Inflammatory and oxidative stress response following exposure of PBEC-ALI to DEP is evident from the increased secretion of CXCL8 and TIMP1, and increased mRNA expression of CXCL8, TNFα, NFKB, HMOX1 and GPx. Some of these effects were attenuated in the presence of MQ in PBEC-ALI/MQ. The gene discussed is HMOX1; the disease is acute respiratory distress syndrome.