Gene signature from lung tissue of e-cigarette users

ABSTRACT: Background: E-cigarette popularity is on the rise in youth and young adults, with mounting concerns regarding the long-term safety of these devices. Cell culture and animal models have highlighted the damaging potential of e-cigarettes, but to date there is a lack of data from human lung tissue to corroborate these findings. Methods: Using human lung tissue obtained during a bullectomy in young adults, we performed RNA-sequencing to uncover e-cigarette related changes to the human lung transcriptome. Information on e-cigarette use habits was collected via questionnaire. Findings: Individuals reporting daily e-cigarette use had an increase in the abundance of mRNA for genes related to mitochondrial function and hypoxia. Genes associated with COPD pathophysiology, including CYP1A1, were also affected by e-cigarette use. Interpretation: This first study to perform RNA-sequencing in human lung tissue from relatively young daily e-cigarette users identifies a gene signature that is consistent with an increased risk for future chronic lung disease. Importantly, many of these changes were present in individuals who don’t use traditional cigarettes, suggesting e-cigarette use alone can drive the molecular alterations we identified.

ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens

PROVIDER: GSE236864 | GEO | 2024/02/29

REPOSITORIES: GEO