Relationship between Smoking and COVID-19
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The Latest findings by scientists from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) may explain why smokers are at a higher risk of contracting fatal diseases such as COVID-19.
· The New study, reported in the journal Developmental Cell, suggests that cigarette smoke spurs the lungs to make more ACE2 (angiotensin-converting enzyme 2), the protein that the coronavirus responsible for COVID-19 grabs and uses to enter human cells that make them more vulnerable to severe infections.
· The WHO recently issued a strong warning statement about amplifying claims that tobacco or nicotine could reduce the risk of COVID-19. “Smoking impairs lung function making it harder for the body to fight off coronaviruses and other diseases,” the statement said. The statement came after several studies showing that the number of non-smokers was higher among COVID-19 patients compared to smokers.
· Some studies found that the most prolific producers of ACE2 in the airways are mucus-producing cells called goblet cells. Smoking is known to increase the prevalence of such cells, a change that can protect the airways from irritants but--by amplifying the amount of ACE2 in the lungs--may also increase vulnerability to SARS-CoV-2.
· Researchers also found no evidence that age or sex impacts ACE2 levels in the lungs, the influence of smoke exposure was surprisingly strong. The change appears to be temporary, however: the data revealed that the level of ACE2 in the lungs of people who had quit smoking was similar to that of non-smokers.
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