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Epigenetic Alterations Induced by Air Pollution: A Key Driver in Atherosclerosis Development
Pouya Goleij1, Mohammad Amin Khazeei Tabari2,3, Pantea Majma Sanaye4
1USERN Office, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, 6715847141, Iran. medgenetic.1991@gmail.com.
Cardiovascular Toxicology
|July 3, 2025
Summary
Air pollution exposure alters epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation and non-coding RNA regulation, contributing to atherosclerosis. Understanding these changes is key to mitigating cardiovascular risks from environmental pollutants.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Epigenetics
- Cardiovascular Disease Research
- Molecular Toxicology
Background:
- Air pollution is a significant global health issue linked to cardiovascular diseases.
- Atherosclerosis development is influenced by environmental factors and epigenetic modifications.
- Particulate matter (PM2.5), PAHs, and heavy metals are key air pollutants implicated in cardiovascular risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the epigenetic mechanisms by which air pollution contributes to atherosclerosis.
- To investigate the roles of DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs in air pollution-induced vascular damage.
- To identify potential epigenetic biomarkers for cardiovascular susceptibility to air pollution.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on air pollution, epigenetics, and atherosclerosis.
- Analysis of studies focusing on DNA methylation alterations in response to pollutants.
- Examination of research on histone modifications and non-coding RNA regulation in vascular pathways.
Main Results:
- Air pollution exposure, particularly PM2.5, alters DNA methylation in genes related to inflammation and lipid metabolism.
- Histone modifications induced by pollutants impact chromatin structure, affecting vascular inflammation and plaque formation.
- Non-coding RNAs (miRNAs, lncRNAs) are modulated by air pollution, influencing endothelial function and inflammatory responses.
Conclusions:
- Epigenetic modifications, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, and ncRNA dysregulation, are critical mediators of air pollution's detrimental effects on cardiovascular health.
- These epigenetic alterations provide insights into atherosclerosis pathogenesis and identify potential targets for intervention.
- Understanding these mechanisms is vital for developing strategies to combat the cardiovascular burden of air pollution.
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