title: MicroRNAs as regulators of airborne pollution-induced lung inflammation and carcinogenesis.
abstract: The increasing incidence of pulmonary inflammation and lung cancer, as well as exacerbation of pre-existing chronic lung diseases by exposure to airborne pollutants, e.g., particulate matter and cigarette smoke, is becoming a major public health concern in the world. However, the exact mechanisms of pulmonary injury from exposure to these airborne insults have not been fully elucidated. Nevertheless, accumulating evidence suggests that microRNAs (miRNAs) may play a unique role in the regulation of airborne agent-induced lung inflammation and carcinogenesis. Since epigenetic modifications are heritable and reversible, this may provide a new insight into the relationship of miRNAs and environmental pollution-related lung disorders. The aim of this review was to update our existing knowledge regarding the mechanisms by which airborne pollutants altering miRNA profiles in the lung, specifically for cigarette smoke and airborne particulate matter, and the potential biological roles of miRNAs in the initiation of pulmonary inflammation and lung cancer, as well as the regulation of underlying genetic susceptibility to these environmental stressors.
authors: Center of Medical Research, General Hospital, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, 750004, People's Republic of China.
authors: Jun
authors: J
authors: Wei
authors: Feng
authors: F
authors: Li
authors: Jiali
authors: J
authors: Yang
authors: Xiaoming
authors: X
authors: Liu
authors: William C
authors: WC
authors: Cho
mesh_terms: D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000818:Animals; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000009:adverse effects; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D035683:MicroRNAs; D052638:Particulate Matter