A Novel CD4⁺ T Cell-Dependent Murine Model of Pneumocystis-driven Asthma-like Pathology.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

Infection with Pneumocystis, an opportunistic fungal pathogen, can result in fulminant pneumonia in the clinical setting of patients with immunosuppression. In murine models, Pneumocystis has previously been shown to induce a CD4⁺ T cell-dependent eosinophilic response in the lung capable of providing protection.

Objectives

We sought to explore the role of Pneumocystis in generating asthma-like lung pathology, given the natural eosinophilic response to infection.

Methods

Pneumocystis infection or antigen treatment was used to induce asthma-like pathology in wild-type mice. The roles of CD4⁺ T cells and eosinophils were examined using antibody depletion and knockout mice, respectively. The presence of anti-Pneumocystis antibodies in huma

SUBMITTER: Eddens T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5074654 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature