DNAX-activating protein of 12 kDa impairs host defense in pneumococcal pneumonia

Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common causative organism in community-acquired pneumonia responsible for millions of deaths every year. DNAX-activating protein of 12 kDa is an adaptor molecule for different myeloid expressed receptors involved in innate immunity.

Animal study.

University research laboratory.

DNAX-activating protein of 12 kDa-deficient (dap12) and wild-type mice.

Mice were intranasally infected with S. pneumoniae. In addition, ex vivo responsiveness of alveolar macrophages was examined.

dap12 alveolar macrophages released more tumor necrosis factor-α upon stimulation with S. pneumoniae and displayed increased phagocytosis of this pathogen compared with wild-type cells. After infection with S. pneumoniae via the airways, dap12 mice demonstrated reduced bacterial outgrowth in the lungs together with delayed dissemination to distant body sites relative to wild-type mice. This favorable response in dap12 mice was accompanied by reduced lung inflammation and an improved survival.

These data suggest that DNAX-activating protein of 12 kDa impairs host defense during pneumococcal pneumonia at the primary site of infection at least in part by inhibiting phagocytosis by alveolar macrophages.