The Role of SAA and Macrophages in Smoke-Related Susceptibility to Lung Infection

Abstract

Direct or second hand exposure to tobacco smoke significantly increases your risk of acquiring a chest infection. Infants and elderly smokers are particularly susceptible. This will continue to be a major global problem as household smoke exposure remains high in developing countries and disadvantaged indigenous communities. We will investigate how smoke alters important immune cells that normally clear lung infections, which may lead to completely new ways of treating chest infections.