Sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor agonism reduces bordetella pertussis-mediated lung pathology

Abstract

Recent pertussis resurgence represents a major public health concern. Currently, there are no effective treatments for critical pertussis in infants. Recent data have demonstrated the potential of sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor (S1PR) agonism in the treatment of infectious diseases. We used the murine Bordetella pertussis model to test the hypothesis that treatment with S1PR agonist AAL-R reduces pulmonary inflammation during infection. AAL-R treatment resulted in reduced expression of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines and attenuated lung pathology in infected mice. These results demonstrate a role for sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) signaling in B. pertussis-mediated pathology and highlight the possibility of host-targeted therapy for pertussis.