title: Exposure to concentrated ambient fine particulate matter disrupts vascular endothelial cell barrier function via the IL-6/HIF-1α signaling pathway.
abstract: Exposure to concentrated ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) has been associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The barrier function of vascular endothelial cells is critical for the development of CVDs. Here, we employed human umbilical vein endothelial cells to clarify the function of ambient PM2.5 pollution in the regulation of membrane permeability of vascular endothelial cells. The results show that a high concentration of PM2.5, which mainly includes heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, induces barrier dysfunction of vascular endothelial cells. This was mediated in part by promoting IL-6 expression, which then increases the transcriptional activity of HIF-1α by promoting its translocation to the nucleus. Our findings indicate that concentrated PM2.5 can destroy membrane integrity and promote permeability in vascular endothelial cells, thereby contributing to the development of CVDs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biotechnology Guangzhou Medical University China.
authors.forename: Jianwei
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dai
authors.affiliation: Department of Biotechnology Guangzhou Medical University China.
authors.forename: Canxing
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: Department of Biotechnology Guangzhou Medical University China.
authors.forename: Zhuo
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.affiliation: Department of Biotechnology Guangzhou Medical University China.
authors.forename: Wensheng
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Biotechnology Guangzhou Medical University China.
authors.forename: Lihong
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Tianjin University of Science & Technology China.
authors.forename: Minhui
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Long
keywords: HIF‐1α; IL‐6; fine particulate matter; permeability; vascular endothelial cell