Premium
Cell membrane‐related toxic responses and disruption of intercellular communication in PCB mechanisms of toxicity: A review
Author(s) -
Murati Teuta,
Miletić Marina,
Pleadin Jelka,
Šimić Branimir,
Kmetič Ivana
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of applied toxicology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.784
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1099-1263
pISSN - 0260-437X
DOI - 10.1002/jat.4019
Subject(s) - toxicity , genotoxicity , intracellular , microbiology and biotechnology , neurotoxicity , carcinogen , dna damage , biology , toxicology , chemistry , pharmacology , biochemistry , dna , organic chemistry
An understanding of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congener‐specific effects on cell membrane and intercellular communication is important within the studies of PCB absorption, organ‐related PCB accumulation and exertion of toxic responses. Toxic potential of PCBs is linked to various deleterious effects on human health, including neurotoxicity, immunotoxicity, reproductive toxicity and genotoxicity and, recently in 2016 International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has upgraded the classification of PCBs to Group 1 “Carcinogenic to humans.” Proposed mechanisms of aforementioned PCBs adverse effects at cellular membrane level are: (i) downregulation of gap junction intercellular communication and/or connexins; (ii) compromised membrane integrity; and (iii) altered tight junction barrier function. This study, based on an extensive literature survey, shows the progress in scientific research of each of these three levels with the aim of pointing out the earliest toxic events of PCBs, which can result in serious cell/tissue/organ damage.