[Effect of PM2.5 collected during the dust and non-dust periods on the viability and gap junctional intercellular communication in human lung fibroblasts].

Objective: To investigate the effects of PM2.5 collected during the dust and non-dust periods on the viability and gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) in human lung fibroblasts.

Methods: Human lung fibroblasts were treated with PM2.5 suspension and its organic and inorganic extracts at various concentrations for 24 h. The cellular viability was measured with MTT methods, and the GJIC between human lung fibroblasts was detected by the scrape loading dye transfer assay.

Results: PM2.5 suspension from both sources and the inorganic extracts of dust PM2.5 significantly decreased the viability of human lung fibroblast in a dose-dependent manner. Compared with other preparations, the dust PM2.5 suspension had the highest effect. Gap junctional intercellular communication between human lung fibroblasts was significantly inhibited by the different composition of PM2.5 from both sources in a dose-dependent manner. The inhibitory effects on GJIC were in the order of organic extract of PM2.5 > suspension > inorganic extract.

Conclusion: Composition and source of PM2.5 are important factors which influnce the toxic effects on cells. The composition of PM2.5 from both sources can inhibit GJIC, suggesting decreasing GJIC may be related to the biological mechanisms of toxicity caused by PM2.5.