Fine particulate matter PM2.5 generated by building demolition increases the malignancy of breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells

Chun-Wen Cheng; Gwo-Tarng Sheu; Jing-Shiuan Chou; Pei-Han Wang; Yu-Chun Cheng; Chane-Yu Lai

doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.129028

Fine particulate matter PM_2.5 generated by building demolition increases the malignancy of breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells

Chemosphere. 2021 Feb:265:129028. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.129028. Epub 2020 Nov 20.

Authors

Chun-Wen Cheng¹, Gwo-Tarng Sheu², Jing-Shiuan Chou³, Pei-Han Wang⁴, Yu-Chun Cheng⁵, Chane-Yu Lai⁶

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Clinical Laboratory, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan; Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan. Electronic address: cwcheng@csmu.edu.tw.
² Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan. Electronic address: gtsheu@csmu.edu.tw.
³ Department of Occupational Safety and Health, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan. Electronic address: car05280@gmail.com.
⁴ Institute of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan. Electronic address: u9807410@gmail.com.
⁵ School of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, Taipei, Taiwan. Electronic address: yuchuncheng0817@gmail.com.
⁶ Department of Occupational Safety and Health, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Occupational Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan. Electronic address: cylai@csmu.edu.tw.

PMID: 33257047
DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.129028

Abstract

Objectives: This study investigates the effects of water-extracted PM_2.5 on a triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell line, MDA-MB-231, by sampling suspended particulates around a building demolition site.

Methods: PM_2.5 particles were obtained using a high-flow TISCH sampler. Water-soluble PM_2.5 were extracted by an ultrasonic oscillator and then freeze-dried. The heavy metal components of soluble PM_2.5 was analyzed by ICP-MS. Cell viability was evaluated by MTT assay for cells that were exposed to PM_2.5 (200, 400 and 600 μg/mL). Wound healing and transwell cell migration and invasion assays were used to measure cell motility and the invasiveness of cancer cells that had been exposed to PM_2.5 into a chemo-attractant substance. Interrelated mechanisms of cancer malignancy were analyzed by Western blot analysis.

Results: Nearby PM_2.5 concentrations increased significantly during the deconstruction of buildings, and the Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn and Cr contents of soluble PM_2.5 also significantly increased. Following exposure to PM_2.5, the survival rate of breast cancer cells was significantly higher than that of the control group. Soluble PM_2.5-treated cells had a higher migration capacity. The signaling pathway of FAK/PI3K/AKT proteins was more activated in PM_2.5-treated cells than the control group. Increased levels of Aurora B and Bcl-2 were associated with cell proliferation. Elevated levels of cathepsins D, β-catenin, N-cadherin, vimentin and MMP-9 were associated with breast cancer cell metastasis.

Conclusion: Soluble PM_2.5 from building demolition may promote/progress in surviving TNBC cells, increasing the malignancy of breast cancer. This study offered evidence of a link between demolition PM_2.5 and cancer progression.

Keywords: Breast cancer; Demolition; Heavy metals; MDA-MB-231; Malignancy; PM(2.5).

MeSH terms

Breast Neoplasms*
Cell Line, Tumor
Cell Movement
Cell Proliferation
Humans
Particulate Matter / toxicity
Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases
Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms*

Substances

Particulate Matter