Grantee Research Project Results
Responses to Fresh Aerosol in Susceptible Subjects
EPA Grant Number: R832144Title: Responses to Fresh Aerosol in Susceptible Subjects
Investigators: Kipen, Howard , Lioy, Paul J. , Philipp, Claire , Shindler, Daniel , Laskin, Deborah , Zhang, Junfeng , Ohman-Strickland, Pamela , Laumbach, Robert , Fan, Tina
Institution: Robert Wood Johnson Medical School , Rutgers , University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey
Current Institution: Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
EPA Project Officer: Chung, Serena
Project Period: October 1, 2004 through September 30, 2008
Project Amount: $1,521,398
RFA: The Role of Air Pollutants in Cardiovascular Disease (2003) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Air Quality and Air Toxics , Particulate Matter , Air
Objective:
Increased occurrence of unstable angina and myocardial infarction, particularly in individuals vulnerable from preexisting atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), follow even hourly increases in particulate air pollution. The mechanisms underlying these acute cardiovascular effects are unknown. Thrombosis, closely related to endothelial cell dysfunction and platelet activation, is now widely recognized to play an important role in acute exacerbations of cardiovascular disease. In experimental studies, endothelial changes are observed within minutes following a two hour exposure of humans to inhaled particulate air pollution. Similarly, platelet activation and thrombosis are observed in rodents within 30 minutes of intratracheal instillation of various ultrafine particles. In these models, both the endothelial and platelet responses appear to be independent of lung inflammation, suggesting an immediate and direct effect of ultrafine particles on these cells. The overall objective of our studies is to explore mechanisms mediating acute particle-induced prothrombotic effects. We hypothesize that the acute increase in risk of cardiac events following inhalation of ultrafine and fine particles is mediated by a rapid and direct passage of the particles from the lung into the blood, leading immediately to platelet activation and endothelial dysfunction, measured by a decrease in brachial artery reactivity. Moreover individuals with genetically increased risk for ASCVD and endothelial dysfunction due to a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase (eNOS) will be more sensitive to these effects of ultrafine and fine particles on the endothelium.
Approach:
To test this hypothesis we will use pollutant models of 200 mcg/m3 freshly generated diesel exhaust (DE) or a secondary organic aerosol (SOA) both of which consist predominately of particles less than one micron in diameter. The effects of the two fine and ultra fine aerosols, using a clean air control, will be compared in 25 young healthy normal individuals and 25 healthy individuals who are selected for the SNP.
Expected Results:
We hypothesize that the DE will lead to increased markers of platelet activation and decreased brachial artery reactivity within 2 hours of the onset of exposure, in the absence of lung inflammation as measured by sputum induction, but that lung inflammation will be detectable at 6 hours after exposure. We expect that the SOA will not produce the same degree of thrombotic response due to its chemically different composition from the DE.
Publications and Presentations:
Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 17 publications for this projectJournal Articles:
Journal Articles have been submitted on this project: View all 9 journal articles for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
ambient air, indoor air, genetic polymorphisms, susceptibility, human health, RFA, Scientific Discipline, Health, Air, HUMAN HEALTH, particulate matter, Health Risk Assessment, air toxics, Exposure, Susceptibility/Sensitive Population/Genetic Susceptibility, Risk Assessments, Biochemistry, mobile sources, genetic susceptability, Biology, copollutant exposures, sensitive populations, atmospheric particulate matter, engine exhaust, Nitric Oxide Synase, airway epithelial cells, cardiopulmonary responses, fine particles, inhaled pollutants, acute lung injury, diesel engines, air pollution, susceptible subpopulations, diesel exhaust, automotive exhaust, chronic health effects, lung inflammation, oxidant gas, particulate exposure, cardiopulmonary response, heart rate, human exposure, ambient particle pollution, Acute health effects, inhaled, highrisk groups, human susceptibility, diesel exhaust particles, cardiotoxicity, cardiopulmonary, diesel exhaust particulate, concentrated particulate matter, air contaminant exposure, air quality, environmental hazard exposures, toxics, airborne urban contaminants, cardiovascular disease, acute exposure, human health riskProgress and Final Reports:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.