Tijs Louwies1, Caroline Vuegen2, Luc Int Panis3, Bianca Cox2, Karen Vrijens2, Tim S Nawrot4, Patrick De Boever5. 1. Environmental Risk and Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Mol, Belgium; Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium. 2. Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium. 3. Environmental Risk and Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Mol, Belgium; Transportation Research Institute, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium. 4. Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium; Department of Public Health & Primary Care, Leuven University, Leuven, Belgium. 5. Environmental Risk and Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Mol, Belgium; Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium. Electronic address: patrick.deboever@vito.be.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Air pollution, a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, can exert its effects through the microcirculation. Retinal blood vessel width is considered a marker for microvascular health and is associated with short-term PM10 exposure. microRNAs are key regulators of complex biological processes in cardiovascular health and disease and miRNA expression can be affected by air pollution exposure. Studies investigating the effect of ambient air pollution exposure on miRNA expression in combination with an assessment of the microvasculature do not exist. METHODS: 50 healthy adults (50% women, 23-58 years old) were examined once a month from December 2014 until April 2015 in Flanders (Belgium). Fundus photos and venous blood samples were collected during the study visits. PM10 data were obtained from a nearby monitoring station. Image analysis was used to calculate the width of retinal blood vessels, represented as the Central Retinal Arteriolar/Venular Equivalent (CRAE/CRVE). Total miRNA was isolated from blood and the expression of miR-21, -146a and, -222 were measured using quantitative real-time PCR. Mixed models were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Each short-term increase of 10µg/m(3) PM10 during the 24h preceding the study visit was associated with a 0.58µm decrease (95% CI: -1.16, -0.0005; p=0.056) in CRAE, a 0.99µm increase (95% CI: 0.18, 1.80; p=0.021) in CRVE, a 6.6% decrease (95% CI: -11.07, -2.17; p=0.0038) in miR-21 expression and a 6.7% decrease (95% CI: -10.70, -2.75; p=0.0012) in miR-222 expression. Each 10% increase in miR-21 was associated with a 0.14µm increase (95% CI: 0.0060, 0.24; p=0.046) in CRAE whereas a similar increase in miR-222 expression was associated with a 0.28µm decrease (95% CI: -0.50, -0.062; p=0.016) in CRVE. These associations were also found in exposure windows ranging from 2h to 1 week. Finally, we observed that the association between PM10 exposure and CRAE was mediated by miRNA-21 expression. CONCLUSION: PM10 exposure was associated with retinal arteriolar narrowing and venular widening. PM10 exposure affected miRNAs that are involved in inflammatory and oxidative stress pathways. We suggest that miRNA changes may be relevant to explain the association between PM10 and retinal vessel calibers.
INTRODUCTION: Air pollution, a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, can exert its effects through the microcirculation. Retinal blood vessel width is considered a marker for microvascular health and is associated with short-term PM10 exposure. microRNAs are key regulators of complex biological processes in cardiovascular health and disease and miRNA expression can be affected by air pollution exposure. Studies investigating the effect of ambient air pollution exposure on miRNA expression in combination with an assessment of the microvasculature do not exist. METHODS: 50 healthy adults (50% women, 23-58 years old) were examined once a month from December 2014 until April 2015 in Flanders (Belgium). Fundus photos and venous blood samples were collected during the study visits. PM10 data were obtained from a nearby monitoring station. Image analysis was used to calculate the width of retinal blood vessels, represented as the Central Retinal Arteriolar/Venular Equivalent (CRAE/CRVE). Total miRNA was isolated from blood and the expression of miR-21, -146a and, -222 were measured using quantitative real-time PCR. Mixed models were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Each short-term increase of 10µg/m(3) PM10 during the 24h preceding the study visit was associated with a 0.58µm decrease (95% CI: -1.16, -0.0005; p=0.056) in CRAE, a 0.99µm increase (95% CI: 0.18, 1.80; p=0.021) in CRVE, a 6.6% decrease (95% CI: -11.07, -2.17; p=0.0038) in miR-21 expression and a 6.7% decrease (95% CI: -10.70, -2.75; p=0.0012) in miR-222 expression. Each 10% increase in miR-21 was associated with a 0.14µm increase (95% CI: 0.0060, 0.24; p=0.046) in CRAE whereas a similar increase in miR-222 expression was associated with a 0.28µm decrease (95% CI: -0.50, -0.062; p=0.016) in CRVE. These associations were also found in exposure windows ranging from 2h to 1 week. Finally, we observed that the association between PM10 exposure and CRAE was mediated by miRNA-21 expression. CONCLUSION: PM10 exposure was associated with retinal arteriolar narrowing and venular widening. PM10 exposure affected miRNAs that are involved in inflammatory and oxidative stress pathways. We suggest that miRNA changes may be relevant to explain the association between PM10 and retinal vessel calibers.
Authors: Rossella Alfano; Zdenko Herceg; Tim S Nawrot; Marc Chadeau-Hyam; Akram Ghantous; Michelle Plusquin Journal: Curr Environ Health Rep Date: 2018-12
Authors: Leen J Luyten; Yinthe Dockx; Eline B Provost; Narjes Madhloum; Hanne Sleurs; Kristof Y Neven; Bram G Janssen; Hannelore Bové; Florence Debacq-Chainiaux; Nele Gerrits; Wouter Lefebvre; Michelle Plusquin; Charlotte Vanpoucke; Patrick De Boever; Tim S Nawrot Journal: BMC Med Date: 2020-05-26 Impact factor: 8.775
Authors: Annette Vriens; Tim S Nawrot; Nelly D Saenen; Eline B Provost; Michal Kicinski; Wouter Lefebvre; Charlotte Vanpoucke; Jan Van Deun; Olivier De Wever; Karen Vrijens; Patrick De Boever; Michelle Plusquin Journal: Environ Health Date: 2016-07-26 Impact factor: 5.984