Document Type

Student Conference

Semester of Graduation

Spring 2026

Abstract

Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is a critical immunomodulatory cytokine that contributes to the maintenance of pulmonary homeostasis and respiratory mechanics. This study investigated the role of IL-10 in lung function following in utero exposure to menthol electronic cigarette aerosol and subsequent allergen challenge. Male IL-10 KO and WT mice were exposed in utero to either air or JUUL menthol (3%) aerosol. At 7-8 weeks of age, mice were assigned to four exposure groups: air-saline (control), air-House Dust Mite (HDM), JUUL-saline, and JUUL-HDM. Pulmonary function parameters including tidal volume, minute volume, breathing frequency, and enhanced pause were assessed using whole-body plethysmography. Mice were challenged with increasing doses of methacholine during lung function testing. Tidal volume (TV), defined as the volume of air inhaled or exhaled during a normal breath, was reduced in KO mice relative to WT mice across groups. Similarly, minute volume (MV), representing total ventilatory output per minute, was higher in WT mice compared with KO mice. Breathing frequency (BF), the number of breaths per minute, was comparable between types, with KO mice showing a slight increase. Enhanced pause (Penh), a value used to assess airway responsiveness was elevated in WT mice compared to KO mice. These findings suggest that IL-10 deficiency following in utero e-cigarette (JUUL) exposures alters lung function and influences airway responsiveness under allergen exposure in adult mice.

Awardee Name

Hang Vu

Academic Major

Biochemistry

Project Mentor

Alexandra Noel

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