Water pipe condense induces the release of CXCL-8 by human macrophage via reactive oxygen species and activation of NFKB

Introduction and aims: While water pipe tobacco smoking (WPS) has become a global phenomenon, its potential health consequences are not well understood. For example, although water pipe smoke plays a role in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and possibly lung cancer, the mechanism is unknown. Macrophages are considered important immune cells involved in the pathogenesis of COPD and in this study we investigated the effect of water pipe condensate (WPC) on human macrophages. The release CXCL-8, a neutrophil chemoattractant was measured and the involvement of reaction oxygen species (ROS) and downstream ROS-sensitive signaling pathways was investigated Methods: Mainstream WSC was generated using a standard laboratory protocol. U937 cells were used as being representative of human macrophages. The release of CXCL-8 and the generation of ROS was analyzed by ELISA and flow cytometry, respectively. Pharmacological inhibitors were used to determine the role of NF-kB (IKK2 inhibitor IV at 10mM) and p38 MAPK (SB203580 at 10μM) pathways. Results: Compared to control, WSC induced CXCL-8 and intracellular ROS in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. The greatest effect on CXCL-8 release (7-fold) was observed with 4 mg/ml concentration of WPC after 16 hrs (p