biostudies-literatureBlaskovic SLungenliga SchweizSwiss National Science FoundationOPO-Stiftung44https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC8895880biostudies-literatureUnknown23(1)<h4>Background</h4>Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is among the top 5 causes of mortality in the world and can develop as a consequence of genetic and/or environmental factors. Current efforts are focused on identifying early life insults and how these contribute to COPD development. In line with this, our study focuses on the influence of early life nicotine exposure and its potential impact on (a) lung pulmonary functions, and (b) elastase-induced emphysema in adulthood.<h4>Methods</h4>To address this hypothesis, we developed a model of 2 hits, delivered at different time points: mouse pups were first exposed to nicotine/placebo in utero and during lactation, and then subsequently received elastase/placebo at the age of 11 weeks. The effect of nicotine pretreatment and elastRespiratory researchEarly life exposure to nicotine modifies lung gene response after elastase-induced emphysema.PMC8895880159500175953Schittny JCSchittny DBlaskovic SDonati YAvila YRuchonnet-Metrailler ISchleputz CMBarazzone-Argiroffo CfalseEarly life exposure to nicotine modifies lung gene response after elastase-induced emphysema.<h4>Background</h4>Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is among the top 5 causes of mortality in the world and can develop as a consequence of genetic and/or environmental factors. Current efforts are focused on identifying early life insults and how these contribute to COPD development. In line with this, our study focuses on the influence of early life nicotine exposure and its potential impact on (a) lung pulmonary functions, and (b) elastase-induced emphysema in adulthood.<h4>Methods</h4>To address this hypothesis, we developed a model of 2 hits, delivered at different time points: mouse pups were first exposed to nicotine/placebo in utero and during lactation, and then subsequently received elastase/placebo at the age of 11 weeks. The effect of nicotine pretreatment and elast2022-01-01T00:00:00Z2022 Mar2026-03-27T16:31:00.356Z2025-04-04T13:21:32.098ZS-EPMC88958803524108610.1186/s12931-022-01956-4