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Infection and Immunity, March 2003, p. 1520-1526, Vol. 71, No. 3
0019-9567/03/$08.00+0     DOI: 10.1128/IAI.71.3.1520-1526.2003
Copyright © 2003, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Effects of Respiratory Mycoplasma pneumoniae Infection on Allergen-Induced Bronchial Hyperresponsiveness and Lung Inflammation in Mice

Hong Wei Chu, Joyce M. Honour, Catherine A. Rawlinson, Ronald J. Harbeck, and Richard J. Martin*

Department of Medicine, National Jewish Medical and Research Center and University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, Colorado

Received 4 October 2002/ Returned for modification 14 November 2002/ Accepted 26 November 2002

Airway mycoplasma infection may be associated with asthma pathophysiology. However, the direct effects of mycoplasma infection on asthma remain unknown. Using a murine allergic-asthma model, we evaluated the effects of different timing of airway Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection on bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR), lung inflammation, and the protein levels of Th1 (gamma interferon [IFN-{gamma}]) and Th2 (interleukin 4 [IL-4]) cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. When mycoplasma infection occurred 3 days before allergen (ovalbumin) sensitization and challenge, the infection reduced the BHR and inflammatory-cell influx into the lung. This was accompanied by a significant induction of Th1 responses (increased IFN-{gamma} and decreased IL-4 production). Conversely, when mycoplasma infection occurred 2 days after allergen sensitization and challenge, the infection initially caused a temporary reduction of BHR and then increased BHR, lung inflammation, and IL-4 levels. Our data suggest that mycoplasma infection could modulate both physiological and immunological responses in the murine asthma model. Our animal models may also provide a new means to understand the role of infection in asthma pathogenesis and give evidence for the asthma hygiene hypothesis.

* Corresponding author. Mailing address: National Jewish Medical and Research Center, 1400 Jackson St., Room B116, Denver, CO 80206. Phone: (303) 398-1545. Fax: (303) 398-1780. E-mail: martinr{at}njc.org.

Editor: J. N. Weiser

Infection and Immunity, March 2003, p. 1520-1526, Vol. 71, No. 3
0019-9567/03/$08.00+0     DOI: 10.1128/IAI.71.3.1520-1526.2003
Copyright © 2003, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.



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