The protective role pla
yed b
y the innate immune s
ystem during earl
y stages of infection suggests that compounds which stimulate innate responses could be used as antimicrobial or antiviral agents. In this stud
y, we demonstrate that the Toll-like receptor-2 agonist Pam2C
ys, when administered intranasall
y, triggers a cascade of inflammator
y and innate immune signals, acting as an immunostimulant b
y attracting neutrophils and macrophages and inducing secretion of IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, IFN-纬, MCP-1 and TNF-伪. These changes provide increased resistance against influenza A virus challenge and also reduce the potential for transmission of infection. Pam2C
ys treatment also reduced weight loss and lethalit
y associated with virulent influenza virus infection in a Toll-like receptor-2-dependent manner. Treatment did not affect the animals鈥?abilit
y to generate an adaptive immune response, measured b
y the induction of functional influenza A virus-specific CD8
+ T cells following exposure to virus. Because this compound demonstrates efficac
y against distinct strains of influenza, it could be a candidate for development as an agent against influenza and possibl
y other respirator
y pathogens.
Keywords:
y&qsSearchArea=searchText">antigen-independent immunity; ys&qsSearchArea=searchText">Pam2Cys; Toll-like receptor 2; influenza A virus; y&qsSearchArea=searchText">innate immunity