Perinatal nicotine vaping exposure induces pro-myofibroblastic phenotype in rat bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells

Celia Yu ¹, Jie Liu ¹, Reiko Sakurai ¹

⁰Department of Pediatrics, The Lundquist Institute of Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, 1124 West Carson Street, Torrance, CA 90502, USA.

Reproductive Toxicology (Elmsford, N.Y.) +

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July 26, 2024

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

Perinatal electronic-cigarette (e-cig) vaping with nicotine alters bone marrow cells, impairing lung repair. This suggests vaping may increase chronic lung disease risk, similar to smoking.

Area Of Science

Pulmonology
Stem Cell Biology
Toxicology

Background

Perinatal nicotine exposure from smoking increases chronic lung disease (CLD) risk.
Nicotine affects bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), crucial for lung repair.
Electronic-cigarette (e-cig) use, including by pregnant women, is rising, but its effect on BMSCs is unknown.

Purpose Of The Study

To investigate if perinatal e-cig nicotine exposure adversely affects BMSCs.
To determine if e-cig exposure induces a pro-myofibroblastic phenotype in BMSCs.
To assess the impact on BMSC proliferation, migration, and wound healing capacity.

Main Methods

Pregnant rats were exposed to fresh air, e-cig vehicle, or e-cig with nicotine.
Offspring BMSCs were isolated at postnatal day 21.
Assessed BMSC proliferation, migration, wound healing, and expression of Wnt, PPARγ, and myogenic markers via immunoblotting.

Main Results

Perinatal e-cig exposure significantly decreased BMSC proliferation, migration, and wound healing.
Increased expression of Wnt signaling intermediates (β-catenin, LEF-1) and myogenic markers (fibronectin, αSMA, calponin).
Decreased expression of PPARγ signaling intermediates (PPARγ, ADRP, C/EBPα).

Conclusions

Perinatal e-cig exposure induces a pro-myofibroblastic phenotype in BMSCs.
Exposed BMSCs exhibit impaired injury-repair potential.
Suggests vaping may confer similar chronic lung disease susceptibility as smoking.

Keywords:

Electronic-cigarettes Lung injury repair PPARγ/Wnt signaling Pregnancy Smoking