Abstract 2867 ECM Disruption Drives Vaping-Induced Lung Injury

E-cigarette (vaping) use has surged dramatically, with over 2.55 million U.S. middle and high school students reporting usage in 2023 (Center for Disease Control [CDC]), raising urgent public health concerns. While acute cases of e-cigarette or vaping-associated lung injury (EVALI) have highlighted the risks, the long-term effects of chronic vaping exposure remain poorly understood. In the present study, we examined the molecular mechanisms of vaping-induced lung injury, focusing on extracellular matrix (ECM) dysfunction, SNAIL transcription factors, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and surfactant proteins.