Innate activation of human primary epithelial cells broadens the host response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the airways.

ABSTRACT: Early events in the human airways determining whether exposure to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) results in acquisition of infection are poorly understood. Epithelial cells are the dominant cell type in the lungs, but little is known about their role in tuberculosis. We hypothesised that human primary airway epithelial cells are part of the first line of defense against Mtb-infection and contribute to the protective host response in the human respiratory tract. We modelled these early airway-interactions with human primary bronchial epithelial cells (PBECs) and alveolar macrophages. By combining in vitro infection and transwell co-culture models with a global transcriptomic approach, we identified PBECs to be inert to direct Mtb-infection, yet to be potent responders within an Mtb-activa

SUBMITTER: Reuschl AK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5605092 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature