Biophysical assessment of single cell toxicity: diesel exhaust particle-treated human aortic endothelial cells
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Date
2012Author
Nguyen, Kytai Truong
Xu, Hao
Wu, Yangzhe
Zhou, Anhong
Yu, Tian
Gilbertson, Timothy A.
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Exposure to diesel exhaust particles (DEPs), a major source of traffic-related air pollution, has become a serious health
concern due to its adverse influences on human health including cardiovascular and respiratory disorders. To elucidate the
relationship between biophysical properties (cell topography, cytoskeleton organizations, and cell mechanics) and functions
of endothelial cells exposed to DEPs, atomic force microscope (AFM) was applied to analyze the toxic effects of DEPs on a
model cell line from human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs). Fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry were also applied
to further explore DEP-induced cytotoxicity in HAECs. Results revealed that DEPs could negatively impair cell viability and
alter membrane nanostructures and cytoskeleton components in a dosage- and a time-dependent manner; and analyses
suggested that DEPs-induced hyperpolarization in HAECs appeared in a time-dependent manner, implying DEP treatment
would lead to vasodilation, which could be supported by down-regulation of cell biophysical properties (e.g., cell elasticity).
These findings are consistent with the conclusion that DEP exposure triggers important biochemical and biophysical
changes that would negatively impact the pathological development of cardiovascular diseases. For example, DEP
intervention would be one cause of vasodilation, which will expand understanding of biophysical aspects associated with
DEP cytotoxicity in HAECs.