Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41081902›Full record

ArticleLung2025

Alteration of the Secretome in Airway Epithelial Cells by Air Pollutants: Evidence from an Air-Liquid Interface Model.

Hankun Lu, Jiahui Xiang, Xiaoyu Zhou, Mingtong Lin, Chuqin Huang, Fang Yi, Zhe Chen, Kefang Lai

Abstract read
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in Lung, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–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

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Article
  3. Unmasking the Impact of Air Pollution on Allergic Rhinitis.Clinical reviews in allergy & immunology · 2026
    Review
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

8 authors.

Hankun Lu *National Center for Respiratory Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, No. 28 Middle Qiaozhong Rd, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, China.
Jiahui Xiang *Eight-Year Medical Doctor Program, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, China.
Xiaoyu Zhou *The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215125, China.
Mingtong LinNational Center for Respiratory Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, No. 28 Middle Qiaozhong Rd, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, China.
Chuqin HuangNational Center for Respiratory Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, No. 28 Middle Qiaozhong Rd, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, China.
Fang YiNational Center for Respiratory Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, No. 28 Middle Qiaozhong Rd, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, China.
Zhe ChenLaboratory of Cough, Kunshan Key Laboratory of Chronic Cough, Affiliated Kunshan Hospital of Jiangsu University, No. 566 Qianjin East Rd, Suzhou, 215300, Jiangsu, China. z.chen@vip.163.com.
Kefang LaiNational Center for Respiratory Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, No. 28 Middle Qiaozhong Rd, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, China. klai@vip.163.com.

Funding

Guangzhou Science and Technology Program 2025A04J4698
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionWhile the structural damage to the airway epithelium from ozone (O₃) or diesel exhaust particles (DEP) is known, the common regulatory mechanisms activated during mixed exposures, which mirror real-world scenarios, remain poorly understood. This study aimed to identify shared molecular pathways initiated by exposure to O₃ and DEP using an in vitro air-liquid interface (ALI) model to understand the initial cellular responses.

methodsPolarized Calu-3 cell monolayers at the ALI were acutely exposed to non-cytotoxic O₃ or DEP. Barrier integrity was assessed via transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and FITC-dextran permeability. Gene expression of tight junctions and alarmin cytokines was quantified by qPCR, while the protein level of tight junctions was identified by immunofluorescence. The cellular secretome was comprehensively analyzed using label-free liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

resultsBoth pollutants impaired barrier integrity, evidenced by decreased TEER and increased permeability, and induced a potent inflammatory response via upregulation of alarmin cytokines IL-25, IL-33, and TSLP. Critically, secretome analysis revealed that although O₃ and DEP initiated distinct upstream damage patterns, their responses converged on common downstream pathways, including the activation of Wnt signaling and antigen processing and presentation.

conclusionExposure to O₃ and DEP compromises airway epithelial barrier function and triggers a robust alarmin-driven inflammatory response. Our identification of convergent downstream pathways, such as Wnt signaling, provides crucial mechanistic insights into the shared pathophysiology of mixed pollutant exposure. These findings highlight potential therapeutic targets for mitigating the adverse health effects of complex air pollution.

Indexed as

Air PollutantsEpithelial CellsOzoneRespiratory MucosaVehicle EmissionsCell LineCytokinesElectric ImpedanceHumansPermeabilityTight JunctionsAir PollutantsCytokinesOzoneVehicle EmissionsAir–Liquid Interface modelBarrier functionDiesel Exhaust ParticlesOzoneSecretome

Identifiers

PMID41081902

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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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.