Involvement of bronchial epithelium in sepsis-induced immunosuppression

Post septic hosts show altered lung immunity with increased susceptibility to bacterial pneumonia. The role of sepsis-induced dysregulation of airway epithelium immune function has not yet been investigated. Moreover, the microbiota is emerging as an essential factor of regulation of mucosal immunity. We hypothesized here that sepsis-induced alterations in airway epithelium contribute to defective lung defense towards secondary bacterial pneumonia. Hence, we examined morphological and functional alterations of airway epithelium induced by non-pulmonary polymicrobial sepsis, together with a focus on the intestinal and lung microbiota composition.