Assessing toxicity of amorphous nanoplastics in airway- and lung epithelial cells using air-liquid interface models.

Background: Inhalation is one of the main exposure routes to nanoplastics. Knowledge of the toxicological impact of nanoplastics on the airway- and lung epithelium is limited and almost exclusively based on submerged in vitro models using spherical polystyrene (PS) particles.

Methods: Mono-cultures and advanced (co-)cultures of human bronchial- and alveolar epithelial cells, all air-liquid interface (ALI) cultures, were exposed to nanoplastics and reference nanoparticles.

Alterations in the molecular regulation of mitochondrial metabolism in human alveolar epithelial cells in response to cigarette- and heated tobacco product emissions.

Mitochondrial abnormalities in lung epithelial cells have been associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) pathogenesis. Cigarette smoke (CS) can induce alterations in the molecular pathways regulating mitochondrial function in lung epithelial cells. Recently, heated tobacco products (HTPs) have been marketed as harm reduction products compared with regular cigarettes.

Placental Methylglyoxal in Preeclampsia: Vascular and Biomarker Implications.

Background: Preeclampsia is a multifaceted syndrome that includes maternal vascular dysfunction. We hypothesize that increased placental glycolysis and hypoxia in preeclampsia lead to increased levels of methylglyoxal (MGO), consequently causing vascular dysfunction.

Methods: Plasma samples and placentas were collected from uncomplicated and preeclampsia pregnancies.

Alterations in the molecular control of mitochondrial turnover in COPD lung and airway epithelial cells.

Abnormal mitochondria have been observed in bronchial- and alveolar epithelial cells of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, it is unknown if alterations in the molecular pathways regulating mitochondrial turnover (mitochondrial biogenesis vs mitophagy) are involved. Therefore, in this study, the abundance of key molecules controlling mitochondrial turnover were assessed in peripheral lung tissue from non-COPD patients (n = 6) and COPD patients (n = 11; GOLDII n = 4/11; GOLDIV n = 7/11) and in both undifferentiated and differentiated human primary bronchial epithelial cells (PBEC) from non-COPD patients and COPD patients (n = 4-7 patients/group).

Impact of More Intense Smoking Parameters and Flavor Variety on Toxicant Levels in Emissions of a Heated Tobacco Product.

Introduction: IQOS HEETS are promoted as reduced-risk alternatives to cigarettes. Although some studies have investigated the chemical composition of HEETS emissions, little is known on whether toxicant levels in such emissions are affected by different puffing parameters and flavor varieties. This has important implications when assessing actual human exposure, since IQOS users develop a specific and personalized puffing behavior and may use different HEETS variants.