Effects of PM2.5 components in the release of amphiregulin by human airway epithelial cells.

Exposure to ambient particulate matter (PM) is responsible for airway inflammation and tissue remodeling. Urban PM2.5 (aerodynamic diameter <2.5μm) is a complex mixture rich in soots and containing hydrosoluble and organic components. We previously showed that the exposure of airway epithelial cells to PM2.5 triggers the release of amphiregulin (AR), ligand of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) involved in proinflammatory and repair responses.