Asbestos and DNA double strand breaks

A radiosensitive DNA repair-deficient xrs-5 cell line was used to study asb estos cytotoxicity and DNA double strand breaks (DSBs), Although xrs-5 cell s did not show any increase in sensitivity to chrysotile fibers in short-te rm (4-h) treatment when compared with wild-type CHO cells, longer-term expo sure (24 h) gave significantly lower cell survival accompanied by a cell gr owth delay as well as a higher DNA DSB induction in this mutant cell line. These results suggest an important role played by DNA. DSBs at the initial stage of asbestos injury.