Effects of Air Pollution-Related Heavy Metals on the Viability and Inflammatory Responses of Human Airway Epithelial Cells

Various metals produced from human activity are ubiquitously detected in ambient air. The metals may lead to induction and/or exacerbation of respiratory diseases, but the significant metals and factors contributing to such diseases have not been identified. To compare the effects of each metal and different oxidation states of metals on human airway, we examined the viability and production of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 using BEAS-2B cell line, derived from human airway epithelial cells. Airway epithelial cells were exposed to Mn2+, V4+, V5+, Cr3+, Cr6+, Zn2+, Ni2+, and Pb2+ at a concentration of 0.5, 5, 50, or 500 μmol/L for 24 hours. Mn and V decreased the cell viability in a concentration-dependent manner, and V5+ tended to have a greater effect than V4+. The Cr decreased the cell viability, and (Cr+6) at concentrations of 50 and 500 μmol/L was more toxic than (Cr+3). Zn at a concentration of 500 μmol/L greatly decreased the cell viability, whereas Ni at the same concentration increased it. Pb produc...