TLR2-mediated activation of innate responses in the upper airways confers antiviral protection of the lungs.

ABSTRACT: The impact of respiratory virus infections on global health is felt not just during a pandemic, but endemic seasonal infections pose an equal and ongoing risk of severe disease. Moreover, vaccines and antiviral drugs are not always effective or available for many respiratory viruses. We investigated how induction of effective and appropriate antigen-independent innate immunity in the upper airways can prevent the spread of respiratory virus infection to the vulnerable lower airways. Activation of TLR2, when restricted to the nasal turbinates, resulted in prompt induction of innate immune-driven antiviral responses through action of cytokines, chemokines, and cellular activity in the upper but not the lower airways. We have defined how nasal epithelial cells and recruitment of macrophages w

SUBMITTER: Deliyannis G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8021123 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature