Benzo[b]fluoranthene induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in human airway epithelial cells via mitochondrial disruption

Abstract

Benzo[b]fluoranthene (BbF) is a common constituent of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). While numerous studies revealed adverse effects of PAHs on human health, the health effects of individual PAHs differ, and few investigations were performed on BbF. Therefore, the present study established cytotoxicity models of human lung epithelial cells (BEAS‐2B cells) and bronchial epithelial cells (16HBE cells) exposed to BbF (10, 20, and 40 μM) for 24 h to reveal the mechanisms. Results from cytotoxicity and proliferation studies demonstrated that BbF inhibited cell growth in a dose‐dependent manner. Flow cytometric analysis showed that BbF induced the appearance of a sub G1 peak, S‐phased arrest, and apoptosis in both cells. Mechanistic investigations illustrated that BbF promoted reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, altered the expression of oxidative stress indicators, and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential. BbF also interfered with the expression of regulators associated with mitochondria disruption pathway. Taken together, these results strongly suggested that BbF inhibited cell growth and induced apoptosis in human airway epithelial cells via ROS‐mediated mitochondria disruption.

ECHOPvir: A Mixture of Echinacea and Hop Extracts Endowed with Cytoprotective, Immunomodulatory and Antiviral Properties

“…Scientific evidence revealed that apoptosis is activated in response to oxidative stress [72][73][74]; however, chronic exposure to pro-oxidant agents may impair this mechanism of programmed cell death, thus likely favouring the survival and further degeneration of damaged cells [75]. In this respect, Shim et al [76] reported that cells stimulate apoptotic processes as a defense mechanism to prevent viral replication, while the virus tends to inhibit this mechanism.…”