Air Pollution: Possible Interaction between the Immune and Nervous System?

Abstract

Exposure to environmental pollutants is a serious and common public health concern associated with growing morbidity and mortality worldwide, as well as economic burden. In recent years, the toxic effects associated with air pollution have been intensively studied, with a particular focus on the lung and cardiovascular system, mainly associated with particulate matter exposure. However, epidemiological and mechanistic studies suggest that air pollution can also influence skin integrity and may have a significant adverse impact on the immune and nervous system. Air pollution exposure already starts in utero before birth, potentially causing delayed chronic diseases arising later in life. There are, indeed, time windows during the life of individuals who are more susceptible to air pollution exposure, which may result in more severe outcomes. In this review paper, we provide an overview of findings that have established the effects of air pollutants on the immune and nervous system, and speculate on the possible interaction between them, based on mechanistic data.

ATP Consumption Is Coupled with Endocytosis in Exudated Neutrophils

“…The World Health Organization warned that PM-related health hazards are a serious global problem [21]. In general, PM inhalation causes lung inflammation and contributes to several chronic diseases in humans.…”

Air Pollution: A Review of Its Impacts on Health and Ecosystems, and Analytical Techniques for Their Measurement and Modeling

“…Exposure to air pollutants can trigger airway inflammation, impair immune cell function, and alter the balance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory responses. Allergic rhinitis, asthma, allergic sensitization, and autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus are associated with air pollution exposure (Bousquet et al, 2018;Cong et al, 2019;Flood-Garibay et al, 2019;Garibay et al, 2019;Arias-Pérez et al, 2020;Cahueñas, 2020;Glencross et al, 2020;Eguiluz-Gracia et al, 2020;Croft et al, 2021;Abdelnasser, 2022;Serafini et al, 2022;Yong et al, 2022;Sampath et al, 2023). Skin Health: Air pollution harms the state of the skin and speeds up aging (Manceb and Wang, 2015;Park et al, 2018;Nakhjirgan et al, 2019;Nobile et al, 2020;Schikowski and Hüls, 2020;Calderón-Garcidueñas et al, 2021;Park ea al., 2021;.…”

Air pollution accelerates the development of obesity and Alzheimer’s disease: the role of leptin and inflammation - a mini-review

“…PM 2.5 primarily enters the body through inhalation via the upper airways. It reaches the lungs, and the immune system recognizes it, causing local inflammation to spread to the systemic circulation and tissues (6)(7)(8)(9). In addition, PM 2.5 might directly access the central nervous system (CNS) via the nasal epithelium and the olfactory bulb, inducing neuroinflammation (10,11).…”