Air Pollution and Atopic Dermatitis (AD): The Impact of Particulate Matter (PM10) on an AD Mouse-Model

Abstract

Air pollution reportedly contributes to the development and exacerbation of atopic dermatitis (AD). However, the exact mechanism underlying this remains unclear. To examine the relationship between air pollution and AD, a clinical, histological, and genetic analysis was performed on particulate matter (PM)-exposed mice. Five-week-old BALB/c mice were randomly divided into four groups (control group, ovalbumin (OVA) group, PM group, OVA + PM group; n = 6) and treated with OVA or PM10, alone or together. Cutaneous exposure to OVA and PM10 alone resulted in a significant increase in skin severity scores, trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) and epidermal thickness compared to the control group at Week 6. The findings were further accentuated in the OVA + PM group showing statistical significance over the OVA group. A total of 635, 501, and 2149 genes were found to be differentially expressed following OVA, PM10, and OVA + PM10 exposure, respectively. Strongly upregulated genes included RNASE2A, S100A9, SPRR2D, THRSP, SPRR2A1 (OVA vs. control), SPRR2D, S100A9, STFA3, CHIL1, DBP, IL1B (PM vs. control) and S100A9, SPRR2D, SPRR2B, S100A8, SPRR2A3 (OVA + PM vs. control). In comparing the groups OVA + PM with OVA, 818 genes were differentially expressed with S100A9, SPRR2B, SAA3, S100A8, SPRR2D being the most highly upregulated in the OVA + PM group. Taken together, our study demonstrates that PM10 exposure induces/aggravates skin inflammation via the differential expression of genes controlling skin barrier integrity and immune response. We provide evidence on the importance of public awareness in PM-associated skin inflammation. Vigilant attention should be paid to all individuals, especially to those with AD.

Preventative Effects of Antioxidants against PM10 on Serum IgE Concentration, Mast Cell Counts, Inflammatory Cytokines, and Keratinocyte Differentiation Markers in DNCB-Induced Atopic Dermatitis Mouse Model

“…Air pollution may be related to the development and exacerbation of AD [ 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 ]. Woo et al [ 34 ] reported that PM 10 exposure induces and aggravates skin inflammation via the differential expression of genes controlling skin barrier integrity and immune response in ovalbumin (OVA)-treated mice. Li et al [ 35 ] proved that PM 2.5 promotes the expression of TSLP in PAM212 cells and may aggravate allergic responses through this pathway.…”

Synergistic Effects between Ambient Air Pollution and Second-Hand Smoke on Inflammatory Skin Diseases in Chinese Adolescents

“…Research on the mechanism behind this association has been limited. In a mouse model study, particulate matter exposure upregulated the expression of SPRR2D , S100A9 , STFA3 , CHIL1 , DBP , and IL1B , which are responsible for skin barrier integrity and immune response [ 18 ]. Another group revealed that skin inflammation induced by ambient particulate is attributable to oxidative stress or programmed cell death [ 19 ].…”

“…PM 2.5 and PM 10 were associated with higher prevalence of eczema by some studies but protective factors in others [ 10 , 12 , 14 ], while some studies demonstrated that air pollution does not necessarily affect the development of eczema or AD [ 15 , 16 , 17 ]. Disruption of skin barrier integrity, immune-related responses, and alteration of gut microbiota have recently been proposed as the potential mechanisms of the association between air pollutants and atopic skin diseases [ 18 , 19 , 20 ]. The correlation between urticaria and air pollution has rarely been explored.…”

“…The correlation between urticaria and air pollution has rarely been explored. An air quality health index based on O 3 , NO 2 , and PM2.5 was shown to be positively correlated with emergency department visits for urticaria [ 18 ]. Nonetheless, these studies failed to consider individualized metabolism, which influences the actual exposure levels of air pollutants.…”

Development of In Vitro Co-Culture Model to Mimic the Cell to Cell Communication in Response to Urban PM2.5

“…The problem of air pollution has become prevalent worldwide, and interest in health problems caused by PM has also grown 1 2 . PM, a key constituent of air pollution, is known to increase the risk of cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous, and immune diseases 3 4 . Recently, the damaging effects of PM on the skin have been of great interest 5 6 .…”