Summary
Introduction:
This article examines the effects of acute exposure to e-cigarette aerosols containing nicotine and propylene glycol (PG) on lung inflammation and dysregulated repair responses in a sex-dependent manner. The study uses an in vivo mouse model and in vitro human 3D Epiairway tissue model to investigate the differential effects of inhaled aerosols containing PG with and without nicotine.
Key Points:
* acute exposure to e-cigarette aerosols containing PG with nicotine induced inflammatory cell counts (neutrophils and CD8a+ T-lymphocytes) compared to PG and air control groups in a sex-dependent manner.
* Myeloperoxidase, a biomarker for neutrophilic infiltration and oxidative stress, was significantly increased in mice exposed to PG alone, while PG and nicotine combination inhibited these levels.
* Evaluation of inflammatory mediators in BaLF showed a significant increase in several pro-inflammatory cytokines/chemokines following an acute exposure to e-cig aerosol containing PG with nicotine compared to PG and air control groups in a sex-dependent manner.
* acute exposure of e-cig aerosols containing PG with or without nicotine differentially affects inflammatory responses in healthy and COPD 3D models of human Epiairway tissues.
* Nicotine significantly downregulated IL-6 secretion by tissues from healthy subjects, while it increased by tissues from COPD subjects.
* PG with or without nicotine induced significant IL-8 release by both healthy and COPD donors compared to untreated controls.
* The study suggests that inhaled PG/VG or any oil (MCT) droplets-induced inflammatory pneumonitis needs to be carefully considered in any e-cig user presenting with respiratory symptoms.
Main Message:
The study highlights the potential harmful effects of acute exposure to e-cigarette aerosols containing nicotine and PG on lung inflammation and dysregulated repair responses in a sex-dependent manner. The study emphasizes the need for further research to understand the exact mechanisms involved and cautions for the possibility of inhaled PG/VG or any oil (MCT) droplets-induced inflammatory pneumonitis in e-cig users presenting with respiratory symptoms.
Citation
Wang q, Sundar IK, Blum JL, et al. Prenatal Exposure to Electronic-Cigarette aerosols Leads to Sex-Dependent Pulmonary Extracellular-Matrix Remodeling and Myogenesis in Offspring Mice. american journal of respiratory cell and molecular biology. 2020;63(6):794-805. doi:10.1165/rcmb.2020-0036OC
