Inflammatory potential of the spores of Penicillium spinulosum isolated from indoor air of a moisture-damaged building in mouse lungs
Jussila, J., Komulainena, H., Kosma, V., Pelkonen, J. and Hirvonen, M.
2002 Environ. Toxicol. Pharmacol
Penicillium spinulosum; Inflammation;
Cytokine; Nitric oxide; Intratracheal instillation;
Bronchoalveolar lavage
Jussila, J., Komulainena, H., Kosma, V., Pelkonen, J. and Hirvonen, M., (2002), "Inflammatory potential of the spores of Penicillium spinulosum isolated from indoor air of a moisture-damaged building in mouse lungs", Environ. Toxicol. Pharmacol.
Abstract
Excess moisture and microbial growth have been associated with adverse health effects, especially in the airways, of the inhabitants of moisture-damaged buildings. The spores of Penicillium spp. are commonly present in the indoor air, both in moisture-damaged and in reference buildings, though their numbers seem to be significantly higher in the damaged buildings. To assess the potential of Penicillium spinulosum to evoke harmful respiratory effects, mice were exposed via intratracheal instillation to a single dose of the spores of P. spinulosum, isolated from the indoor air of a moisture-damaged building (1?！105, 1?！106, 5?！106, 1?！107 or 5?！107 spores). Inflammation and toxicity in lungs were evaluated 24 h later. The time-course of the effects was investigated with the dose of 5?！106 spores for 28 days. The fungal spores caused mild transient inflammation. The spore exposure transiently increased proinflammatory cytokine (TNF and IL-6) levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The highest concentrations of both cytokines were measured at 6 h after a single dosage. The spore exposure did not cause expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase in lavaged cells. Neutrophils were acutely recruited into airways, but the response leveled off in 3 days. Neither cytotoxicity nor major changes in vascular permeability (i.e. increases in albumin, total protein, lactate dehydrogenase or hemoglobin levels in BALF) were observed in the lungs. Considering the profile and magnitude of the changes and the dose of the spores, we conclude that P. spinulosum has a low potential to cause acute respiratory inflammation, nor does it cause direct c ytotoxicity.
Jussila, J., Komulainen, Kosma, V.-M., Nevalainen, A., Pelkonen, J., and Hirvonen, M.-R. (2002) Spores of Aspergillus versicolor Isolated from Indoor Air of a Moisture-Damaged Building Provoke Acute Inflammation in Mouse Lungs. (Toxicol. Sci., submitted).
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