Exposure to particulate air pollution disrupts erythrocyte turnover

Chronic exposure to ambient particulate matter (PM) increases the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). One proposed mechanism linking PM exposure and CVD is the induction of low-grade systemic inflammation that underlies disease progression. However, the intermediaries that relay signals from the proximal sites of inflammation to the periphery remain unknown. We have previously shown that fine PM (PM2.5) alter red blood cell distribution width. Therefore, the overall goal of this study was to elucidate how PM exposure impacts the spleen and splenic macrophages which are primarily responsible for the turnover of aged and damaged red blood cells. Mice were exposed to filtered air or PM2.5 for 30 days and spleens were collected. In the second experiment, mice were exposed to filtered air following air or PM2.5 for 30 days and macrophages were isolated from spleen.