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Javdani-Mallak A, Salahshoori I. Environmental pollutants and exosomes: A new paradigm in environmental health and disease. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 925:171774. [PMID: 38508246 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
This study investigates the intricate interplay between environmental pollutants and exosomes, shedding light on a novel paradigm in environmental health and disease. Cellular stress, induced by environmental toxicants or disease, significantly impacts the production and composition of exosomes, crucial mediators of intercellular communication. The heat shock response (HSR) and unfolded protein response (UPR) pathways, activated during cellular stress, profoundly influence exosome generation, cargo sorting, and function, shaping intercellular communication and stress responses. Environmental pollutants, particularly lipophilic ones, directly interact with exosome lipid bilayers, potentially affecting membrane stability, release, and cellular uptake. The study reveals that exposure to environmental contaminants induces significant changes in exosomal proteins, miRNAs, and lipids, impacting cellular function and health. Understanding the impact of environmental pollutants on exosomal cargo holds promise for biomarkers of exposure, enabling non-invasive sample collection and real-time insights into ongoing cellular responses. This research explores the potential of exosomal biomarkers for early detection of health effects, assessing treatment efficacy, and population-wide screening. Overcoming challenges requires advanced isolation techniques, standardized protocols, and machine learning for data analysis. Integration with omics technologies enhances comprehensive molecular analysis, offering a holistic understanding of the complex regulatory network influenced by environmental pollutants. The study underscores the capability of exosomes in circulation as promising biomarkers for assessing environmental exposure and systemic health effects, contributing to advancements in environmental health research and disease prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afsaneh Javdani-Mallak
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Iman Salahshoori
- Department of Polymer Processing, Iran Polymer and Petrochemical Institute, Tehran, Iran; Department of Chemical Engineering, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
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2
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Abstract
Wildfire smoke (WFS) is a mixture of respirable particulate matter, environmental gases, and other hazardous pollutants that originate from the unplanned burning of arid vegetation during wildfires. The increasing size and frequency of recent wildfires has escalated public and occupational health concerns regarding WFS inhalation, by either individuals living nearby and downstream an active fire or wildland firefighters and other workers that face unavoidable exposure because of their profession. In this review, we first synthesize current evidence from environmental, controlled, and interventional human exposure studies, to highlight positive associations between WFS inhalation and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Motivated by these findings, we discuss preventative measures and suggest interventions to mitigate the cardiovascular impact of wildfires. We then review animal and cell exposure studies to call attention on the pathophysiological processes that support the deterioration of cardiovascular tissues and organs in response to WFS inhalation. Acknowledging the challenges of integrating evidence across independent sources, we contextualize laboratory-scale exposure approaches according to the biological processes that they model and offer suggestions for ensuring relevance to the human condition. Noting that wildfires are significant contributors to ambient air pollution, we compare the biological responses triggered by WFS to those of other harmful pollutants. We also review evidence for how WFS inhalation may trigger mechanisms that have been proposed as mediators of adverse cardiovascular effects upon exposure to air pollution. We finally conclude by highlighting research areas that demand further consideration. Overall, we aspire for this work to serve as a catalyst for regulatory initiatives to mitigate the adverse cardiovascular effects of WFS inhalation in the community and alleviate the occupational risk in wildland firefighters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria A Williams
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA (V.A.W., C.T.Y., N.A.M., J.M.O., C.B.)
| | - Luke R Perreault
- Department of Engineering, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA (L.R.P.)
| | - Charbel T Yazbeck
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA (V.A.W., C.T.Y., N.A.M., J.M.O., C.B.)
| | - Nicholas A Micovic
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA (V.A.W., C.T.Y., N.A.M., J.M.O., C.B.)
| | - Jessica M Oakes
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA (V.A.W., C.T.Y., N.A.M., J.M.O., C.B.)
| | - Chiara Bellini
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA (V.A.W., C.T.Y., N.A.M., J.M.O., C.B.)
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3
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Bowman WS, Schmidt RJ, Sanghar GK, Thompson Iii GR, Ji H, Zeki AA, Haczku A. "Air That Once Was Breath" Part 1: Wildfire-Smoke-Induced Mechanisms of Airway Inflammation - "Climate Change, Allergy and Immunology" Special IAAI Article Collection: Collegium Internationale Allergologicum Update 2023. Int Arch Allergy Immunol 2024; 185:600-616. [PMID: 38452750 DOI: 10.1159/000536578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Wildfires are a global concern due to their wide-ranging environmental, economic, and public health impacts. Climate change contributes to an increase in the frequency and intensity of wildfires making smoke exposure a more significant and recurring health concern for individuals with airway diseases. Some of the most prominent effects of wildfire smoke exposure are asthma exacerbations and allergic airway sensitization. Likely due to the delayed recognition of its health impacts in comparison with cigarette smoke and industrial or traffic-related air pollution, research on the composition, the mechanisms of toxicity, and the cellular/molecular pathways involved is poor or non-existent. SUMMARY This review discusses potential underlying pathological mechanisms of wildfire-smoke-related allergic airway disease and asthma. We focused on major gaps in understanding the role of wildfire smoke composition in the development of airway disease and the known and potential mechanisms involving cellular and molecular players of oxidative injury at the epithelial barrier in airway inflammation. We examine how PM2.5, VOCs, O3, endotoxin, microbes, and toxic gases may affect oxidative stress and inflammation in the respiratory mucosal barrier. We discuss the role of AhR in mediating smoke's effects in alarmin release and IL-17A production and how glucocorticoid responsiveness may be impaired by IL-17A-induced signaling and epigenetic changes leading to steroid-resistant severe airway inflammation. KEY MESSAGE Effective mitigation of wildfire-smoke-related respiratory health effects would require comprehensive research efforts aimed at a better understanding of the immune regulatory effects of wildfire smoke in respiratory health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Willis S Bowman
- UC Davis Lung Center, University of California, Davis, California, USA
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Rebecca J Schmidt
- Department of Public Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Gursharan K Sanghar
- UC Davis Lung Center, University of California, Davis, California, USA
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - George R Thompson Iii
- UC Davis Lung Center, University of California, Davis, California, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Hong Ji
- UC Davis Lung Center, University of California, Davis, California, USA
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Cell Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, California, USA
| | - Amir A Zeki
- UC Davis Lung Center, University of California, Davis, California, USA
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Angela Haczku
- UC Davis Lung Center, University of California, Davis, California, USA
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA
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4
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Seltenrich N. Channels of Communication: Extracellular Vesicles in Environmental Stress and Human Disease. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2024; 132:14002. [PMID: 38271057 PMCID: PMC10810299 DOI: 10.1289/ehp14224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles offer great promise for revealing mechanisms and serving as biomarkers in studies of exposure effects on neurological, respiratory, reproductive, and other physiological systems-and they require only a simple blood draw.
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5
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Chen AI, Ebisu K, Benmarhnia T, Basu R. Emergency department visits associated with wildfire smoke events in California, 2016-2019. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 238:117154. [PMID: 37716386 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/18/2023]
Abstract
Wildfire smoke has been associated with adverse respiratory outcomes, but the impacts of wildfire on other health outcomes and sensitive subpopulations are not fully understood. We examined associations between smoke events and emergency department visits (EDVs) for respiratory, cardiovascular, diabetes, and mental health outcomes in California during the wildfire season June-December 2016-2019. Daily, zip code tabulation area-level wildfire-specific fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations were aggregated to air basins. A "smoke event" was defined as an air basin-day with a wildfire-specific PM2.5 concentration at or above the 98th percentile across all air basin-days (threshold = 13.5 μg/m3). We conducted a two-stage time-series analysis using quasi-Poisson regression considering lag effects and random effects meta-analysis. We also conducted analyses stratified by race/ethnicity, age, and sex to assess potential effect modification. Smoke events were associated with an increased risk of EDVs for all respiratory diseases at lag 1 [14.4%, 95% confidence interval (CI): (6.8, 22.5)], asthma at lag 0 [57.1% (44.5, 70.8)], and chronic lower respiratory disease at lag 0 [12.7% (6.2, 19.6)]. We also found positive associations with EDVs for all cardiovascular diseases at lag 10. Mixed results were observed for mental health outcomes. Stratified results revealed potential disparities by race/ethnicity. Short-term exposure to smoke events was associated with increased respiratory and schizophrenia EDVs. Cardiovascular impacts may be delayed compared to respiratory outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annie I Chen
- Air and Climate Epidemiology Section, Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, California Environmental Protection Agency, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Keita Ebisu
- Air and Climate Epidemiology Section, Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, California Environmental Protection Agency, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Tarik Benmarhnia
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Rupa Basu
- Air and Climate Epidemiology Section, Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, California Environmental Protection Agency, Oakland, CA, USA.
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Vitucci EC, Carberry CK, Payton A, Herring LE, Mordant AL, McCullough SD, Rager JE. Characterizing the extracellular vesicle proteomic landscape of the human airway using in vitro organotypic multi-cellular models. iScience 2023; 26:108162. [PMID: 37920665 PMCID: PMC10618692 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicle (EV)-mediated intercellular communication significantly influences pulmonary cell health and disease, yet in vitro methods to investigate these mechanisms are limited. We hypothesize that organotypic models of the airway can be leveraged to investigate EV-mediated intercellular signaling, focusing on EV proteomic content as a case study. Two in vitro airway culture models were evaluated by mass spectrometry-based proteomics analysis: a tri-culture model consisting of alveolar epithelial, fibroblast, and lung microvascular endothelial cells and a co-culture model of alveolar epithelial and fibroblasts. EVs isolated from the tri-culture model were enriched with EV proteins regulating RNA-to-protein translation. EVs isolated from the co-culture model were enriched with EV biogenesis and extracellular matrix signaling proteins. These model-specific differences suggest that different pulmonary cell types uniquely affect EV composition and the biological pathways influenced by the EV proteome in recipient cells. These findings can inform future studies surrounding EV-related pulmonary disease pathogenesis and therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva C.M. Vitucci
- Interdisciplinary Faculty of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
- Curriculum in Toxicology & Environmental Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- The Center for Environmental Medicine, Asthma and Lung Biology, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Celeste K. Carberry
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- The Institute for Environmental Health Solutions, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Alexis Payton
- The Center for Environmental Medicine, Asthma and Lung Biology, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Laura E. Herring
- UNC Proteomics Core Facility, Department of Pharmacology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Angie L. Mordant
- UNC Proteomics Core Facility, Department of Pharmacology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Shaun D. McCullough
- Curriculum in Toxicology & Environmental Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Exposure and Protection, RTI International, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Julia E. Rager
- Curriculum in Toxicology & Environmental Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- The Center for Environmental Medicine, Asthma and Lung Biology, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- The Institute for Environmental Health Solutions, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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7
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Carberry CK, Bangma J, Koval L, Keshava D, Hartwell HJ, Sokolsky M, Fry RC, Rager JE. Extracellular Vesicles altered by a Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Mixture: In Vitro Dose-Dependent Release, Chemical Content, and MicroRNA Signatures involved in Liver Health. Toxicol Sci 2023; 197:kfad108. [PMID: 37851381 PMCID: PMC10823775 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfad108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have emerged as high priority contaminants due to their ubiquity and pervasiveness in the environment. Numerous PFAS co-occur across sources of drinking water, including areas of North Carolina (NC) with some detected concentrations above the Environmental Protection Agency's health advisory levels. While evidence demonstrates PFAS exposure induces harmful effects in the liver, the involvement of extracellular vesicles (EVs) as potential mediators of these effects has yet to be evaluated. This study set out to evaluate the hypothesis that PFAS mixtures induce dose-dependent release of EVs from liver cells, with exposures causing differential loading of microRNAs (miRNAs) and PFAS chemical signatures. To test this hypothesis, a defined PFAS mixture was prioritized utilizing data collected by the NC PFAS Testing Network. This mixture contained three substances, PFOS, PFOA, and PFHxA, selected based upon co-occurrence patterns and the inclusion of both short-chain (PFHxA) and long-chain (PFOA and PFOS) substances. HepG2 liver cells were exposed to equimolar PFAS, and secreted EVs were isolated from conditioned media and characterized for count and molecular content. Exposures induced a dose-dependent release of EVs carrying miRNAs that were differentially loaded upon exposure. These altered miRNA signatures were predicted to target mRNA pathways involved in hepatic fibrosis and cancer. Chemical concentrations of PFOS, PFOA, and PFHxA were also detected in both parent HepG2 cells and their released EVs, specifically within a 15-fold range after normalizing for protein content. This study therefore established EVs as novel biological responders and measurable endpoints for evaluating PFAS-induced toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celeste K Carberry
- The Institute for Environmental Health Solutions, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Jacqueline Bangma
- Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711, USA
| | - Lauren Koval
- The Institute for Environmental Health Solutions, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Deepak Keshava
- The Institute for Environmental Health Solutions, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Hadley J Hartwell
- The Institute for Environmental Health Solutions, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Marina Sokolsky
- Center for Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Rebecca C Fry
- The Institute for Environmental Health Solutions, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- School of Medicine, Curriculum in Toxicology and Environmental Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Julia E Rager
- The Institute for Environmental Health Solutions, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- School of Medicine, Curriculum in Toxicology and Environmental Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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Noah TL, Worden CP, Rebuli ME, Jaspers I. The Effects of Wildfire Smoke on Asthma and Allergy. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep 2023; 23:375-387. [PMID: 37171670 PMCID: PMC10176314 DOI: 10.1007/s11882-023-01090-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To review the recent literature on the effects of wildfire smoke (WFS) exposure on asthma and allergic disease, and on potential mechanisms of disease. RECENT FINDINGS Spatiotemporal modeling and increased ground-level monitoring data are allowing a more detailed picture of the health effects of WFS exposure to emerge, especially with regard to asthma. There is also epidemiologic and some experimental evidence to suggest that WFS exposure increases allergic predisposition and upper airway or sinonasal disease, though much of the literature in this area is focused more generally on PM2.5 and is not specific for WFS. Experimental evidence for mechanisms includes disruption of epithelial integrity with downstream effects on inflammatory or immune pathways, but experimental models to date have not consistently reflected human disease in this area. Exposure to WFS has an acute detrimental effect on asthma. Potential mechanisms are suggested by in vitro and animal studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terry L Noah
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 260 Macnider Building, 333 S. Columbia St., Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
- Center for Environmental Medicine, Asthma and Lung Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, USA.
| | - Cameron P Worden
- Department of Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, USA
- Center for Environmental Medicine, Asthma and Lung Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, USA
| | - Meghan E Rebuli
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 260 Macnider Building, 333 S. Columbia St., Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Center for Environmental Medicine, Asthma and Lung Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, USA
| | - Ilona Jaspers
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 260 Macnider Building, 333 S. Columbia St., Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Center for Environmental Medicine, Asthma and Lung Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, USA
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9
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Eden MJ, Matz J, Garg P, Gonzalez MP, McElderry K, Wang S, Gollner MJ, Oakes JM, Bellini C. Prolonged smoldering Douglas fir smoke inhalation augments respiratory resistances, stiffens the aorta, and curbs ejection fraction in hypercholesterolemic mice. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 861:160609. [PMID: 36470384 PMCID: PMC10699119 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
While mounting evidence suggests that wildland fire smoke (WFS) inhalation may increase the burden of cardiopulmonary disease, the occupational risk of repeated exposure during wildland firefighting remains unknown. To address this concern, we evaluated the cardiopulmonary function in mice following a cumulative exposure to lab-scale WFS equivalent to a mid-length wildland firefighter (WLFF) career. Dosimetry analysis indicated that 80 exposure hours at a particulate concentration of 22 mg/m3 yield in mice the same cumulative deposited mass per unit of lung surface area as 3600 h of wildland firefighting. To satisfy this condition, male Apoe-/- mice were whole-body exposed to either air or smoldering Douglas fir smoke (DFS) for 2 h/day, 5 days/week, over 8 consecutive weeks. Particulate size in DFS fell within the respirable range for both mice and humans, with a count median diameter of 110 ± 20 nm. Expiratory breath hold in mice exposed to DFS significantly reduced their minute volume (DFS: 27 ± 4; Air: 122 ± 8 mL/min). By the end of the exposure time frame, mice in the DFS group exhibited a thicker (DFS: 109 ± 3; Air: 98 ± 3 μm) and less distensible (DFS: 23 ± 1; Air: 28 ± 1 MPa-1) aorta with reduced diastolic blood augmentation capacity (DFS: 53 ± 2; Air: 63 ± 2 kPa). Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging further revealed larger end-systolic volume (DFS: 14.6 ± 1.1; Air: 9.9 ± 0.9 μL) and reduced ejection-fraction (DFS: 64.7 ± 1.0; Air: 75.3 ± 0.9 %) in mice exposed to DFS. Consistent with increased airway epithelium thickness (DFS: 10.4 ± 0.8; Air: 7.6 ± 0.3 μm), airway Newtonian resistance was larger following DFS exposure (DFS: 0.23 ± 0.03; Air: 0.20 ± 0.03 cmH2O-s/mL). Furthermore, parenchyma mean linear intercept (DFS: 36.3 ± 0.8; Air: 33.3 ± 0.8 μm) and tissue thickness (DFS: 10.1 ± 0.5; Air: 7.4 ± 0.7 μm) were larger in DFS mice. Collectively, mice exposed to DFS manifested early signs of cardiopulmonary dysfunction aligned with self-reported events in mid-career WLFFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Eden
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, MA, USA
| | - Jacqueline Matz
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, MA, USA
| | - Priya Garg
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Siyan Wang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Michael J Gollner
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Jessica M Oakes
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, MA, USA
| | - Chiara Bellini
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, MA, USA.
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10
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Carberry CK, Rager JE. The impact of environmental contaminants on extracellular vesicles and their key molecular regulators: A literature and database-driven review. ENVIRONMENTAL AND MOLECULAR MUTAGENESIS 2023; 64:50-66. [PMID: 36502378 PMCID: PMC10798145 DOI: 10.1002/em.22522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to environmental chemicals is now well recognized as a significant factor contributing to the global burden of disease; however, there remain critical gaps in understanding the types of biological mechanisms that link environmental chemicals to adverse health outcomes. One type of mechanism that remains understudied involves extracellular vesicles (EVs), representing small cell-derived particles capable of carrying molecular signals such as RNAs, miRNAs, proteins, lipids, and chemicals through biological fluids and imparting beneficial, neutral, or negative effects on target cells. In fact, evidence is just now starting to grow that supports the role of EVs in various disease etiologies. This review aims to (1) Provide a landscape of the current understanding of the functional relationship between EVs and environmental chemicals; (2) Summarize current knowledge of EV regulatory processes including production, packaging, and release; and (3) Conduct a database-driven analysis of known chemical-gene interactions to predict and prioritize environmentally relevant chemicals that may impact EV regulatory genes and thus EV regulatory processes. This approach to predicting environmentally relevant chemicals that may alter EVs provides a novel method for evidence-based hypothesis generation for future studies evaluating the link between environmental exposures and EVs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celeste K. Carberry
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- The Institute for Environmental Health Solutions, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Julia E. Rager
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- The Institute for Environmental Health Solutions, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Curriculum in Toxicology and Environmental Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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11
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Kim YH, Rager JE, Jaspers I, Gilmour MI. Computational Approach to Link Chemicals in Anthropogenic Smoke Particulate Matter with Toxicity. Chem Res Toxicol 2022; 35:2210-2213. [PMID: 36373932 PMCID: PMC10959450 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.2c00270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
A weighted chemical coexpression network analysis (WCCNA) was utilized to identify chemicals co-modulated to variable burning of anthropogenic materials and to link chemicals to biological responses (lung toxicity and mutagenicity). Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were co-modulated with increased concentrations in flaming smoke particulate matter (PM) from the burning of plastic-containing materials and showed significant association with increased neutrophil influx, cytokine levels, and mutagenicity. Inorganic elements were co-modulated with increased concentrations in flaming plywood and cardboard smoke PM and showed significant association with increased protein and albumin levels. This study shows the potential for using a computational network analysis to identify and prioritize hazardous chemical components within complex environmental mixtures and provides guidance on key chemical tracers required for intervention research to protect public health from the exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Ho Kim
- Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711, United States
| | | | | | - M Ian Gilmour
- Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711, United States
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12
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Koval LE, Carberry CK, Kim YH, McDermott E, Hartwell H, Jaspers I, Gilmour MI, Rager JE. Wildfire Variable Toxicity: Identifying Biomass Smoke Exposure Groupings through Transcriptomic Similarity Scoring. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:17131-17142. [PMID: 36399130 PMCID: PMC10777820 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c06043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
The prevalence of wildfires continues to grow globally with exposures resulting in increased disease risk. Characterizing these health risks remains difficult due to the wide landscape of exposures that can result from different burn conditions and fuel types. This study tested the hypothesis that biomass smoke exposures from variable fuels and combustion conditions group together based on similar transcriptional response profiles, informing which wildfire-relevant exposures may be considered as a group for health risk evaluations. Mice (female CD-1) were exposed via oropharyngeal aspiration to equal mass biomass smoke condensates produced from flaming or smoldering burns of eucalyptus, peat, pine, pine needles, or red oak species. Lung transcriptomic signatures were used to calculate transcriptomic similarity scores across exposures, which informed exposure groupings. Exposures from flaming peat, flaming eucalyptus, and smoldering eucalyptus induced the greatest responses, with flaming peat grouping with the pro-inflammatory agent lipopolysaccharide. Smoldering red oak and smoldering peat induced the least transcriptomic response. Groupings paralleled pulmonary toxicity markers, though they were better substantiated by higher data dimensionality and resolution provided through -omic-based evaluation. Interestingly, groupings based on smoke chemistry signatures differed from transcriptomic/toxicity-based groupings. Wildfire-relevant exposure groupings yield insights into risk assessment strategies to ultimately protect public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren E Koval
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina27599, United States
- The Institute for Environmental Health Solutions, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina27599, United States
| | - Celeste K Carberry
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina27599, United States
- The Institute for Environmental Health Solutions, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina27599, United States
| | - Yong Ho Kim
- The Center for Environmental Medicine, Asthma and Lung Biology, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina27599, United States
- Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, Durham, North Carolina27711, United States
| | - Elena McDermott
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina27599, United States
- The Institute for Environmental Health Solutions, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina27599, United States
| | - Hadley Hartwell
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina27599, United States
- The Institute for Environmental Health Solutions, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina27599, United States
| | - Ilona Jaspers
- The Institute for Environmental Health Solutions, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina27599, United States
- The Center for Environmental Medicine, Asthma and Lung Biology, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina27599, United States
- Curriculum in Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina27599, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina27599, United States
| | - M Ian Gilmour
- Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, Durham, North Carolina27711, United States
| | - Julia E Rager
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina27599, United States
- The Institute for Environmental Health Solutions, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina27599, United States
- The Center for Environmental Medicine, Asthma and Lung Biology, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina27599, United States
- Curriculum in Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina27599, United States
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