Jeonbuk National University Study Reveals Why Diabetics Are More Vulnerable to Air Pollution's Cellular Toll

Diabetic mice showed stronger inflammatory responses and more rapid bone marrow stem cell aging after PM_2.5 exposure than non-diabetic mice

JEONBUK STATE, South Korea, Oct. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- People with diabetes may be especially vulnerable to air pollution, which can accelerate bone marrow stem cell aging, finds a study from Jeonbuk National University. Researchers exposed diabetic and non-diabetic mice to fine particulate matter PM_2.5 and found that it intensified inflammation and stem cell damage, particularly in diabetic mice. Inhibiting the NLRP3 inflammasome reduced these effects, suggesting a potential target for mitigating air pollution's harmful effects.

Fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) can trigger inflammation that affects other parts of the body. People with type 2 diabetes may be particularly vulnerable, as the disease can impair stem cell function in the bone marrow, which produces blood cells and supports bone health.

Researchers led by Professor Sung-Ho Kook of the Department of Bioactive Material Sciences at Jeonbuk National University, Republic of Korea, found that PM_2.5 exposure and diabetes combined to accelerate stem cell aging in the bone marrow and impair their function. The researchers linked these effects to activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, an inflammatory cellular system, which was particularly pronounced in the lungs of diabetic mice. Their findings suggest that air pollution can affect organs beyond the lungs and worsen bone marrow stem cell dysfunction, with potentially greater consequences for people with diabetes.

The paper was made available online on June 27, 2026, and published in Volume 514 of Journal of Hazardous Materials on August 1, 2026.

"Our findings show that the harmful effects of air pollution may extend beyond the respiratory system to affect bone marrow stem cell function, and that people with pre-existing metabolic diseases may be particularly vulnerable," says Prof. Kook.

To investigate these effects, the researchers exposed mice with and without diabetes to 50 micrograms per cubic meter of PM_2.5 for two hours daily over five days in an atmospheric simulation chamber.

In the bone marrow, PM_2.5 exposure accelerated the aging of two types of stem cells, particularly in diabetic mice. Mesenchymal stem cells showed increased oxidative stress, DNA damage, and a greater tendency to develop into fat cells rather than bone-forming cells, leading to increased bone marrow fat and decreased bone mineral density. Hematopoietic stem cells showed cellular aging and a reduced ability to replenish blood cells.

These changes were mitigated by treating the mice with MCC950, a drug inhibiting the NLRP3 inflammasome, which reduced inflammation, oxidative stress, DNA damage, and aging in both stem cell types.

The findings highlight the importance of protecting people with diabetes from air pollution and identify the NLRP3 inflammasome as a potential target for further research.

"Ultimately, we hope this work encourages a more integrated approach to disease prevention that considers environmental exposures alongside underlying health conditions," says Prof. Kook.

Reference
Title of original paper: Fine particulate matter accelerates the senescence of bone marrow-conserved stem cells in a type 2 diabetes mellitus mouse model
Journal: Journal of Hazardous Materials
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2026.142825 

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SOURCE Jeonbuk National University