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Characterization of Immune Cells and Proinflammatory Mediators in the Pulmonary Environment
Published on: June 24, 2020
CXCL5-secreting pulmonary epithelial cells drive destructive neutrophilic inflammation in tuberculosis
Abstract:
Successful host defense against numerous pulmonary infections depends on bacterial clearance by polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs); however, excessive PMN accumulation can result in life-threatening lung injury. Local expression of CXC chemokines is critical for PMN recruitment. The impact of chemokine-dependent PMN recruitment during pulmonary Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection is not fully understood. Here, we analyzed expression of genes encoding CXC chemokines in M. tuberculosis-infected murine lung tissue and found that M. tuberculosis infection promotes upregulation of Cxcr2 and its ligand Cxcl5. To determine the contribution of CXCL5 in pulmonary PMN recruitment, we generated Cxcl5(-/-) mice and analyzed their immune response against M. tuberculosis. Both Cxcr2(-/-) mice and Cxcl5(-/-) mice, which are deficient for only one of numerous CXCR2 ligands, exhibited enhanced survival compared with that of WT mice following high-dose M. tuberculosis infection. The resistance of Cxcl5(-/-) mice to M. tuberculosis infection was not due to heightened M. tuberculosis clearance but was the result of impaired PMN recruitment, which reduced pulmonary inflammation. Lung epithelial cells were the main source of CXCL5 upon M. tuberculosis infection, and secretion of CXCL5 was reduced by blocking TLR2 signaling. Together, our data indicate that TLR2-induced epithelial-derived CXCL5 is critical for PMN-driven destructive inflammation in pulmonary tuberculosis.
Insights
Tuberculosis lung inflammation is driven by polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs). Blocking CXCL5, a chemokine, reduces PMN recruitment and inflammation, improving survival in mice with pulmonary tuberculosis.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Microbiology
Background:
- Host defense against pulmonary infections relies on polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) for bacterial clearance.
- Excessive PMN accumulation can lead to severe lung injury.
- The role of chemokines in PMN recruitment during Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of CXC chemokines, specifically CXCL5, in PMN recruitment during pulmonary tuberculosis.
- To determine the impact of CXCL5 deficiency on host immune response and survival against M. tuberculosis.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of CXC chemokine gene expression in M. tuberculosis-infected murine lungs.
- Generation and analysis of Cxcl5(-/-) and Cxcr2(-/-) knockout mice.
- Assessment of PMN recruitment, bacterial clearance, inflammation, and survival following M. tuberculosis infection.
Main Results:
- M. tuberculosis infection upregulated Cxcr2 and its ligand Cxcl5 in murine lungs.
- Cxcl5(-/-) and Cxcr2(-/-) mice showed enhanced survival against high-dose M. tuberculosis infection.
- Resistance in Cxcl5(-/-) mice was attributed to reduced PMN recruitment and pulmonary inflammation, not improved bacterial clearance.
- Lung epithelial cells were the primary source of CXCL5, with secretion dependent on TLR2 signaling.
Conclusions:
- TLR2-induced CXCL5 from lung epithelial cells is crucial for PMN-driven inflammation in pulmonary tuberculosis.
- Targeting the CXCL5-CXCR2 axis may offer therapeutic strategies for tuberculosis by modulating destructive inflammation.
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