Edinburgh Napier University

  This project investigates the effects of various inflammatory stimuli, including cytokines and air pollution particles, on the expression and secretion of various proinflammatory proteins in the lung epithelial cell line A549. The pro-inflammatory proteins investigated were C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, and heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70), all of which are known to be produced during inflammation and are also known risk factors for cardiovascular disease. These proteins were investigated because inhalation of particulate air pollution has been associated with increased cardiovascular disease and mortality. The production of these proteins in the lung may be involved in a systemic inflammatory response which increases the plasma levels of these proteins and other cardiovascular risk factors therefore increasing the susceptibility for cardiovascular events. Alternatively, localised CRP functions as an opsonin, while fibrinogen and its degradation products are involved in the recruitment of neutrophils and leukocytes to the lung.
These results indicate that pro-inflammatory proteins can be produced in lung epithelial cells in response to particle exposure as a result of oxidative stress. They may be involved in the progression of localised lung inflammation and in the systemic response to particulate air pollution.