Accumulating evidence reveals that exosome plays an important role in cell‐to‐cell communication in both physiological and pathological processes by transferring bioactive molecules. However, the role of exosomal secretion in the adaption of its source cells to the stimuli of environmental chemicals remains elusive. In this study, we revealed that the exposure of hydroquinone (HQ; the main bioactive metabolite of benzene) to human bronchial epithelial cells (16HBE) resulted in decreased ability of cell proliferation and migration, and simultaneously DNA damage and micronuclei formation. Interestingly, when exosomal secretion of HQ treated 16HBE cells was inhibited with the inhibitor GW4869, cellular proliferation and migration were further significantly reduced; concurrently, their DNA damage and micronuclei formation were both further significantly aggravated. Herein, we conclude that exosomal secretion of 16HBE cells may be an important self‐protective function against the toxic effects induced by HQ.

中文翻译：

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外泌体分泌可能是其源细胞在环境压力下的自我保护机制：对苯二酚处理的人支气管上皮细胞的研究。

越来越多的证据表明，外泌体通过转移生物活性分子在生理和病理过程中的细胞间通讯中发挥重要作用。然而，外泌体分泌在其源细胞适应环境化学物质刺激方面的作用仍然难以捉摸。在这项研究中，我们发现对苯二酚（HQ；苯的主要生物活性代谢物）暴露于人支气管上皮细胞（16HBE）导致细胞增殖和迁移能力下降，同时导致 DNA 损伤和微核形成。有趣的是，当抑制剂 GW4869 抑制 HQ 处理的 16HBE 细胞的外泌体分泌时，细胞增殖和迁移进一步显着降低；同时，他们的DNA损伤和微核形成都进一步显着恶化。在此，我们得出结论，16HBE 细胞的外泌体分泌可能是针对 HQ 诱导的毒性作用的重要自我保护功能。