Pneumocystis elicits a STAT6-dependent, strain-specific innate immune response and airway hyperresponsiveness.

It is widely held that exposure to pathogens such as fungi can be an agent of comorbidity, such as exacerbation of asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Although many studies have examined allergic responses to fungi and their effects on pulmonary function, the possible pathologic implications of the early innate responses to fungal pathogens have not been explored. We examined early responses to the atypical fungus Pneumocystis in two common strains of mice in terms of overall immunological response and related pathology, such as cell damage and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR).

CD8 T cells modulate CD4 T-cell and eosinophil-mediated pulmonary pathology in pneumocystis pneumonia in B-cell-deficient mice.

Pneumocystis spp. pneumonia (PCP) in humans and in surrogate animal species typically occurs in the absence of CD4 T cells, as takes place during acquired immune deficiency syndrome. However, patients treated with highly active anti-retroviral therapy sometimes exhibit an exacerbation of diseases such as PCP that coincides with resurgent CD4 T cells, a phenomenon known as immune reconstitution disease.

CD8 T cell-mediated lung damage in response to the extracellular pathogen pneumocystis is dependent on MHC class I expression by radiation-resistant lung cells.

Pneumocystis, a fungal, extracellular pathogen causes a life-threatening pneumonia in patients with severe immunodeficiencies. In the absence of CD4 T cells, Pneumocystis infection results in vigorous CD8 T cell influx into the alveolar and interstitial spaces of the lung. This response results in lung damage characterized by low pO2 and albumin leakage into the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid similar to other CD8 T cell-mediated interstitial lung diseases.

Role of type I IFNs in pulmonary complications of Pneumocystis murina infection.

Despite the advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy, pulmonary complications in AIDS are a common clinical problem. Pneumocystis jiroveci infection causes a life-threatening pneumonia, especially in individuals with CD4 T cell deficiencies as occurs in AIDS. Although Pneumocystis sp.