The long-term health effects of e-cigarettes are still largely unknown, but these toxicologists from the University of North Carolina shows that their use is not innocuous for the genes involved in the immune defense of the upper respiratory tract. When we smoke cigarettes, dozens of genes involved in immune defense are altered in the epithelial cells lining the airways. The use of the electronic cigarette would have the same overall effects. Conclusions to appear in the American Journal of Physiology which associate these epigenetic changes with a possibly increased risk of infections and inflammation.
In a press release from the University, lead author Dr. Ilona Jaspers, professor of pediatrics and microbiology and immunology, said herself surprised by the results. Research specifically suggests that inhaling vaporized liquids via e-cigarettes is not without effects on the level of gene expression of epithelial cells. This inhalation would lead to epigenetic changes, i.e. gene expression and therefore production of proteins important for the health of our cells.
Visually and functionally, the epithelial layers of our nasal passages are very similar to the epithelial layers of our lungs. All the epithelial cells along our respiratory tract from our nose to the small bronchioles of our lungs must function properly to trap and remove particles and pathogens and thereby reduce the risk of infection and inflammation. These epithelial cells are therefore essential for a normal immune defense. Some genes in these cells must code for adequate amounts of proteins, which orchestrate the overall immune response. It has long been known that smoking modifies the expression of these genes, which helps to explain that smokers are more vulnerable to upper respiratory disorders.
In an attempt to assess the effects of e-cigarettes on genes involved in protecting our upper respiratory tract, the team analyzed blood and urine samples from 13 non-smokers, 14 smokers, and 12 e-users. -cigarette, in order to specify the nicotine levels. Each participant also kept a diary documenting their cigarette consumption or e-cigarette use. After 3 weeks, the researchers took samples from the participants' nasal passages to analyze the expression of genes important for the immune response. The team thus notes that,
- cigarettes reduce the expression of 53 genes important for the immune response of epithelial cells,
- e-cigarettes reduce the expression of 358 genes important for immune defense, including the 53 genes involved in the group of smokers.
The researchers write that they compared these genes one by one and found that each gene common to both groups is more " muffled Still in the e-cigarette group. However, at this stage, they do not 
conclude on the severity of the effects of both practices.
At this stage, it is about molecular observations which have not yet been correlated with long-term health effects of e-cigarette use or increased risk of certain diseases - as has already been shown with tobacco (cancer, emphysema, disease chronic obstructive pulmonary disease…). The researchers admit that they have not yet identified these long-term effects but hypothesize that they will be " different from the effects of the cigarette ". The question remains about the long-term effects, as diseases like COPD, cancer or emphysema take years to develop in smokers. Further research is planned on the epithelial cells of e-cigarette users ...
Sources : - American Journal of Physiology (In Press) and UNC Health Care June 20, 2016 (E-cigarette can be used in the immune response)
- Santelog.com
