Summary
Introduction:
This text presents a study examining the effects of the synthetic cooling agent WS-23, commonly used in e-cigarettes, on airway epithelial cells (aECs). The study compares the effects of WS-23 aerosols to those of propylene glycol/vegetable glycerin (PG/VG) vehicle aerosols and nicotine aerosols using the Buxco EVT exposure system. The study focuses on the impact of WS-23 on aECs and the innate immune response of airways.
Key Points:
* WS-23 aerosols may reduce the expression of interleukin (IL)-6 and ICaM-1, thereby dysregulating the aEC innate immune responses.
* PG/VG vehicle itself can dysregulate aEC inflammatory responses, and the addition of nicotine or WS-23 may alter these responses.
* WS-23 aerosols suppress the expression of IL-6 and induce the expression of ICaM-1 mRNa expression following 48h of treatment.
* aerosolized synthetic cooling agent WS-23 alters the innate airway immune responses of human aECs and potentially increases susceptibility to respiratory pathologies.
* WS-23 and nicotine presence reduced the inflammatory responses that were strongly induced by PG/VG vehicle independently.
* WS-23 aerosols show a trend towards increased MUC5aC expression in aECs at 72h post-exposure, which may induce goblet cell hyperplasia and impact respiratory physiology.
* The study highlights the need for further investigation into the long-term changes induced by WS-23 exposure, independent of nicotine.
Main Message:
The study emphasizes the potential risks associated with the inhalation of synthetic cooling agents used in e-cigarettes, such as WS-23. The findings suggest that WS-23 aerosols may alter the innate immune responses of aECs and potentially increase the susceptibility to respiratory pathologies. Further investigation is required to establish the toxicity of these widely used E-cig flavoring agents and their long-term effects.
Citation
Manevski M, Yogeswaran S, Rahman I, Devadoss D, Chand hS. E-cigarette synthetic cooling agent WS-23 and nicotine aerosols differentially modulate airway epithelial cell responses. Toxicology reports. 2022;9:1823-1830. doi:10.1016/j.toxrep.2022.09.010
