Heterotypic Influenza Infections Mitigate Susceptibility to Secondary Bacterial Infection

Abstract

Influenza associated bacterial super-infections have devastating impacts on the lung and can result in increased risk of mortality. New strains of influenza circulate throughout the population yearly promoting the establishment of immune memory. Nearly all individuals have some degree of influenza memory prior to adulthood. Due to this we sought to understand the role of immune memory during bacterial super-infections. An influenza heterotypic immunity model was established using influenza A/PR/8/34 and A/X31. We report here that influenza experienced mice are more resistant to secondary bacterial infection with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus as determined by wasting, bacterial burden, pulmonary inflammation, and lung leak, despite significant ongoing lung remodeling. Multidimensional flow cytometry and lung transcriptomics revealed significant alterations in the lung environment in influenza-experienced mice compared with naive animals. These include changes in the lung monocyte and T cell compartments, characterized by increased expansion of influenza tetramer specific CD8+ T cells. The protection that was seen in memory experienced mouse model is associated with the reduction in inflammatory mechanisms making the lung less susceptible to damage and subsequent bacterial colonization. These findings provide insight into how influenza heterotypic immunity re-shapes the lung environment and the immune response to a re-challenge event, which is highly relevant to the context of human infection.