Electronic (e)-cigarette use is rapidly rising, with 20 % of Americans ages 25–44 now using these drug delivery devices. E-cigarette users expose their airways, cells of host defense, and colonizing bacteria to e-cigarette vapor (EV). Here, we report that exposure of human epithelial cells at the air–liquid interface to fresh EV (vaped from an e-cigarette device) resulted in dose-dependent cell death. After exposure to EV, cells of host defense—epithelial cells, alveolar macrophages, and neutrophils—had reduced antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (SA). Mouse inhalation of EV for 1 h daily for 4 weeks led to alterations in inflammatory markers within the airways and elevation of an acute phase reactant in serum. Upon exposure to e-cigarette vapor extract (EVE), airway colonizer SA had increased biofilm formation, adherence and invasion of epithelial cells, resistance to human antimicrobial peptide LL-37, and up-regulation of virulence genes. EVE-exposed SA were more virulent in a mouse model of pneumonia. These data suggest that e-cigarettes may be toxic to airway cells, suppress host defenses, and promote inflammation over time, while also promoting virulence of colonizing bacteria.

• Acute exposure to e-cigarette vapor (EV) is cytotoxic to airway cells in vitro.
• Acute exposure to EV decreases macrophage and neutrophil antimicrobial function.
• Inhalation of EV alters immunomodulating cytokines in the airways of mice.
• Inhalation of EV leads to increased markers of inflammation in BAL and serum.
• Staphylococcus aureus become more virulent when exposed to EV.