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On fine particulate matter and COVID-19 spread and severity: An in vitro toxicological plausible mechanism

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Pozzer,  A.
Atmospheric Chemistry, Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, Max Planck Society;

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Lelieveld,  J.
Atmospheric Chemistry, Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, Max Planck Society;

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Citation

Marchetti, S., Gualtieri, M., Pozzer, A., Lelieveld, J., Saliu, F., Hansell, A. L., et al. (2023). On fine particulate matter and COVID-19 spread and severity: An in vitro toxicological plausible mechanism. Environment International, 179: 108131. doi:10.1016/j.envint.2023.108131.


Cite as: https://hdl.handle.net/21.11116/0000-000D-D3CD-E
Abstract
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.