Pulmonary Immune Response and Molecular Mechanism of Fibrosis by Inhalation Exposure to Nanomaterials

Abstract

Nanomaterials are widely used in various fields. Although the toxicity of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in pulmonary tissues has been demonstrated, the toxicological effect of CNTs on the immune system in the lung remains unclear. In this study, exposure to Taquann-treated CNTs (T-CNTs) was performed using aerosols generated in an inhalation chamber. At 12 months after T-CNT exposure, fibrotic lesions were enhanced. In vivo and in vitro experiments demonstrated that T-CNT exposure stimulates upregulation of metalloproteinase-12 (MMP12) of alveolar macrophages to contribute to pulmonary fibrosis.