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Article Addendum

Autophagy in hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells exposed to heavy metals: Biological implications and toxicological relevance

Mario Di Gioacchino, Claudia Petrarca, Angela Perrone, Simone Martino, Diana L. Esposito, Lavinia Vittoria Lotti and Renato Mariani-Costantini

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The inherent toxicity of many metal compounds, together with their widespread environmental distribution, raises concerns of potential health hazards. Little is known about the impact of these important environmental toxicants on adult stem/progenitor cells, necessary for tissue homeostasis and repair. We recently reported that autophagy is implicated in the response of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells to toxic concentrations of hexavalent chromium (Cr[VI]) and cadmium (Cd), two well known carcinogenic heavy metal cations. Autophagy may lead to cell death if carried out too extensively, but also acts as a survival pathway in cells under stress. In stem/progenitor cells, an autophagic phenotype could mitigate metal-induced toxicity, contributing to the conservation of tissue renewal capability. Given the key role of toxic damage to adult stem/progenitor cells in cancer, it is necessary to investigate whether autophagic responses modulate the carcinogenic potential of exposure to heavy metals during stem/progenitor cell differentiation.

Addendum to: Di Gioacchino M, Petrarca C, Perrone A, Farina M, Sabbioni E, Hartung T, Martino S, Esposito DL, Lotti LV, Mariani-Costantini R. Autophagy as an ultrastructural marker of heavy metal toxicity in human cord blood hematopoietic stem cells. Sci Total Environ. 2008; 392:50-8.

Authors

Mario Di Gioacchino

Aging Research Center (Ce.S.I.)

Claudia Petrarca

Aging Research Center (Ce.S.I.)

Angela Perrone

Aging Research Center (Ce.S.I.)

Simone Martino

La Sapienza University

Diana L. Esposito

G. d'Annunzio University

Lavinia Vittoria Lotti

La Sapienza University

Renato Mariani-Costantini

G. d'Annunzio University

Purchase article for $19

Subscribe to this journal for $99/year