Non-coding RNAs: An emerging player in particulate matter 2.5-mediated toxicity

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Molecular Biology
• Toxicology

Background:

• Air pollution, particularly particulate matter (PM), is a major global health concern, linked to millions of premature deaths and significant disability-adjusted life years.
• PM2.5, a key pollutant, can absorb toxic substances and induce oxidative stress, affecting critical cellular functions like apoptosis and inflammation.
• Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), including miRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs, are increasingly recognized for their roles in physiological and pathological processes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the impact of PM2.5 exposure on ncRNAs.
• To explore the role of ncRNAs in PM2.5-induced toxicity.
• To understand the epigenetic reprogramming associated with PM2.5 exposure.

Main Methods:

• Literature review focusing on studies investigating PM2.5 and ncRNAs.
• Analysis of research on ncRNA alterations in response to environmental stimuli.
• Synthesis of findings on the link between ncRNA changes and PM2.5 toxicity.

Main Results:

• PM2.5 exposure can lead to significant alterations in ncRNA expression profiles.
• These ncRNA signature changes are implicated in the pathophysiology of PM2.5-induced diseases.
• ncRNAs play a crucial role in the epigenetic response to environmental pollutants like PM2.5.

Conclusions:

• PM2.5 exposure induces epigenetic changes, notably through ncRNA alterations.
• ncRNAs are key mediators in the toxicological effects of PM2.5.
• Further research into ncRNAs may offer novel therapeutic targets for air pollution-related diseases.