Pulmonary oxidative stress, inflammation and cancer: respirable particulate matter, fibrous dusts and ozone as major causes of lung carcinogenesis through reactive oxygen species mechanisms

Oleic acid-PPARγ-FABP4 loop fuels cholangiocarcinoma colonization in lymph node metastases microenvironment

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Lymph node metastasis is a significant risk factor for patients with cholangiocarcinoma, but the mechanisms underlying cholangiocarcinoma colonization in the lymph node microenvironment remain unclear. We aimed to determine whether metabolic reprogramming fueled the adaptation and remodeling of cholangiocarcinoma cells to the lymph node microenvironment.

APPROACH AND RESULTS

Here, we applied single-cell RNA sequencing of primary tumor lesions and paired lymph node metastases from patients with cholangiocarcinoma and revealed significantly reduced intertumor heterogeneity and syntropic lipid metabolic reprogramming of cholangiocarcinoma after metastasis to lymph nodes, which was verified by pan-cancer single-cell RNA sequencing analysis, highlighting the essential role of lipid metabolism in tumor colonization in lymph nodes. Metabolomics and in vivo CRISPR/Cas9 screening identified PPARγ as a crucial regulator in fueling cholangiocarcinoma colonization in lymph nodes through the oleic acid-PPARγ-fatty acid-binding protein 4 positive feedback loop by upregulating fatty acid uptake and oxidation. Patient-derived organoids and animal models have demonstrated that blocking this loop impairs cholangiocarcinoma proliferation and colonization in the lymph node microenvironment and is superior to systemic inhibition of fatty acid oxidation. PPARγ-regulated fatty acid metabolic reprogramming in cholangiocarcinoma also contributes to the immune-suppressive niche in lymph node metastases by producing kynurenine and was found to be associated with tumor relapse, immune-suppressive lymph node microenvironment, and poor immune checkpoint blockade response.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results reveal the role of the oleic acid-PPARγ-fatty acid-binding protein 4 loop in fueling cholangiocarcinoma colonization in lymph nodes and demonstrate that PPARγ-regulated lipid metabolic reprogramming is a promising therapeutic target for relieving cholangiocarcinoma lymph node metastasis burden and reducing further progression.

Dissecting the pleiotropic roles of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in lung cancer: From carcinogenesis toward therapy

Lung cancer is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. The specific pulmonary structure to directly connect with ambient air makes it more susceptible to damage from airborne toxins. External oxidative stimuli and endogenous reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a crucial role in promoting lung carcinogenesis and development. The biological properties of higher ROS levels in tumor cells than in normal cells make them more sensitive and vulnerable to ROS injury. Therefore, the strategy of targeting ROS has been proposed for cancer therapy for decades. However, it is embarrassing that countless attempts at ROS-based therapies have had very limited success, and no FDA approval in the anticancer list was mechanistically based on ROS manipulation. Even compared with the untargetable proteins, such as transcription factors, ROS are more difficult to be targeted due to their chemical properties. Thus, the pleiotropic roles of ROS provide therapeutic potential for anticancer drug discovery, while a better dissection of the mechanistic action and signaling pathways is a prerequisite for future breakthroughs. This review discusses the critical roles of ROS in cancer carcinogenesis, ROS-inspired signaling pathways, and ROS-based treatment, exemplified by lung cancer. In particular, an eight considerations rule is proposed for ROS-targeting strategies and drug design and development.

Chlorinated Anthracenes Induced Pulmonary Immunotoxicity in 3D Coculture Spheroids Simulating the Lung Microenvironment

Chlorinated anthracenes (Cl-Ants), persistent organic pollutants, are widely detected in the environment, posing potential lung toxicity risks due to frequent respiratory exposure. However, direct evidence and a comprehensive understanding of their toxicity mechanisms are lacking. Building on our prior findings of Cl-Ants' immunotoxic risks, this study developed a three-dimensional coculture spheroid model mimicking the lung's immune microenvironment. The objective is to explore the pulmonary immunotoxicity and comprehend its mechanisms, taking into account the heightened immune reactivity and frequent lung exposure of Cl-Ants. The results demonstrated that Cl-Ants exposure led to reduced spheroid size, increased macrophage migration outward, lowered cell viability, elevated 8-OHdG levels, disturbed anti-infection balance, and altered cytokine production. Specifically, the chlorine substituent number correlates with the extent of disruption of spheroid indicators caused by Cl-Ants, with stronger immunotoxic effects observed in dichlorinated Ant compared to those in monochlorinated Ant. Furthermore, we identified critical regulatory genes associated with cell viability (ALDOC and ALDOA), bacterial response (TLR5 and MAP2K6), and GM-CSF production (CEBPB). Overall, this study offers initial in vitro evidence of low-dose Cl-PAHs' pulmonary immunotoxicity, advancing the understanding of Cl-Ants' structure-related toxicity and improving external toxicity assessment methods for environmental pollutants, which holds significance for future monitoring and evaluation.

Microplastics in the soil-water-food nexus: Inclusive insight into global research findings

Nuisance imposed by biotic and abiotic stressors on diverse agroecosystems remains an area of focus for the scientific fraternity. However, emerging contaminants such as microplastics (MP) have imposed additional dimension (alone or in combinations with other stressors) in agroecosystems and keep escalating the challenges to achieve sustainability. MP are recognized as persistent anthropogenic contaminants, fetch global attention due to their unique chemical features that keeps themselves unresponsive to the decaying process. This review has been theorized to assess the current research trends (along with possible gap areas), widespread use of MP, enhancement of the harshness of heavy metals (HMs), complex interactions with physico-chemical constituents of arable soil, accumulation in the edible parts of field crops, dairy products, and other sources to penetrate the food web. So far, the available review articles are oriented to a certain aspect of MP and lack a totality when considered from in soil-water-food perspective. In short, a comprehensive perspective of the adverse effects of MP on human health has been assessed. Moreover, an agro-techno-socio-health prospective-oriented critical assessment of policies and remedial measures linked with MP has provided an extra edge over other similar articles in influential future courses of research.

Analysis of clinical characteristics and prognosis of lung cancer patients with CPFE or COPD: a retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Lung cancer (LC) commonly occurs in patients with combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but comparative research is limited. This study examines clinical characteristics, treatments, and prognosis in LC patients with CPFE or COPD.

METHODS

The retrospective study involved 75 lung cancer patients with CPFE and 182 with COPD. It analyzed clinical features, tumor pathology, pulmonary function, laboratory parameters, and treatment responses.

RESULTS

Notable differences were found between the CPFE + LC and COPD + LC groups. Both groups were mostly elderly, male smokers. The CPFE + LC group had higher BMI and more adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, while COPD + LC had predominantly squamous cell carcinoma. CPFE + LC tumors were mostly in the lower lobes; COPD + LC's were in the upper lobes. The CPFE + LC group showed higher tumor metastasis rates, more paraseptal emphysema, and elevated levels of TG, CEA, NSE, and Killer T Cells. In advanced stages (IIIB-IV), the CPFE + LC group receiving first-line treatment had shorter median progression-free survival (PFS) and a higher risk of progression or death than the COPD + LC group, regardless of whether it was non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) or small cell lung cancer (SCLC). No significant PFS difference was found within CPFE + LC between chemotherapy and immunotherapy, nor in immune-related adverse events between groups, with interstitial pneumonia being common.

CONCLUSION

This study emphasizes distinct lung cancer characteristics in CPFE or COPD patients, highlighting the need for tailored diagnostic and treatment approaches. It advocates for further research to improve care for this high-risk group.

Exposure to heavy metals, antioxidant status, and the interaction of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the genes CAT rs7943316, GSTP1 rs1695, as well as GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes, among workers in occupational settings

Individuals working in diverse fields are consistently exposed to work-related pollutants that can impact their overall health. The current study investigated the presence of pollutants in seven different occupational groups and their impact on human health. Biochemical and genetic approaches were employed. Heavy metals were determined by ICP-MS technique. Oxidative stress biochemical markers and molecular analysis of the glutathione transferases gene SNPs (GSTT1, GSTM1, GSTP1), catalase (CAT, rs7943316), and superoxide dismutase (SOD, rs17880487) was carried out. The results revealed a significantly higher quantity of Cd among five occupational groups. Catalase, malonaldehyde, and glutathione was significantly dysregulated. Molecular analysis of the gene SNPs suggests a probable relationship between the antioxidants and the phenotypic expression of the CAT, GSTP1, GSTT1, and GSTM1 SNPs. It is concluded that chronic exposure to occupational contaminants like Cd affects human health through oxidative stress in association with some of their gene SNPs.

PM2.5-induced DNA oxidative stress in A549 cells and regulating mechanisms by GST DNA methylation and Keap1/Nrf2 pathway

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) increases the risks of lung cancer. Epigenetics provides a new toxicology mechanism for the adverse health effects of PM2.5. However, the regulating mechanisms of PM2.5 exposure on candidate gene DNA methylation changes in the development of lung cancer remain unclear. Abnormal expression of the glutathione S transferase (GST) gene is associated with cancer. However, the relationship between PM2.5 and DNA methylation-mediated GST gene expression is not well understood. In this study, we performed GST DNA methylation analysis and GST-related gene expression in human A549 cells exposed to PM2.5 (0, 50, 100 µg/mL, from Taiyuan, China) for 24 h (n = 4). We found that PM2.5 may cause DNA oxidative damage to cells and the elevation of GSTP1 promotes cell resistance to reactive oxygen species (ROS). The Kelch-1ike ECH-associated protein l (Keap1)/nuclear factor NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway activates the GSTP1. The decrease in the DNA methylation level of the GSTP1 gene enhances GSTP1 expression. GST DNA methylation is associated with reduced levels of 5-methylcytosine (5mC), DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1), and histone deacetylases 3 (HDAC3). The GSTM1 was not sensitive to PM2.5 stimulation. Our findings suggest that PM2.5 activates GSTP1 to defend PM2.5-induced ROS and 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) formation through the Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathway and GSTP1 DNA methylation.

Impact of Airborne Exposure to PM10 Increases Susceptibility to P. aeruginosa Infection

The effects of exposure to airborne particulate matter with a size of 10 μm or less (PM10) on C57BL/6 mouse corneas, their response to Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) infection, and the protective effects of SKQ1 were determined. C57BL/6 mouse corneas receiving PBS or SKQ1 were exposed to control (air) or PM10 for 2 weeks, infected, and the disease was documented by clinical score, PMN quantitation, bacterial plate count, RT-PCR and Western blot. PBS-treated, PM10-exposed corneas did not differ at 1 day postinfection (dpi), but exhibited earlier (3 dpi) corneal thinning compared to controls. By 3 dpi, PM10 significantly increased corneal mRNA levels of several pro-inflammatory cytokines, but decreased IL-10, NQO1, GR1, GPX4, and Nrf2 over control. SKQ1 reversed these effects and Western blot selectively confirmed the RT-PCR results. PM10 resulted in higher viable bacterial plate counts at 1 and 3 dpi, but SKQ1 reduced them at 3 dpi. PM10 significantly increased MPO in the cornea at 3 dpi and was reduced by SKQ1. SKQ1, used as an adjunctive treatment to moxifloxacin, was not significantly different from moxifloxacin alone. Exposure to PM10 increased the susceptibility of C57BL/6 to PA infection; SKQ1 significantly reversed these effects, but was not effective as an adjunctive treatment.

Biochar dust emission: Is it a health concern? Preliminary results for toxicity assessment

Biochar is currently garnering interest as an alternative to commercial fertilizer and as a tool to counteract global warming. However, its use is increasingly drawing attention, particularly concerning the fine dust that can be developed during its manufacture, transport, and use. This work aimed to assess the toxicity of fine particulate Biochar ( Collapse

Key Words

• Biochar
• Environmental pollution
• In-vitro studies
• In-vivo studies
• Occupational exposure

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MESH Headings Collapse

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Affiliation(s)

Silvana Pinelli Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
Stefano Rossi Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
Alessio Malcevschi Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
Michele Miragoli Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy; Centre for Research in Toxicology (CERT), University of Parma, Parma, Italy; Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, IRCCS, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
Massimo Corradi Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy; Centre for Research in Toxicology (CERT), University of Parma, Parma, Italy
Luisella Selis Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
Sara Tagliaferri Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy; Centre for Research in Toxicology (CERT), University of Parma, Parma, Italy
Francesca Rossi National Research Council (CNR), Istituto dei Materiali per l'Elettronica ed il Magnetismo (IMEM), Parma, Italy
Delia Cavallo INAIL Research, Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Monte Porzio Catone, Italy
Cinzia Lucia Ursini INAIL Research, Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Monte Porzio Catone, Italy
Diana Poli INAIL Research, Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Monte Porzio Catone, Italy
Paola Mozzoni Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy; Centre for Research in Toxicology (CERT), University of Parma, Parma, Italy.

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Exposure to PM2.5 modulate the pro-inflammatory and interferon responses against influenza virus infection in a human 3D bronchial epithelium model

Epidemiological studies showed a positive association between exposure to PM2.5 and the severity of influenza virus infection. However, the mechanisms by which PM2.5 can disrupt antiviral defence are still unclear. From this perspective, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of PM2.5 on antiviral signalling in the respiratory epithelium using the bronchial Calu-3 cell line grown at the air-liquid interface. Pre-exposure to PM2.5 before infection with the influenza virus was investigated, as well as a co-exposure. Although a physical interaction between the virus and the particles seems possible, no effect of PM2.5 on viral replication was observed during co-exposure, although a downregulation of IFN-β release was associated to PM2.5 exposure. However, pre-exposure slightly increased the viral nucleoprotein production and the pro-inflammatory response. Conversely, the level of the myxovirus resistance protein A (MxA), an interferon-stimulated gene (ISG) induced by IFN-β, was reduced. Therefore, these results suggest that pre-exposure to PM2.5 could alter the antiviral response of bronchial epithelial cells, increasing their susceptibility to viral infection.

The activation of the AIM2 inflammasome after cigarette smoke exposure leads to an immunosuppressive lung microenvironment

Cigarette smoke is widely known as contributing to chronic inflammation underlying several airway diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer. In our previous studies we found that the lung of both COPD and cancer patients were characterized by the presence and activation of the AIM2 inflammasome. Here, we wanted to investigate the upstream step during the establishment of chronic lung inflammation after cigarette smoke exposure. We took advantage of a mouse model of smoking exposure and public scRNAseq data. We found that AIM2 mRNA was expressed in both alveolar type II, B cells, T regulatory (Treg) and macrophages detected in the lung of non-smokers (n = 4) and smokers (n = 3). The activation of AIM2 in smoking mice by using PolydA:dT did not alter cigarette-smoke-induced alveoli enlargement and mucus production, rather it induced higher recruitment of immunosuppressive cells, such as non-active dendritic cells (DCs), Arginase I+ macrophages, myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) and Tregs. In addition, the inflammatory environment after AIM2 activation in smoking mice was characterized by higher levels of IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-33, TNFα, LDH, IL-10 and TGFβ. This scenario was not altered after the pharmacological inhibition of both caspase-1 and STING pathway. In conclusion, these data suggest that chronic inflammation after cigarette smoke exposure is associated with AIM2 activation, which could lead towards cigarette smoke-associated lung diseases.

CoGSPro-net:A graph neural network based on protein-protein interaction for classifying lung cancer-relatrd proteins

This paper proposes a deep learning algorithm named CoGSPro for classifying lung cancer-related proteins. CoGSPro combines graph neural networks and attention mechanisms to extract key features from protein data and accurately classify proteins. It utilizes large-scale protein expression datasets to train and validate the model, enabling it to identify subtle patterns related to lung cancer. CoGSPro integrates protein-protein interaction network information to improve its predictive accuracy. The experimental results indicate that CoGSPro achieves cutting-edge performance, attaining an accuracy of 96.60% in the classification of lung cancer proteins, surpassing other baseline methods. Additionally, CoGSPro has uncovered new biomarkers for lung cancer, offering potential targets for early detection and treatment.

Protective effect of avicularin against lung cancer via inhibiting inflammation, oxidative stress, and induction of apoptosis: an in vitro and in vivo study

The purpose of this research was to investigate whether or not avicularin (AVL) possesses any anticancer properties when tested against lung cancer. In the beginning, the effect that it had on the cellular viability of A549 cells was investigated, and it was discovered that AVL has a considerable negative impact on cellular viability. Following that, an investigation using flow cytometry was carried out to investigate its function in the process of apoptosis and the cell cycle of A549 cells. It has been discovered that AVL significantly promotes apoptosis and stops the cell cycle at the G2/M phase. The colony-forming capacity of A549 cells was observed to be greatly suppressed as the AVL concentration increased compared to the group that received no treatment. In addition to this, the benzo(a)pyrene in vivo model was established in order to investigate the pharmacological value of AVL. The findings revealed that AVL greatly prevented the formation of pro-inflammatory cytokines, in addition to the reduction in oxidative stress, which was evidenced by a reduction in the concentration of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and MDA with an improvement in the concentration of SOD and GPx, respectively. Our results successfully demonstrated the pharmacological benefit of avicularin against lung cancer, and it has been suggested that it showed a multifactorial effect.

Effect fraction of Bletilla striata (Thunb.) Reichb.f. alleviates LPS-induced acute lung injury by inhibiting p47phox/NOX2 and promoting the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway

BACKGROUND & AIMS

The effect fraction of Bletilla striata (Thunb.) Reichb.f. (EFBS), a phenolic-rich extract, has significant protective effects on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI), but its composition and molecular mechanisms are unclear. This study elucidated its chemical composition and possible protective mechanisms against LPS-induced ALI from an antioxidant perspective.

METHODS

EFBS was prepared by ethanol extraction, enriched by polyamide column chromatography, and characterized using ultra-performance liquid chromatography/time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The LPS-induced ALI model and the RAW264.7 model were used to evaluate the regulatory effects of EFBS on oxidative stress, and transcriptome analysis was performed to explore its possible molecular mechanism. Then, the pathway by which EFBS regulates oxidative stress was validated through inhibitor intervention, flow cytometry, quantitative PCR, western blotting, and immunofluorescence techniques.

RESULTS

A total of 22 compounds in EFBS were identified. The transcriptome analyses of RAW264.7 cells indicated that EFBS might reduce reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by inhibiting the p47phox/NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2) pathway and upregulating the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) pathway. Both in vitro and in vivo data confirmed that EFBS significantly inhibited the expression and phosphorylation of p47phox protein, thereby weakening the p47phox/NOX2 pathway and reducing ROS production. EFBS significantly increased the expression of Nrf2 in primary peritoneal macrophages and lung tissue and promoted its nuclear translocation, dose-dependent increase in HO-1 levels, and enhancement of antioxidant activity. In vitro, both Nrf2 and HO-1 inhibitors significantly reduced the scavenging effects of EFBS on ROS, further confirming that EFBS exerts antioxidant effects at least partially by upregulating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

EFBS contains abundant phenanthrenes and dibenzyl polyphenols, which can reduce ROS production by inhibiting the p47phox/NOX2 pathway and enhance ROS clearance activity by upregulating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway, thereby exerting regulatory effects on oxidative stress and improving LPS-induced ALI.

Key toxic components and sources affecting oxidative potential of atmospheric particulate matter using interpretable machine learning: Insights from fog episodes

Fog significantly affects the air quality and human health. To investigate the health effects and mechanisms of atmospheric fine particulate matter (PM2.5) during fog episodes, PM2.5 samples were collected from the coastal suburb of Qingdao during different seasons from 2021 to 2022, with the major chemical composition in PM2.5 analyzed. The oxidative potential (OP) of PM2.5 was determined using the dithiothreitol (DTT) method. A positive matrix factorization model was adopted for PM2.5. Interpretable machine learning (IML) was used to reveal and quantify the key components and sources affecting OP. PM2.5 exhibited higher oxidative toxicity during fog episodes. Water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC), NH4+, K+, and water-soluble Fe positively affected the enhancement of DTTV (volume-based DTT activity) during fog episodes. The IML analysis demonstrated that WSOC and K+ contributed significantly to DTTV, with values of 0.31 ± 0.34 and 0.27 ± 0.22 nmol min-1 m-3, respectively. Regarding the sources, coal combustion and biomass burning contributed significantly to DTTV (0.40 ± 0.38 and 0.39 ± 0.36 nmol min-1 m-3, respectively), indicating the significant influence of combustion-related sources on OP. This study provides new insights into the effects of PM2.5 compositions and sources on OP by applying IML models.

Causal effects of exposure to ambient air pollution on cancer risk: Insights from genetic evidence

Air pollution has been increasingly linked to cancer risk. However, the genetic causality between air pollution and cancer risk remains poorly understood. To elucidate the potential roles of air pollution (NOx, NO2, PM2.5, PM course, and PM10) in the risk of 18 specific-site cancers, large-scale genome-wide association studies with a novel Mendelian randomization (MR) method were employed. Our MR analyses revealed significant associations between certain air pollutants and specific types of cancer. Specifically, a positive association was observed between NOx exposure and squamous cell lung cancer (OR: 1.96, 95%CI: 1.07-3.59, p = 0.03) as well as esophageal cancer (OR: 1.002, 95%CI: 1.001-1.003, p = 0.005). Genetically predicted NO2 exposure was found to be a risk factor for endometrial cancer (OR 1.41, 95%CI: 1.03-1.94, p = 0.03) and ovarian cancer (OR: 1.49, 95%CI: 1.14-1.95, p = 0.0037). Additionally, genetically predicted PM2.5 exposure was associated with an increased risk of ER+ breast cancer (OR: 1.24, 95%CI: 1.03-1.5, p = 0.02) and ER- breast cancer (OR: 2.57, 95%CI: 1.05-6.3, p = 0.04). PM course exposure was identified as a risk factor for glioma (OR: 487.28, 95%CI: 13.08-18,153, p = 0.0008), while PM10 exposure exerted a detrimental effect on mesothelioma (OR: 114.75, 95%CI: 1.14-11,500.11, p = 0.04) and esophageal cancer (OR: 1.01, 95%CI: 1.007-1.02, p = 0.03). These findings underscored the importance of mitigating air pollution to reduce the burden of cancer and highlight the need for further investigations to elucidate the underlying mechanisms involved in these associations.

The biological interplay between air pollutants and miRNAs regulation in cancer

Air pollution, especially fine particulate matter (PM2.5, with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 2.5 μm), represents a risk factor for human health. Many studies, regarding cancer onset and progression, correlated with the short and/or long exposition to PM2.5. This is mainly mediated by the ability of PM2.5 to reach the pulmonary alveoli by penetrating into the blood circulation. This review recapitulates the methodologies used to study PM2.5 in cellular models and the downstream effects on the main molecular pathways implicated in cancer. We report a set of data from the literature, that describe the involvement of miRNAs or long noncoding RNAs on the main biological processes involved in oxidative stress, inflammation, autophagy (PI3K), cell proliferation (NFkB, STAT3), and EMT (Notch, AKT, Wnt/β-catenin) pathways. microRNAs, as well as gene expression profile, responds to air pollution environment modulating some key genes involved in epigenetic modification or in key mediators of the biological processes described below. In this review, we provide some scientific evidences about the thigh correlation between miRNAs dysregulation, PM2.5 exposition, and gene pathways involved in cancer progression.

Acrolein suppresses anticancer drug-induced toxicity mediated by activating claudin-1 and Nrf2 axis in a spheroid model of human lung squamous cell carcinoma cells

Tobacco smoke contains various carcinogenic ingredients such as nicotine, acrolein, and benzopyrene; however, their effects on cancer treatment are not fully understood. Claudin-1 (CLDN1), a component of tight junctions, is involved in the increased resistance to anticancer drugs. In this study, we found that acrolein increases the mRNA and protein levels of CLDN1 in RERF-LC-AI cells derived from human lung squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Acrolein increased the p-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 levels without affecting the p-Akt level. The acrolein-induced elevation of CLDN1 expression was attenuated by U0126, a mitogen-activated protein kinase kinas (MEK) inhibitor. These results indicate that the activation of MEK/ERK pathway is involved in the acrolein-induced elevation of CLDN1 expression. In a spheroid model, acrolein suppressed the accumulation and toxicity of doxorubicin (DXR), which were rescued by CLDN1 silencing. The acrolein-induced effects were also observed in lung SCC-derived EBC-1 and LK-2 cells. Acrolein also increased the expression level of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), a transcription factor that regulates antioxidant and detoxifying genes, which were inhibited by CLDN1 silencing. In spheroid cells, the levels of reactive oxygen species were enhanced by acrolein, which was inhibited by CLDN1 silencing. Taken together, acrolein may reduce the anticancer drug-induced toxicity in human lung SCC cells mediated by high CLDN1 expression followed by the upregulation of Nrf2 signaling pathway.

Nonlinear proinflammatory effect of short-term PM2.5 exposure: A potential role of lipopolysaccharide

The association between PM2.5 (particulate matter ≤ 2.5 µm) short-term exposure and its health effect is non-linear from the epidemiological studies. And this nonlinearity is suggested to be related with the PM2.5 heterogeneity, however, the underlying biological mechanism is still unclear. Here, a total of 38 PM2.5 filters were collected continuously for three weeks in winter Beijing, with the ambient PM2.5 varying between 10 and 270 µg/m3. Human monocytes-derived macrophages (THP-1) were treated with PM2.5 water-soluble elutes at 10 µg/mL to investigate the PM2.5 short-term exposure effect from a proinflammatory perspective. The proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF) induced by the PM2.5 elutes at equal concentrations were unequal, showing the heterogeneity of PM2.5 proinflammatory potentials. Of the various chemical and biological components, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) showed a strong positive association with the TNF heterogeneity. However, some outliers were observed among the TNF-LPS association. Specifically, for PM2.5 from relatively clean air episodes, the higher LPS amount corresponded to relatively low TNF levels. And this phenomenon was also observed in the promotion tests by treating macrophages with PM2.5 elutes dosed with additional trace LPS. Gene expression analysis indicated the involvement of oxidative-stress related genes in the LPS signaling pathway. Therefore, a potential oxidative-stress-mediated suppression on the PM2.5-borne LPS proinflammatory effect was proposed to be accounted for the outliers. Overall, the results showed the differential role of LPS in the heterogeneity of PM2.5 proinflammatory effects from a component-based perspective. Future experimental studies are needed to elucidate the signaling pathway of LPS attached on PM2.5 from different air quality episodes.

A Comprehensive Review of Essential Oils and Their Pharmacological Activities in Neurological Disorders: Exploring Neuroprotective Potential

Numerous studies have demonstrated essential oils' diverse chemical compositions and pharmacological properties encompassing antinociceptive, anxiolytic-like, and anticonvulsant activities, among other notable effects. The utilization of essential oils, whether inhaled, orally ingested, or applied topically, has commonly been employed as adjunctive therapy for individuals experiencing anxiety, insomnia, convulsions, pain, and cognitive impairment. The utilization of synthetic medications in the treatment of various disorders and symptoms is associated with a wide array of negative consequences. Consequently, numerous research groups across the globe have been prompted to explore the efficacy of natural alternatives such as essential oils. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the existing literature on the pharmacological properties of essential oils and their derived compounds and the underlying mechanisms responsible for these observed effects. The primary emphasis is on essential oils and their constituents, specifically targeting the nervous system and exhibiting significant potential in treating neurodegenerative disorders. The current state of research in this field is characterized by its preliminary nature, highlighting the necessity for a more comprehensive overlook of the therapeutic advantages of essential oils and their components. Integrating essential oils into conventional therapies can enhance the effectiveness of comprehensive treatment regimens for neurodegenerative diseases, offering a more holistic approach to addressing the multifaceted nature of these conditions.

The association between ambient air pollution exposure and connective tissue sarcoma risk: a nested case-control study using a nationwide population-based database

A nationwide population-based database was utilized in a nested case-control study to explore the association between ambient air pollution exposure and the likelihood of developing connective tissue sarcoma. The study examined 280 cases of connective tissue sarcoma diagnosed between 2000 and 2012. A random sample of 1120 control subjects was selected from a subpopulation of claim records without a connective tissue sarcoma diagnosis in a 1:4 ratio. The control subjects were selected based on similar characteristics as the connective tissue sarcoma patients, including gender, birth year, and the year of diagnosis of the case group with medical records. Risk factors for connective tissue sarcoma were collected for analysis. Our data on exposure to air pollutants was collected from Taiwan's Air Quality Monitoring Network, which has been gathering air quality data from a growing network of sampling stations (now 76) throughout the country since 1997. It was discovered that the risk of connective tissue sarcoma was significantly increased by the Charlson comorbidity index (CCI), elevated levels of specific air pollution indices (e.g., total hydrocarbons (THC), fine particulate matter (PM2.5), and O3_8 (the annual mean of the daily maximum 8-h average concentration of O3), the High Pollutant Standards Index (hPSI) (the percentage of days in a given year in Taiwan where the PSI exceeds 100), and an insurable monthly wage over US$1100. Further investigation is needed to explore the involvement of these air pollutants in the formation of connective tissue sarcoma.

New Discoveries on Protein Recruitment and Regulation during the Early Stages of the DNA Damage Response Pathways

Maintaining genomic stability and properly repairing damaged DNA is essential to staying healthy and preserving cellular homeostasis. The five major pathways involved in repairing eukaryotic DNA include base excision repair (BER), nucleotide excision repair (NER), mismatch repair (MMR), non-homologous end joining (NHEJ), and homologous recombination (HR). When these pathways do not properly repair damaged DNA, genomic stability is compromised and can contribute to diseases such as cancer. It is essential that the causes of DNA damage and the consequent repair pathways are fully understood, yet the initial recruitment and regulation of DNA damage response proteins remains unclear. In this review, the causes of DNA damage, the various mechanisms of DNA damage repair, and the current research regarding the early steps of each major pathway were investigated.

Zinc oxide nanoparticles induce acute lung injury via oxidative stress-mediated mitochondrial damage and NLRP3 inflammasome activation: In vitro and in vivo studies

The widespread application of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) brings convenience to our lives while also renders threats to public health and ecological environment. The lung has been recognized as a primary target of ZnO-NPs, however, the detrimental effects and mechanism of ZnO-NPs on the respiratory system have not been thoroughly characterized so far. To investigate the effect of ZnO-NPs on acute lung injury (ALI), Sprague Dawley rats were intratracheally instilled with ZnO-NPs suspension at doses of 1, 2, and 4 mg/kg/day for 3 consecutive days. Our study revealed that ZnO-NPs induced ALI in rats characterized by increased airway resistance, excessive inflammatory response and lung histological damage. In addition, we identified several molecular biomarkers related to the potential mechanism of ZnO-NP-induced ALI, including oxidative stress, mitochondrial damage, and NLRP3 inflammasome activation. The results of in vitro experiments showed that the viability of A549 cells decreased with the increase in ZnO-NPs concentration. Meanwhile, it was also found that ZnO-NP treatment induced the production of ROS, the decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential and activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in A549 cells. Furthermore, to explore the underlying molecular mechanisms of ZnO-NP-induced ALI, N-acetyl-L-cysteine (a ROS scavenger), Cyclosporin A (an inhibitor for mitochondrial depolarization) and Glibenclamide (an inhibitor for NLRP3 inflammasome activity) were used to pre-treat A549 cells before ZnO-NPs stimulation in the in vitro experiments, respectively. The results from this study suggested that ZnO-NP-induced ROS production triggered the accumulation of damaged mitochondria and assembly of NLRP3 inflammatory complex, leading to maturation and release of IL-1β. Moreover, ZnO-NP-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation was partly mediated by mitochondrial damage. Taken together, our study suggested that ZnO-NPs induced ALI through oxidative stress-mediated mitochondrial damage and NLRP3 inflammasome activation and provided insight into the mechanisms of ZnO-NPs-induced ALI.

Alcohol and e-cigarette damage alveolar-epithelial barrier by activation of P2X7r and provoke brain endothelial injury via extracellular vesicles

BACKGROUND

Use of nicotine containing products like electronic cigarettes (e-Cig) and alcohol are associated with mitochondrial membrane depolarization, resulting in the extracellular release of ATP, and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), mediating inflammatory responses. While nicotine effects on lungs is well-known, chronic alcohol (ETH) exposure also weakens lung immune responses and cause inflammation. Extracellular ATP (eATP) released by inflammatory/stressed cells stimulate purinergic P2X7 receptors (P2X7r) activation in adjacent cells. We hypothesized that injury caused by alcohol and e-Cig to pulmonary alveolar epithelial cells (hPAEpiC) promote the release of eATP, mtDNA and P2X7r in circulation. This induces a paracrine signaling communication either directly or via EVs to affect brain cells (human brain endothelial cells - hBMVEC).

METHODS

We used a model of primary human pulmonary alveolar epithelial cells (hPAEpiC) and exposed the cells to 100 mM ethanol (ETH), 100 µM acetaldehyde (ALD), or e-Cig (1.75 µg/mL of 1.8% or 0% nicotine) conditioned media, and measured the mitochondrial efficiency using Agilent Seahorse machine. Gene expression was measured by Taqman RT-qPCR and digital PCR. hPAEpiC-EVs were extracted from culture supernatant and characterized by flow cytometric analysis. Calcium (Ca2+) and eATP levels were quantified using commercial kits. To study intercellular communication via paracrine signaling or by EVs, we stimulated hBMVECs with hPAEpiC cell culture medium conditioned with ETH, ALD or e-cig or hPAEpiC-EVs and measured Ca2+ levels.

RESULTS

ETH, ALD, or e-Cig (1.8% nicotine) stimulation depleted the mitochondrial spare respiration capacity in hPAEpiC. We observed increased expression of P2X7r and TRPV1 genes (3-6-fold) and increased intracellular Ca2+ accumulation (20-30-fold increase) in hPAEpiC, resulting in greater expression of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress markers. hPAEpiC stimulated by ETH, ALD, and e-Cig conditioned media shed more EVs with larger particle sizes, carrying higher amounts of eATP and mtDNA. ETH, ALD and e-Cig (1.8% nicotine) exposure also increased the P2X7r shedding in media and via EVs. hPAEpiC-EVs carrying P2X7r and eATP cargo triggered paracrine signaling in human brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMVECs) and increased Ca2+ levels. P2X7r inhibition by A804598 compound normalized mitochondrial spare respiration, reduced ER stress and diminished EV release, thus protecting the BBB function.

CONCLUSION

Abusive drugs like ETH and e-Cig promote mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum stress in hPAEpiC and disrupts the cell functions via P2X7 receptor signaling. EVs released by lung epithelial cells against ETH/e-cig insults, carry a cargo of secondary messengers that stimulate brain cells via paracrine signals.

Uptake and transport of micro/nanoplastics in terrestrial plants: Detection, mechanisms, and influencing factors

The pervasive dispersion of micro/nanoplastics in various environmental matrices has raised concerns regarding their potential intrusion into terrestrial ecosystems and, notably, plants. In this comprehensive review, we focus on the interaction between these minute plastic particles and plants. We delve into the current methodologies available for detecting micro/nanoplastics in plant tissues, assess the accumulation and distribution of these particles within roots, stems, and leaves, and elucidate the specific uptake and transport mechanisms, including endocytosis, apoplastic transport, crack-entry mode, and stomatal entry. Moreover, uptake and transport of micro/nanoplastics are complex processes influenced by multiple factors, including particle size, surface charge, mechanical properties, and physiological characteristics of plants, as well as external environmental conditions. In conclusion, this review paper provided valuable insights into the current understanding of these mechanisms, highlighting the complexity of the processes and the multitude of factors that can influence them. Further research in this area is warranted to fully comprehend the fate of micro/nanoplastics in plants and their implications for environmental sustainability.

Corridor-Level Impacts of Battery-Electric Heavy-Duty Trucks and the Effects of Policy in the United States

Electrifying freight trucks will be key to alleviating air pollution burdens on disadvantaged communities and mitigating climate change. The United States plans to pursue this aim by adding vehicle charging infrastructure along specific freight corridors. This study explores the coevolution of the electricity grid and freight trucking landscape using an integrated assessment framework to identify when each interstate and drayage corridor becomes advantageous to electrify from a climate and human health standpoint. Nearly all corridors achieve greenhouse gas emission reductions if electrified now. Most can reduce health impacts from air pollution if electrified by 2040 although some corridors in the Midwest, South, and Mid-Atlantic regions remain unfavorable to electrify from a human health standpoint, absent policy support. Recent policy, namely, the Inflation Reduction Act, accelerates this timeline to 2030 for most corridors and results in net human health benefits on all corridors by 2050, suggesting that near-term investments in truck electrification, particularly drayage corridors, can meaningfully reduce climate and health burdens.

Pesticide exposure and lung cancer risk: A case-control study in Nakhon Sawan, Thailand

Background

Pesticide exposure might increase risk of lung cancer. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between the historical use of pesticides and lung cancer using a case-control design.

Methods

This case-control study compared a lifetime pesticide exposure of 233 lung cancer cases, and 447 healthy neighbours matched for gender, and age (±5 years). Data on demographic, pesticide exposure and other related factors were collected using a face-to-face interview questionnaire. Associations between lung cancer and types of pesticides as well as individual pesticides were analysed using logistic regression adjusted for gender, age, cigarette smoking, occupation, cooking fumes exposure, and exposure to air pollution.

Results

It was found that lung cancer was positively associated with the lifetime use of herbicides and insecticides. Compared to people in the non-exposed groups, those in Q3-Q4 days of using herbicides and insecticides had an elevated risk of lung cancer, with odds ratio (OR) between 2.20 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.24-3.89), and 3.99 (95% CI 1.62-7.11) (p < 0.001). For individual pesticides, those presenting a significant association with lung cancer were dieldrin (OR = 2.56; 95% CI 1.36-4.81), chlorpyrifos (OR = 3.29; 95 % CI 1.93-5.61), and carbofuran (OR = 2.10; 95% CI 1.28-3.42). It was also found, for the first time, carbofuran, glyphosate, and paraquat to be significantly associated with lung cancer.

Conclusions

The study confirmed dieldrin, and chlorpyrifos as risk factors and suggested carbofuran, glyphosate, and paraquat as potential risk factors for the disease. The paper stands as a noteworthy contribution to literature, particularly because the majority of publications on the topic originate from developed Western countries. However, further studies are imperative to validate the results and pinpoint additional individual pesticides that may be associated with lung cancer.

Long-term impact of PM2.5 exposure on frailty, chronic diseases, and multimorbidity among middle-aged and older adults: insights from a national population-based longitudinal study

Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM2.5) is a significant risk factor for frailty and chronic diseases. Studies on the associations between PM2.5 and frailty, chronic diseases, and multimorbidity are scarce, especially from large cohort studies. We aimed to explore the potential association between PM2.5 exposure and the risk of frailty, chronic diseases, and multimorbidity. We collected data from a national cohort (CHARLS) with a follow-up period of 11-18 years, totaling 13,366 participants. We obtained PM2.5 concentration data from the Atmospheric Composition Analysis Group at Dalhousie University. PM2.5 exposure is based on the average annual concentration in the prefecture-level city where residents live. We define frailty as the comprehensive manifestation of declining various body functions, characterized by a frailty index of 0.25 or greater, and multimorbidity as the presence of at least two or more chronic conditions. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) with its 95% confidence interval (95%CI). A 10-μg/m3 increase for PM2.5 was significantly associated with an increased risk of frailty (HR = 1.289, 95%CI = 1.257-1.322, P < 0.001). A 10-μg/m3 increase for PM2.5 was significantly associated with the elevated risk for most chronic diseases. Compared to those with no morbidity or only single morbidity, a 10-μg/m3 increase for PM2.5 was significantly associated with the elevated risk for multimorbidity (HR = 1.220, 95%CI = 1.181-1.260, P < 0.001). Ambient PM2.5 exposure is a significant risk factor for frailty, chronic diseases, and multimorbidity, and some measures need to be taken to reduce PM2.5 concentration and prevent frailty and chronic diseases.

Crosstalk between MicroRNAs and Oxidative Stress in Coeliac Disease

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding RNA molecules involved in regulating gene expression. Many studies, mostly conducted on pediatric patients, suggested that oxidative stress and several miRNAs may play an important role in coeliac disease (CeD) pathogenesis. However, the interplay between oxidative stress and miRNA regulatory functions in CeD remains to be clarified. In this review, we aimed to perform a literature review on the role of miRNAs and oxidative stress in adult CeD patients and to analyze their potential interactions. In this direction, we also reported the preliminary results of a pilot study we recently performed.

Acute and repeated exposures of normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) cells culture to particles from a coloured pyrotechnic smoke

Coloured pyrotechnic smokes are frequently used in the military field and occasionally by civilians, but their health hazards have been little studied. The main concern could rise from inhalation of smoke particles. Our previous study showed that acute exposure to particles from a red signalling smoke (RSS) induced an antioxidant and inflammatory responses in small airway epithelial cells. The aim of this study was to further explore the toxicity of RSS particles at a more proximal level of the respiratory tract, using normal human bronchial epithelial cells grown at the Air-Liquid Interface. Acute exposure (24 h) induced an oxidative stress that persisted 24 h post-exposure, associated with particle internalization and epithelium morphological changes (cuboidal appearance and loss of cilia). Repeated exposures (4×16h) to RSS particles did not trigger oxidative stress but cell morphological changes occurred. Overall, this study provides a better overview of the toxic effects of coloured smoke particles.

Anti-Inflammatory Artificial Extracellular Vesicles with Notable Inhibition of Particulate Matter-Induced Skin Inflammation and Barrier Function Impairment

Particulate matter (PM) exposure disrupts the skin barrier, causing cutaneous inflammation that may eventually contribute to the development of various skin diseases. Herein, we introduce anti-inflammatory artificial extracellular vesicles (AEVs) fabricated through cell extrusion using the biosurfactant PEGylated mannosylerythritol lipid (P-MEL), hereafter named AEVP-MEL. The P-MEL has anti-inflammatory abilities with demonstrated efficacy in inhibiting the secretion of pro-inflammatory mediators. Mechanistically, AEVP-MEL enhanced anti-inflammatory response by inhibiting the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway and decreasing the release of inflammatory mediators such as reactive oxygen species (ROS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and pro-inflammatory cytokines in human keratinocytes. Moreover, AEVP-MEL promoted increased expression levels of skin barrier proteins (e.g., involucrin, IVL) and water-proteins (e.g., aquaporin 3, AQP3). In vivo studies revealed that repeated PM exposure to intact skin resulted in cutaneous inflammatory responses, including increased skin thickness (hyperkeratosis) and mast cell infiltration. Importantly, our data showed that the AEVP-MEL treatment significantly restored immune homeostasis in the skin affected by PM-induced inflammation and enhanced the intrinsic skin barrier function. This study highlights the potential of the AEVP-MEL in promoting skin health against PM exposure and its promising implications for the prevention and treatment of PM-related skin disorders.

The Cytotoxic Effects of Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) from Different Sources at the Air-Liquid Interface Exposure on A549 Cells

The health of humans has been negatively impacted by PM2.5 exposure, but the chemical composition and toxicity of PM2.5 might vary depending on its source. To investigate the toxic effects of particulate matter from different sources on lung epithelial cells (A549), PM2.5 samples were collected from residential, industrial, and transportation areas in Nanjing, China. The chemical composition of PM2.5 was analyzed, and toxicological experiments were conducted. The A549 cells were exposed using an air-liquid interface (ALI) exposure system, and the cytotoxic indicators of the cells were detected. The research results indicated that acute exposure to different sources of particulate matter at the air-liquid interface caused damage to the cells, induced the production of ROS, caused apoptosis, inflammatory damage, and DNA damage, with a dose-effect relationship. The content of heavy metals and PAHs in PM2.5 from the traffic source was relatively high, and the toxic effect of the traffic-source samples on the cells was higher than that of the industrial- and residential-source samples. The cytotoxicity of particulate matter was mostly associated with water-soluble ions, carbon components, heavy metals, PAHs, and endotoxin, based on the analysis of the Pearson correlation. Oxidative stress played an important role in PM2.5-induced biological toxicity.

Daily Exposure to Environmental Volatile Organic Compounds Triggers Oxidative Damage: Evidence from a Large-Scale Survey in China

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are ubiquitous environmental pollutants and have been implicated in adverse health outcomes. In this study, concentrations of 11 VOC metabolites (mVOCs) and three oxidative stress biomarkers (8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine, 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-guanosine, and dityrosine) were determined in 205 urine samples collected from 12 cities across mainland China. Urinary ∑11mVOC concentrations ranged from 498 to 1660 ng/mL, with a geometric mean (GM) value of 1070 ng/mL. The factorial analysis revealed that cooking, solvents, and vehicle emissions were the three primary sources of VOC exposure. A significant regional variation was clearly found in ∑11mVOC concentrations across four regions in China, with high urine VOC concentrations found in North and South China (GM: 1450 and 1340 ng/mL). The multiple linear regression model revealed that most mVOCs were significantly positively correlated with three oxidative stress markers (β range: 0.06-0.22). Mixture effect regression showed that isoprene, crotonaldehyde, acrolein, and benzene were the strongest contributors to oxidative stress. Approximately 80% of the participants have HQ values greater than 1.0 for 1,3-butadiene and benzene, suggesting that their exposure doses were close to potential adverse health effects. Our findings provide comprehensive information on human exposure and potential health risks of VOCs in China.

Hypothyroidism reduces the risk of lung cancer through oxidative stress response and the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway: An RNA-seq and Mendelian randomization study

Hypothyroidism has been suggested to play a role in tumor progression. However, the causal association between hypothyroidism and lung cancer remains unknow. To elucidate the potential association between hypothyroidism and lung cancer risk, we employ a Mendelian randomization (MR) approach. MR was performed to analyze pooled data from the International Lung Cancer Consortium (11,348 cases and 15,861 controls; European ancestry) to determine the causal relationship between hypothyroidism and lung cancer. We used 36, 83, and 14 single nucleotide polymorphisms as instrumental variables for hypothyroidism/myxoedema, hypothyroidism, and exercise, respectively. We further investigated the mechanisms involved in transcriptome analysis using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas and Genotype-Tissue Expression database. We conducted an initial validation of intermediary factor using a two-step MR analysis. Genetically predicted hypothyroidism was significantly related to the risk of overall lung cancer, specifically the risk of lung squamous cell cancer (LSCC) but not with the risk of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) as assessed using the inverse-variance weighted (IVM) method. A similar causal association was found between hypothyroidism/myxoedema and the risk of lung cancer, LSCC, and LUAD. Transcriptome analysis showed that genes associated with hypothyroidism, lung cancer, and LSCC were enriched in the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and oxidative stress response. However, genes related to hypothyroidism and LUAD did not exhibit enrichment in these pathways. Hypothyroidism was significantly associated with strenuous sports or other exercises. Moreover, genetically predicted exercise was significantly related to the risk of overall lung cancer, and LSCC, but not LUAD. We detected no horizontal pleiotropy using the MR-PRESSO and MR Egger regression intercept. Hypothyroidism was causally associated with a lower risk of lung cancer, and these effects might be mediated by the oxidative stress response and the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Therefore, our study suggests that the potential factors and viable etiologies of hypothyroidism that contributed to lung cancer risk deserve further investigation.

Air Pollution and Lung Cancer: Contributions of Extracellular Vesicles as Pathogenic Mechanisms and Clinical Utility

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review addresses the pressing issue of air pollution's threat to human health, focusing on its connection to non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) development. The aim is to explore the role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) as potential pathogenic mechanisms in lung cancer, including NSCLC, induced by air pollutants.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent research highlights EVs as vital mediators of intercellular communication and key contributors to cancer progression. Notably, this review emphasizes the cargo of EVs released by both cancerous and non-cancerous lung cells, shedding light on their potential role in promoting various aspects of tumor development. The review underscores the importance of comprehending the intricate interplay between air pollution, biological damage mechanisms, and EV-mediated communication during NSCLC development. Major takeaways emphasize the significance of this understanding in addressing air pollution-related lung cancer. Future research avenues are also highlighted, aiming to enhance the applicability of EVs for diagnosis and targeted therapies, ultimately mitigating the inevitable impact of air pollution on NSCLC development and treatment.

Berberine hydrochloride ameliorates PM2.5-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice through inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammatory

Elevated levels of respirable particulate matter (PM) have been strongly linked to disease incidence and mortality in population-based epidemiological studies. Berberine hydrochloride (BBR), an isoquinoline alkaloid found in Coptis chinensis, exhibits antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. However, the protective effects and underlying mechanism of BBR against pulmonary fibrosis remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of BBR on lung tissue damage using a mouse model of PM2.5-induced pulmonary fibrosis. SPF grade C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to four groups, each consisting of 10 mice. The mice were pretreated with BBR (50 mg/kg) by gavage for 45 consecutive days. A tracheal drip of PM2.5 suspension (8 mg/kg) was administered once every three days for a total of 15 times to induce lung fibrosis. Moreover, the results demonstrated that PM2.5 was found to inhibit the PPARγ signaling pathway, increase ROS expression, upregulate protein levels of IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, as well as regulation of gene expression of STAT3 and SOCS3. Importantly, PM2.5 induced lung fibrosis by promoting collagen deposition, upregulating gene expression of fibrosis markers (TGF-β1, FN, α-SMA, COL-1, and COL-3), and downregulating E-cadherin expression. Remarkably, our findings suggest that these injuries could be reversed by BBR pretreatment. BBR acts as a PPARγ agonist in PM2.5-induced pulmonary fibrosis, activating the PPARγ signaling pathway to mitigate oxidative and inflammatory factor-mediated lung injury. This study provides valuable insights for the future prevention and treatment of pulmonary fibrosis.

The renoprotective effects of hesperidin on kidney injury induced by exposure to severe chronic dust storm particulate matter through inhibiting the Smads/TGF-β1 signaling in rat

Exposure to dust storm particulate matter (PM) is detrimental to kidney tissue. In this study, the impacts of chronic intake of dusty PM were explored as a major objective in a specified compartment to make a real-like dust storm (DS) model, and the role of hesperidin (HSP) as an antioxidant on kidney tissue was assessed in rats. Thirty-two male Wistar rats (200-220 g) were randomly allocated into 4 groups: CA+NS: (clean air and normal saline as a vehicle of HSP). Dusty PM and NS (DS+NS). HSP+ CA: rats received 200 mg/kg of HSP by gavage for 28 days, once daily in addition to exposure to clean air. HSP+DS: HSP plus DS. In DS groups, the animals were exposed to dust storms at a concentration of 5000-8000 μg/m3 in the chamber for 1 h daily, for 4 consecutive weeks, except Thursdays and Fridays. At the end of the experiment, the animals were sacrificed for biochemical, inflammatory, oxidative stress, molecular parameters, and histological evaluation. DS significantly enhanced blood urea nitrogen and creatinine, inflammatory (tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-1β), and oxidative stress indexes. Likewise, a significant increase was seen in mRNA Smads, collagen-I, and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) expressions in the kidney. Histological findings showed contracted glomeruli and kidney structure disorder. In addition, Masson's trichrome staining demonstrated renal fibrosis. Nevertheless, HSP could significantly reverse these changes. Our data confirmed that DS results in kidney fibrosis through enhancing Smads/TGF-β1 signaling. However, HSP was able to inhibit these changes as confirmed by histological findings.

Oral Administration of Sargassum horneri Suppresses Particulate Matter-Induced Oxidative DNA Damage in Alveolar Macrophages of Allergic Airway Inflammation: Relevance to PM-Mediated M1/M2 AM Polarization

SCOPE

Particulate matter (PM) can cause cellular oxidative damage and promote respiratory diseases. It has recently shown that Sargassum horneri ethanol extract (SHE) containing sterols and gallic acid reduces PM-induced oxidative stress in mice lung cells through ROS scavenging and metal chelating. In this study, the role of alveolar macrophages (AMs) is identified that are particularly susceptible to DNA damage due to PM-triggered oxidative stress in lungs of OVA-sensitized mice exposed to PM.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The study scrutinizes if PM exposure causes oxidative DNA damage to AMs differentially depending on their type of polarization. Further, SHE's potential is investigated in reducing oxidative DNA damage in polarized AMs and restoring AM polarization in PM-induced allergic airway inflammation. The study discovers that PM triggers prolonged oxidative stress to AMs, leading to lipid peroxidation in them and alveolar epithelial cells. Particularly, AMs are polarized to M2 phenotype (F4/80+ CD206+ ) with enhanced oxidative DNA damage when subject to PM-induced oxidative stress. However, SHE repairs oxidative DNA damage in M1- and M2-polarized AMs and reduces AMs polarization imbalance due to PM exposure.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest the possibility of SHE as beneficial foods against PM-induced allergic airway inflammation via suppression of AM dysfunction.

MicroRNAs as Potential Biomarkers of Environmental Exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Their Link with Inflammation and Lung Cancer

Exposure to atmospheric air pollution containing volatile organic compounds such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) has been shown to be a risk factor in the induction of lung inflammation and the initiation and progression of lung cancer. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small single-stranded non-coding RNA molecules of ~20-22 nucleotides that regulate different physiological processes, and their altered expression is implicated in various pathophysiological conditions. Recent studies have shown that the regulation of gene expression of miRNAs can be affected in diseases associated with outdoor air pollution, meaning they could also be useful as biomarkers of exposure to environmental pollution. In this article, we review the published evidence on miRNAs in relation to exposure to PAH pollution and discuss the possible mechanisms that may link these compounds with the expression of miRNAs.

Inhaled toxicants and pulmonary lipid metabolism: biological consequences and therapeutic interventions

Inhaled toxicants drive the onset of and exacerbate preexisting chronic pulmonary diseases, however, the biological mechanisms by which this occurs are largely unknown. Exposure to inhaled toxicants, both environmental and occupational, drives pulmonary inflammation and injury. Upon activation of the inflammatory response, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are metabolized into predominately proinflammatory lipid mediators termed eicosanoids which recruit immune cells to the site of injury, perpetuating inflammation to clear the exposed toxicants. Following inflammation, lipid mediator class-switching occurs, a process that leads to increased metabolism of hydroxylated derivates of PUFAs. These mediators, which include mono-hydroxylated PUFA derivatives and specialized proresolving lipid mediators, initiate an active process of inflammation resolution by inhibiting the inflammatory response and activating resolution pathways to return the tissue to homeostasis. Exposure to inhaled toxicants leads to alterations in the synthesis of these proinflammatory and proresolving lipid mediator pathways, resulting in greater pulmonary inflammation and injury, and increasing the risk for the onset of chronic lung diseases. Recent studies have begun utilizing supplementation of PUFAs and their metabolites as potential therapeutics for toxicant-induced pulmonary inflammation and injury. Here we will review the current understanding of the lipid mediators in pulmonary inflammation and resolution as well as the impact of dietary fatty acid supplementation on lipid mediator-driven inflammation following air pollution exposure.

Alcohol and e-cigarette damage alveolar-epithelial barrier by activation of P2X7r and provoke brain endothelial injury via extracellular vesicles

Background

Use of nicotine containing products like electronic cigarettes (e-Cig) and alcohol are associated with mitochondrial membrane depolarization, resulting in the extracellular release of ATP, and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), mediating inflammatory responses. While nicotine effects on lungs is well-known, chronic alcohol (ETH) exposure also weakens lung immune responses and cause inflammation. Extracellular ATP (eATP) released by inflammatory/stressed cells stimulate purinergic P2X7 receptors (P2X7r) activation in adjacent cells. We hypothesized that injury caused by alcohol and e-Cig to pulmonary alveolar epithelial cells (hPAEpiC) promote the release of eATP, mtDNA and P2X7r in circulation. This induces a paracrine signaling communication either directly or via EVs to affect brain cells (human brain endothelial cells - hBMVEC).

Methods

We used a model of primary human pulmonary alveolar epithelial cells (hPAEpiC) and exposed the cells to 100 mM ethanol (ETH), 100 μM acetaldehyde (ALD), or e-Cig (1.75μg/mL of 1.8% or 0% nicotine) conditioned media, and measured the mitochondrial efficiency using Agilent Seahorse machine. Gene expression was measured by Taqman RT-qPCR and digital PCR. hPAEpiC-EVs were extracted from culture supernatant and characterized by flow cytometric analysis. Calcium (Ca2+) and eATP levels were quantified using commercial kits. To study intercellular communication via paracrine signaling or by EVs, we stimulated hBMVECs with hPAEpiC cell culture medium conditioned with ETH, ALD or e-cig or hPAEpiC-EVs and measured Ca2+ levels.

Results

ETH, ALD, or e-Cig (1.8% nicotine) stimulation depleted the mitochondrial spare respiration capacity in hPAEpiC. We observed increased expression of P2X7r and TRPV1 genes (3-6-fold) and increased intracellular Ca2+ accumulation (20-30-fold increase) in hPAEpiC, resulting in greater expression of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress markers. hPAEpiC stimulated by ETH, ALD, and e-Cig conditioned media shed more EVs with larger particle sizes, carrying higher amounts of eATP and mtDNA. ETH, ALD and e-Cig (1.8% nicotine) exposure also increased the P2X7r shedding in media and via EVs. hPAEpiC-EVs carrying P2X7r and eATP cargo triggered paracrine signaling in human brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMVECs) and increased Ca2+ levels. P2X7r inhibition by A804598 compound normalized mitochondrial spare respiration, reduced ER stress and diminished EV release, thus protecting the BBB function.

Conclusion

Abusive drugs like ETH and e-Cig promote mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum stress in hPAEpiC and disrupts the cell functions via P2X7 receptor signaling. EVs released by lung epithelial cells against ETH/e-cig insults, carry a cargo of secondary messengers that stimulate brain cells via paracrine signals.

Long-term ozone exposure is negatively associated with estimated glomerular filtration rate in Chinese middle-aged and elderly adults

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an inflammatory disease characterized by the deterioration of renal function, which imposes a significant burden on the healthcare system. In the recent decades, the ageing of the population and the increase of ozone pollution have accelerated. However, epidemiological associations between long-term ozone exposure and renal function in susceptible populations are understudied. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association of 1 y ozone exposure with renal function among the older adults in Xiamen City, China. We recruited 6024 eligible participants with a median age of 65.00 years, estimated their ozone exposure data, and collected questionnaires on demographic status and lifestyle factors as well as information on healthcare access. A generalized linear model was used to assess the association. An increase of 10 μg/m3 of 1 y ozone exposure was negatively associated with the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) [-3.12 (95% CI: -4.76, -1.48)]. The associations were stronger in men, non-smokers, and those with hypertension or T2DM. Clinical indicators of high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, and total cholesterol were the main mediators to regulate the ozone-renal function association. Our results suggested that long-term ozone exposure is a potential risk factor for renal function in Chinese middle-aged and elderly adults.

Gut microbiota metabolites, redox status, and the related regulatory effects of probiotics

Oxidative stress is a state of imbalance between oxidation and antioxidation. It is caused by excess levels of free radicals and leads to the damage of DNA, proteins, and lipids. The crucial role of gut microbiota in regulating oxidative stress has been widely demonstrated. Studies have suggested that the redox regulatory effects of gut microbiota are related to gut microbiota metabolites, including fatty acids, lipopolysaccharides, tryptophan metabolites, trimethylamine-N-oxide and polyphenolic metabolites. In recent years, the potential benefits of probiotics have been gaining increasing scientific interest owing to their ability to modulate gut microbiota and oxidative stress. In this review, we summarise the adverse health effects of oxidative stress and discuss the role of the gut microbiota and its metabolites in redox regulation. Based on the influence of gut microbiota metabolites, the roles of probiotics in preventing oxidative stress are highlighted.

Neuropeptide stimulation of physiological and immunological responses in precision-cut lung slices

Organotypic lung slices, sometimes known as precision-cut lung slices (PCLS), provide an environment in which numerous cell types and interactions can be maintained outside the body (ex vivo). PCLS were maintained ex vivo for up to a week and demonstrated health via the presence of neurons, maintenance of tissue morphology, synthesis of mucopolysaccharides, and minimal cell death. Multiple phenotypes of neuronal fibers were present in lung slices with varied size, caliber, and neurotransmitter immunoreactivity. Of the neuropeptides present in fibers, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) was the most prevalent. Exposing PCLS to recombinant CGRP resulted in the proliferation and dispersion of CD19+ B cells in slices taken selectively from females. The number of granules containing immunoreactive (ir) surfactant protein C (SPC), which are representative of alveolar type 2 cells, increased in slices from females within 24 h of exposure to CGRP. Additionally, ir-SPC granule size increased in slices from males and females across 48 h of exposure to CGRP. Exposure of PCLS to exogenous CGRP did not alter the number of solitary pulmonary neuroendocrine cells (PNEC) but did result in neuroendocrine bodies that had significantly more cells. Neuronal fiber numbers were unchanged based on ir-peripherin; however, ir-CGRP became non-detectable in fibers while unchanged in PNECs. The effects of exogenous CGRP provide insight into innate immune and neuroendocrine responses in the lungs that may be partially regulated by neural fibers. The sex-dependent nature of these changes may point to the basis for sex-selective outcomes among respiratory diseases.

Atmospheric Microplastics: Perspectives on Origin, Abundances, Ecological and Health Risks

Microplastic (MP) pollution has aroused a tremendous amount of public and scientific interest worldwide. MPs are found widely ranging from terrestrial to aquatic ecosystems primarily due to the over-exploitation of plastic products and unscientific disposal of plastic waste. There is a large availability of scientific literature on MP pollution in the terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, especially the marine environments; however, only recently has greater scientific attention been focused on the presence of MPs in the air and its retrospective health implications. Besides, atmospheric transport has been reported to be an important pathway of transport of MPs to the pristine regions of the world. From a health perspective, existing studies suggest that airborne MPs are priority pollutant vectors, that may penetrate deep into the body through inhalation leading to adverse health impacts such as neurotoxicity, cancer, respiratory problems, cytotoxicity, and many more. However, their effects on indoor and outdoor air quality, and on human health are not yet clearly understood due to the lack of enough research studies on that and the non-availability of established scientific protocols for their characterization. This scientific review entails important information concerning the abundance of atmospheric MPs worldwide within the existing literature. A thorough comparison of existing sampling and analytical protocols has been presented. Besides, this review has unveiled the areas of scientific concern especially air quality monitoring which requires immediate attention, with the information gaps to be filled have been addressed.

Txnrd3 knockout enhancement of lung injury induced by Ni exposure via the VEGF-VEGFR-2 axis and alleviation of this effect by melatonin

Ni exposure leads to respiratory diseases in mice. Txnrd3 has been shown to have a protective effect on the body, but there is a paucity of empirical research focusing specifically on lung tissue. Melatonin possesses potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-fibrotic effects. By regulating inflammation-related factors, melatonin can activate the VEGF signaling pathway, ultimately alleviating lung injuries caused by Ni exposure. One hundred and sixty 8-week-old C57BL/6N mice, that were wild-type or Txnrd3-/- mice and 25-30 g in weight, were randomly divided into eight groups, including the NC group, Ni group, melatonin-treated group, and Ni plus melatonin group. Ni (10 mg/kg) was gavaged, and melatonin (2 mg/kg) was administered for 21 days. Inflammatory cells were found in the bronchioles of Txnrd3-/- mice under Ni exposure. Ultrastructural examination revealed that the homozygous-Ni group had a high amount of collagen fibers. The antioxidant capacity studies also revealed that mice lungs underwent oxidative stress. The results of qRT-PCR and WB showed that Ni induced an inflammatory response, which was also aggravated in Txnrd3-/- mice. Melatonin can effectively reduce the above symptoms. In conclusion, Ni causes lung injury by activating the VEGF-VEGFR-2 pathway and Txnrd3 knockout aggravates injury after Ni exposure.

The complexation of atmospheric Brown carbon surrogates on the generation of hydroxyl radical from transition metals in simulated lung fluid

Atmospheric particulate matter (PM) poses great adverse effects through the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Various components in PM are acknowledged to induce ROS formation, while the interactions among chemicals remain to be elucidated. Here, we systematically investigate the influence of Brown carbon (BrC) surrogates (e.g., imidazoles, nitrocatechols and humic acid) on hydroxyl radical (OH) generation from transition metals (TMs) in simulated lung fluid. Present results show that BrC has an antagonism (interaction factor: 20-90 %) with Cu2+ in OH generation upon the interaction with glutathione, in which the concentrations of BrC and TMs influence the extent of antagonism. Rapid OH generation in glutathione is observed for Fe2+, while OH formation is very little for Fe3+. The compositions of antioxidants (e.g., glutathione, ascorbate, urate), resembling the upper and lower respiratory tract, respond differently to BrC and TMs (Cu2+, Fe2+ and Fe3+) in OH generation and the degree of antagonism. The complexation equilibrium constants and site numbers between Cu2+ and humic acid were further analyzed using fluorescence quenching experiments. Possible complexation products among TMs, 4-nitrocatechol and glutathione were also identified using quadropule-time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The results suggest atmospheric BrC widely participate in complexation with TMs which influence OH formation in the human lung fluid, and complexation should be considered in evaluating ROS formation mediated by ambient PM.

Impact of Particulate Matter Exposure and Aerobic Exercise on Circulating Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress, Antioxidant Status, and Inflammation in Young and Aged Mice

Exposure to particulate matter (PM) and exercise training can have antagonistic effects on inflammatory responses and the balance between pro-oxidants and antioxidants in the body. However, the underlying mechanisms of these effects remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of PM exposure and aerobic exercise training on oxidative stress, antioxidant status, and inflammation in mice of different ages. Two groups of male C57BL/6 mice, comprising forty 1-month-old and forty 12-month-old mice, were exposed to either PM or exercise training or both for 8 weeks. PM exposure led to significantly higher 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), malondialdehyde (MDA), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) levels (p < 0.05) and significantly lower superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities (p < 0.05) in both age groups exposed to PM compared to the control groups. Conversely, aerobic exercise training led to significantly lower 8-OHdG, MDA, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α levels (p < 0.05) and significantly higher SOD and CAT activities (p < 0.05) in both age groups receiving exercise training, compared to those exposed to PM. Moreover, young mice in the exercise training and PM group showed significantly lower 8-OHdG, MDA, and IL-1β levels (p < 0.05) and significantly higher SOD and CAT activities (p < 0.05) than young mice in the PM exposure group. However, these levels did not vary significantly between the group of old mice that either received exercise training or exposure to PM. Our results suggest that while PM exposure could cause pro-oxidant/antioxidant imbalances and inflammatory responses, regular aerobic exercise could ameliorate these negative effects, although these vary with age. Nevertheless, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of exercise were countered by PM exposure, especially in older mice.

Progression of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a chronic respiratory disease characterized by a slow progression and caused by the inhalation of harmful particulate matter. Cigarette smoke and air pollutants are the primary contributing factors. Currently, the pathogenesis of COPD remains incompletely understood. The PI3K/Akt signaling pathway has recently emerged as a critical regulator of inflammation and oxidative stress response in COPD, playing a pivotal role in the disease's progression and treatment. This paper reviews the association between the PI3K/Akt pathway and COPD, examines effective PI3K/Akt inhibitors and novel anti-COPD agents, aiming to identify new therapeutic targets for clinical intervention in this disease.

Genetic deletion or pharmacological inhibition of soluble epoxide hydrolase attenuated particulate matter 2.5 exposure mediated lung injury

Air pollution represented by particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) is closely related to diseases of the respiratory system. Although the understanding of its mechanism is limited, pulmonary inflammation is closely correlated with PM2.5-mediated lung injury. Soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) and epoxy fatty acids play a vital role in the inflammation. Herein, we attempted to use the metabolomics of oxidized lipids for analyzing the relationship of oxylipins with lung injury in a PM2.5-mediated mouse model, and found that the cytochrome P450 oxidases/sEH mediated metabolic pathway was involved in lung injury. Furthermore, the sEH overexpression was revealed in lung injury mice. Interestingly, sEH genetic deletion or the selective sEH inhibitor TPPU increased levels of epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) in lung injury mice, and inactivated pulmonary macrophages based on the MAPK/NF-κB pathway, resulting in protection against PM2.5-mediated lung injury. Additionally, a natural sEH inhibitor luteolin from Inula japonica displayed a pulmonary protective effect towards lung injury mediated by PM2.5 as well. Our results are consistent with the sEH message and protein being both a marker and mechanism for PM2.5-induced inflammation, which suggest its potential as a pharmaceutical target for treating diseases of the respiratory system.