The Impact of Organic Extracts of Seasonal PM2.5 on Primary Human Lung Epithelial Cells and Their Chemical Characterization

Abstract

Background: Lung epithelial cells serve as first line of defense against various inhaled pollutant particles. This study focused on assessing the impact of organic extracts of PM2.5 collected in Seoul, South Korea on primary human lung epithelial cells and identifying the relevant components and sources which induced lung epithelial cell injury.Results: We used primary lung epithelial cells isolated directly from healthy donors and evaluated the effects of organic compounds of twelve selected, seasonal PM2.5 on inflammation, cellular aging, and macroautophagy in primary lung epithelial cells. Organic extracts of PM2.5 specifically induced neutrophilic chemokine, interleukin-8, via extracellular signal regulated kinase activation. Moreover, PM2.5 significantly increased the expression of aging markers (p16, p21, and p27) and activated macroautophagy. Average mass concentrations, OC and EC, had no significant correlations with PM2.5 effects. However, regression analysis showed that polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and n-alkanes were the most relevant components of PM2.5 correlated with neutrophilic inflammation. Vegetative detritus and residential bituminous coal combustion sources were strongly correlated with neutrophilic inflammation, aging and macroautophagy activation.Conclusions: These data suggest that the chemical composition of PM2.5 is crucially important to determine the adverse health effects of PM2.5. Our study provides encouraging evidence to regulate the harmful components of PM2.5 in Seoul.

The Role of Estrogen Receptor β in PM2.5 Organic Extract-Induced Pulmonary Inflammation in Female and Male Mice

“…Thus, Po could cause pulmonary in ammation in mice, and might have an in uence on the immune microenvironment through regulating the in ammatory cytokines, which might lead to lung injury. Park et al reported that Po can induce in ammatory responses of lung cells, which is consistent with this study (Park et al 2021).…”

Woodsmoke particulates alter expression of antiviral host response genes in human nasal epithelial cells infected with SARS-CoV-2 in a sex-dependent manner

“…WSP derived from burning red oak contains higher mass fractions of N-alkanes, inorganic and ionic species compared to WSP from eucalyptus (7). Recent data indicate that N-alkanes in PM exposures were significantly associated with inflammation (62), which is consistent with our observations. Additionally, eucalyptus WSP contain a higher mass fraction of methoxyphenols than red oak WSP, which were negatively correlated to biological response in a separate study (7,63).…”

Effects on Indoor Air Quality of Burning Chemicals (Scented Candles and Incense Sticks)

“…임산부가 흡입한 미세먼지는 태아의 성장ㆍ발달은 물론 조산과도 관련이 있다. [5][6][7][8][9][10] 또한 향초나 인센스 스틱에는 다양한 화학물질이 함유되어 있는데, 그 중 휘발성유기화합물(Volatile Organic Compounds, VOCs)이 포함되어 있다. 11,12) VOCs은 대기 중으로 휘발되어 악 취를 유발하고, 광화학반응에 의해 오존을 발생시키며, 2차 미 세먼지의 원인물질이 되는 탄화수소 화합물을 일컫는다.…”

“…11,12) VOCs은 대기 중으로 휘발되어 악 취를 유발하고, 광화학반응에 의해 오존을 발생시키며, 2차 미 세먼지의 원인물질이 되는 탄화수소 화합물을 일컫는다. 9,13,14) 대표적인 물질로는 벤젠, 톨루엔, 자일렌(m-,p-,o-), 에틸렌, 스 틸렌, 포름알데히드, 아세트알데히드 등이 존재한다. 9,10) 특히 휘발성유기화합물 중 일부 물질은 발암성을 내포하기 도 한다.…”

“…9,13,14) 대표적인 물질로는 벤젠, 톨루엔, 자일렌(m-,p-,o-), 에틸렌, 스 틸렌, 포름알데히드, 아세트알데히드 등이 존재한다. 9,10) 특히 휘발성유기화합물 중 일부 물질은 발암성을 내포하기 도 한다. 벤젠 또한 IARC에서 1급 발암물질로 지정된 물질이 다.…”