Multiplex cytokine profiling in whole blood from individuals occupationally exposed to particulate coal species

Adverse health effects can result from occupational exposure to dust, fine particles, or toxic substances. Accumulating evidence demonstrates that particulate air pollutants can cause both pulmonary and airway inflammation. In this study, the authors investigated peripheral whole-blood using Luminex 200 xMAP (multianalyte profiling) technology to analyse early effects of occupational exposure in coal-fired power plants. The subjects were grouped based on years of exposure. The altered expression of cytokine profiling in response to coal particulate matter (PM) exposure compared with control subjects has been related to inflammatory response. The results indicate that exposure to coal dust and ash at work can be considered a potential aetiological factor for respiratory diseases of the subjects investigated and may aggravate the existing dysfunctions of the biochemical and functional parameters of the exposed persons, arterial blood pressure, dyslipidemia, excess of serum creatinine, urea and uric acid, associated with mixed and restrictive ventilator dysfunction. The changes of the in vivo and ex vivo inflammatory cytokine profile analysed using xMAP technology in whole blood system exhibit early statistically significant differences in exposed groups compared to control. The authors concluded that the test tool assaying whole blood parameters is a noninvasive, rapid methodology and can be an useful prerequisite in clinical monitoring of individuals occupationally exposed to coal particulate pollutants in power plants.