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Updated: Apr 15, 2026
An Air-liquid Interface Bronchial Epithelial Model for Realistic, Repeated Inhalation Exposure to Airborne Particles for Toxicity Testing
Published on: May 13, 2020
Biomarkers for lung epithelium injury in occupational hexavalent chromium-exposed workers
1From the Department of Occupational and Environmental Health Science (Ms P Li, Mr Y Li, and Ms G Jia), School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing City; Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Mr Zhang), Jinan City, Shandong Province; Institute of Occupational Disease Prevention (Mr Yu), Zhengzhou City, Henan Province; and Key Laboratory of Occupational and Environmental Hazards Prevention (Ms P Li, Mr Tong, and Mr Hu), Logistics University of People's Armed Police Force, Tianjin City, People's Republic of China.
Objective:
To evaluate whether Club (Clara) cell protein (CC16) and surfactant-associated protein D (SP-D) can be used as biomarkers for lung injury caused by chromium exposure.
Methods:
The concentrations of chromium in the air (CrA), chromium in the blood (CrB), lung function, CC16, SP-D, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were detected in 91 chromium-exposed workers and 38 controls.
Results:
In chromium-exposed group, the levels of CrA, CrB, SP-D, TNF-α, and IL-6 were significantly higher, whereas forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), FEV1/FVC, maximal expiratory flow (MEF), maximum ventilation volume (MVV), CC16, and CC16/SP-D were lower. Negative correlations were shown between CC16, SP-D or CC16/SP-D, and CrB or inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6). Positive relationships were shown between CC16 or CC16/SP-D with indicators of lung function. Tobacco smoking and chromium exposure had synergic effects on lung injury.
Conclusions:
CC16, as an immunosuppressive protein, and CC16/SP-D can be used as sensitive and noninvasive biomarkers for lung injury. Smoking should be banned in chromium workplaces.
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