The interaction of carbon nanoparticles with neutrophilic granulocytes: a target for therapeutic approaches

Inhaled combustion derived carbon nanoparticles (CNP) have been described to induce neutrophilic lung inflammation. The effects of these particles during an ongoing inflammation by interaction with the neutrophils themselves however are not well understood. In the current study we aimed to investigate the effects of CNP on neutrophilic life span and the impact of these effects on environmentally induced lung inflammation. For this purpose, ex vivo studies with blood neutrophils from volunteers but also from COPD patients investigating neutrophil apoptosis and signalling events were performed. Additionally, lung…