Modeling chronic infection with Mycoplasma pneumoniae at an air-liquid interface: global transcriptional response of HBEC3-KT respiratory epithelial cells to biofilm towers

Key Points

• The research aims to model chronic infection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae and understand its impact on host respiratory cells.
• Utilized HBEC3-KT respiratory epithelial cells grown at an air-liquid interface
• Modeled Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection as biofilm towers
• Assessed global transcriptional response of the cells during infection
• Demonstrated that biofilm towers limit damage to host cells
• Provoked a selective inflammatory response during chronic infection
• Indicates potential for persistent infection without severe tissue damage