过去已经证明，毒性金属等化学元素能够改变人类和其他物种的基因表达。本研究使用微阵列分析比较了不同职业暴露人群的基因表达谱：a）在圣保罗州（SP）的家中从事珠宝钎焊的非正式工人（n = 22）; b）在巴西里约热内卢州（RJ）的一家钢铁公司的正式工人（n = 10）。对照组参与者是从同一邻域中没有职业化学暴露的人员招募而来（SP为n = 19，RJ为n = 8）。共采集了68份血样，并提取RNA并使用Agilent微阵列平台进行杂交。使用GeneSpring软件进行了数据预处理、统计分析和通路分析。通过折叠差异分析检测到了与对照组相比在非正式工人中有16个上调基因和33个下调基因。通路分析发现富集在MAPK、Toll样受体和NF-kappa B信号传导通路中的基因参与炎症和免疫应答。在正式工人中，发现了与抗菌肽、防御素、中性粒细胞颗粒溶解、Fc-γ受体依赖性吞噬和动脉粥样硬化发展等相关的20个上调基因和50个下调基因，这是心血管疾病进展的主要因素之一。基因IFI27是非正式工人和正式工人之间唯一常见的差异表达基因，已知与各种类型的癌症相关。总之，与职业暴露相关的基因表达差异主要与炎症和免疫应答有关。以前的研究已经确定了炎症和免疫应答与慢性疾病发展之间的联系，这表明巴西金属工人长期接触潜在有毒元素可能会导致负面健康结果。进一步分析应该进行以研究其直接影响并验证因果关系。版权所有©2023。Elsevier Inc.出版。

Chemical elements, such as toxic metals, have previously demonstrated their ability to alter gene expression in humans and other species. In this study, microarray analysis was used to compare the gene expression profiles of different occupational exposure populations: a) informal workers who perform soldering of jewelry inside their houses (n = 22) in São Paulo (SP) State; and b) formal workers from a steel company (n = 10) in Rio de Janeiro (RJ) state, Brazil. Control participants were recruited from the same neighborhoods without occupational chemical exposure (n = 19 in SP and n = 8 in RJ). A total of 68 blood samples were collected and RNA was extracted and hybridized using an Agilent microarray platform. Data pre-processing, statistical and pathway analysis were performed using GeneSpring software. Different expression was detected by fold-change analysis resulting in 16 up- and 33 down-regulated genes in informal workers compared to the control group. Pathway analysis revealed genes enriched in MAPK, Toll-like receptor, and NF-kappa B signaling pathways, involved in inflammatory and immune responses. In formal workers, 20 up- and 50 down-regulated genes were found related to antimicrobial peptides, defensins, neutrophil degranulation, Fc-gamma receptor-dependent phagocytosis, and pathways associated with atherosclerosis development, which is one of the main factors involved in the progression of cardiovascular diseases. The gene IFI27 was the only one commonly differentially expressed between informal and formal workers and is known to be associated with various types of cancer. In conclusion, differences in gene expression related to occupational exposure are mainly associated with inflammation and immune response. Previous research has identified a link between inflammation and immune responses and the development of chronic diseases, suggesting that prolonged occupational exposures to potentially toxic elements in Brazilian metal workers could lead to negative health outcomes. Further analysis should be carried out to investigate its direct effects and to validate causal associations.Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Inc.