Characterization of elements, PAHs, AhR-activity and pro-inflammatory responses of road tunnel-derived particulate matter in human hepatocyte-like and bronchial epithelial cells

• Published in: Toxicology in vitro Vol. 90; p. 105611
• Main Authors: Holme, Jørn A., Låg, Marit, Skuland, Tonje, Parenicová, Martina, Ciganek, Miroslav, Penciková, Katerina, Grytting, Vegard Sæter, Neca, Jiri, Øvrevik, Johan, Mariussen, Espen, Jørgensen, Rikke Bramming, Refsnes, Magne, Machala, Miroslav
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.08.2023
• Subjects: Air Pollutants - analysis; Air Pollutants - toxicity; Air pollution; Airway epithelial cells; Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR); Cytokines; Diesel exhaust particles; Epithelial Cells; Hepatocytes; Humans; Inflammation; Metals; Organic Chemicals; Particulate Matter - analysis; Particulate Matter - toxicity; Polyaromatic compounds; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons - analysis; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons - toxicity; dioxin response elements; chemokine CXC-motif ligand 8; N-acetyl salicylic acid; Metals; particulate matter; reactive oxygen species; semi-polar aromatic fraction; neutral aromatic fractions; human bronchial epithelial cells; interleukin; organic carbon; Diesel exhaust particles; benzo[a]pyrene; dithiothreitol; cytochrome P450 1A1; lactate dehydrogenase; standard error of mean; Polyaromatic compounds; Inflammation; Airway epithelial cells; polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; residual particles after the extractions; PM-extractable organic material; 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin; Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR); Aryl hydrocarbon receptor; Air pollution; polar aromatic fractions; elemental carbon; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• ISSN: 0887-2333; 1879-3177
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2023.105611

The aims were to characterize the content of elements and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in size-separated particulate matter (PM) sampled in a road tunnel, estimate the contribution of PAHs to the toxic potential, and measure the pro-inflammatory potential of PM samples and extracts with increasing polarity. Several elements/metals previously associated with cytokine responses were found. Based on PAHs levels and published PAHs potency, the calculated mutagenic and carcinogenic activities of size-separated samples were somewhat lower for coarse than fine and ultrafine PM. The AhR-activity of the corresponding PM extracts measured in an AhR-luciferase reporter model (human hepatocytes) were more similar. The highest AhR-activity was found in the neutral (parent and alkylated PAHs) and polar (oxy-PAHs) fractions, while the semi-polar fractions (mono-nitrated-PAHs) had only weak activity. The neutral and polar aromatic fractions from coarse and fine PM were also found to induce higher pro-inflammatory responses and CYP1A1 expression in human bronchial epithelial cells (HBEC3-KT) than the semi-polar fractions. Fine PM induced higher pro-inflammatory responses than coarse PM. AhR-inhibition reduced cytokine responses induced by parent PM and extracts of both size fractions. Contributors to the toxic potentials include PAHs and oxy-PAHs, but substantial contributions from other organic compounds and/or metals are likely. •Road tunnels provide a useful environment for sampling of traffic-related PM.•Fine and ultrafine PM had highest calculated mutagenic/carcinogenic activities.•Fine PM induced higher pro-inflammatory responses than coarse PM.•Neutral and polar fractions from PM induced higher AhR-responses than semi-polar.•The same fractions gave also more pro-inflammatory responses.