New insights into how popular electronic cigarette aerosols and aerosol constituents affect SARS-CoV-2 infection of human bronchial epithelial cells
Abstract The relationship between the use of tobacco products and SARS-CoV-2 infection is poorly understood and controversial. Few studies have examined the effect of electronic cigarettes (ECs) on SARS-CoV-2 infection. We tested the hypothesis that EC fluids and aerosols with nicotine promote SARS-...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2023-04-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-31592-x |
| _version_ | 1797845964863569920 |
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| author | Rattapol Phandthong Man Wong Ann Song Teresa Martinez Prue Talbot |
| author_facet | Rattapol Phandthong Man Wong Ann Song Teresa Martinez Prue Talbot |
| author_sort | Rattapol Phandthong |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract The relationship between the use of tobacco products and SARS-CoV-2 infection is poorly understood and controversial. Few studies have examined the effect of electronic cigarettes (ECs) on SARS-CoV-2 infection. We tested the hypothesis that EC fluids and aerosols with nicotine promote SARS-COV-2 infection by increasing viral entry into human respiratory epithelial cells. Responses of BEAS-2B cells to JUUL aerosols or their individual constituents were compared using three exposure platforms: submerged culture, air–liquid-interface (ALI) exposure in a cloud chamber, and ALI exposure in a Cultex system, which produces authentic heated EC aerosols. In general, nicotine and nicotine + propylene glycol/vegetable glycerin aerosols increased ACE2 (angiotensin converting enzyme 2) levels, the SARS-CoV-2 receptor; and increased the activity of TMPRSS2 (transmembrane serine protease 2), an enzyme essential for viral entry. Lentivirus pseudoparticles with spike protein were used to test viral penetration. Exposure to nicotine, EC fluids, or aerosols altered the infection machinery and increased viral entry into cells. While most data were in good agreement across the three exposure platforms, cells were more responsive to treatments when exposed at the ALI in the Cultex system, even though the exposures were brief and intermittent. While both nicotine and JUUL aerosols increased SARS-CoV-2 infection, JUUL significantly decreased the effect of nicotine alone. These data support the idea that vaping can increase the likelihood of contracting COVID-19 and that e-liquid composition may modulate this effect. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-09T17:47:27Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-bdb9e52949a74b8d91ae7144aa233b9e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-09T17:47:27Z |
| publishDate | 2023-04-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-bdb9e52949a74b8d91ae7144aa233b9e2023-04-16T11:14:37ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222023-04-0113111510.1038/s41598-023-31592-xNew insights into how popular electronic cigarette aerosols and aerosol constituents affect SARS-CoV-2 infection of human bronchial epithelial cellsRattapol Phandthong0Man Wong1Ann Song2Teresa Martinez3Prue Talbot4Department of Molecular, Cell and System Biology, University of CaliforniaDepartment of Molecular, Cell and System Biology, University of CaliforniaDepartment of Molecular, Cell and System Biology, University of CaliforniaDepartment of Molecular, Cell and System Biology, University of CaliforniaDepartment of Molecular, Cell and System Biology, University of CaliforniaAbstract The relationship between the use of tobacco products and SARS-CoV-2 infection is poorly understood and controversial. Few studies have examined the effect of electronic cigarettes (ECs) on SARS-CoV-2 infection. We tested the hypothesis that EC fluids and aerosols with nicotine promote SARS-COV-2 infection by increasing viral entry into human respiratory epithelial cells. Responses of BEAS-2B cells to JUUL aerosols or their individual constituents were compared using three exposure platforms: submerged culture, air–liquid-interface (ALI) exposure in a cloud chamber, and ALI exposure in a Cultex system, which produces authentic heated EC aerosols. In general, nicotine and nicotine + propylene glycol/vegetable glycerin aerosols increased ACE2 (angiotensin converting enzyme 2) levels, the SARS-CoV-2 receptor; and increased the activity of TMPRSS2 (transmembrane serine protease 2), an enzyme essential for viral entry. Lentivirus pseudoparticles with spike protein were used to test viral penetration. Exposure to nicotine, EC fluids, or aerosols altered the infection machinery and increased viral entry into cells. While most data were in good agreement across the three exposure platforms, cells were more responsive to treatments when exposed at the ALI in the Cultex system, even though the exposures were brief and intermittent. While both nicotine and JUUL aerosols increased SARS-CoV-2 infection, JUUL significantly decreased the effect of nicotine alone. These data support the idea that vaping can increase the likelihood of contracting COVID-19 and that e-liquid composition may modulate this effect.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-31592-x |
| spellingShingle | Rattapol Phandthong Man Wong Ann Song Teresa Martinez Prue Talbot New insights into how popular electronic cigarette aerosols and aerosol constituents affect SARS-CoV-2 infection of human bronchial epithelial cells Scientific Reports |
| title | New insights into how popular electronic cigarette aerosols and aerosol constituents affect SARS-CoV-2 infection of human bronchial epithelial cells |
| title_full | New insights into how popular electronic cigarette aerosols and aerosol constituents affect SARS-CoV-2 infection of human bronchial epithelial cells |
| title_fullStr | New insights into how popular electronic cigarette aerosols and aerosol constituents affect SARS-CoV-2 infection of human bronchial epithelial cells |
| title_full_unstemmed | New insights into how popular electronic cigarette aerosols and aerosol constituents affect SARS-CoV-2 infection of human bronchial epithelial cells |
| title_short | New insights into how popular electronic cigarette aerosols and aerosol constituents affect SARS-CoV-2 infection of human bronchial epithelial cells |
| title_sort | new insights into how popular electronic cigarette aerosols and aerosol constituents affect sars cov 2 infection of human bronchial epithelial cells |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-31592-x |
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