Mucin 1 protects against severe Streptococcus pneumoniae infection

Abstract

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a bacterial pathogen that commonly resides in the human nasopharynx, typically without causing any disease. However, in some cases these bacteria migrate from the nasopharynx to other sites of the body such as the lungs and bloodstream causing pneumonia and sepsis, respectively. This study used a mouse model of infection to investigate the potential role of Mucin 1 (MUC1), a cell membrane-associated glycoprotein known for playing a key barrier role at mucosal surfaces, in regulating this process. Wildtype (WT) and MUC1-deficient (Muc1−/−) mice were infected intranasally with an invasive strain of S. pneumoniae and bacterial loads in the nasopharynx, lungs, and blo..