Proteomic analysis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells exposed to PM2.5

Exposure to fine ambient particulate matter (PM2.5) is known to be associated with cardiovascular disease. To uncover the molecular mechanisms involved in cardiovascular toxicity of PM2.5, we investigated alterations in the protein profile of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) treated with PM2.5 using two-dimensional electrophoresis in conjunction with mass spectrometry (MS). A total of 31 protein spots were selected as differentially expressed proteins and identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) MS. The results demonstrated that DNA damage and cell apoptosis are important factors contributing to PM2.5-mediated toxicity in HUVECs. It is further proposed that PM2.5 can inhibit superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and increase reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malonaldehyde (MDA) production in a concentration-dependent manner. Induction of apoptosis and DNA damage through oxidative stress pathways may be one of the key toxicological events occurring in HUVECs under PM2.5 stress. These results indicated that the toxic mechanisms of PM2.5 on cardiovascular disease are related to endothelial dysfunction.