The Interaction between Respiratory Pathogens and Mucus

Abstract

Summary The interaction between respiratory pathogens and their hosts is complex and incompletely understood. This is particularly true when pathogens encounter the mucus layer covering the respiratory tract. The mucus layer provides an essential first host barrier to inhaled pathogens that can prevent pathogen invasion and subsequent infection. Respiratory mucus has numerous functions and interactions, both with the host and with pathogens. This review summarizes the current understanding of respiratory mucus and its interactions with the respiratory pathogens Pseudomonas aeruginosa, respiratory syncytial virus and influenza viruses, with particular focus on influenza virus transmissibility and host-range specificity. Based on current findings we propose that respiratory mucus represents an understudied host-restriction factor for influenza virus.

Respiratory syncytial virus infection: an innate perspective

“…There are many factors that can influence the development and severity of disease ( Figure 1). The first lines of defence are mucus 32 , anti-microbial peptides 33 , and surfactants 34, 35 . The local lung microbiota can also most likely influence RSV infection rate and the immune response to the virus, but this is an emerging concept for which, at present, there are limited supporting data.…”

Asthma Exacerbation Caused by Bacterial Infection in Two Elderly Patients

“…Bacteria detected in these cases and in previous reports [7][8][9] enhance mucus secretion [15], inhibit the ciliary beat frequency, and cause airway epithelial injury, thereby impairing mucociliary clearance [16]. Infection with these bacteria also stimulates the cells in the airways and the lung parenchyma to induce pro-inflammatory substrates such as interleukin (IL)-8 and leukotriene B4 [17].…”

Three-Dimensional Rotating Wall Vessel-Derived Cell Culture Models for Studying Virus-Host Interactions

“…Tight junction proteins are also key components of the epithelial barrier function and integrity that protect against viral infection and potentially influence the susceptibility of tissue to viral infection. Mucin production at mucosal epithelial sites additionally influences virus-host interactions at the epithelial barrier and ultimately impacts viral infection and transmission [5,6,7]. While some of these features may be present in conventional monolayer cell cultures, they often lack the polarity and other topographic features that are present in vivo.…”