Abstract
Background and objectives: Neutrophils are key mediators of the innate immune response but also contribute to deleterious inflammation in the lungs. Particulate matter (PM) in traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) recruits neutrophils to the airways and is associated with increased respiratory morbidity. The mechanisms and consequences of TRAP-neutrophil interactions within the airways are incompletely understood. This study aims to investigate how PM may contribute to neutrophil-driven airways pathology.
Methods: Neutrophils were isolated from the blood of healthy volunteers and cultured with diesel particulate matter (PM). They were analysed for activation status, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and lysosomal activity.
Results: Exposure to PM results in neutrophil activation (Fig 1A), priming for ROS generation (Fig 1B) and inhibited LPS induced lysosomal protein catabolism (Fig 1C).
Conclusions: Taken together, these results show that exposure to TRAP-related PM results in neutrophil activation and priming. Furthermore, PM impairs neutrophil lysosomal activity. This is likely to have important consequences for a range of neutrophil functions, including metabolism and bacterial killing. Along with our previous findings on TRAP-altered host defence peptides, these changes are likely to ultimately upset the delicate balance of immunity and inflammation in the airways.
Footnotes
Cite this article as Eur Respir J 2022; 60: Suppl. 66, 4686.
This article was presented at the 2022 ERS International Congress, in session “-”.
This is an ERS International Congress abstract. No full-text version is available. Further material to accompany this abstract may be available at www.ers-education.org (ERS member access only).
- Copyright ©the authors 2022
