Tobacco smoke suppresses T cells but not antigen-presenting cells in the lung-associated lymph nodes.
Chronic inhalation of cigarette smoke in mice preferentially inhibited the antigen-specific T-cell proliferative response of lung-associated lymph nodes compared to anatomically distant lymph nodes. Cell mixing experiments demonstrated that the defect in smoked mice resulted from an abnormality in T-lymphocyte function. In contrast, the activity of antigen-presenting cells was similar in smoked and sham-smoked control animals. These results suggest that T-cell function in lung-associated lymphoid tissue may be inhibited in smokers, leading to a localized predisposition to respiratory tract infections.
Chang
J C
JC
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Kentucky Medical Center, Lexington 40536-0084.
Distler
S G
SG
Kaplan
A M
AM
D000818:Animals; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D010947:Plants, Toxic; D012906:Smoke / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D014026:Nicotiana
D012906:Smoke