Platelet depletion impairs host defence to pulmonary infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa in mice

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Abstract

Platelets have been implicated in pulmonary inflammatory cell recruitment following exposure to allergic and non-allergic stimuli, but little is known about the role of platelets in response to pulmonary infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa). In this study, we have investigated the impact of the experimental depletion of circulating platelets on a range of inflammatory and bacterial parameters, and their subsequent impact on mortality in a murine model of pulmonary infection with P. aeruginosa. P. aeruginosa infection in mice induced a mild but significant state of peripheral thrombocytopenia in addition to pulmonary platelet accumulation. Increased platelet activation was detected in infected mice through increased levels of the platelet derived mediators PF-4 and β-TG in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and blood plasma. In mice depleted of circulating platelets, pulmonary neutrophil recruitment was significantly reduced 24 hours’ post infection, whilst the incidence of systemic dissemination of bacteria was significantly increased compared to non-platelet depleted control mice. Furthermore, mortality rates were increased in bacterial infected mice depleted of circulating platelets. This work demonstrates a role for platelets in the host response towards a gram-negative bacterial respiratory infection.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)331-340
Number of pages10
JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology
Volume58
Issue number3
Early online date28 Sept 2017
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2018

Keywords

  • Host defense
  • Host-pathogen interactions
  • Platelets
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa

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