Modifications of autophagy influenced the Alzheimer-like changes in SH-SY5Y cells promoted by ultrafine black carbon

Abstract Ambient ultrafine black carbon (uBC) can potentially cross blood-brain barrier, however, very little is currently known about the effects they may have on central nervous system. This study aimed to explore the roles of autophagy in Alzheimer-like pathogenic changes promoted by uBC in SH-SY5Y cells. We firstly found uBC could cause cytotoxicity and oxidative stress in SH-SY5Y cells. Additionally we found uBC initiated progressive development of Alzheimer's disease (AD) associated features, mainly including neuro-inflammation and phosphorylation of tau protein (p-Tau) accumulation. Meanwhile, autophagy process was activated by uBC probably through phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) pathway. RNA interference and autophagosome-lysosome fusion inhibitor were applied to block autophagy process at different stages. Autophagy dysfunction at the initial membrane expansion stage could aggravate p-Tau accumulation and other Alzheimer-like changes in SH-SY5Y cells promoted by uBC. However, autophagy inhibition at the final stage could alleviate p-Tau accumulation caused by uBC. This suggested that inhibition of the infusion of autophagosome and lysosome could possibly activate ubiquitination degradation pathway to regulate p-Tau equilibrium in SH-SY5Y cells. Our findings further raise the concerns about the effects of uBC on the risk of AD and indicate potential roles of autophagy in early Alzheimer-like pathogenic changes caused by ambient uBC.