I'm very surprised that all genes are suppressed and none were reported up regulated... unless they are saving the data for another publication. But this is inconsistent with other publications. Well, that's science. I wish to see the whole paper so I can make my mind about it. Nicotine itself is anti-inflammatory so most likely suppress some "immune genes". Actually, I believe that nicotine is used to treat some autoimmune syndromes... This paper seems to suggest that vapers maybe immuno-compromised, the flavors been in question. But at which extent? Is it systemic or localized to the exposed tissues? In the mean time, PG is anti-bacterial and anti-fungal, so when they see decrease uptake of bacteria by macophages and neutrophils with
ejuice diluted in tissue culture media, is it because the PG actually kills them? Looking at gene expression is not enough, the results need to be confirmed at the protein levels. In the mean time, many type of food are also anti-inflammatory like some containing anti-oxidants, also available in forms of
supplements in stores. These are supposed to be good for us... Not trying to dismiss the finding, just trying to be critic on a topic relevant to us. I may get my hands on the original paper someday. Thanks for posting this.
Edit just to raise an obvious caveat. Is it a direct effect on immune cells? If bacteria are directly kills by PG, the immune cells in our nose, systematically exposed to air born pathogens would have less work to do, which would explain, maybe in part, the decrease expression of "immune genes".... That's the best part in science, questioning the facts to catch potential flaws and understand further.