n vitro biochemical and morphological analyzes in human lung epithelial cells (A549 lineage) exposed to atmospheric particulate matter (PM10).

• Grant number: 23/12611-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: February 01, 2024
• End date: January 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biochemistry
• Principal Investigator: Marisa Narciso Fernandes
• Grantee: Caroline Martins de Souza
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 19/08491-0 - Atmospheric particulate material and environmental contamination. Impact assessment in the aquatic biota in an integrated ecophysiotoxicological approach, AP.TEM

Abstract

In Brazil, the steel industries in the Vitória region, in the state of Espírito Santo, continually release metallic particulate matter into the atmosphere (MPA) as a result of the production of steel, metallic alloys and iron ore pelletization. MPA is composed of 20% organic material and 80% inorganic materials with metals and metallic nanoparticles that dissolve in an aqueous medium, releasing these components. At a cellular level, MPA components can be internalized, generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) and, consequently, changes in cellular antioxidant activity that, if they do not neutralize the ROS produced, result in oxidative stress. Therefore, studies that aim to analyze the effects of contaminants that are present in MPA and internalized within the cell are important, as they can cause diseases associated with cellular changes. Therefore, the present study aims to analyze the consequences of exposing human bronchial epithelial cells (adenocarcinoma, lineage A549) to MPA. For this, the cultured cells will be exposed for 24 hours to MPA in 5 treatments: 0.0 (negative control), 1.0, 5.0, 10.0, 20.0 and 40.0 ¼g mL-1 of MPA (PM10) and, subsequently, the activity of the enzyme ethoxyresorufin-O-desethylase (EROD), total antioxidant capacity (ACAP) and the presence of nanoparticles in cells will be analyzed using dark field microscopy (Dark-Field).