Air Pollution: Possible Interaction between the Immune and Nervous System?

Melania Maria Serafini, Ambra Maddalon (), Martina Iulini and Valentina Galbiati
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Melania Maria Serafini: Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences (DiSFeB), Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
Ambra Maddalon: Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences (DiSFeB), Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
Martina Iulini: Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences (DiSFeB), Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
Valentina Galbiati: Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences (DiSFeB), Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 23, 1-24

Abstract: Exposure to environmental pollutants is a serious and common public health concern associated with growing morbidity and mortality worldwide, as well as economic burden. In recent years, the toxic effects associated with air pollution have been intensively studied, with a particular focus on the lung and cardiovascular system, mainly associated with particulate matter exposure. However, epidemiological and mechanistic studies suggest that air pollution can also influence skin integrity and may have a significant adverse impact on the immune and nervous system. Air pollution exposure already starts in utero before birth, potentially causing delayed chronic diseases arising later in life. There are, indeed, time windows during the life of individuals who are more susceptible to air pollution exposure, which may result in more severe outcomes. In this review paper, we provide an overview of findings that have established the effects of air pollutants on the immune and nervous system, and speculate on the possible interaction between them, based on mechanistic data.

Keywords: air pollution; immune system; skin; central nervous system; microbiota; hygiene hypothesis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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