ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Inhaled nanoparticles can deposit in the deep lung where they interact with pulmonary cells. Despite numerous studies on pulmonary nanotoxicity, detailed molecular mechanisms of specific nanomaterial-induced lung injury have yet to be identified. RESULTS: Using whole-body dynamic inhalation model, we studied the interactions between aluminum oxide nanoparticles (Al2O3 NPs) and the pulmonary system in vivo. We found that seven-day-exposure to Al2O3 NPs resulted in emphysema and small airway remodeling in murine lungs, accompanied by enhanced inflammation and apoptosis. Al2O3 NPs exposure led to suppression of PTPN6 and phosphorylation of STAT3, culminating in increased expression of the apoptotic marker PDCD4. Rescue of PTPN6 expression or application of a STAT3 inhibitor, effectively protected murine lungs from inflammation and apoptosis, as well as, in part, from the induction of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)-like effects. CONCLUSION: In summary, our studies show that inhibition of PTPN6 plays a critical role in Al2O3 NPs-induced COPD-like lesions.