E-Cigarette aerosols Promote Oral S. aureus Colonization by Delaying an Immune Response and Bacterial Clearing.

Introduction:
This text provides an analysis of the impact of e-cigarette (e-cig) aerosols on Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and its role in the development of inflammatory processes linked to periodontitis. The study hypothesizes that e-cig aerosols have the capacity to enhance the colonization of S. aureus and consequently exacerbate the host inflammatory signaling.

Key Points:

* The study used human oral epithelial cells (OKF6) and human esophageal epithelial cells (STR) to analyze the effect of e-cig aerosols on cell proliferation and activation of pro-inflammatory pERK1/2 and NF-kB signaling.
* E-cig aerosols induced DNa damage, as indicated by an increase in ph2aX-positive cells.
* a dose-dependent reduction in cell viability was observed in OKF6 and STR cells exposed to e-cig aerosol pretreated media.
* S. aureus growth was unaffected by e-cig aerosol exposure, but biofilm formation was enhanced.
* E-cig aerosol exposure increased S. aureus attachment to oral cells and reduced the capacity of oral epithelial cells to clear S. aureus infection.
* E-cig aerosols decreased the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL1, IL8, and IL6, while increasing COX2 expression.
* DNa damage was further enhanced in the presence of e-cig aerosols and S. aureus.

Main Message:
The study suggests that e-cig aerosol exposure enhances S. aureus colonization and biofilm formation, reduces the capacity of oral epithelial cells to clear S. aureus infection, and decreases the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, potentially impairing the host immune response. additionally, e-cig aerosols increase COX2 expression and DNa damage, which could lead to cancer initiation. Therefore, the use of e-cigarettes may have detrimental effects on oral health and could potentially contribute to cancer development. as a regulatory expert, it is crucial to consider these findings when evaluating the safety and risks associated with e-cigarette use.

Cátala-Valentín aR, almeda J, Bernard JN, et al. E-Cigarette aerosols Promote Oral S. aureus Colonization by Delaying an Immune Response and Bacterial Clearing. Cells. 2022;11(5). doi:10.3390/cells11050773