No abstract available

[en] Epidemiological studies associate air pollution, especially particulate, increased morbidity and mortality from respiratory and cardiovascular origin . Africa, which has an urbanization rate among the highest in the world, is particularly exposed. The 'Initiative on the air quality in Sub-Saharan Africa' showed the importance of atmospheric concentrations of certain pollutants such as nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide and particulate matter (PM₁₀). Like the great capitals of Africa, Abidjan, economic capital and most industrialized city of Ivory Coast is facing an air pollution from industrial-urban and health consequences for its population of nearly 6 million inhabitants. To better understand the mechanisms of action resulting from pulmonary exposure to particulate atmospheric aerosols, we proposed: (i) to collect atmospheric particles (PM_2.5) using high volume cascade impaction in the District of Abidjan in three influences (rural, urban or industrial), (ii) to determine their main physicochemical, (iii) assess their cytotoxicity and their role in the induction of oxidative damage in a model of human lung cells (A549) in culture. The chemical composition of the atmospheric particles revealed their heterogeneity, and many inorganic (e.g. Al, Ca, Fe, Mn, Zn, Ni, Cr, Cu, Pb, Mg) and organic compounds (e.g. paraffins) were quantified at the three sites. Their effect concentrations (EC) to 10 and 50% on the A549 were as follows: influence rural: EC₁₀ = 5.91 μg/cm² and EC₅₀ 29.55 μg/cm², urban influence: EC₁₀ = 5 .45 μg/cm² and EC₅₀ = 27.23 μg/cm², and industrial influence: EC₁₀ = 6.86 μg/cm² and EC₅₀ = 34.29 μg/cm². Exposure of A549 cells to Abidjan city's PM samples for 24, 48 or 72 hours to their EC₁₀ or EC₅₀ induced oxidative damage, as demonstrated by the formation of malon-dialdehyde, changes in enzyme activity of superoxide dismutase and alteration of glutathione status. (authors)

[en] Although its adverse health effects of air pollution particulate matter (PM2.5) are well-documented and often related to oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory response, recent evidence support the role of the remodeling of the airway epithelium involving the regulation of cell death processes. Hence, the overarching goals of the present study were to use an in vitro coculture model, based on human AM and L132 cells to study the possible alteration of TP53-RB gene signaling pathways (i.e. cell cycle phases, gene expression of TP53, BCL2, BAX, P21, CCND1, and RB, and protein concentrations of their active forms), and genetic instability (i.e. LOH and/or MSI) in the PM_2.5-0.3-exposed coculture model. PM_2.5-0.3 exposure of human AM from the coculture model induced marked cell cycle alterations after 24 h, as shown by increased numbers of L132 cells in subG1 and S+G2 cell cycle phases, indicating apoptosis and proliferation. Accordingly, activation of the TP53-RB gene signaling pathways after the coculture model exposure to PM_2.5-0.3 was reported in the L132 cells. Exposure of human AM from the coculture model to PM_2.5-0.3 resulted in MS alterations in 3p chromosome multiple critical regions in L132 cell population. Hence, in vitro short-term exposure of the coculture model to PM_2.5-0.3 induced cell cycle alterations relying on the sequential occurrence of molecular abnormalities from TP53-RB gene signaling pathway activation and genetic instability. - Highlights: • Better knowledge on health adverse effects of air pollution PM_2.5. • Human alveolar macrophage and normal human epithelial lung cell coculture. • Molecular abnormalities from TP53-RB gene signaling pathway. • Loss of heterozygosity and microsatellite instability. • Pathologic changes in morphology and number of cells in relation to airway remodeling.

[en] A particular attention has been devoted to the type of toxicological responses induced by particulate matter (PM), since their knowledge is greatly complicated by the fact that it is a heterogeneous and often poorly described pollutant. However, despite intensive research effort, there is still a lack of knowledge about the specific chemical fraction of PM, which could be mainly responsible of its adverse health effects. We sought also to better investigate the toxicological effects of organic extractable matter (OEM) in normal human bronchial epithelial lung BEAS-2B cells. The wide variety of chemicals, including PAH and other related-chemicals, found in OEM, has been rather associated with early oxidative events, as supported by the early activation of the sensible NRF-2 signaling pathway. For the most harmful conditions, the activation of this signaling pathway could not totally counteract the ROS overproduction, thereby leading to critical oxidative damage to macromolecules (lipid peroxidation, oxidative DNA adducts). While NRF-2 is an anti-inflammatory, OEM exposure did not trigger any significant change in the secretion of inflammatory cytokines (i.e., TNFα, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, MCP-1, and IFNγ). According to the high concentrations of PAH and other related organic chemicals found in this OEM, CYP1A1 and 1B1 genes exhibited high transcription levels in BEAS-2B cells, thereby supporting both the activation of the critical AhR signaling pathway and the formation of highly reactive ultimate metabolites. As a consequence, genotoxic events occurred in BEAS-2B cells exposed to this OEM together with cell survival events, with possible harmful cell cycle deregulation. However, more studies are required to implement these observations and to contribute to better decipher the critical role of the organic fraction of air pollution-derived PM_2.5 in the activation of some sensitive signaling pathways closely associated with G1/S and intra-S checkpoint blockage, on the one hand, and cell survival, on the other hand.

[en] The skin is an essential barrier, protecting the body against the environment and its numerous pollutants. Several environmental pollutants are known to affect the skin, inducing premature aging through mechanisms including oxidative stress, inflammation, and impairment of skin functions. Even climate conditions can impact the skin. Therefore, using a Reconstructed Human Epidermis (RHE), we tested the effect of two samples of fine particulate matters (PM_0.3-2.5 – one metals-rich sample and the other organic compounds-rich), two Volatile Organic Compounds mixtures (VOCs – from a solvent-based paint and a water-based paint) and Tobacco Smoke (TS). All pollutants affected cellular functionality, but to a lesser extent for the water-based paint VOC. This effect was enhanced when RHE were preconditioned for 2 h by a semi-dry airflow (45% relative humidity) before pollutants application, compared to preconditioning by a humid airflow (90% relative humidity). In the absence of preconditioning, IL-1α, IL-6, IL-8, and RANTES were almost systematically induced by pollutants. When RHE were preconditioned by a semi-dry or humid airflow before being subjected to pollutants, the increase of IL-1α, IL-8, and RANTES falls into two groups. Similarly to RHE not treated with pollutants, RHE treated with VOCs after preconditioning by a semi-dry airflow showed increased IL-1α, IL-8, and RANTES release. On the contrary, RHE treated with PM or TS after preconditioning by a semi-dry airflow show a lower increase in IL-1α, IL-8, and RANTES compared to preconditioning by a humid airflow. The effect of real environmental relative humidity conditions of the air, combined with acute exposure to various environmental pollutants, seemed to relate mainly to structural changes of the skin, determining the outcome of the inflammatory response depending on the physicochemical characteristics of pollutants.

[en] Epidemiological studies have associated the increase of respiratory and cardiovascular mortality and morbidity with high levels of air pollution particulate matter (PM). However, the underlying mechanisms of actions by which PM induce adverse health effects are still unclear. We have recently undertaken an extensive investigation of the adverse health effects of air pollution PM_2.5, and shown that in vitro short-term exposure to PM_2.5 induced oxidative stress and inflammation in human lung epithelial cells (L132). Hence, it was convenient to complete the physical and chemical characterization of PM and to investigate whether in vitro short-term exposure to PM could be imply in the activation of apoptosis. Accordingly, we found that 92.15% of PM were equal or smaller than 2.5 μm and their specific surface area was 1 m²/g. Inorganic (i.e. Fe, Al, Ca, Na, K, Mg, Pb, etc.) and organic (i.e. polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) chemicals were found in PM, suggesting that much of them derived from wind-borne dust from the industrial complex and the heavy motor vehicle traffic. In other respects, we showed that PM exposure induced apoptosis by activating not only the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)-induced pathway (i.e. TNF-α secretion, caspase-8 and -3 activation), but also the mitochondrial pathway (i.e. 8-hydroxy-2'-desoxyguanosine formation, cytochrome c release from mitochondria, caspase-9 and -3 activation). Moreover, changes in the transcription rates of p53, bcl-2, and bax genes, on the one hand, and DNA fragmentation, on the other hand, were reported in PM-exposed proliferating L132 cells, revealing the occurrence of apoptotic events. Taken together, these findings suggested that in vitro short-term exposure to PM_2.5 induced apoptosis in L132 cells