Toxicity of selected airborne nitrophenols on eukaryotic cell membrane models

Abstract Nitroaromatics belong to the group of toxic components aerosol particles and atmospheric hydrometeors that enter atmosphere through biomass burning fuel combustion. In present work, we report on cytotoxic effects a 2-, 3- 4-nitrophenol mixture model eukaryotic-like cell membrane compared it with in vitro cellular models BEAS-2B (immortalized bronchial epithelial cells) A549 (cancerous alveolar cells). A selected biomembrane comprised DMPC (1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine), DPPC (1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) POPC (1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) was studied. The electrochemical-based method, combined atomic force microscopy (AFM) phase-contrast imaging, allowed get insights into mechanism function disruption caused by airborne nitrophenols. efficacy method is supported data obtained from experiments performed models. nitrophenol exhibited at concentrations above 100 ?g mL?1, as demonstrated in real lung lines. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) revealed formation defects concentration 200 ?g mL?1. AFM imaging confirmed disintegration phospholipids rearrangement presence These observations indicate particle-bound nitrophenols induce substantial changes membranes make them more permeable aerosol, resulting major damage lungs when inhaled. study provides initial evidence induced three important nitrated phenols environment.