PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: A number of in vivo studies have shown that pulmonary exposure to carbon nanotubes (CNTs) may lead to an acute local inflammatory response, pulmonary fibrosis, and granulomatous lesions. Among the factors that play direct roles in initiation and progression of fibrotic processes are epithelial-mesenchymal transition and myofibroblasts recruitment/differentiation, both mediated by transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1). Yet, other contributors to TGF-beta1 associated signaling, such as osteopontin (OPN) has not been fully investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: OPN-knockout female mice (OPN-KO) along with their wild-type (WT) counterparts were exposed to single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) (40 microg/mouse) via pharyngeal aspiration and fibrotic response was assessed 1, 7, and 28 days post-exposure. Simultaneously, RAW 264.7 and MLE-15 cells were treated with SWCNT (24 hours, 6 microg/cm(2) to 48 microg/cm(2)) or bleomycin (0.1 microg/ml) in the presence of OPN-blocking antibody or isotype control, and TGF-beta1 was measured in supernatants. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Diminished lactate dehydrogenase activity at all time points, along with less pronounced neutrophil influx 24 h post-exposure, were measured in broncho-alveolar lavage (BAL) of OPN-KO mice compared to WT. Pro-inflammatory cytokine release (IL-6, TNF-alpha, MCP-1) was reduced. A significant two-fold increase of TGF-beta1 was found in BAL of WT mice at 7 days, while TGF-beta1 levels in OPN-KO animals remained unaltered. Histological examination revealed marked decrease in granuloma formation and less collagen deposition in the lungs of OPN-KO mice compared to WT. RAW 264.7 but not MLE-15 cells exposed to SWCNT and bleomycin had significantly less TGF-beta1 released in the presence of OPN-blocking antibody. We believe that OPN is important in initiating the cellular mechanisms that produce an overall pathological response to SWCNT and it may act upstream of TGF-beta1. Further investigation to understand the mechanistic details of such interactions is critical to predict outcomes of pulmonary exposure to CNT.

Several lines of evidence indicate that exposure to nanoparticles (NPs) is able to modify airway immune responses, thus facilitating the development of respiratory diseases. Graphene oxide (GO) is a promising carbonaceous nanomaterial with unique physicochemical properties, envisioned for a multitude of medical and industrial applications. In this paper, we determined how exposure to GO modulates the allergic pulmonary response. Using a murine model of ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma, we revealed that GO, given at the sensitization stage, augmented airway hyperresponsiveness and airway remodeling in the form of goblet cell hyperplasia and smooth muscle hypertrophy. At the same time, the levels of the cytokines IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 were reduced in broncho-alveolar lavage (BAL) fluid in GO-exposed mice. Exposure to GO during sensitization with OVA decreased eosinophil accumulation and increased recruitment of macrophages in BAL fluid. In line with the cytokine profiles, sensitization with OVA in the presence of GO stimulated the production of OVA-specific IgG2a and down-regulated the levels of IgE and IgG1. Moreover, exposure to GO increased the macrophage production of the mammalian chitinases, CHI3L1 and AMCase, whose expression is associated with asthma. Finally, molecular modeling has suggested that GO may directly interact with chitinase, affecting AMCase activity, which has been directly proven in our studies. Thus, these data show that GO exposure attenuates Th2 immune response in a model of OVA-induced asthma, but leads to potentiation of airway remodeling and hyperresponsiveness, with the induction of mammalian chitinases.

Nanomaterials are being utilized in an increasing variety of manufactured goods. Because of their unique physico-chemical, electrical, mechanical and thermal properties, single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) have found numerous applications in the electronics, aerospace, chemical, polymer and pharmaceutical industries. Previously, we have reported that pharyngeal exposure of C57BL/6 mice to SWCNTs caused dose-dependent formation of granulomatous bronchial interstitial pneumonia, fibrosis, oxidative stress, acute inflammatory/cytokine responses and a decrease in pulmonary function. In the current study, we used electron spin resonance (ESR) to directly assess whether exposure to respirable SWCNTs caused formation of free radicals in the lungs and in two distant organs, the heart and liver. Here we report that exposure to partially purified SWCNTs (HiPco, CNI, Inc, TX) resulted in the augmentation of oxidative stress as evidenced by ESR detection of a-(4-pyridyl-1-oxide)-N-tert-butylnitrone (POBN) spin-trapped carbon-centered lipid-derived radicals recorded shortly after the treatment. This was accompanied by a significant depletion of antioxidants and elevated biomarkers of inflammation presented by recruitment of inflammatory cells and an increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines in the lungs, as well as development of multifocal granulomatous pneumonia, interstitial fibrosis and suppressed pulmonary function. Moreover, pulmonary exposure to SWCNTs also caused the formation of carbon-centered lipid-derived radicals in the heart and liver at later time points (day 7 post exposure). Additionally, SWCNTs induced a significant accumulation of oxidatively modified proteins, an increase in lipid peroxidation products, depletion of antioxidants and an inflammatory response in both the heart and the liver. Furthermore, the iron chelator deferoxamine (DFO) noticeably reduced lung inflammation and oxidative stress indicating an important role of metal-catalyzed species in lung injury caused by SWCNTs. Overall, we provided direct evidence that lipid-derived free radicals are a critical contributor to tissue damge induced by SWCNTs not only in the lungs, but in distant organs.

Graphene oxide (GO) and C60- or C60-TRIS fullerenes, internalized by murine dendritic cells (DCs), differently affect their abilities to present antigens to T-cells. While C60-fullerenes stimulate the ovalbumin-specific MHC class I-restricted T-cell response, GO impairs the stimulatory potential of DCs. In contrast to C60-fullerenes, GO decreases the intracellular levels of LMP7 immunoproteasome subunits required for processing of protein antigens. This is important for the development of DC-based vaccines. (Copyright 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

A number of commercially available metal/metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) such as superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPION) are utilized by the medical field for a wide variety of applications. These NPs may able to induce dermal toxicity via their physical nature and reactive surface properties. We hypothesize that SPION may be toxic to skin via the ability of particles to be internalized and thereby initiate oxidative stress, inducing redox-sensitive transcription factors affecting/leading to inflammation. Due to the skin's susceptibility to UV radiation, it is also of importance to address the combined effect of UVB and NPs co-exposure. To test this hypothesis, the effects of dextran-coated SPION of different sizes (15-50 nm) and manufacturers (MicroMod, Rostock-Warnemunde, Germany and KTH-Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden) were evaluated in two cell lines: normal human epidermal keratinocytes (HEK) and murine epidermal cells (JB6 P(+)). HEK cells exposed to 20 nm (KTH and MicroMod) had a decrease in viability, while the 15 and 50 nm particles were not cytotoxic. HEK cells were also capable of internalizing the KTH particles (15 and 20 nm) but not the MicroMod SPION (20 and 50 nm). IL-8 and IL-6 were also elevated in HEK cells following exposure to SPION. Exposure of JB6 P(+) cells to all SPIONs evaluated resulted in activation of AP-1. Exposure to SPION alone was not sufficient to induce NF-kappaB activation; however, co-exposure with UVB resulted in significant NF-kappaB induction in cells exposed to 15 and 20 nm KTH SPION and 50 nm MicroMod particles. Pre-exposure of JB6 P(+) cells to UVB followed by NPs induced a significant depletion of glutathione, release of cytokines, and cell damage as assessed by release of lactate dehydrogenase. Altogether, these data indicate that co-exposure to UVB and SPIONs was associated with induction of oxidative stress and release of inflammatory mediators. These results verify the need to thoroughly evaluate the adverse effects of UVB when evaluating dermal toxicity of engineered NPs on skin.

Advancement of biomedical applications of carbonaceous nanomaterials is hampered by their biopersistence and pro-inflammatory action in vivo. Here, we used myeloperoxidase knockout B6.129X1-MPO (MPO k/o) mice and showed that oxidation and clearance of single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) from the lungs of these animals after pharyngeal aspiration was markedly less effective whereas the inflammatory response was more robust than in wild-type C57Bl/6 mice. Our results provide direct evidence for the participation of MPO - one of the key-orchestrators of inflammatory response - in the in vivo pulmonary oxidative biodegradation of SWCNT and suggest new ways to control the biopersistence of nanomaterials through genetic or pharmacological manipulations.

Carbon nanotubes were among the earliest products of nanotechnology and have many potential applications in medicine, electronics, and manufacturing. The low density, small size, and biological persistence of carbon nanotubes create challenges for exposure control and monitoring and make respiratory exposures to workers likely. We have previously shown mitotic spindle aberrations in cultured primary and immortalized human airway epithelial cells exposed to 24, 48 and 96mcg/cm(2) single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT). To investigate mitotic spindle aberrations at concentrations anticipated in exposed workers, primary and immortalized human airway epithelial cells were exposed to SWCNT for 24-72h at doses equivalent to 20 weeks of exposure at the Permissible Exposure Limit for particulates not otherwise regulated. We have now demonstrated fragmented centrosomes, disrupted mitotic spindles and aneuploid chromosome number at those doses. The data further demonstrated multipolar mitotic spindles comprised 95% of the disrupted mitoses. The increased multipolar mitotic spindles were associated with an increased number of cells in the G2 phase of mitosis, indicating a mitotic checkpoint response. Nanotubes were observed in association with mitotic spindle microtubules, the centrosomes and condensed chromatin in cells exposed to 0.024, 0.24, 2.4 and 24mcg/cm(2) SWCNT. Three-dimensional reconstructions showed carbon nanotubes within the centrosome structure. The lower doses did not cause cytotoxicity or reduction in colony formation after 24h; however, after three days, significant cytotoxicity was observed in the SWCNT-exposed cells. Colony formation assays showed an increased proliferation seven days after exposure. Our results show significant disruption of the mitotic spindle by SWCNT at occupationally relevant doses. The increased proliferation that was observed in carbon nanotube-exposed cells indicates a greater potential to pass the genetic damage to daughter cells. Disruption of the centrosome is common in many solid tumors including lung cancer. The resulting aneuploidy is an early event in the progression of many cancers, suggesting that it may play a role in both tumorigenesis and tumor progression. These results suggest caution should be used in the handling and processing of carbon nanotubes.

Pharyngeal aspiration of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) caused inflammation, pulmonary damage, and an altered cytokine network in the lung. Local inflammatory response in vivo was accompanied by modified systemic immunity as documented by decreased proliferation of splenic T cells. Preincubation of naive T cells in vitro with SWCNT-treated dendritic cells reduced proliferation of T cells. Our data suggest that in vivo exposure to SWCNT modifies systemic immunity by modulating dendritic cell function.

Reflecting their exceptional potential to advance a range of biomedical, aeronautic, and other industrial products, carbon nanotube (CNT) production and the potential for human exposure to aerosolized CNTs are increasing. CNTs have toxicologically significant structural and chemical similarities to asbestos (AB) and have repeatedly been shown to cause pulmonary inflammation, granuloma formation, and fibrosis after inhalation/instillation/aspiration exposure in rodents, a pattern of effects similar to those observed following exposure to AB. To determine the degree to which responses to single-walled CNTs (SWCNT) and AB are similar or different, the pulmonary response of C57BL/6 mice to repeated exposures to SWCNTs, crocidolite AB, and ultrafine carbon black (UFCB) were compared using high-throughput global high performance liquid chromatography fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (HPLC-FTICR-MS) proteomics, histopathology, and bronchoalveolar lavage cytokine analyses. Mice were exposed to material suspensions (40 micrograms per mouse) twice a week for 3 weeks by pharyngeal aspiration. Histologically, the incidence and severity of inflammatory and fibrotic responses were greatest in mice treated with SWCNTs. SWCNT treatment affected the greatest changes in abundance of identified lung tissue proteins. The trend in number of proteins affected (SWCNT [376] > AB [231] > UFCB [184]) followed the potency of these materials in three biochemical assays of inflammation (cytokines). SWCNT treatment uniquely affected the abundance of 109 proteins, but these proteins largely represent cellular processes affected by AB treatment as well, further evidence of broad similarity in the tissue-level response to AB and SWCNTs. Two high-sensitivity markers of inflammation, one (S100a9) observed in humans exposed to AB, were found and may be promising biomarkers of human response to SWCNT exposure.

The production of carbon nanofibers and nanotubes (CNF/CNT) and their composite products is increasing globally. CNF are generating great interest in industrial sectors such as energy production and electronics, where alternative materials may have limited performance or are produced at a much higher cost. However, despite the increasing industrial use of carbon nanofibers, information on their potential adverse health effects is limited. In the current study, we examine the cytotoxic and genotoxic potential of carbon-based nanofibers (Pyrograf ((R))-III) and compare this material with the effects of asbestos fibers (crocidolite) or single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT). The genotoxic effects in the lung fibroblast (V79) cell line were examined using two complementary assays: the comet assay and micronucleus (MN) test. In addition, we utilized fluorescence in situ hybridization to detect the chromatin pan-centromeric signals within the MN indicating their origin by aneugenic (chromosomal malsegregation) or clastogenic (chromosome breakage) mechanisms. Cytotoxicity tests revealed a concentration- and time-dependent loss of V79 cell viability after exposure to all tested materials in the following sequence: asbestos>CNF>SWCNT. Additionally, cellular uptake and generation of oxygen radicals was seen in the murine RAW264.7 macrophages following exposure to CNF or asbestos but not after administration of SWCNT. DNA damage and MN induction were found after exposure to all tested materials with the strongest effect seen for CNF. Finally, we demonstrated that CNF induced predominately centromere-positive MN in primary human small airway epithelial cells (SAEC) indicating aneugenic events. Further investigations are warranted to elucidate the possible mechanisms involved in CNF-induced genotoxicity.

We have shown previously that single-walled carbon nanotubes can be catalytically biodegraded over several weeks by the plant-derived enzyme, horseradish peroxidase. However, whether peroxidase intermediates generated inside human cells or biofluids are involved in the biodegradation of carbon nanotubes has not been explored. Here, we show that hypochlorite and reactive radical intermediates of the human neutrophil enzyme myeloperoxidase catalyse the biodegradation of single-walled carbon nanotubes in vitro, in neutrophils and to a lesser degree in macrophages. Molecular modelling suggests that interactions of basic amino acids of the enzyme with the carboxyls on the carbon nanotubes position the nanotubes near the catalytic site. Importantly, the biodegraded nanotubes do not generate an inflammatory response when aspirated into the lungs of mice. Our findings suggest that the extent to which carbon nanotubes are biodegraded may be a major determinant of the scale and severity of the associated inflammatory responses in exposed individuals.

Engineered carbon nanotubes are newly emerging manufactured particles with potential applications in electronics, computers, aerospace, and medicine. The low density and small size of these biologically persistent particles makes respiratory exposures to workers likely during the production or use of commercial products. The narrow diameter and great length of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) suggest the potential to interact with critical biological structures. To examine the potential of nanotubes to induce genetic damage in normal lung cells, cultured primary and immortalized human airway epithelial cells were exposed to SWCNT or a positive control, vanadium pentoxide. After 24 hr of exposure to either SWCNT or vanadium pentoxide, fragmented centrosomes, multiple mitotic spindle poles, anaphase bridges, and aneuploid chromosome number were observed. Confocal microscopy demonstrated nanotubes within the nucleus that were in association with cellular and mitotic tubulin as well as the chromatin. Our results are the first to report disruption of the mitotic spindle by SWCNT. The nanotube bundles are similar to the size of microtubules that form the mitotic spindle and may be incorporated into the mitotic spindle apparatus. Environ. Mol. Mutagen., 2009. Published 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Hard metal or cemented carbide consists of a mixture of tungsten carbide (WC) (85%) and metallic cobalt (Co) (5-15%). WC-Co is considered to be potentially carcinogenic to humans. However, no comparison of the adverse effects of nano-sized WC-Co particles is available to date. In the present study, we compared the ability of nano- and fine-sized WC-Co particles to form free radicals, and propensity to activate the transcription factors, AP-1 and NF-kappaB, along with stimulation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways in a mouse epidermal cell line (JB6 P(+)). Our results demonstrated that nano-WC-Co generated a higher level of hydroxyl radicals, induced greater oxidative stress, as evidenced by a decrease of GSH levels, and caused faster JB6 P(+) cell growth/proliferation than observed after exposure of cells to fine-WC-Co. In addition, nano-WC-Co activated AP-1 and NF-kappaB more efficiently in JB6(+/+) cells, as compared to fine-WC-Co. Experiments using AP-1-luciferase reporter transgenic mice confirmed the activation of AP-1 by nano-WC-Co. Nano- and fine-sized WC-Co particles also stimulated MAPKs, including ERKs, p38, and JNKs with significantly higher potency of nano-WC-Co. Finally, co-incubation of the JB6(+/+) cells with N-acetyl-cysteine decreased AP-1 activation and phosphorylation of ERKs, p38 kinase and JNKs, thus suggesting that oxidative stress is involved in WC-Co-induced toxicity and AP-1 activation.