Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 16, 2026

Measuring Carbon Content in Airway Macrophages Exposed to Carbon-Containing Particulate Matters
05:18

Measuring Carbon Content in Airway Macrophages Exposed to Carbon-Containing Particulate Matters

Published on: July 12, 2024

883

Urban particulate matter (PM) suppresses airway antibacterial defence

Xiaoyan Chen1, Jinguo Liu1, Jian Zhou1

  • 1Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University and Shanghai Respiratory Research Institute, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China.

Respiratory Research
|January 10, 2018
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Urban particulate matter (PM) increases respiratory infection risk by impairing airway epithelial defenses. PM exposure hinders beta-defensin-2 production, promoting bacterial invasion and increasing susceptibility to infections.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Infectious Disease Immunology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Urban particulate matter (PM) is linked to increased respiratory infection risk.
  • Mechanisms by which PM affects respiratory infections are not fully understood.
  • PM may suppress airway epithelial innate immune responses to pathogens.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of PM on antibacterial defense mechanisms in airway epithelial cells.
  • To elucidate the cellular and molecular pathways involved in PM-induced susceptibility to respiratory infections.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized an in vitro infection model to study PM effects on airway epithelium.
  • Quantified antimicrobial peptide levels using RT-PCR and ELISA.
  • Assessed bacterial invasion via colony-forming unit counts, flow cytometry, and confocal microscopy.

Main Results:

  • PM exposure increased bacterial invasion by impairing the induction of human beta-defensin-2 (hBD-2).
  • PM enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, leading to accelerated cell senescence and reduced hBD-2 induction.
  • Antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) treatment mitigated PM-induced effects; PM altered IL-8 and IL-13 expression.

Conclusions:

  • PM promotes bacterial invasion by attenuating hBD-2 induction through an oxidative burst mechanism.
  • These findings link PM exposure to increased susceptibility to respiratory infections.
  • The study provides insights into the pathogenesis of particulate matter-related respiratory diseases.
Keywords:
Antimicrobial peptideBronchial epithelial cellsPseudomonas AeruginosaUrban particulate matterβ-defensins

More Related Videos

Assessing the Particulate Matter Removal Abilities of Tree Leaves05:07

Assessing the Particulate Matter Removal Abilities of Tree Leaves

Published on: October 7, 2018

7.2K
Electrostatic Method to Remove Particulate Organic Matter from Soil04:40

Electrostatic Method to Remove Particulate Organic Matter from Soil

Published on: February 10, 2021

5.3K

Related Concept Videos

Classifying Matter by State02:49

Classifying Matter by State

Chemistry is the study of matter and the changes it undergoes. Matter is anything that has mass and occupies space. Matter is all around us; the air, water, soil, mountains, even our bodies are all examples of matter. Matter is divided into three states — solid, liquid, and gas — that are commonly found on earth. The fourth state of matter, plasma, occurs naturally in the interiors of stars. 
105.0K
Classifying Matter by Composition03:35

Classifying Matter by Composition

Matter: Pure Substances and Mixtures
According to its composition, the matter can be classified into two broad categories — pure substances and mixtures. 
A pure substance is a form of matter that has a constant composition throughout with uniform properties. For example, any sample of sucrose has the same composition and same physical properties, such as melting point, color, and sweetness, regardless of the source from which it is isolated. 
A mixture is composed of two or...
91.9K
Physical and Chemical Properties of Matter02:57

Physical and Chemical Properties of Matter

The characteristics that enable us to distinguish one substance from another are called properties.
167.7K
What is Matter?01:13

What is Matter?

The substance of the universe—from a grain of sand to a star—is called matter. Scientists define matter as anything that occupies space and has mass. An object’s mass and its weight are related concepts, but not quite the same. An object’s mass is the amount of matter contained in the object and is the same whether that object is on Earth or in the zero-gravity environment of outer space. An object’s weight, on the other hand, is its mass as affected by the pull of...
104.0K
The Atomic Theory of Matter02:59

The Atomic Theory of Matter

The earliest recorded discussion of the basic structure of matter comes from ancient Greek philosophers. Leucippus and Democritus argued that all matter was composed of small, finite particles that they called atomos, meaning “indivisible.” Later, Aristotle and others came to the conclusion that matter consisted of various combinations of the four “elements” — fire, earth, air, and water — and could be infinitely divided. Interestingly, these philosophers...
130.8K
States of Matter01:20

States of Matter

Solids, liquids, and gases are the three states of matter commonly found on Earth. A solid is rigid and possesses a definite shape. A liquid flows and takes the shape of its container, except it forms a flat or slightly curved upper surface when acted upon by gravity. Both liquid and solid samples have volumes nearly independent of pressure. A gas takes both the shape and volume of its container.
Scientists have discovered a fourth state of matter, plasma, that occurs naturally in the interiors...
3.0K