Air pollution in asthma: effect of pollutants on airway inflammation.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this review is to examine the impact of air pollutants on airway inflammation, with an emphasis on the interaction of the effect of ozone, particulate matter, and endotoxin exposure and immunoglobulin E-mediated airway inflammation.


METHODS
This review examines the National Ambient Air Quality Standards and sources for different types of air pollution, as well as undertakes a review of epidemiologic and human challenge studies which address the impact of air contaminants in asthma and allergic inflammation.


RESULTS
Epidemiologic and human challenge studies both demonstrate that ozone and endotoxin exposure can exacerbate allergic inflammation in the airway. Conversely, allergic processes may enhance individual response to air pollutants as well.


CONCLUSIONS
Ozone and particulate matter are both important agents in inducing asthma exacerbation. However, these pollutants have not been implicated in development of immunoglobulin E responses to neoantigens. Decreased exposure to these pollutants or a better understanding of the processes by which they impact the airway may be useful in decreasing asthma severity.
Peden
D B
DB
The Center for Environmental Medicine and Lung Biology, The University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill 27599-7310, USA. peden@med.unc.edu
D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000397:Air Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D001980:Bronchi / Q000473:pathology*; D004285:Dogs; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000209:etiology*; D010126:Ozone / Q000009:adverse effects; D010316:Particle Size
D000393:Air Pollutants; D010126:Ozone