We analyzed gene expression in THP-1 cells exposed to metal-based nanomaterials (NMs) [TiO2 (NM-100), ZnO (NM-110), SiO2 (NM-200), Ag (NM-300 K)]. A functional enrichment analysis of the significant differentially expressed genes (DEGs) identified the key modulated biological processes and pathways. DEGs were used to construct protein-protein interaction networks. NM-110 and NM-300 K induced changes in the expression of genes involved in oxidative and genotoxic stress, immune response, alterations of cell cycle, detoxification of metal ions and regulation of redox-sensitive pathways. Both NMs shared a number of highly connected protein nodes (hubs) including CXCL8, ATF3, HMOX1, and IL1B. NM-200 induced limited transcriptional changes, mostly related to the immune response; however, several hubs (CXCL8, ATF3) were identical with NM-110 and NM-300 K. No effects of NM-100 were observed. Overall, soluble nanomaterials NM-110 and NM-300 K exerted a wide variety of toxic effects, while insoluble NM-200 induced immunotoxicity; NM-100 caused no detectable changes on the gene expression level.

• Klíčová slova
• THP-1 cells, gene expression, metal-based nanoparticles, protein-protein interactions,
• MeSH
• hemoxygenasa-1 MeSH
• interleukin-8 metabolismus   genetika   MeSH
• kovové nanočástice toxicita   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mapy interakcí proteinů * účinky léků   MeSH
• nanostruktury toxicita   MeSH
• oxid křemičitý toxicita   MeSH
• oxid zinečnatý toxicita   chemie   MeSH
• stříbro * toxicita   MeSH
• THP-1 buňky MeSH
• titan * toxicita   MeSH
• transkripční faktor ATF3 genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• transkriptom účinky léků   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• ATF3 protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
• CXCL8 protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
• hemoxygenasa-1 MeSH
• HMOX1 protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
• interleukin-8 MeSH
• oxid křemičitý MeSH
• oxid zinečnatý MeSH
• stříbro * MeSH
• titan * MeSH
• titanium dioxide MeSH Prohlížeč
• transkripční faktor ATF3 MeSH

Emissions from road traffic are among the major contributors to air pollution worldwide and represent a serious environmental health risk. Although traffic-related pollution has been most commonly associated with diesel engines, increasing evidence suggests that gasoline engines also produce a considerable amount of potentially hazardous particulate matter (PM). The primary objective of this study was to compare the intrinsic toxic properties of the organic components of PM, generated by a conventional gasoline engine fueled with neat gasoline (E0), or gasoline-ethanol blend (15 % ethanol, v/v, E15). Our results showed that while E15 has produced, compared to gasoline and per kg of fuel, comparable particle mass (μg PM/kg fuel) and slightly more particles by number, the organic extract from the particulate matter produced by E15 contained a larger amount of harmful polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), as determined by the chemical analysis. To examine the toxicity, we monitored genome-wide gene expression changes in human lung BEAS-2B cells, exposed for 4 h and 24 h to a subtoxic dose of each PM extract. After 4 h exposure, numerous dysregulated genes and processes such as oxidative stress, lipid and steroid metabolism, PPARα signaling and immune response, were found to be common for both extract treatments. On the other hand, 24 h exposure resulted in more distinctive gene expression patterns. Although we identified several common modulated processes indicating the metabolism of PAHs and activation of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), E15 specifically dysregulated a variety of other genes and pathways related to cancer promotion and progression. Overall, our findings suggest that the ethanol addition to gasoline changed the intrinsic properties of PM emissions and increased the PAH content in PM organic extract, thus contributing to a more extensive toxic response particularly after 24 h exposure in BEAS-2B cells.

• Klíčová slova
• Alternative fuels, Gasoline, Gene expression profiling, Particulate matter emissions, Toxicity,
• MeSH
• benzin toxicita   MeSH
• buněčné linie MeSH
• ethanol toxicita   MeSH
• látky znečišťující vzduch * toxicita   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• pevné částice toxicita   MeSH
• polycyklické aromatické uhlovodíky * toxicita   MeSH
• výfukové emise vozidel * toxicita   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• benzin MeSH
• ethanol MeSH
• látky znečišťující vzduch * MeSH
• pevné částice MeSH
• polycyklické aromatické uhlovodíky * MeSH
• výfukové emise vozidel * MeSH

Road traffic emissions consist of gaseous components, particles of various sizes, and chemical compounds that are bound to them. Exposure to vehicle emissions is implicated in the etiology of inflammatory respiratory disorders. We investigated the inflammation-related markers in human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) and a 3D model of the human airways (MucilAir™), after exposure to complete emissions and extractable organic matter (EOM) from particles generated by ordinary gasoline (E5), and a gasoline-ethanol blend (E20; ethanol content 20% v/v). The production of 22 lipid oxidation products (derivatives of linoleic and arachidonic acid, AA) and 45 inflammatory molecules (cytokines, chemokines, growth factors) was assessed after days 1 and 5 of exposure, using LC-MS/MS and a multiplex immunoassay, respectively. The response observed in MucilAir™ exposed to E5 gasoline emissions, characterized by elevated levels of pro-inflammatory AA metabolites (prostaglandins) and inflammatory markers, was the most pronounced. E20 EOM exposure was associated with increased levels of AA metabolites with anti-inflammatory effects in this cell model. The exposure of BEAS-2B cells to complete emissions reduced lipid oxidation, while E20 EOM tended to increase concentrations of AA metabolite and chemokine production; the impacts on other inflammatory markers were limited. In summary, complete E5 emission exposure of MucilAir™ induces the processes associated with the pro-inflammatory response. This observation highlights the potential negative health impacts of ordinary gasoline, while the effects of alternative fuel are relatively weak.

• Klíčová slova
• Air-liquid interface, Chemokines, Cytokines, Growth factors, Polyunsaturated fatty acids derivatives, Road traffic emissions,
• MeSH
• benzin * analýza   toxicita   MeSH
• chromatografie kapalinová MeSH
• látky znečišťující vzduch * analýza   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• lipidy MeSH
• pevné částice MeSH
• rostlinné extrakty MeSH
• tandemová hmotnostní spektrometrie MeSH
• výfukové emise vozidel analýza   toxicita   MeSH
• zánět chemicky indukované   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• benzin * MeSH
• látky znečišťující vzduch * MeSH
• lipidy MeSH
• pevné částice MeSH
• rostlinné extrakty MeSH
• výfukové emise vozidel MeSH

The evaluation of the frequency of micronuclei (MN) is a broadly utilised approach in in vitro toxicity testing. Nevertheless, the specific properties of nanomaterials (NMs) give rise to concerns regarding the optimal methodological variants of the MN assay. In bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B), we tested the genotoxicity of five types of NMs (TiO2: NM101, NM103; SiO2: NM200; Ag: NM300K, NM302) using four variants of MN protocols, differing in the time of exposure and the application of cytochalasin-B combined with the simultaneous and delayed co-treatment with NMs. Using transmission electron microscopy, we evaluated the impact of cytochalasin-B on the transport of NMs into the cells. To assess the behaviour of NMs in a culture media for individual testing conditions, we used dynamic light scattering measurement. The presence of NMs in the cells, their intracellular aggregation and dispersion properties were comparable when tests with or without cytochalasin-B were performed. The genotoxic potential of various TiO2 and Ag particles differed (NM101 < NM103 and NM302 < NM300K, respectively). The application of cytochalasin-B tended to increase the percentage of aberrant cells. In conclusion, the comparison of the testing strategies revealed that the level of DNA damage induced by NMs is affected by the selected methodological approach. This fact should be considered in the interpretation of the results of genotoxicity tests.

• Klíčová slova
• DLS, cell line, genotoxicity, micronucleus assay, nanomaterials,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Gasoline engine emissions have been classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans and represent a significant health risk. In this study, we used MucilAir™, a three-dimensional (3D) model of the human airway, and BEAS-2B, cells originating from the human bronchial epithelium, grown at the air-liquid interface to assess the toxicity of ordinary gasoline exhaust produced by a direct injection spark ignition engine. The transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER), production of mucin, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and adenylate kinase (AK) activities were analyzed after one day and five days of exposure. The induction of double-stranded DNA breaks was measured by the detection of histone H2AX phosphorylation. Next-generation sequencing was used to analyze the modulation of expression of the relevant 370 genes. The exposure to gasoline emissions affected the integrity, as well as LDH and AK leakage in the 3D model, particularly after longer exposure periods. Mucin production was mostly decreased with the exception of longer BEAS-2B treatment, for which a significant increase was detected. DNA damage was detected after five days of exposure in the 3D model, but not in BEAS-2B cells. The expression of CYP1A1 and GSTA3 was modulated in MucilAir™ tissues after 5 days of treatment. In BEAS-2B cells, the expression of 39 mRNAs was affected after short exposure, most of them were upregulated. The five days of exposure modulated the expression of 11 genes in this cell line. In conclusion, the ordinary gasoline emissions induced a toxic response in MucilAir™. In BEAS-2B cells, the biological response was less pronounced, mostly limited to gene expression changes.

• Klíčová slova
• MucilAir™, air-liquid interface, bronchial epithelial cells, gasoline emissions, toxicity,
• MeSH
• adenylátkinasa metabolismus   MeSH
• bronchy cytologie   MeSH
• dvouřetězcové zlomy DNA MeSH
• elektrická impedance MeSH
• epitelové buňky účinky léků   metabolismus   MeSH
• kultivované buňky MeSH
• L-laktátdehydrogenasa metabolismus   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• muciny metabolismus   MeSH
• testy toxicity metody   MeSH
• transkriptom MeSH
• výfukové emise vozidel toxicita   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• adenylátkinasa MeSH
• L-laktátdehydrogenasa MeSH
• muciny MeSH
• výfukové emise vozidel MeSH

This study presents a toxicological evaluation of two types of carbon dots (CD), similar in size (<10 nm) but differing in surface charge. Whole-genome mRNA and miRNA expression (RNAseq), as well as gene-specific DNA methylation changes, were analyzed in human embryonic lung fibroblasts (HEL 12469) after 4 h and 24 h exposure to concentrations of 10 and 50 µg/mL (for positive charged CD; pCD) or 10 and 100 µg/mL (for negative charged CD, nCD). The results showed a distinct response for the tested nanomaterials (NMs). The exposure to pCD induced the expression of a substantially lower number of mRNAs than those to nCD, with few commonly differentially expressed genes between the two CDs. For both CDs, the number of deregulated mRNAs increased with the dose and exposure time. The pathway analysis revealed a deregulation of processes associated with immune response, tumorigenesis and cell cycle regulation, after exposure to pCD. For nCD treatment, pathways relating to cell proliferation, apoptosis, oxidative stress, gene expression, and cycle regulation were detected. The expression of miRNAs followed a similar pattern: more pronounced changes after nCD exposure and few commonly differentially expressed miRNAs between the two CDs. For both CDs the pathway analysis based on miRNA-mRNA interactions, showed a deregulation of cancer-related pathways, immune processes and processes involved in extracellular matrix interactions. DNA methylation was not affected by exposure to any of the two CDs. In summary, although the tested CDs induced distinct responses on the level of mRNA and miRNA expression, pathway analyses revealed a potential common biological impact of both NMs independent of their surface charge.

• Klíčová slova
• DNA methylation, carbon dots, gene expression, human lung fibroblasts, surface charge,
• MeSH
• apoptóza účinky léků   genetika   MeSH
• exprese genu účinky léků   genetika   MeSH
• extracelulární matrix genetika   MeSH
• fibroblasty účinky léků   MeSH
• kultivované buňky MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• messenger RNA genetika   MeSH
• metylace DNA účinky léků   genetika   MeSH
• mikro RNA genetika   MeSH
• nádory genetika   MeSH
• oxidační stres účinky léků   genetika   MeSH
• plíce účinky léků   MeSH
• proliferace buněk účinky léků   genetika   MeSH
• signální transdukce účinky léků   genetika   MeSH
• stanovení celkové genové exprese metody   MeSH
• uhlík farmakologie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• messenger RNA MeSH
• mikro RNA MeSH
• uhlík MeSH

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) transcription factor is activated by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and other ligands. Activated AhR binds to dioxin responsive elements (DRE) and initiates transcription of target genes, including the gene encoding prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS-2), which is also activated by the transcription factor NF-ĸB. PTGS-2 catalyzes the conversion of arachidonic acid (AA) into prostaglandins, thromboxanes or isoprostanes. 15-F2t-Isoprostane (IsoP), regarded as a universal marker of lipid peroxidation, is also induced by PAH exposure. We investigated the processes associated with lipid peroxidation in human alveolar basal epithelial cells (A549) exposed for 4 h or 24 h to model PAH (benzo[a]pyrene, BaP; 3-nitrobenzanthrone, 3-NBA) and organic extracts from ambient air particulate matter (EOM), collected in two seasons in a polluted locality. Both EOM induced the expression of CYP1A1 and CYP1B1; 24 h treatment significantly reduced PTGS-2 expression. IsoP levels decreased after both exposure periods, while the concentration of AA was not affected. The effects induced by BaP were similar to EOM except for increased IsoP levels after 4 h exposure and elevated AA concentration after 24 h treatment. In contrast, 3-NBA treatment did not induce CYP expression, had a weak effect on PTGS-2 expression, and, similar to BaP, induced IsoP levels after 4 h exposure and AA levels after 24 h treatment. All tested compounds induced the activity of NF-ĸB after the longer exposure period. In summary, our data suggest that EOM, and partly BaP, reduce lipid peroxidation by a mechanism that involves AhR-dependent inhibition of PTGS-2 expression. The effect of 3-NBA on IsoP levels is probably mediated by a different mechanism independent of AhR activation.

• Klíčová slova
• Aryl hydrocarbon receptor, Extractable organic matter, Lipid peroxidation, Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons,
• MeSH
• benz(a)anthraceny toxicita   MeSH
• benzopyren toxicita   MeSH
• buňky A549 MeSH
• cyklooxygenasa 1 metabolismus   MeSH
• cytochrom P-450 CYP1A1 metabolismus   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mutageny toxicita   MeSH
• nádorové buněčné linie MeSH
• NF-kappa B metabolismus   MeSH
• peroxidace lipidů účinky léků   MeSH
• pevné částice toxicita   MeSH
• pneumocyty účinky léků   MeSH
• polycyklické aromatické uhlovodíky toxicita   MeSH
• receptory aromatických uhlovodíků metabolismus   MeSH
• transkripční faktory bHLH metabolismus   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• 3-nitrobenzanthrone MeSH Prohlížeč
• AHR protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
• benz(a)anthraceny MeSH
• benzopyren MeSH
• cyklooxygenasa 1 MeSH
• cytochrom P-450 CYP1A1 MeSH
• mutageny MeSH
• NF-kappa B MeSH
• pevné částice MeSH
• polycyklické aromatické uhlovodíky MeSH
• receptory aromatických uhlovodíků MeSH
• transkripční faktory bHLH MeSH

The risk of exposure to nanoparticles (NPs) has rapidly increased during the last decade due to the vast use of nanomaterials (NMs) in many areas of human life. Despite this fact, human biomonitoring studies focused on the effect of NP exposure on DNA alterations are still rare. Furthermore, there are virtually no epigenetic data available. In this study, we investigated global and gene-specific DNA methylation profiles in a group of 20 long-term (mean 14.5 years) exposed, nanocomposite, research workers and in 20 controls. Both groups were sampled twice/day (pre-shift and post-shift) in September 2018. We applied Infinium Methylation Assay, using the Infinium MethylationEPIC BeadChips with more than 850,000 CpG loci, for identification of the DNA methylation pattern in the studied groups. Aerosol exposure monitoring, including two nanosized fractions, was also performed as proof of acute NP exposure. The obtained array data showed significant differences in methylation between the exposed and control groups related to long-term exposure, specifically 341 CpG loci were hypomethylated and 364 hypermethylated. The most significant CpG differences were mainly detected in genes involved in lipid metabolism, the immune system, lung functions, signaling pathways, cancer development and xenobiotic detoxification. In contrast, short-term acute NP exposure was not accompanied by DNA methylation changes. In summary, long-term (years) exposure to NP is associated with DNA epigenetic alterations.

• Klíčová slova
• 850K microarray, CpG sites, DNA methylation, epigenetic adaptation, human, nanoparticles, occupational exposure,
• MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• epigeneze genetická MeSH
• genom lidský MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• metylace DNA účinky léků   MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• nanočástice škodlivé účinky   MeSH
• nanokompozity škodlivé účinky   MeSH
• pracovní expozice * MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

We investigated the transcriptomic response and epigenetic changes in the lungs of mice exposed to inhalation of copper(II) oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) (8 × 105 NPs/m3) for periods of 3 days, 2 weeks, 6 weeks, and 3 months. A whole genome transcriptome and miRNA analysis was performed using next generation sequencing. Global DNA methylation was assessed by ELISA. The inhalation resulted in the deregulation of mRNA transcripts: we detected 170, 590, 534, and 1551 differentially expressed transcripts after 3 days, 2 weeks, 6 weeks, and 3 months of inhalation, respectively. Biological processes and pathways affected by inhalation, differed between 3 days exposure (collagen formation) and longer treatments (immune response). Periods of two weeks exposure further induced apoptotic processes, 6 weeks of inhalation affected the cell cycle, and 3 months of treatment impacted the processes related to cell adhesion. The expression of miRNA was not affected by 3 days of inhalation. Prolonged exposure periods modified miRNA levels, although the numbers were relatively low (17, 18, and 38 miRNAs, for periods of 2 weeks, 6 weeks, and 3 months, respectively). Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways analysis based on miRNA-mRNA interactions, revealed the deregulation of processes implicated in the immune response and carcinogenesis. Global DNA methylation was not significantly affected in any of the exposure periods. In summary, the inhalation of CuO NPs impacted on both mRNA and miRNA expression. A significant transcriptomic response was already observed after 3 days of exposure. The affected biological processes and pathways indicated the negative impacts on the immune system and potential role in carcinogenesis.

• Klíčová slova
• DNA methylation, copper(II) oxide nanoparticles, gene expression, inhalation, mouse,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

The biological effects induced by complete engine emissions in a 3D model of the human airway (MucilAirTM) and in human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) grown at the air-liquid interface were compared. The cells were exposed for one or five days to emissions generated by a Euro 5 direct injection spark ignition engine. The general condition of the cells was assessed by the measurement of transepithelial electrical resistance and mucin production. The cytotoxic effects were evaluated by adenylate kinase (AK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity. Phosphorylation of histone H2AX was used to detect double-stranded DNA breaks. The expression of the selected 370 relevant genes was analyzed using next-generation sequencing. The exposure had minimal effects on integrity and AK leakage in both cell models. LDH activity and mucin production in BEAS-2B cells significantly increased after longer exposures; DNA breaks were also detected. The exposure affected CYP1A1 and HSPA5 expression in MucilAirTM. There were no effects of this kind observed in BEAS-2B cells; in this system gene expression was rather affected by the time of treatment. The type of cell model was the most important factor modulating gene expression. In summary, the biological effects of complete emissions exposure were weak. In the specific conditions used in this study, the effects observed in BEAS-2B cells were induced by the exposure protocol rather than by emissions and thus this cell line seems to be less suitable for analyses of longer treatment than the 3D model.

• Klíčová slova
• 3D models, cell monocultures, complete engine emissions, gene expression,
• MeSH
• biologické markery MeSH
• biologické modely * MeSH
• chaperon endoplazmatického retikula BiP MeSH
• elektrická impedance MeSH
• epitelové buňky účinky léků   metabolismus   MeSH
• exprese genu MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• muciny biosyntéza   MeSH
• respirační sliznice účinky léků   metabolismus   MeSH
• výfukové emise vozidel toxicita   MeSH
• vystavení vlivu životního prostředí škodlivé účinky   MeSH
• zlomy DNA MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• biologické markery MeSH
• chaperon endoplazmatického retikula BiP MeSH
• HSPA5 protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
• muciny MeSH
• výfukové emise vozidel MeSH