[Reading Science] Ultrafine Dust Disrupts Brain Vascular Energy Metabolism...Pathway to Impaired Brain Function Identified

PM2.5 Causes Reduced Blood Flow

Suggests Possible Link Between Air Pollution and Degenerative Brain Diseases

A study has found that ultrafine particulate matter (PM2.5) can disrupt the energy metabolism of brain vascular cells, potentially leading to reduced blood flow and abnormal brain environments. This provides scientific evidence linking the health risks of fine dust, previously known mainly for its impact on respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, to brain health as well.

On March 6, the research team led by Dr. Kim Dogeun of the Korea Brain Research Institute, in collaboration with Professor Park Kyemyung from Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) and Dr. Lee Kyuhong from the Korea Institute for Translational Neuroscience (KIT), announced that they have identified the neurotoxic mechanism by which ultrafine particulate matter impairs brain vascular function and affects brain health.

Mechanism of vascular-first brain injury caused by fine dust. Fine dust reduces the energy of brain vascular cells, inducing vascular constriction and impaired waste clearance functions, ultimately leading to brain inflammation and neural damage. Provided by the research team

The results of the study were published in the latest issue of the international journal 'Journal of Hazardous Materials.' Kyuseong Kim, a researcher at Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Dongim Kim from the Korea Institute for Translational Neuroscience (KIT), and Sungsoo Hwang from UNIST participated as co-first authors, while Professor Park Kyemyung, Dr. Lee Kyuhong, and Dr. Kim Dogeun served as co-corresponding authors.

Ultrafine Dust Damages the 'Mitochondria,' the Energy Factory of Brain Vascular Cells

The research team focused on brain vascular endothelial cells, a core element in maintaining the brain environment. These cells supply oxygen and nutrients to the brain and play a role in regulating blood flow.

Experimental results showed that ultrafine particulate matter activates the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) within cells, thereby impairing mitochondrial function. Mitochondria are organelles that produce cellular energy, and when their function is weakened, the cell's ability to generate energy is reduced.

This process leads to weakened vascular regulatory functions, ultimately resulting in reduced blood flow to the brain.

The researchers also found that these changes affect the interactions between brain vascular cells and surrounding cells such as astrocytes. This suggests that abnormalities can occur in the system responsible for waste removal and substance exchange within the brain, destabilizing the homeostasis of the brain environment.

Photo of the joint research team from the Korea Brain Research Institute (KBRI), Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), and the Korea Institute of Toxicology (KIT). Provided by KBRI

Changes Are Most Pronounced in the Hippocampus, a Key Area for Memory and Learning

These changes were particularly pronounced in the hippocampus, the region responsible for memory and learning. The hippocampus is closely associated with degenerative brain diseases such as Alzheimer's disease.

Using a mouse model, the research team observed changes in brain vascular and surrounding cells after exposure to fine dust through various imaging analyses and experimental techniques. They found that the effects of fine dust did not appear simultaneously throughout the brain, but rather began with changes in vascular function and then spread to the overall brain environment.

This study is significant as it suggests that fine dust is not merely a simple toxic substance that causes brain inflammation, but has a new toxic pathway that starts with impairment of brain vascular function and leads to changes in neural function.

"Reflecting the Characteristics of Korean Fine Dust... A Basis for Environmental and Health Research"

The research team used "Korean-type fine dust," which reflects the characteristics of domestic atmospheric particulate matter, in this experiment. They precisely reproduced the components of domestic fine dust, which are high in organic carbon (OC) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) generated from fossil fuel combustion.

Dr. Kim Dogeun of the Korea Brain Research Institute stated, "This study demonstrates that ultrafine particulate matter can also affect the brain's ability to maintain its environment," and added, "We will continue research to protect public brain health."

Professor Park Kyemyung of UNIST said, "We have identified the process by which ultrafine particulate matter impairs the energy metabolism of brain vascular cells, causing a chain of changes in vascular function and the brain environment. This will serve as a fundamental basis for understanding the link between environmental pollution and brain diseases."

Dr. Lee Kyuhong of the Korea Institute for Translational Neuroscience commented, "It is meaningful that the study recreated the toxicological properties of domestic atmospheric fine dust as realistically as possible," and predicted, "It can be utilized in environmental health policy and related research and development."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.