Mechanistic exploration of AhR-mediated host protection against Streptococcus pneumoniae infection

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a primary cause of invasive bacterial infection and pneumonia and is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. In prior studies we showed that pre-treating mice with 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), a potent agonist of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), protects against S. pneumoniae-induced mortality and reduces pulmonary bacterial burden. The current studies were conducted to help elucidate the mechanism for this protective effect, and to characterize the response in the lung during the first 10 h following infection. C57Bl/6 mice were treated with TCDD one day prior to intranasal infection with serotype 3 S. pneumoniae. Monitoring of bacteria in the lung airways revealed that bacterial growth was inhibited in the TCDD-treated animals within 10 h of infection. To address the mechanism of this rapid protective response, macrophages, neutrophils, and invariant Natural Killer T (iNKT) cells were quantified, and levels of natural antibodies produced by B-1 B cells were evaluated. Functional assays addressed whether AhR activation reduced the capacity of lung epithelial cells to bind bacteria, and whether TCDD treatment enhanced production of antimicrobial agents in the lung or blood. None of the hypothesized mechanisms was able to explain the protective effect. Finally, the exposure paradigm was manipulated to test whether administration of TCDD after instillation of the bacteria was also protective. Results showed that TCDD must be administered in advance of exposure to bacteria, suggesting that the lung environment is rendered inhospitable to the pathogens.

► AhR activation suppresses pulmonary S. pneumoniae burden within 10 h of infection.
► Pre-treatment with TCDD is necessary to confer protection.
► TCDD does not elevate levels of natural antibodies, iNKT cells or phagocytes.