Impact of Particles on Pulmonary Endothelial Cells

Abstract

According to the WHO, air quality affects around 40 million people, contributing to around 21,000 premature deaths per year. Severe respiratory diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, can be promoted by air pollution, which has already been documented; this is one of the reasons why air quality is a very relevant factor for human health and well-being. Aerosols are an aggregation of solid or liquid particles dispersed in the air and can be found in the form of dust or fumes. Aerosols can be easily inhaled or absorbed by the skin, which can lead to adverse health effects according to their sizes that range from the nanometre to the millimetre scale. Based on the PRISMA methodology and using the Rayyan QCRI platform, it was possible to assess more than four hundred research articles. This systematic review study aimed to understand the impact of particles on pulmonary endothelial cells, namely particulate matter in different sizes, cigarette smoke, diesel exhaust particles and carbon black. The main conclusions were that particles induce multiple health effects on endothelial cells, namely endothelial dysfunction, which can lead to apoptosis and necrosis, and it may also cause necroptosis in lung structure.

How does particulate air pollution affect barrier functions and inflammatory activity of lung vascular endothelium?

“…Particulate pollutants do not only infiltrate from outdoor environments, but are also generated indoors. 1,3,8,[11][12][13]27,62 Outside origin Inside origin Note: Such activities as cleaning, cooking, using pressurized personal care products, or even walking all contribute to indoor PM load. 14,15,27,[30][31][32] hygroscopic nature, the PM composed of both soluble and insoluble particles is assumed to expand in the alveolar region.…”

“…Firstly, the chemical spectrum of particles <1 μm and nanoplastics is not commonly assessed and in general is difficult to characterize 10 . Secondly, larger PM particles can undergo fragmentation and finer ones tend to aggregate 11–13 . Nevertheless, a model particle of PM can be presented as an amalgam of solids, liquids and vapors.…”

“…10 Secondly, larger PM particles can undergo fragmentation and finer ones tend to aggregate. [11][12][13] Nevertheless, a model particle of PM can be presented as an amalgam of solids, liquids and vapors.With technological advancements and lifestyle changes, more human activities, including cooking, cleaning, and sports activities, are carried out indoors, all of which are likely to increase indoor PM. 14,15 Exposure studies show that indoor PM contributes substantially to personal exposure, and the indoor PM concentration levels…”

“…10 Secondly, larger PM particles can undergo fragmentation and finer ones tend to aggregate. [11][12][13] Nevertheless, a model particle of PM can be presented as an amalgam of solids, liquids and vapors.…”

Comprehensive review of the annual haze episode in Northern Thailand

“…As a consequence, their deposition is deep within the alveoli with a long residence time in an area where gas exchange occurs. The large surface area of these particulates bring adsorbed chemicals that can be transferred through the alveolar membrane into the blood circulation (Chomanee et al, 2020;Niampradit et al, 2022;Almeida-Silva et al, 2022). Ultrafine particulate (PM0.1) below 100 nm are so small they can directly penetrate through the alveolar membrane into the blood circulation where they remain for several hours, causing eosinophilic inflammatory response and eventually, an ingestion by various cells (Wu et al, 2018;Phairuang et al, 2022a).…”