Dataset for: Phagocytosis and Inflammation: Exploring the effects of the components of E-cigarette vapour on macrophages.

E-cigarettes are perceived as harmless; however, evidence of their safety is lacking. New data suggests E-cigarettes discharge a range of compounds capable of physiological damage to users. We previously established that cigarette smoke caused defective alveolar macrophage phagocytosis. The present study compared the effect E-cigarette of components; E-liquid flavours, nicotine, vegetable glycerine, and propylene glycol on phagocytosis, pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion, and phagocytic recognition molecule expression using differentiated THP-1 macrophages.
Similar to CSE, phagocytosis of NTHi bacteria was significantly decreased by E-liquid flavouring (11.65-15.75%) vs. control (27.01%). Nicotine also decreased phagocytosis (15.26%). E-liquid, nicotine, and E-liquid + nicotine reduced phagocytic recognition molecules; SR-A1 and TLR-2. IL-8 secretion increased with flavour and nicotine, while TNFα, IL-1β, IL-6, MIP-1α, MIP-1β, and MCP-1 decreased after exposure to most flavours and nicotine. PG, VG, or PG:VG mix also induced a decrease in MIP-1α and MIP-1β. We conclude that E-cigarettes can cause macrophage phagocytic dysfunction, expression of phagocytic recognition receptors and cytokine secretion pathways. As such, E-cigarettes should be treated with caution by users, especially those who are non-smokers.