Immunological effect of PM2.5 on cytokine production in female Wistar rats

Objective To investigate the immunological effect Of PM2.5 on cytokine production in female Wistar rats. Methods Female Wistar rats were given 0.3 mg, 0.75 mg, 2 mg, 5 mg of PM2.5 per 0.5 mL saline, respectively. Saline was used as the negative control. TNF-alpha and IL-6 levels in the branchoalveolar lavage were measured by ELISA, and mRNA expression levels in lung tissue were detected by RT-PCR. Alveolar macrophages were collected for testing phogacytic function. Results Exposure to PM2.5 stimulated TNF-alpha production in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05), However, no statistically significant difference was found. No time-dependent change in TNF-alpha and IL-6 production was found. TNF-alpha and IL-6 mRNA expressions were induced by PM2.5-exposure. The phagocytic rate (PR) was significantly decreased by PM2.5 treatment. Conclusion PM2.5 exposure increases inflammation response of the lung in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, tissue injury induced by PM2.5 may be related to altered production of cytokines. PM2.5 may impair the phagocytic activity of alveolar macrophages.