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Proinflammatory polarization of monocytes by particulate air pollutants is mediated by induction of trained immunity in pediatric asthma
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  • Kari Nadeau,
  • Hesam Movassagh,
  • Mary Prunicki,
  • Abhinav Kaushik,
  • Xiaoying Zhou,
  • Diane Dunham,
  • Eric Smith,
  • Ziyuan He,
  • German R. Aleman Muench,
  • Minyi Shi,
  • Annika K. Weimer,
  • Shu Cao,
  • Sandra Andorf,
  • Amir Feizi,
  • Michael Snyder,
  • Pejman Soroosh,
  • Elizabeth D. Mellins
Kari Nadeau
Stanford University

Corresponding Author:knadeau@stanford.edu

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Hesam Movassagh
Stanford University
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Mary Prunicki
Stanford University
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Abhinav Kaushik
Stanford University
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Xiaoying Zhou
Stanford University
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Diane Dunham
Stanford University
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Eric Smith
Stanford University
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Ziyuan He
Stanford University
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German R. Aleman Muench
LLC
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Minyi Shi
Stanford University Department of Genetics
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Annika K. Weimer
Stanford University Department of Genetics
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Shu Cao
Stanford University
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Sandra Andorf
University of Cincinnati Department of Pediatrics
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Amir Feizi
OMass Therapeutics Ltd
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Michael Snyder
Stanford University Department of Genetics
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Pejman Soroosh
LLC
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Elizabeth D. Mellins
Stanford University Department of Pediatrics
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Abstract

The impact of exposure to air pollutants, such as fine particulate matter (PM), on the immune system and its consequences on pediatric asthma are not well understood. We investigated whether the ambient levels of fine PM with aerodynamic diameter ≤ 2.5 microns (PM 2.5) are associated with alterations in circulating monocytes in children with or without asthma. Increased exposure to ambient PM 2.5 was linked to specific monocyte subtypes, particularly in children with asthma. Mechanistically, we hypothesized that innate trained immunity is evoked by a primary exposure to fine PM and accounts for an enhanced inflammatory response after secondary stimulation in vitro. We determined that the trained immunity was induced in circulating monocytes by fine particulate pollutants, and it was characterized by upregulation of proinflammatory mediators, such as TNF, IL-6, and IL-8, upon stimulation with house dust mite or LPS. This phenotype was epigenetically controlled by enhanced H3K27ac marks in circulating monocytes. The specific alterations of monocytes after ambient pollution exposure suggest a possible prognostic immune signature for pediatric asthma, and pollution-induced trained immunity may provide a potential therapeutic target for asthmatic children living in areas with increased air pollution.
10 Nov 2022Submitted to Allergy
10 Nov 2022Submission Checks Completed
10 Nov 2022Assigned to Editor
10 Nov 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
10 Nov 2022Reviewer(s) Assigned
30 Nov 2022Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
13 Jan 20231st Revision Received
13 Jan 2023Submission Checks Completed
13 Jan 2023Assigned to Editor
13 Jan 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
13 Jan 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned
24 Jan 2023Editorial Decision: Accept