Comparison of the sensitivity of three lung derived cell lines to metals from combustion derived particulate matter

Quantifications of the cell response involved measurement of inhibition of cell culture metabolism (mitochondrial succinate dehydrogenase activity) and cell death (release of lactate dehydrogenase). While these three cell types generally ranked metals in ED50 values similarly (V < Zn < Cu < Ni < Fe), with one exception, the concentrations of metals leading to a 50% reduction in cell population health differed significantly. Macrophages were most sensitive to metals by nearly an order of magnitude in metal concentration, followed by RLE-6TN rat epithelia, then A549 human cells. This comparison of the sensitivity of three cell types provides a basis for selection of cell types for use in cell-based biosensors.