Mineral fiber-mediated activation of phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase c in human bronchoalveolar carcinoma-derived alveolar epithelial A549 cells.

Given the role of phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C (PLC) isozymes in the control of cell growth and differentiation we were prompted to analyze the expression of some of these PLC in human bronchoalveolar carcinoma-derived alveolar epithelial A549 cells. The effects of several fluoro-edenite fibers were compared with those of tremolite, a member of the calcic amphibole group of asbestos that originates from Calabria (Italy), and crocidolite, that, due to its high toxicity, is one of the most studied asbestos amphiboles. Our data show an increased expression of both PLC beta1 and PLC gamma1 in A549 cells treated with asbestos-like fibers, hinting at a role of PLC signalling in those cancerous cells.