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Morin Protects Human Respiratory Cells from PM2.5 Induced Genotoxicity by Mitigating ROS and Reverting Altered miRNA
Indhumathi Veerappan1, Senthil Kumar Sankareswaran1, Rajaguru Palanisamy2
1Department of Biotechnology, Anna University, BIT Campus, Tiruchirappalli 620 024, India.
Abstract:
Chronic fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure causes oxidative stress and leads to many diseases in human like respiratory and cardiovascular disorders, and lung cancer. It is known that toxic responses elicited by PM2.5 particles depend on its physical and chemical characteristics that are greatly influenced by the source. Dietary polyphenolic compounds that possess antioxidant and free radical scavenging properties could be used for therapeutic or preventive approaches against air pollution related health hazards. This study evaluates characteristics and toxicity of PM2.5 collected from rural, urban, industrial, and traffic regions in and around Coimbatore City, Tamilnadu, India. Traffic PM2.5 particles contained higher amounts of metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). It also possessed higher levels of oxidative potential, induced more intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), and caused more levels of cell death and DNA damage in human respiratory cells. Its exposure up regulated DNA damage response related miR222, miR210, miR101, miR34a, and miR93 and MycN and suppressed Rad52. Pre-treatment with morin significantly decreased the PM2.5 induced toxicity and conferred protection against PM2.5 induced altered miRNA expression. Results of this study showed that cytoprotective effect of morin is due to its antioxidative and free radical scavenging activity.
Insights
Chronic exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) causes oxidative stress and cell damage. The antioxidant morin effectively protected against PM2.5 toxicity by scavenging free radicals.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Toxicology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Chronic exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is linked to oxidative stress, leading to respiratory diseases, cardiovascular disorders, and lung cancer.
- The physical and chemical properties of PM2.5, influenced by its source, determine its toxicity.
- Dietary polyphenols with antioxidant properties offer potential therapeutic strategies against air pollution-related health issues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the characteristics and toxicity of PM2.5 from various regions (rural, urban, industrial, traffic) around Coimbatore City, India.
- To investigate the protective effects of the dietary polyphenol morin against PM2.5-induced toxicity in human respiratory cells.
Main Methods:
- PM2.5 samples were collected from different geographical locations.
- Characterization of PM2.5 included analysis of metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).
- In vitro assays assessed oxidative potential, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, cell death, DNA damage, and miRNA expression in human respiratory cells. Morin pre-treatment was used to evaluate its protective effects.
Main Results:
- Traffic-sourced PM2.5 exhibited higher levels of metals, PAHs, oxidative potential, ROS, cell death, and DNA damage compared to other sources.
- PM2.5 exposure upregulated specific microRNAs (miRNAs) and genes involved in DNA damage response while suppressing others.
- Pre-treatment with morin significantly reduced PM2.5-induced toxicity and normalized the expression of affected miRNAs.
Conclusions:
- Traffic-related PM2.5 poses a significant health risk due to its composition and potent oxidative stress-inducing properties.
- Morin demonstrates significant cytoprotective effects against PM2.5 toxicity, attributed to its antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities.
- Morin represents a promising therapeutic agent for mitigating the adverse health effects of air pollution exposure.
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