Effect of carbon black and silicon dioxide nanoparticle exposure on corona receptor ACE2 and TMPRSS2 expression in the ocular surface

Abstract The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to a global health crisis, including ocular symptoms, primarily targeting the Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor. PM2.5 air pollution may increase infection risk by altering ACE2 expression. Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) and car...

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Main Authors: Xuemin Li, Xiangzhe Li, Boram Kang, Youngsub Eom, Dong Hyun Kim, Jong Suk Song
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2024-11-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-78518-9
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author Xuemin Li
Xiangzhe Li
Boram Kang
Youngsub Eom
Dong Hyun Kim
Jong Suk Song
author_facet Xuemin Li
Xiangzhe Li
Boram Kang
Youngsub Eom
Dong Hyun Kim
Jong Suk Song
author_sort Xuemin Li
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to a global health crisis, including ocular symptoms, primarily targeting the Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor. PM2.5 air pollution may increase infection risk by altering ACE2 expression. Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) and carbon black (CB), major components of PM2.5 from sands and vehicle emissions, were studied for their effects on ACE2 and Transmembrane Protease Serine 2 (TMPRSS2) expression in corneal and conjunctival cells, and ocular tissues. Human corneal epithelial cells (HCECs) and conjunctival epithelial cells (HCjECs) were exposed to nanoparticles (NPs) for 24 hours, assessing viability via WST-8 assay. TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β levels in the medium were measured. An in vivo rat study administered NPs via eye drops, with Rose Bengal staining to evaluate damage. ACE2, TMPRSS2, and Angiotensin II (AngII) protein expressions were quantified by Western blot. ACE2 expression in HCjECs increased with NP exposure, while it decreased in HCECs. CB exposure increased TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β levels in HCECs. In vivo, corneal exposure to CB decreased ACE2 expression, whereas conjunctival exposure to SiO2 increased ACE2 expression. These changes suggest that SiO2 exposure may increase the risk of COVID-19 through the ocular surface, while CB exposure may decrease it.
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spelling doaj-art-b9d0ded1d5004a2389d4b01567c011bf2025-08-20T02:50:05ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222024-11-0114111010.1038/s41598-024-78518-9Effect of carbon black and silicon dioxide nanoparticle exposure on corona receptor ACE2 and TMPRSS2 expression in the ocular surfaceXuemin Li0Xiangzhe Li1Boram Kang2Youngsub Eom3Dong Hyun Kim4Jong Suk Song5Department of Ophthalmology, Guro Hospital, Korea University College of MedicineDepartment of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo UniversityDepartment of Ophthalmology, Guro Hospital, Korea University College of MedicineDepartment of Ophthalmology, Guro Hospital, Korea University College of MedicineDepartment of Ophthalmology, Guro Hospital, Korea University College of MedicineDepartment of Ophthalmology, Guro Hospital, Korea University College of MedicineAbstract The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to a global health crisis, including ocular symptoms, primarily targeting the Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor. PM2.5 air pollution may increase infection risk by altering ACE2 expression. Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) and carbon black (CB), major components of PM2.5 from sands and vehicle emissions, were studied for their effects on ACE2 and Transmembrane Protease Serine 2 (TMPRSS2) expression in corneal and conjunctival cells, and ocular tissues. Human corneal epithelial cells (HCECs) and conjunctival epithelial cells (HCjECs) were exposed to nanoparticles (NPs) for 24 hours, assessing viability via WST-8 assay. TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β levels in the medium were measured. An in vivo rat study administered NPs via eye drops, with Rose Bengal staining to evaluate damage. ACE2, TMPRSS2, and Angiotensin II (AngII) protein expressions were quantified by Western blot. ACE2 expression in HCjECs increased with NP exposure, while it decreased in HCECs. CB exposure increased TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β levels in HCECs. In vivo, corneal exposure to CB decreased ACE2 expression, whereas conjunctival exposure to SiO2 increased ACE2 expression. These changes suggest that SiO2 exposure may increase the risk of COVID-19 through the ocular surface, while CB exposure may decrease it.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-78518-9
spellingShingle Xuemin Li
Xiangzhe Li
Boram Kang
Youngsub Eom
Dong Hyun Kim
Jong Suk Song
Effect of carbon black and silicon dioxide nanoparticle exposure on corona receptor ACE2 and TMPRSS2 expression in the ocular surface
Scientific Reports
title Effect of carbon black and silicon dioxide nanoparticle exposure on corona receptor ACE2 and TMPRSS2 expression in the ocular surface
title_full Effect of carbon black and silicon dioxide nanoparticle exposure on corona receptor ACE2 and TMPRSS2 expression in the ocular surface
title_fullStr Effect of carbon black and silicon dioxide nanoparticle exposure on corona receptor ACE2 and TMPRSS2 expression in the ocular surface
title_full_unstemmed Effect of carbon black and silicon dioxide nanoparticle exposure on corona receptor ACE2 and TMPRSS2 expression in the ocular surface
title_short Effect of carbon black and silicon dioxide nanoparticle exposure on corona receptor ACE2 and TMPRSS2 expression in the ocular surface
title_sort effect of carbon black and silicon dioxide nanoparticle exposure on corona receptor ace2 and tmprss2 expression in the ocular surface
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-78518-9
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