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Naik, Pooja; Fofaria, Neel; Prasad, Shikha; Sajja, Ravi K.; Weksler, Babette; Couraud, Pierre-Olivier; Romero, Ignacio A. and Cucullo, Luca
(2014).
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2202-15-51
Abstract
Background: Both active and passive tobacco smoke (TS) potentially impair the vascular endothelial function in a causative and dose-dependent manner, largely related to the content of reactive oxygen species (ROS), nicotine, and pro-inflammatory activity. Together these factors can compromise the restrictive properties of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and trigger the pathogenesis/progression of several neurological disorders including silent cerebral infarction, stroke, multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer’s disease. Based on these premises, we analyzed and assessed the toxic impact of smoke extract from a range of tobacco products (with varying levels of nicotine) on brain microvascular endothelial cell line (hCMEC/D3), a well characterized human BBB model.
Results: Initial profiling of TS showed a significant release of reactive oxygen (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) in full flavor, nicotine-free (NF, “reduced-exposure” brand) and ultralow nicotine products. This release correlated with increased oxidative cell damage. In parallel, membrane expression of endothelial tight junction proteins ZO-1 and occludin were significantly down-regulated suggesting the impairment of barrier function. Expression of VE-cadherin and claudin-5 were also increased by the ultralow or nicotine free tobacco smoke extract. TS extract from these cigarettes also induced an inflammatory response in BBB ECs as demonstrated by increased IL-6 and MMP-2 levels and up-regulation of vascular adhesion molecules, such as VCAM-1 and PECAM-1.
Conclusions: In summary, our results indicate that NF and ultralow nicotine cigarettes are potentially more
harmful to the BBB endothelium than regular tobacco products. In addition, this study demonstrates that the
TS-induced toxicity at BBB ECs is strongly correlated to the TAR and NO levels in the cigarettes rather than the
nicotine content
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About
- Item ORO ID
- 42435
- Item Type
- Journal Item
- ISSN
- 1471-2202
- Extra Information
- 14 pp.
- Keywords
- tobacco; smoking; oxidative stress; blood–brain barrier; inflammation; nicotine; permeability; nicotine free; Ultralow nicotine
- Academic Unit or School
-
Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) > Life, Health and Chemical Sciences
Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) - Copyright Holders
- © 2014 Naik et al.
- Depositing User
- Ignacio A Romero