Cigarette smoke inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced production of inflammatory cytokines by suppressing the activation of activator protein-1 in bronchial epithelial cells

Abstract

Chronic smoking is characterized by immunosuppressive changes in the airways, leading to chronic colonization with bacteria, which in turn may contribute to the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The mechanisms causing this immunosuppression, however, are poorly characterized. This study evaluated whether cigarette smoke can inhibit endotoxin (LPS)-induced inflammatory cytokine production in bronchial epithelial cells and, if so, what the mechanisms are behind this effect. Pretreatment with cigarette smoke extract (CSE) concentration dependently inhibited the LPS-induced GM-CSF and IL-8 protein release, which was accompanied by decreased expression of mRNA in human bronchial epithelial c..