Influence of ambient air pollution on global DNA methylation in healthy adults: A seasonal follow-up

Abstract

Decreased global DNA methylation in whole blood was associated with exposure to NO2, PM10, PM2.5 and O3 at the home addresses of non- adults. Most effects were observed for the 5- to 30-day moving average exposures.

Effects of particulate matter exposure on blood 5-hydroxymethylation: results from the Beijing truck driver air pollution study

“…We found higher global 5mC in males than females, consistent with previous studies conducted in Chinese populations and in a Belgian population; 26,35,36 findings were similar for global 5hmC. However, the ratio of 5mC/5hmC was higher in our data compared to previous studies.…”

“…Although, the 5mC (6.61%) levels differed between 7-fold and 21-fold across the 3 studies; the levels found in this study are more similar to those reported by De Prins et al (4.3%). 26 Previous investigations have suggested that DNA methylation is highly sensitive to environmental exposures, [7][8][9][10][11] including air pollution. To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first human investigation of both 5hmC and 5mC in relation to PM exposure.…”

“…25 Further, Chia et al suggested that pro-oxidant environmental exposures can increase the global genomic content of 5hmC. 25 However-while previous studies have reported that PM exposure is negatively associated with 5mC or total methylation levels 13,[26][27][28] -no study to date has evaluated whether PM exposure changes 5hmC levels in human DNA.…”

Using Machine Learning to Estimate Global PM2.5 for Environmental Health Studies

“…In recent years, researchers are finding it worthwhile to investigate a link of PM 2.5 exposure with adverse birth outcomes, 21,22 epigenetic alteration, [23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36] infant mortality, [37][38][39][40][41][42] athero sclerosis, [43][44][45] stroke, 46-50 rheumatic autoimmune diseases, 51,52 central nervous system disorders, [53][54][55][56][57] and diabetes. [58][59][60] Since many of these health conditions are interlinked, comprehensive studies are required to better understand the impact of PM 2.5 .…”

Epigenetics and the microbiome: developing areas in the understanding of the aetiology of lupus

“…2,3 Exposure to environmental factors such as smoking, alcohol and air pollution are now known to cause both specific and widespread epigenetic alterations that affect gene expression. [4][5][6] There is also now a push to develop therapies that influence epigenetic changes including the histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors such as givinostat. [7][8][9] This issue also includes outstanding updates of more traditional areas of study, including the effect of exposure to smoking and industrial chemicals and infectious agents.…”