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Toxicological effects of urban particulate matter on corneal and conjunctival epithelial cells

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Abstract

Exposure to urban particulate matter (UPM) is a high-risk factor for various ocular surface diseases, including dry eye syndrome. However, the effects of UPM on corneal and conjunctival epithelium damage have not been fully elucidated. In this study, we investigated the toxicological effects of UPM exposure at high concentrations by using in vitro cultures. The cell viability, mucin expression, and the secreted inflammatory mediators of corneal and conjunctival epithelial cells was observed at 24 h after exposure to UPM. The progression of cell cycle was also examined by flow cytometry at 24 h after exposure to UPM. UPM reduced cell viability in a dose-dependent manner and increased cell population in S and G2 phase. The expression of mucin-1 was attenuated by UPM exposure, but that of mucin-4 was not. UPM increased interleukin (IL)-6 release and decreased IL-8 release. The intensity of 2′,7′-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCF-DA) was highest at 4 h of UPM exposure. In conclusion, these results suggest that UPM causes the disruption of corneal and conjunctival epithelium by decreasing cell viability, altering cell cycle, disrupting mucin, and regulating inflammatory mediators.

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Abbreviations

CCCk-8:

Cell Counting Kit-8

DES:

Dry eye syndrome

DEP:

Diesel exhaust particles

ELISA:

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

IL:

Interleukin

nitro-PAHs:

Nitro-substituted polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

PAHs:

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

PCB:

Polychlorinated biphenyl

ROS:

Reactive oxygen species

UPM:

Urban particulate matter

WHO:

World Health Organization

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by Korea Institute of Planning and Evaluation for Technology in Food, Agriculture and Forestry (IPET) through High Value-added Food Technology Development Program, funded by Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) (#317033-03). This work was also supported by Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine (Project No. KSN1812080) and NST (National Research Council of Science & Technology)-KIOM (Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine) Postdoctoral Research Fellowship for Young Scientists.

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  1. Soo-Wang Hyun

    Present address: Medicinal Evaluation Team, Bio-Center, Gyeonggido Business and Science Accelerator (GBSA), Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, 16229, Korea

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Herbal Medicine Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon, 34054, Korea

    Soo-Wang Hyun & Su Jeong Song

  2. Clinical Medicine Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, 1672 Yusengdae-ro, Daejeon, 34054, Korea

    Bongkyun Park, Tae Gu Lee & Chan-Sik Kim

  3. Korean Convergence Medicine, University of Science Technology (UST), Daejeon, 34054, Korea

    Chan-Sik Kim

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Correspondence to Chan-Sik Kim.

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Hyun, SW., Song, S.J., Park, B. et al. Toxicological effects of urban particulate matter on corneal and conjunctival epithelial cells. Toxicol Res. 36, 311–318 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43188-019-00034-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s43188-019-00034-0

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