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METAL TRANSPORT AND PARTICULATE MATTER (PM)
Impact/Purpose:
Specifically, this work will support efforts to (1) Identify mechanisms of toxicity for PM constituents/sources and (2) Describe mechanism by which transition metals are transported into lung cells.
Description:
This research will assist in identifying mechanisms of toxocity for particulate matter (PM) constituents. The hypothesis to be tested is that disequilibrium in metal transport in the lung follows exposure to particulate matter. This results in an oxidative stress, cell signaling, transcription factor activation, mediator release, and biological effect. This investigation has resulted in the delineation of the pathway for metal uptake and detoxification by lung epithelial cells. DMT1 is upregulated by metal included in particles. This increased expression of DMT1 protects animals from the injury following exposure to an oil fly ash.