Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the modulation of an asthmatic response by titanium dioxide (TiO2) or gold (Au) nanoparticles (NPs) in a murine model of diisocyanate-induced asthma.
On days 1 and 8, BALB/c mice received 0.3% toluene diisocyanate (TDI) or the vehicle acetone–olive oil (AOO) on the dorsum of both ears (20 μL). On day 14, the mice were oropharyngeally dosed with 40 μL of a NP suspension (0.4 mg·mL−1 (∼0.8 mg·kg−1) TiO2 or Au). 1 day later (day 15), the mice received an oropharyngeal challenge with 0.01% TDI (20 μL). On day 16, airway hyperreactivity (AHR), bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cell and cytokine analysis, lung histology, and total serum immunoglobulin E were assessed.
NP exposure in sensitised mice led to a two- (TiO2) or three-fold (Au) increase in AHR, and a three- (TiO2) or five-fold (Au) increase in BAL total cell counts, mainly comprising neutrophils and macrophages. The NPs taken up by BAL macrophages were identified by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Histological analysis revealed increased oedema, epithelial damage and inflammation.
In conclusion, these results show that a low, intrapulmonary doses of TiO2 or Au NPs can aggravate pulmonary inflammation and AHR in a mouse model of diisocyanate-induced asthma.
Footnotes
For editorial comment see page 225.
Support Statement
The study was supported by Agence Nationale de la Recherche grant numbers 05 9 9-05 SET 024-01 and 06 SEST 24-01, Caisse d’Assurance Maladie des Professions Liberales de Province, Paris, France, Legs Poix, the Interuniversity Attraction Pole Program (P6/35) and the Research Foundation of Flanders (FWO G.0547.08). J.A.J. Vanoirbeek is a postdoctoral fellow of the FWO and S. Hussain is a doctoral fellow of Higher Education Commission (Pakistan).
Statement of Interest
None declared.
- Received October 23, 2009.
- Accepted May 20, 2010.
- ©ERS 2011