The effects of new generation e-cigarette components on ENaC, CFTR, CaCC channels, and airway surface liquid height

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), also known as electronic nicotine delivery systems, are devices designed to deliver aerosolized nicotine with a minimal vehicle, which is considered to be relatively safer than tobacco. E-cigarette components are known to cause changes in protein function, including abnormal airway ion transport changes. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of new generation e-cigarette components on ENaC, CFTR and CaCC channels, airway surface liquid (ASL) height and ion transport in human bronchial epithelial cells. Nicotine salt, benzoic acid, sodium hydrogen tartar, propylene glycol/vegetable glycerin, free base nicotine and nicotine salt + benzoic acid were used as e-cigarette components in the study. Each component were formed as 100 µM of six groups. PBS was used as control group. Primary human bronchial epithelial cells (HBEC) mimicking respiratory epithelial morphology in vivo were used to determine the effects of e-cigarette components on ion channels and airway surface liquid. HEK-293T cells, which are an immortal cell line, were used to determine the effects of cytotoxicity of the components of electronic cigarette. In addition, third hand exposures of e-cigarette flavors were also investigated. Statistical analyzes were performed by using GraphPad Prism v8.0 program. E-cigarette components applied in HBEC cultures it was determined that ASL height decreased by the time (P <0.0001). In the study to determine the effects of e-cigarette components on ion exchange, there was no significant difference between groups in terms ΔIsc and ΔTER (p> 0.05). The doses of e-cigarette components higher concentration of 0.0999 µM were found to be cytotoxic (p <0.01). When the amount of accumulation on the surfaces of e-cigarette components were evaluated, the RFU value of Fruit Medley aroma group was found to be highest at 450 nm. As a result, it was found that the components in e-cigarettes decreased airway surface liquid height, affected ENaC, CFTR and CaCC channels and had cytotoxic effects.