Abstract

Background: Repeated daily exposure of healthy human subjects to NO₂ induces an acute airway inflammatory response characterised by neutrophil influx in the bronchial mucosa

Aims: To assess the expression of NF-κB, cytokines, and ICAM-1 in the bronchial epithelium.

Methods: Twelve healthy, young non-smoking volunteers were exposed to 2 ppm of NO₂/filtered air (four hours/day) for four successive days on separate occasions. Fibreoptic bronchoscopy was performed one hour after air and final NO₂ exposures. Bronchial biopsy specimens were immunostained for NF-κB, TNF-α, eotaxin, Gro-α, GM-CSF, IL-5, -6, -8, -10, -13, and ICAM-1 and their expression was quantified using computerised image analysis.

Results: Expression of IL-5, IL-10, IL-13, and ICAM-1 increased following NO₂ exposure.

Conclusion: Upregulation of the Th2 cytokines suggests that repeated exposure to NO₂ has the potential to exert a “pro-allergic” effect on the bronchial epithelium. Upregulation of ICAM-1 highlights an underlying mechanism for leucocyte influx, and could also explain the predisposition to respiratory tract viral infections following NO₂ exposure since ICAM-1 is a major receptor for rhino and respiratory syncytial viruses.