Palscience

A team of researcher at Yale University School Of Medicine new study could explain why the cold and flu virus symptoms that are often mild and transient in non-smokers can seriously sicken smokers. The finding was published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, and it explains the mechanism by which viruses and cigarette smoke interact with each other to increase lung inflammation and damage.

The widespread believe has been that cigarette smoke decreases anti-viral responses, but Jack A Elisa, M.D., the research leader found the opposite to be true.

“The anti-viral responses in the cigarette smoke exposed mice were not only not defective, but were hyperactive,” said Elias. “These findings suggest that smokers do not get in trouble because they can’t clear or fight off the virus; they get in trouble because they overreact to it.”

“It’s like smokers are using the equivalent of a sledge hammer, rather than a fly swatter, to get rid of a fly,” said Elias.

The team found that mice with viral infections that had been exposed to cigarette smoke had accelerated emphysema and airway scarring. Elias and his team also defined the signaling pathway that mediates this exaggerated innate immune response.

“If the exaggerated responses are verified in human studies, it will be the first explanation for why viral infections are more serious in smokers,” said Elias. “Once verified, we can find ways to prevent the destruction of lung tissue and the higher illness and death among smokers.”

Via Urekalert