Air pollution exposure is associated with rhinitis in older US adults via specific immune mechanisms

Abstract

BackgroundPathophysiology of rhinitis in older adults is largely unknown. We tested whether air pollution is associated with this condition and how immune mechanisms may play a role in this relationship.MethodsWe analyzed cross‐sectional data from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project, a nationally representative study of older adults born between 1920 and 1947. Particulate matter ≤2.5 μm (PM2.5) air pollution exposure estimates were generated using validated spatiotemporal models. Presence of rhinitis was defined based on medication use (≥1: intranasal medications: steroids, antihistamines, lubricants, and/or decongestants, and/or oral medications: antihistamines and/or decongestants). K‐means cluster analysis (Jaccard method) was used to group 13 peripheral blood cytokines into 3 clusters to facilitate functional determination. We fitted multivariate logistic regressions to correlate PM2.5 exposure with presence of rhinitis, controlling for confounders, and then determined the role of cytokines in this relationship.ResultsLong‐ (but not short‐) term exposure to PM2.5 was associated with presence of rhinitis: 3‐year exposure window, odds ratio (OR) = 1.32, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.98, 1.80, per 1 standard deviation (SD) PM2.5 increase. Inclusion of cytokine cluster in the model led to a modestly stronger effect of PM2.5 exposure on rhinitis (OR = 1.37; 95% CI: 1.00, 1.87; 3‐year exposure window). The particular immune profile responsible for this result was composed of elevated IL‐3, IL‐12, and IFN‐γ (OR = 4.86, 95% CI: 1.10, 21.58, immune profile–PM2.5 exposure interaction term).ConclusionWe show for the first time that IL‐3, IL‐12, and IFN‐γ explain in part the relationship between PM2.5 exposure and rhinitis in older US adults. If confirmed, these immune pathways may be used as therapeutic targets.

Letter to the editor regarding “Air pollution exposure is associated with rhinitis in older US adults via specific immune mechanisms”

“…We read with great interest the recent research 1 exploring the intricate relationship between air pollution exposure and rhinitis in older adults. The study sheds light on the specific immune mechanisms through which air pollution might contribute to the development of this condition.…”

“…Natural Science Foundation of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Grant No. : 2020D03009 Ling Tie MD 1 Guangjian Jiang MD 2…”

Correspondence to the editor regarding “Air pollution exposure is associated with rhinitis in older US adults via specific immune mechanisms”

“…To the Editor, I read with great interest the recent article by Scussiatto et al 1 The authors evaluated the hypothesis that air pollution is associated with rhinitis. They found that long-term exposure to particulate matter ≤2.5 µm (PM 2.5 ) was associated with rhinitis, and elevated interleukin (IL)-3, IL-12, and interferon-γ levels could be involved in the immune pathways in this association.…”