Transcriptome profiles of malignant peritoneal mesotheliomas of rats induced by multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and amosite asbestos

Malignant mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer that often originates in the pleural and peritoneal mesothelium. Exposure to asbestos is a frequent cause. But studies in rodents showed that certain multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) can induce malignant mesotheliomas. This study aimed to understand molecular pathways leading to the development of malignant mesotheliomas induced by MWCNTs and amosite asbestos in Wistar rats. Using Affymetrix microarrays, we carried out genome-wide transcriptome analysis on malignant peritoneal meosotheliomas induced by MWCNTs and amosite asbestos. The transcriptome of MWCNTs and amosite asbestos-induced mesotheliomas exhibited commonalities, but also differences pertaining to differentially-expressed genes (DEGs), regulated canonical pathways, and molecular functions. Malignant mesotheliomas were induced by peritoneal treatments of MWCNTs and amosite asbestos in Wistar rats. Tumor and control peritoneal tissues were part of an in vivo study to determine carcinogenic effects of various MWCNTs (Rittinghausen et al 2014, Particle and fibre toxicology 11, 59). Genome-wide transcriptome analysis using Affymetrix microarrays was undertaken in n =11 tumors from different rats induced by MWCNTs and amosite asbestos, and n = 3 control peritoneal tissues.