Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental MedicineNew publication in the “American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology”
Rhinovirus-induced human lung tissue responses mimic COPD and asthma gene signatures
Spots of infection – airway epithelial cells (red) infected with rhinovirus (yellow) in human precision-cut lung slices (PCLS).
Rhinovirus infection of human lung tissue ex vivo (PCLS model) induces gene signatures in immune and epithelial cells that have also been described in COPD and asthma patients. The anti-viral immune response could be partially inhibited by an antiviral compound. In contrast, epithelial processes triggered by the infection were largely refractory to antiviral treatment. The PCLS model enables exclusive insights into processes taking place in lower respiratory tract infections and provides opportunities to test and evaluate novel therapeutics.
Link to the paper: https://doi.org/10.1165/rcmb.2020-0337OC