Bacteriophage: A new therapeutic player to combat neutrophilic inflammation in chronic airway diseases

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Microbiology
• Pulmonary Medicine

Background:

• Persistent bacterial infections in chronic inflammatory airway diseases cause significant clinical burden.
• Neutrophil infiltration and dysregulated functions, including NET formation, exacerbate lung tissue damage.
• Rising antimicrobial resistance necessitates novel therapeutic strategies beyond traditional antibiotics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current findings on the effects of bacteriophage therapy on neutrophils.
• To explore mechanisms of phage-neutrophil interactions in the context of lung infections.
• To evaluate phages as potential immunomodulatory agents for inflammatory airway diseases.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of in vitro and in vivo studies.
• Analysis of research on phage therapy's impact on neutrophil activity and inflammatory mediators.
• Examination of phage-host interactions at the cellular level.

Main Results:

• Phage therapy demonstrates effects on neutrophil recruitment, degranulation, and NETosis.
• Specific phage-neutrophil interactions can influence the inflammatory response.
• Evidence suggests phages may mitigate excessive neutrophil-driven tissue damage.

Conclusions:

• Phages are effective antimicrobials against resistant bacteria and may modulate neutrophil activity.
• Understanding phage-neutrophil interactions validates phage safety and suggests therapeutic potential for inflammatory lung conditions.
• Phages represent a dual-action therapeutic: targeting bacteria and modulating host inflammatory responses.