A novel particulate matter sampling and cell exposure strategy based on agar membrane for cytotoxicity study. (August 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chen, Si-si; Wang, Tian-qi; Song, Wan-chen; Tang, Zhi-jie; Cao, Zhao-ming; Chen, Hong-juan; Lian, Yi; Hu, Xin; Zheng, Wei-juan; Lian, Hong-zhen
• Is Part Of: Chemosphere. Volume 300(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-08
• Subjects: Atmospheric particulate matter -- Agar membrane -- Cell exposure -- Cytotoxicity -- Toxicoproteomics; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Physiological effect -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Periodicals; Atmospheric chemistry -- Periodicals; 551.511
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.134473
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0045-6535

Abstract

Abstract: Laboratories use different strategies to sample and extract atmospheric particulate matter (PM), some of which can be very complicated. Due to the absence of a standard protocol, it is difficult to compare the results of PM toxicity assessment across different laboratories. Here, we proposed a novel PM sampling and cell exposure strategy based on agar membrane. The agar membrane, prepared by a simple freeze-drying method, has a relatively flat surface and porous interior. We demonstrated that the agar membrane was a reliable substitute material for PM sampling. Then the PM on the agar membranes was directly extracted with the culture medium by vortex method, and the PM on the polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) filters was extracted with water by the traditional ultrasonic method for comparison. The extraction efficiency was evaluated and in vitro cytotoxicity assays were carried out to investigate the toxic effects of PM extracted with two strategies on macrophage cells. The results showed that the PM extracted from agar membranes induced higher cytotoxicity and more differentially expressed proteins. Overall, the novel PM sampling-cell exposure strategy based on the agar membrane is easy to operate, biocompatible and comparable, and has low disturbance, could be an alternative sampling and extraction method for PM toxicity assessment. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: A PM sampling and cell exposure strategy based on agar membrane was developed. The agar membrane had good consistency with the PTFE filter in PM sampling. Application of the agar membranes improved the extraction efficiency of PM. The novel strategy was biocompatible and comparable, and had low disturbance. Proteomic study was carried to investigate the possible molecular mechanisms.