Menzies Institute for Medical Research, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.
B3 Mining Services Pty Ltd, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Respirology. 2022 Jun;27(6):447-454. doi: 10.1111/resp.14246. Epub 2022 Mar 20.
Coal mine dust has a complex and heterogeneous chemical composition. It has been suggested that coal particle chemistry plays a critical role in determining the pathogenesis of coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP). In this study, we aimed to establish the association between the detrimental cellular response and the chemical composition of coal particles.
We sourced 19 real-world coal samples. Samples were crushed prior to use to minimize the impact of particle size on the response and to ensure the particles were respirable. Key chemical components and inorganic compounds were quantified in the coal samples. The cytotoxic, inflammatory and pro-fibrotic responses in epithelial cells, macrophages and fibroblasts were assessed following 24 h of exposure to coal particles. Principal component analysis (PCA) and stepwise regression were used to determine which chemical components of the coal particles were associated with the cell response.
The cytotoxic, inflammatory and pro-fibrotic response varied considerably between coal samples. There was a high level of collinearity in the cell responses and between the chemical compounds within the coal samples. PCA identified three factors that explained 75% of the variance in the cell response. Stepwise multiple regression analysis identified K O (p <0.001) and Fe O (p = 0.011) as significant predictors of cytotoxicity and cytokine production, respectively.
Our data clearly demonstrate that the detrimental cellular effects of exposure to coal mine dusts are highly dependent on particle chemistry. This has implications for understanding the pathogenesis of CWP.
煤矿粉尘的化学组成复杂且多样。有研究表明，煤颗粒的化学性质在决定煤工尘肺（CWP）的发病机制方面起着关键作用。在本研究中，我们旨在建立有害细胞反应与煤颗粒化学组成之间的关联。
我们采集了 19 个真实的煤样本。在使用前，将样本粉碎，以最小化颗粒大小对反应的影响，并确保颗粒具有可呼吸性。对煤样本中的关键化学组分和无机化合物进行定量分析。在暴露于煤颗粒 24 小时后，评估上皮细胞、巨噬细胞和成纤维细胞中的细胞毒性、炎症和促纤维化反应。采用主成分分析（PCA）和逐步回归来确定煤颗粒中的哪些化学组分与细胞反应相关。
不同煤样本的细胞毒性、炎症和促纤维化反应差异很大。细胞反应之间以及煤样本中的化学化合物之间存在高度的共线性。PCA 确定了三个解释细胞反应 75%方差的因子。逐步多元回归分析确定 K O（p<0.001）和 Fe O（p=0.011）分别是细胞毒性和细胞因子产生的显著预测因子。
我们的数据清楚地表明，暴露于煤矿粉尘的有害细胞效应高度依赖于颗粒化学性质。这对理解 CWP 的发病机制具有重要意义。
