Gu BH, et al. - In this cross-sectional analysis of 86 subjects, researchers investigated if increased T-cell responses to human elastin fragments can be seen among thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA)/thoracic aortic dissection (TAD) smokers, as well as whether autoimmune responses in these subjects depend on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In never-, former-, or current-smokers with or without TAA/TAD, they assessed peripheral blood CD4+ T cell responses to elastin fragments. Dependent on history of smoking but independent of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, elastin fragment-specific CD4+ T cell expression of interferon-γ, and anti-elastin antibodies were seen in TAA/TAD patients. Findings revealed an association of cigarette smoke with loss of self-tolerance and induction of elastin-specific autoreactive T- and B-cell responses among participants. To detect and potentially prognosticate susceptibility to TAA/TAD in smokers, development of peripheral blood biomarkers to track immunity to self-antigens could be used.