The challenge of obtaining correct data for cellular release of inflammatory mediators after in vitro exposure to particulate matter.

Exposure to ambient particulate matter (PM) has been associated with adverse cardiopulmonary effects where inflammation seems to play an important role. Cellular release of inflammatory mediators is therefore commonly measured in in vitro studies of PM-induced effects. However, adsorption of such mediators to PM may interfere with these measurements and thereby possibly also influence the conclusions of such studies.