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. 2022 Dec 14;23(24):15891.
doi: 10.3390/ijms232415891.

Effects of Streamer Discharge on PM2.5 Containing Endotoxins and Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons and Their Biological Responses In Vitro

Akiko Honda  1   2 , Ken-Ichiro Inoue  3 , Shin Tamura  2 , Michitaka Tanaka  4 , Zaoshi Wang  2 , Toshio Tanaka  5 , Seitarou Hirai  5 , Tomoaki Okuda  6 , Kayo Ueda  7 , Hirohisa Takano  1   2
Affiliations

Effects of Streamer Discharge on PM2.5 Containing Endotoxins and Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons and Their Biological Responses In Vitro

Akiko Honda et al. Int J Mol Sci. .

Abstract

Experimental and epidemiological studies have demonstrated that fine particulate matter with a diameter of <2.5 μm (PM2.5) affects both the respiratory and immune systems. However, effective approaches to reduce PM2.5-induced hazardous effects have not been discovered yet. Streamer discharge is a category of plasma discharge in which high-speed electrons collide with oxygen and nitrogen molecules. Although streamer discharge can reportedly eliminate bacteria, molds, chemical substances, and allergens, its ability to decontaminate PM2.5 has not been previously demonstrated. The present study explored whether streamer discharge treatment could reduce PM2.5-induced inflammatory responses by employing an in vitro system. PM2.5 was collected under four conditions (Bangkok (Sep.−Dec.), Bangkok (Dec.−Mar.), Singapore, and Taipei). Airway epithelial cells and antigen-presenting cells exposed to non-treated PM2.5 in several conditions resulted in inflammatory responses. Streamer-discharged PM2.5 (Bangkok (Sep.−Dec.)) decreased the expression of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 compared to non-treated PM2.5. Moreover, composition analysis demonstrated that streamer discharge reduced some compounds, such as endotoxins and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, included in PM2.5 that can elicit inflammatory responses. Streamer discharge treatment can reduce endotoxins, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and the subsequent inflammatory responses induced by PM2.5 in vitro.

Keywords: Asia; PM2.5; airway epithelial cells; antigen presenting cells; inflammation; streamer discharge.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Effects of PM2.5 on proinflammatory responses, oxidative stress, and viability in BEAS-2B cells. (A) IL-6 release, (B) IL-8 release, (C) ROS production, (D) cell viability. * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01 vs. 0 μg/mL.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Effects of PM2.5 on proinflammatory responses, CD86 expression, and viability in antigen-presenting cells (APCs). (A) IL-6 release, (B) CD86 positive cells, (C) cell viability. ** p < 0.01 vs. 0 μg/mL.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Effects of streamer-discharged PM2.5 at a dose of 75 μg/mL on proinflammatory responses and oxidative stress in BEAS-2B cells. (A) IL-6 release, (B) IL-8 release, (C) ROS production. ## p < 0.01 vs. non-treated PM2.5.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Effects of streamer-discharged PM2.5 at a dose of 75 μg/mL on proinflammatory responses, CD86 expression, and viability in antigen-presenting cells (APCs). (A) IL-6 release, (B) CD86 positive cells, (C) cell viability. # p < 0.05 vs. non-treated PM2.5.
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