Exposure to airborne PM 2.5 suppresses mitochondrial associated membranes and MAM-associated metabolic regulators in mouse liver
Qi Chen, Hyunbae Kim, Lucynda Pham, Qinghua Sun, Ren Zhang, Maik Hüttemann, Siddhesh Aras, Lawrence I. Grossman, Kezhong ZhangThis study identifies mitochondria-associated membranes (MAMs) as a previously unrecognized target of airborne particulate matter PM 2.5 in the liver. We demonstrate that environmentally relevant PM 2.5 exposure disrupts endoplasmic reticulum-mitochondria contact sites through an oxidative stress-dependent mechanism. PM 2.5 suppresses hepatic MAM formation and thereby impairs mitochondrial unfolded protein response and fatty acid oxidation programs. These findings establish loss of MAM integrity as a major mechanism linking air pollution exposure to mitochondrial dysfunction and metabolic vulnerability.