Effects of Mainstream and Environmental Tobacco Smoke on the Immune System in Animals and Humans: A Review

作者：Jerry D. Johnson, David P. Houchens, William M. Kluwe, Douglas K. Craig, Gerald L. Fisher · 发表于：Critical Reviews in Toxicology · 年份：1990 · DOI：10.3109/10408449009089870 · 被引用次数：190 · 研究领域：Smoking Behavior and Cessation、Air Quality and Health Impacts、Indoor Air Quality and Microbial Exposure

This review evaluates the available information on the effects of mainstream and environmental tobacco smoke on the immune system in animals and humans. The primary emphasis is on mainstream smoke since little information is available on the effects of environmental smoke. The effects of mainstream tobacco smoke on the immune system in humans and animals are similar. Animals exposed to mainstream tobacco smoke for periods of a few weeks generally exhibit a slight immunostimulation. However, subchronic and chronic exposure studies indicate that immunosuppressive changes develop. Lymphocyte proliferation in response to the mitogens PHA and LPS is decreased, suggesting compromise of cell function. Antibody production can be suppressed. Smoke-exposed animals that are challenged with metastasizing tumors or viruses have been shown to exhibit a higher incidence of tumorigenic and infectious diseases, respectively. Localized immunological changes in the lung can include reduction of bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue and immunoglobulin levels. Smoking-related changes in the peripheral immune system of humans have included elevated WBC counts, increased cytotoxic/suppressor and decreased inducer/helper T-cell numbers, slightly suppressed T-lymphocyte activity, significantly decreased natural killer cell activity, lowered circulating immunoglobin titers, except for IgE which is elevated, and increased susceptibility to infection. The effects of environmental tobacco smoke on the immu...