Effects of Wood Smoke Particles on Influenza-induced Nasal Inflammation in Normal Volunteers

This study is focused on the pathophysiology underlying the association between exposure to particulate pollutants and risk for/response to viral infection. The investigators hypothesize that exposure to wood smoke particles (WSP) enhances influenza virus-induced granulocyte and NK cell activation, via hyaluronic acid-mediated effects on IFNg production. Oxidant stress and viral replication may also be affected. As an NIH funded ViCTER project, the purpose of the study is also to test novel assays of granulocyte activation (Doershuk lab) and lipid mediator activation (Albritton lab) which have not previously been used in this type of research. Healthy, nonsmoking adults age 18-40 years will be recruited. This is a randomized, placebo controlled study comparing NLF granulocyte responses to LAIV administered after either WSP or clean air, in normal healthy volunteers. Subjects receive either WSP or placebo (clean air), followed by a standardized dose of LAIV and serial post-infection sampling of nasal lavage fluids, nasal biopsy and blood