Mary Jane Thomassen
Program in Lung Cell Biology and Translational Research Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine,
3E-149 Brody Medical Sciences Building, Greenville, NC 27834
Tanzania
Research Article
Exposure to a Mycobacterial Antigen, ESAT-6, Exacerbates Granulomatous and Fibrotic Changes in a Multiwall Carbon Nanotube Model of Chronic Pulmonary Disease
Author(s): Anagha Malur, Barbara P Barna, Janki Patel, Matthew McPeek, Christopher J Wingard, Larry Dobbs and Mary Jane ThomassenAnagha Malur, Barbara P Barna, Janki Patel, Matthew McPeek, Christopher J Wingard, Larry Dobbs and Mary Jane Thomassen
Recent studies suggest additive effects of environmental pollutants and microbial antigens on respiratory disease. We established a granuloma model in which instilled multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) elicit granulomatous pathology. We hypothesized that mycobacterial antigen ESAT-6, a T cell activator associated with tuberculosis and sarcoidosis, might alter pathology. Wild-type C57Bl/6 mice received MWCNT with or without ESAT-6 peptide. Controls received vehicle (surfactant-PBS) or ESAT-6 alone. Mice were evaluated 60 days later for granulomas, fibrosis, and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cell expression of inflammatory mediators (CCL2, MMP-12, and Osteopontin). Results indicated increased granulomas, fibrosis, and inflammatory mediators in mice receiving the combination of MWCNT+ESAT-6 compared to MWCNT or vehicle alone. ESAT-6 alone showed no significant.. View More»
DOI:
10.4172/2157-7439.1000340