Human airway epithelium controls Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection via inducible nitric oxide synthase.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Airway epithelial cells play a central role in the innate immune response to invading bacteria, yet adequate human infection models are lacking.

Methods

We utilized mucociliary-differentiated human airway organoids with direct access to the apical side of epithelial cells to model the initial phase of Pseudomonas aeruginosa respiratory tract infection.

Results

Immunofluorescence of infected organoids revealed that Pseudomonas aeruginosa invades the epithelial barrier and subsequently proliferates within the epithelial space. RNA sequencing analysis demonstrated that Pseudomonas infection stimulated innate antimicrobial immune responses, but specifically enhanced the expression of genes of the nitric oxide metabolic pathway. We demonst

SUBMITTER: Grubwieser P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11649544 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature