Impact of cigarette versus electronic cigarette aerosol conditioned media on aortic endothelial cells in a microfluidic cardiovascular model.

Introduction:
This text describes a study that investigates the impact of cigarette smoke and electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) aerosol on human aortic endothelial cells (haECs) using a microfluidic cardiovascular model. The study compares the effects of whole smoke conditioned media (WSCM) generated from a reference cigarette, electronic cigarette vapour conditioned media (eVCM) from an e-cigarette product, and nicotine on haECs. The study aims to determine the effect of these exposures on monocyte adhesion to haECs and to investigate the mechanism of adhesion.

Key Points:

* The study used a microfluidic cardiovascular model to investigate the effects of WSCM, eVCM, and nicotine on haECs.
* WSCM induced dose-dependent increases in monocyte adhesion to haECs compared to vehicle control, while eVCM and nicotine did not.
* The adhesion response was linked to increased ICaM-1 protein expression.
* Staining of ICaM-1 in haECs and CD11b (MaC-1) in ThP-1 cells demonstrated adhesion molecule co-localisation in BioFlux plates.
* The ICaM-1 adhesion response to WSCM was downregulated by transfecting haECs with ICaM-1 siRNa.
* The BioFlux system was able to model human monocyte adhesion to primary human endothelial cells in vitro.
* WSCM drove the greatest increase in monocyte adhesion via a mechanism involving endothelial ICaM-1 expression.

Main Message:
The study demonstrates that exposure to cigarette smoke, but not e-cigarette aerosol or nicotine, leads to increased monocyte adhesion to haECs via a mechanism involving endothelial ICaM-1 expression. The results suggest that cigarette smoke exposure may contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease, and highlight the importance of developing appropriate cardiovascular models for assessing the potential health effects of tobacco smoke and e-cigarette aerosol exposures. Overall, the study provides valuable insights into the potential health effects of e-cigarette use and highlights the need for further research in this area.

Makwana O, Smith Ga, Flockton hE, Watters GP, Lowe F, Breheny D. Impact of cigarette versus electronic cigarette aerosol conditioned media on aortic endothelial cells in a microfluidic cardiovascular model. Scientific reports. 2021;11(1):4747. doi:10.1038/s41598-021-83511-7