Fine particulate matter aggravates allergic airway inflammation through thymic stromal lymphopoietin activation in mice

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) has been linked to exacerbation of allergic airway inflammation in mice. However, the mechanism underlying exposure to PM2.5 and subsequent and adverse effects remains to be fully elucidated. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of PM2.5 by different levels on airway inflammation in mouse models of in allergic and steroid-resistant asthma. BALB/c mice were nasally instilled with PBS (control) or 10, 31.6 or 100 mu g PM2.5, and randomly assigned into nine groups. The acute asthma model was previously induced to investigate the change of inflammatory cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Histopathological changes of the lung were assessed, in addition to levels of interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13 in BALF and immunoglobulin Ein serum. Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) proteinexpression levels were assessed by western blotting. The present study demonstrated that medium-and high-dose PM2.5 is linked to acute exacerbation of allergic airway inflammation in mice. In conclusion, the pathological mechanisms of PM2.5 may be associated with allergic/steroid-resistant airway inflammation, T-cell helper (Th)1/Th2 cytokine production and upregulation of TSLP expression in a murine model of allergic and steroid-resistant asthma.