Lung fibrotic responses to particle exposure.
Particles generated from numerous anthropogenic sources have the potential to cause or exacerbate lung diseases, including asthma, bronchitis, and COPD. Fibrotic reactions are a component of all of these pulmonary diseases, and involve the progressive deposition of collagen by pulmonary fibroblasts. The reactivity, toxicity, and fibrogenic potential of particles in the lung depends on a variety of factors including particle size, surface area, and composition. Smaller particles, particularly in the nanosized range, have more toxic and fibrogenic capacity due to a higher surface-to-mass ratio and greater oxidant-generating potential. Composition is also an important determinant in the fibrotic response to particles. Transition metals, bacterial lipopolysaccaride, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are some of the toxic components of particles that activate intracellular signaling pathways that culminate in the production of profibrotic cytokines and growth factors.
Bonner
James C
JC
Respiratory Biology Program, Division of Biological Sciences, CIIT Centers for Health Research, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA. jbonner@ciit.org
D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000818:Animals; D002244:Carbon / Q000009:adverse effects; D002947:Cities; D060729:Coal Ash; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D010316:Particle Size; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011658:Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D014504:Urban Health; D001335:Vehicle Emissions / Q000633:toxicity
D000393:Air Pollutants; D060729:Coal Ash; D052638:Particulate Matter; D001335:Vehicle Emissions; D002244:Carbon