Indicators of Local and Systemic Immunity of Adolescents under Combined Exposure to Air Pollution and Cigarette Smoke

Abstract

Introduction: Chemical compounds polluting the environment and contained in cigarette smoke affect the immune system and the respiratory tract contributing to the development of diseases. Given the sexual dimorphism of innate and acquired immunity, the objective of the study was to identify characteristics of the local and systemic immunity in adolescent girls and boys exposed to harmful environmental and cigarette smoke chemicals. Materials and methods: During two years of the study, we examined 546 active and passive teenage smokers of both sexes living in industrial cities with high ambient air pollution. Levels of interleukins-2 and -10, alpha- and gamma-interferons, immunoglobulin A in blood serum, nasal and oral washings of high school students were tested. Results: We established sex-specific differences in local and systemic immune responses of adolescents to effects of the combined air pollution and cigarette smoke exposure. Significant differences in the content of cytokines and immunoglobulin A were found only for males. The levels of alpha and gamma interferons in the oral lavage fluid of smoking boys were lower while the level of interleukin-2 was higher than those in non-smokers. Blood levels of alpha interferon and immunoglobulin A in male smokers were higher than in non-smokers. Conclusion: Sex-specific differences in the response to the combined effect of air pollution and cigarette smoke necessitate a differentiated approach to elaborating preventive and therapeutic measures aimed at preventing immunological and upper respiratory disorders in adolescent boys and girls.