Comparison of mutagenicity and calf thymus DNA adducts formed by the particulate and semivolatile fractions of vehicle exhausts

Carbonaceous aerosol sampling of gasoline direct injection engine exhaust with an integrated organic gas and particle sampler

Positive and negative artifacts of particle-phase organic carbon (p-OC) and the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in gasoline direct injection (GDI) engine exhaust particulate matter (PM) were assessed using an integrated organic gas and particle sampler (IOGAPS). Three configurations (denuder + sorbent impregnated filters (SIFs), upstream Zefluor filter + denuder + SIFs, and standard filter pack + SIFs) were used to collect GDI exhaust samples at cold start and highway cruise operating conditions with no aftertreatment. Approximately 35% of the measured GDI p-OC was attributed to positive artifacts; negative artifacts were not detectable due to low overall SVOC concentrations. GDI engine exhaust PAH concentrations were approximately 10 times higher during cold start than highway cruise. At highway cruise, pyrene and fluoranthene were the dominant PAHs in the undenuded filter pack; downstream of the denuder benzo(a)anthracene was the dominant PAH. From a comparison of our findings to published PAH emission factors we estimate that three-way catalyst conversion efficiencies of PAHs were approximately 80% for 3 of the 15 PAHs measured during highway cruise operation. These conversion efficiencies may be considerably lower during cold start operation when the three-way catalyst has not reached its operating temperature. Our previous work showed that adverse biological responses to GDI engine exhaust exposure may be dominated by the particle phase when measured downstream of a Teflon filter. Understanding the partitioning characteristics of PAHs may help elucidate specific PAHs contributing to this effect.

Aero-dispersed mutagenicity attributed to particulate and semi volatile phase in an urban environment

Commonly the atmospheric pollution research is focussed on particulate indicators especially when mutagenicity was studied. On the other hand the volatile and semi-volatile compounds no adsorbed on to the particles can be genotoxic and mutagenic. Moreover some mutagenic compounds, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, are present both in the particulate and in the gas-phase in according to chemical conditions. This work is focussed on the assessing of the total mutagenicity shifting the gas-phase and particulate phase, during two seasons, in Turin. Two sampling sessions are conducted for total particulate matter and gas-phase pollutants. Moreover meteorological and usual air pollution monitoring data were collected at the same sampling station. The Salmonella assay using the strains TA98 and YG1021 was conducted on each organic extract. The mean level of total suspended particles, PM10 and PM2.5 were 73.63±26.94, 42.85±26.75 and 31.55±26.35 μg m(-)(3). The observed mutagenicity was PM induced YG1021>PM induced TA98>PM induced TA98+S9≫non-particle induced YG1021>non-particle induced TA98>non-particle induced TA98+S9. The multivariate regression is significant when we consider air pollution and meteorological indicators and chemical conditions as predictors.

The European Hot Spot of B[a]P and PM2.5 Exposure—The Ostrava Region, Czech Republic: Health Research Results

The Ostrava Region in the Czech Republic is a heavily polluted industrial area. Concentrations of PM10, PM2.5, and benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) significantly exceed limit values. To investigate the impact of these levels on human health, epidemiological, molecular epidemiology, and in vitro studies were done in 2008–2011. Morbidity of children was followed in 10 pediatric districts. In the most polluted district, children suffered higher incidence of acute respiratory diseases in the first year of life, and higher prevalence of asthma bronchiale. Gene expression was studied in children from Ostrava and from a control rural area. Genes specific to asthma bronchiale differed, suggesting a different molecular phenotype in children in the polluted region compared to children in the control area. A molecular epidemiology study showed adverse effect of the Ostrava exposures, but also an increased expression of XRCC5, which probably protects these exposed subjects against the degree of genetic damage that would otherwise be expected. In vitro studies clearly related concentration of B[a]P from PM2.5 extracts to induced PAH-DNA adducts. These studies clearly demonstrate that under the present local environmental conditions, the health of the population is severely impaired and will likely remain so for a significant period of time.

Particulate matter neurotoxicity in culture is size-dependent

Exposure to particulate matter (PM) air pollution produces inflammatory damage to the cardiopulmonary system. This toxicity appears to be inversely related to the size of the PM particles, with the ultrafine particle being more inflammatory than larger sizes. Exposure to PM has more recently been associated with neurotoxicity. This study examines if the size-dependent toxicity reported in cardiopulmonary systems also occurs in neural targets. For this study, PM ambient air was collected over a 2 week period from Sterling Forest State Park (Tuxedo, New York) and its particulates sized as Accumulation Mode, Fine (AMF) (>0.18-1μm) or Ultrafine (UF) (<0.18μm) samples. Rat dopaminergic neurons (N27) were exposed to suspensions of each PM fraction (0, 12.5, 25, 50μm/ml) and cell loss (as measured by Hoechst nuclear stain) measured after 24h exposure. Neuronal loss occurred in response to all tested concentrations of UF (>12.5μg/ml) but was only significant at the highest concentration of AMF (50μg/ml). To examine if PM size-dependent neurotoxicity was retained in the presence of other cell types, dissociated brain cultures of embryonic rat striatum were exposed to AMF (80μg/ml) or UF (8.0μg/ml). After 24h exposure, a significant increase of reactive nitrogen species (nitrite) and morphology suggestive of apoptosis occurred in both treatment groups. However, morphometric analysis of neuron specific enolase staining indicated that only the UF exposure produced significant neuronal loss, relative to controls. Together, these data suggest that the inverse relationship between size and toxicity reported in cardiopulmonary systems occurs in cultures of isolated dopaminergic neurons and in primary cultures of the rat striatum.

Activated toxicity of diesel particulate extract by ultraviolet a radiation in mammalian cells: role of singlet oxygen

BACKGROUND

Diesel exhaust [diesel exhaust particles (DEPs) and their extracts (DPE)] and ultraviolet A radiation (UVA) are two ubiquitous environmental factors that have been identified as essential risk factors for various benign or malignant human diseases, either alone or in combination with other agents.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to investigate the synergistic effects of DPE and UVA at low-dose exposures in human-hamster hybrid (AL) cells and their underlying mechanisms.

METHODS

We exposed exponentially growing AL cells to DPE and/or UVA radiation with or without reactive oxygen species (ROS) quenchers and then assayed the cells for survival, mutation induction, apoptosis, and micronucleus generation. In addition, using a singlet oxygen (1O2) trapping probe, 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidone, coupled with electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, we determined the production of 1O2.

RESULTS

Treatment of AL cells with DPE+UVA induced significant cytotoxic and genotoxic damage. In contrast, we found no significant damage in cells treated with either UVA or DPE alone at the same doses. Mutation spectra of CD59- mutants showed that treatment with DPE+UVA easily induces multilocus deletions. Sodium azide significantly inhibited both cellular and DNA damage induced by DPE+UVA treatment, whereas other ROS inhibitors had little protecting effect. Furthermore, we found a significant increase of 1O2 in the cells that received DPE+UVA treatment.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that UVA activated the genotoxicity and cytotoxicity of DPE in mammalian cells and that 1O2 played an important role in these processes.

Biological toxicities of emissions from an unmodified engine fueled with diesel and biodiesel blend

Conventional diesel and palm oil methyl esters were blended in 6 ratios (0, 10, 30, 50, 75 and 100% of biodiesel by volume) and fed into an unmodified 4-stroke engine with a constant output power. The semi-volatile and particulate products in the exhaust were collected separately and their biological toxicities evaluated by both Microtox test and the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The Microtox test indicates that the TUVs (toxicity unit per liter exhaust sampled, TU/L-exhaust) in the semi-volatile extracts were 3 to 5 times those of the particulate extracts. Diesel particulates had the highest unit toxicity, TUW (toxicity unit per microg soluble organic fraction of particulate, TU/microg particle SOF) of all of the other biodiesel blends. According to the Microtox tests results, the effect of biodiesel blending in MTT assay demonstrated higher toxicity in the semi-volatile products than the particulates.

Effects of Subchronic Exposures to Concentrated Ambient Particles: VII. Degeneration of Dopaminergic Neurons in Apo E−/−Mice

This study reports that subchronic exposure of Tuxedo, NY concentrated ambient particulates (CAPs) produces neuropathological damage in the brains of Apo E-deficient mice (Apo E-/-). These genetically modified mice are characterized by elevated levels of oxidative stress (OS) in the brain. Microscopic examination of coronal sections of the brain, immunocytochemically stained for dopamineric neurons, indicated that neurons from the substantia nigral nucleus compacta were significantly reduced by 29% in CAPs-exposed Apo E-/- mice relative to air-exposed Apo E-/- controls. In addition, statistically significant increases (p < .05) in immunocytochemically stained astrocytes were noted. The dopaminergic neurons of the nucleus compact are specifically targeted in Parkinson's disease. The present study expands the systems affected by particulate matter to include the brain, and supports an environmental role for the development of neurodegeneration in OS-susceptible individuals.

Diesel exhaust particles are mutagenic in FE1-MutaMouse lung epithelial cells

The particulate phase of diesel engine exhaust is likely carcinogenic. However, the mechanisms of diesel exhaust particles (DEPs) induced mutagenicity/carcinogenicity are still largely unknown. We determined the mutant frequency following eight repeated 72 h incubations with 37.5 or 75 microg/ml DEP (NIST SRM 1650) in the FE1-MutaMouse lung epithelial cell line. We measured DEP-induced acellular and intracellular production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and compared with ROS production induced by carbon black, which we have previously shown is mutagenic in this cell line [N.R. Jacobsen, A.T. Saber, P. White, P. Moller, G. Pojana, U. Vogel, S. Loft, J. Gingerich, L. Soper, G.R. Douglas, H. Wallin. Increased mutant frequency by carbon black, but not quartz, in the lacZ and cII transgenes of mutamouse lung epithelial cells, Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 48(6) (2007) 451-461]. The mutant frequency was marginally elevated in cells treated with 37.5 microg/ml DEP (1.29-fold [95% CI: 0.96-1.60], p=0.08) and significantly increased in cells treated with 75 microg/ml DEP (1.55-fold [95% CI: 1.23-1.87], p < 0.001). ROS production from DEP was low both within cells and in acellular systems when compared to carbon black. These results show that DEP are mutagenic in a mammalian cell line in vitro and that additional pathways besides ROS production, such as those involving the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, likely are involved in the mutagenesis.

Particulate matter, oxidative stress and neurotoxicity

Particulate matter (PM), a component of air pollution has been epidemiologically associated with sudden deaths, cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses. The effects are more pronounced in patients with pre-existing conditions such as asthma, diabetes or obstructive pulmonary disorders. Clinical and experimental studies have historically focused on the cardiopulmonary effects of PM. However, since PM particles carry numerous biocontaminants that are capable of triggering free radical production and cytokine release, the possibility that PM may affect organs systems sensitive to oxidative stress must be considered. Four independent studies that summarize the neurochemical and neuropathological changes found in the brains of PM exposed animals are described here. These were recently presented at two 2007 symposia sponsored by the Society of Toxicology (Charlotte, NC) and the International Neurotoxicology Association (Monterey, CA).

Comparison of cytotoxicity and genotoxicity induced by the extracts of methanol and gasoline engine exhausts

Gasoline engine exhaust has been considered a major source of air pollution in China, and methanol is considered as a potential substitute for gasoline fuel. In this study, the genotoxicity and cytotoxicity of organic extracts of condensate, particulate matters (PM) and semivolatile organic compounds (SVOC) of gasoline and absolute methanol engine exhaust were examined by using MTT assay, micronucleus assay, comet assay and Ames test. The results have showed that gasoline engine exhaust exhibited stronger cytotoxicity to human lung carcinoma cell lines (A549 cell) than methanol engine exhaust. Furthermore, gasoline engine exhaust increased micronucleus formation, induced DNA damage in A549 cells and increased TA98 revertants in the presence of metabolic activating enzymes in a concentration-dependent manner. In contrast, methanol engine exhaust failed to exhibit these adverse effects. The results suggest methanol may be used as a cleaner fuel for automobile.

In vitro genotoxicity of PAH mixtures and organic extract from urban air particles part I: acellular assay

Acellular assay of calf thymus DNA+/-rat liver microsomal S9 fraction coupled with (32)P-postlabelling was used to study the genotoxic potential of organic compounds bound onto PM10 particles collected in three European cities-Prague (CZ), Kosice (SK) and Sofia (BG) during summer and winter periods. B[a]P alone induced DNA adduct levels ranging from 4.8 to 768 adducts/10(8) nucleotides in the concentration dependent manner. However, a mixture of 8 c-PAHs with equimolar doses of B[a]P induced 3.7-757 adducts/10(8) nucleotides, thus suggesting the inhibition of DNA adduct forming activity by interaction among various PAHs. Comparison of DNA adduct levels induced by various EOMs indicates higher variability among seasons than among localities. DNA adduct levels for Prague collection site varied from 19 to 166 adducts/10(8) nucleotides, for Kosice from 22 to 85 and for Sofia from 6 to 144 adducts/10(8) nucleotides. Bioactivation with S9 microsomal fraction caused 2- to 7-fold increase in DNA adduct levels compared to -S9 samples, suggesting a crucial role of indirectly acting genotoxic EOM components, such as PAHs. We have demonstrated for the first time a significant positive correlation between B[a]P content in EOMs and total DNA adduct levels detected in the EOM treated samples (R=0.83; p=0.04). These results suggest that B[a]P content in EOM is an important factor for the total genotoxic potential of EOM and/or B[a]P is a good indicator of the presence of other genotoxic compounds causing DNA adducts. Even stronger correlation between the content of genotoxic compounds in EOMs and total DNA adduct levels detected (R=0.94; p=0.005) was found when eight c-PAHs were taken into the consideration. Our findings support a hypothesis that a relatively limited number of EOM components is responsible for a major part of its genotoxicity detectable as DNA adducts by (32)P-postlabelling.

Trends in childhood cancer incidence: review of environmental linkages

Cancer in children is rare and accounts for about 1% of all malignancies. In the developed world, however, it is the commonest cause of disease-related deaths in childhood, carrying with it a great economic and emotional cost. Cancers are assumed to be multivariate, multifactorial diseases that occur when a complex and prolonged process involving genetic and environmental factors interact in a multistage sequence. This article explores the available evidence for this process, primarily from the environmental linkages perspective but including some evidence of the genetic factors.

Mutagenicity of diesel exhaust particles mediated by cell-particle interaction in mammalian cells

Diesel exhaust particle (DEP) has been identified as a class 2A human carcinogen and closely related to the increased incidence of respiratory allergy, cardiopulmonary morbidity and mortality, and risk of lung cancer. However, the molecular mechanisms of DEP mutagenicity/carcinogenicity are still largely unknown. In the present study, we focused on the mutagenicity of DEPs in human-hamster hybrid (A(L)) cells and evaluated the role of cell-particle interaction in mediating mutagenic process. We found that DEPs formed micron-sized aggregates in the medium and located mainly in large cytoplasmic vacuoles of cells by 24h treatment. The cellular granularity was increased by DEP treatment in a dose-dependent manner. DEPs resulted in a dose-dependent increase of mutation yield at CD59 locus in A(L) cells, while inflicting minimal cytotoxicity. There was a more than two-fold increase of mutation yield at CD59 locus in A(L) cells exposed to DEPs at a dose of 50mug/ml. Such induction was significantly reduced by concurrent treatment with phagocytosis inhibitors, cytochalasin B and ammonium chloride (p<0.05). These results provided direct evidence that DEPs was mutagenic in mammalian cells and that cell-particle interaction played an essential role in the process.

Air pollution and cancer: biomarker studies in human populations

Large cohort studies in the U.S. and in Europe suggest that air pollution may increase lung cancer risk. Biomarkers can be useful to understand the mechanisms and to characterize high-risk groups. Here we describe biomarkers of exposure, in particular DNA adducts as well as markers of early damage, including mutagenicity, other endpoints of genotoxicity and molecular biomarkers of cancer. Several studies found an association between external measures of exposure to air pollution and increased levels of DNA adducts, with an apparent levelling-off of the dose-response relationship. Also, numerous experimental studies in vitro and in vivo have provided unambiguous evidence for genotoxicity of air pollution. In addition, due to the organic extracts of particulate matter [especially various polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) compounds], particulate air pollution induces oxidative damage to DNA. The experimental work, combined with the data on frequent oxidative DNA damage in lymphocytes in people exposed to urban air pollution, suggests 8-oxo-dG as one of the important promutagenic lesions. Lung cancer develops through a series of progressive pathological changes occurring in the respiratory epithelium. Molecular alterations such as loss of heterozygosity, gene mutations and aberrant gene promoter methylation have emerged as potentially promising molecular biomarkers of lung carcinogenesis. Data from such studies relevant for emissions rich in PAHs are also summarized, although the exposure circumstances are not directly relevant to outdoor air pollution, in order to shed light on potential mechanisms of air pollution-related carcinogenesis.

Bisphenol A in ambient air particulates responsible for the proliferation of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells and Its concentration changes over 6 months

To survey the estrogenic activity of the organic extracts from particulate matter of urban ambient outdoor air, samples were collected on glass fiber filters using a high-volume air sampler on the rooftop of our institute for 6 months (six filters/month). After extracting the organic materials and separating them into three fractions, i.e., acidic, neutral, and basic, we applied a cell-growth assay using MCF-7 human breast cancer cells to the original extract and the extracts of the fractions. Only the extract in the acidic fraction showed cell proliferation activity in a dose-response manner. To survey the chemical(s) responsible for the activity, a gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis was conducted after silylating the extract. The presence of bisphenol A (BPA) was confirmed, because the retention times and the MS fragment patterns between the silylated derivative of a component in the sample and that of BPA itself were the same. By using a GC/MS-SIM (selective ion monitoring) technique, the average value was found to be 0.51 ng/m(3) of air (range: 0.02 approximately 1.92 ng/m(3) of air). The trend of the residual levels in air particulates showed seasonal variation, increasing from autumn to winter and decreasing from winter to spring. The only exception was that the value in January was lower than those in December and February. Considering the content of BPA in the extract of the acidic fraction and the strength of the activities with the extract and BPA itself, the estrogenic activity due to BPA in the fraction seemed to decrease. In spite of this decline, the possibility remains that the estrogenic activity mainly originated from BPA.