E-cigarette and food flavoring diacetyl alters airway cell morphology, inflammatory and antiviral response, and susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2.

ABSTRACT: Diacetyl (DA) is an α-diketone that is used to flavor microwave popcorn, coffee, and e-cigarettes. Occupational exposure to high levels of DA causes impaired lung function and obstructive airway disease. Additionally, lower levels of DA exposure dampen host defenses in vitro. Understanding DA's impact on lung epithelium is important for delineating exposure risk on lung health. In this study, we assessed the impact of DA on normal human bronchial epithelial cell (NHBEC) morphology, transcriptional profiles, and susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Transcriptomic analysis demonstrated cilia dysregulation, an increase in hypoxia and sterile inflammation associated pathways, and decreased expression of interferon-stimulated genes after DA exposure. Additionally, DA exposure resulted in cil

SUBMITTER: Langel SN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8847558 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature