title: Effect of urban particles on human middle ear epithelial cells.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to examine the cytotoxic effect and inflammatory response of human middle ear epithelial cells (HMEECs) induced by urban particles (UP).
  
  
  METHODS
  Cell viability following UP exposure was assessed in HMEECs using the CCK 8 assay. The expression levels of the inflammation-related genes (COX-2 and MUC5AC) were analyzed using semi-quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and COX-2 production was analyzed using western blotting.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Treatment with UP decreased cell viability in HMEECs in a dose- and time-dependent manner. UP exposure induced the significantly increased expression of COX-2 and MUC5AC. Western blotting showed dose dependently increased expression of COX-2 production.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  UP decreased cell viability, increased the inflammatory response, and increased mucin gene production in HMEECs. These findings indicate that exposure to UP can contribute to the development of otitis media.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Gi Jung
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Im
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Moo Kyun
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea. Electronic address: jjsong23@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Jae-Jun
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Song
mesh_terms: D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004432:Ear, Middle / Q000166:cytology; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D055271:Mucin 5AC / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D010316:Particle Size; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014505:Urban Population
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; C524678:MUC5AC protein, human; D055271:Mucin 5AC; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; C496540:PTGS2 protein, human
keywords: Cyclooxygenase 2; Human middle ear epithelial cells; MUC5AC; Otitis media; Urban particles