On fine particulate matter and COVID-19 spread and severity: An in vitro toxicological plausible mechanism
- Resource Type
- article
- Authors
- S. Marchetti; M. Gualtieri; A. Pozzer; J. Lelieveld; F. Saliu; A.L. Hansell; A. Colombo; P. Mantecca
- Source
- Environment International, Vol 179, Iss , Pp 108131- (2023)
- Subject
- Particulate matter
SARS-CoV-2
Mode of action
ACE2
Inflammation
Early endosome
Environmental sciences
GE1-350
- Language
- English
- ISSN
- 0160-4120
COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on global public health. The spread of the disease was related to the high transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 virus but incidence and mortality rate suggested a possible relationship with environmental factors. Air pollution has been hypothesized to play a role in the transmission of the virus and the resulting severity of the disease. Here we report a plausible in vitro toxicological mode of action by which fine particulate matter (PM2.5) could promote a higher infection rate of SARS-CoV-2 and severity of COVID-19 disease. PM2.5 promotes a 1.5 fold over-expression of the angiotensin 2 converting enzyme (ACE2) which is exploited by viral particles to enter human lung alveolar cells (1.5 fold increase in RAB5 protein) and increases their inflammatory state (IL-8 and NF-kB protein expression). Our results provide a basis for further exploring the possible synergy between biological threats and air pollutants and ask for a deeper understanding of how air quality could influence new pandemics in the future.