Programmed inflammatory processes induced by mucosal immunisation

Inflammation is essential to repair tissue damaged by physical, microbial o r allergic mechanisms. Inappropriately zealous responses lead to destructiv e pathology or chronic disease cycles, whereas ideal outcomes are associate d with complete and rapid restoration of tissue structure and function. The establishment of a rodent model investigating the different immune respons es to non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae infection in both the lung and th e ear indicate an ability to clear bacteria and reduce inflammation followi ng mucosal immunisation. Lung histochemistry, upregulation of macrophages a nd polymorphonuclear neutrophils, recruitment of gamma delta (+) and CD8(+) T cells, cytokine levels and depletion studies ail support the hypothesis that mucosal immunisation facilitates control of the immune response result ing in enhanced bacterial clearance and programming of inflammation which l imits damage acid promotes the rapid restoration of structural normality. ( C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.