Abstract
Particulate matter (PM), a major pollutant of air pollution, contains a complex mixture of chemical and biological elements that pose significant threats to human health. Among the biological components, Stutzerimonas stutzeri PM101005 (PMSS), a bacterium isolated from fine dust, has been identified as a contributor to respiratory damage through inflammation. However, the mechanisms underlying its pathogenicity, particularly in comparison to environmental strains such as S. stutzeri (SS), remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate the systemic effects of PMSS by comparing the serum metabolite profiles and inflammatory responses induced by SS and PMSS infections in a mouse model. Mice infected with PMSS exhibited marked alterations in serum metabolites, many of which were associated with enhanced pro-inflammatory signaling and the suppression of anti-inflammatory pathways. These metabolic changes were accompanied by elevated levels of circulating inflammatory cytokines, indicating a link between PMSS infection, metabolic dysregulation, and systemic inflammation. Our findings demonstrate that PMSS-associated bacterium, induces inflammation through modulation of host serum metabolites. This study suggests that PM-induced changes in serum metabolites contribute to inflammation, highlighting the need for further research on the systemic effects of biologically active components within particulate matter.