E-cigarette use results in suppression of immune and inflammatory-response genes in nasal epithelial cells similar to cigarette smoke

Abstract

Exposure to cigarette smoke is known to result in impaired host defense responses and immune suppressive effects. However, the effects of new and emerging tobacco products, such as e-cigarettes, on the immune status of the respiratory epithelium are largely unknown. We conducted a clinical study collecting superficial nasal scrape biopsies, nasal lavage, urine, and serum from nonsmokers, cigarette smokers, and e-cigarette users and assessed them for changes in immune gene expression profiles. Smoking status was determined based on a smoking history and a 3- to 4-wk smoking diary and confirmed using serum cotinine and urine 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL) levels. Total RNA from nasal scrape biopsies was analyzed using the nCounter Human Immunology v2 Expression panel. Smoking cigarettes or vaping e-cigarettes resulted in decreased expression of immune-related genes. All genes with decreased expression in cigarette smokers (n = 53) were also decreased in e-cigarette smokers. Additionally, vaping e-cigarettes was associated with suppression of a large number of unique genes (n = 305). Furthermore, the e-cigarette users showed a greater suppression of genes common with those changed in cigarette smokers. This was particularly apparent for suppressed expression of transcription factors, such as EGR1, which was functionally associated with decreased expression of 5 target genes in cigarette smokers and 18 target genes in e-cigarette users. Taken together, these data indicate that vaping e-cigarettes is associated with decreased expression of a large number of immune-related genes, which are consistent with immune suppression at the level of the nasal mucosa.

E-cigarette use and asthma in a multiethnic sample of adolescents

“…However, the present findings are consistent with clinical studies showing that e-cigarette use causes inflammation and increased airway resistance, in some cases at levels similar to effects of cigarette smoking (McConnell et al, 2017; Schweitzer et al, 2017). Moreover, recent laboratory studies have found indicators of oxidative stress from e-cigarette use (Carnevale et al, 2016), and have found that e-cigarette vapor produces inflammatory responses and increased susceptibility to infection (Hwang et al, 2016; Lerner et al, 2015; Martin et al, 2016; Sussan et al, 2015; Wu et al, 2014). The convergence of the present results with laboratory evidence on e-cigarette effects, as well as reports on associations of e-cigarette use with respiratory symptoms and asthma-related absence from school in human populations (Cho and Paik, 2016; Choi and Bernat, 2016; McConnell et al, 2017), suggests more attention to possible health consequences of e-cigarette use among adolescents.…”

Cardiovascular effects of electronic cigarettes

“…Exposure of human airway epithelial cells to EC aerosol led to increased secretion of inflammatory cytokines and elevated markers of oxidative stress 98 . By contrast, a study of mRNA expression in nasal epithelial tissue of EC users found evidence of immune suppression 99 . Any EC-related effects on chronic pulmonary inflammation is relevant to CVD risk, because systemic inflammation is known to increase CVD risk.…”

Exploratory Analysis of Marketing and Non-marketing E-cigarette Themes on Twitter

“…There are arguments on either side given their reduced harm aspect ([28] claims they are 95% less harmful than combustible cigarettes) may help addicted smokers quit smoking [24] while the long term effects of e-cigs are not yet thoroughly understood. However, there is recent evidence that vaping is linked to suppression of genes associated with regulating immune responses [27]. Furthermore, based on recent news releases from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) [37], there is an alarming 900 % increase in e-cig use from 2011 to 2015 by middle and high school students who might be acquiring nicotine dependence albeit through the new e-cig product.…”