Muramic Acid, Endotoxin, 3-hydroxy Fatty Acids, and Ergosterol Content Explain Monocyte and Epithelial Cell Inflammatory Responses to Agricultural Dusts

Overview

Journal J Toxicol Environ Health A

Specialties Environmental Health
Toxicology

Date 2010 Apr 15

PMID 20391112

Citations 77

Authors

Jill A Poole

Gregory P Dooley

Rena Saito

Angela M Burrell

Kristina L Bailey

Debra J Romberger

John Mehaffy

Stephen J Reynolds

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

In agricultural and other environments, inhalation of airborne microorganisms is linked to respiratory disease development. Bacterial endotoxins, peptidoglycans, and fungi are potential causative agents, but relative microbial characterization and inflammatory comparisons amongst agricultural dusts are not well described. The aim of this study was to determine the distribution of microbial endotoxin, 3-hydroxy fatty acids (3-OHFA), muramic acid, and ergosterol and evaluate inflammatory responses in human monocytes and bronchial epithelial cells with various dust samples. Settled surface dust was obtained from five environments: swine facility, dairy barn, grain elevator, domestic home (no pets), and domestic home with dog. Endotoxin concentration was determined by recombinant factor C (rFC). 3-OHFA, muramic acid, and ergosterol were measured using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Dust-induced inflammatory cytokine secretion in human monocytes and bronchial epithelial cells was evaluated. Endotoxin-independent dust-induced inflammatory responses were evaluated. Endotoxin and 3-OHFA levels were highest in agricultural dusts. Muramic acid, endotoxin, 3-OHFA, and ergosterol were detected in dusts samples. Muramic acid was highest in animal farming dusts. Ergosterol was most significant in grain elevator dust. Agricultural dusts induced monocyte tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and epithelial cell IL-6 and IL-8 secretion. Monocyte and epithelial IL-6 and IL-8 secretion was not dependent on endotoxin. House dust(s) induced monocyte TNFalpha, IL-6, and IL-8 secretion. Swine facility dust generally produced elevated responses compared to other dusts. Agricultural dusts are complex with significant microbial component contribution. Large animal farming dust(s)-induced inflammation is not entirely dependent on endotoxin. Addition of muramic acid to endotoxin in large animal farming environment monitoring is warranted.

Citing Articles

Aconitate decarboxylase 1 mediates the acute airway inflammatory response to environmental exposures.

Schwab A, Nelson A, Gleason A, Schanze O, Wyatt T, Shinde D Front Immunol. 2024; 15():1432334.

PMID: 39351225 PMC: 11439662. DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1432334.

Swine barn dust stimulates CCL9 expression in mouse monocytes through PKC-delta activation.

Schneberger D, DeVasure J, Bailey K, Romberger D, Wyatt T Environ Dis. 2024; 5(4):93-99.

PMID: 39184371 PMC: 11342803. DOI: 10.4103/ed.ed_16_20.

Zinc Protects against Swine Barn Dust-Induced Cilia Slowing.

Bauer C, Mosley D, Samuelson D, Poole J, Smith D, Knoell D Biomolecules. 2024; 14(7).

PMID: 39062557 PMC: 11274422. DOI: 10.3390/biom14070843.

Bioaerosol Exposures and Respiratory Diseases in Cannabis Workers.

Eidem T, Nordgren T, Hernandez M Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. 2024; 24(7):395-406.

PMID: 38878249 PMC: 11233357. DOI: 10.1007/s11882-024-01157-7.

Targeting transitioning lung monocytes/macrophages as treatment strategies in lung disease related to environmental exposures.

Schwab A, Wyatt T, Moravec G, Thiele G, Nelson A, Gleason A Respir Res. 2024; 25(1):157.

PMID: 38594676 PMC: 11003126. DOI: 10.1186/s12931-024-02804-3.

References

Zahringer U, Lindner B, Inamura S, Heine H, Alexander C . TLR2 - promiscuous or specific? A critical re-evaluation of a receptor expressing apparent broad specificity. Immunobiology. 2008; 213(3-4):205-24. DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2008.02.005. View

Poole J, Wyatt T, Von Essen S, Hervert J, Parks C, Mathisen T . Repeat organic dust exposure-induced monocyte inflammation is associated with protein kinase C activity. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2007; 120(2):366-73. DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2007.04.033. View

Bailey K, Meza J, Smith L, Von Essen S, Romberger D . Agricultural exposures in patients with COPD in health systems serving rural areas. J Agromedicine. 2008; 12(3):71-6. DOI: 10.1300/J096v12n02_10. View

Poole J, Alexis N, Parks C, MacInnes A, Gentry-Nielsen M, Fey P . Repetitive organic dust exposure in vitro impairs macrophage differentiation and function. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2008; 122(2):375-82, 382.e1-4. PMC: 2685162. DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2008.05.023. View

Jagielo P, Thorne P, Watt J, Frees K, Quinn T, Schwartz D . Grain dust and endotoxin inhalation challenges produce similar inflammatory responses in normal subjects. Chest. 1996; 110(1):263-70. DOI: 10.1378/chest.110.1.263. View

Larsson B, Larsson K, Malmberg P, Palmberg L . Gram positive bacteria induce IL-6 and IL-8 production in human alveolar macrophages and epithelial cells. Inflammation. 1999; 23(3):217-30. DOI: 10.1023/a:1020269802315. View

Kateman E, Heederik D, Pal T, Smeets M, Smid T, Spitteler M . Relationship of airborne microorganisms with the lung function and leucocyte levels of workers with a history of humidifier fever. Scand J Work Environ Health. 1990; 16(6):428-33. DOI: 10.5271/sjweh.1764. View

Poole J, Wyatt T, Oldenburg P, Elliott M, West W, Sisson J . Intranasal organic dust exposure-induced airway adaptation response marked by persistent lung inflammation and pathology in mice. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol. 2009; 296(6):L1085-95. PMC: 2692812. DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.90622.2008. View

Romberger D, Bodlak V, Von Essen S, Mathisen T, Wyatt T . Hog barn dust extract stimulates IL-8 and IL-6 release in human bronchial epithelial cells via PKC activation. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2002; 93(1):289-96. DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00815.2001. View

10.

Burch J, Svendsen E, Siegel P, Wagner S, Von Essen S, Keefe T . Endotoxin exposure and inflammation markers among agricultural workers in Colorado and Nebraska. J Toxicol Environ Health A. 2009; 73(1):5-22. DOI: 10.1080/15287390903248604. View

11.

Mayeux P . Pathobiology of lipopolysaccharide. J Toxicol Environ Health. 1997; 51(5):415-35. DOI: 10.1080/00984109708984034. View

12.

Saraf A, Larsson L, Burge H, Milton D . Quantification of ergosterol and 3-hydroxy fatty acids in settled house dust by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry: comparison with fungal culture and determination of endotoxin by a Limulus amebocyte lysate assay. Appl Environ Microbiol. 1997; 63(7):2554-9. PMC: 168553. DOI: 10.1128/aem.63.7.2554-2559.1997. View

13.

Park J, Gold D, Spiegelman D, Burge H, Milton D . House dust endotoxin and wheeze in the first year of life. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2001; 163(2):322-8. DOI: 10.1164/ajrccm.163.2.2002088. View

14.

Elson G, Dunn-Siegrist I, Daubeuf B, Pugin J . Contribution of Toll-like receptors to the innate immune response to Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Blood. 2006; 109(4):1574-83. DOI: 10.1182/blood-2006-06-032961. View

15.

Rask-Andersen A, Malmberg P, Lundholm M . Endotoxin levels in farming: absence of symptoms despite high exposure levels. Br J Ind Med. 1989; 46(6):412-6. PMC: 1009795. DOI: 10.1136/oem.46.6.412. View

16.

Saito R, Cranmer B, Tessari J, Larsson L, Mehaffy J, Keefe T . Recombinant factor C (rFC) assay and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis of endotoxin variability in four agricultural dusts. Ann Occup Hyg. 2009; 53(7):713-22. DOI: 10.1093/annhyg/mep052. View

17.

Schwartz D, Donham K, Olenchock S, Popendorf W, Van Fossen D, Burmeister L . Determinants of longitudinal changes in spirometric function among swine confinement operators and farmers. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 1995; 151(1):47-53. DOI: 10.1164/ajrccm.151.1.7812571. View

18.

Sebastian A, Larsson L . Characterization of the microbial community in indoor environments: a chemical-analytical approach. Appl Environ Microbiol. 2003; 69(6):3103-9. PMC: 161488. DOI: 10.1128/AEM.69.6.3103-3109.2003. View

19.

Dosman J, Fukushima Y, Senthilselvan A, Kirychuk S, Lawson J, Pahwa P . Respiratory response to endotoxin and dust predicts evidence of inflammatory response in volunteers in a swine barn. Am J Ind Med. 2006; 49(9):761-6. DOI: 10.1002/ajim.20339. View

20.

Bailey K, Poole J, Mathisen T, Wyatt T, Von Essen S, Romberger D . Toll-like receptor 2 is upregulated by hog confinement dust in an IL-6-dependent manner in the airway epithelium. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol. 2008; 294(6):L1049-54. PMC: 2749499. DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00526.2007. View