Changes in cell viability of Neural Progenitor Cells (NPCs) exposed to Diesel Exhaust Particulate (DEP)

• Grant number: 24/04576-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2024
• End date: August 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Morphology - Cytology and Cell Biology
• Principal Investigator: Mariangela Macchione
• Grantee: Ana Caroline Atanabe Manoel
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FM). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Air pollution is one of the main public health concerns today. Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) has been shown to enter biological pathways and directly and indirectly affect the nervous system, leading to the development of neurodegenerative diseases through neuroinflammation, oxidative stress and activation of microglia. Neurobehavioral changes have also been reported in mice exposed to the pollutant. Thus, the negative effects on neurons and glial cells are now well known. Neural Progenitor Cells (NPCs) arise from stem cells that give rise to limited cell lineages, such as neurons and glial cells. The effects of tobacco smoke on NPCs have been described, showing morphophysiological changes and irregularities in their differentiation. In addition, there is a large body of research on NPCs in mammalian neurodevelopment, in which changes in cellular patterns are observed with the development of neurodegenerative disorders, which can happen with diesel exhaust particles (DEP), altering the development of NPCs. This raises whether DEP has any deleterious, toxic and/or harmful effects on the viability of NPCs grown in vitro in monolayers. Thus, the aim of this study is to investigate whether there are changes in the cell viability of Neural Progenitor Cells in monolayer culture in vitro when exposed to diesel particulate matter. A culture of Neural Progenitor Cells will be used, exposed to DEP collected from an engine using a particle trap attached to the exhaust of a vehicle. The MTT, LDH and Trypan Blue tests will be carried out to assess the cytotoxicity of the treated cells and compare them to the control group.