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Updated: May 16, 2026

Culturing of Human Nasal Epithelial Cells at the Air Liquid Interface
Published on: October 8, 2013
Asian Dust Particles Induce TGF-β(1) via Reactive Oxygen Species in Bronchial Epithelial Cells
Sun Young Kyung1, Jin Young Yoon, Yu Jin Kim
1Division of Pulmonology, Department of Internal Medicine, Gachon University Gil Hospital, Gachon University of Medicine and Science, Incheon, Korea.
Background:
Asian dust storms can be transported across eastern Asia. In vitro, Asian dust particle-induced inflammation and enhancement of the allergic reaction have been observed. However, the fibrotic effects of Asian dust particles are not clear. Production of transforming growth factor β(1) (TGF-β(1)) and fibronectin were investigated in the bronchial epithelial cells after exposure to Asian dust particulate matter (AD-PM10).
Methods:
During Asian dust storm periods, air samples were collected. The bronchial epithelial cells were exposed to AD-PM10 with and without the antioxidant, N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC). Then TGF-β(1) and fibronectin were detected by Western blotting. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) was detected by the measurement of dicholorodihydrofluorescin (DCF), using a FACScan, and visualized by a confocal microscopy.
Results:
The expression of TGF-β(1), fibronectin and ROS was high after being exposed to AD-PM10, compared to the control. NAC attenuated both TGF-β(1) and fibronectin expression in the AD-PM10-exposed the bronchial epithelial cells.
Conclusion:
AD-PM10 may have fibrotic potential in the bronchial epithelial cells and the possible mechanism is AD-PM10-induced intracellular ROS.
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