This study aimed to identify early carcinogenic markers to predict the hazard potential of mineral fibres using a human 3D bronchial model. Traditional 2D cell models inadequately mimic lung complexity, prompting the use of more physiologically relevant 3D systems. We investigated the effects of crocidolite (CRO) and two size fractions of chrysotile (≤ and > 5 μm length: CHR S and CHR L) to elucidate early toxicological mechan...

Main conclusion Simultaneous genome editing of the two homeologous LCYe and ZEP genes of Nicotiana benthamiana results in plants in which all xanthophylls are replaced by zeaxanthin . Abstract Plant carotenoids act both as photoreceptors and photoprotectants in photosynthesis and as precursors of apocarotenoids, which include signaling molecules such as abscisic acid (ABA). As dietary components, the xanthophylls lutein and ze...

Human primary bronchial epithelial cells differentiated in vitro represent a valuable tool to study lung diseases such as cystic fibrosis (CF), an inherited disorder caused by mutations in the gene coding for the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator. In CF, sphingolipids, a ubiquitous class of bioactive lipids mainly associated with the outer layer of the plasma membrane, seem to play a crucial role in the estab...