The paper identifies an age-associated immune-poised state in human bronchial epithelial cells that mediates RSV resistance in adults by enhancing RIG-I-STAT3 signaling.

Nature Communications · Jul 21, 2026Peer-reviewedMicrobiology

Airway basal stem cells are necessary for the maintenance of functional intraepithelial airway macrophages.

Tristan Kooistra, Borja Sáez, Marly I. Roche, Alejandro Egea-Zorrilla, Dongzhu Li, Dilanjan Anketell, Nhan Nguyen, Jorge Villoria, Jacob E. Gillis, Eva Petri, Laura Vera, Zuriñe Blasco‐Iturri, Neal Patrick Smith, Jehan W. Alladina, Yan-ting Yann Zhang, , Ana Pardo–Saganta

This study shows that airway basal stem cells maintain intraepithelial airway macrophages via Notch signaling, enabling localized allergic inflammation in the trachea but not distal lung tissues.

Cell Reports · Jun 1, 2025Peer-reviewedCell Biology

Weakened airway epithelial junctions and enhanced neutrophil elastase release contribute to age-dependent bacteremia risk following pneumococcal pneumonia

Shuying Xu, Tianmou Zhu, Hongmei Mou, Shumin Tan, John M. Leong

This study identifies weakened airway epithelial junctions and increased neutrophil elastase release in aged mice as factors contributing to age-dependent bacteremia risk after pneumococcal pneumonia.

Aging Cell · Jan 8, 2025Peer-reviewedMicrobiology

Blocking HXA3-mediated neutrophil elastase release during S. pneumoniae lung infection limits pulmonary epithelial barrier disruption and bacteremia

Shuying Xu, Shumin Tan, Patricia Romanos, Jennifer L. Reedy, Yihan Zhang, Michael K. Mansour, Jatin M. Vyas, Joan C. Mecsas, Hongmei Mou, John M. Leong

This study identifies HXA3 as a driver of neutrophil transmigration and elastase release during pneumococcal infection, showing that blocking these processes reduces epithelial damage and bacteremia.

mBio · Aug 9, 2024Peer-reviewedMicrobiology