Effect of polystyrene particles on lung microvascular permeability in isolated perfused rabbit lungs: Role of size and surface properties

J. Hamoir, A. Nemmar, D. Halloy, D. Wirth, G. Vincke, A. Vanderplasschen, B. Nemery, P. Gustin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

79 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of particle number, total surface area, mass and surface chemical groups in (Kf,c) changes. The lung effects of four different fine (110 nm) and ultrafine (24 nm) polystyrene particles have been tested in an isolated perfused rabbit lung model. Pulmonary microvascular permeability (Kf,c) modifications were measured in response to intratracheal particle challenge. Polystyrene particles, mainly located in alveolar spaces and macrophages, induced a Kf,c increase that was related to the total surface area and number of particles rather than to the instilled mass. Moreover, the positively charged amine-modified polystyrene particles were more effective in the Kf,c response than the negatively charged carboxylate-modified polystyrene particles. We concluded that particle number and diameter that mathematically equally determined total surface area do not have the same importance in explaining the biological effects observed and that particle number could be an alternative to total surface area to describe the particle exposure. Furthermore, surface properties of polystyrene particles need to be considered to investigate the microvascular permeability changes measured in our model.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)278-285
Number of pages8
JournalToxicology and Applied Pharmacology
Volume190
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Aug 1 2003
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Latex particles
  • Lung
  • Microvascular permeability
  • Polystyrenes
  • Ultrafine

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Toxicology
  • Pharmacology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Effect of polystyrene particles on lung microvascular permeability in isolated perfused rabbit lungs: Role of size and surface properties'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this