Exposure to fine particulate matter (PM), especially PM2.5, can induce various adverse health effects in populations, including diseases and premature death, but the mechanism of its toxicity is largely unknown.
Water-soluble components of PM2.5 (WS-PM2.5) were collected in the north of China in winter, and combined in two groups with the final concentrations of 94 μg/mL (CL group, AQI ≤ 100) and 119 μg/mL (CH group, 100 < AQI ≤ 200), respectively. The acute and long-term toxic effects of WS-PM2.5 samples were evaluated in several aspects such as development, lifespan, healthspan (locomotion behavior, heat stress tolerance, lipofucin). DAF mutants and genes were applied to verify the action of IIS pathway in WS-PM2.5 induced-effects. RNA-Sequencing was performed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms, as well as ROS production and Oil red O staining were also served as means of mechanism exploration.
Body length and lifespan were shortened by exposure to WS-PM2.5. Healthspan of nematodes revealed adverse effects evaluated by head thrash, body bend, pharyngeal pump, as well as intestinal lipofuscin accumulation and survival time under heat stress. The abbreviated lifespan of
WS-PM2.5 exposure induce varying degrees of toxic effects, such as body development, shorten lifespan and healthspan. The IIS pathway and lipid metabolism/transport were disturbed by WS-PM2.5 during WS-PM2.5 exposure, suggesting their regulatory role in lifespan determination.