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Associations between fine particulate matter, gene expression, and promoter methylation in human bronchial epithelial cells exposed within a classroom under air-liquid interface

TitoloAssociations between fine particulate matter, gene expression, and promoter methylation in human bronchial epithelial cells exposed within a classroom under air-liquid interface
Tipo di pubblicazioneArticolo su Rivista peer-reviewed
Anno di Pubblicazione2024
AutoriSantoro, Massimo, Costabile Francesca, Gualtieri Maurizio, Rinaldi Matteo, Paglione Marco, Busetto Maurizio, Di Iulio Gianluca, Di Liberto Luca, Gherardi Monica, Pelliccioni Armando, Monti Paolo, Benassi Barbara, and Grollino Maria Giuseppa
RivistaEnvironmental Pollution
Volume358
Type of ArticleArticle
ISSN02697491
Parole chiaveAerosols, Air quality, Alkylation, black carbon, carbon, Classroom, cytology, epigenetics, Fine particulate matter, Gene expression, Genes expression, Human bronchial epithelial cells, Indoor, metabolism, Methylation, Organic pollutants, Particles (particulate matter), particulate matter, Phase interfaces, Polyaromatic hydrocarbons, Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, Ultrafine particle
Abstract

Associations between indoor air pollution from fine particulate matter (PM with aerodynamic diameter dp < 2.5 μm) and human health are poorly understood. Here, we analyse the concentration-response curves for fine and ultrafine PM, the gene expression, and the methylation patterns in human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) exposed at the air-liquid interface (ALI) within a classroom in downtown Rome. Our results document the upregulation of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and genes associated with xenobiotic metabolism (CYP1A1 and CYP1B1) in response to single exposure of cells to fresh urban aerosols at low fine PM mass concentrations within the classroom. This is evidenced by concentrations of ultrafine particles (UFPs, dp < 0.1 μm), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), and ratios of black carbon (BC) to organic aerosol (OA). Additionally, an interleukin 18 (IL-18) down-regulation was found during periods of high human occupancy. Despite the observed gene expression dysregulation, no changes were detected in the methylation levels of the promoter regions of these genes, indicating that the altered gene expression is not linked to changes in DNA methylation and suggesting the involvement of another epigenetic mechanism in the gene regulation. Gene expression changes at low exposure doses have been previously reported. Here, we add the possibility that lung epithelial cells, when singly exposed to real environmental concentrations of fine PM that translate into ultra-low doses of treatment, may undergo epigenetic alteration in the expression of genes related to xenobiotic metabolism. Our findings provide a perspective for future indoor air quality regulations. We underscore the potential role of indoor UFPs as carriers of toxic molecules with low-pressure weather conditions, when rainfall and strong winds may favour low levels of fine PM. © 2024 National reserch Council of Italy - CNR

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URLhttps://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85197177751&doi=10.1016%2fj.envpol.2024.124471&partnerID=40&md5=e5572ddc40c9e93b7e6565dd416da1dd
DOI10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124471
Citation KeySantoro2024