Pneumocystis elicits a STAT6-dependent, strain-specific innate immune response and airway hyperresponsiveness.

ABSTRACT: It is widely held that exposure to pathogens such as fungi can be an agent of comorbidity, such as exacerbation of asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Although many studies have examined allergic responses to fungi and their effects on pulmonary function, the possible pathologic implications of the early innate responses to fungal pathogens have not been explored. We examined early responses to the atypical fungus Pneumocystis in two common strains of mice in terms of overall immunological response and related pathology, such as cell damage and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR). We found a strong strain-specific response in BALB/c mice that included recruitment of neutrophils, NK, NKT, and CD4 T cells. This response was accompanied by elevated indicators of lung damage (broncho

SUBMITTER: Swain SD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3326431 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature