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A Murine Model of Fetal Exposure to Maternal Inflammation to Study the Effects of Acute Chorioamnionitis on Newborn Intestinal Development
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Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand translates neonatal respiratory infection into chronic lung

M R Starkey1, D H Nguyen1, A T Essilfie1

  • 1Priority Research Centre for Asthma and Respiratory Disease, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health, University of Newcastle and Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.

Mucosal Immunology
|September 19, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) drives lung damage from early-life Chlamydia infections. Targeting TRAIL may treat chronic respiratory disease caused by these infections.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Pulmonology
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Early-life respiratory infections, like Chlamydia pneumonia, can cause chronic lung disease, asthma, and reduced pulmonary function.
  • The immune mechanisms underlying these conditions and protective responses remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) in early-life Chlamydia respiratory infection and subsequent chronic lung disease.
  • To identify potential therapeutic targets for mitigating infection-induced lung pathology.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized TRAIL-deficient neonatal mice models.
  • Employed neutralizing antibodies against TRAIL and its receptors in wild-type mice.

Main Results:

  • TRAIL deficiency or blockade significantly reduced Chlamydia-induced lung histopathology, inflammation, and mucus hypersecretion.
  • TRAIL was essential for developing alveolar enlargement and impaired lung function post-infection.
  • TRAIL promotes Chlamydia respiratory infection-induced pathology and chronic lung disease.

Conclusions:

  • TRAIL plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of early-life Chlamydia respiratory infections.
  • Targeting TRAIL or its receptors presents a promising therapeutic strategy for preventing and treating chronic lung sequelae from neonatal respiratory infections.

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