People with asthma are known to be especially vulnerable to air pollution, but new research suggests that our genes may help explain why some people experience greater lung damage than others.
In one of the largest studies of its kind, researchers analysed genetic data from 948 adults with asthma and discovered that specific genetic differences can alter how the lungs respond to PM2.5.
The study found that higher long-term exposure to PM2.5 was associated with poorer lung function. For every 1 μg/m³ increase in PM2.5 exposure, participants’ lung function fell by an average of 0.7%, as measured by a standard breathing test called FEV1.
The researchers then looked at more than 4,300 genetic variants across 120 genes involved in the body’s response to oxidative stress – a form of cellular damage caused by harmful molecules generated during pollution exposure.
They identified 20 genetic variants in seven genes that appeared to influence how strongly air pollution affected lung function. In some people, these variants were linked to a steeper decline in breathing ability under higher pollution levels. In others, certain variants appeared to offer some protection.
To understand why, the team also examined gene activity in airway cells from a smaller group of participants. They found evidence that several of the genetic variants changed how active particular genes became when people were exposed to higher levels of PM2.5. Some protective genes became less active in people whose lung function declined most, while other variants reduced the activity of genes that may contribute to harmful oxidative stress, potentially helping preserve lung function.
Sally Wenzel, M.D., director of Pitt Public Health’s Asthma and Environmental Lung Health Institute at UPMC, said: ‘Those stresses on cells can translate into serious physiologic effects, like worsening lung function or asthma exacerbations.’
The findings highlight the complex interaction between genetics and the environment. Rather than pollution affecting everyone in the same way, an individual’s genetic make-up may influence how resilient their lungs are to long-term exposure.
The researchers say the work could eventually support more personalised approaches to asthma care. Identifying people who are genetically more susceptible to pollution could help target prevention strategies or lead to new treatments aimed at the biological pathways involved in oxidative stress.
Wenzel said: ‘You could imagine a simple test for a panel of genes that could be used to flag someone as highly susceptible to the effects of pollution. That kind of approach could enable both precision medicine – tailoring care to an individual – and precision public health – targeting interventions to specific populations most likely to benefit.’
The full research can be read here
Photo: Mohamed_hassan
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