The study aimed to evaluate the potential effects of the chronic exposure to chemical agents from air pollution on phenotypic and genotypic expressions of peripheral
biomarkers and
tumor-related
proteins in mononuclear cells. This study evaluates 85 taxi drivers (outdoor workers) and 55 non-occupationally exposed persons (NOE) to air pollution (indoor workers). The
biomarkers were urinary
1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP), for organic agents, and blood As and Ni, for inorganic agents. Oxidative stress
biomarkers;
protein expression of
ICAM-1 (CD54), β2-integrin,
L-selectin (CD62-L), and MCP1; gene expression of
ICAM-1, p53 and CD26 were performed. Urinary 1-OHP and blood As and Ni levels were increased in taxi drivers and were associated with inflammatory and oxidative stress
biomarkers. These exposure
biomarkers were also associated with each other, suggesting a common source of exposure. The gene expression of p53, CD26 and
ICAM-1 were decreased in taxi drivers and were strongly associated between them, indicating a commom regulation point. The
antioxidant non-
protein thiols and
lycopene were negatively associated with inflammatory
biomarkers, maybe regulating the immune-response. We demonstrated, for the first time, that in occupational exposure to air pollution chemicals, oxidative and inflammatory processes are involved in the immune-regulatory process, and indirectly contribute to suppressing the p53 and CD26 expressions, increasing the risk of
cancer development. On the other hand,
antioxidants could contribute to improving the immune-regulation, but more studies are needed.