Particulate matter from indoor environments of classroom induced higher cytotoxicity and leakiness in human microvascular endothelial cells in comparison with those collected from corridor.
We investigated the physicochemical properties (size, shape, elemental composition, and endotoxin) of size resolved particulate matter (PM) collected from the indoor and corridor environments of classrooms. A comparative hazard profiling of these PM was conducted using human microvascular endothelial cells (HMVEC). Oxidative stress-dependent cytotoxicity responses were assessed using quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and high content screening (HCS), and disruption of monolayer cell integrity was assessed using fluorescence microscopy and transwell assay. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis showed differences in the morphology and elemental composition of PM of different sizes and origins. While the total mass of PM collected from indoor environment was lower in comparison with those collected from the corridor, the endotoxin content was substantially higher in indoor PM (e.g., ninefold higher endotoxin level in indoor PM8.1-20). The ability to induce oxidative stress-mediated cytotoxicity and leakiness in cell monolayer were higher for indoor PM compared to those collected from the corridor. In conclusion, this comparative analysis suggested that indoor PM is relatively more hazardous to the endothelial system possibly because of higher endotoxin content.
Centre for Sustainable Nanotechnology, School of Chemical and Life Sciences, Nanyang Polytechnic, Singapore City, Singapore.
M L
ML
Chua
Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore City, Singapore.
M I
MI
Setyawati
Centre for Sustainable Nanotechnology, School of Chemical and Life Sciences, Nanyang Polytechnic, Singapore City, Singapore.
H
H
Li
Centre for Sustainable Nanotechnology, School of Chemical and Life Sciences, Nanyang Polytechnic, Singapore City, Singapore.
C H Y
CHY
Fang
Centre for Sustainable Nanotechnology, School of Chemical and Life Sciences, Nanyang Polytechnic, Singapore City, Singapore.
S
S
Gurusamy
Centre for Sustainable Nanotechnology, School of Chemical and Life Sciences, Nanyang Polytechnic, Singapore City, Singapore.
F T L
FTL
Teoh
Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore City, Singapore.
D T
DT
Leong
Centre for Sustainable Nanotechnology, School of Chemical and Life Sciences, Nanyang Polytechnic, Singapore City, Singapore.
S
S
George
D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000032:analysis*; D002460:Cell Line; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects*; D004731:Endotoxins / Q000032:analysis; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D010316:Particle Size; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000032:analysis*; D012574:Schools; D012846:Singapore
D000393:Air Pollutants; D004731:Endotoxins; D052638:Particulate Matter
cardiovascular; corridor environment; cytotoxicity; endothelium; indoor environment; particulate matter