Adverse effects of ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) on vascular smooth muscle cells

Abstract Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide. Meanwhile, environment air pollution has become a serious health risk factor, contributing to the mortality of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. A substantial body of evidence has shown that many types of vascular diseases are related to air pollution. The physiology and pathophysiology of the three layers of vascular vessels, especially the inner and medial layer, contribute to the process of vascular diseases. Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are the predominant cells in the medial layer, and several studies have indicated that air pollution has an adverse effect on VSMCs. There are numerous sources of air pollution across the world, and the components of air pollutants are a complex mixture of gaseous pollutants and particulate matter. Among these air pollutants, particulate matter (PM) 2.5 presents the highest risk factor leading to global mortality from cardiovascular disease and disability. In this review, we primarily focus on the impacts of PM 2.5 exposure on VSMCs. We further discuss the correlation between exposure to PM 2.5 and other vascular diseases and present potential protective and treatment strategies to decrease vascular mortality related to air pollution.