Gene expression related to lung cancer altered by PHMG-p treatment in PBTE cells

Background Humidifier disinfectants (HDs), including polyhexamethylene guanidine phosphate (PHMG-p), are commonly used in Korea to prevent microbial growth. Epidemiological studies show that PHMG-p causes severe lung injury, accompanied by pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis. Several studies have examined humidifier disinfectant-associated lung injuries, but few have examined potential carcinogenic activity of PHMG-p. Our previous studies have shown that PHMG-p can induce lung cancer. However, gene expression changes in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) caused by PHMG-p have not yet been studied. Objectives We aimed to determine the PHMG-p-induced changes in transcription levels of genes involved in SCC development and progression in primary bronchial/tracheal epithelial cells (PBTE cells). Results Genetic alterations induced by PHMG-p were designated as fold change (FC) values of greater than 2 or less than 0.5. RNA sequencing analysis revealed that two genes were upregulated and sixteen genes were downregulated in the short-term PHMG-p exposure group. Fourteen genes were upregulated and 3 genes were downregulated in the long-term PHMG-p exposure group. Conclusion Our data show that PHMG-p induces genetic changes associated with SCC progression in PBTE cells.