The Impact of Clay Minerals on Lung Cells – an Analysis at the Single Cell Level

Abstract:

Dust particles are one of the most common aerosol in our atmosphere. During dust storms, the concentration of clay mineral particles increases, these particles can penetrate deep into our lungs, leading to stress, inflammation, and cell death, and consequently, to acute and chronic respiratory and cardiopulmonary diseases.

In this project, the effect of six different clay minerals on lung cells was examined. Human epithelial A549 cells were cultured and exposed to 25, 50, 100, 250 and 500 µg/mL. Cell viability, type of death, cell division, and phagocytic response were monitored using live-cell imaging. This innovative single-cell method allows for the continuous observation of the dynamics and interaction between the cells and the aerosols, and for identification of individual cell growth and death.