Lung Oxidative Stress/Inflammation by Carbon Nanotubes

Project Information

Principal Investigator	Valerian Kagan
Institution	University of Pittsburgh
Project URL	View
Relevance to Implications	High
Class of Nanomaterial	Engineered Nanomaterials
Impact Sector	Human Health
Broad Research Categories	Exposure Hazard Response Safety Characterization
NNI identifier	b5-38

Funding Information

Country	USA
Anticipated Total Funding	$1,500,000.00
Annual Funding	$375,000.00
Funding Source	NIOSH
Funding Mechanism
Funding Sector
Start Year	2005
Anticipated End Year	2009

Abstract/Summary

Single-Walled Carbon NanoTubes (SWCNT) are new materials of emerging technological importance. Their manufacturing requires iron resulting in its high content in SWCNT. Because iron is a catalyst of oxidative stress, iron-containing SWCNT are likely more toxic than iron-free SWCNT. Our central hypothesis is that SWCNT are toxic to the lung and the toxicity depends on their content of iron. The major toxicity mechanisms include inflammatory response synergistically enhanced by oxidative stress exacerbated by iron. SWCNT toxic effects are further augmented by microbially induced inflammation. The apoptotic/necrotic target cell death ratio dependent on the WCNT iron is also a regulator of SWCNT toxicity via production of anti-/pro-inflammatory cytokines, respectively. Aim 1 is to establish the extent to which SWCNT alone are pro-inflammatory to lung cells and tissue and characterize the role of iron in these effects using genetically manipulated cells and animals as well as antioxidant interventions. Aim 2 is to determine the potential for SWCNT and microbial stimuli to synergistically interact to promote macrophage activation, oxidative stress, and lung inflammation. Aim 3 is to reveal the extent to which SWCNT are effective in inducing apoptosis and whether apoptotic cells exert their macrophage-dependent anti-inflammatory potential during in vitro and in vivo SWCNT exposure. The project involves a team of interdisciplinary investigators with unique expertise in redox chemistry/biochemistry (V. Kagan), cell and molecular biology of inflammation (L. Ortiz) and its interactions with microbial agents (J. Fabisiak), and pulmonary toxicology of (nano)particles (V. Castranova, A. Shvedova). Based on our results, mechanism-based interventions (such as specific antioxidants) new means to control iron content (using nontoxic chelators), and biotechnological approaches (phosphatidylserine liposomes and/or apoptotic cells down-regulating inflammatory response) may be developed to decrease toxicity of (iron-containing) SWCNT.

Specific Aim 1: Establish the extent to which Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes (SWCNT) alone are pro-inflammatory to lung cells and tissue and characterize the role of iron in these effects using genetically manipulated cells and animals as well as antioxidant interventions.

Specific Aim 2: Determine the potential for SWCNT and microbial stimuli to synergistically interact to promote macrophage activation, oxidative stress, and lung inflammation.

Specific Aim 3: Reveal the extent to which SWCNT are effective in inducing apoptosis and whether apoptotic cells exert their macrophage-dependent anti-inflammatory potential during in-vitro and in-vivo SWCNT exposure. The project involves a team of interdisciplinary scientists with expertise in redox chemistry and biochemistry, cell and molecular biology of inflammation and its interactions with microbial agents, and pulmonary toxicology of nanoparticles.

(Project budget is an estimate only, based on available data)