Dose-controlled exposure of A549 epithelial cells at the air–liquid interface to airborne ultrafine carbonaceous particles

The geometry of commercially available perfusion chambers designed for harbouring three membrane-based cell cultures was modified for reliable and dose-controlled air–liquid interface (ALI) exposures. Confluent A549 epithelial cells grown on membranes were integrated in the chamber system and supplied with medium from the chamber bottom. Cell viability was not impaired by the conditions of ALI exposure without particles. Expression of the inflammatory cytokines interleukin 6 and interleukin 8 by A549 cells during ALI exposure to filtered air for 6 h and subsequent stimulation with tumor necrosis factor was not altered compared to submersed controls, indicating that the cells maintained their functional integrity. Ultrafine carbonaceous model particles with a count median mobility diameter of about 95 ± 5 nm were produced by spark discharge at a stable concentration of about 2 × 106 cm−3 and continuously monitored for accurate determination of the exposure dose. Delivery to the ALI exposure system yielded a homogeneous particle deposition over the membranes with a deposition efficiency of 2%. Mid dose exposure of A549 cells to this aerosol for 6 h yielded a total particle deposition of (2.6 ± 0.4) × 108 cm−2 corresponding to (87 ± 23) ng cm−2. The 2.7-fold (p less-than-or-equals, slant 0.05) increased transcription of heme oxygenase-1 indicated a sensitive antioxidant and stress response, while cell viability did not reveal a toxic mechanism.