Comparative proteomics of inhaled silver nanoparticles in healthy and allergen provoked mice

Abstract

Chien-Ling Su,1,2 Tzu-Tao Chen,1,3 Chih-Cheng Chang,1,3 Kai-Jen Chuang,4,5 Cheng-Kuan Wu,6 Wen-Te Liu,1,2 Kin Fai Ho,7 Kang-Yun Lee,1,8 Shu-Chuan Ho,2,8 Hsiu-Er Tseng,9 Hsiao-Chi Chuang,1,2 Tsun-Jen Cheng6,10 On behalf of the Taiwan CardioPulmonary Research Group (T-CPR) 1Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Shuang Ho Hospital, 2School of Respiratory Therapy, College of Medicine, 3Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, 4Department of Public Health, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, 5School of Public Health, College of Public Health and Nutrition, Taipei Medical University, 6Institute of Occupational Medicine and Industrial Hygiene, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; 7School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China; 8Department of Thoracic Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, 9Division of Consultation and Promotion, Taiwan Drug Relief Foundation, 10Department of Public Health, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan Background: Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been associated with the exacerbation of asthma; however, the immunological basis for the adjuvant effects of AgNPs is not well understood. Objective: The aim of the study reported here was to investigate the allergic effects of AgNP inhalation using proteomic approaches. Methods: Allergen provoked mice were exposed to 33 nm AgNPs at 3.3 mg/m3. Following this, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and plasma were collected to determine protein profiles. Results: In total, 106 and 79 AgNP-unique proteins were identified in the BALF of control and allergic mice, respectively. Additionally, 40 and 26 AgNP-unique proteins were found in the plasma of control and allergic mice, respectively. The BALF and plasma protein profiles suggested that metabolic, cellular, and immune system processes were associated with pulmonary exposure to AgNPs. In addition, we observed 18 proteins associated with systemic lupus erythematosus that were commonly expressed in both control and allergic mice after AgNP exposure. Significant allergy responses were observed after AgNP exposure in control and allergic mice, as determined by ovalbumin-specific immunoglobulin E. Conclusion: Inhaled AgNPs may regulate immune responses in the lungs of both control and allergic mice. Our results suggest that immunology is a vital response to AgNPs. Keywords: bronchoalveolar lavage, immunotoxicology, proteome, systemic lupus erythematosus, serum