External exposome and allergic respiratory and skin diseases

Abstract

Allergies are complex diseases that result from interactions between multiple genetic and environmental factors. However, the increase in allergies observed in the past decades is explained exclusively by environmental changes occurring in the same period. Presently, the exposome, the totality of specific and nonspecific external environmental exposures (external exposome) to which a subject is exposed from preconception onward and their consequences at the organ and cell levels (internal exposome), is being considered to explain the inception, development, and exacerbations of allergic diseases. Among the best-studied environmental factors of the specific external exposome, indoor and outdoor aeroallergens and air pollutants play a key role in the etiopathogenesis of the inflammatory response to allergens and in clinical manifestations of allergic disease. Climate change, urbanization, and loss of biodiversity affect sources, emissions, and concentrations of main aeroallergens and air pollutants and are among the most critical challenges facing the health and quality of life of the still increasing number of allergic patients today and in the coming decades. Thunderstorm-related asthma is a dramatic example of the effects of combined environmental factors and an in vivo model for understanding the mechanisms at work in respiratory allergy. Environment- or lifestyle-driven aberrancies in the gut and skin microbiome composition represent key mediators of allergic diseases. A better knowledge of the effect of the external exposome on allergy development is crucial for urging patients, health professionals, and policymakers to take actions to mitigate the effect of environmental changes and to adapt to them.

The lagged effect of air pollution on human eosinophils: a distributed lag non-linear model

“…The 24-h mean threshold values of PM 2.5 , PM 10 , SO 2 , CO and O 3 in GB 3095-2012 are higher than the 2005 WHO air quality suggested values. Previous studies have confirmed that exposure to air pollutants would lead to the development of cardiovascular diseases, lung diseases, and immunity-related diseases such as allergic rhinitis, childhood asthma, and atopic dermatitis [3][4][5][6][7][8]. Epstein et al [9] evaluated the relationship between exposure to traffic pollutants and asthma control, and found that traffic pollutants increased eosinophilic inflammation in older adults with poorly controlled asthma.…”

How to prevent skin damage from air pollution. Part 1: Exposure assessment

“…The adsorption of low-vaporpressure organic species on mineral dust may be a key process that affects their long-range transport (Cecchi, D'Amato, & Annesi-Maesano, 2018). Oxidation of the organic compounds and the condensation of oxygenated organics may lead to the enrichment of mineral dust with surface-active polar organics.…”

“…Oxidation of the organic compounds and the condensation of oxygenated organics may lead to the enrichment of mineral dust with surface-active polar organics. The adsorption of low-vaporpressure organic species on mineral dust may be a key process that affects their long-range transport (Cecchi, D'Amato, & Annesi-Maesano, 2018).…”

Foreword for IJB Special Issue on Asian Biometeorology

“…Biometeorological advances in the field of aerobiology and cassava-based fuel ethanol for carbon sequestration potentials were also presented in this issue. It is well known that pollen is a remarkable risk factor for nasal allergies, but there are a lot of uncertainties in the development of respiratory allergy (Cecchi et al 2018). Here, Qin et al (2017) introduced an empirical study for the transport pathway and source area for Artemisia pollen in Beijing, China, by applying numerical methods, and is of great significance for future allergic pollen forecast.…”