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Fate of early carcinogen-induced lesions in tracheal epithelium. [Rats, 7,12-dimethylbenz (a) anthracene]

Journal Article · · Cancer Res.; (United States)
OSTI ID:7106734

Hyperplastic-metaplastic lesions were produced in transplanted rat tracheas by exposure to 310 or 75 ..mu..g 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene or to 650 ..mu..g benzo(a)pyrene delivered over a 2-week exposure period. Tissue recovery was studied for up to 16 weeks. After cessation of carcinogen exposure, most of the hyperplastic-metaplastic epithelium was rapidly replaced by mucociliary epithelium. In the 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-exposed tracheas, a few metaplastic foci remained at 4 and 8 weeks. In all 3 exposure groups, portions of the mucosa were occupied by atrophic-pleomorphic epithelium that persisted throughout the observation period. The significance of these lesions in the evolution of neoplasia is as yet unknown. In vitro studies with epithelial cells derived from 7,12-dimethylbenz(a) anthracene-exposed tracheal transplants revealed that some cells have acquired a growth potential that is markedly different from that of normal mucociliary epithelium. This altered in vitro growth potential of epithelial cells may be an early indicator of an important event in the evolution of epithelial transformation in vivo.

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Lab., TN
OSTI ID:
7106734
Journal Information:
Cancer Res.; (United States), Journal Name: Cancer Res.; (United States) Vol. 36; ISSN CNREA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English