Biomass Fuel Induces Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration via the AstrocyteMicroglia IL-17A/IL-17RA Pathway

Biomass fuel (BMF) exposure is known to cause respiratory inflammation, but its impact on the central nervous system (CNS) and the mechanisms underlying this effect remain unclear. BMF combustion releases particulate matter (PM2.5), triggering systemic inflammation, which is linked to an increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease (PD). This study revealed that prolonged BMF exposure leads to dopaminergic neuron loss, increased α-synuclein (α-syn) phosphorylation, and neuroinflammation, resulting in motor and cognitive impairments in mice. Mechanistically, BMF activates the interleukin-17A (IL-17A) signalling pathway in the periphery, promoting Th cell infiltration across the bloodbrain barrier, which stimulates astrocytes to release IL-17A and activates IL-17 receptor A (IL-17RA) on microglia. Transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses revealed that BMF exposure significantly disrupts immune and neurotransmitter pathways. Importantly, IL-17A knockout (IL-17A^-/-) mice exhibit marked improvements in motor and cognitive functions and reduced neuroinflammation following BMF exposure. These findings identify IL-17A as a critical mediator of the lungbrain axis, orchestrating PD-related immune responses within both the CNS and peripheral nervous system. The IL-17A pathway represents a promising therapeutic target for PD and the related neuroinflammatory changes associated with environmental pollutant exposure.