Abstract:
Objective To investigate the effects of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) on oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in human renal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2 cells).
Methods HK-2 cells were used as an in vitro model and exposed to different concentrations of PM2.5 for 24 h. Cell viability was assessed by absorbance-based assays. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were quantified using high-content imaging. The levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Transcriptome sequencing analysis was performed to identify oxidative stress- and inflammation-related pathways, and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was employed to validate the mRNA expression levels of key genes (SOD1, SOD2, NOX4, CYP1A1, CYP27A1, CCL2, IL-6, and TNF-α) as well as the renal injury markers KIM-1 and NGAL.
Results Compared with the control group containing 0.1% DMSO, HK-2 cell viability showed a dose-dependent decrease after 24 h of PM2.5 exposure. The mRNA expression levels of the renal injury markers KIM-1 and NGAL increased in a dose-dependent manner. With the increase in PM2.5 concentration, the levels of ROS, SOD, and MDA were elevated, while the GSH level decreased. Meanwhile, the mRNA expression of oxidative stress-related genes, including SOD1, SOD2, NOX4, CYP1A1, and CYP27A1, was upregulated. After intervention with ginsenoside Rh1, the oxidative stress indicators were restored. Inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α, as well as their related genes CCL2, IL-6, and TNF-α, were elevated in a dose-dependent manner. This inflammatory response was attenuated following intervention with N-acetylcysteine. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis revealed significant enrichment in TNF and IL-17 signaling pathways, which are closely associated with oxidative stress and inflammatory responses.
Conclusion PM2.5 exposure can induce interactive oxidative stress and inflammatory injury, suggesting that the dual pathways may play a key regulatory role in PM2.5-mediated renal injury.