The Secretory Response of Rat Peritoneal Mast Cells on Exposure to Mineral Fibers

Violetta Borelli, Elisa Trevisan, Vita Francesca and Giuliano Zabucchi
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Violetta Borelli: Department of Life Science University of Trieste, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
Elisa Trevisan: Department of Life Science University of Trieste, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
Vita Francesca: Department of Life Science University of Trieste, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
Giuliano Zabucchi: Department of Life Science University of Trieste, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy

IJERPH, 2018, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-25

Abstract: Background: Exposure to mineral fibers is of substantial relevance to human health. A key event in exposure is the interaction with inflammatory cells and the subsequent generation of pro-inflammatory factors. Mast cells (MCs) have been shown to interact with titanium oxide (TiO 2 ) and asbestos fibers. In this study, we compared the response of rat peritoneal MCs challenged with the asbestos crocidolite and nanowires of TiO 2 to that induced by wollastonite employed as a control fiber. Methods: Rat peritoneal MCs (RPMCs), isolated from peritoneal lavage, were incubated in the presence of mineral fibers. The quantities of secreted enzymes were evaluated together with the activity of fiber-associated enzymes. The ultrastructural morphology of fiber-interacting RPMCs was analyzed with electron microscopy. Results: Asbestos and TiO 2 stimulate MC secretion. Secreted enzymes bind to fibers and exhibit higher activity. TiO 2 and wollastonite bind and improve enzyme activity, but to a lesser degree than crocidolite. Conclusions: (1) Mineral fibers are able to stimulate the mast cell secretory process by both active (during membrane interaction) and/or passive (during membrane penetration) interaction; (2) fibers can be found to be associated with secreted enzymes—this process appears to create long-lasting pro-inflammatory environments and may represent the active contribution of MCs in maintaining the inflammatory process; (3) MCs and their enzymes should be considered as a therapeutic target in the pathogenesis of asbestos-induced lung inflammation; and (4) MCs can contribute to the inflammatory effect associated with selected engineered nanomaterials, such as TiO 2 nanoparticles.

Keywords: mast cells; asbestos; crocidolite; titanium oxide nanowires; secretory process; endocytosis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
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