Airway microbiome dysbiosis in human under diesel engine exhaust exposure

As one of the predominant components of traffic exhaust pollution, the detrimental effect of diesel engine exhaust (DEE) on public health are drawing more attention, especially on respiratory health. Our understanding on the role of airway microbiome ecosystem in interaction between DEE exposure and respiratory health remains limited. Our study aims to identify the airway microbiome signature and assess the correlation with respiratory health in populations under high DEE exposure.Here, induced sputum was collected from 54 diesel exposed factory workers and 52 unexposed controls in our study. Reduction of lung function was observed in exposed participants compared with controls. Importantly, changes in overall airway microbiome signature and community assemble were observed. The relative abundance of specific species was altered in exposed participants. In addition, airway microbiome exhibited a weaker correlation network and less keystone species in exposed participants compared to controls. Moreover, spearman analysis displayed that specific species were related with CCAM, CC16, FVC and FEV1.