Particulate matter 2.5 induces autophagy via inhibition of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin kinase signaling pathway in human bronchial epithelial cells

Particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) is a significant risk factor for asthma. A recent study revealed that autophagy was associated with asthma pathogenesis. However, the specific mechanisms underlying PM2.5‑induced autophagy in asthma have remained elusive. In the present study, PM2.5‑induced autophagy was evaluated in Beas‑2B human bronchial epithelial cells and the potential molecular mechanisms were investigated. Using electron microscopy,...