Purified bacterial extract sprayed into lungs ramps up innate immune system

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Here is an interesting one:

Public release date: 3-Dec-2007

Contact: Fleischman

_jfleischman@..._ (mailto:jfleischman@...)

513-929-4635

_American Society for Cell Biology_ (http://www.ascb.org/)

Purified bacterial extract sprayed into lungs ramps up innate immune system

Providing powerful protection from inhaled deadly pathogens

Washington, D.C. -- A purified extract prepared from a common microbe and

delivered to the lungs of laboratory mice in a spray set off a healthy immune

response and provided powerful protection against all four major classes of

pathogens including those responsible for anthrax and bubonic plague, according

to a presentation at the American Society for Cell Biology’s 47th Annual

Meeting.

In addition, when the researchers exposed another group of mice to an aerosol

of live Streptococcus pneumoniae, the only animals that survived were the

ones that had been pre-treated with the spray. A total of 83 percent of these

mice survived. None of the untreated animals lived.

The researchers at the M.D. Cancer Center in Houston developed the

spray from a purified extract of the common coccobacillus named Haemophilus

influenzae, the cause of ear and sinus infections in human children.

Their “aerosolized lung innate immune stimulant,†as the scientists have

named the spray treatment, could benefit immune-compromised patients with

cancer, HIV or other diseases as well as emergency workers and the general

public

facing uncommon threats like an aerosolized bioterror attack or a spreading

respiratory epidemic.

According to Brenton who with his postdoctoral advisor, Burton Dickey,

developed the spray, the treatment works best if administered four to 24

hours before exposure. Nearly all mice survived when treated before exposure to

lethal doses of anthrax, influenza, and the dangerous mold, Aspergillus. But,

the treatment also has some benefit when given after exposure. Effectiveness

declines over time but seems to last up to five days after a single dose.

The researchers report that protection by stimulant is associated with rapid

pathogen killing in the airways, does not depend on recruitment of other

immune defense cells such as neutrophils, and correlates with increased levels

of

antimicrobial polypeptides in the lung lining fluid. The host response is

localized to the airways, and safety studies indicate that the treatment causes

minimal side effects, even with repeated doses.

Preclinical testing is being completed, and clinical trials are being

designed.

In tests on mice, the stimulant was protective against all four major classes

of pathogens (Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, fungi, and viruses),

including the Class A bioterror agents Bacillus anthracis (anthrax), F.

tularensis (tularemia) and Yersinia pestis (bubonic plague).

###

Paper, Stimulation of Lung Innate Immunity Protects Against a Broad Range of

Infectious Microbes, will be presented at: 12 noon to 1:30 p.m., Monday, Dec.

3

For more information:

Brenton L.

_bscott@..._ (mailto:bscott@...)

(713) 563-0425

ASCB meeting press office:

Fleischman, ASCB science writer:

_jfleischman@..._ (mailto:jfleischman@...) or (513) 929-4635

or

Yarbrough, ASCB meeting information officer:

_cyarbrough@..._ (mailto:cyarbrough@...) or (858) 243-1814

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