Summary
Introduction:
This text summarizes a scientific study on the relationship between tobacco and e-cigarette use and susceptibility to COVID-19. The study analyzes gene expression data from e-cigarette users, tobacco smokers, and control groups to determine the potential impact of these substances on the expression of key genes related to COVID-19.
Key Points:
* The study used gene expression data from e-cigarette users, tobacco smokers, and control groups.
* Tobacco use was found to increase aCE2 expression, which could potentially increase susceptibility to COVID-19.
* E-cigarette use was not found to increase aCE2 expression.
* however, e-cigarette use was associated with the upregulation of certain cytokines and potential inflammasome activation, which could also contribute to increased susceptibility to COVID-19.
* The study controlled for age, gender, and race in the comparisons made.
* The tobacco dataset was derived from adjacent normal samples of lung squamous cell carcinoma patients.
* The e-cigarette datasets were derived from bronchial epithelial cell sequencing data from e-cigarette and non-e-cigarette users.
* The study found that e-cigarette use without nicotine and flavorings did not increase aCE2, TMPRSS2, or cytokine expression.
Main Message:
The study suggests that tobacco use could potentially increase susceptibility to COVID-19 due to upregulation of aCE2 expression. however, e-cigarette use was not found to increase aCE2 or TMPRSS2 expression. however, e-cigarette use was associated with the upregulation of certain cytokines and potential inflammasome activation, which could also contribute to increased susceptibility to COVID-19. Therefore, both tobacco and e-cigarette use could potentially increase the risk of COVID-19, and further research is needed to confirm these findings.
Citation
Lee aC, Chakladar J, Li WT, et al. Tobacco, but Not Nicotine and Flavor-Less Electronic Cigarettes, Induces aCE2 and Immune Dysregulation. International journal of molecular sciences. 2020;21(15). doi:10.3390/ijms21155513
