Open AccessRespiratory infection with Francisella novicida induces rapid dystrophic cardiac calcinosis (DCC)
Author(s) -
Roth Kimberly M.,
Oghumu Steve,
Satoskar Anjali A.,
Gunn John S.,
Van Rooijen Nico,
Satoskar Abhay R.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
fems immunology & medical microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1574-695X
pISSN - 0928-8244
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-695x.2008.00395.x
Subject(s) - francisella tularensis , francisella , biology , immunology , pneumonia , tularemia , lung , pericarditis , q fever , medicine , microbiology and biotechnology , biochemistry , virulence , gene
Francisella tularensis causes pulmonary tularemia and death in humans when left untreated. Here, using a novel aerosol infection model, we show that acute pulmonary Francisella novicida infection not only causes pneumonia and liver damage, but also induces dystrophic cardiac calcinosis (DCC) in BALB/c mice. C57BL/6 mice also develop pneumonia and hepatic damage, but fail to develop DCC. Development of DCC in BALB/c mice is associated with significant induction of RANKL but not osteopontin in their organs. Depletion of lung macrophages prior to infection markedly reduces pericarditis and calcification in BALB/c mice but does not increase their susceptibility to infection.