PM10-exposed macrophages stimulate a proinflammatory response in lung epithelial cells via TNF-α

There is now considerable evidence for an association between the levels of particulate air pollution [particulate matter <10 μm in aerodynamic diameter (PM10)] and various adverse health endpoints. The release of proinflammatory mediators from PM10-exposed macrophages may be important in stimulating cytokine release from lung epithelial cells, thus amplifying the inflammatory response. A549 cells were treated with conditioned media from monocyte-derived macrophages stimulated with PM10, titanium dioxide (TiO2), or ultrafine TiO2. We demonstrate that only conditioned media from PM10-stimulated macrophages significantly increased nuclear factor-κB and activator protein-1 DNA binding, enhanced interleukin-8 (IL-8) mRNA levels as assessed by RT-PCR, and augmented IL-8 protein levels, over untreated controls. Furthermore, PM10-conditioned media also caused transactivation of IL-8 as determined by an IL-8-chloramphenicol acetyl transferase reporter. Analysis of these conditioned media revealed marked increases in tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and protein levels and enhanced chemotactic activity for neutrophils. Preincubation of conditioned media with TNF-α-neutralizing antibodies significantly reduced IL-8 production. These data suggest that PM10-activated macrophages may amplify the inflammatory response by enhancing IL-8 release from lung epithelial cells, in part, via elaboration of TNF-α.