Exhaled breath condensates from healthy children induce cell death of in vitro cultured cells by activation of apoptosis

Introduction: Exhaled breath condensate (EBC) is a liquefied air, containing a mixture of non-volatile compounds, reflecting pathophysiological status of the bronchopulmonary system. Therefore, EBC analysis may be useful in diagnostics and monitoring of various respiratory diseases. In previous studies it was found that EBC from asthmatic children contained several regulators of angiogenesis. In vitro experiments with EBCs from children with asthma revealed their weak influence on proliferation of various cells. Surprisingly, EBCs from healthy children led to apoptosis of all tested cells. Aim: To assess the expression of selected apoptosis-related proteins in human and murine cells exposed to EBC from healthy children. Material and methods: EBCs from healthy children were added to cultures of murine endothelial cells (C166) or human lung fibroblasts (HLF) to induce their apoptosis. For proteome analysis the apoptosis pathway-specific protein microarrays were used. Results: The homogenates from EBC-treated C166 cells contained low amounts of Hsp27, which correlated with their fast death. Contrary to C166, the lysates from EBC-treated fibroblasts displayed increased amounts of Hsp27, which correlated with delayed HLF response to the induction of apoptosis. Except for increased caspase-3 in EBCtreated HLF, none of the other apoptosis regulators revealed any significant changes in that analysis. Conclusions: The screening of apoptosis pathways with microarray technology allowed identification of two molecules, Hsp27 and caspase-3, involved in cellular response to EBC. However, the factor responsible for induction of the cytotoxic effect of EBC from healthy children still remains unknown.