Morphology changes in human lung epithelial cells after exposure to diesel exhaust micron sub particles (PM1.0) and pollen allergens

• Published in: Environmental pollution (1987) Vol. 171; pp. 162 - 167
• Main Authors: Esposito, V., Lucariello, A., Savarese, L., Cinelli, M.P., Ferraraccio, F., Bianco, A., De Luca, A., Mazzarella, G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.12.2012; Elsevier
• Subjects: Air Pollutants - toxicity; allergens; Allergens - toxicity; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; apoptosis; Applied ecology; Asthma; Biological and medical sciences; Cell Line; Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution; enzymes; epithelial cells; Epithelial Cells - drug effects; Epithelial Cells - pathology; epithelium; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects; Humans; inflammation; Lung - drug effects; Lung - pathology; microvilli; Parietaria; Particulate Matter - toxicity; particulates; pollen; Pollen - toxicity; respiratory system; Sub-micron PM particles; TEM; vacuoles; Vehicle Emissions - toxicity; TEM; Sub-micron PM particles; Asthma; Human; Hydrocarbon; Diesel fuel; Lung; Particle; Pollution; Transmission electron microscopy; Morphology; Aerosols; Epithelial cell; Pollen; Organic compounds; Allergen
• ISSN: 0269-7491; 1873-6424
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2012.07.006

In the recent literature there has been an increased interest in the effects of particulate matter on the respiratory tract. The objective of this study was to use an in vitro model of type II lung epithelium (A549) to evaluate the cell ability to take up sub-micron PM1.0 particles (PM1.0), Parietaria officinalis (ALL), and PM1.0 + ALL together. Morphological analysis performed by Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) showed that PM and ALL interacted with the cell surface, then penetrating into the cytoplasm. Each single treatment was able to point out a specific change in the morphology. The cells treated appear healthy and not apoptotic. The main effect was the increase of: multilamellar bodies, lysosomal enzymes, microvilli, and presence of vesicle/vacuoles containing particles. These observations demonstrate morphological and functional alterations related to the PM1.0 and P. officinalis and confirm the induction of the inflammatory response in lung cells exposed to the inhalable particles. ► Cell ability to take up PM1.0 particles, Parietaria officinalis (ALL), PM1.0 + ALL. ► The cells treated appear healthy and not apoptotic. ► Each single treatment was able to point out a specific change in the morphology. ► Increase of multilamellar bodies lysosomal enzymes microvilli vesicle with particles. ► Induction of inflammatory response in lung cells exposed to the inhalable particles. The urban environment with the combination of inhalable air pollution and particulate can damage the acinar lung units and activate cells of the immune system.