Mapping the pulmonary environment of animals protected from virulent H1N1 influenza infection using the TLR‐2 agonist Pam2Cys. Issue 2 (8th September 2015) - Mifsud, Edin J
Abstract : We have previously shown that intranasal administration of the Toll‐like receptor‐2 agonist, S‐(2, 3‐bis(palmitoyloxy)propyl) cysteine (Pam2 Cys), provides immediate and antigen independent protection against challenge with influenza virus. Here we characterize the cellular pulmonary environments of mice which had either been treated with Pam2 Cys or placebo and then challenged with influenza virus. We show that Pam2 Cys treatment results in the influx of innate immune cells into the lungs and that depletion of phagocytic cells from this influx using clodronate‐loaded liposomes caused a reduction in the number of interstitial macrophages and monocytes. This resulted in abolition of the protective effect indicating the importance of this cellular subset in Pam2 Cys‐mediated protection.