Lung Alterations Following Single or Multiple Low-Dose Carbon Black Nanoparticle Aspirations in Mice

Abstract

Carbon black nanoparticle (CBNP) applications in high doses have been shown to be harmful to the lung. It is postulated that even small, environmentally relevant concentrations induce changes on lung homeostasis. The present study determined the impact of low-dose single and multiple CBNP (Printex 90) applications on mouse alveolar cell metabolism, especially inflammatory and oxidative stress parameters. Nanoparticles were administered to mice by a single or 8 oropharyngeal aspirations at wk 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, and 12 using 7 μg Printex 90, 7 μg DQ12 quartz (positive control), with water vehicle and saline as negative controls. After 2 d or 3 mo lung function was analyzed. Further lung histology, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) parameters, and mRNA expression of cytokines and antioxidants enzymes in type II pneumocytes were measured on d 3 or after 3 mo. Single low-dose Printex 90 application induced no marked alterations in lung functions or BALF phospholipid levels but significant decrease in superoxide dismutase 2 and numerically elevated glutathione peroxidase 3 mRNA expression levels in type II pneumocytes. Multiple CBNP applications produced reduced lung function, collagen accumulation, elevated phospholipid levels in BALF, and a massive infiltration of macrophages. Type II pneumocyte mRNA expression of antioxidative enzymes remained unchanged throughout the subchronic experiment, but showed a significant decrease in interleukin (IL)-6Rα mRNA expression. This study demonstrates that an environmentally relevant CBNP concentration induced an acute inflammatory response, an effect that is exacerbated throughout the subchronic duration.

Biological effects of carbon black nanoparticles are changed by surface coating with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

“…Since AS-PAH has a similar surface area, shape, size and solubility compared to PAH-coated P90, the different effects of these particles observed in the biological systems are likely the result of its different PAH composition [61, 62]. The AS-PAH that we synthesized contained a mixture of at least 17 PAH with 2–7 aromatic rings that could be removed from the particle with organic solvents, indicating that these PAH are on the surface of the particle.…”

Human Asthmatic Bronchial Cells Are More Susceptible to Subchronic Repeated Exposures of Aerosolized Carbon Nanotubes At Occupationally Relevant Doses Than Healthy Cells

“…Multiple animal studies confirmed the inflammatory properties of DQ12. 45 Indeed, DQ12-exposed animals have been observed to express severe inflammatory effects following either 14d or 90d of exposure, respectively. 46,47 Therefore, the ability of DQ12 to trigger (pro-)inflammatory reactions at both the gene and protein level highlights the effectiveness of the employed in vitro chronic strategy.…”

Resveratrol prevents nanoparticles-induced inflammation and oxidative stress via downregulation of PKC-α and NADPH oxidase in lung epithelial A549 cells

“…CBNPs can damage different organ systems by different exposure routes, and pulmonary inhalation is known as a major route of CBNPs exposure as CBNPs can impair the respiratory system leading to lung inflammation and fibrosis [ 7 – 9 ]. Exposure to CBNPs is known to induce lung inflammation in vivo [ 10 , 11 ], and possesses the potential to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inflammatory factors [ 12 – 16 ]. It has been suggested that CBNPs induce apoptosis by a ROS-dependent mitochondrial pathway in bronchial epithelial cells [ 13 ], and induce inflammatory response through ROS-NFκB pathway in macrophages [ 14 ].…”