Brandon F. Law

Fungal pigments inhibit the matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry analysis of darkly pigmented fungi

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) has been used to discriminate moniliaceous fungal species; however, darkly pigmented fungi yield poor fingerprint mass spectra that contain few peaks of low relative abundance. In this study, the effect of dark fungal pigments on the observed MALDI mass spectra was investigated. Peptide and protein samples containing varying concentrations of synthetic melanin or fungal pigments extracted from Aspergillus niger were analyzed by MALDI-TOF and MALDI-qTOF (quadrupole TOF) MS. Signal suppression was observed in samples containing greater than 250ng/μl pigment. Microscopic examination of the MALDI sample deposit was usually heterogeneous, with regions of high pigment concentration appearing as black. Acquisition of MALDI mass spectra from these darkly pigmented regions of the sample deposit yielded poor or no [M+H](+) ion signal. In contrast, nonpigmented regions within the sample deposit and hyphal negative control extracts of A. niger were not inhibited. This study demonstrated that dark fungal pigments inhibited the desorption/ionization process during MALDI-MS; however, these fungi may be successfully analyzed by MALDI-TOF MS when culture methods that suppress pigment expression are used. The addition of tricyclazole to the fungal growth media blocks fungal melanin synthesis and results in less melanized fungi that may be analyzed by MALDI-TOF MS.

Role of Germination in Murine Airway CD8+ T-Cell Responses to Aspergillus Conidia

Pulmonary exposure to Aspergillus fumigatus has been associated with morbidity and mortality, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. A. fumigatus conidia produce β-glucan, proteases, and other immunostimulatory factors upon germination. Murine models have shown that the ability of A. fumigatus to germinate at physiological temperature may be an important factor that facilitates invasive disease. We observed a significant increase in IFN-γ-producing CD8+ T cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of immunocompetent mice that repeatedly aspirated A. fumigatus conidia in contrast to mice challenged with A. versicolor, a species that is not typically associated with invasive, disseminated disease. Analysis of tissue sections indicated the presence of germinating spores in the lungs of mice challenged with A. fumigatus, but not A. versicolor. Airway IFN-γ+CD8+ T-cells were decreased and lung germination was eliminated in mice that aspirated A. fumigatus conidia that were formaldehyde-fixed or heat-inactivated. Furthermore, A. fumigatus particles exhibited greater persistence in the lungs of recipient mice when compared to non-viable A. fumigatus or A. versicolor, and this correlated with increased maintenance of airway memory-phenotype CD8+ T cells. Therefore, murine airway CD8+ T cell-responses to aspiration of Aspergillus conidia may be mediated in part by the ability of conidia to germinate in the host lung tissue. These results provide further evidence of induction of immune responses to fungi based on their ability to invade host tissue.

Exposures and Cross-shift Lung Function Declines in Wildland Firefighters

Respiratory problems are common among wildland firefighters. However, there are few studies directly linking occupational exposures to respiratory effects in this population. Our objective was to characterize wildland fire fighting occupational exposures and assess their associations with cross-shift changes in lung function. We studied 17 members of the Alpine Interagency Hotshot Crew with environmental sampling and pulmonary function testing during a large wildfire. We characterized particles by examining size distribution and mass concentration, and conducting elemental and morphological analyses. We examined associations between cross-shift lung function change and various analytes, including levoglucosan, an indicator of wood smoke from burning biomass. The levoglucosan component of the wildfire aerosol showed a predominantly bimodal size distribution: a coarse particle mode with a mass median aerodynamic diameter about 12 μm and a fine particle mode with a mass median aerodynamic diameter < 0.5 μm. Levoglucosan was found mainly in the respirable fraction and its concentration was higher for fire line construction operations than for mop-up operations. Larger cross-shift declines in forced expiratory volume in one second were associated with exposure to higher concentrations of respirable levoglucosan (p < 0.05). Paired analyses of real-time personal air sampling measurements indicated that higher carbon monoxide (CO) concentrations were correlated with higher particulate concentrations when examined by mean values, but not by individual data points. However, low CO concentrations did not provide reliable assurance of concomitantly low particulate concentrations. We conclude that inhalation of fine smoke particles is associated with acute lung function decline in some wildland firefighters. Based on short-term findings, it appears important to address possible long-term respiratory health issues for wildland firefighters. [Supplementary materials are available for this article. Go to the publishers online edition of Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene for the following free supplemental resources: a file containing additional information on historical studies of wildland fire exposures, a file containing the daily-exposure-severity questionnaire completed by wildland firefighter participants at the end of each day, and a file containing additional details of the investigation of correlations between carbon monoxide concentrations and other measured exposure factors in the current study.]

Identification and quantification of urinary benzo[a]pyrene and its metabolites from asphalt fume exposed mice by microflow LC coupled to hybrid quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Prolonged, extensive exposure to asphalt fume has been associated with several adverse health effects. Inhaled polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from asphalt fume exposure have been suspected of inducing such effects. In this study, a bioanalytical method was proposed and evaluated to identify and quantify benzo[a]pyrene and its hydroxy-metabolites. This method is based on coupling a microflow liquid chromatography (LC) to a hybrid quadrupole orthogonal acceleration time-of-flight mass spectrometry (Q-TOFMS). In the experiment, thirty-two B6C3FI mice were exposed to asphalt fume in a whole body inhalation chamber for 10 days (4 h day(-1)) and twelve other mice were used as controls. The asphalt fume was generated at 180 degrees C and the concentrations in the animal exposure chamber ranged 175-182 mg m(-3). Benzo[a]pyrene and its metabolites of 3-hydroxybenzo[a]pyrene, benzo[a]pyrene-7,8-dihydrodiol(+/-), benzo[a]pyrene-7,8-dihydrodiol-9,10-epoxide(+/-), and benzo[a]pyrene-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrotetrol(+/-) in the urine of asphalt fume exposed mice were identified and found at 3.18 ng 100 mL(-1), 31.36 ng 100 mL(-1), 11.56 ng 100 mL(-1), 54.92 ng 100 mL(-1), and 45.23 ng 100 mL(-1) respectively. The results revealed that the urinary benzo[a]pyrene and its hydroxy-metabolites from exposed mice were at significantly higher levels (p < 0.001) than those from the control groups. Compared with several other technologies such as HPLC-UV and HPLC-fluorescence, the new method is more sensitive and selective, and it can also provide additional useful information on the structures of the metabolites. Hence, this method can be used to perform the assessment and to study the mechanisms of the adverse health effects. The fragmentation patterns established in this study can also be used to identify and quantify PAH metabolites in other biological fluids.

Pulmonary immune responses to Aspergillus fumigatus in an immunocompetent mouse model of repeated exposures

Abstract Aspergillus fumigatus is a filamentous fungus that produces abundant pigmented conidia. Several fungal components have been identified as virulence factors, including melanin; however, the impact of these factors in a repeated exposure model resembling natural environmental exposures remains unknown. This study examined the role of fungal melanin in the stimulation of pulmonary immune responses using immunocompetent BALB/c mice in a multiple exposure model. It compared conidia from wild-type A. fumigatus to two melanin mutants of the same strain, Δarp2 (tan) or Δalb1 (white). Mass spectrometry-based analysis of conidial extracts demonstrated that there was little difference in the protein fingerprint profiles between the three strains. Field emission scanning electron microscopy demonstrated that the immunologically inert Rodlet A layer remained intact in melanin-deficient conidia. Thus, the primary difference between the strains was the extent of melanization. Histopathology indicated that each A. fumigatus strain induced lung inflammation, regardless of the extent of melanization. In mice exposed to Δalb1 conidia, an increase in airway eosinophils and a decrease in neutrophils and CD8+ IL-17+ (Tc17) cells were observed. Additionally, it was shown that melanin mutant conidia were more rapidly cleared from the lungs than wild-type conidia. These data suggest that the presence of fungal melanin may modulate the pulmonary immune response in a mouse model of repeated exposures to A. fumigatus conidia.

Arterial stiffness, oxidative stress, and smoke exposure in wildland firefighters

OBJECTIVESnTo assess the association between exposure, oxidative stress, symptoms, and cardiorespiratory function in wildland firefighters.nnnMETHODSnWe studied two Interagency Hotshot Crews with questionnaires, pulse wave analysis for arterial stiffness, spirometry, urinary 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α (8-isoprostane) and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), and the smoke exposure marker (urinary levoglucosan). Arterial stiffness was assessed by examining levels of the aortic augmentation index, expressed as a percentage. An oxidative stress score comprising the average of z-scores created for 8-OHdG and 8-isoprostane was calculated.nnnRESULTSnMean augmentation index % was higher for participants with higher oxidative stress scores after adjusting for smoking status. Specifically for every one unit increase in oxidative stress score the augmentation index % increased 10.5% (95% CI: 2.5, 18.5%). Higher mean lower respiratory symptom score was associated with lower percent predicted forced expiratory volume in one second/forced vital capacity.nnnCONCLUSIONSnBiomarkers of oxidative stress may serve as indicators of arterial stiffness in wildland firefighters.

Physical-Chemical and Solvent Considerations in Evaluating the Influence of Carbon Chain Length on the Skin Sensitization Activity of 1-Bromoalkanes

The murine local lymph node assay (LLNA) is an internationally accepted assay for identification of contact allergens. The LLNA has also been used in research studies to evaluate contact allergen potency, as well as chemical structural-allergenic activity relationships. The 1-bromoalkanes have been used in such a manner as they represent a chemical series with generally the same chemical reactivity but differing in alkane carbon chain length-dependent lipid solubilities. Previous reports noted a biphasic LLNA response with increasing carbon chain length that peaked at the 16-carbon chain (C16) of 1-bromohexadecane (delivered in an acetone-olive oil [AOO] vehicle; 4:1). In the present study, this biphasic LLNA response was confirmed, and 1-bromoalkane chemical-physical factors were explored using both modeling tools and further laboratory studies to help understand this finding. Volatility and effect of vehicle on 1-bromoalkanes sensitizations were assessed. Selected 1-bromoalkanes were tested in the LLNA using the polar, protic vehicle, tetrahydrofuran-butanol (THF-BuOH; 1:1), to compare to the nonpolar (aprotic) vehicle AOO 1-bromoalkanes-LLNA responses. Enhanced 1-bromoalkane LLNA responses were observed using the THF-BuOH vehicle but with the greatest activity still observed for 1-bromohexadecane (C16). The shorter 1-bromoalkanes were subject to volatile losses upon application with approximately 75% volatile loss from a surface of 1-bromohexane (C6) within 5 min at room temperature. It is concluded that multiple factors, in addition to lipid solubility, including vehicle, solvation, and retention on the skin surface contribute to the apparent potency of 1-bromoalkanes in the LLNA.

Characterization of Laboratory Simulated Road Paving-Like Asphalt by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

Prolonged, extensive exposure to asphalt fume has been associated with several adverse health effects. Inhaled polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from asphalt fume exposure are of concern. The objective of this study was to characterize both qualitative and quantitative differences between fumes generated at 150°C and 180°C using a well-controlled laboratory road paving fume generation system. Fumes were characterized by total volatile and particulate concentration, simulated boiling point profile, and specific PAH content. The mean concentrations of the volatile fractions generated at 180°C and 150°C were 23.3 mg/m3 and 11.2 mg/m3, respectively, demonstrating a statistically significant shift in concentration. The mean concentrations of the particulate fractions generated at 180°C and 150°C were 42.4 mg/m3 and 28.0 mg/m3, respectively. The simulated boiling point profile did not show a significant qualitative difference between the fumes generated at the two temperatures. Naphthalene, acenaphthene, fluorene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene, pyrene, and chrysene were identified and quantified from the fumes.

A Murine Monoclonal Antibody with Broad Specificity for Occupationally Relevant Diisocyanates

Diisocyanates (dNCOs) used in industrial applications are well known low molecular weight allergens. Occupational exposure is associated with adverse health outcomes including allergic sensitization and occupational asthma. In this study, we report the production and initial characterization of a dNCO-hapten specific murine IgM monoclonal antibody (mAb). Female BALB/c mice were immunized intraperitoneally with 25 μg of 4,4′-methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI)-keyhole limpet hemocyanin. Following six biweekly booster immunizations, splenocytes were recovered and fused to Sp2/0-Ag14 murine myeloma cell line for hybridoma production. Hybridomas were then screened in a solid-phase indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) against 40:1 4,4′-MDI– human serum albumin (HSA). mAb reactivity to dNCO-HSA conjugates and dNCO-HSA spiked human serum were characterized using a sandwich ELISA. One hybridoma produced a multimeric IgM mAb (15D4) that reacted with 4,4′-MDI-HSA. Sandwich ELISA analysis demonstrated comparable reactivity with other occupationally relevant dNCO-HSA adducts, including 2,4-toluene diisocyanate (TDI)-HSA, 2,6-TDI-HSA, and 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI)-HSA, but not other electrophilic chemical HSA conjugates. The limit of quantification (LOQ) of 4,4′-MDI-HSA, 2,4-TDI-HSA, 2,6-TDI-HSA, and 1,6-HDI-HSA sandwich ELISAs were 567.2, 172.7, 184.2, and 403.5 ng/mL (8.67, 2.60, 2.77, and 6.07 pmol/mL), respectively. In contrast, experiments using dNCO-supplemented human sera showed an increase in the detectable limit of the assay. A mAb has been produced that has potential utility for detecting mixed diisocyanate exposures in occupational environments. The mAb may have additional utility in the standardization of specific IgE detection immunoassays as well as chromatographic-mass spectrometric methods to enrich dNCO adducted HSA in the plasma of occupationally exposed workers.

A Computer-Controlled Whole-Body Inhalation Exposure System for the Oil Dispersant COREXIT EC9500A

An automated whole-body inhalation exposure system capable of exposing 12 individually housed rats was designed to examine the potential adverse health effects of the oil dispersant COREXIT EC9500A, used extensively during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. A computer-controlled syringe pump injected the COREXIT EC9500A into an atomizer where droplets and vapor were formed and mixed with diluent air. The aerosolized COREXIT EC9500A was passed into a customized exposure chamber where a calibrated light-scattering instrument estimated the real-time particle mass concentration of the aerosol in the chamber. Software feedback loops controlled the chamber aerosol concentration and pressure throughout each exposure. The particle size distribution of the dispersant aerosol was measured and shown to have a count median aerodynamic diameter of 285 nm with a geometric standard deviation of 1.7. The total chamber concentration (particulate + vapor) was determined using a modification of the acidified methylene blue spectrophotometric assay for anionic surfactants. Tests were conducted to show the effectiveness of closed loop control of chamber concentration and to verify chamber concentration homogeneity. Five automated 5-h animal exposures were performed that produced controlled and consistent COREXIT EC9500A concentrations (27.1 ± 2.9 mg/m3, mean ± SD).