Accession Number:

ADB145992

Title:

Chemical Blistering: Cellular and Macromolecular Components.

Descriptive Note:

Final rept. 1 Jan 86-31 Dec 89,

Corporate Author:

MICHIGAN UNIV ANN ARBOR

Personal Author(s):

• Bernstein, I. A.

Report Date:

1989-12-31

Pagination or Media Count:

73.0

Abstract:

The overall purpose of this investigation was to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which bisbeta-chlorethylsulfide BCES exerts its vesicant action when applied topically to human skin. This was to be done by establishing morphological, cytochemical, andor biochemical indicators of mustard toxicity in primary monolayer and stratified, cornified cultures of cutaneous keratinocytes and evaluating the relevance of these parameters to vesication. Experiments have shown that DNA metabolism and structure are the initial targets of BCES in both types of culture. Synthesis of DNA is inhibited and the structure of the nucleic acid is damaged by a lower level of BCES than is necessary to inhibit the synthesis of RNA or protein. Keywords Mustard, Keratinocyte, Tissue culture, Alkylation, Toxicity, Chemical blistering, Mitochondria, Metabolism, DNA Repair, Epidermal proliferation, Epidermal differentiation. JES

Descriptors:

• *ALKYLATION
• *CHEMICAL INDICATORS
• *MUSTARD AGENTS
• BIOCHEMISTRY
• CELLS(BIOLOGY)
• DEOXYRIBONUCLEIC ACIDS
• HUMANS
• LAYERS
• LOW LEVEL
• MACROMOLECULES
• METABOLISM
• MITOCHONDRIA
• MOLECULAR PROPERTIES
• NUCLEIC ACIDS
• PROTEINS
• REPAIR
• RIBONUCLEIC ACIDS
• SKIN(ANATOMY)
• SYNTHESIS
• TISSUE CULTURE
• TOXICITY
• VESICANTS

Subject Categories:

• Chemical, Biological and Radiological Warfare

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE