Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 28, 2026

The Utilization of Oropharyngeal Intratracheal PAMP Administration and Bronchoalveolar Lavage to Evaluate the Host Immune Response in Mice
12:27

The Utilization of Oropharyngeal Intratracheal PAMP Administration and Bronchoalveolar Lavage to Evaluate the Host Immune Response in Mice

Published on: April 2, 2014

Resistance to Mycoplasma pulmonis mediated by activated natural killer cells

W C Lai1, M Bennett, S P Pakes

  • 1Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas 75235.

The Journal of Infectious Diseases
|June 1, 1990
PubMed

Insights

Natural killer (NK) cells enhance resistance to Mycoplasma pulmonis (MP) infection in mice. Activated NK cells directly inhibit MP growth and improve pathogen clearance, highlighting their role in early-stage immunity.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Mycoplasma pulmonis (MP) is a common respiratory pathogen.
  • The role of innate immunity, particularly NK cells, in early MP infection is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of NK cells in the host response to Mycoplasma pulmonis infection in C57BL/6J mice.

Main Methods:

  • Infection of C57BL/6J mice with MP.
  • In vitro and in vivo assays to measure NK cell function.
  • Depletion of NK cells using specific antibodies.
  • Assessment of MP clearance in SCID mice with and without IFN-gamma blockade.

Main Results:

  • MP infection enhanced NK cell activity 3-7 days post-infection.
  • Spleen and lung cells from infected mice inhibited MP growth in vitro.
  • NK cell depletion abrogated the protective effect.
  • Enhanced MP clearance was observed in infected mice, including SCID mice.
  • IFN-gamma blockade impaired MP clearance and reduced survival in SCID mice.

Conclusions:

  • Activated NK cells contribute to early resistance against Mycoplasma pulmonis.
  • NK cells directly inhibit MP growth and may secrete IFN-gamma to activate macrophages or inhibit MP.
  • NK cells are crucial components of the innate immune response to early MP infection.

More Related Videos

Selective Harvesting of Marginating-pulmonary Leukocytes07:06

Selective Harvesting of Marginating-pulmonary Leukocytes

Published on: March 11, 2016

Antigen-Capture Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for Specific Detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae06:04

Antigen-Capture Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for Specific Detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae

Published on: February 24, 2023

Related Concept Videos

Cell-mediated Immune Responses01:40

Cell-mediated Immune Responses

Overview
Cells of the Innate Immune Response01:28

Cells of the Innate Immune Response

The innate immune response is an immediate and non-specific response against pathogens, acting swiftly to prevent the spread of infections. The primary cells involved in this response are phagocytes and natural killer (NK) cells.
Phagocytes
Phagocytes police the peripheral tissues by removing cellular debris and responding to the invasion of foreign substances or pathogens. Many phagocytes attack and remove microorganisms even before lymphocytes detect them. The human body has two general...
Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response01:27

Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response

Cytotoxic T cells are a vital component of the immune system. They have the remarkable ability to identify and target antigens on infected or abnormal cells. These antigens often originate from intracellular pathogens such as viruses or abnormal proteins cancer cells produce.
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...
Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens01:31

Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens

The human immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to defend the body against bacterial infections. It consists of various immune cells, each playing a specific role in the defense mechanism.
Phagocytes
Phagocytes are the frontline soldiers of the immune system. They include neutrophils and macrophages. Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell and are quickly mobilized to the site of infection. Macrophages are larger cells that patrol...
Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens01:29

Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens

The immune system's response to viral infections is a complex and coordinated process involving natural killer (NK) cells, T cell-mediated responses, and antibody-mediated responses.
NK Cells
NK cells are a crucial part of our innate immune system, acting as the first line of defense against viral infections. These cells can recognize and kill infected cells without prior exposure to the virus, effectively slowing down the spread of infection. Additionally, NK cells produce proinflammatory...
Atypical Pneumonia01:14

Atypical Pneumonia

Atypical pneumonia, often caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, is a form of pulmonary infection that differs from the classical presentation of bacterial pneumonia in both its cause and clinical symptoms. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a pleomorphic bacterium notable for its lack of a rigid cell wall. This structural characteristic imparts resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics and significantly influences the bacterium’s behavior within the human host.Other pathogens responsible for the disease include...