Journal article
Lysozyme Secretion by Submucosal Glands Protects the Airway from Bacterial Infection
American journal of respiratory cell and molecular biology, Vol.32(6), pp.548-552
06/2005
DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2005-0059OC
PMCID: PMC2715323
PMID: 15746432
Abstract
Submucosal glands are abundant (∼ 1 gland/mm
2
) secretory structures in the tracheobronchial airways of the human lung. Because submucosal glands express antibacterial proteins, it has been proposed that they contribute to lung defense. However, this concept is challenged by the fact that mice do not have submucosal glands in their bronchial airways, yet are quite resistant to bacterial lung infection. The contribution of airway submucosal glands to host defense is also debated as a pathophysiologic component of cystic fibrosis lung disease. Here, we asked whether submucosal glands protect airways against bacterial infection. By comparing tracheal xenograft airways with and without glands, we found that the presence of glands enhanced bacterial killing
in vivo
and by airway secretions
in vitro
. Moreover, immunodepletion studies suggested that lysozyme is a major antibacterial component secreted by submucosal glands. These studies provide evidence that submucosal glands are a major source of antibacterials critical for maintaining sterile airways.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Lysozyme Secretion by Submucosal Glands Protects the Airway from Bacterial Infection
- Creators
- Rana Dajani - Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Department of Internal Medicine, Department of Microbiology, Center for Gene Therapy, and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IowaYulong Zhang - Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Department of Internal Medicine, Department of Microbiology, Center for Gene Therapy, and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IowaPeter J Taft - Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Department of Internal Medicine, Department of Microbiology, Center for Gene Therapy, and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IowaSue M Travis - Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Department of Internal Medicine, Department of Microbiology, Center for Gene Therapy, and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IowaTimothy D Starner - Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Department of Internal Medicine, Department of Microbiology, Center for Gene Therapy, and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IowaAnsgar Olsen - Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Department of Internal Medicine, Department of Microbiology, Center for Gene Therapy, and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IowaJoseph Zabner - Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Department of Internal Medicine, Department of Microbiology, Center for Gene Therapy, and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IowaMichael J Welsh - Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Department of Internal Medicine, Department of Microbiology, Center for Gene Therapy, and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IowaJohn F Engelhardt - Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Department of Internal Medicine, Department of Microbiology, Center for Gene Therapy, and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- American journal of respiratory cell and molecular biology, Vol.32(6), pp.548-552
- DOI
- 10.1165/rcmb.2005-0059OC
- PMID
- 15746432
- PMCID
- PMC2715323
- NLM abbreviation
- Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol
- ISSN
- 1044-1549
- eISSN
- 1535-4989
- Publisher
- American Thoracic Society
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 06/2005
- Academic Unit
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biomedical Engineering; Neurology; Molecular Physiology and Biophysics; Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Occupational Medicine; Anatomy and Cell Biology; Radiation Oncology; Neurosurgery; Internal Medicine
- Record Identifier
- 9984013203102771
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