Type I interferon promotes alveolar epithelial type II cell survival during pulmonary Streptococcus pneumoniae infection and sterile lung injury in mice.

ABSTRACT: Protecting the integrity of the lung epithelial barrier is essential to ensure respiration and proper oxygenation in patients suffering from various types of lung inflammation. Type I interferon (IFN-I) has been associated with pulmonary epithelial barrier function, however, the mechanisms and involved cell types remain unknown. We aimed to investigate the importance of IFN-I with respect to its epithelial barrier strengthening function to better understand immune-modulating effects in the lung with potential medical implications. Using a mouse model of pneumococcal pneumonia, we revealed that IFN-I selectively protects alveolar epithelial type II cells (AECII) from inflammation-induced cell death. Mechanistically, signaling via the IFN-I receptor on AECII is sufficient to promote AECII su

SUBMITTER: Maier BB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5370074 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature