Aspergillus fumigatus conidia induce internalization dependent IFN-ß and IP-10 expression in airway epithelial cells

Aspergillus fumigatus is a fungal pathogen of major clinical importance. Inhalation of fungal spores may cause lung diseases, ranging from local inflammation of the airways to severe and life-threatening infections of the lung. It is established that alveolar macrophages provide the first line of defence in the respiratory tract. Mice studies show that macrophage-mediated response to A. fumigatus conidia is MyD88-independent. Little is known about the role of human airway epithelial cells (HBEC) in A. fumigatus conidia induced inflammation. Here we report that airway epithelial cells activated by A. fumigatus re…