PM 2.5 -induced alterations of cell cycle associated gene expression in lung cancer cells and rat lung tissues.

•Our study explored and characterized the expressions of cell cycle-associated genes induced by urban PM2.5 in H292 and rat lung tissues.•The expressions of p53 and CDK2 play a crucial role in the early phase of exposure.•Cdc2 and cyclin B expressions are important in mid-term, while the expression of p21 was predominant in long-term exposure.•The degree of PM2.5-induced damage to trachea and lung tissue was time-dependent.