Epigenetic Effects of Diesel Exhaust and Ozone Exposure

Purpose: The purpose of this protocol is to compare the genetic and epigenetic effects between diesel exhaust and ozone exposure in healthy individuals and in mild/moderate asthmatics. Participants: The investigators will recruit up to 30 mild to moderate asthmatics and up to 50 healthy adults to participate in this study. Procedures (methods): Subjects will be exposed to clean air, to 300 µg/m3 of diesel exhaust for 2 hours and to 0.3 ppm of ozone for 2 hours with intermittent exercise in a controlled environment chamber. Primary endpoints will include spirometry and lung cell changes post-exposure. Secondary endpoints will include analysis of blood clotting/coagulation factors, Holter monitoring of cardiac parameters, analysis of soluble factors present in plasma and bronchial lavage and analysis of intracellular factors present in lung tissue obtained from a brush biopsy.