The Effects of E-cigarette Exposure on Lung Histology and the Immunolocalization of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE-2) in the Common House Mouse, Mus musculus

While vaping is generally perceived as a safe alternative to cigarette smoking, little is known about the impact of e-cigarette use on public health. We are examining the effects of exposure to the fumes of the Elf Bar strawberry piña colada e-cigarette on histological morphology and the expression of an inflammatory chemical using immunohistochemistry (IHC) in the house mouse, Mus musculus. IHC is a staining technique used to localize and quantify levels of protein expression in tissue using an antibody binding cascade, followed by an enzyme activation step. A chromogen substrate, 3,3’-diaminobenzidine (DAB), will bind to the enzyme, causing a reduction-oxidation reaction, indicated by a color change. The presence of the color on the tissue will allow for the localization of the investigated proteins. The inflammatory chemical we are investigating is angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2), which is produced in the lungs and utilized in many different physiological processes, such as the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) that is responsible for blood pressure regulation. ACE-2 is also a significant receptor in the infection pathway of SARS-CoV-2, the culprit of the COVID-19 pandemic. We hypothesize that exposure to vaping will increase the concentration of ACE-2 and thus lead to physiological consequences. We hope to use our findings to educate others about the potential consequences of vaping as we examine the physiological impact of exposure to e-cigarettes at the histological level.