AAAR 35th Annual Conference October 17 - October 21, 2016 Oregon Convention Center Portland, Oregon, USA
Abstract View
The Effects of E-cigarettes on Innate Defense in the Lung
ROBERT TARRAN, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Abstract Number: 229 Working Group: Electronic Cigarettes - Health Effects
Abstract E-cigarette vaping constitutes an alternative to tobacco smoking that is rapidly growing in popularity, especially amongst youth and young adults. Despite being touted as a nicotine replacement product, E-liquids typically have not undergone the rigorous toxicology screening and preclinical development seen with inhaled therapeutics. As such, little is known about their effects on the lung. E-liquids are usually a mixture of propylene glycol (PG)/vegetable glycerin (VG) along with nicotine and flavorings. However, there is considerable diversity amongst e-cigarette flavors and to date, approximately 7000 different flavors exist. We have collected washings and samples from both the upper and lower airways of non-smokers, e-cigarette vapers and regular tobacco smokers to (i) conduct a proteomic analysis of the airway surface liquid (ii) perform genomic analysis of airway epithelia and (iii) we have cultured human bronchial epithelia and chronically exposed them to e-cigarette vapors and e-liquids to perform functional studies. Our genomic and proteomic studies have revealed that e-cigarettes do indeed exert significant effects on the airways at the gene and protein level that surprisingly, are significantly different from those seen with cigarettes. Interestingly, these changes appear to be independent of the flavors used. Our studies in primary bronchial epithelia indicate that e-cigarette exposure causes significant changes in function, and additional effects of the flavors can be detected. These data and their implications for lung health will be discussed. However, it would appear that e-cigarettes exert effects on the human lung that are consistent with immunosuppression.
Funded by P50HL120100. "Research reported in this publication was supported by NIH and the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the NIH or the Food and Drug Administration."