Particle Size Determines Activation of the Innate Immune System in the Lung

Our knowledge about particle size in relation to activation of the innate immune system is limited. Therefore, the acute effect of particle exposure on the innate immune system was studied in a lung model using the intracellular bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. Female Balb/cA mice were instilled intratracheally with polystyrene particles (PSP) of different diameters (0.064, 0.202, 1.053 and 4.646 mu m) simultaneously with or 1 day prior to inoculation of 10(5) bacteria. Mice were sacrificed 1 day after Listeria challenge, and the numbers of viable bacteria in the lungs and the spleen were determined as a measure of cellular activation. In separate experiments, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid was collected. Only mice exposed to the smallest PSP (0.064 and 0.202 mu m) had significantly reduced bacterial numbers in the lung after particles and Listeria were given simultaneously. When particles were given 1 day prior to Listeria challenge also the largest 4.646 mu m PSP, but not the medium size 1.053 mu m PSP, reduced bacterial numbers. The number of neutrophils in BAL fluid was increased for all PSP-exposed groups after 24 h, and tended to be highest in the group exposed to 4.646 mu m PSP. TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta and MIP-2 were significantly increased in BAL fluid after exposure to the largest compared with the smallest PSP. In conclusion, activation of the innate immune system by chemical-free particles was size-dependent. Ultrafine and coarse particles appeared to activate cells by different mechanisms, which implies qualitative differences between the health effects of ambient air particulate matter size fractions.