Plasma protein level changes in waste incineration workers exposed to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin

TCDD (2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin) is a chemical compound which is known to induce severe reproductive and developmental problems, immune system damage, and interference with regulatory hormones. To characterize changes in the expression of plasma proteins caused by exposure to TCDD, we analyzed plasma samples from workers at municipal incinerators using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE). Proteins exhibiting differences in expression were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) and electrospray ionization quadrupole (ESI-Q) TOF mass spectrometry. One newly expressed protein was identified as the adrenomedulin binding protein (AMBP). Seven overexpressed proteins were identified in this study, and the most overexpressed protein was identified as α-fetoprotein (AFP). In addition, we cultured HepG2 cells in the presence of TCDD, to determine the effects of TCDD on the AFP and albumin expression in mRNA and protein levels, via RT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively. TCDD treatment resulted in an increase in the mRNA and protein expression levels of AFP, but reduced albumin expression. According to our results, exposure to TCDD may induce liver disease or cancer, and the proteins identified in this study could help reveal the mechanisms underlying TCDD toxicity.