Role of telomerase in silica induced human cell transformation

OBJECTIVE: To explore the role of telomerase in silica induced human cell transformation in vitro. METHODS: Human telomerase catalytic subunit (hTERT) was transferred into human embryonic lung fibroblasts (HELF). 160 microg/cm2 silica dusts were added to transform HELF and hTERT transduced HELF (HELF-T+) respectively. The telomerase activity and the length of telomere were determined. The growths of the normal and transformed cells were evaluated. RESULTS: The hTERT gene was steadily transferred into HELF. Silica dusts caused the transformations of both HELF-T+ and HELF. The telomerase activities in transformed cells were higher and the telomere length of transformed cells was longer than those of HELF. CONCLUSION: The changes of telomerase activity and telomere length may play an important role in the silica induced human cells transformation.