B-cell immune repertoire sequencing in tobacco cigarette smoking, vaping, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the COPDGene cohort
Abstract
Rationale Cigarette smoking (CS) impairs B-cell function and antibody production, increasing infection risk. The impact of e-cigarette use ('vaping') and combined CS and vaping ('dual-use') on B-cell activity is unclear. Objective To examine B-cell receptor sequencing (BCR-seq) profiles associated with CS, vaping, and dual-use. Methods BCR-seq was performed on blood RNA samples from 234 participants in the COPDGene study. We assessed multivariable associations of B-cell function measures (immunoglobulin heavy chain (IGH) subclass expression and usage, class-switching, V allele usage, and clonal expansion) with CS, vaping, and dual-use. We adjusted for multiple comparisons using the Benjamini-Hochberg method, identifying significant associations at 5% FDR and suggestive associations at 10% FDR. Results Among 234 non-Hispanic white (NHW) and African American (AA) participants, CS and dual-use were significantly positively associated with increased secretory IgA production, with dual-use showing the strongest associations. Dual-use was positively associated with class switching and B-cell clonal expansion, indicating increased B-cell activation, with similar trends in those only smoking or only vaping. The IGHV5-51*01 allele was increased in dual users. Conclusions CS and vaping additively enhance B-cell activation, most notably in dual-users. CS and vaping are significantly associated to multiple alterations in B-cell function including increased class switching, clonal…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a cohort study, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence. Reported size: 234 participants or records.
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