Mice over-expressing CC chemokine ligand (CCL) 2 in the lung exhibit increased protective immunity to infection with M. bovis BCG

Rationale: The acute phase of mycobacterial lung infection is characterized by a nearly exponential outgrowth of mycobacteria within the alveolar airspace and lung parenchymal tissue, suggestive of an insufficient early protective immunity against mycobacterial challenge. Objectives: In the current study, we questioned whether CCL2 over-expressing mice exhibiting an increased mononuclear phagocyte subset expansion within distal airspaces would demonstrate improved protective immunity to infection with Mycobacterium bovis Bacille Calmette-Guérin (M. bovis BCG). Measurements and Main Results: CCL2 over-expressing…