Effects of environmental PM2.5 exposure on airway inflammatory diseases / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

ABSTRACT

Air pollution has a comprehensive impact on human health, and PM2.5 exposure has become a research hotspot due to its special biohazard effect.Especially for children, environmental PM2.5 exposure has a profound impact on the occurrence and development of airway inflammation-related diseases.PM2.5 exposure can significantly increase the incidence of childhood asthma and the risk of asthma exacerbation, can increase respiratory tract symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and can increase the risk of lung cancer.PM2.5 exposure can lead to infiltration of airway inflammatory cells, up-regulation of helper T lymphocytes 17 and their corresponding cytokines and down-regulation of Treg cells and their cytokines, regulation of airway inflammation through aryl hydrocarbon receptor and Toll-like receptors (TLR)2/TLR4/medullary differentiation factor 88 signaling pathways, and induction of oxidative stress by increasing the production of reactive oxygen and depletion of antioxidant reserves.It may also affect offspring health through epigenetics.PM2.5 exposure can be addressed through enhanced outdoor and indoor health care and preventive drug therapy.It also poses a challenge to clean up the environment and how to effectively control air pollution and reduce PM2.5 from the source and policy level.