Short-term exposure of female BaLB/cJ mice to e-cigarette aerosol promotes neutrophil recruitment and enhances neutrophil-platelet aggregation in pulmonary microvasculature.

Introduction:
This text provides an in-depth analysis of the physiological effects of e-cigarette aerosol (EC) exposure, focusing on the impact of short-term exposure on the pulmonary microvasculature, neutrophil and platelet recruitment, and cytokine expression. The study utilizes a whole-body exposure system that mimics secondhand exposure in mice. The results offer valuable insights into the potential health risks associated with EC use.

Key Points:

* The study used a whole-body exposure system to expose mice to EC for 3 consecutive days, with exposures lasting for 2.5 hours each day.
* The research focused on the impact of EC exposure on the pulmonary microvasculature, specifically investigating neutrophil and platelet recruitment, neutrophil-platelet aggregation, and cytokine expression.
* Intravital lung imaging revealed elevated neutrophils and neutrophil-platelet aggregates in the lung microvasculature of EC-exposed mice, indicating an inflammatory response.
* Platelet presence in whole blood did not change significantly, but platelets aggregated more frequently with neutrophils in the vasculature of EC-exposed mice.
* Monocyte and total white blood cell presence did not show significant changes in BaLF, but lymphocytes were transiently increased.
* Plasma ROS levels were numerically lower in EC-exposed mice, which may be attributed to suppressed nitric oxide production due to EC-induced endothelial damage.
* Seven cytokines were altered in EC-exposed mice, with sICaM-1 and C5a significantly upregulated, suggesting that neutrophilia occurred in the lung vasculature.

Main Message:
The study highlights the potential risks associated with short-term EC exposure, demonstrating that EC use leads to altered neutrophil recruitment, neutrophil-platelet aggregation, and cytokine expression. The findings emphasize the need for further investigation into the long-term effects of EC use on human pulmonary vasculature and lung tissue, as these patterns may indicate subclinical pathologies in e-cigarette users.

Snoderly hT, alkhadrawi h, Panchal DM, et al. Short-term exposure of female BaLB/cJ mice to e-cigarette aerosol promotes neutrophil recruitment and enhances neutrophil-platelet aggregation in pulmonary microvasculature. Journal of toxicology and environmental health Part a. 2023;86(8):246-262. doi:10.1080/15287394.2023.2184738