title: Biologically inspired sensing: infrared spectroscopic analysis of cell responses to an inhalation health hazard.
abstract: This work describes the development of a biologically based sensing technique to quantify chemical agents that pose inhalation health hazards. The approach utilizes cultured epithelial cells (A549 human type II pneumocytes) of the lung, exposed to potential toxins and monitored through the noninvasive means of infrared spectroscopy to quantify changes to cell physiology and function. Cell response to Streptolysin O, a cholesterol-binding cytolysin, is investigated here. Infrared spectra display changes in cell physiology indicative of membrane damage, altered proteins, and some nucleic acid damage. Methods to improve cell adhesion through modification of support surface properties are detailed. This spectroscopic approach not only provides a robust means to detect potential toxins but also provides information on modes of damage and mechanisms of cellular response.
authors.affiliation: Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA. riley@ag.arizona.edu
authors.forename: Mark R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Riley
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: DeRosa
authors.forename: Jeanette
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Blaine
authors.forename: B G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Potter
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lucas
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Le Coq
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Juncker
authors.forename: Dianne E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Boesewetter
authors.forename: Jayne M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Collier
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Boussard-Plédel
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bureau
mesh_terms: D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000633:toxicity; D001681:Biological Assay; D015374:Biosensing Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002460:Cell Line; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control; D008168:Lung / Q000166:cytology; D013055:Spectrophotometry, Infrared / Q000379:methods; D013301:Streptolysins / Q000633:toxicity*; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D013301:Streptolysins; C025964:streptolysin O