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Pneumocystis infection and the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Karen A Norris1, Alison Morris

  • 1Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, E 1057 Biomedical Science Tower, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA. kan1@pitt.edu

Immunologic Research
|July 1, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Immunity to the Pneumocystis jirovecii (PcP) kexin (KEX1) protein may prevent PcP pneumonia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Antibody response to KEX1 correlates with protection against PcP infection and COPD development.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pulmonology

Background:

  • The immunocompromised and aging HIV+ populations face rising risks of serious fungal infections.
  • Pneumocystis jirovecii (PcP) is an opportunistic fungal pathogen causing significant morbidity and mortality in these groups.
  • PcP infection is linked to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in humans and HIV-infected non-human primates.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of antibody response to the PcP kexin (KEX1) protein in protection against PcP infection and COPD.
  • To determine if immunity to KEX1 is critical for controlling PcP colonization and preventing COPD development.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of antibody responses to KEX1 in human subjects and a non-human primate model of HIV/PcP co-infection.
  • Correlation of antibody levels with protection from PcP colonization, PcP pneumonia, and COPD.

Main Results:

  • Antibody response to the PcP protein KEX1 was found to correlate with protection.
  • This correlation was observed for protection against PcP colonization, PcP pneumonia, and COPD development.
  • Findings were consistent across both human studies and the primate model.

Conclusions:

  • Immunity to KEX1 is hypothesized to be critical for controlling PcP colonization.
  • Immunity to KEX1 may be essential for preventing or slowing the development of COPD.
  • Targeting KEX1 immunity could offer a strategy for managing PcP infections and related respiratory complications.

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