Increased susceptibility to otitis media in a Splunc1-deficient mouse model

Jennifer A Bartlett; David K Meyerholz; Christine L Wohlford-Lenane; Paul W Naumann; Paul B McCray Jr; Nita H Salzman

doi:10.1242/dmm.019646

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Increased susceptibility to otitis media in a Splunc1-deficient mouse model

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Increased susceptibility to otitis media in a Splunc1-deficient mouse model

Jennifer A Bartlett, David K Meyerholz, Christine L Wohlford-Lenane, Paul W Naumann, Paul B McCray Jr and Nita H Salzman

Disease models & mechanisms, Vol.8(5), pp.501-508

05/2015

DOI: 10.1242/dmm.019646

PMCID: PMC4415896

PMID: 25765466

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Abstract

Otitis media (inflammation of the middle ear) is one of the most common diseases of early childhood. Susceptibility to otitis is influenced by a number of factors, including the actions of innate immune molecules secreted by the epithelia lining the nasopharynx, middle ear and Eustachian tube. The SPLUNC1 (short palate, lung, nasal epithelial clone 1) protein is a highly abundant secretory product of the mammalian nasal, oral and respiratory mucosa that is thought to play a multifunctional role in host defense. In this study we investigated Splunc1 expression in the ear of the mouse, and examined whether this protein contributes to overall host defense in the middle ear and/or Eustachian tube. We found that Splunc1 is highly expressed in both the surface epithelium and in submucosal glands in these regions in wild-type mice. In mice lacking Splunc1, we noted histologically an increased frequency of otitis media, characterized by the accumulation of leukocytes (neutrophils with scattered macrophages), proteinaceous fluid and mucus in the middle ear lumens. Furthermore, many of these mice had extensive remodeling of the middle ear wall, suggesting a chronic course of disease. From these observations, we conclude that loss of Splunc1 predisposes mice to the development of otitis media. The Splunc1(-/-) mouse model should help investigators to better understand both the biological role of Splunc1 as well as host defense mechanisms in the middle ear.

Bacteria - metabolism

Ear, Middle - microbiology

Disease Susceptibility

Otitis Media - pathology

Glycoproteins - metabolism

Penetrance

Eustachian Tube - pathology

Phosphoproteins - metabolism

Mice, Inbred C3H

Animals

Ear, Middle - metabolism

Fungi - physiology

Phosphoproteins - deficiency

Glycoproteins - deficiency

Ear, Middle - pathology

Disease Models, Animal

Details

Title: Subtitle: Increased susceptibility to otitis media in a Splunc1-deficient mouse model
Creators: Jennifer A Bartlett - Department of Pediatrics, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
David K Meyerholz - Department of Pathology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
Christine L Wohlford-Lenane - Department of Pediatrics, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
Paul W Naumann - Department of Pathology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
Paul B McCray Jr - Department of Pediatrics, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA paul-mccray@uiowa.edu
Nita H Salzman - Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Disease models & mechanisms, Vol.8(5), pp.501-508
DOI: 10.1242/dmm.019646
PMID: 25765466
PMCID: PMC4415896
NLM abbreviation: Dis Model Mech
ISSN: 1754-8403
eISSN: 1754-8411
Grant note: F32 DA026265 / NIDA NIH HHS P01 HL091842 / NHLBI NIH HHS P01 HL-091842 / NHLBI NIH HHS P50 HL-61234 / NHLBI NIH HHS P50 HL061234 / NHLBI NIH HHS T32 HL007638 / NHLBI NIH HHS P30 DK054759 / NIDDK NIH HHS
Language: English
Date published: 05/2015
Academic Unit: Microbiology and Immunology; Pulmonary Medicine; Stead Family Department of Pediatrics; Pathology; Internal Medicine
Record Identifier: 9984083286902771

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