Effects of indium chloride on proliferation of human lung epithelial cells and its mechanism / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of different concentrations of indium chloride (InCl3) on the proliferation of human lung epithelial (Beas-2B) cells and its potential mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Beas-2B cells were exposed to different concentrations of InCl3 (0.3, 1.0, 3.0, 10.0, 30.0, 90.0, 270.0, and 810.0 µmol/L) for 24, 48, and 72 h, respectively. The effects of InCl3 on cell proliferation were determined by the CCK-8 assay. The effects of InCl3 on apoptosis were evaluated using annexin V-PI staining followed by flow cytometry. The level of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) in Beas-2B cells after exposure to InCl3 was determined using 2', 7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate labeling followed by flow cytometry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the control group, InCl3 at a relatively low concentration (0.3~3.0 µmol/L) significantly promoted cell proliferation (P < 0.05), while InCl3 at a relatively high concentration (30.0~80.0 µmol/L) significantly inhibited cell proliferation after 72 h (P < 0.05). InCl3 at a concentration of 0.3 µmol/L failed to induce apoptosis within 72 h; however, InCl3 at a concentration of 30.0 or 810.0 µmol/L induced substantial early apoptosis after 72 h. Compared with the control group, cells exposed to 0.3 µmol/L InCl3 showed a slight decrease in the level of intracellular ROS within 72 h, while cells exposed to 30.0 or 810.0 µmol/L InCl3 showed a significant increase in the level of intracellular ROS after 72 h (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>At a low concentration, InCl3 stimulates cell proliferation by reducing intracellular ROS. However, at a high concentration, InCl3 inhibits cell viability by elevating intracellular ROS and inducing apoptosis.</p>

The clinical features of indium-related lung diseases / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To discuss the clinical features of Indium-related lung diseases.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We searched database of Chinese and Pubmed, Embase, Web of Science to collect research data of indium-related lung diseases from Jan. 1998 to Aprl. 2014. Case reports, exposure histories and lab results were analysed and summarized.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>1998 to Mar 2010, ten cases of indium-related lung diseases were published. Seven cases of interstitial pneumonia were reported in Japan, two cases of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) were reported in the USA and one case of PAP reported in China. Chest computer tomography (CT) showed diffuse or local ground glass appearance (GGA) in 8 cases, 3 of which also showed centrilobular nodules; Pulmonary function test were normal only in one out of 8 cases. Cholesterol clefts were found in 4 cases of interstitial pneumonia. 3 cases died among 6 cases who were followed-up.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Occupational exposure to indium compounds are contributory to different pulmonary diseases, which are composed of interstitial pneumonia and pulmonary alveolar proteinosis. The relationships between In-C, In-S and these pulmonary diseases are unclear.</p>