Cigarette smoke and platelet-activating factor receptor dependent adhesion of Streptococcus pneumoniae to lower airway cells

BACKGROUND: Exposure to cigarette smoke (CS) is associated with increased risk of pneumococcal infection. The mechanism for this association is unknown. We recently reported that the particulate matter from urban air simulates platelet-activating factor receptor (PAFR)-dependent adhesion of pneumococci to airway cells. We therefore sought to determine whether CS stimulates pneumococcal adhesion to airway cells. METHODS: Human alveolar (A549), …