Cellular interplay and inflammatory response after exposition of an epithelial airway model to fine an nano-particles

INTRODUCTION A number of epidemiological studies give evidence that the inhalation of fine particles (0.1-2.5μm) and nanoparticles (< 0.1μm) may cause increased pulmonary morbidity and mortality (Pope et al., 1995; Schulz et al., 2005). Of particular interest are nanoparticles, which according to recent epidemiologic studies are particularly toxic (Peters et al., 1997). So far, little is known about the interaction and entering of nanoparticles by lung cells and their transport through the blood stream to other organs. A series of structural and functional barriers exists in the airway and alveolar wall which protects the respiratory system against harmful and innocuous particulate material (Nicod, 2005). It is still not clear how highly immunocompetent dendritic cells (Nicod, 1997; Holt, 2005) located in or at the base of the airway epithelium take up inhaled antigens and how macrophages on top of the epithelium may collaborate.