Airborne particulate matter induces oxidative damage, DNA adduct formation and alterations in DNA repair pathways

• Published in: Environmental pollution (1987) Vol. 287; p. 117313
• Main Authors: Quezada-Maldonado, Ericka Marel, Sánchez-Pérez, Yesennia, Chirino, Yolanda I., García-Cuellar, Claudia M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 15.10.2021
• Subjects: DNA damage; DNA damage Repair; Double-strand breaks repair; Excision repair; Particulate matter; Excision repair; Double-strand breaks repair; DNA damage Repair; Particulate matter; DNA damage
• ISSN: 0269-7491; 1873-6424
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117313

Air pollution, which includes particulate matter (PM), is classified in group 1 as a carcinogen to humans by the International Agency for Research in Cancer. Specifically, PM exposure has been associated with lung cancer in patients living in highly polluted cities. The precise mechanism by which PM is linked to cancer has not been completely described, and the genotoxicity induced by PM exposure plays a relevant role in cell damage. In this review, we aimed to analyze the types of DNA damage and alterations in DNA repair pathways induced by PM exposure, from both epidemiological and toxicological studies, to comprehend the contribution of PM exposure to carcinogenesis. Scientific evidence supports that PM exposure mainly causes oxidative stress by reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the formation of DNA adducts, specifically by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). PM exposure also induces double-strand breaks (DSBs) and deregulates the expression of some proteins in DNA repair pathways, precisely, base and nucleotide excision repairs and homologous repair. Furthermore, specific polymorphisms of DNA repair genes could lead to an adverse response in subjects exposed to PM. Nevertheless, information about the effects of PM on DNA repair pathways is still limited, and it has not been possible to conclude which pathways are the most affected by exposure to PM or if DNA damage is repaired properly. Therefore, deepening the study of genotoxic damage and alterations of DNA repair pathways is needed for a more precise understanding of the carcinogenic mechanism of PM. [Display omitted] •PM exposure induces DNA damage, including oxidative stress, PAH-adducts and DSBs.•In vitro and in vivo evidence of PM-induced DNA damage predicts effects in humans.•PM exposure deregulates the expression of DNA repair genes and proteins.•Inhibition of PM-induced DNA repair could lead to a carcinogenic process.•The effects of PM on the functionality of DNA repair pathways are still unknown. Particle Matter induces oxidative stress, PAH-adducts and double-strand breaks in DNA and deregulates DNA damage repair pathways, which are events associated with cancer development.