Decreased production of epithelial-derived antimicrobial molecules at mucosal barriers during early life.

ABSTRACT: Young age is a risk factor for respiratory and gastrointestinal infections. Here, we compared infant and adult mice to identify age-dependent mechanisms that drive susceptibility to mucosal infections during early life. Transcriptional profiling of the upper respiratory tract (URT) epithelium revealed significant dampening of early life innate mucosal defenses. Epithelial-mediated production of the most abundant antimicrobial molecules, lysozyme, and lactoferrin, and the polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (pIgR), responsible for IgA transcytosis, was expressed in an age-dependent manner. This was attributed to delayed functional development of serous cells. Absence of epithelial-derived lysozyme and the pIgR was also observed in the small intestine during early life. Infection of infant mic

SUBMITTER: Lokken-Toyli KL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8542637 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature