestad Mosleth: Nofima AS, Osloveien 1, N-1430 Ås, Norway
Kristian Hovde Liland: Nofima AS, Osloveien 1, N-1430 Ås, Norway
Nancy B. Hopf: Institute for Work and Health (IST), Universities of Lausanne and Geneva, CH-1066 Lausanne-Epalinges, Switzerland
Rita Holdhus: Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, P.O. Box 7804, N-5020 Bergen, Norway
Anne-Kristin Stavrum: Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, P.O. Box 7804, N-5020 Bergen, Norway
Bjørn Tore Gjertsen: Center for Cancer Biomarkers (CCBIO), Department of Clinical Science, Precision Oncology Research Group, University of Bergen, P.O. Box 7804, N-5020 Bergen, Norway
Jorunn Kirkeleit: Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, P.O. Box 7804, N-5020 Bergen, Norway

IJERPH, 2018, vol. 15, issue 11, 1-18

Abstract: Altered gene expression in pathways relevant to leukaemogenesis, as well as reduced levels of circulating lymphocytes, have been reported in workers that were exposed to benzene concentrations below 1 ppm. In this study, we analysed whole blood global gene expression patterns in a worker cohort with altered levels of T cells and immunoglobulins IgM and IgA at three time points; pre-shift, post-shift (after three days), and post-recovery (12 hours later). Eight benzene exposed tank workers performing maintenance work in crude oil cargo tanks with a mean benzene exposure of 0.3 ppm (range 0.1–0.5 ppm) and five referents considered to be unexposed were examined by gene expression arrays. By using our data as independent validation, we reanalysed selected genes that were reported to be altered from previous studies of workers being exposed to sub-ppm benzene levels Four out of six genes previously proposed as marker genes in chronically exposed workers separated benzene exposed workers from unexposed referents (CLEC5, ACSL1, PRG2, IFNB1). Even better separation of benzene exposed workers and referents was observed for short-term exposure for genes in the Jak-STAT pathway, particularly elevated expression of IL6 and reduced expression of IL19.

Keywords: benzene; gene expression; inflammation; immune response; leukaemia risk; petroleum industry; offshore (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
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