Influence of Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds and Oxidation States of Soot Organics on the Metabolome of Human-Lung Cells (A549): Implications for Vehicle Fuel Selection

Decades of research have established the toxicity of soot particles resulting from incomplete combustion. However, the unique chemical compounds responsible for adverse health effects have remained uncertain. This study utilized mass spectrometry to analyze the chemical composition of extracted soot organics at three oxidation states, aiming to establish quantitative relationships between potentially toxic chemicals and their impact on human alveolar basal epithelial cells (A549) through metabolomics-based evaluations. Targeted analysis using MS/MS indicated that particles with a medium oxidation state contained the highest total abundance of compounds, particularly oxygen-containing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (OPAHs) composed of fused benzene rings and unsaturated carbonyls, which may cause oxidative stress, characterized by the upregulation of three specific metabolites. Further investigation focused on three specific OPAH standards: 1,4-naphthoquinone, 9-fluorenone, and anthranone. Pathway analysis indicated that exposure to these compounds affected transcriptional functions, the tricarboxylic acid cycle, cell proliferation, and the oxidative stress response. Biodiesel combustion emissions had higher concentrations of PAHs, OPAHs, and nitrogen-containing PAHs (NPAHs) compared with other fuels. Quinones and 9,10-anthraquinone were identified as the dominant compounds within the OPAH category. This knowledge enhances our understanding of the compounds contributing to adverse health effects observed in epidemiological studies and highlights the role of aerosol composition in toxicity.