Weight loss and abnormal lung inflammation in mice chronically exposed to secondary organic aerosols

Secondary organic aerosols (SOAs) have emerged recently as a major component of fine particulate matter. Cell culture studies revealed a role for SOAs in cell oxidative stress, toxicity and inflammation and only a few studies investigated short-term SOA exposure in animal models. Here, mice were chronically exposed to naphthalene-derived SOAs for one and two months. Weight monitoring indicated a marked mass loss, especially in females, following chronic exposure to SOAs. Significantly, a cytokine antibody microarray approach revealed SOA-induced abnormal lung inflammation similar to that seen in cigarette smoke-induced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This in vivo study testifies to the pathogenic role of sub-chronic SOA exposure on human health.

Automated summary

Recently, secondary organic aerosols (SOAs) have been recognized as a major component of fine particulate matter. Cell culture studies have shown that SOAs can induce cell oxidative stress, toxicity, and inflammation, but there have been few studies on short-term SOA exposure in animal models. In this study, mice were chronically exposed to SOAs derived from naphthalene for one and two months. Weight monitoring revealed significant mass loss, particularly in female mice, after chronic exposure to SOAs. Importantly, a cytokine antibody microarray approach demonstrated that SOAs induced abnormal lung inflammation similar to that observed in cigarette smoke-induced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This in vivo study provides evidence for the pathogenic role of sub-chronic SOA exposure on human health.