TY - JOUR T1 - Allergyprotective effects of Staphylococcus scuiri in a house dust mite (HDM) model of allergic airway inflammation JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J VL - 40 IS - Suppl 56 SP - P232 AU - Stefanie Hagner AU - Min Zhao AU - Hani Harb AU - Harald Renz AU - Petra Pfefferle AU - Holger Garn Y1 - 2012/09/01 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/40/Suppl_56/P232.abstract N2 - Background: Recently, epidemiological studies revealed a specific association between Staphylococcus scuiri exposure and reduced asthma prevalences.Aim: To investigate the influence and role of S. scuiri, a Gram-positive bacterium, on allergen-induced sensitization and airway inflammation in a murine model with a mixed phenotype (with eosinophil and neutrophil inflammation) using a clinically relevant allergen (HDM model).Methods: Mice were treated intranasally with S. scuiri three times a week before and during repeated intranasal exposures to HDM extract. Lung function, recruitment of inflammatory cells as well as production of related cytokines and chemokines were measured.Results: The application of S. scuiri strongly inhibited the generation of HDM extract-induced airway inflammation. Analyses of bronchoalveolar lavages showed a reduction of both, eosinophil and neutrophil numbers, in comparison to control-animals. The reduction of eosinophils correlated with a reduction of IL-5, and of goblet cell hyperplasia. The mRNA expression of eotaxin and KC, the key chemokines in the induction of eosinophils and neutrophils into allergic tissue, was markedly reduced.Conclusions: Administration of S. scuiri to mice challenged with HDM extracts protects them from the development of airway inflammation and associated pulmonary pathology. ER -