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Life Sciences
Institute for Health, Department of Environmental Health describes research in life sciences
November 7th, 2009
Research findings, 'Associations of urban air particulate composition with inflammatory and cytotoxic responses in RAW 246.7 cell line,' are discussed in a new report. According to a study from Kuopio, Finland, "Epidemiological studies show heterogeneities in the particulate pollution-related exposure-effect relationships among cardiorespiratory patients, but the connection to chemical composition and toxic properties of the inhaled particles is largely unknown. To identify the chemical constituents and sources responsible for the diverse inflammatory and cytotoxic effects of urban air, fine (PM(2.5-0.2)) and coarse (PM(10-2.5)) particulate samples were collected during contrasting air pollution situations." "We exposed mouse RAW 246.7 macrophages for 24 hrs to PM(2.5-0.2) and PM(10-2.5) samples from six European cities. The concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-alpha), chemokine (MIP-2), and nitric oxide were measured from the cell culture medium, and the cytotoxicity was assayed. Spearman's correlations between the chemical constituents and cellular responses were analyzed. In the PM(2.5-0.2) size range, the tracers of photo-oxidation of organics in the atmosphere (oxalate, succinate, malonate), some transition metals (Ni, V, Fe, Cu, Cr), and insoluble soil constituents (Ca, Al, Fe, Si) correlated positively with the response parameters. In contrast, the tracers of incomplete biomass (monosaccharide anhydrides) and coal (As) combustion, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), had negative correlations with the inflammatory activity. The compositions of PM(10-2.5) samples were more uniform and there were only occasional high correlations between the chemical constituents, endotoxin, and the response parameters. The present results suggest that the local sources of incomplete combustion and resuspended road dust are important producers of harmful fine particulate constituents that may, however, operate via diverse toxicity mechanisms," wrote P.I. Jalava and colleagues, Institute for Health, Department of Environmental Health. The researchers concluded: "The results agree well with our recent findings in the mouse lung." Jalava and colleagues published the results of their research in Inhalation Toxicology (Associations of urban air particulate composition with inflammatory and cytotoxic responses in RAW 246.7 cell line. Inhalation Toxicology, 2009;21(12):994-1006). For additional information, contact P.I. Jalava, National Institute for Health & Welfare (THL), Dept. of Environmental Health, Kuopio, Finland. The publisher of the journal Inhalation Toxicology can be contacted at: Taylor & Francis Group Ltd, 2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxford OX14 4RN United Kingdom. Keywords: Finland, Kuopio, Life Sciences, Nitric Oxide, Pharmaceuticals, Drugs, Therapy, Treatment, Environmental Health, Cytokines, Epidemiology. This article was prepared by NewsRx editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, NewsRx.com.
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