Particulate matter (PM10) enhances RNA virus infection through modulation of innate immune responses

Abstract

Sensing of pathogens by specialized receptors is the hallmark of the innate immunity. Innate immune response also mounts a defense response against various allergens and pollutants including particulate matter present in the atmosphere. Air pollution has been included as the top threat to global health declared by WHO which aims to cover more than three billion people against health emergencies from 2019 to 2023. Particulate matter (PM), one of the major components of air pollution, is a significant risk factor for many human diseases and its adverse effects include morbidity and premature deaths throughout the world. Several clinical and epidemiological studies have identified a key link between the PM existence and the prevalence of respiratory and inflammatory disorders. However, the underlying molecular mechanism is not well understood. Here, we investigated the influence of air pollutant, PM 10 (particles with aerodynamic diameter less than 10 μm) during RNA virus infections using Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) – H5N1 virus. We thus characterized the transcriptomic profile of lung epithelial cell line, A549 treated with PM 10 prior to H5N1infection, which is known to cause severe lung damage and respiratory disease. We found that PM 10 enhances vulnerability (by cellular damage) and regulates virus infectivity to enhance overall pathogenic burden in the lung cells. Additionally, the transcriptomic profile highlights the connection of host factors related to various metabolic pathways and immune responses which were dysregulated during virus infection. Collectively, our findings suggest a strong link between the prevalence of respiratory illness and its association with the air quality.

Mechanistic Implications of Biomass-Derived Particulate Matter for Immunity and Immune Disorders

“…TLRs are representative PRRs that play pivotal roles in innate immune responses to infection in epithelial cells and phagocytes. The mechanisms involved in PM-induced innate immune responses are mainly through the production of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines via activation of the TLR signaling pathway [1,66,67]. There is ample evidence demonstrating that PM modulates cytokine and chemokine levels, although the effects vary depending on the airway exposure regime [61,68].…”

“…Further studies are required to clarify specific components of the PM mixture that activate PRR signaling during early innate immunity and proinflammatory responses (Figure 1). pathway [1,66,67]. There is ample evidence demonstrating that PM modulates cytokine and chemokine levels, although the effects vary depending on the airway exposure regime [61,68].…”

“…Particulate matter (PM) is a term used to describe a mixture of pollutants, containing a complex mixture of smoke, dust, and other solid particles, as well as liquid droplets, present in the air [1]. PM vary in size, shape, and chemical composition.…”

Collect and Treat Urban Wastewater to Fight the Pandemic Disease of COVID-19 Effectively

“…Non-treated wastewaters will increase the incidence and prevalence of new cases of COVID-19 disease in a community that occurs in a specified period and a specified point in the time respectively [28]. As you can see in the curve, according to official statistics, the number of new patients has been increasing despite the ups and downs.…”

Role of indoor aerosols for COVID-19 viral transmission: a review

“…Indoor aerosol exposure can also aggravate the symptoms of infection in COVID-19 patients. Mishra et al ( 2020 ) reported that exposure to particulate matter could promote the replication of RNA viruses by suppressing the antiviral innate immune response. Zhou et al ( 2020 ) conducted a comprehensive analysis of 30 immunological indicators in the blood of COVID-19 patients ( n =33) and elucidated the key mechanism of severe pneumonia cytokine storm caused by SARS-CoV-2.…”