The therapeutic potential of the humoral pattern recognition molecule PTX3 in chronic lung infection caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa

J Immunol. 2011 May 1;186(9):5425-34. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.1002035. Epub 2011 Mar 25.

Abstract

Chronic lung infections by Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Although there is no clear evidence for a primary defect in the immune system of CF patients, the host is generally unable to clear P. aeruginosa from the airways. PTX3 is a soluble pattern recognition receptor that plays nonredundant roles in the innate immune response to fungi, bacteria, and viruses. In particular, PTX3 deficiency is associated with increased susceptibility to P. aeruginosa lung infection. To address the potential therapeutic effect of PTX3 in P. aeruginosa lung infection, we established persistent and progressive infections in mice with the RP73 clinical strain RP73 isolated from a CF patient and treated them with recombinant human PTX3. The results indicated that PTX3 has a potential therapeutic effect in P. aeruginosa chronic lung infection by reducing lung colonization, proinflammatory cytokine levels (CXCL1, CXCL2, CCL2, and IL-1β), and leukocyte recruitment in the airways. In models of acute infections and in in vitro assays, the prophagocytic effect of PTX3 was maintained in C1q-deficient mice and was lost in C3- and Fc common γ-chain-deficient mice, suggesting that facilitated recognition and phagocytosis of pathogens through the interplay between complement and FcγRs are involved in the therapeutic effect mediated by PTX3. These data suggested that PTX3 is a potential therapeutic tool in chronic P. aeruginosa lung infections, such as those seen in CF patients.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • C-Reactive Protein / therapeutic use*
  • Chronic Disease
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Factors / therapeutic use*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Pseudomonas Infections / drug therapy*
  • Pseudomonas Infections / immunology
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa / immunology*
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / drug therapy*
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / immunology
  • Serum Amyloid P-Component / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Immunologic Factors
  • Serum Amyloid P-Component
  • PTX3 protein
  • C-Reactive Protein