Influenza virus damages the alveolar barrier by disrupting epithelial cell tight junctions

• Published in: The European respiratory journal Vol. 47; no. 3; pp. 954 - 966
• Main Authors: Short, Kirsty R., Kasper, Jennifer, van der Aa, Stijn, Andeweg, Arno C., Zaaraoui-Boutahar, Fatiha, Goeijenbier, Marco, Richard, Mathilde, Herold, Susanne, Becker, Christin, Scott, Dana P., Limpens, Ronald W.A.L., Koster, Abraham J., Bárcena, Montserrat, Fouchier, Ron A.M., Kirkpatrick, Charles James, Kuiken, Thijs
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01.03.2016
• Subjects: Cell Line; Coculture Techniques; Cytokines - metabolism; Epithelial Cells - pathology; Epithelial Cells - virology; Humans; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype - pathogenicity; Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype - pathogenicity; Pulmonary Alveoli - virology; Tight Junctions - ultrastructure

A major cause of respiratory failure during influenza A virus (IAV) infection is damage to the epithelial–endothelial barrier of the pulmonary alveolus. Damage to this barrier results in flooding of the alveolar lumen with proteinaceous oedema fluid, erythrocytes and inflammatory cells. To date, the...