Exposure to airborne particulate matter (PM) has been associated with detrimental health effects. DNA methylation represents the most well-studied epigenetic factor among the possible mechanisms underlying this association. Interestingly, changes of DNA methylation in response to environmental stimuli are being considered for their role in the pathogenic mechanism, but also as mediators of the body adaptation to air pollutants.Several studies have evaluated both global and gene-specific methylation in relation to PM exposure in different clinical conditions and life stages. The purpose of the present literature review is to evaluate the most relevant and recent studies in the field in order to analyze the available evidences on long- and short-term PM exposure and DNA methylation changes, with a particular focus on the different life stages when the alteration occurs. PM exposure modulates DNA methylation affecting several biological mechanisms with marked effects on health, especially during susceptible life stages such as pregnancy, childhood, and the older age.Although many cross-sectional investigations have been conducted so far, only a limited number of prospective studies have explored the potential role of DNA methylation. Future studies are needed in order to evaluate whether these changes might be reverted.

中文翻译：

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颗粒物暴露会影响整个寿命过程中的DNA甲基化。

暴露于空气中的颗粒物（PM）与有害健康影响有关。在这种关联的潜在机制中，DNA甲基化代表了研究最深入的表观遗传因子。有趣的是，人们考虑到DNA甲基化响应环境刺激而发生变化的原因是其在致病机理中的作用，同时也被认为是机体对空气污染物适应的介体。多项研究评估了与PM暴露有关的总体甲基化和基因特异性甲基化。在不同的临床条件和生命阶段。本文献综述的目的是评估该领域中最相关和最新的研究，以便分析有关长期和短期PM暴露和DNA甲基化变化的现有证据，特别要关注发生变化时的不同生命阶段。PM暴露会调节DNA甲基化，从而影响几种对健康产生显着影响的生物学机制，尤其是在易感生活阶段（如怀孕，童年和老年）。到目前为止，尽管已进行了许多横断面研究，但仅有限的前瞻性研究已经探索了DNA甲基化的潜在作用。为了评估这些更改是否可以恢复，需要进行进一步的研究。只有有限的前瞻性研究探讨了DNA甲基化的潜在作用。为了评估这些更改是否可以恢复，需要进行进一步的研究。只有有限的前瞻性研究探讨了DNA甲基化的潜在作用。为了评估这些更改是否可以恢复，需要进行进一步的研究。