Effects of parental preconceptional or prenatal cigarette smoke on lung development and immunity in offspring

Introduction: Epidemiological studies demonstrate that in utero smoke exposure negatively affects lung development and lung function, thereby increasing susceptibility for asthma and COPD (Svanes, Thorax 2010; Beyer, Eur J Med Res 2009; Duijts, Eur J Epidemiol 2014). More recently, it was proposed that smoking of boys at pre-teenage equally affects disease risks in offspring (Svanes, Int J Epidemiol in revision). To obtain inside into the underlying mechanisms and to develop early life intervention strategies, studies in transgenerational mouse models are needed. Objective: In my PhD thesis, I will develop a mur…