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Published in: BMC Public Health 1/2014

Open Access 01-12-2014 | Study protocol

Susceptibility to particle health effects, miRNA and exosomes: rationale and study protocol of the SPHERE study

Authors: Valentina Bollati, Simona Iodice, Chiara Favero, Laura Angelici, Benedetta Albetti, Raquel Cacace, Laura Cantone, Michele Carugno, Tommaso Cavalleri, Barbara De Giorgio, Laura Dioni, Silvia Fustinoni, Mirjam Hoxha, Barbara Marinelli, Valeria Motta, Lorenzo Patrini, Laura Pergoli, Luciano Riboldi, Giovanna Rizzo, Federica Rota, Sabrina Sucato, Letizia Tarantini, Amedea Silvia Tirelli, Luisella Vigna, Pieralberto Bertazzi, Angela Cecilia Pesatori

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2014

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Abstract

Background

Despite epidemiological findings showing increased air pollution related cardiovascular diseases (CVD), the knowledge of the involved molecular mechanisms remains moderate or weak. Particulate matter (PM) produces a local strong inflammatory reaction in the pulmonary environment but there is no final evidence that PM physically enters and deposits in blood vessels. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) and their miRNA cargo might be the ideal candidate to mediate the effects of PM, since they could be potentially produced by the respiratory system, reach the systemic circulation and lead to the development of cardiovascular effects.
The SPHERE (“Susceptibility to Particle Health Effects, miRNAs and Exosomes”) project was granted by ERC-2011-StG 282413, to examine possible molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of PM exposure in relation to health outcomes.

Methods/design

The study population will include 2000 overweight (25 < BMI < 30 kg/cm2) or obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/cm2) subjects presenting at the Center for Obesity and Work (Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy).
Each subject donates blood, urine and hair samples. Extensive epidemiological and clinical data are collected. Exposure to PM is assigned to each subject using both daily PM10 concentration series from air quality monitors and pollutant levels estimated by the FARM (Flexible air Quality Regional Model) modelling system and elaborated by the Regional Environmental Protection Agency.
The recruitment period started in September 2010 and will continue until 2015. At December 31, 2013 we recruited 1250 subjects, of whom 87% lived in the province of Milan.
Primary study outcomes include cardiometabolic and respiratory health effects. The main molecular mechanism we are investigating focuses on EV-associated microRNAs.

Discussion

SPHERE is the first large study aimed to explore EVs as a novel potential mechanism of how air pollution exposure acts in a highly susceptible population. The rigorous study design, the availability of banked biological samples and the potential to integrate epidemiological, clinical and molecular data will also furnish a powerful base for investigating different complementary molecular mechanisms. Our findings, if confirmed, could lead to the identification of potentially reversible alterations that might be considered as possible targets for new diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.
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Metadata
Title
Susceptibility to particle health effects, miRNA and exosomes: rationale and study protocol of the SPHERE study
Authors
Valentina Bollati
Simona Iodice
Chiara Favero
Laura Angelici
Benedetta Albetti
Raquel Cacace
Laura Cantone
Michele Carugno
Tommaso Cavalleri
Barbara De Giorgio
Laura Dioni
Silvia Fustinoni
Mirjam Hoxha
Barbara Marinelli
Valeria Motta
Lorenzo Patrini
Laura Pergoli
Luciano Riboldi
Giovanna Rizzo
Federica Rota
Sabrina Sucato
Letizia Tarantini
Amedea Silvia Tirelli
Luisella Vigna
Pieralberto Bertazzi
Angela Cecilia Pesatori
Publication date
01-12-2014
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2014
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-14-1137

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