Modulation of bronchial epithelial cell barrier function by in vitro jet propulsion fuel 8 exposure.

Abstract

The loss of epithelial barrier integrity in bronchial and bronchiolar airways may be an initiating factor in the observed onset of toxicant-induced lung injuries. Acute 1-h inhalation exposures to aerosolized jet propulsion fuel 8 (JP-8) have been shown to induce cellular and morphological indications of pulmonary toxicity that was associated with increased respiratory permeability to 99mTc-DTPA. To address the hypothesis that JP-8 jet fuel-induced lung injury is initiated through a disruption in the airway epithelial barrier function, paracellular mannitol flux of BEAS-2B human bronchial epithelial cells was measured. Incubation of confluent cell cultures with non-cytotoxic concentrations of JP-8 or n-tetradecane (C14), a primary constituent of JP-8, for a 1-h exposure period resulted in dose-dependent increases of paracellular flux. Following exposures of 0.17, 0.33, 0.50, or 0.67 mg/ml, mannitol flux increased above vehicle controls by 10, 14, 29, and 52%, respectively, during a 2-h incubation period immediately after each JP-8 exposure. C14 caused greater mannitol flux increases of 37, 42, 63, and 78%, respectively, following identical exposure conditions. The effect on transepithelial mannitol flux reached a maximum at 12 h and spontaneously reversed to control values over a 48-h recovery period, for both JP-8 and C14 exposure. These data indicate that non-cytotoxic exposures to JP-8 or C14 exert a noxious effect on bronchial epithelial barrier function that may preclude pathological lung injury.

• Authors: R F Robledo, D S Barber, M L Witten
• Journal: Toxicological sciences : an official journal of the Society of Toxicology (Toxicol Sci) Vol. 51 Issue 1 Pg. 119-25 (Sep 1999) ISSN: 1096-6080 [Print] United States
• PMID: 10496683 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Alkanes
• Formazans
• Hydrocarbons
• JP8 aviation fuel
• Kerosene
• n-tetradecane
• Mannitol
• 1,5-bis(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-3-((phenylamino)carbonyl)formazan
• Technetium Tc 99m Pentetate

Topics

• Alkanes (toxicity)
• Blood-Air Barrier (drug effects)
• Bronchi (cytology, drug effects)
• Cell Line, Transformed
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Epithelial Cells (drug effects, metabolism)
• Formazans (metabolism)
• Humans
• Hydrocarbons (toxicity)
• Kerosene (toxicity)
• Mannitol
• Technetium Tc 99m Pentetate (metabolism)