Development of markers and validation of diagnostic tools for screening for beryllium-induced hypersensitivity and beryllium disease Abstract Known for its high toxicity, beryllium can cause berylliosis, a serious pneumopathy, or chronic beryllium disease. The lymphocyte proliferation test (BeLPT) commonly used for detecting a worker’s sensitivity to this metal offers little predictive value for the risks of contracting berylliosis. Knowing that this disease can take up to 30 years to develop in a sensitized worker, it is essential that a new effective detection tool be developed. By exploring experimental approaches, the research team was able to determine the feasibility of methods for the selective characterization of target cells and the use of protein signatures on blood samples. They also developed a technique for quantifying beryllium in plasma and tested the potential of complexing agents for displacing it and reversing its toxicity in cell cultures. These new tools will allow a follow-up program to be implemented for sensitized workers, mainly by providing a more precise diagnosis of the determination of their exposure to beryllium. It will also be possible to validate actual exposure standards or to determine new ones based on solid foundations. Produced Under this Project Scientific Reports Development of markers and validation of diagnostic tools for screening for beryllium induced hypersensitivity Research Report: R-556 Scientific Publications Nitrilotripropionic acid, nitrilotriacetic acid and Tiron as sequestering agents for beryllium toxicityStephan C. H., Lafleur M., Fournier M., Sauvé S.Source : in International Congress of Nanobiotechnology & Nanomedicine (June 19-21, 2006 : San Francisco, USA), 2006Nitrilotripropionic Acid, Nitrilotriacetic Acid and Tiron as Sequestering Agents for Beryllium Toxicity Stephan C. H., Sauvé S., Fournier M., Brousseau P.Source : in SETAC North America 27th Annual Meeting (27th : Novembre 5-9, 2006 : Montréal, Canada), 2006, no 292, http://montreal.setac.org/pdf/SETAC_abstractbook_2006.pdfUse of proliferation tests to evaluate the effects of complexing agents on beryllium toxicityStephan C. H., Sauvé S., Fournier M., Brousseau P. J.Source : Journal of Applied Toxicology, vol. 29, no 1, 2008, p. 27-35Graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry as a routine method for the quantification of beryllium in blood and serumStephan C. H., Fournier M., Brousseau P., Sauvé S.Source : Chemistry Central Journal, no 2, 2008, 8 p., (http://www.journal.chemistrycentral.com/content/pdf/1752-153X-2-14.pdf)Study on the effects of nitrilotripropionic acid and 4,5-dihydoxy-1,3- benzene disulphonate on the fractionation of berylliumin human serum using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometryStephan C. H., Fournier M., Brousseau P., Sauvé S.Source : Chemistry Central Journal, no 2, 2008, 9 p., (http://www.journal.chemistrycentral.com/search/results.asp?terms=study+on+the+effects+of+nitrilotripropionic&db=jou10123&searchoperator=and&usq_param1=all&Submit.x=14&Submit.y=12)Evaluation of three beryllium sequestering agents by isothermal titration calorimetryStephan C. H., Fournier M., Brousseau P., Lafleur M., Sauvé S.Source : Canadian Journal of Analytical Sciences and Sectroscopy, vol. 53, no 3, 2008, p. 123-129(http://www.csass.org/v53n3p123.pdf) Additional Information Type: Project Number: 0099-4910 Status: Completed Year of completion: 2007 Research Field: Chemical and Biological Hazard Prevention Team: Michel Fournier (INRS-Institut Armand-Frappier)Alain Fournier (INRS-Institut Armand-Frappier)Jacques Bernier (INRS-Institut Armand-Frappier)Daniel Cyr (INRS-Institut Armand-Frappier)Sébastien Sauvé (Université de Montréal)Jacques Gagnon (Centre de recherche sur les biotechnologies marines)Pauline Brousseau (Biophage Inc.)