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A study of cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of particulate matter (PM2.5) in human lung epithelial cells (A549)

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Abstract

Backgrounds

Exposure to airborne particulate matter (PM2.5), a PM with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 2.5 μm, is known to be associated with a variety of adverse health effects, particularly related to the respiratory system. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in fine PM toxicity are still not well-characterized. In this study, we estimate pulmonary toxic mechanism using two types (water soluble extract, WPM2.5, and organic soluble extract, O-PM2.5) of PM2.5 on human lung epithelial cells (A549).

Methods

Samples were collected using a high-volume air sampler. Each sample was divided into two groups by its own types (water soluble extract, W-PM2.5, and organic soluble extract, O-PM2.5). In the present study, two types of PM2.5-induced cytotoxic and genotoxic effects and expression of toxicity-related genes were evaluated using human lung epithelial cells (A549). Also, the production of intracellular reactive oxygen species was measured to investigate the mechanism of cell death induced by PM2.5

Results

Both W-PM2.5 and O-PM2.5 exposures significantly reduced the viability of A549 cells in a dosedependent manner, and expression of 17 cell deathrelated genes were significantly regulated in the PM2.5 exposure group. Exposure of PM2.5 significantly induced the production of ROS. Further, data obtained from the Comet assay indicated that two extracts of PM2.5 caused DNA damage in A549 cells in a dose-dependent manner.

Conclusion

Our study suggests that ROS-mediated DNA damage may play a major role in PM2.5-induced cell death. This finding represents the basis for further studies addressing the pathophysiological mechanisms of PM2.5 exposure.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cellular and Molecular Toxicology Laboratory, Korea Institute of Science & Technology, P.O. Box 131, Cheongryang, Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea

    Woong Kim, Seung-Chan Jeong, Chan-young Shin, Yoon Cho, Jung-hee Lim & Jae-Chun Ryu

  2. Department of Pharmacology and Toxicolog, Human and Environmental Toxicology, Korea University of Science and Technology, Gajeong-ro 217, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34113, Republic of Korea

    Jae-Chun Ryu

  3. Department of Life Science, College of Natural Sciences, Hangyang University, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea

    Woong Kim & Myung Chan Gye

  4. National Center for Efficacy Evaluation for Respiratory Disease Product, Jeonbuk Department of Inhalation Research, Korea Institute of Toxicology, 30 Baehak1-gil, Jeongeup, Jeollabuk-do, 53212, Republic of Korea

    Mi-Kyung Song

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  1. Woong Kim
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Correspondence to Jae-Chun Ryu.

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Kim, W., Jeong, SC., Shin, Cy. et al. A study of cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of particulate matter (PM2.5) in human lung epithelial cells (A549). Mol. Cell. Toxicol. 14, 163–172 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13273-018-0018-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13273-018-0018-0

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