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Published on: February 23, 2020
Effects of dust storm PM2.5 on cell proliferation and cell cycle in human lung fibroblasts
Furong Deng1, Xinbiao Guo, Hong Liu
1Department of Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences, Peking University School of Public Health, Beijing 100083, China.
Abstract:
Reports on the effects of PM2.5 from dust storm on lung cells are limited. We compared the effects of PM2.5 collected in dust storm days (dust storm PM2.5) with that in sunshiny and non-dust storm days (normal PM2.5) on cell proliferation and cell cycle in human lung fibroblasts. Our results showed that both dust storm and normal PM2.5 had biphasic effects on cell proliferation, namely, stimulated cell proliferation at lower concentrations while inhibited it at higher concentrations. On the contrary, the organic and inorganic extracts from dust storm and normal PM2.5 significantly inhibited the proliferation in human lung fibroblasts at the concentrations corresponding to their mass contents in PM2.5 samples. The flow cytometry showed that the number of cells in G2/M phase increased significantly after treatment with the dust storm and normal PM2.5. The inorganic and organic extracts from PM2.5, however, induced cell arrest in S phase and G0/G1 phase, respectively. It seems that the biphasic effects of both dust storm and normal PM2.5 on cell proliferation may not be related to their inorganic or organic extractable components.
Insights
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from dust storms and normal conditions affects lung cells. Both PM2.5 types show biphasic effects on cell proliferation, but extracts have different impacts, suggesting complex mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Cell Biology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Limited data exists on the impact of dust storm-derived PM2.5 on lung cells.
- Particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure is a significant environmental health concern.
- Understanding PM2.5 effects on lung fibroblasts is crucial for assessing health risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the effects of PM2.5 from dust storm days versus normal days on human lung fibroblast proliferation and cell cycle.
- To investigate the role of organic and inorganic components of PM2.5 in these cellular effects.
Main Methods:
- Human lung fibroblasts were exposed to PM2.5 collected during dust storm and non-dust storm periods.
- Cell proliferation assays were performed to assess cellular growth.
- Flow cytometry was used to analyze cell cycle distribution (G0/G1, S, G2/M phases).
- Effects of organic and inorganic PM2.5 extracts were also evaluated.
Main Results:
- Both dust storm and normal PM2.5 exhibited biphasic effects on cell proliferation: stimulation at low concentrations and inhibition at high concentrations.
- Organic and inorganic PM2.5 extracts significantly inhibited cell proliferation.
- PM2.5 exposure led to increased cell numbers in the G2/M phase.
- PM2.5 extracts caused cell cycle arrest in the S phase (inorganic) and G0/G1 phase (organic).
Conclusions:
- The biphasic effects of PM2.5 on lung fibroblast proliferation may not be solely attributed to their extractable organic and inorganic components.
- Dust storm PM2.5 and normal PM2.5 exert distinct, yet overlapping, influences on lung cell cycle progression.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the specific mechanisms underlying PM2.5 toxicity in lung cells.
