Effect of Peracetic Acid Vapor on THP-1 Macrophages in an Air-Liquid-Interface Culture

Details

• Personal Author:
  Thompson, J. A. ; Stueckle, Todd A. ; Boots, Theresa E. ; Sinsel, Erik W. ; McKinney, Walter G. ; Johnston, R. A.
• Description:
  Background and Purpose: Peracetic acid (PAA), a highly reactive, low-molecular- weight organic oxidant, is widely used as a sanitizing agent in the healthcare, food, and wastewater recycling industries. Occupational exposure to PAA can result in irritation of the eyes and respiratory tract. In addition, acute or chronic exposure to PAA can lead to incidental diagnoses of work-related asthma (WRA). However, the mechanistic basis underlying PAA-induced WRA is unknown. Macrophages play a crucial role in lung homeostasis, immune activation, and the pathophysiology of asthma, an obstructive lung disease. In this study, we determined the effect of vapor containing PAA on the viability and function of macrophages in an air-liquid-interface (ALI) culture. Methods: THP-1 cells, a human monocytic cell line, differentiate into cells exhibiting an alveolar macrophage-like phenotype following exposure to phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). In this study, THP-1 monocytes were cultured in RPMI-1640 medium, and following treatment with PMA for forty-eight hours, they differentiated into macrophages. Two days later, the macrophages were plated on transwell inserts and subsequently air-lifted. Twenty-four hours following air-lift, THP-1 cells exhibited phenotypic features of macrophages, which was confirmed using fluorescent imaging of biomarkers CD11b and CD14 and were acutely exposed for one hour to either filtered room air (air) or vapor containing PAA (1.5, 3, 6, or 12 ppm). Immediately or twenty-four hours following cessation of exposure, cellular apoptosis and necrosis, culture supernatant lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and phagocytosis of zymosan particles were quantified using high content imaging and traditional biochemical assays. Results: Fluorescent imaging of biomarkers CD11b and CD14 confirmed THP-1 monocyte differentiation to macrophages, which was maintained under ALI conditions. Regardless of the time following cessation of exposure, air- and PAA-exposed THP-1 macrophages stained positive for apoptosis while only PAA exposure caused necrosis. No differences in culture supernatant LDH existed between air- and PAA-exposed macrophages. Exposure to PAA inhibited phagocytotic activity immediately and twenty-four hours following cessation of exposure. Conclusions: Air- and PAA-exposed THP-1 macrophages were successfully imaged for biomarkers of apoptosis and necrosis and phagocytotic activity using high content imaging on an ALI platform. Both air- and PAA-exposed macrophages exhibited features of apoptosis; however, only PAA-exposed cells exhibited features of necrosis and diminished phagocytotic activity. THP-1 macrophages face unique challenges when placed in an ALI mono-culture, and to prevent air-exposed cells from exhibiting features of apoptosis, we need to optimize culture conditions to improve the viability of these cells. Description provided by NIOSH
• Subjects:
  • Asthma, Occupational
  • Hypersensitivity
  • Immune System
  • Occupational Health
  • Peracetic Acid
  • Safety
• Keywords:
  • Peracetic acid; Respiratory irritants; Vapors; Macrophages; Immune reaction; Work-related asthma; WRA; In vitro study
• Source:
  Toxicologist 2025 Mar; 204(S1):165-166
• ISSN:
  1096-6080
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Abstract or Summary
• Place as Subject:
  Philadelphia Region OSHA ; West Virginia
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  HELD - Health Effects Laboratory Division
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  3 pdf pages
• Volume:
  204
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20071573
• CAS Registry Number:
  • Peracetic acid (CAS RN 79-21-0)
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2025
• NORA Priority Area:
  Healthcare and Social Assistance
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/259348/cdc_259348_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 282.23 KB]
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:742bdc3dab3d7f4f5dc2a2d360b308421c1d29d733ca9b39a526a5453c9deaddf115ae65dc4a57de0190890ab9a4205a5b030b5b1e70577e7d26c399953207f7