Cytotoxicity of fractured quartz on THP-1 human macrophages: role of the membranolytic activity of quartz and phagolysosome destabilization.

ABSTRACT: The pathogenicity of quartz involves lysosomal alteration in alveolar macrophages. This event triggers the inflammatory cascade that may lead to quartz-induced silicosis and eventually lung cancer. Experiments with synthetic quartz crystals recently showed that quartz dust is cytotoxic only when the atomic order of the crystal surfaces is upset by fracturing. Cytotoxicity was not observed when quartz had as-grown, unfractured surfaces. These findings raised questions on the potential impact of quartz surfaces on the phagolysosomal membrane upon internalization of the particles by macrophages. To gain insights on the surface-induced cytotoxicity of quartz, as-grown and fractured quartz particles in respirable size differing only in surface properties related to fracturing were prepared and

SUBMITTER: Leinardi R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7415752 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature