Anti-oxidative and inflammatory responses induced by fly ash particles and carbon black in lung epithelial cells

Abstract

Combustion-derived nanoparticles as constituents of ambient particulate matter have been shown to induce adverse health effects due to inhalation. However, the components inducing these effects as well as the biological mechanisms are still not fully understood. The fine fraction of fly ash particles collected from the electrostatic precipitator of a municipal solid waste incinerator was taken as an example for real particles with complex composition released into the atmosphere to study the mechanism of early biological responses of BEAS-2B human lung epithelial cells. The studies include the effects of the water-soluble and -insoluble fractions of the fly ash and the well-studied carbon black nanoparticles were used as a reference. Fly ash induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) and increased the total cellular glutathione (tGSH) content. Carbon black also induced ROS generation; however, in contrast to the fly ash, it decreased the intracellular tGSH. The fly ash-induced oxidative stress was correlated with induction of the anti-oxidant enzyme heme oxygenase-1 and increase of the redox-sensitive transcription factor Nrf2. Carbon black was not able to induce HO-1. ROS generation, tGSH increase and HO-1 induction were only induced by the insoluble fraction of the fly ash, not by the water-soluble fraction. ROS generation and HO-1 induction were markedly inhibited by pre-incubation of the cells with the anti-oxidant N-acetyl cysteine which confirmed the involvement of oxidative stress. Both effects were also reduced by the metal chelator deferoxamine indicating a contribution of bioavailable transition metals. In summary, both fly ash and carbon black induce ROS but only fly ash induced an increase of intracellular tGSH and HO-1 production. Bioavailable transition metals in the solid water-insoluble matrix of the fly ash mostly contribute to the effects.

Cellular effects of industrial metal nanoparticles and hydrophilic carbon black dispersion

“…In general, oxidative stress drives cellular anti-oxidation. The major anti-oxidative routes are through glutathione and the induction of heme oxigenase-1 (HO-1) (Ryter and Choi, 2005;Diabaté et al, 2011). These molecules reduce cellular oxidative stress.…”

Coal fly ash nanoparticles induced cytotoxicity and oxidative DNA damage and apoptosis in Chang liver cells

“…Dwivedi et al (2012) showed that the Fe (III) associated CFA-NPs showed a dose dependent increase in the level of generation of ROS in PBMN cells. Fly ash treatment on rat lung epithelial cells showed increase in the generation of ROS in dose dependent manner; which may be due to insoluble compounds present in the fly ash (Diabate et al, 2011).…”

“…The cytoplasmic enzyme release was exponential at higher dose treated CFA-NPs concentrations and the release of these enzymes starts even at initial concentration of CFA-NPs treated cells. Diabate et al (2011) reported that the release of LDH was increased when treated with MAF98 fly ash and decreased against CBl4 NPs. The toxic effect differs, due to chemical nature and place of origin.…”

“…Rapid generation of ROS to an extent may overwhelm the antioxidant defence system and results in oxidation, and therefore destruction of cellular biomolecules, such as DNA, leading to heritable mutations (Risom et al, 2005;Peters et al, 2006). ROS generation and induction of oxidative stress may be due to particle surface or metals associated on the surface (Diabate et al, 2011). Dwivedi et al (2012) showed that the Fe (III) associated CFA-NPs showed a dose dependent increase in the level of generation of ROS in PBMN cells.…”

Characterizing residential wood smoke at the neighbourhood scale: An evaluation of five communities in British Columbia.

“…They fall within the PM2.s fraction (largely < 0.1 nm), typically represent a significant portion of PM2.s in urban areas, and contain several constituents that are known carcinogens and mutagens (Morawska & Zhang, 2002). A number of studies have identified sulfates and black carbon as well as transition metals, and organic compounds as having stronger associations with health effects (Burnett et al, 2000;Diabate et al, 2011;Frampton et al, 1999;Janssen et al, 2011;Stoeger et al, 2009;WHO, 2003). Still, the toxicity of particulate matter is not well understood because of the complexity and dynamic nature of its composition (Pope & Dockery, 2006;Zimmermann, 2011).…”