Novel respiratory cell changes identified from cigarette smoke exposure
Source: Medical Press
Cigarette smoking changes the types of cells that are present in the respiratory track and some biological processes necessary for detoxification of cigarette smoke are restricted to specific types of cells.
“Our study describes novel respiratory cell changes that result from cigarette smoke exposure that may be associated with the development of pre-cancerous tissue,” explained corresponding author Jennifer Beane, Ph.D., assistant professor of medicine at Boston University School of Medicine. Specifically, the researchers have identified a novel type of cell present in current smokers that remains active even after smoking cessation. Gene expressed by these cells have also been detected in both pre-cancerous lung tissue and lung tumors. Further study of these cells may result in therapies to prevent the development of lung cancer or ways to measure risk of developing lung cancer.
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