Inflammation-Related Effects of Diesel Engine Exhaust Particles: Studies on Lung Cells <i>In Vitro</i>

Schwarze, P. E.; Totlandsdal, A. I.; Låg, M.; Refsnes, M.; Holme, J. A.; Øvrevik, J.

doi:https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/685142

BioMed Research International

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Particulate Matter and Nanoparticles Toxicology

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Review Article | Open Access

Volume 2013 | Article ID 685142 | https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/685142

Inflammation-Related Effects of Diesel Engine Exhaust Particles: Studies on Lung Cells In Vitro

P. E. Schwarze,¹A. I. Totlandsdal,¹M. Låg,¹M. Refsnes,¹J. A. Holme,¹and J. Øvrevik¹

Academic Editor: Tim Nawrot

Received10 Oct 2012

Revised04 Jan 2013

Accepted15 Jan 2013

Published14 Feb 2013

Abstract

Diesel exhaust and its particles (DEP) have been under scrutiny for health effects in humans. In the development of these effects inflammation is regarded as a key process. Overall, in vitro studies report similar DEP-induced changes in markers of inflammation, including cytokines and chemokines, as studies in vivo. In vitro studies suggest that soluble extracts of DEP have the greatest impact on the expression and release of proinflammatory markers. Main DEP mediators of effects have still not been identified and are difficult to find, as fuel and engine technology developments lead to continuously altered characteristics of emissions. Involved mechanisms remain somewhat unclear. DEP extracts appear to comprise components that are able to activate various membrane and cytosolic receptors. Through interactions with receptors, ion channels, and phosphorylation enzymes, molecules in the particle extract will trigger various cell signaling pathways that may lead to the release of inflammatory markers directly or indirectly by causing cell death. In vitro studies represent a fast and convenient system which may have implications for technology development. Furthermore, knowledge regarding how particles elicit their effects may contribute to understanding of DEP-induced health effects in vivo, with possible implications for identifying susceptible groups of people and effect biomarkers.

1. Introduction

Living close to heavily trafficked roads has been associated with adverse effects on people’s health, including increased mortality and morbidity from cardiopulmonary causes [1]. Though the proximity to dense traffic includes exposure to noise and gasses, which may adversely affect health [1, 2], emissions of particle matter (PM) from traffic are estimated to have a major adverse impact on health [1, 3]. Notably, exposure to PM has been associated with adverse effects on the pulmonary as well as cardiovascular system [4, 5]. PM from traffic comprises road dust, vehicle particles, and exhaust particles, which have all been linked to adverse health outcomes [1]. However, most publications focus on the exhaust particles.

Traditionally diesel engines have mostly been used in heavy duty vehicles. However, according to statistics from the European automobile manufacturers’ association (ACEA), there has been a large increase in the percentage of newly registered diesel passenger cars in Western Europe, from 13.8% in 1990 to 50.6% in 2010. This is an intended increase as a means to cut CO₂ emissions from transport. However, diesel-fuelled vehicles with pre-EURO 5 technologies or the equivalent US standard are known for their higher PM emissions compared to gasoline-fuelled vehicles, and will dominate the car fleets for several years, considering the average age of the vehicles in operation. As a result of the significant contribution of PM emissions from diesel vehicles for the total concentration of PM in ambient air, extensive research on effects of diesel engine exhaust (DEE) and diesel exhaust particles (DEP) has been carried out.

Inflammation is considered a key step in the development of health effects associated with PM exposure [6–9]. Activated immune cells including neutrophils and macrophages will release cytokines, reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipid mediators, and toxic proteases, which may further amplify and contribute to any DEP-induced epithelial damage. A further increased release of pro-inflammatory mediators from the epithelium and/or induced epithelial cell death may augment as well as prolong the inflammatory reactions, and ultimately result in chronic inflammation if the exposure persists. Furthermore, the increased oxidative stress caused by activated immune cells, may also contribute to DEP-induced DNA damage, and mutations [10]. Notably, chronic inflammation is also a central part of cancer development [11]. In addition to promoting the development of lung diseases, airway inflammation may be a cardiovascular risk factor. Evidence suggests that inflammation in the lung may lead to systemic inflammation, which may increase the susceptibility to acute cardiovascular disease [12–14].

Cell culture models in vitro have been used to characterize various toxic effects of DEP including DNA damage, effects on cell proliferation, release of cytokines and chemokines, differentiation and/or capacity of immune cells to defend against infections cytotoxicity (cellular differentiation), and cytotoxicity. Furthermore, such models have been used to investigate effects of various types of DEP and DEP-components, as well as to study more detailed mechanisms of effect. Since DEP may deposit at various places in the airways [15], different lung epithelial cells as well as immune cells and combinations have been used.

Many factors influence the chemical and physical properties of collected DEP; among them are engine technology, fuel, load, temperature and filtration devices. Thus, a range of different DEP samples with varying composition have been studied. Some studies have also investigated the effect of engine and fuel interventions (Table 1). This paper summarises in vitro studies of pro- and anti-inflammatory- and allergy- linked responses of lung cells after exposure to different DEP and associated compounds. Focus will be on mechanisms involved in pro-inflammatory effects. This knowledge will contribute to the understanding of DEP-induced health effects in vivo and represent a fast and convenient system for technology development.

2. Expression and Release of Cytokines and Chemokines

Inflammatory reactions in vivo involve the production and release of a range of signalling molecules such as cytokines, chemokines, and leukotrienes/prostaglandins and adhesion molecules. These molecules operate in a complex network between epithelial cells and immune cells including macrophages, neutrophils, eosinophils, dendritic cells, and Th-cells [6, 44]. Depending on the cytokines and/or chemokines released, different classes of immune cells will be recruited and affect the outcome of the inflammatory response. In mild to moderate allergic asthma related responses eosinophils are the predominant inflammatory cells, whereas episodes of acute exacerbation of asthma tend to be driven by neutrophilic inflammation [45]. Neutrophils are also believed to be the more important for the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), because of their ability to release elastase which mediates tissue destruction [46]. Eosinophils express CCR3-chemokine receptors and are primarily activated and recruited by chemokines CCL-chemokines such as CCL5/-7/-11/-16/-24 and -26, whereas neutrophils express CXCR1 and -2 receptors and are primarily activated by CXCL-chemokines including CXCL1-3 and -5-8 [47]. Similarly, other classes of immune cells such as dendritic cells, basophils, B-cells, and various T cells express relatively specific sets of chemokine receptors allowing for targeted activation of different types of immune responses.

At a cellular level, the onset of pro-inflammatory reactions tends to start by release of early-responding cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1α and-β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. IL-1α/-β and TNF-α tend to be expressed as inactive proforms in resting cells and may be rapidly cleaved and released without requiring activation of the transcriptional machinery. This enables an immediate response upon encounters with inhaled pathogens or xenobiotics. IL-1α/-β and TNF-α subsequently regulate the expression of a variety of secondary cytokines and chemokines, including IL-6 and CXCL8 (IL-8). However, secondary cytokines may also be activated more directly by DEP (independently of IL-1α/-β and TNF-α) through activation of pro-inflammatory signalling pathways within the cells.

The release of IL-1β is tightly controlled, which seems to requires a dual pathway activation process involving transcriptional activation of the IL-1β gene leading to formation of pro-IL-1β and activation of the NALP3 inflammasome system. This leads to cleavage of the pro-form and subsequent release of active IL-1β [48]. Increased expression of pro-IL-1β is often found after exposure to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), an inflammatory Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonist from bacterial walls. NAPL3 on the other hand responds to so-called danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) released during cellular necrosis, such as uric acid crystals [49]. However, DAMPs and other NALP3 activators do not seem to induce formation of pro-IL-1β. Thus priming with LPS is often required for DAMPs to induce cellular IL-1β release. Interestingly, in the absence of LPS, an increased expression of IL-1β in alveolar epithelial lung cells (A549) was found in an air-liquid exposure system to freshly generated DEP [42]. Also, in THP-1 monocytes NIST-2975 DEP induced an increase in IL-1β release, independently of the presence of LPS [20]. In a coculture of BEAS-2B cells and primary human monocytes, NIST 2975 DEP enhanced the cytokine release of IL-8 after pre-treatment with LPS. [26]. However, this response does not seem to occur through a “classic” activation of the NALP3-inflammasome complex. NIST 2975 DEP is also reported to reduce an IL-1β-induced IL-8 response in the BEAS-2B and monocytes co-culture [26]. Furthermore, central elements of the NALP3-inflammasome did not seem to be needed in responses to DEP in transgenic mice [50].

TNF-α is expressed as a membrane bound proform that is released upon cleavage by the metalloprotease TNF-α converting enzyme (TACE), also known as ADAM-17 [51]. Thus, DEP may induce pro-inflammatory effects dependent on TACE-mediated TNF-α cleavage. DEP have been reported to induce TNF-α responses in primary monocyte-derived macrophages, and cytokine responses in endothelial cells exposed to conditioned media from DEP-exposed macrophages was suppressed by TNF-α-inhibition [52]. Diesel-enriched PM has also been found to induce TNF-α in monocyte-derived dendritic cells [53]. In contrast, studies in human and murine alveolar macrophages have reported that DEP rather suppress TNF-α responses [54–56]. To the best of our knowledge, no effects of DEP or DEP-extracts on TNF-α response have been reported from pulmonary epithelial cells. However, DEP have been found to induce TNF-α responses in middle-ear epithelial cells [57], but not in human keratinocytes [58]. In total, TNF-α-release does not seem to be a prerequisite for DEP to induce pro-inflammatory responses in vitro. In line with this, in vivo studies with TNF-α knock-out mice suggest that DEP-induced inflammation is triggered independently of TNF-α [59].

Many in vitro studies on lung epithelial cells have reported that DEP induce the release of a number of cytokines and chemokines that are involved in both innate and/or adaptive immunity inflammatory responses [60]. Innate immunity cytokines such as IL-6 and IL-8 have often been included in investigations of DEP effects. In studies with BEAS-2B bronchial epithelial lung cells DEP from a pre-year-2000 engine increased the release of chemokines such as IL-8 [33, 38]. In a comparison of different DEP, the older DEPs from Japan [35] and the NIST 2975 were considerably more potent than the more recently produced DEP from EPA (Table 1). However, not all studies report increased IL-8 levels after DEP exposure, despite increased IL-8 RNA levels [23]. In a broader analysis on the mRNA level of EURO-4 DEP-induced cytokines in BEAS-2B cells, Totlandsdal and coworkers observed increased levels of CCL5 (RANTES), CXCL10, and IL-1β among others, in addition to high levels of IL-6 and IL-8 [23]. However, only the last two reached statistical significance. Increased RANTES after DEP-exposure (pre-year-2000 engine) has also been reported by Hashimoto and co-workers [40].

Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is an an IL-7-like cytokine which has received considerable attention as a possible “master-switch” in allergic disease. TSLP from epithelial barrier surfaces suppress p40 and induce OX40L expression by dendritic cells (DCs), which suppress Th1 and promote Th2 responses, respectively [61]. Exposure to pre-year-2000 DEP has been shown to induce TSLP release from human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) subsequently leading to maturation and polarisation of DCs [41]. The DEP-dependent release of TSLP from the epithelial cells also caused the DCs to express OX40L ligand and Jagged-1 [62]. Thus effects of DEP on epithelial lung cells may promote the induction of Th2 responses, often associated with adaptive immunity and allergic asthma. The ability of DEP to stimulate adaptive immune responses has been corroborated by a study in transgenic mice [63].

An increase in granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), that stimulates monocyte multiplication, has also been observed after DEP exposure [17, 38]. DEP-enriched particulate matter sampled in a tunnel stimulated cytokine release (IL-12, TNF-α, IL-6, and interferon (IFN)-γ) from primary monocyte-derived dendritic cells [53]. This indicates that other cell types can contribute to a pro-inflammatory pattern of cytokines and chemokines in concert with macrophages and epithelial cells. Moreover, conditioned medium from macrophages exposed to DEP (NIST 2975) stimulated primary human endothelial cells (HUVEC) to release cytokines and chemokines through a TNF-α dependent mechanism, indicating that pulmonary inflammatory markers may influence systemic cells [52]. Similar observations have also been reported from studies with carbon black particles [64].

In addition to cytokines and chemokines, a variety of other signalling molecules are involved in the orchestration of inflammatory responses. ICAM-1 plays a critical role in the adhesion of inflammatory cells to reach the place of an inflammatory response. BEAS-2B cells have been shown to increase expression of this molecule on their surfaces upon exposure to pre-year-2000 DEP [39].

Epithelial cells can form a tight monolayer that presents a barrier to prevent the external agents from entering the circulation. NIST DEP can increase transepithelial electrical conductance and loosening of the tight junctions, thus increasing the possibility of leakage of proteins and perhaps particles to the vascular system [34]. In a triple co-culture model (bronchial epithelial 16HBe140 cells, monocyte derived macrophages, and dendritic cells) Lehmann et al. observed that NIST 2975 modulated occludin RNA levels which may have implications for tight junction function. However the effect was only observed at the highest concentration [28]. In this connection, it is interesting to note that NIST 2975 DEP have been reported to increase the release of metalloproteinase MMP-1 from human lung epithelial cells (A549 and NCI-H292). MMP-1 is involved in the degradation of collagen and can thus damage the lung epithelial barrier, probably involving an oxidative mechanism that includes NOX4 [29]. These findings suggest that DEP not only can induce pro-inflammatory responses, but also contribute to structural changes with inflammatory implications.

Prostaglandins function as attractants of inflammatory cells. Studies have found that EURO-4 DEP increased the levels of COX-2 in BEAS-2B cells, a key enzyme in prostaglandin production [23]. This response was also observed with three different DEP (Table 1). DEP have also been reported to enhance COX-2- and prostaglandin E2-responses in monocyte-derived macrophages primed with TLR2 and -4 ligands [65].

Heat shock proteins HSP70 and HSP40 and two other proteins involved in the protein unfolding response were induced after exposure of BEAS-2B cells to pre-year-2000 DEP extracts. This response was accompanied by an increase in IL-6 and IL-8 and possibly related to DEP-induced oxidative stress [36].

Many studies have reported that DEP induce the expression of phase I and II xenobiotic metabolising enzymes through activation of the AhR and Nrf2 transcription factors, respectively [18, 23, 66–68]. Thus, AhR- and Nrf2-regulated gene expression may represent indirect biomarkers of exposure to DEP. Furthermore, phase I enzymes are involved in metabolic activation of various xenobiotics to reactive electrophilic metabolites including ROS, possible triggering molecules of inflammatory reactions following DEP-exposure. This may occur not only directly with regard to triggering of cytokines/chemokine release, but also indirectly via increased cellular toxicity and release of inflammatory DAMP molecules. Thus, changes in the balance between activation and detoxification of the metabolism of xenobiotic in the lung cells may have important inflammatory implications. The phase I enzyme CYP 1A1 is reported to be induced at concentrations of about 0.1 μg/mL or 0.004 μg/cm² [23]. However, the increase in CYP1A1 was greatly reduced at higher concentrations, when inflammatory cytokines and chemokines were prominent [23]. The data indicate a reciprocal relationship between the AhR/Arnt-dependent CYP1A1 induction and cytokine production, apparently because AhR has an inhibitory role in the control of inflammation [69–71]. Also the stimulation of the expression of phase II detoxification enzymes by DEP extracts seemed to reduce the cytokine response [72].

4. Particle Considerations

There seems to be obvious differences in the composition of DEP of different age and source. Some older DEP-preparations are apparently less potent than some newer ones (e.g., EURO 4 DEP), although these differences do not seem to correlate with “classic”, carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) content (unpublished results from our lab). DEP typically consists of agglomerates of primary carbon particles 15–30 nm in diameter and nucleation mode particles of condensed hydrocarbons and sulphate [73]. However, differences in engine and emission-cleansing technologies may affect the ratio of these two main particle fractions in diesel exhaust emissions and has also considerable impact on the amount and composition of chemicals adhered to the surface of the emitted DEP [74].

4.1. Importance of Soluble Organic Fraction of DEP

In general, both the particulate as well as the organic components of DEP are of importance for DEP-induced effects [75–77]. However, some in vitro studies comparing effects induced by organic DEP extracts and corresponding residual particles (subjected to extraction) have demonstrated that the organic fractions of DEP may be of particular importance for pro-inflammatory responses [19, 78, 79]. It is yet unclear to what extent these responses to the organic extracts could be attributed to the presence of specific groups of compounds. Recent studies indicate that polar organic extracts of PM were found to induce cytotoxicity and IL-6 responses in BEAS-2B cells, while nonpolar organic PM-extracts had no apparent effect [80]. In accordance with this, observations from our lab indicate that compounds eluting in the polar fraction of methanol-extracts of DEP may be of particular importance. Notably, the effects of the polar fraction could not be attributed to identified PAH and PAH-derivatives in the extract (Totlandsdal et al., unpublished results).

Suppressive effects of DEP and DEP organic extracts on various immune responses have also been reported. More specifically, DEP and DEP organic extracts have been found to reduce alveolar macrophage function as demonstrated by reduced production of cytokines (IL-1, TNF-α) and ROS in response to a variety of biological agents (LPS, interferon-γ and bacteria) [54–56, 76]. Different fractions of organic DEP-extracts have been tested for the ability to suppress NO production from BCG-stimulated macrophages [22]. The polar fractions seemed more inhibitory than the less polar fractions [22]. Recent observations from our lab also suggest that high-polar organic DEP-extracts supress IL-8 responses in BEAS-2B cells, despite stimulating IL-6 responses (Totlandsdal et al. unpublished results). Similar findings have been reported for polar extracts of ambient PM [80]. Furthermore, it has been shown that the organic content of DEP, which was in the rank order NIST 2975 < compressor diesel (EPA) < automobile diesel, did not correlate with the immune responses [33]. Thus, obviously there are specific compounds of the organic fraction of DEP, differing with regard to DEP-age, -fuel type, and/or engine, that are of particular importance for cellular responses.

With respect to allergy-related responses there are to our knowledge no in vitro studies that investigate the difference between DEP and corresponding DEP organic extracts and residual DEP. However, a study in mice has indicated that the organic fraction rather than the washed particles may be responsible for the enhancement of allergy-related responses, although a role for the solid core of the carbonaceous particles could not be excluded [81].

4.2. Biodiesel

A major reason for the interest in biodiesel fuel has been environmental benefits in terms of decreased global warming impacts and reduced emissions. Increased use of biodiesel in Europe represents an important step for the European Union in order to meet its emission reduction targets and a variety of biofuels are already being introduced into wider use in heavy-duty diesel engines such as those installed in buses and trucks in cities. However, according to a previous review, biodiesel exhaust emission has been extensively characterized under field and laboratory conditions, but there have been limited studies on the effects of biodiesel exhaust in biologic systems [82].

More recently, it has been demonstrated by human inhalation studies that biodiesel (soy bean ethyl esters, SEE: B50 and B100 (50 and 100% biodiesel, resp.)) was equally or more toxic than fossil diesel in promoting cardiovascular alterations as well as pulmonary and systemic inflammation [83]. Coherent with the inflammatory potential of biodiesel demonstrated in this in vivo study, recent in vitro work from our lab demonstrates a greater toxic and pro-inflammatory capacity in human bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B cells of DEP with biodiesel (rape seed oil methyl esters, RME) than ordinary DEP, especially in the presence of a diesel particle filter (Gerlofs-Nijland et al. unpublished results). Moreover, extracts of biodiesel (blend of SEE and SME) have been reported to induce cytokine responses in BEAS-2B cells at lower concentrations than extracts of petroleum diesel [32]. In contrast, Jalava and colleagues [84] observed that biodiesel DEP were as potent as ordinary DEP, or less potent, depending on the end point (pro-inflammatory response, cell death, DNA damage, or oxidative potential in a mouse macrophage-like cell line (RAW264.7)). In a separate study, only pure fossil diesel and not B20-blends of RME or animal fat methyl esters (AFME) was found to induce ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression in primary human umbilical cord cells (HUVECs), and none of the tested DEPs affected IL-8 and CCL2 expression significantly in the human monocytic cell line, THP-1 [85]. Whether these apparent discrepancies in the pro-inflammatory potential of biodiesel are due to cell specific effects or differences in the chemical composition of the DEPs used in the different studies remains to be clarified. Importantly, as pointed out by Brito and colleagues [83], biodiesel may from a commercial point of view be considered as a cleaner, less toxic, and more biodegradable fuel. Thus, the above findings clearly highlight the importance of further studies to elucidate how and to what extent biodiesel fuels affect pro-inflammatory compared to conventional fossil fuel.

5. Biological Mechanisms of DEP-Induced Proinflammatory and Cytotoxic Effects

The genotoxicity of DEP is to a large extent considered to be due to chemicals found in the organic DEP-extracts, such as PAH. In particular, nitro-PAH seem to be important for the mutagenicity of DEP [86, 87]. Also the pro-inflammatory DEP-effects seem mainly to be mediated by constituents in organic DEP-extracts [19, 37, 78, 79]. Most interestingly, DEP with different amount of soluble organic materials may induce IL-8 responses through different mechanisms [33]. DEP with high organic content induced IL-8 through activation of AP-1, while DEP with low organic content induced IL-8 through nuclear factor (NF)-κB. The reason for this difference is unclear, but since activation of the AhR may lead to suppression of NF-κB signaling [69, 71], it is conceivable that the effects could be related to a higher content of AhR-activating compounds in the organic-rich DEP. In any case, the observation is of particular importance as it underscores that DEP from different sources may induce inflammation through different mechanisms, triggered by different DEP-constituents. It should also be considered that even with a single-source DEP it seems unlikely, given the multitude of chemical components adhered to the particle surface, that there exists a simple mechanism explaining the cellular effects. Moreover, as the concentration-effect course of toxicity by different DEP-constituents most probably differs, the complexity of DEP-induced toxicity is also likely to increase by increasing concentrations, as more and more DEP-constituents enter toxic levels. As a consequence, mechanisms of effects observed at high DEP-concentrations in in vitro studies may not necessarily be directly relevant for the effects of low-level DEP-concentrations in real-life exposure.

As within most fields of particle toxicity, oxidative stress is considered a main mechanism of DEP-induced toxicity and inflammation [7, 88, 89]. DEP-induced ROS-formation may activate redox-sensitive transcription factors involved in regulation of pro-inflammatory genes, such as NF-κB and Nrf2 [18, 19]. ROS may interfere with various cell signaling pathways by inhibition of phosphatases through binding/oxidation of important thiol groups subsequently leading to increased phosphorylation/activation of protein kinases. In line with this, genotype variation in antioxidant enzymes, such as glutathione-s-transferases (GSTs), has been associated with susceptibility towards DEP-induced allergic inflammation in humans [90]. However, since GSTs are phase II metabolizing enzymes, also involved in detoxification of organic chemicals present in DEP, it cannot be excluded that the protective role of GSTs in DEP-induced inflammation extends beyond ROS-scavenging.

Direct ROS formation by DEP may arise from enzymatic metabolism of organic compounds such as PAH [18, 91]. However, several studies show that DEP also exert oxidative effects in acellular model systems. In a study of DEP produced by 4 different engine technologies (Euro1 to Euro 4), the antioxidant (DTT) consumption as a measure of oxidative capacity showed a correlation with the content of elemental carbon, water-insoluble carbon, and organic carbon [43]. Moreover, the two different reference-DEP, NIST 1650 and 2975, have been found to exhibit different oxidative capacity in cell free systems, possibly due to difference in chemical composition [16]. Furthermore, Mudway and colleagues [92] showed that DEP depleted lung lining fluid antioxidant levels in vitro. In contrast, a comparable effect of DEP was not observed in the airways of healthy subjects; and in a cell culture model in vitro the ratio of oxidised to nonoxidised glutathione did not change significantly after exposure to two different diesels, DEPa and NIST 2975 [30]. Thus, possibly the antioxidant defence in the lung lining fluid [92] and lung epithelial cells of healthy individuals are capable of dealing with the oxidative challenge posed by DEP at environmentally relevant concentrations. In a recent study of DEP from different fuel types, produced in the presence or absence of particle filter technology (PDF-treatment), we did not observe any correlation between a cellular DEP-induced ROS formation and DEP-induced cytokine responses in human bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B cells (Gerlofs-Nijland et al. unpublished results). This observation resembles previous results of studies on mineral particles showing no clear correlation between acellular ROS-formation and pro-inflammatory responses in in vitro cell culture models [93, 94].

DEP may also stimulate cellular generation of ROS as well as reactive nitrogen species (RNS) through activation of nitric oxide synthetase (iNOS) [29, 95, 96]. Moreover, DEP-induced MMP-1 responses in human alveolar type-2 like A549 cells appeared to be dependent on activation of cellular ROS-formation by the NADPH-oxidase analogue NOX4 [29]. NADPH-oxidase-mediated ROS formation also seems to regulate DEP-induced TNF-α responses in isolated rat brain capillaries [97], and toxicity of DEP in dopaminergic neurons [98]. Moreover, the DEP-component 1,2-naphthoquinone (1,2-NQ) was reported to induce IL-8 responses in human bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B cells, through mitochondrial H₂O₂-production [99]. Thus, it is conceivable that much of the reported suppressive effects of antioxidants on DEP-induced pro-inflammatory responses may be due to interference with DEP-induced cellular ROS-generation, rather than the direct particle-derived ROS production observed in acellular systems. If this is the case, oxidative stress should be considered a cellular response to DEP exposure and not a direct DEP property. However, findings obtained by use of antioxidants need to be interpreted with caution. While antioxidants may attenuate DEP-induced inflammation, the role of oxidative stress in cellular responses is inherently difficult to interpret. Antioxidants like N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) may also detoxify other reactive electrophilic DEP-constituents that potentially could trigger inflammatory reactions. Furthermore, ROS is an important and natural second messenger in most signaling pathways [100–102]. Thus, use of antioxidants is likely to interfere with a variety of cellular responses irrespective of oxidative stress. Few, if any, studies using antioxidants to assess the role of oxidative stress in particle induced effects have included proper controls to clarify these issues. It has also been pointed out that in vitro ROS-formation may have limited value in predicting pathological effects, because almost all particles elicit oxidative stress in cells, given a sufficient concentration [103]. Finally, oxidative stress alone may not be sufficient to induce pro-inflammatory responses in lung cells [104, 105], thus other and/or additional mechanisms are likely involved in DEP-induced inflammation.

Of particular interest, recent studies show that pre-year-2000 DEP may induce Ca²⁺-signaling through activation of transient receptor potential (TRP) cation-channels in primary and transformed human bronchial epithelial cells (NHBE and BEAS-2B cells). Li and colleagues [106] have shown that DEP triggered Ca²⁺-influx through proteinase-activated receptor-2 (PAR-2) mediated activation of TRPV4 channels on the surface of human bronchial epithelial cells leading to increased expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1). Ca²⁺-signaling appears to be central to IL-8 responses in bronchial epithelial cells induced by multiple compounds found in ambient air [107]. Therefore, it seems likely that DEP-induced PAR-2/TRPV4-activation is not restricted to MMP-1 regulation, but also involved in cytokine responses. In support of this, recent results from our lab show that silencing of PAR-2 by siRNA attenuated DEP-induced IL-6 responses in bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B cells (Øvrevik et al., unpublished results). Whether DEP activates PAR-2 receptors directly remains to be clarified. However, in line with previous studies on DEP-induced inflammation the effects appeared to be due to the soluble organic fraction of the particles [106]. These authors also showed that a TRPV4 polymorphism (TRPV4_P19S) associated with increased susceptibility to COPD significantly enhanced DEP-induced Ca²⁺-signaling and MMP-1 responses, thus providing a possible link between COPD pathogenesis and DEP-exposure. In parallel to these observations, Deering-Rice and co-workers [27] found that DEP (black smoker, Table 1) induced Ca²⁺-signaling by activating TRPA1 receptors in sensory nerve cells. This effect was attributed to electrophilic components of DEP, including various aldehydes and quinones [27]. In further support of these findings, the DEP-component 1,2-NQ has been found to activate TRPV1 (vanilloid receptor-1) in guinea pig trachea [108]. However, this study suggests that TRPV1 was indirectly activated by 1,2-NQ through transactivation of protein tyrosine kinases such as the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR).

It is interesting to note that cellular signaling through RAGE (receptors for advanced glycation end-products) was suggested to have a role in DEP-induced NF-κB-activation and chemokine responses (MCP-1 and CINC-1) in a type-I-like epithelial cell line (R3/1) [109]. In line with this, DEP-exposure also enhanced RAGE-expression in R3/1 cells and primary human small airway epithelial cells (SAECs), possibly providing a positive feedback mechanism for DEP-induced inflammation [109]. However, as with the studies on PAR-2 and TRP-channels, it is still unclear whether DEP activated RAGE directly or whether DEP or DEP-components caused formation of RAGE-ligands in the exposed cells.

Studies also suggest that DEP exposure activates EGFR-signaling [24, 107, 110, 111]. Of notice, the EGFR does not seem to be a direct target of DEP or DEP-components, but is more likely a downstream response to some DEP-triggered effect. Activation of EGFR-signaling through cleavage and release of membrane bound transforming growth factor (TGF-α) by the metalloproteinase TNF-α converting enzyme (TACE or ADAM17) seems to be a universal mechanisms of IL-8 regulation in airway epithelial cells by multiple endogenous and exogenous compounds, including DEP and various air pollution components [107, 112, 113]. In coherence with reported in vitro effects increased EGFR-expression and activation have been observed in biopsies of bronchial epithelium from volunteers exposed to freshly generated DEP [114]. Moreover, TACE and EGFR are overexpressed in pulmonary epithelium of asthmatics and COPD patients and this correlates with increased expression of IL-8, which is a key activator of neutrophils [115]. Thus, increased TACE and EGFR-expression may be important susceptibility factors for neutrophilic inflammation by air pollutants.

Considerable progress has been made to elucidate the mechanisms of DEP-induced inflammation, beyond the mere oxidative stress effects. Whether any of the above mentioned receptors are direct targets of DEP or organic chemicals from DEP remains to be clarified. However, depending on the further research, these receptors may turn out as important susceptibility factors for adverse effects of DEP-exposure. Such knowledge may also substantiate any possible role of biomarkers of effect as measured by gene-array. Another important aspect to consider is that if DEP-induced pro-inflammatory responses are regulated by different cell surface receptors, this is likely to give rise to cell specific effects, since receptor expression may be highly cell-type dependent. Similarly, expression of metabolizing enzymes involved in bioactivation or ROS-formation from adhered hydrocarbons may also vary between different cell-types and affect the outcome of exposure. It is conceivable that this may explain apparent discrepancies in effects obtained by different in vitro models, such as the reported biodiesel effects discussed above. For the same reason, care should be taken when interpreting the importance of results obtained by a single cell model.

6. Challenges and Concluding Remarks

Diesel engine exhaust represents a complex and variable air pollution mixture, of which the physicochemical characteristics are highly dependent on the fuel used and the type of engine [43, 116]. Recently, Hesterberg and colleagues have stressed this important issue, by questioning the relevance of certain samples or exhaust exposures that currently are used in experimental studies, for risk-assessment of particulate matter from new technology diesel exhaust [74]. As shown in Table 1, a large proportion of the in vitro studies have used the standard reference diesel material from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST, USA), which were collected from a fork lift truck several years ago. Although a thoroughly characterised material may be very useful for investigating the role of the physicochemical composition for the effects, one may question whether it is time to produce and agree on a commercial reference diesel sample which is more representative to current diesel emissions.

In vitro studies represent a fast and convenient system which may have implications for technology development. In vitro studies are also of key importance for increasing our knowledge about the underlying biological mechanisms of effects. Interestingly, several of the proteins investigated in in vitro studies of mechanisms of signal transduction, have also been observed activated in bronchial biopsies from human volunteers exposed to diesel exhaust particles in clinical studies [15, 114, 117, 118]. Thus there is in many cases a coherence of in vitro and in vivo findings.

With respect to in vitro research on the pulmonary effects of diesel engine exhaust emissions on inflammatory reactions, a large diversity of in vitro models has been applied, and a range of effect parameters have been investigated. In addition, several different types of DEP samples have been used, subjected to different treatments for exposure. The various models have their advantages and disadvantages, but the diversity can be seen as strength, though it challenges the process of generating overall conclusions. Furthermore, for a complete evaluation of DEP effects also genotoxic and other outcomes should be taken into consideration.

A well-known limitation of in vitro studies is the general use of exposure concentrations that are on the high side, compared to real world situations. The exact levels to which pulmonary cells are likely to be exposed to in vivo are difficult to estimate, based on the complexity of the deposition pattern. However, according to estimations of Li and colleagues, a biologically relevant tissue culture concentration of DEP ranges from 0.2 to 20 ug/cm² [119]. Although the concentrations used in several studies fall within this range, and certain effects also have been detected at concentrations below this range, it would be important to optimize and increase the sensitivity of current in vitro models. Of notice, direct exposure to freshly generated DEP of cells at the air/liquid interface (ALI) has been performed [42, 120–122]. Results reported from these rather complicated models support results obtained by exposing traditional submerged cell cultures with DEP collected on filters. This may be due to similar amounts of organic components being released independently of the aggregation/agglomeration state. However, some studies suggest that response to ALI exposure may occur at lower DEP-doses that by conventional exposure of submerged cell cultures [120–122]. These are important observations considering that in vitro studies often are criticized for using too high particle concentrations.

The inflammatory effects of DEP seem to be attributable to the soluble organic fraction, but questions still remain with respect to what fraction and components that are most important for the inflammatory responses. The mechanisms are still unclear, but receptors in the plasma membrane, including the PAR-2 receptor, vanilloid-1 receptor, RAGE-receptor, and the EGF-receptor, seem to be involved. DEP are known to induce acellular as well as cell-mediated ROS-formation, oxidative stress and deplete the levels of antioxidants, which seem to be involved in the inflammatory effects of DEP. At what stage the oxidative tonus exerts its major effect(s) in the signalling pathways leading to inflammation remains to be further clarified.

Of notice, engine and fuel technology have been rapidly changing resulting in reduced emissions. The question arises whether this reduction in DEP from modern engines has resulted in an equivalent reduction in harmful properties of the emissions. Moreover, increased use of biodiesel to meet demands for CO₂-neutral fuels warrants further studies on how different fuels affect the pro-inflammatory properties of DEP.

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Copyright © 2013 P. E. Schwarze et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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