Seasonal Variations in the Concentration of Particulate Matter in the Air of Cracow Affect the Magnitude of CD4+ T Cell Subsets Cytokine Production in Patients with Inflammatory and Autoimmune Disorders

Abstract

Recently, the increased prevalence of chronic civilization diseases triggered by environmental pollution has been observed. In this context, the role of air pollution in the pathogenesis of autoimmune and/or inflammatory disorders is poorly elucidated. Here, we asked whether seasonal changes in the air quality of the city of Cracow affect the polarization of T cell subsets in healthy donors (HD) and patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), multiple sclerosis (MS), and atherosclerosis (AS). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from HD and patients were exposed in vitro to particulate matter isolated from the air of Cracow (PM CRC). Blood samples were collected in two seasons (winter and summer), with differences in air concentration of particulate matter of 10 μm (PM10) (below or above a daily limit of 50 µg/m3). The obtained data showed a significantly elevated frequency of CD4+ lymphocytes specific for IFN-γ and IL-17A after the exposure of PBMCs to PM CRC. This was observed for all patients’ groups and HD. In the case of patients, this effect was dependent on the seasonal concentration of PM in the air, paradoxically being less pronounced in the season with a higher concentration of air pollution. These observations may suggest the role of air pollution on the course of inflammatory and autoimmune disorders.

Transcriptional Response of Blood Mononuclear Cells from Patients with Inflammatory and Autoimmune Disorders Exposed to “Krakow Smog”

“…122.6120.261.2015). Basic characterization of the patients and healthy donors (mean age, sex ratio) and the frequencies of the disease’s prevalence in the local population were already documented [ 30 ]. Briefly, data showed that the mean age of patients was 30.88 ± 7.36 for MS, 43.55 ± 10.51 for RA, 69.90 ± 11.02 for AS, and 38.90 ± 11.17 for HD.…”

“…Briefly, PBMCs after 3 h of culture with or without PM KRK were harvested, washed in PBS (Corning), resuspended in binding buffer, stained with Annexin V-FITC and propidium iodide (PI) (15 min at room temperature), and examined by flow cytometry (FACSCalibur, BD Biosciences Immunocytometry Systems, San Jose, CA, USA). Typically, 10,000 events were acquired for analysis [ 30 ]. On the day of blood collection, the concentration of PM 10 in the air of Krakow, in the summer and winter periods in 2019–2021, was recorded [ 30 ].…”

“…Typically, 10,000 events were acquired for analysis [ 30 ]. On the day of blood collection, the concentration of PM 10 in the air of Krakow, in the summer and winter periods in 2019–2021, was recorded [ 30 ]. Briefly, mean concentration of PM 10 and PM 2.5 (µg/m 3 ± SD) in the air of Krakow was reported as 17.53 ± 9.27 and 9.98 ± 5.46 in the summer and 76.43 ± 36.77 and 50.46 ± 27.02 wintertimes, respectively.…”

“…Data from our previous reports suggests the role of air pollution in the stimulation of the pro-inflammatory response of Th1 and Th17 cells [ 29 ]. This effect was observed both in healthy donors (HD) and patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), multiple sclerosis (MS), and atherosclerosis (AS), and was strongly dependent on monocytes and the seasonal variations in the concentration of PM in the air of Krakow (PM KRK) [ 30 ]. So far, the impact of PM on immune cell functions has been well described [ 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 ].…”

“…This effect was observed both in healthy donors (HD) and patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), multiple sclerosis (MS), and atherosclerosis (AS), and was strongly dependent on monocytes and the seasonal variations in the concentration of PM in the air of Krakow (PM KRK) [ 30 ]. So far, the impact of PM on immune cell functions has been well described [ 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 ]. Moreover, the list of evidence showing that air pollution affects gene expression has been continuously growing [ 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 ].…”