In vitro genomic damage induced by urban fine particulate matter on human lymphocytes

Abstract

Urban air pollution represents a global problem, since everyday many mutagenic and carcinogens compounds are emitted into the atmosphere, with consequent adverse health effects on humans and biota. Specifically, particulate matter air pollution was associated with increased risks in human mortality and morbidity. In this paper, we analyse the genomic effects on human lymphocytes of different concentrations of annual Turin PM2.5 extract by an in vitro micronuclei assay. Samplings were collected from an urban meteorological-chemical station positioned in Turin (Italy), one of the most polluted cities in Europe. PM2.5 sampled on filters was used for organic extraction in monthly pools and successively aggregated to produce a mixture representative for a full year PM2.5 collection. Lymphocytes were exposed to four concentrations of PM2.5: 5, 10, 15 and 20 μg/mL and micronuclei, nucleoplasmic bridges and nuclear buds were scored. With respect to controls, PM2.5 significantly increased the frequencies of all analysed biomarkers at all tested concentrations, whereas the CBPI index was significantly reduced only at the concentration of 20 μg/mL. Such in vitro effects can both to stimulate local authorities to adopt efficient measures for air pollution mitigation and to improve human monitoring to detect early precancer lesions. Epidemiological studies suggested that particulate matter (PM) air pollution in the urban environment could be associated with an increase in several diseases, including cancer 1 and cardiopulmonary diseases, as well as with a general increased risk in human mortality and morbidity 2-4. Indeed, in 2016, WHO reported that ischaemic heart disease account about 36% of the deaths attributable to ambient air pollution globally 5. Furthermore, IARC classified the outdoor air pollution as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1), particulate matter was evaluated separately and was also classified as Group 1 6,7. PM2.5 levels, size and chemical composition varied in relation to the local main emissions and orographic conformation. The early effects of the PM2.5 human exposure are not clearly understood. It is well known that the PM adverse effects on human depends on its physical characteristics and chemical composition 8. At cellular level, PM can induce oxidative stress as result of cell homeostasis unbalance and subsequent mitochondrial damage 2,9,10 , whereas, at genomic level, an excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was found to be associated to DNA damage and expression, with consequent increased risk of apoptosis for the cell 11. PM10 and PM2.5 are two of the most discussed parameters into the air pollution evaluation 12,13. Such particles, especially the finest fraction, carried a wide range of mutagenic, genotoxic and carcinogenic compounds. In vitro tests are defined indispensable first-line tools to detect the global mixture DNA-damage effect 14. In particular, organic extracts of urban air particles were found to induce cancer in animals and mutagenic effect in bacteria, plant and mam...

Associating Air Pollution with Cytokinesis-Block Micronucleus Assay Parameters in Lymphocytes of the General Population in Zagreb (Croatia)

“…Particle-size fractions PM 10 (suspended PM with an aerodynamic diameter < 10 μm) and especially the smaller ones (PM 2.5 and PM 1 , with aerodynamic diameters less than 2.5 and 1 μm, respectively) pose a significant health problem because they can penetrate the lungs and even the bloodstream [ 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ]. For an estimation of population-weighted exposure to ambient particulate air pollution, the average levels of PM 2.5 particle fraction concentrations are most commonly used, as this fraction is capable of penetrating deep into the lungs and causing severe, negative health effects [ 27 , 28 , 29 ]. However, the choice of fraction often depends on the availability of air pollution data.…”

Genotoxic Activity of Particulate Matter and In Vivo Tests in Children Exposed to Air Pollution

“…Many studies have shown that urban fine particulate matter (PM) has mutagenic and genotoxic activities in different short-term tests on bacteria and in vitro and in vivo human cells [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]. The genotoxic and mutagenic activity of PM varies according to its size and physical and chemical composition that depends mainly on local emissions [ 3 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ].…”

Associations between Weather, Air Quality and Moderate Extreme Cancer-Related Mortality Events in Augsburg, Southern Germany

“…We focused on moderate extreme events regarding mortality by defining the 31-day-moving 95th percentile as the threshold for cancer-related mortality events. The medical evidence states that carcinogenesis is mostly affected by long-term factors, i.e., persistent exposure to pollutants, such as particulate matter [14,[37][38][39]. Short-term effects place an additional burden on cancer patients.…”