Analysis of murine genetic predisposition to pneumococcal infection reveals a critical role of alveolar macrophages in maintaining the sterility of the lower respiratory tract.

ABSTRACT: The study of pathogenic mechanisms of disease can be greatly facilitated by studying genetic differences in susceptibility to infection. In the present study, we compared the severity of pneumococcal infection in C57BL/6 (B6) and 129Sv mice. The results showed that 129Sv mice were remarkably more susceptible to pneumococcal infection than B6 mice. Bacterial clearance, proinflammatory mediators, leukocyte recruitment, and phagocyte activities were measured to examine potential immune factors associated with differences in susceptibility to pneumococcal infection. The greater susceptibility of 129Sv mice was associated only with inadequate alveolar macrophage bacterial killing, as indicated by significantly decreased initial bacterial clearance from the respiratory tract. Effective pneumococ

SUBMITTER: Sun K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3088159 | biostudies-literature | 2011 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature