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Melbourne, Australia – New research has revealed how cigarette smoke and e-cigarettes impair the function of crucial immune cells in the lungs, significantly increasing the risk of respiratory infections and exacerbating diseases like COPD.
The study, published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine, found that various chemicals in smoke interfere with Mucosal-Associated Invariant T (MAIT) cells, which play a vital role in fighting off infections. By binding to a protein called MR1, these chemicals hinder MAIT cell activation, leaving individuals more vulnerable to diseases.
“This research provides crucial insights into how smoking damages the immune system,” said Dr. Wael Awad, lead author of the study. “Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for developing effective treatments for smoking-related diseases.”
The study highlights the impact of not only direct smoking but also second-hand and third-hand smoke exposure. Researchers observed that long-term exposure to smoke altered the protective functions of MAIT cells, making individuals more susceptible to infections like influenza and increasing the severity of COPD.
“This research emphasizes the devastating impact of smoking on lung health,” said Professor Jamie Rossjohn, co-leader of the study. “It underscores the importance of public health campaigns to discourage smoking and raise awareness of the dangers of exposure to smoke.”
The findings have significant implications for the development of new therapies for COPD and other smoking-related lung diseases. By targeting the pathways disrupted by smoke, researchers hope to develop treatments that can restore the function of MAIT cells and improve lung health in affected individuals.
Key Findings:
- Cigarette smoke and e-cigarettes interfere with MAIT cells, a crucial type of immune cell.
- Chemicals in smoke bind to MR1, a protein essential for MAIT cell activation.
- This disruption increases susceptibility to infections and exacerbates lung diseases like COPD.
- Long-term exposure to smoke weakens the protective functions of MAIT cells.
- The study highlights the dangers of not only direct smoking but also second-hand and third-hand smoke exposure.
This research provides compelling evidence of the significant harm caused by smoking and underscores the urgent need for effective public health interventions to reduce smoking rates and protect public health.
