Effects of Diesel Exhaust Particles on Mouse Gastric Stem Cells
Heba Al-Sadik1, Subi Sugathan1, Prashanth Saseedharan1
1Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, P.O. Box 17666, Al-Ain, UAE.
Abstract:
Stem cells have attracted many scientists because of their unique properties and therapeutic applications. However, very little is known on the environmental toxins that could affect their biological features. This study focuses on the consequences of the exposure of a cell line representative of the mouse gastric stem/progenitor (mGS) cells to diesel exhaust particles (DEPs). These immortal cells were cultured using routine protocols. The DEPs were added to the culture media at 1, 10, and 100 µg/mL for 1 to 72 h. The cells were assayed for their viability, migration, oxidative stress, and the expression of genes specific for cell proliferation, pluripotency, and death. DEPs induced a reduction in the metabolic activity of mGS cells, only at a high concentration of 100 µg/mL. However, no significant effects were detected on cell migration, oxidative stress markers (glutathione and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances), and cell death related proteins/genes. Interestingly, these findings were associated with down-regulation of Notch 2 and 3 and Bmi-1 proteins and activation of STAT3 involved in the regulation of the fate of stem cells. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that mGS cells have some resistance to oxidative stress and apoptosis when exposed to DEPs at the expense of their stemness.
Insights
Diesel exhaust particles (DEPs) exposure impacts mouse gastric stem cells. While cells show resistance to oxidative stress, their stemness is reduced, affecting cell fate regulation.
Area of Science:
- Environmental toxicology
- Stem cell biology
- Cellular stress response
Background:
- Stem cells possess unique therapeutic potential.
- Environmental toxins' effects on stem cells are largely unknown.
- Diesel exhaust particles (DEPs) are common environmental pollutants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of DEPs on mouse gastric stem/progenitor (mGS) cells.
- To assess cellular responses including viability, migration, oxidative stress, and gene expression.
- To understand how DEPs affect stem cell characteristics.
Main Methods:
- Culturing immortalized mGS cells using standard protocols.
- Exposing mGS cells to varying concentrations of DEPs (1–100 µg/mL) for 1–72 hours.
- Analyzing cell viability, migration, oxidative stress markers, and gene/protein expression related to proliferation, pluripotency, and apoptosis.
Main Results:
- High DEP concentration (100 µg/mL) reduced mGS cell metabolic activity.
- No significant effects observed on cell migration, oxidative stress, or apoptosis markers.
- Down-regulation of Notch 2/3 and Bmi-1, with STAT3 activation, was noted.
- These changes suggest a trade-off between stress resistance and stemness.
Conclusions:
- Mouse gastric stem cells exhibit resistance to DEP-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis.
- DEP exposure leads to a reduction in stemness characteristics.
- Altered expression of key regulatory proteins (Notch, Bmi-1, STAT3) influences stem cell fate.
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