Air pollution-associated shifts in the human airway microbiome and exposure-associated molecular events

Plain language summaryThe community of bacteria, viruses and fungi in the human body, known as the microbiome, plays an important role in human health. These communities vary in different locations in the body, for example in the gut, airways and skin. The microbiome within our airways is affected by air pollution because pollutants cause changes in the microbiome that may result in illness. In this article we review the available information on the effect of air pollution on the airway microbiome. We conclude that improving air quality is important to promoting healthy microbiomes and general human health. Publications addressing air pollution-induced human respiratory microbiome shifts are reviewed in this article. The healthy respiratory microbiota is characterized by a low density of bacteria, fungi and viruses with high diversity, and usually consists of Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Fusobacteria, viruses and fungi. The air's microbiome is highly dependent on air pollution levels and is directly reflected within the human respiratory microbiome. In addition, pollutants indirectly modify the local environment in human respiratory organs by reducing antioxidant capacity, misbalancing proteolysis and modulating inflammation, all of which regulate local microbiomes. Improving air quality leads to more diverse and healthy microbiomes of the local air and, subsequently, residents' airways.

Automated summary

The microbiome, consisting of bacteria, viruses and fungi, in the human body is crucial for human health. Air pollution affects the airway microbiome, leading to potential health issues. Improving air quality is important for promoting healthy microbiomes and general human health.