Effect of Sidestream Smoke (Passive Smoke) on Cell Viability and Interferon Production

Summary

Several studies have been carried out to evaluate the toxicological effects of sidestream smoke. The work carried out in our laboratory will be reviewed herein. Sidestream (passive) smoke has been generated utilizing the peristaltic pump smoking machine. This machine allows for simultaneous exposure of specimens to sidestream and mainstream smoke. The target cells used were the murine L-929 fibroblast-like cell line. Exposure of these cells to sidestream smoke from the 2R1 reference cigarette resulted in dosedependent cytotoxicity. Use of the 1R4F reduced yield cigarette also resulted in dosedependent cytotoxicity. A lower dose of sidestream smoke from the 1R4F cigarette was required to generate 50% cytotoxicity of L-929 cells than when sidestream smoke from the 2R1 cigarette was used. The effects of sidestream smoke exposure on production of interferon-alpha/beta, an antiviral, anticancer, and immunoregulatory substance, was also determined. Production of interferon by L-929 cells was inhibited severely after exposure of the cells to non-cytotoxic doses of sidestream smoke from the 2R1 cigarette. Filtration of the smoke through activated charcoal reduced the inhibition of interferon production. In addition, aging of the smoke also resulted in reduction of the inhibition of interferon induction.

These studies were supported in part by grants from the Kentucky Tobacco and Health Research Institute.