Why passive smoking hinde...( Being exposed to high levels of 'second...)

Being exposed to high levels of 'second-hand' smoke can reduce the speed at which wounds heal, leading to a lack of healing or greater levels of scarring. A study published in the journal BMC Cell Biology this week may begin to explain why: when cells are exposed to smoke, their ability to migrate towards the site of damage is compromised.

The study, carried out by researchers from University of California, Riverside, examined the effects of 'second-hand' smoke on fibroblasts, cells that play a major role in wound healing. They found that, among other things, exposure to smoke altered the arrangement of the cells' cytoskeleton increasing the cells' adhesive properties and thus reducing their motility.

The researchers write: "These effects can contribute to abnormal healing and may explain why people who are consistently exposed to 'second-hand' smoke suffer from slow healing and excessive scarring of wounds, much like smokers themselves."

The research team, led by Professor Manuela Martins-Green, bubbled smoke from the lit end of cigarettes through cell culture media to form a solution containing the major components of 'second-hand' smoke. They then diluted the 'smoky media' until the smoke components reached the levels found in the tissues of passive smokers.

When they added this media to fibroblast cells cultured in vitro, the researchers saw that the cells became more elongated and that they separated from one another. By studying components of the cytoskeleton in more detail the researchers saw that exposure to smoke increased the level of one particular cytoskeletal component, actin, inside the cell. It also increased the number of points at which the cell stuck to the Petri dish, sites that could be identified by the presence of 'focal adhesion plaques'.

In a separate experiment, the researchers showed that fibroblasts that had been cultured in the 'smoky medium' were less mobile than control cells.

During nor
'"/>

Contact: Gemma Bradley
press@biomedcentral.com
44-207-323-0323
BioMed Central
4-Apr-2004

Page: 1 2
Related biology news :

1. New study shows passive cigarette smoke at least doubles risk of cancer in cats
2. Household exposure to passive smoke depletes some vitamins in non-smokers
3. Fox Chase Cancer Center researchers identify significant smoking-induced genetic alteration
4. Doctors miss chances to help pregnant women quit smoking
5. Breastfeeding may compensate for harmful effects of smoking during pregnancy
6. New study tightens the link between smoking and early menopause
7. Benzene responsible for high percentage of leukemia deaths induced by smoking
8. Occupational disease associated with pneumatic tool use worsened by smoking
9. Study shows gene may boost smoking-related heart disease
10. Emphysema linked to smoking marijuana
11. University of Pittsburgh-led team finds biological reason for womens increased risk of smoking-related lung cancer