Air Particulate Matter Induces Skin Barrier Dysfunction and Water Transport Alteration on a Reconstructed Human Epidermis Model
Open accessAbstract
Knowing the damage that particulate matter (PM) can cause in skin is important for tightly controlling the release of air pollutants and preventing more serious diseases. This study investigates if such alterations are present in reconstructed human epidermis exposed to coarse air PM. Exposure of reconstructed human epidermis to increasing concentrations (2.2, 8.9, and 17.9 μg/cm 2) of standard urban PM over time led to decreased cell viability at 48 hours. The barrier function was shown to be compromised by 24 hours of exposure to high doses (17.9 μg/cm 2). Morphological alterations included cytoplasm vacuolization and partial loss of epidermal stratification. Cytokeratin 10, involucrin, loricrin, and filaggrin protein levels were significantly decreased. We confirmed an inflammatory process by IL-1α release and found a significant increase in AQP3 expression. We also demonstrated changes in NOTCH1 and AhR expression of epidermis treated with coarse air PM. The use of hydrogen peroxide altered AQP3 and NOTCH1 expression, and the use of N-acetyl-L-cysteine altered NOTCH1 expression, suggesting that this is a redox-dependent process. These results demonstrate that coarse air PM induces dose-dependent inflammatory response and alterations in protein markers of differentiation and water transport in the epidermis that could ultimately compromise the structural integrity of the skin, promoting or exacerbating various skin diseases.
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These PM2.5 doses (used in earlier studies) were cytotoxic to primary keratinocytes in the current study.
“We found that these PM2.5 doses were cytotoxic to primary keratinocytes in the current study (27–29).”
From Particulate matter causes skin barrier dysfunction. (2021) · cites this paper as [29]
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“This observation is consistent with previous reports (27, 29).”
BackgroundResultEnvironmental Air Pollutants Affecting Skin Functions with Systemic Implications
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“Various studies have revealed that PM exposure decreases the expression of key proteins, such as filaggrin, cytokeratin 10, involucrin, and loricrin, which are crucial in maintaining skin structure 43-45 .”
- Authors
- Hieda, D. S., Anastacio da Costa Carvalho, L., Vaz de Mello, B., Oliveira, E. A. D., Romano de Assis, S., Wu, J., Du-Thumm, L., Viana da Silva, C. L., Roubicek, D. A., Maria-Engler, S. S., & Berlanga de Moraes Barros, S.
- Affiliations
- Universidade de São Paulo (BR)
- Colgate-Palmolive (United States) (US)
- CETESB - Companhia Ambiental do Estado de São Paulo (BR)
- ORCID
- Venue
- Journal of Investigative Dermatology
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2020-12
- Volume
- 140
- Issue
- 12
- Pages
- 2343-2352.e3
- ISSN
- 0022-202X (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W3017397488
- Cited by
- 47
- References
- 46
- Citations by year
- 2026: 6 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 3
- FWCI
- 2.30
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Journal of Investigative Dermatology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo
- Colgate-Palmolive Company
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Air Quality and Health Impacts
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Dermatology › Dermatology and Skin Diseases
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Dermatology › Contact Dermatitis and Allergies
- Keywords
- particulate matter, coarse particles, skin barrier dysfunction, reconstructed human epidermis, water transport, AQP3, Notch1, aryl hydrocarbon receptor, oxidative stress, N-acetylcysteine, hydrogen peroxide, cytokine production, IL-1α, filaggrin, involucrin, keratinocyte differentiation, skin inflammation
- MeSH terms
- Filaggrin Proteins, Air Pollutants, Cell Differentiation, Cells, Cultured, Epidermis, Humans, Skin Diseases, Water Loss, Insensible, Biomarkers, Keratinocytes, Particulate Matter, Primary Cell Culture
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