PhD conferral Mrs Birke J. Benedikter, MSc.

Keywords: noxious substances, pulmonary disease, cardiovascular disease, vesicles

"Extracellular vesicles as mediators of the response to respiratory exposures"

Inhaling noxious substances increases the risk of pulmonary and cardiovascular disease. This study investigated whether this is mediated by extracellular vesicles, small membrane bubbles which transfer information between cells. When exposed to noxious substances such as cigarette smoke and air pollutants, lung cells released vesicles which promoted blood coagulation. These vesicles may contribute to thrombotic events such as myocardial infarction. The antioxidant N-acetylcysteine prevented the induction of procoagulant vesicles. Measuring procoagulant vesicles in blood may be useful for predicting which exposed individuals are likely to develop cardiovascular disease and antioxidants may be used to protect this high-risk group.