Exposure of airway epithelial cells to cigarette smoke extract causes the release of extracellular vesicles via thiol-reactive carbonyl compounds

Introduction: Secreted extracellular vesicles (EVs) participate in multiple processes by transferring lipids, proteins and RNA between cells. Yet, their contribution to chronic inflammation in the lungs is largely unexplored. We determined if exposure of airway epithelial cells (AEC) to cigarette smoke extract (CSE) results in release of EVs. Using the CSE components H2O2 and acrolein, we determined the respective contributions of reactive oxygen species and thiol-reactive carbonyls to CSE-induced EV release. Methods: AEC were exposed for 6, 24 or 48h to different concentrations of CSE, H2O2 or acrolein, in the…