E-cigarette flavorings may damage cilia production and function
Two chemicals widely used to flavor electronic cigarettes may impair the function of cilia in the human airway, according to a new study led by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Cilia are antennae-like protuberances that are present on 50 percent to 75 percent of the cells that line human airways. They play a key role in keeping the human airway clear of mucus and dirt and allow people to breathe easily and without irritation. Impaired cilia function has been linked to lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. “Although chemicals used to flavor e-cigs are frequently used, little has been known about the mechanism of how they impact health. Our new study suggests that these chemicals may be harming cilia — the first line of defense in the lungs — by altering gene expression related to cilia production and function,” said Quan Lu, associate professor...