US EPA

7492036 

Journal Article 

Review 

Insights in particulate matter-induced allergic airway inflammation: Focus on the epithelium 

De Grove, KC; Provoost, S; Brusselle, GG; Joos, GF; Maes, T 

2018 

Yes 

Clinical and Experimental Allergy
ISSN: 0954-7894
EISSN: 1365-2222 

48 

7 

773-786 

English 

29772098 

10.1111/cea.13178 

WOS:000436404000004 

Outdoor air pollution is a major environmental health problem throughout the world. In particular, exposure to particulate matter (PM) has been associated with the development and exacerbation of several respiratory diseases, including asthma. Although the adverse health effects of PM have been demonstrated for many years, the underlying mechanisms have not been fully identified. In this review, we focus on the role of the lung epithelium and specifically highlight multiple cytokines in PM-induced respiratory responses. We describe the available literature on the topic including in vitro studies, findings in humans (ie observations in human cohorts, human controlled exposure and ex vivo studies) and in vivo animal studies. In brief, it has been shown that exposure to PM modulates the airway epithelium and promotes the production of several cytokines, including IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, IL-25, IL-33, TNF-α, TSLP and GM-CSF. Further, we propose that PM-induced type 2-promoting cytokines are important mediators in the acute and aggravating effects of PM on airway inflammation. Targeting these cytokines could therefore be a new approach in the treatment of asthma.