Exposure to dibenzofuran triggers autophagy in lung cells

Environmental pollutants, such as dioxins and furans, are extremely toxic and related with pulmonary disease development. Exposure of A549 human lung cells to dibenzofuran showed both time- and concentration-dependent decreases in cell proliferation and MTT reduction, but no alterations in cell viability. No differences were observed in the number of apoptotic nuclei, which can be due to the energetic failure caused by dibenzofuran-induced ATP depletion. Moreover, cells in culture exposed to the pollutant showed an increase in the conversion of LC3, a protein involved in the autophagic process. Incubation of A549 lung cells with dibenzofuran caused an increase in Lysotracker Red staining, indicating an increase in lysosomal vacuoles content. These results suggest that exposure to dibenzofuran affects lung mitochondrial phosphorylative function, causing an increase in the population of dysfunctional mitochondria and an impairment in the energetic status maintenance, therefore stimulating autophagy as a possible rescue mechanism in this cell line.

► Dibenzofuran is a ubiquitous pollutant that impairs lung cells proliferation and reduces its viability.
► Exposure to dibenzofuran causes a decrease in A549 cells ATP levels.
► Autophagy mechanisms and an increase in lysosomal vacuoles are triggered by exposure of lung cells to dibenzofuran.