Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40891299›Full record

ArticleClinical and experimental otorhinolaryngology2026

Synergistic Exacerbation of Allergic Inflammation by Combined Exposure to Air-Pollutants in a Murine Model of Allergic Rhinitis.

Joo-Hoo Park, Jee Won Moon, Yeong-In Jo, Hwa Eun Yang, Subin Cho, Hyeongguk Son, Hyun-Woo Yang, Dae Jin Song, Il-Ho Park

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Clinical and experimental otorhinolaryngology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Joo-Hoo ParkUpper Airway Chronic Inflammatory Diseases Laboratory, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Jee Won MoonUpper Airway Chronic Inflammatory Diseases Laboratory, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Yeong-In JoUpper Airway Chronic Inflammatory Diseases Laboratory, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Hwa Eun YangUpper Airway Chronic Inflammatory Diseases Laboratory, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Subin ChoUpper Airway Chronic Inflammatory Diseases Laboratory, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Hyeongguk SonUpper Airway Chronic Inflammatory Diseases Laboratory, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Hyun-Woo YangUpper Airway Chronic Inflammatory Diseases Laboratory, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Dae Jin SongDepartment of Pediatrics, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Il-Ho ParkUpper Airway Chronic Inflammatory Diseases Laboratory, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Funding

Korea Environmental Industry & Technology InstituteMinistry of Environment RS-2022-KE-002339Ministry of Science and ICTNational Research Foundation of Korea RS-2025-00557445
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesAllergic rhinitis (AR) is a chronic inflammation of the nasal mucosa triggered by environmental allergens. Although its pathophysiology has been extensively investigated, the influence of environmental aggravating factors-particularly combined pollutant exposure-remains insufficiently characterized. This study aimed to assess the impact of coexposure to PM2.5, formaldehyde, and Zn on allergic inflammation in a murine AR model and to delineate the associated immunological and histopathological responses.

methodsFemale BALB/c mice were sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA) and challenged intranasally to induce AR. On days 21-24, the mice were exposed to PM2.5, formaldehyde, and Zn, either individually or in combination with OVA. Allergic symptoms were evaluated through behavioral observation, while immune responses were assessed by analyzing nasal and bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (NALF and BALF), serum immunoglobulin levels, nasal histopathology, and cytokine profiles.

resultsCombined exposure to PM2.5, formaldehyde, and Zn significantly intensified allergic inflammation compared with single exposures. Coexposure to PM2.5 and Zn led to synergistic increases in total and OVA-specific immunoglobulin E levels, eosinophilic infiltration, nasal rubbing, sneezing, and Th2/Th17 cytokine levels in NALF and BALF. Histological analysis demonstrated epithelial thickening and goblet cell hyperplasia after combined exposure. Other combinations, including PM2.5 with formaldehyde, also produced additive or modestly amplified inflammatory responses.

conclusionCoexposure to PM2.5, formaldehyde, and Zn aggravated allergic inflammation in an OVA-induced murine model, with PM2.5+Zn yielding the strongest synergistic effects. These findings emphasize the role of pollutant-pollutant interactions in allergic airway diseases and highlight the need for further research to clarify long-term health effects and relevance to human disease.

Indexed as

Air PollutionAllergic RhinitisEnvironmental ExposureFormaldehydeParticulate MatterZinc Compounds

Identifiers

PMID40891299
PMCPMC12973492

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.