# Alteration of bronchial epithelium host defenses by marijuana and vaping preparations

> **NIH NIH R21** · OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $236,250

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Marijuana smoking and vaping is on the rise in the United States with the increased legalization of recreational
and medical marijuana. The main psychoactive component present in marijuana, and added to vaping
preparations, is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Even though the effect of marijuana smoking on obstructive
lung disease can vary between studies, it is recognized that marijuana smoking is associated with increased
cough, sputum production, and chronic bronchitis often associated with infections, but the mechanism remains
to be determined. Our preliminary data show that chronic exposure of THC alone to primary human bronchial
epithelial cells grown at air-liquid interface alters several components of the mucociliary function (i.e. ion
channels, cilia beating), resulting in increased susceptibility to infections. Environmental pollutants, such as
cigarette smoking, can alter gene expression. Unfortunately, some of the changes can persist despite cessation.
The goal of this study is to determine the effects of THC-containing preparations (marijuana and vaping) on
bronchial epithelium host defenses. This proposal is submitted in response to NOT-DA-20-031 “Transcriptomic,
epigenomic, regulatory RNA or functional genomic research in substance use disorders”. Here, we propose to
(1) determine whether chronic exposures to THC through marijuana smoke or vaping differentially alter the
bronchial epithelium functions involved in host defense against microbial pathogens; and (2) identify the nature
of transcriptomic changes which persist in bronchial epithelium after cessation from exposures to marijuana
smoke or vaping. This comprehensive study will reveal the effects of THC in marijuana smoke and vaping
preparations on airway homeostasis and identify new molecular targets to prevent infections and development
of lung diseases.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10925364
- **Project number:** 5R21DA057799-02
- **Recipient organization:** OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Estelle A Cormet-Boyaka
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $236,250
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-09-15 → 2026-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10925364

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10925364, Alteration of bronchial epithelium host defenses by marijuana and vaping preparations (5R21DA057799-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-28 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10925364. Licensed CC0.

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