Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 24, 2025
Using Nicotine in a Silica-Exposed Mouse Model to Promote Lung Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition
Published on: March 3, 2023
Inflammation in the lungs of mice due to methyl methacrylate exposure
Sianiwati Goenharto1, I Ketut Sudiana2, Sherman Salim3
1Department of Health, Faculty of Vocational Studies, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya 60286, East Java, Indonesia.
Aim:
This study aimed to predict the potential inflammation in lungs caused by exposure to methyl methacrylate (MMA; in silico study) and assess inflammation in lungs in response to MMA inhalation in mice (in vivo study).
Materials And Methods:
In silico and in vivo studies were performed using 24 mice divided into a control group (0 ppm MMA) and five treatment groups, which were exposed to 150 ppm MMA for 40, 80, 120, 160, and 200 min, respectively. Lung tissues were harvested and examined with a light microscope at 400×.
Results:
In silico studies confirmed the existence of one activation bond between MMA and the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4), namely, His 228, with a MolDock score of -43.677 kcal/mol. Microscopic examination of lungs confirmed that a greater number of inflammatory cells were found in the treatment group than in the control group and symptoms of inflammation were clearly observable after 120 min of exposure.
Conclusion:
Thus, inflammation occurring due to MMA interaction with TLR-4 receptors can be predicted in silico and exposure to 150 ppm MMA for more than 120 min can cause lung inflammation in mice.
Insights
Methyl methacrylate (MMA) exposure can cause lung inflammation. This study predicted MMA-induced inflammation using computational methods and confirmed it in mice, identifying a key interaction with toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4).
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Computational Biology
- Pulmonary Medicine
Background:
- Methyl methacrylate (MMA) is an industrial chemical with potential respiratory health risks.
- Understanding the mechanisms of MMA-induced lung inflammation is crucial for occupational safety.
- Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4) is implicated in inflammatory responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To predict lung inflammation caused by MMA exposure using in silico methods.
- To assess in vivo lung inflammation in mice following MMA inhalation.
- To investigate the interaction between MMA and TLR-4.
Main Methods:
- In silico molecular docking of MMA with TLR-4.
- In vivo exposure of mice to 150 ppm MMA for varying durations (40-200 min).
- Microscopic examination of lung tissues for inflammatory cell infiltration.
Main Results:
- In silico analysis identified a specific binding interaction (His 228) between MMA and TLR-4 (MolDock score: -43.677 kcal/mol).
- In vivo studies showed increased inflammatory cells in lungs of MMA-exposed mice compared to controls.
- Observable lung inflammation symptoms appeared after 120 minutes of MMA exposure.
Conclusions:
- In silico prediction of MMA-induced inflammation via TLR-4 interaction is feasible.
- Exposure to 150 ppm MMA for over 120 minutes induces lung inflammation in mice.
- The study highlights the role of TLR-4 in MMA-related pulmonary inflammation.
