Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 23, 2026
05:18
Measuring Carbon Content in Airway Macrophages Exposed to Carbon-Containing Particulate Matters
Published on: July 12, 2024
893
Cell death pathways of particulate matter toxicity
Milena Simões Peixoto1, Marcos Felipe de Oliveira Galvão2, Silvia Regina Batistuzzo de Medeiros3
1Graduate Program in Biochemistry, Biosciences Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil.
Chemosphere
|September 4, 2017
Summary
Airborne particulate matter (PM) exposure triggers various cell death pathways, including apoptosis, autophagy, and necrosis. Oxidative stress from PM is a key factor in determining cell fate and disease development.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Toxicology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Human exposure to complex particulate matter (PM) mixtures is widespread.
- Long-term PM exposure is associated with respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
- Understanding PM's impact on cell death mechanisms is crucial but challenging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the effects of airborne PM exposure on cell death mechanisms.
- To compile and compare data on PM sources, exposure effects, and evaluation methods.
- To elucidate the role of PM in cellular responses and disease pathogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on particulate matter.
- Analysis of data on PM sources, exposure effects, and cell death assays.
- Compilation of information on in vitro and in vivo models for PM research.
Main Results:
- PM exposure induces diverse cell death types: apoptosis, autophagy, and necrosis.
- Oxidative stress, driven by reactive oxygen species, is a critical determinant of cell fate.
- PM exposure can lead to DNA damage, increasing cancer risk.
- Cellular responses vary based on PM composition, cell type, and experimental models.
Conclusions:
- Airborne PM significantly impacts cellular mechanisms, leading to cell death and disease.
- Oxidative stress is a central mediator of PM-induced cellular damage.
- Further research considering model-specific factors is needed for accurate PM risk assessment.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Overview of Cell Death
10.4K
Cell death is an essential process where the body gets rid of old or damaged cells. Cell proliferation and death need to be balanced, as an imbalance between the two may lead to cancer or autoimmune diseases.
Cell death was observed in the early 19th century, but there was no experimental evidence to prove it. In 1842, Carl Vogt first discovered cell death in a metamorphic toad; however, it was not termed ‘cell death.’ Scientists discovered different cell death pathways only in the...
Cell death was observed in the early 19th century, but there was no experimental evidence to prove it. In 1842, Carl Vogt first discovered cell death in a metamorphic toad; however, it was not termed ‘cell death.’ Scientists discovered different cell death pathways only in the...
10.4K
01:16Necrosis
6.8K
Necrosis is considered as an “accidental” or unexpected form of cell death that ends in cell lysis. The first noticeable mention of “necrosis” was in 1859 when Rudolf Virchow used this term to describe advanced tissue breakdown in his compilation titled “Cell Pathology”.
Morphological Manifestations of Necrosis
Necrotic cells show different types of morphological appearance depending on the type of tissue and infection. In coagulative necrosis, cells become...
Morphological Manifestations of Necrosis
Necrotic cells show different types of morphological appearance depending on the type of tissue and infection. In coagulative necrosis, cells become...
6.8K
01:17The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway
9.0K
The extrinsic apoptotic pathway is initiated when extracellular death-inducing signals, such as specific cytokines, activate the death receptors expressed on the cell surface. The immune cells involved in this pathway are natural killer cells (NK cells) and cytotoxic T-lymphocytes. NK cells are critical in innate immune response, while cytotoxic T-lymphocytes are associated with adaptive immune response. These cells recognize specific receptors expressed on the altered cells and activate...
9.0K
01:31The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway
8.8K
Internal cellular stress, such as cellular injury or hypoxia, triggers intrinsic apoptosis. The B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) family of proteins are the primary regulators of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. For example, during DNA damage, checkpoint proteins, such as Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM protein) and Checkpoints Factor-2 (Chk2) proteins, are activated. These proteins phosphorylate p53 which further activates pro-apoptotic proteins, such as Bax, Bak, PUMA, and Noxa, and inhibits...
8.8K
01:30Apoptosis
15.7K
Apoptosis is a combination of two Greek words, 'apo' and 'ptosis,' meaning separation and falling off, respectively. Hippocrates used this word to describe gangrene, which was caused due to bandaging of fractured bones. Apoptosis was distinguished from necrosis in 1970 when John Kerr reported observations of morphological changes occurring during apoptosis. During one experiment, he observed that the disruption of blood supply to the liver tissue resulted in a size...
15.7K
01:26Toxic Reactions: Overview
2.6K
When toxic substances penetrate the human body, they disseminate to various tissues, undergoing metabolic changes. This process yields reactive metabolites that may covalently bind with specific target molecules, resulting in toxicity.
Toxicity falls into two primary categories: local and systemic.
Local toxicity appears at the exposure site, such as protein denaturation caused by caustic substances.
In contrast, systemic toxicity requires the toxic agent's absorption and distribution,...
Toxicity falls into two primary categories: local and systemic.
Local toxicity appears at the exposure site, such as protein denaturation caused by caustic substances.
In contrast, systemic toxicity requires the toxic agent's absorption and distribution,...
2.6K