(Toxicology Research) The study looked into the impact of PM2.5 (fine particulate matter) on DNA methylation in human bronchial epithelial cells. The cells were exposed to different levels of PM2.5 and DNA samples were collected for analysis. The results showed that PM2.5 exposure caused changes in DNA methylation of multiple genes involved in apoptosis and carcinogenesis pathways. A total of 127 and 238 differential methylation sites in 89 and 168 genes were identified with increased methylation levels in some genes and decreased in others.
Wang, B., Li, R., Cai, Y., Li, B., Qin, S., Zheng, K., Zeng, M. Xiao, F. Zhang, Z., Xu, X., (2020) Alteration of DNA methylation induced by PM2.5 in human bronchial epithelial cells, Toxicology Research, Volume 9, Issue 4, Pgs 552–560 https://doi.org/10.1093/toxres/tfaa061