Despite current strategies to treat HIV infection and its complications, Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) remains a common clinical problem. Although there is a well- known relationship between CD4+ lymphocyte count and the risk of PC infection, the role of mononuclear phagocytes, CD8+ cells, gamma/delta T cells, and their secreted cytokines in host defense against this infection are far less clear. During the prior funding period we demonstrated that overexpression of the interferon-gamma (IFN) gene in the lung in CD4-deficient mice results in eradication of PC. Clearance of PC is mediated by augmented lung recruitment of CD8+ T cells, which have a Tc1-like phenotype (as defined by strong endogenous IFN production). We demonstrated that CD8+ T-cell effectors expressed CXCR3 and were recruited to the lung via IP-10. These cells mediate clearance of PC by secreting GM-CSF which augments macrophage clearance of the organism. In the absence of IFN overexpression GMCSF+ CD8+ T-cells require CD4+ T-cell help however the Th subset requirement is not defined. We hypothesize that clinical PCP is due to loss of Th1, Th2, and Th17 immunity and that vaccine induced CD4+ T-cells belonging to any of these CD4+ T-cell subsets will be sufficient to induce clearance of PC infection in the lung.
The aims are 1. Determine the role of IFNAR, IL- 23, and IL-12, in regulating Th1 immunity to PC. 2. To generate mice deficient in Th1, Th2, and Th17 immunity to determine contributions of these CD4+ T-cell subsets in the clearance of PCP. 3. Our hypothesis predicts that vaccination of mice sufficient for Th1, Th2, or Th17 immunity will be sufficient to protect against PCP. These studies will confirm the role of Th subsets in PCP and optimize vaccination strategies for this important opportunistic infection.

Public Health Relevance

This project defines the types of T-cells required for prevention of Pneumocystis pneumonia a major complication of AIDS and organ transplantation. This research will improve the potential development of a vaccine for this infection.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01HL062052-14
Application #
8110662
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-AARR-E (02))
Program Officer
Peavy, Hannah H
Project Start
1998-09-30
Project End
2011-08-31
Budget Start
2011-06-01
Budget End
2011-08-31
Support Year
14
Fiscal Year
2011
Total Cost
$49,517
Indirect Cost
Name
Louisiana State Univ Hsc New Orleans
Department
Genetics
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
782627814
City
New Orleans
State
LA
Country
United States
Zip Code
70112
Eddens, Taylor; Elsegeiny, Waleed; Garcia-Hernadez, Maria de la Luz et al. (2017) Pneumocystis-Driven Inducible Bronchus-Associated Lymphoid Tissue Formation Requires Th2 and Th17 Immunity. Cell Rep 18:3078-3090
Chen, Kong; Kolls, Jay K (2017) Interluekin-17A (IL17A). Gene 614:8-14
Hoving, J Claire; Kolls, Jay K (2017) New advances in understanding the host immune response to Pneumocystis. Curr Opin Microbiol 40:65-71
Eddens, Taylor; Campfield, Brian T; Serody, Katelin et al. (2016) A Novel CD4+ T Cell-Dependent Murine Model of Pneumocystis-driven Asthma-like Pathology. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 194:807-820
Eddens, Taylor; Song, Eunkyung; Ardura, Monica I et al. (2016) A protracted course of Pneumocystis pneumonia in the setting of an immunosuppressed child with GMS-negative bronchoalveolar lavage. Med Mycol Case Rep 11:48-52
Kumar, Pawan; Monin, Leticia; Castillo, Patricia et al. (2016) Intestinal Interleukin-17 Receptor Signaling Mediates Reciprocal Control of the Gut Microbiota and Autoimmune Inflammation. Immunity 44:659-671
Elsegeiny, Waleed; Eddens, Taylor; Chen, Kong et al. (2015) Anti-CD20 antibody therapy and susceptibility to Pneumocystis pneumonia. Infect Immun 83:2043-52
Eddens, Taylor; Elsegeiny, Waleed; Nelson, Michael P et al. (2015) Eosinophils Contribute to Early Clearance of Pneumocystis murina Infection. J Immunol 195:185-93
Eddens, Taylor; Kolls, Jay K (2015) Pathological and protective immunity to Pneumocystis infection. Semin Immunopathol 37:153-62
Zheng, Mingquan; Cai, Yang; Eddens, Taylor et al. (2014) Novel pneumocystis antigen discovery using fungal surface proteomics. Infect Immun 82:2417-23

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