PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Neri, Tommaso
AU  - Pergoli, Laura
AU  - Petrini, Silvia
AU  - Faita, Francesca
AU  - Balia, Cristina
AU  - Scalise, Valentina
AU  - Hoxha, Mirjam
AU  - Rota, Federica
AU  - Pedrinelli, Roberto
AU  - Paggiaro, Pierluigi
AU  - Bollati, Valentina
AU  - Celi, Alessandro
TI  - Particulate matter-induced microparticle generation by human endothelial cells: A novel link between cardiopulmonary diseases and airborne pollutants
AID  - 10.1183/13993003.congress-2015.PA906
DP  - 2015 Sep 01
TA  - European Respiratory Journal
PG  - PA906
VI  - 46
IP  - suppl 59
4099  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/46/suppl_59/PA906.short
4100  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/46/suppl_59/PA906.full
SO  - Eur Respir J2015 Sep 01; 46
AB  - Background: Microparticles (MP) are phospholipid vesicles (0.05-1μm) involved in blood coagulation and inflammation. A role for tissue factor (TF)-bearing MP in thrombosis has been established. While the mechanisms that lead to MP formation are not fully elucidated, intracellular Ca++ mobilization is known to be involved. Particulate matter (PM) is a mixture of particles suspended in the air. Exposure to PM is associated with increased cardiopulmonary morbidity and mortality. The observation that PM induces cytosolic calcium mobilization is consistent with the hypothesis that PM induces the generation of MP.Aim: To investigate whether PM induces the generation of procoagulant MP by human endothelial cells.Methods: Cells were incubated with PM (National Institute of Standards and Technology, USA). MP were enumerated with a prothrombinase assay that measures phosphatidylserine (PS) concentration; MP-associated TF activity was assessed by a one-stage clotting assay. Intracellular Ca++ mobilization was measured with the Fluo-4-NW probe.Results: PM treatment induces a rapid increase in MP generation and an increase in MP-associated TF activity (Fig.1a,b,c). PM treatment causes intracellular Ca++ mobilization (Fig.2). Conclusions: PM-mediated generation of procoagulant MP might contribute to the development of cardiopulmonary diseases upon exposure to airborne pollutants.