2017 Volume 52 Issue 1 Pages 12-18
PM2.5 is fine particulate matter of less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter under ambient conditions. The health disorders, such as respiratory, lung, and cardiovascular illness to PM2.5 pollution are serious social issues. The most abundant particulate in the PM2.5 is water-soluble particulates such as ammonium sulfate formed secondarily in the atmosphere. We have investigated the effect of ammonium sulfate on the degranulation of the mast cell line C57 cells. As the results, ammonium sulfate (initial reaction concentration of 1 mM) significantly caused degranulation of the C57 cells. Also, ammonium sulfate at the initial reaction concentration of 1 mM significantly enhanced the C57 cells degranulation induced by a stimulant (thapsigargin). Furthermore, it has been found that the ammonium ion in the ammonium sulfate contributed to the degranulation of the C57 cells. Therefore, it is suggested that inhalation of a high concentration ammonium ions in the PM2.5 leads to mast cell degranulation and enhanced mast cell degranulation.
