Adherence of traffic-related particles to human red blood cells in vivo

There is indirect evidence that inhaled traffic-related particulate matter (PM) penetrates into the human circulation. Since nanoparticles readily adhere to red blood cells (RBCs) in vitro, we sought to determine whether a mechanism of systemic transport of translocated traffic-related particles is via adherence to RBCs in vivo.

Adult volunteers were exposed to traffic-related emissions from a main road for 1 h. Volunteers were also exposed to emissions wearing a FFP2 mask. Exposure to black carbon PM was assessed by portable aethalometer. The mean area (μm²) of adherent black PM per RBC was determined from unstained blood smears from 3000 cells by light microscopy. Particle composition was determined by scanning transmission electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray analyses. The capacity of diesel exhaust particles to adhere to human RBCs in vitro was determined, and RBCs were examined after intratracheal instillation of diesel exhaust particles to a mouse model.

Exposure to traffic-related emissions increased personal black carbon PM (n=12, p=0.001 versus baseline). Exposure increased the area of particles adherent to RBCs (p<0.001 versus baseline), and this was reduced by wearing a FFP2 mask (p=0.002 versus no mask). Traffic exposure increased the abundance of metal-bearing nanoparticles associated with RBCs. Diesel exhaust particles adhered to RBCs in vitro in a dose-dependent manner. Particles were found adherent to circulating RBCs after intratracheal instillation of diesel exhaust particles.

Adhesion of traffic-related PM to RBCs is a systemic transport mechanism. Quantification of particles on RBCs is a putative practical biomarker of inhaled dose.