Different approaches to understand the role of chemokines in murine models of lung inflammation

Respiratory diseases are among the leading causes of death worldwide. Several diseases compromise the respiratory tract, including pneumonia and asthma. Pneumonia is an infectious disease, caused by microorganisms such as Streptococcus pneumonia and Haemophilus influenza but also by Staphylococcus aureus, especially in hospitalized patients. Pneumonia caused by S. aureus is a concern due to the difficult treatment and the high rate of mortality. Another important respiratory tract disease is asthma. Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease, characterized by hyperresponsiveness of the lower airways and by variable airflow limitation. It is a multifactorial condition determined by the interaction of genetic and environmental factors. The inflammation related to pneumonia and asthma is very different, although both inflammatory responses need to be well controlled to avoid excessive tissue damage. In this context, the resolution of inflammation is fundamental to prevent persistant inflammation. The role of macrophages in the resolution of inflammation is well-characterized, especially in acute inflammation. However, the contribution of lymphocytes in controlling inflammation is not completely clear, and further studies need to be conducted to clarify the functions of these cells in the resolution of different types of inflammation. From this angle, it is important to characterize the populations of lymphocytes involved in the resolution both phenotypically as well as functionally. Hereby, I want to focus on the importance of innate lymphoid cells, lymphocyte chemokines and pro-resolving molecules that can act on these cells.

Publication year:2022

Accessibility:Open