Scientists from the Pasteur Institute in France found that smoking negatively affects the body’s ability to produce cytokine molecules that play a role in the development of immune responses. Research results published In the journal Nature.
To identify factors associated with variability in the body’s response, scientists have focused on studying cytokines as part of the immune response. Cytokines are small, soluble protein molecules that mediate cell-cell interactions, division, differentiation, and recruitment of cells involved in the immune response.
To do this, researchers examined expression in the blood of thousands of donors with different health conditions, weight and smoking history. The team measured the levels of various cytokines (CXCL5), (CSF2), interferon gamma (IFNγ), interleukins (IL-1β, IL-2, 6, 8, 10, 12p70, 13, 17, 23) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF). 11 After 22 hours of stimulation of whole blood by immunological methods. Scientists have classified stimulation as microbial, viral, activated by T lymphocytes, and cytokines.
It turns out that smoking negatively affects innate and adaptive immune responses. Analysis of cytokine expression showed that this bad habit causes inflammation in the body and contributes to the development of sensitivity to Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli bacteria.
It has also been revealed that in smokers, the negative effect of this habit on the innate responses of the immune system can be reversed. However, attenuation of adaptive immunity (immunity acquired through natural exposure to an antigen) has been maintained for many years.
Previously was named Quitting smoking at a young age has significant benefits.