title: Electronic cigarette exposure triggers neutrophil inflammatory responses.
abstract: The use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) is increasing and there is widespread perception that e-cigs are safe. E-cigs contain harmful chemicals; more research is needed to evaluate the safety of e-cig use. Our aim was to investigate the effects of e-cigs on the inflammatory response of human neutrophils.
  
  
  
  Neutrophils were exposed to e-cig vapour extract (ECVE) and the expression of CD11b and CD66b was measured by flow cytometry and MMP-9 and CXCL8 by ELISA. We also measured the activity of neutrophil elastase (NE) and MMP-9, along with the activation of inflammatory signalling pathways. Finally we analysed the biochemical composition of ECVE by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry.
  
  
  
  ECVE caused an increase in the expression of CD11b and CD66b, and increased the release of MMP-9 and CXCL8. Furthermore, there was an increase in NE and MMP-9 activity and an increase in p38 MAPK activation. We also identified several harmful chemicals in ECVE, including known carcinogens.
  
  
  
  ECVE causes a pro-inflammatory response from human neutrophils. This raises concerns over the safety of e-cig use.
authors.affiliation: Manchester Academic Health and Science Centre, University Hospital of South Manchester Foundation Trust, Centre for Respiratory and Allergy Medicine, Institute of Inflammation and Repair, Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK. Andrew.Higham@manchester.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Higham
authors.affiliation: Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, School of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: Nicholas J W
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Rattray
authors.affiliation: Manchester Academic Health and Science Centre, University Hospital of South Manchester Foundation Trust, Centre for Respiratory and Allergy Medicine, Institute of Inflammation and Repair, Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: Jennifer A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Dewhurst
authors.affiliation: Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, School of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: Drupad K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Trivedi
authors.affiliation: Manchester Academic Health and Science Centre, University Hospital of South Manchester Foundation Trust, Centre for Respiratory and Allergy Medicine, Institute of Inflammation and Repair, Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: Stephen J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Fowler
authors.affiliation: Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, School of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: Royston
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Goodacre
authors.affiliation: Manchester Academic Health and Science Centre, University Hospital of South Manchester Foundation Trust, Centre for Respiratory and Allergy Medicine, Institute of Inflammation and Repair, Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: Dave
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Singh
mesh_terms: D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000378:metabolism; D039481:CD11b Antigen / Q000378:metabolism; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003257:Consumer Product Safety; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D066300:Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems; D058851:GPI-Linked Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000378:metabolism; D019272:Leukocyte Elastase / Q000378:metabolism; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000378:metabolism; D018375:Neutrophil Activation / Q000187:drug effects*; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D018722:Nicotinic Agonists / Q000633:toxicity*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D000072137:Vaping / Q000009:adverse effects*; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; D039481:CD11b Antigen; C504120:CEACAM8 protein, human; C508606:CXCL8 protein, human; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D058851:GPI-Linked Proteins; C509295:ITGAM protein, human; D016209:Interleukin-8; D018722:Nicotinic Agonists; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D019272:Leukocyte Elastase; C579270:MMP9 protein, human; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9
keywords: COPD; Electronic cigarettes; Inflammation; MMP-9; Neutrophils; Smoking