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Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering

Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering - Poster Session B

Poster H17 - Dynamic Modeling of the Acute Cigarette Exposure Induced Immune Response

Thursday, October 24, 2024

2:45 PM - 3:45 PM EST

Location: Exhibit Hall E, F & G

Presenting Author(s)

Oliver Trejo

Undergraduate Research Assistant
Northeastern University, Massachusetts General Brigham Gene & Cell Therapy Institute
Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Co-Author(s)

NM

Nicholas Micovic

Graduate Student
Northeastern University, United States
SS

Simone Sabnis

Graduate Student
Northeastern University, United States
Jessica M. Oakes, PhD

Associate Professor
Northeastern University, United States

Primary Investigator(s)

CB

Chiara Bellini, PhD (she/her/hers)

Associate Professor
Northeastern University
Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Introduction: The widespread use of combustible (cig) and electronic (e-cig) cigarettes is a major threat to global public health. These products have simultaneously immunosuppressive, proinflammatory, and autoimmune effects in humans, potentially leading to severe illness or death. The innate immune system provides critical protection as the body's first line of defense against external harm through rapid recognition and response mechanisms built around a variety of cell types. Traditional cig smoke may immediately damage the innate immune system, with many implications for overall health and disease susceptibility.

Materials and

Methods: Mice were exposed to cig smoke or filtered air using the inExpose system (SCIREQ) according to standard protocols following acclimation to the exposure setup. Experimental exposures were conducted at least 24 hours after final acclimation, using air acclimated pre-exposure (baseline) control groups for comparison. C57BL/6J mice (8±1 weeks old, male and female) were used following NIH guidelines and Northeastern University IACUC approval. Mice were randomly divided into groups (n=5 per group) for various post-exposure time points and control conditions, and were socially housed with standard food and water in a temperature-controlled vivarium on a 12-hour light/dark cycle in individually ventilated solid-bottom cages. Blood was collected via cardiac puncture into heparinized tubes and processed for flow cytometric analysis of lymphoid and myeloid populations. Weights were collected prior to blood collection. Dynamical modelling was performed to analyze intra-system dependencies and significances (P < 0.05).

Results, Conclusions, and Discussions: Population Changes: Significant deviation from pre-exposure serum population levels were observed in several immune cell populations. B cell counts decreased immediately after cig smoke exposure and returned to normal levels after several hours, while T cell populations did not change (Fig. 1, A, B). Several myeloid cell populations, including macrophages (C, D), CD11b+ cells, neutrophils, and monocytes showed dynamic activity up to 72h post cig smoke exposure (E-H). Sex-Based Differences: No significant sex-based effects were observed (Data not shown).We characterized the immediate effects of acute cig smoke exposure on the adaptive and innate immune systems, where we showed simultaneous and immediate immunosuppressive and inflammatory responses outside of the normal range. These findings suggest that even a single instance of cig smoke inhalation can have significant, though resolvable in a healthy mouse, effects on the body’s defense mechanisms to fight infection. Going forward, we will investigate the cytokine response to acute cigarette exposure and the immediate, dynamic effects of acute e-cig aerosol exposure on the immune system.

Acknowledgements (Optional):