Molecular Shadows: How Environmental Exposures Disrupt Human Health

Have you ever considered how our environment can impact our health? We often discuss pollutants, toxins, and chemicals in the air and water. Industrialization and urbanization have certainly led to large amounts of pollutants that harm human health. As a biologist, I believe it is crucial to understand the molecular and cellular mechanisms by which environmental factors influence physiological processes and disease outcomes.

Wu.et.al.2023

The exposome, or the sum of all environmental influences on an individual, triggers biological responses through three key molecular mechanisms:

• Extracellular Vesicles: Released by organs under environmental stress, these vesicles carry microRNAs (miRNAs) that influence cell communication and gene expression (ref 2)

  1. Changes in extracellular vesicle cargo have been reported in diabetes, postmyocardial infarction, and cancer

  2.

  
  

• RNA Modification (Epitranscriptome): Environmental pollutants can chemically modify RNA molecules, potentially disrupting normal cellular functions

  
  

• Mitochondrial Impact: Environmental insults can alter mitochondrial gene expression, increasing the risk of various diseases.

We can better grasp how environmental factors contribute to various health conditions by delving deeper into these molecular and cellular mechanisms. This knowledge is vital for developing effective public health strategies and disease prevention efforts that address the root causes of environmental influences on health. As research in this field continues to evolve, it will be essential to integrate these findings into comprehensive health policies and interventions, aiming to mitigate the adverse effects of environmental stressors and promote overall well-being.

References

1. Molecular mechanisms of environmental exposures and human disease https://www.nature.com/articles/s41576-022-00569-3?fromPaywallRec=false

2. Cellular senescence contributes to age-dependent changes in circulating extracellular vesicle cargo and function

   https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31960578/

3. Environmental epi transcriptomics https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0013935120307805?via%3Dihub

4. RNA Modifications and Epigenetics in Modulation of Lung Cancer and Pulmonary Diseases

   https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8508636/

5. Integrating mitochondriomics in children's environmental health https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26046650/