Effect of cadmium on human middle ear epithelial cells

Jae Jun Song, Ju Yeon Kim, An Soo Jang, Shin Hye Kim, Yoon Chan Rah, Mina Park, Moo Kyun Park

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Cadmium (Cd2+) exposure can occur through passive smoking, ambient air pollution, and food. Even low exposure can affect hearing and cause lung disease. Here we investigated whether cadmium causes cytotoxicity, induces inflammation, or increases mucin gene expression in immortalized human middle ear epithelial cells (HMEECs). MATERIALS and METHODS: Cell viability was investigated using the MTT assay following Cd2+ treatment. Increases in apoptosis and necrosis were determined, and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was measured. We analyzed the expression of an inflammatory cytokine (COX-2) gene and a mucin gene (MUC5AC) using RT-PCR. RESULTS: Exposure to >20 μM Cd2+ caused a significant decrease in cell viability. Hoechst 33258 staining showed apoptotic morphology of heterogeneous intensity, condensation, and fragmentation after Cd2+ exposure. Cd2+ was shown to increase cell death by apoptosis and necrosis by annexin V-FITC/PI double staining. Cd2+ exposure increased ROS production and COX-2 and MUC5AC expressions. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that environmental cadmium exposure is related to the development of otitis media.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)183-187
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of International Advanced Otology
Volume11
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2015

Keywords

  • Cadmium
  • Human middle ear epithelial cells
  • Otitis media

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Otorhinolaryngology

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