Air Pollution: Role of Extracellular Vesicles-Derived Non-Coding RNAs in Environmental Stress Response

Air pollution has increased over the years, causing a negative impact on society due to the many health-related problems it can contribute to. Although the type and extent of air pollutants are known, the molecular mechanisms underlying the induction of negative effects on the human body remain unclear. Emerging evidence suggests the crucial involvement of different molecular mediators in inflammation and oxidative stress in air pollution-induced disorders. Among these, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) carried by extracellular vesicles (EVs) may play an essential role in gene regulation of the cell stress response in pollutant-induced multiorgan disorders. This review highlights EV-transported ncRNAs' roles in physiological and pathological conditions, such as the development of cancer and respiratory, neurodegenerative, and cardiovascular diseases following exposure to various environmental stressors.

Automated summary

Air pollution has become a growing problem, negatively impacting society and causing various health-related issues. Despite knowing the types and levels of pollutants, the molecular mechanisms by which they affect the human body are not fully understood. Recent evidence suggests that non-coding RNAs carried by extracellular vesicles may play a crucial role in regulating gene expression in response to pollution-induced multiorgan disorders. This review highlights the involvement of extracellular vesicle-transported non-coding RNAs in physiological and pathological conditions, including cancer, respiratory diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, and cardiovascular diseases caused by environmental stressors.