Abstract
Background Although p53 and K-ras gene mutations have been frequently identified in lung cancer pa tients, it is obscure whether these mutations are detected in epithelial cells from the patients with chronic bronchitis.
Methods The morning sputum samples were taken from 46 female patients with chronic bronchitis who exposed to smoky coal emissions containing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Epithelial cells were isolated from sputum using laser capture microdissection microscope. Analysis of p53 mutations was carried out using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and single-stranded conformational polymorphism (SSCP), and K-ras mutation was detected using PCR and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE).
Results Mutations in p53 and K-ras genes were identified in 5 of 46 patients (10.9%). One patient had both a p53 mutation and a K-ras mutation. Three patients had only a p53 mutation, and one patient had only a K-ras mutation.
Conclusion p53 and K-ras mutations are present in epithelial cells from the sputum of patients with chronic bronchitis who were exposed to smoky coal emission but had no evidence of lung cancer, suggesting that these mutations may be associated with exposure to PAHs present in smoky coal emissions.
