Diesel exhaust particulates induce neutrophilic lung inflammation by modulating endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated CXCL1/KC expression in alveolar macrophages

Abstract Background Exposure to particular matter (PM)2.5, including diesel exhaust particulates (DEP), has adverse effects on the respiratory system. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) abnormalities contribute to respiratory disease pathogenesis such as lung inflammation. However, there is little published research on the relationship between DEP exposure and ER stress in the respiratory immune system and especially the alveolar macrophages (AM). Here, we examined ER stress and inflammatory responses in a DEP-induced murine lung inflammation model and in DEP-stimulated AM.Results DEP treatment increased relative lung weight and the number of total cells, neutrophils, and lymphocytes in mouse BALF. Histological examinations also showed that DEP exposure induced neutrophilic lung inflammation and increased the number of DEP-pigmented AM. Western blot analysis showed that BiP and CHOP were relatively upregulated in DEP-induced mouse lung tissues. DEP caused cell damage, increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), and upregulated the genes associated with inflammation (tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin [IL]-1β, IL-6, interferon-γ, and toll-like receptor 4) and with ER stress (bound immunoglobulin protein [BiP], CCAAT/enhancer binding protein-homologous protein [CHOP], sXBP-1, and activating transcription factor 4) in AM. Furthermore, DEP stimulation upregulated the gene encoding the chemokine CXCL1/KC in AM.Conclusions DEP may contribute to neutrophilic lung inflammation pathogenesis by modulating ER stress-mediated CXCL1/KC expression in alveolar macrophages.