Articolo in rivista, 2023, ENG, 10.3390/life13061375

Air Pollution and microRNAs: The Role of Association in Airway Inflammation

Fabiana Furci; Alessandro Allegra; Alessandro Tonacci; Stefania Isola; Gianenrico Senna; Giovanni Pioggia; Sebastiano Gangemi;

Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata Verona; Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche; Università degli Studi di Messina, Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia; Università degli Studi di Messina; Istituto di Fisiologia Clinica del CNR

Air pollution exposure plays a key role in the alteration of gene expression profiles, which can be regulated by microRNAs, inducing the development of various diseases. Moreover, there is also evidence of sensitivity of miRNAs to environmental factors, including tobacco smoke. Various diseases are related to specific microRNA signatures, suggesting their potential role in pathophysiological processes; considering their association with environmental pollutants, they could become novel biomarkers of exposure. Therefore, the aim of the present work is to analyse data reported in the literature on the role of environmental stressors on microRNA alterations and, in particular, to identify specific alterations that might be related to the development of airway diseases so as to propose future preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic strategies.

Life (Basel) 13 (6)

Keywords

air pollutants, airway diseases, epigenetics, inflammation, lung, microRNA, smoke

CNR authors

Gangemi Sebastiano, Pioggia Giovanni, Tonacci Alessandro

CNR institutes

IFC – Istituto di fisiologia clinica, IRIB – Istituto per la Ricerca e l'Innovazione Biomedica