Posted on 07/30/2025 9:13:12 PM PDT by ConservativeMind
Air pollution is a health concern, with over 90% of the world's population breathing air that exceeds World Health Organization safety standards. Fine and coarse particulate matter are especially dangerous.
Rsearchers investigated how long-term exposure to particulate matter triggers immune imbalance in the lungs. "Our study reveals how chronic exposure to particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) triggers harmful allergic-like (TH2) immune responses," explains Prof. Hong.
The researchers exposed mice to PM10 and PM2.5 daily for 16 weeks. They then analyzed lung tissue, plasma, and immune cell profiles to evaluate how particulate matter affected lung health and immune function. Mice exposed to PM showed significant signs of lung inflammation, including alveolar wall thickening, immune cell infiltration, and tissue scarring. These effects were more severe in the group exposed to PM2.5, which is known to reach deeper areas of the lungs.
The researchers also observed a shift in immune response. TH1-type immune activity, associated with protective responses, was suppressed, while TH2-associated signals increased. This included elevated levels of cytokines such as IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13, and higher levels of IgE and IgG1, antibodies linked to asthma and allergic inflammation. These findings suggest that long-term exposure to PM skews immune balance toward an allergic-type response.
This immune shift was closely linked to activation of the NRF2 pathway, a key regulator of oxidative stress. NRF2 typically protects against environmental damage, but under chronic activation, it appeared to worsen inflammation. "This mechanistic link explains why air pollution can worsen asthma and other allergic diseases, identifying NRF2 as a key driver of this shift," Prof. Hong notes.
The study offers insight into how chronic air pollution affects respiratory health at a molecular level. By linking NRF2 activation to immune reprogramming, the findings highlight new potential therapeutic targets, such as antioxidants or drugs that regulate NRF2 activity.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
Chronic elevation of NRF2, which normally helps activate SOD to help, actually hurts a natural process in the lungs to clean up damaged cells via autophagy. From the paper:
“To further investigate the role of Nrf2 in TH2 responses and its impact on PM-induced lung pathology, we exposed WT, Nrf2−/−, and Nrf2Tg mice to PM2.5. Consistent with previous studies, PM2.5 exposure disrupted autophagy in lung tissues, while Nrf2 deficiency restored autophagic processes and maintained lung function and histological stability in PM2.5-exposed mice [41]. These results highlight the harmful role of Nrf2 in promoting TH2 responses during PM exposure, which exacerbates pulmonary inflammation.“
It seems reducing NRF2 re-enables the healthy process. Supplements and foods can activate or deactivate NRF2 and you can just take a break from activating foods and supplements, to give NRF2 some needed downtime. A lot of healthy things boost NRF2.
It seems both boosting SOD and curbing some NRF2 could help, but best would be to simply address the particulate matter you are breathing. Consider HEPA filters or upgraded air filters for your A/C, furnace, vacuum, and car. Do more outside when pollution conditions are better.
Bosch has a HEPA car filter replacement. Eureka has near HEPA vacuum bags. 3M Filtrete has high filtration house filters. Standalone HEPA air filters can clean air across several rooms’ worth of your home.
Some insight on NRF2 activators and over-activation situations:
https://mybiohack.com/blog/nrf2-cirs-sensitivities
Those of us who have lived in frequently dusty desert areas where people with serious respiratory illnesses have been encouraged by their doctor to move to for improved breathing are skeptical of this.
I’m skeptical of it because it’s the WHO, an organization that has shown itself to be lying and leftist.
I live in an area wherethey say has a rather high rate of air pollution, but they also tell me I got lung damage as a result of the Covid & an accompanying stay in the hospital with they said was double pneumonia. So I’m not sure just what goes on here. I do seem to be pretty short-winded.
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