Effect of combustion particle morphology on biological responses in a Co-culture of human lung and macrophage cells. (1st September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kaur, Kamaljeet; Mohammadpour, Raziye; Ghandehari, Hamidreza; Reilly, Christopher A.; Paine, Robert; Kelly, Kerry E.
• Is Part Of: Atmospheric environment. Volume 284(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-09-01
• Subjects: Aerosol shape -- Atmospheric aging -- Air-liquid exposure -- Cell uptake -- Pro-inflammatory markers -- Apoptosis -- CYP response; Air -- Pollution -- Periodicals; Air -- Pollution -- Meteorological aspects -- Periodicals; 551.51
• DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2022.119194
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1352-2310

Abstract

Abstract: Atmospheric aging of combustion particles alters their chemical composition and morphology. Previous studies have reported differences in toxicological responses after exposure to fresh versus aged particles, with chemical composition being the prime suspect behind the differences. However, less is known about the contribution of morphological differences in atmospherically aged particles to toxicological responses, possibly due to the difficulty in resolving the two properties (composition and morphology) that change simultaneously. This study altered the shape of lab-generated combustion particles, without affecting the chemical composition, from fractal-like to a more compact spherical shape, using a water condensation-evaporation method. The two shapes were exposed to a co-culture of human airway epithelial (A549) and differentiated human monocyte (THP-1) cells at air-liquid interface (ALI) conditions. The particles with different shapes were deposited using an electrostatic field-based ALI chamber. For the same mass dose, both shapes were internalized by cells, induced a pro-inflammatory response (IL-8 and TNFα), and enhanced CYP1A1 gene expression compared to air controls. The more compact spherical particles (representative of atmospherically aged particles) induced more early apoptosis and release of TNFα compared to the more fractal-like particles. These results suggest a contribution of morphology to the increased toxicity of aged combustion-derived particles. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Water condensation-evaporation changes particle morphology from fractal-like to compact. Compact particles induce more TNFa and early apoptosis than fractal-like particles. Morphological changes during atmospheric aging may contribute to cell response. Abstract : Synopsis: Morphological changes that occur during atmospheric aging of combustion particles contribute to their toxicity.