In Utero Nicotine Exposure Promotes M2 Activation in Neonatal Mice Alveolar Macrophages

Background Maternal smoking in utero has been associated with adverse health outcomes including lower respiratory tract infections in infants and children, but the mechanisms underlying these associations continue to be investigated. We hypothesized that nicotine plays a significant role in mediating the effects of maternal tobacco smoke on neonatal alveolar macrophage (AM) function, the resident immune cell in the neonatal lung.