Inhibition of allergic airways disease by immunomodulatory therapy with whole killed Streptococcus pneumoniae

Asthma is a common inflammatory disease of the airways. Current therapies alleviate symptoms but do not treat the disease. We aim to develop effective immunomodulatory therapies (IMTs) for asthma that target the underlying causes of disease based on Streptococcus pneumoniae (Spn). The effect of Spn IMT on the development of asthma [allergic airways disease (AAD)] was determined in mice. Killed Spn was administered before, during or after ovalbumin sensitization, and the subsequent development of AAD was assessed. IMT attenuated T cell cytokine production, goblet cell hyperplasia, airways hyperresponsiveness (AHR), and eosinophil numbers in the blood, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and peribronchial tissue. This indicates the potential of Spn as an IMT for asthma.