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Gene-Air Pollution Interaction in Cardiovascular Disease: Lights and Shadows in a Tangled Risk Factor Network
Melania Gaggini1, Cristina Vassalle2
1Institute of Clinical Physiology, CNR, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|August 13, 2026
Summary
Nontraditional factors like air pollution and genetic susceptibility significantly impact cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Understanding these interactions offers new avenues for personalized prevention and treatment strategies.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Genetics
- Cardiovascular Medicine
Background:
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) arises from complex genetic, lifestyle, and environmental interactions.
- Traditional risk factors inadequately explain all CVD risks, necessitating research into novel biomarkers.
- Nontraditional factors, including genetic predisposition and air pollution, are increasingly recognized as critical determinants of cardiovascular risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and synthesize existing literature on the combined impact of air pollution exposure and genetic susceptibility on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.
- To explore the role of genetic variants in mediating the relationship between environmental exposures and adverse cardiovascular events.
Main Methods:
- A narrative review of studies indexed in PubMed.
- Focus on research examining the interplay between air pollution and genetic factors in CVD etiology.
Main Results:
- Available evidence indicates that genetic variants, particularly those involved in detoxification and inflammation pathways, play a role in the association between air pollution exposure and cardiovascular events.
- Specific gene variants may influence an individual's susceptibility to the adverse cardiovascular effects of air pollution.
Conclusions:
- The combined effects of air pollution and genetic susceptibility are crucial in understanding CVD development.
- Further research in this area can enhance knowledge of CVD etiology and inform personalized medicine approaches for targeted prevention and treatment.
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