Department of Integrated Medical Science

Studies suggest that smokers have less than optimal immune responses to natural infections and booster vaccines, which may adversely influence the herd effects of vaccines. We hypothesize that smoking attenuates preexisting memory cells and antibodies specific to childhood immunizations. To test this, we first evaluated several in vitro culture conditions that mimic in vivo immune cell responses within human blood samples. This study concluded that among tested conditions, R848/IL-2 and GMCSF/CD40L/IL-2 optimally supported the differentiation of existing antigen-specific memory B cells into immunoglobulin-secreting plasma cells. Additionally, GM-CSF optimally supported the differentiation of antigen-specific memory T cells into IFN-γ- producing effector cells. Overall, we have established culture conditions that will allow us for the first time to assess the impact of external factors (i.e., smoking, immunosuppressive drugs, etc.) on preexisting, development, and longevity of immune memory specific to childhood, booster, and new vaccines among various populations.

The aim of this study was to investigate the current level of awareness and use of the Great American Smokeout (GASO) and the extent to which that may vary by lifetime smoking, socioeconomic status, age and gender. We hypothesized and found that the current levels of awareness and use were significantly less than the most recent reports available (over 13 years ago), and that awareness of the GASO was more likely in lifetime smokers, those with more education, and older age groups, but found no significant effect related to gender. The drop in awareness and use of the GASO was more than half and almost five times, respectively, compared to that of most recent previous reports. These findings highlight a critical need for more attention and resources to reinvigorate the GASO as a useful event for smokers.

Sjogren's Syndrome (SS) is characterized by lymphocytic infiltration, destruction and dysfunction of the lacrimal and salivary glands and the presence of serum autoantibodies. Although, approximately 0.5% of the population suffers from SS, there is a female predominance of 9:1 compared with males. Most women with SS are postmenopausal; however, not all women who are post-menopausal develop SS. Therefore, we postulate that a decrease in the circulating levels of hormones creates an environment favorable to the development of SS in a predisposed genetic background. In order to carry out our studies, we used the NOD.B10.H2b mouse model of SS, and ovariectomized (OVX) them as a model for the post-menopausal condition. We removed the lacrimal glands and measured the gene expression and protein levels of several cytokines and chemokines known to be upregulated in patients with SS such as : lL-1B, IL-10, INF-y, TNFa, CCL9 and CXCL13.