Lack of the hyaluronan receptor CD44 affects the course of bacterial otitis media and reduces leukocyte recruitment to the middle ear.

ABSTRACT:

Background

CD44 is a multifunctional molecule that plays major roles in both leukocyte recruitment and tissue proliferation. Since mucosal hyperplasia and leukocyte infiltration of the middle ear cavity are major features of otitis media, we evaluated the role of CD44 in the pathophysiology and course of this disease in a mouse model of middle ear infection. Expression of genes related to CD44 function were evaluated using gene arrays in wild-type mice. The middle ears of mice deficient in CD44 were inoculated with non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae. Histopathology and bacterial clearance were compared to that seen in wild-type controls.

Results

We observed strong up-regulation of CD44 and of genes related to its role in leukocyte extravasation into the middle ear, during t

SUBMITTER: Lim HW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6588864 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature