Stimulation of lung innate immunity protects against lethal pneumococcal pneumonia in mice.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

The lungs are a common site of serious infection in both healthy and immunocompromised subjects, and the most likely route of delivery of a bioterror agent. Since the airway epithelium shows great structural plasticity in response to inflammatory stimuli, we hypothesized it might also show functional plasticity.

Objectives

To test the inducibility of lung defenses against bacterial challenge.

Methods

Mice were treated with an aerosolized lysate of ultraviolet-killed nontypeable (unencapsulated) Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi), then challenged with a lethal dose of live Streptococcus pneumoniae (Spn) delivered by aerosol.

Measurements and main results

Treatment with the NTHi lysate induced complete protection against challenge with a lethal dose of Spn i

SUBMITTER: Clement CG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2427056 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature