![[logo] US EPA](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106053843im_/http://www.epa.gov/epafiles/images/logo_epaseal.gif){kind=logo}
2001 Progress Report: Role of PM-Associated Transition Metals in Exacerbating Infectious Pneumoniae in Exposed Rats
EPA Grant Number: R827351C007Subproject: this is subproject number 007 , established and managed by the Center Director under grant R827351
(EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
Center: EPA NYU PM Center: Health Risks of PM Components
Center Director: Lippmann, Morton
Title: Role of PM-Associated Transition Metals in Exacerbating Infectious Pneumoniae in Exposed Rats
Investigators: Zelikoff, Judith T.
Institution: NYU School of Medicine
EPA Project Officer: Stacey Katz/Gail Robarge,
Project Period: June 1, 1999 through May 31, 2005 (Extended to May 31, 2006)
Project Period Covered by this Report: June 1, 2001 through May 31, 2002
RFA: Airborne Particulate Matter (PM) Centers (1999)
Research Category: Particulate Matter
Description:
Objective:The objective of this research project is to determine the role that particulate matter (PM)-associated transition metals might play in causing previously observed changes in host immunocompetence. To this end, Streptococcus pneumoniae-infected rats are exposed to artificially generated atmospheres containing soluble forms of individual metals found in immunoreactive New York City (NYC) PM samples. Similar studies will then employ mixtures of the soluble forms of the metals to ascertain whether the immunosuppression in PM-exposed hosts is dependent, at least in part, on any interactions between the metals present. Immunotoxic effects of metal exposure on noninfected animals also are examined in these studies to determine the extent to which the PM-associated metals are capable of producing immunodysfunction in and of themselves.
Progress Summary:Studies employing uninfected 8-month-old F-344 rats examined the immunological, histological, and biochemical changes associated with a single 5-hour (nose-only) inhalation exposure to soluble chloride salts of Fe, Ni, Mn, and Cu at a concentration of approximately 80 µg/m3. Effects were examined 1, 18, and 48 hours postmetal exposure. Except for Ni, no metal-induced alterations were observed upon lavaged cell profile, viability, cell number, or lavageable lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)/protein levels. In some cases, circulating percentages of neutrophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes were altered 1 hour postexposure, by18 hours postexposure, differential blood counts returned to control levels. This time-related response is identical to that as seen in our earlier NYC PM studies and may indicate a particle-induced stress response. Although exposure to Mn or Cu had no effects on either local or systemic immune parameters, inhalation of Ni (either alone or in combination with Cu) enhanced splenic T-lymphocyte proliferative responses 18 hours postexposure. Conversely, proliferation of splenic T-lymphocytes was decreased in Fe-exposed animals (compared to the control). These results demonstrate the ability of inhaled immunotoxic metals at a low dose to alter systemic immunity. In addition, superoxide anion (O2·-) production by macrophages (Mø) recovered from Fe-exposed rats was enhanced compared to production from control cells. Effects on hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production by Mø were dependent on time post-exposure.
In another series of studies, rats were infected with S. pneumoniae 48 hours prior to exposure to either air or soluble metal chloride either alone or in combination. Rats were sacrificed either just before the initiation of exposure or 18 hours later and then effects on circulating blood cell profile and pulmonary bacterial burdens were determined. Infected animals exposed for 5 hours to Fe and examined 18 hours later had a 37 percent increase in blood neutrophils and a 33 percent drop in lymphocytes (compared to air controls). Moreover, although virtually all bacteria were cleared from the lungs of infected air-exposed rats by 48 hours post-infection, bacterial burdens in Fe-exposed animals were increased 10,000-fold compared to those rats sacrificed immediately prior to exposure (see Figure 1). However, because S. pneumoniae are iron-sequestering organisms, it is difficult to determine whether Fe-induced changes in burdens were due to the effects on the bacteria itself, to alterations in immune mechanisms responsible for the clearance of the pathogen, or a combination of both factors. In another experiment in which already-infected rats were examined 3 and 18 hours following Fe exposure, percentages of blood neutrophils were significantly reduced (compared to control) 3 hours following exposure, but returned to control values by 18 hours.
Figure 1. Burdens of Streptococcus Pneumoniae in the Lungs
S. pneumoniae-infected rats exposed to MnCl2 for 5 hours and sacrificed 18
hours postexposure had a greater increase in bacterial killing/clearance (as
compared to the control). Because of the antibacterial properties of some forms
of Mn, it is unknown whether changes in bacterial burdens were due to direct
effects on the pathogen, Mn-induced alterations in antimicrobial immune defense
mechanisms, or a combination of both factors. In addition, infected rats exposed
subsequently for 5 hours to approximately 80 µg NiCl2 demonstrated a
significantly reduced ability to clear bacteria from the lung 18 hours postexposure
(compared to the time-matched air control) (see Figure 2). Nickel is a potent
immunosuppressant in mammalian systems and has been shown to depress Mø function
following the inhalation of soluble Ni at higher doses. Alterations in pulmonary
Mø antimicrobial activity may be responsible for the observed effects
on bacterial clearance. Overall, studies demonstrate that acute inhalation
of ambient PM 
2.5 µm can worsen the outcome of an ongoing pulmonary
infection, and that associated Fe, and possibly Ni, play a role in this immunotoxicity.
Figure 2. S. pneumoniae-Infected Rats Exposed for 5 Hours to Approximately 80 µg NiCl2
Studies examining the effects of lower (more PM-relevant) concentrations of only those metals having effects at 80 µg/m3 on host antimicrobial defense mechanisms (i.e., Fe and Ni) will be performed. In addition, studies will assess the effects of insoluble salts of these same five metals (Fe, Mn, Ni, Zn, and Cu), alone and in combination, to determine whether it is the soluble or insoluble metal forms that play the most important role in particle-induced effects on antimicrobial lung defenses.
Journal Articles on this Report: 1 Displayed | Download in RIS Format
| Other subproject views: | All 3 publications | 2 publications in selected types | All 2 journal articles |
| Other center views: | All 95 publications | 86 publications in selected types | All 74 journal articles |
| Type | Citation | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Zelikoff JT, Schermerhorn KR, Fang KJ, Cohen MD, Schlesinger RB. A role for associated transition metals in the immunotoxicity of inhaled ambient particulate matter. Environmental Health Perspectives 2002;110(Suppl 5):871-875. |
R827351 (Final) R827351C007 (2001) R827351C007 (2002) R827351C007 (Final) |
|
particulate matter, PM, exposure, animal, rat, toxicology, metal, pneumonia, Streptococcus pheumoniae, immunotoxic. , ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, Air, Scientific Discipline, Health, RFA, PHYSICAL ASPECTS, Toxicology, Risk Assessment, Risk Assessments, Analytical Chemistry, Health Risk Assessment, Physical Processes, Atmospheric Sciences, particulate matter, Environmental Chemistry, Environmental Monitoring, exposure assessment, ambient air quality, chemical characteristics, epidemelogy, metal absorption, human health risk, pneumonia, acute cardiovascular effects, air toxics, particulates, Sulfur dioxide, atmospheric particles, acute lung injury, air pollution, environmental risks, ambient air monitoring, atmospheric particulate matter, exposure, atmospheric aerosol particles, airborne particulate matter, human exposure, PM
Progress and Final Reports:
1999 Progress Report
2000 Progress Report
Original Abstract
2002 Progress Report
2003 Progress Report
Final Report
Main Center Abstract and Reports:
R827351 EPA NYU PM Center: Health Risks of PM Components
Subprojects under this Center:
(EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
R827351C001 Exposure Characterization Error
R827351C002 X-ray CT-based Assessment of Variations in Human Airway Geometry: Implications for Evaluation of Particle Deposition and Dose to Different Populations
R827351C003 Asthma Susceptibility to PM2.5
R827351C004 Health Effects of Ambient Air PM in Controlled Human Exposures
R827351C005 Physicochemical Parameters of Combustion Generated Atmospheres as Determinants of PM Toxicity
R827351C006 Effects of Particle-Associated Irritants on the Cardiovascular System
R827351C007 Role of PM-Associated Transition Metals in Exacerbating Infectious Pneumoniae in Exposed Rats
R827351C008 Immunomodulation by PM: Role of Metal Composition and Pulmonary Phagocyte Iron Status
R827351C009 Health Risks of Particulate Matter Components: Center Service Core
R827351C010 Lung Hypoxia as Potential Mechanisms for PM-Induced Health Effects
R827351C011 Urban PM2.5 Surface Chemistry and Interactions with Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid (BALF)
R827351C012 Subchronic PM2.5 Exposure Study at the NYU PM Center
R827351C013 Long Term Health Effects of Concentrated Ambient PM2.5
R827351C014 PM Components and NYC Respiratory and Cardiovascular Morbidity
R827351C015 Development of a Real-Time Monitoring System for Acidity and Soluble Components in Airborne Particulate Matter
R827351C016 Automated Real-Time Ambient Fine PM Monitoring System