Cigarette smoke preparations, not moist snuff, impair expression of genes involved in immune signaling and cytolytic functions

Integrative genomic analysis reveals low T-cell infiltration as the primary feature of tobacco use in HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer

Although tobacco use is an independent adverse prognostic feature in HPV(+) oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC), the biologic features associated with tobacco use have not been systematically investigated. We characterized genomic and immunologic features associated with tobacco use through whole exome sequencing, mRNA hybridization, and immunohistochemical staining in 47 HPV(+) OPSCC tumors. Low expression of transcripts in a T cell-inflamed gene expression profile (TGEP) was associated with tobacco use at diagnosis and lower overall and disease-free survival. Tobacco use was associated with an increased proportion of T > C substitutions and a lower proportion of expected mutational signatures, but not with increases in mutational burden or recurrent oncogenic mutations. Our findings suggest that rather than increased mutational burden, tobacco's primary and clinically relevant association in HPV(+) OPSCC is immunosuppression of the tumor immune microenvironment. Quantitative assays of T cell infiltration merit further study as prognostic markers in HPV(+) OPSCC.

Smoking associates with increased BAFF and decreased interferon-γ levels in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Objective

In SLE, smoking increases the burden of cutaneous disease and organ damage, and leads to premature mortality. However, the effect of smoking on disease manifestations and cytokine levels of patients with SLE is unclear. This study compared characteristics of patients with SLE across smoking status, and determined the association of smoking with serum cytokine levels.

Method

A cross-sectional study of patients with SLE (n=99) during a research visit in which smoking status was ascertained. Smoking status was compared across classification criteria (American College of Rheumatology Classification Criteria for SLE (ACR97)), disease activity (SLE Disease Activity Index), autoantibody levels, accrued damage (Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/ACR Damage Index), and circulating concentrations of serum interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, IL-17, B cell-activating factor (BAFF), tumour necrosis factor-alpha, transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1), macrophage inflammatory protein 1 alpha (MIP-1α), MIP-1β and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1. Linear regression models determined the association between smoking and cytokine levels, adjusting for age and sex, clinical characteristics (model 1), and anti-inflammatory (IL-4, IL-10 and TGF- β1) and regulatory (IL-1β) cytokines (model 2).

Results

Among patients with SLE (97.9% ANA+; mean 48.48 years old; 86.9% female; mean 10 years of disease duration), 35.4% (n=35 of 99) were smoking (an average of 7 cigarettes/day for 24 years). Smokers had increased odds of prevalent ACR97 malar rash (OR 3.40, 95% CI 1.23 to 9.34) and mucosal ulcers (OR 3.31, 95% CI 1.36 to 8.05). Smokers had more arthritis (OR 3.19, 95% CI 1.19 to 8.60), migraine (OR 2.82, 95% CI 1.07 to 7.44), Raynaud’s phenomenon (OR 5.15, 95% CI 1.95 to 13.56) and increased non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use (OR 6.88, 95% CI 1.99 to 23.72). Smoking associated with 27% increased BAFF levels (95% CI 6% to 48%) and 42% decreased IFN-γ levels (95% CI −79% to −5%) in model 2.

Conclusion

In patients with SLE, smoking independently associated with increased BAFF and decreased IFN-γ levels, and an increased frequency of arthritis, migraine and Raynaud’s phenomenon. Smoking cessation is advisable to reduce systemic inflammation, reduce disease activity and improve host defence.

Differences in biomarkers of inflammation and immune responses in chronic smokers and moist snuff users

BACKGROUND

Cigarette smoking is a major risk factor for cancer and other diseases. While smoking induces chronic inflammation and aberrant immune responses, the effects of smokeless tobacco products (STPs) on immune responses is less clear. Here we evaluated markers related to immune regulation in smokers (SMK), moist snuff consumers (MSC) and non-tobacco consumers (NTC) to better understand the effects of chronic tobacco use.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Several markers associated with immune regulation were measured in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from SMK (n = 40), MSC (n = 40), and NTC (n = 40) by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

Relative to NTC, seven markers were significantly suppressed in SMK, whereas in MSC, only one marker was significantly suppressed. In a logistic regression model, markers including granzyme B⁺ lymphocytes, perforin⁺ lymphocytes, granzyme B⁺ CD8⁺T cells, and KLRB1⁺ CD8⁺ T cells remained as statistically significant predictors for classifying the three cohorts. Further, cell-surface receptor signaling pathways and cell-cell signaling processes were downregulated in SMK relative to MSC; chemotaxis and LPS-mediated signaling pathways, were upregulated in SMK compared to MSC. A network of the tested markers was constructed to visualize the immunosuppression in SMK relative to MSC.

CONCLUSION

Moist snuff consumption is associated with significantly fewer perturbations in inflammation and immune function biomarkers relative to smoking.

IMPACT

This work identifies several key immunological biomarkers that differentiate the effects of chronic smoking from the use of moist snuff. Additionally, a molecular basis for aberrant immune responses that could render smokers more susceptible for infections and cancer is provided.

Smoking increases the risk of infectious diseases: A narrative review

Smoking is relevant to infectious diseases resulting in increased prevalence and mortality. In this article, we aim to provide an overview of the effects of smoking in various infections and to explain the potential mechanisms. We searched PubMed and other relevant databases for scientific studies that explored the relationship between smoking and infection. The mechanisms of susceptibility to infection in smokers may include alteration of the structural, functional and immunologic host defences. Smoking is one of the main risk factors for infections in the respiratory tract, digestive tract, reproductive tract, and other systems in humans, increasing the prevalence of HIV, tuberculosis, SARS-CoV, and the current SARS-CoV-2. Smoking cessation can reduce the risk of infection. Smoking increases the incidence of infections and aggravates the progress and prognosis of infectious diseases in a dose-dependent manner. Smoking cessation promotion and education are the most practical and economical preventive measures to reduce aggravation of disease infection owing to tobacco use.