Reactive oxygen species-evoked endoplasmic reticulum stress mediates 1-nitropyrene-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition and pulmonary fibrosis

1-Nitropyrene (1-NP) is one component of atmospheric fine particles. Previous report revealed that acute 1-NP exposure induced respiratory inflammation. This study aimed to investigate whether chronic 1-NP exposure induces pulmonary fibrosis. Male C57BL6/J mice were intratracheally instilled to 1-NP (20 μg/mouse/week) for 6 weeks. Diffuse interstitial inflammation, a-smooth muscle actin (a-SMA)-positive cells, a marker of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and an extensive collagen deposition, measured by Masson staining, were observed in 1-NP-exposed mouse lungs. Pulmonary function showed that lung dynamic compliance (Cydn-min) was reduced in 1-NP-exposed mice. Conversely, inspiratory resistance (Ri) and expiratory resistance (Re) were elevated in 1-NP-exposed mice. Mechanistically, cell migration and invasion were accelerated in 1-NP-exposed pulmonary epithelial cells. In addition, E-cadherin, an epithelial marker, was downregulated, and vimentin, a-SMA and N-cadherin, three mesenchymal markers, were upregulated in 1-NP-exposed pulmonary epithelial cells. Although TGF-β wasn’t altered, phosphorylated Smad2/3 were enhanced in 1-NP-exposed pulmonary epithelial cells. Moreover, reactive oxygen species (ROS) were increased and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress was activated in 1-NP-exposed pulmonary epithelial cells. N-Acetylcysteine (NAC), an antioxidant, attenuated 1-NP-evoked excess ROS, ER stress and EMT in pulmonary epithelial cells. Similarly, pretreatment with NAC alleviated 1-NP-caused pulmonary EMT and lung fibrosis in mice. These results demonstrate that ROS-evoked ER stress contributes, at least partially, to 1-NP-induced EMT and pulmonary fibrosis.