Effects of atmospheric PM2.5 exposure on DNA methylation
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Abstract
Air pollution is common in China and throughout the world. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is a main air pollutant carrying toxic components, and its impacts on human health have aroused great concern domestically and internationally. Toxic components of PM2.5 mainly consist of heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which can enter blood circulation from the alveolar-blood exchange through breathing and exert adverse health effects on respiratory, cardiovascular, nervous systems, etc. Studies have demonstrated that PM2.5 exposure can cause changes in DNA methylation in human body, leading to various diseases of human organs and systems. This review summarized the effects of PM2.5 exposure and its toxic components on DNA methylation and subsequent epigenetic modifications, and explored the underlying mechanisms of relevant diseases.
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