La bronchopneumopathie chronique obstructive (BPCO) est une maladie caractérisée par une réaction inflammatoire intense avec une destruction du parenchyme pulmonaire et une perte d’élasticité du poumon conduisant à une obstruction quasi-irréversible des voies aériennes. L’utilisation du tabac est le principal facteur de risque de cette maladie. La fumée de cigarette active les cellules épithéliales et les macrophages résidents en libérant des protéases et des chimiokines. Ces phénomènes sont responsables de l’infiltration de cellules inflammatoires dans le poumon, telles que les neutrophiles, les macrophages et les lymphocytes. Ces cellules libèrent des enzymes protéolytiques capables de dégrader les composants de la matrice extracellulaire. Parmi ces protéases, l’élastase du neutrophile (NE) semble stimuler la sécrétion de cytokines, participant ainsi à une inflammation chronique. De fortes évidences montrent que des infections bactériennes récurrentes contribuent à ce processus inflammatoire et par conséquent à l’aggravation de la BPCO. A partir de ces observations, nous nous sommes intéressés aux événements précoces du développement de la BPCO associés à une infection bactérienne récurrente. Dans un premier temps, nous avons montré que l’association d’un extrait de fumée de cigarette à de faibles doses de LPS est capable d’augmenter de façon synergique la libération des chimiokines par les cellules épithéliales alvéolaires. Ce phénomène implique l’activation des voies de signalisation MAP kinase ERK1/2 et JAK/STAT. Nous avons mis en évidence que l’inhibiteur de la phosphodiestérase 4, le roflumilast N-oxide, empêche la sécrétion de ces cytokines inactivant ainsi les voies JAK/STAT et ERK1/2. Dans un deuxième temps, nous avons démontré que la NE peut conduire à la libération de chimiokines par des cellules épithéliales alvéolaires en activant la voie de signalisation p38 et que le roflumilast N-oxide diminue le taux de ces chimiokines. Une approche in vitro sur un modèle de cellules épithéliales alvéolaires a permis de démontrer l’effet synergique du CSE associé au LPS sur la libération de cytokines et sur l’activation des voies de signalisation. Cet effet pourrait être responsable de la progression et de l’exacerbation de la BPCO. Notre étude montre aussi les effets du roflumilast sur la libération de cytokines induites par la NE ou par le CSE/LPS. Ces résultats mettent en lumière d’autres mécanismes par lesquels le roflumilast N-oxide exerce son effet anti-inflammatoire dans la BPCO. / Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a pathology characterized by an abnormal inflammatory response and associated with a destruction of lung parenchyma and loss of lung elasticity, leading to an airway limitation not fully reversible. Tobacco smoking continues to be a major cause of COPD. Cigarette smoke activates epithelial cells and resident macrophages by releasing proteases and chemokines. This phenomenon is responsible of the migration of inflammatory cells in the lung tissue such as neutrophils, macrophages and lymphocytes. These cells are able to release proteolytic enzymes leading to the degradation of components of the extracellular matrix. Among these proteases, neutrophil elastase (NE) seems to stimulate the secretion of cytokines involved in chronic inflammation. Strong evidence shows that recurrent bacterial infections contribute to the inflammatory process and consequently to the worsening of COPD. Based on these observations, we studied the early events in the development of COPD associated with recurrent bacterial infection. Initially we showed that the combination of a cigarette smoke extract associated with low doses of LPS is able to synergistically increase the release of chemokines, by alveolar epithelial cells through the activation of MAP kinase signaling pathways ERK1/2 and JAK/STAT. We also demonstrated that the phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor, roflumilast N-oxide (RNO) inhibits the secretion of these cytokines, thereby inactivating pathways JAK/STAT and ERK1/2. Moreover, we have demonstrated that neutrophil elastase (NE) can lead to the release of chemokines by alveolar epithelial cells by activating the p38 signaling pathway. Moreover the treatment of the cells with roflumilast N-oxide significantly reduces the production of these chemokines. This in vitro model demonstrates the synergistic effect of CSE associated with LPS on the release of cytokines and activation of signaling pathways. This effect could be responsible for the progression and exacerbation of COPD. Our study also shows the effect of RNO on the release of cytokines induced by NE or by the combination CSE/LPS. These results highlight other mechanisms by which Roflumilast N-oxide exerts its anti-inflammatory effect in COPD

La fumée de cigarette peut endommager plusieurs organes de notre organisme, causant des maladies chroniques sévères et divers types de cancers. Elle interagit notamment avec les enzymes de métabolisme des médicaments de phase I et II, et contribue ainsi à la perturbation de la pharmacocinétique de divers médicaments chez les fumeurs. Les transporteurs membranaires sont des acteurs majeurs de l'absorption, la distribution et l'élimination de médicaments, et certains sont impliqués dans les interactions médicamenteuses. De plus, ils assurent le flux des molécules endogènes physiologiques vitales, et l'élimination de divers xénobiotiques toxiques non seulement chez les mammifères mais aussi chez les êtres unicellulaires, comme les levures. Ces transporteurs sont des cibles potentielles de la fumée de cigarette. D’où l'importance d'étudier l'interaction de la fumée de cigarette et de ses composés avec les transporteurs membranaires. Nos résultats démontrent que le condensat de fumée de cigarette (CSC) modifie l'activité fonctionnelle et/ou l'expression de plusieurs transporteurs hépatiques et rénaux in vitro dans des modèles cellulaires hépatiques et/ou non-hépatiques, notamment les OATPs (organic anion transporting polypeptide), l'OCT1 (organic cation transporter 1), la BCRP (breast cancer resistance protein) et l'OAT3 (organic anion transporter 3). Une implication remarquable du récepteur Ah (AhR) est mise en évidence dans la régulation de l'expression de certains transporteurs comme la MRP4 (multidrug resistance-associated protein), la BCRP, l'OAT2 et l'OCT1 dans des cellules HepaRG exposées au CSC. De plus, chez la levure Saccharomyces cerevisiae, le CSC inhibe l'activité d'efflux notamment des transporteurs de la rhodamine 123 et de la caféine, et induit, après trois heures, leur expression avec d'autres gènes qui sont aussi impliqués dans la résistance aux xénobiotiques comme les transporteurs de la membrane plasmique le Pdr5, le Snq2, le Pdr10, le Pdr15 et le Tpo1. Enfin, un effet inhibiteur remarquable des amines aromatiques hétérocycliques (AAH) est mis en évidence in vitro, notamment celui de Trp-P-1 et de Trp-P2 sur l'activité des transporteurs OCT1 et OCT2. De plus, les données in silico suggèrent que des descripteurs moléculaires des AAH comme l'AMW (average molecular weight), la qnmax (maximum negative charge) et le SPP (submolecular molarity parameter), sont des paramètres cruciaux de l'inhibition commune des OCT1, OCT2 et OCT3 par les AAH. Le CSC est donc un modulateur bifonctionnel, qui peut intervenir dans la régulation de l'activité et de l'expression des transporteurs membranaires hépatiques et rénaux, ainsi que ceux chez la levure. De telles interactions peuvent contribuer à l'altération de la pharmacocinétique des médicaments et des composés endogènes chez les fumeurs, d’où l'évaluation de l'exposition hépatique et rénale au CSC demeure indispensable. / Cigarette smoke can damage every part of our body, causing severe chronic diseases and various types of cancers. It also interacts with drug metabolizing enzymes of phase I and II, and thus contributes to pharmacokinetics disruption of various drugs in smokers. Membrane drug transporters are major actors involved in drugs absorption, distribution and elimination, and some are involved in drug-drug interactions. In addition, membrane drug transporters ensure the flow of vital physiological endogenous molecules, and the elimination of various toxic xenobiotics, not only in mammals but also in unicellular organisms, especially in yeasts. Therefore, this indicates the importance of studying the interaction of cigarette smoke and its contained chemicals with drug transporters. Our results demonstrate that cigarette smoke condensate (CSC) modifies the functional activity and / or expression of several hepatic and renal transporters in vitro in hepatic and / or non-hepatic cellular models, including OATPs (organic anion transporting polypeptide), OCT1 (organic cation transporter 1), BCRP (breast cancer resistance protein) and OAT3 (organic anion transporter 3). A remarkable implication of Ah receptor (AhR) was also demonstrated in MRP4 (multidrug resistance-associated protein), BCRP, OAT2 and OCT1 expression regulation in HepaRG cells exposed to CSC. In addition, in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, CSC inhibits the efflux activity of at least the rhodamine 123 and caffeine transporters, and induces, after three hours, their expression and that of others involved in xenobiotic resistance such as plasma membrane transporters Pdr5, Snq2, Pdr10, Pdr15 and Tpo1. Finally, a remarkable inhibitory effect of heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAA) is demonstrated in vitro, in particular that of Trp-P-1 and Trp-P-2 on the activity of OCT1 and OCT2. In addition, in silico data suggest that molecular descriptors of HAA such as AMW (average molecular weight), qnmax (maximum negative charge) and SPP (submolecular molarity parameter), may represent crucial parameters for common inhibition of OCT1, OCT2 and OCT3 transporters by HAA. Thus, CSC acts as bifunctional modulator, which can regulate activity and expression of hepatic and renal drug transporters as well as some membrane transporters in yeasts. Such interactions may contribute to the alteration of the pharmacokinetics of drugs and endogenous compounds in smokers, hence the evaluation of hepatic and renal exposure to CSC remains essential.

Overall, the work presented in this thesis explored the impact of cigarette smoke on the immunopathogenesis of respiratory disease. This thesis highlighted the determinantal impact of cigarette smoke on (auto)antibody levels and pulmonary macrophage composition. Work completed by Steven P Cass 2016-2021. / Cigarette smoke is an insidious insult that is associated with a spectrum of respiratory diseases that range from cancer to obstructive diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), to restrictive diseases such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). In this thesis, we explore how cigarette smoke impacts immune components that contribute to respiratory disease. To begin, we assessed the impact of cigarette smoke on airway antibody and autoantibody levels. We assessed sputum, a non-invasive method to sample the lower airways, to directly assess the presence of antibodies and autoantibodies in COPD. Total immunoglobulin M (IgM), IgG and IgA were detectable in the sputum of subjects. Notably, in patients with mild to moderate COPD, current smoking status was associated with decreased IgM and IgG. Next, using a comprehensive autoantigen array, we measured matched sputum and serum autoantibodies in 224 individuals. Serum autoantibodies were more abundant than sputum autoantibodies and correlated strongly between two independent COPD cohorts. Overall, the autoantibody profile of a patient with COPD was the same as a control subject. A proportion of autoantibody specificities were differentially expressed in patients with COPD with anti-tissue autoantibodies weakly associated with measures of emphysema. Taken together, these data suggested chronic cigarette smoke exposure was associated with limited differential expression of autoantibodies, but these changes were not a reliable method to identify COPD status. In our third study, we assessed the impact of cigarette smoke exposure on the composition and function of pulmonary macrophage subpopulations. Macrophages perform a central role in respiratory host defence and are implicated in the pathobiology of several respiratory diseases. Using a mouse model of cigarette smoke exposure, we reported cigarette smoke-induced expansion of CD11b+ macrophage subpopulations including monocyte-derived alveolar macrophages and interstitial macrophages. The altered pulmonary macrophage composition following cigarette smoke exposure contributed to attenuated fibrogenesis in a model of bleomycin-induced lung injury. This study offered insight to pulmonary macrophage composition and function following cigarette smoke exposure. This thesis summarises the original contributions and work completed during the course of this Ph.D., aimed at understanding the impact of cigarette smoke exposure on immune components central to respiratory disease. In conclusion, these findings shed light on the presence of (auto)antibodies in patients with COPD and the composition of macrophage subpopulations following cigarette smoke exposure. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / Currently there are 1.3 billion people who use tobacco across the world. The most common method to consume tobacco is by smoking cigarettes. Cigarette smoking is well-known to cause disease; however, smoking rates are still increasing with more daily cigarette smokers in 2012 than there were in 1980. In this thesis, we explore the impact of cigarette smoke upon the immune system. We first assessed whether cigarette smoking impacts the levels of antibodies, proteins that are produced by the immune system to protect against foreign bodies, in healthy individuals, cigarette smokers without disease and patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We found that current smokers had decreased antibodies in the airways, thus predisposing cigarette smokers to increased damage. In our second study, we measured the presence of airway and blood autoantibodies. These are antibodies that target self and have the potential to inflict damage. We discovered that patients with COPD had minor changes in autoantibodies and these changes were weakly associated with emphysema. In our third study, we evaluated the impact of cigarette smoke on lung macrophages, cells that eat and destroy foreign bodies, in a mouse model of cigarette smoke exposure. Cigarette smoke increased the number of bone marrow-derived macrophages and this change in macrophage populations was associated with a reduced wound healing ability. Overall, these studies offer insight into how cigarette smoke impairs the function of the immune system and contributes to lung disease.

Type 2 diabetes and cigarette smoke exposure are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular complications. The role of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) is already well-established in numerous comorbidities including cardiomyopathy. Given the role of AGEs and their receptor, RAGE, in activating inflammatory pathways, we sought to determine whether ceramides could be a mediator of RAGE-induced altered heart mitochondrial function. Using an in vitro model, we treated H9C2 cardiomyocytes with carboxy-methyl lysine-BSA, followed by mitochondrial respiration assessment. We found that mitochondrial respiration was significantly impaired in AGE-treated cells, but not when co-treated with myriocin, an inhibitor of de novo ceramide biosynthesis. Moreover, we exposed WT and RAGE KO mice to side-stream cigarette smoke and found reduced mitochondrial respiration in the left ventricle myocardium from WT mice, but the RAGE KO mice were protected from this effect. Finally, conditional over-expression of RAGE in the lungs of mice also elicited a robust increase in left ventricular ceramides. Altogether, these findings suggest a RAGE-ceramide axis as an important contributor to cardiomyopathy.

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Cigarette smoke contributes to 90% of lung cancer cases and 80% of COPD cases. These concerns loom large as lung cancer represents 13% of all cancer deaths and estimates report by 2020 COPD will be the third leading cause of death in the world. The master regulator of the ER stress response, IRE-1, in the context of cigarette smoke exposure lacks study. Interestingly, its downstream pathways are activated. In fact, the 2014 Surgeon General’s report on the health consequences of smoking highlighted the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response as a potential mechanism leading to the development of lung cancer and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD). Following acute cigarette smoke exposure, mouse lung homogenates exhibited increased levels of XBP-1 along with downstream mediators of IRE-1 activation— GRP-78 and CHOP. Specifically observing macrophages, an important immune cell and source of acute inflammation, cigarette smoke induced activation of IRE-1/XBP-1 pathway through splicing of XBP-1 mRNA. However, upon assaying for pro-inflammatory cytokines we were unable to determine that cigarette smoke directly caused inflammation in vitro. Furthermore, cigarette smoke inhibited the activation of M2 macrophages, an anti-inflammatory and tissue healing subset seen through CCL18 inhibition. A majority of M2 and M1 macrophage markers were decreased from IRE-1/XBP-1 inhibition. This suggests a different phenotype than classical M1 or M2 polarization being induced by cigarette smoke. In addition, it suggests the IRE-1/XBP-1 pathway having a robust role in controlling gene expression and balance of cellular proteomics. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc) / Cigarette smoke exposure damages the lungs and over time places the user at risk for increased infections, progressive decreases in lung function and cancer. A specific cell of the immune system and found in the lungs, macrophages or “Big Eater” cells, responds first by picking up debris and responding to harmful foreign substances by releasing proteins signaling the immune system to become activated. Within all animal cells, an organelle called the Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) manufactures a third of proteins produced allowing the cell to adapt to foreign substances, including cigarette smoke. Cigarette smoke could cause the ER, a plastic organelle, to change in size and function at a heightened level due to activation of a sensing protein integrated in the ER, Inositol Requiring Enzyme-1 (IRE-1). Both activation of the ER and cigarette smoke causes macrophages to behave as “tissue-healing” or M2 subsets that release factors promoting reconstruction of the lungs; alternatively, M1 macrophages fight diseases and promote further inflammation. Using genetic analysis of macrophages exposed to cigarette smoke in culture dishes and analyzing the proteins secreted, we determined cigarette smoke inhibits M1 macrophages and the “tissue-healing” subset, while increasing adhesion molecule expression. Overall, cigarette smoke affected the polarization of M1 and M2 phenotype, analyzed through proteins and genes expression. We observed an increase in sXBP-1, indicative of IRE-1/XBP-1 pathway activation, from cigarette smoke extract exposure in macrophages. However, the use of IRE-1 inhibitors increased ER stress markers while affecting M1 and M2 markers. This suggests ER compensation from the use of inhibiting one arm of the ER stress response.

Artrite reumatoide (AR) é uma doença autoimune, que causa inflamação crônica nas membranas sinoviais de diversas articulações. O modelo experimenal de artrite induzida pelo colágeno (AIC) é empregado para investigar os mecanismos da AR e para identificar potenciais agentes terapêuticos. Embora a etiologia da AR ainda seja desconhecida, há evidências que a AR se desenvolve em indivíduos predispostos geneticamente, após exposição a fatores ambientais, como o tabagismo, que se destaca como maior fator de risco para indução da AR e para o agravamento em pacientes com AR já estabelecida. Porém, o mecanismo efetivo da ação dos diversos componentes do cigarros ainda precisa ser elucidado. A Hidroquinona (HQ) é um composto fenólico, encontrada em concentração elevada no cigarro, com maior ativade pró-oxidativa, além de ser produto da biotransformação do benzeno, também encontrado no cigarro. Neste caso, a HQ é responsável pela imunotoxicidade e mielotoxicidade do benzeno. Devido a alta exposição de fumantes à HQ e a associação do tabagismo com a AR, investigamos se a exposição à HQ teria participação no desenvolvimento da AIC em ratos Wistar. Para tanto, animais foram expostos à HQ em diferentes protocolos experimentais, a saber: A - por 35 dias consecutivos, durante fase de indução e desenvolvimento da artrite; B - por 14 dias consecutivos, até a segunda injeção de colágeno, na fase de sensibilização e indução da AIC; C - por 7 dias consecutivos, do 29º ao 35º dia, na fase posterior ao desenvolvimento da AIC. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que a HQ agravou a AR nos 3 grupos experimentais, aumentando os parâmetros clínicos, o número de células no líquido sinovial, a inflamação nas sinóvias, caracterizada por maior influxo de neutrófilos, proliferação de sinoviócitos (histologia por HE e imunohistoquímica), aumento nos níveis de IL-6 e IL-1β (ELISA) no líquido sinovial e rearranjo do colágeno na sinóvia (microscopia por segundo harmônico). No entanto, os efeitos mais acentuados foram observados em animais dos grupos A e C, que também tiveram perda de peso significativa. Ademais, exposição à HQ, nos 3 grupos experimentais, causou expressão aumentada do receptor aril hidrocarboneto (AhR), um receptor ativado por xenobióticos durante a AR, e aumento nos níveis do fator de transcrição ROR e de IL-17 na sinóvia. Como AhR/ROR/IL-17 em linfócitos e neutrófilos é uma via importante na gênese da AR, ensaios in vitro foram realizados para elucidar o papel da HQ nesta via. A incubação com HQ in vitro de esplenócitos de animais naive elevou a expressão de AhR e de secreção de IL-17 (por citometria de fluxo), as quais foram bloqueadas pelo antagonista de AhR (α-naftoflavona). Em conjunto, os resultados obtidos nos permitem concluir que a HQ, como um importante componente do cigarro agrava a CIA em ratos, e a ativação via AhR/IL-17 é um possível mecanismo da patogênese da artrite. / Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation in the joint synovial membranes. The experimental model of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) is used to investigate the involved mechanisms in RA and to identify novel therapeutic agents. The genesis of RA is multifactorial, involving interplay of genetic and environmental factors and smoking is the trigger factor in the development or RA and worsens the pre-existing RA but the mechanisms undlerlying are yet to be elucidated. Hydroquinone (HQ) is a phenolic compound, found in high concentrations in cigarette, where HQ is the major oxidative component. Moreover, HQ is benzene metabolite, which is also found in cigarette smoke, being responsible for the myelotoxicity and immunotoxicity detected during benzene exposure. Due to this association, we aimed to investigate the role of HQ exposure on CIA development in Wistar rats and the involved mechanisms. Animals were exposed to HQ according to different protocols: A - during 35 consecutive days, during the sensitization and devolpment phases of the disease; B - during 14 consecutive days, until the second injection of collagen, during the sensitization phase; C - during 7 consecutive days, from day 29 to 35, after the development phase of CIA. The results showed that HQ worsened the RA in the 3 experimental protocols, HQ elevated the clinical parameters of CIA development, increased inflammation in the synovial membrane, characterized by increased influx of neutrophis, synoviocytes proliferation (visualized by Immunohistochemistry and Histology analysis), augmented the levels of IL-6 and IL-1β in the synovial fluid (ELISA assay) and led to intense collagen deposition on the synovia. The most pronounced effects where observed in animals from groups A and C, which also had weight body loss. In addition, in the 3 protocols, HQ exposure also increased the expression of AhR receptor, a receptor activated by xenobiotics during RA, and increased the expression of ROR and levels of IL-17 secretion in the synovial membranes. As AhR/ROR/IL-17 in lymphocytes and neutrophils is an important pathway involved in the genesis of RA, in vitro studies have been performed to elucidate the role of HQ exposure in this pathway. The HQ in vitro treatment augmented the expression of AhR and secretion of IL-17 by splenocytes (FACS assay) and the administration of an AhR antagonist (α-naphtoflavone) blocked these effects. Taken together, the results obtained here allow us to conclude that HQ, as an important cigarette component, aggravates CIA in rats, and the activation of AhR/IL-17 pathway is a possible mechanism involved in the RA pathogenesis.

Apesar de diversos estudos in vitro e em populações indicarem um efeito protetor do β-caroteno em sistemas biológicos, estudos epidemiológicos como o \"The Alpha-Tocopherol, Beta-Carotene Cancer Prevention Study\" (ATBC) e o \"The Beta-Carotene and Retinol Efficacy Trial\" (CARET) mostraram um aumento na incidência de câncer pulmonar em indivíduos fumantes suplementados com β-caroteno. Essa ação contraditória tem sido chamada na literatura de \"Paradoxo do β-Caroteno\". Sabe-se que este carotenóide sob altas pressões de oxigênio ou na presença de peróxidos pode sofrer oxidação e levar a formação de compostos como aldeídos, epóxidos, etc, que são capazes de se adicionarem covalentemente ao DNA. Estudos, in vitro e in vivo têm demonstrado a possibilidade de os metabólitos do β-caroteno agirem como agentes pró-carcinogênicos. Estes agentes quando ativados quimicamente podem levar à formação de adutos de DNA. Já se sabe que alguns desses adutos encontramse em níveis aumentados em diversas situações de risco de câncer. Diversos grupos, incluindo o nosso, têm demonstrado a formação de lesões em DNA a partir de aldeídos e epóxidos exógenos ou gerados endogenamente. O presente trabalho mostra que a reação do β-caroteno e dois de seus produtos de oxidação, retinal e β-apo-8\'-carotenal, com 2\'-desoxiguanosina e DNA leva à formação de adutos. Dentre os adutos formados, foi caracterizado o aduto 1,N2eteno-2\'-desoxiguanosina (1 ,N2-εdGuo). Os níveis de outro aduto de DNA, a 8-oxo-7,8-dihidro-2\'-deoxiguanosina (8-oxodGuo), também foram monitoradas para estudo comparativo. A formação dos adutos também foi verificada em fibroblastos normais de pulmão humano (linhagem IMR-90) expostos ao β-caroteno e aos seus produtos de oxidação. Experimentos com ratos suplementados com β-caroteno e expostos à fumaça de cigarro em períodos de 7, 30 e 180 dias, mostraram níveis aumentados de 1,N2-εdGuo nos animais suplementados com o carotenóide comparado ao grupo veículo. Aumento no nível de 8-oxodGuo também foi verificado nos tratamentos de 7 e 180 dias. Um aumento significativo no nível do eteno aduto também foi verificado nos animais suplementados com β-caroteno e expostos à fumaça de cigarro, comparado ao grupo apenas exposto à fumaça após 7 e 180 dias de exposição. Nestes mesmos grupos, o aumento do 8-oxodGuo só foi observado no tratamento por 180 dias. Sabendo que estas lesões são comprovadamente mutagênicas, nossos estudos podem contribuir para o esclarecimento dos mecanismos envolvidos na formação de câncer em fumantes suplementados ou não com β-caroteno. / Despite several studies performed in vitro and in population indicate a protector effect of β-carotene, the epidemiological studies \"The Alpha-Tocopherol, Beta-Carotene Cancer Prevention Study\" (ATBC) and \"The Beta-Carotene and Retinol Efficacy Trial\" (CARET) showed a relative risk for lung cancer in smokers supplemented with β-carotene. It is well known that this carotenoid is able to oxidize in high oxygen tension or in the presence of peroxides yielding to aldehydes, epoxides, and other compounds that are capable to bind to DNA. lhe possibility that β-carotene oxidation products can act as pro carcinogenic agents is under investigation. Lhese products can be activated by peroxides, ar by enzymes such as cytochromr P450, leading to DNA adducts formation. Several groups, like ours, showed the formation of DNA adducts from aldehydes or epoxides generated by endogenous or exogenous sources. We investigated here the reactions of β-carotene, and two of its oxidation products, retinal and β-apo-8\'-carotenal, with 2\'-deoxyguanosine to evaluate their DNA damaging potential. A known mutagenic adduct, 1,N2-etheno-2\'-deoxyguanosine (1 ,N2 edGuo) was isolated and characterized on the basis of its spectroscopic features. After treatment of calf thymus DNA with β-carotene or β-carotene oxidation products, significantly increased levels of the etheno adduct were detected and quantified in DNA by a sensitive LC/ESI/MS-MS technique. For comparative purposes, levels of 8-oxo7,8-dihydro-2\'-deoxyguanosine were also evaluated (8-oxodGuo). Levels of these lesions were also increased. Exposure of human lung cells (IMR 90) to the carotenoids also leads to increased levels of the two adducts. As the main noteworthy result, rats supplemented with β-carotene for 7, 30, and 180 days showed significantly higher lung DNA concentrations of the 1,N2-εdGuo adduct than those of the control group. lhe level of 8-oxodGuo was also increased after 7 and 180 days in the group supplemented with the carotenoid. Rats supplemented with β-carotene and exposed to cigarette smoke for 7 and 180 days also showed significantly increased levels of the adduct 1,N2-εdGuo when compared with the group exposed to cigarette smoke. In the same groups level of 8-oxodGuo was only increased after 180 days of treatment. These DNA lesions are confirmed mutagenic, so our data could contribute to the elucidation of the mechanisms responsible for the association between β-carotene and lung cancer in smokers.