Measurement of bacterial deposition in colony forming units (CFU) per lung for virulent (Fn) and attenuated (Fn-ATT) <i>F. novicida</i> and <i>P. pseudomonas</i> (Pa) with standard error of the mean (SEM) indicated for each measurement.

<p>Measurement of bacterial deposition in colony forming units (CFU) per lung for virulent (Fn) and attenuated (Fn-ATT) <i>F. novicida</i> and <i>P. pseudomonas</i> (Pa) with standard error of the mean (SEM) indicated for each measurement.</p

Total number of mononuclear (MN) and poly morphonuclear (PMN) cells counted in the BAL fluid at 4 h, 24 h, and 48 h for Fn and Fn-ATT and at 4 h and 24 h for Pa (A).

<p>Error bars indicate the standard error of the mean (SEM) for each. Percent PMN cells in BAL fluid (B).</p

Example mass spectra comparing of a portion of the mass range for a Fn-4 hrs sample (A) and a Pa-4 hrs sample (B).

<p>Example mass spectra comparing of a portion of the mass range for a Fn-4 hrs sample (A) and a Pa-4 hrs sample (B).</p

The class predictions of the full 7 class Degree of Association model (Global Accuracy ∼75.0%).

<p>The class predictions of the full 7 class Degree of Association model (Global Accuracy ∼75.0%).</p

Distribution of replicate samples for seven classes of treatment: Control, PA-4 hrs, PA-24 hrs, Fn-4 hrs, Fn-24 hrs, Fn ATT-4 hrs, Fn ATT-24 hrs using two principle components.

<p>Distribution of replicate samples for seven classes of treatment: Control, PA-4 hrs, PA-24 hrs, Fn-4 hrs, Fn-24 hrs, Fn ATT-4 hrs, Fn ATT-24 hrs using two principle components.</p

Proteomic Analysis of Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid Proteins from Mice Infected with <i>Francisella tularensis</i> ssp. <i>novicida</i>

<i>Francisella tularensis</i> causes the zoonosis tularemia in humans and is one of the most virulent bacterial pathogens. We utilized a global proteomic approach to characterize protein changes in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from mice exposed to one of three organisms, <i>F. tularensis</i> ssp. <i>novicida</i>, an avirulent mutant of <i>F. tularensis</i> ssp. <i>novicida</i> (<i>F.t. novicida</i>-ΔmglA), and <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i>. The composition of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) proteins was altered following infection, including proteins involved in neutrophil activation, oxidative stress, and inflammatory responses. Components of the innate immune response were induced including the acute phase response and the complement system; however, the timing of their induction varied. <i>F. tularensis</i> ssp. <i>novicida</i> infected mice do not appear to have an effective innate immune response in the first hours of infection; however, within 24 h, they show an upregulation of innate immune response proteins. This delayed response is in contrast to <i>P. aeruginosa</i> infected animals which show an early innate immune response. Likewise, <i>F.t. novicida</i>-ΔmglA infection initiates an early innate immune response; however, this response is diminished by 24 h. Finally, this study identifies several candidate biomarkers, including Chitinase 3-like-1 (CHI3L1 or YKL-40) and peroxiredoxin 1, that are associated with <i>F. tularensis</i> ssp. <i>novicida</i> but not <i>P. aeruginosa</i> infection

Proteomic Analysis of Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid Proteins from Mice Infected with <i>Francisella tularensis</i> ssp. <i>novicida</i>

<i>Francisella tularensis</i> causes the zoonosis tularemia in humans and is one of the most virulent bacterial pathogens. We utilized a global proteomic approach to characterize protein changes in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from mice exposed to one of three organisms, <i>F. tularensis</i> ssp. <i>novicida</i>, an avirulent mutant of <i>F. tularensis</i> ssp. <i>novicida</i> (<i>F.t. novicida</i>-ΔmglA), and <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i>. The composition of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) proteins was altered following infection, including proteins involved in neutrophil activation, oxidative stress, and inflammatory responses. Components of the innate immune response were induced including the acute phase response and the complement system; however, the timing of their induction varied. <i>F. tularensis</i> ssp. <i>novicida</i> infected mice do not appear to have an effective innate immune response in the first hours of infection; however, within 24 h, they show an upregulation of innate immune response proteins. This delayed response is in contrast to <i>P. aeruginosa</i> infected animals which show an early innate immune response. Likewise, <i>F.t. novicida</i>-ΔmglA infection initiates an early innate immune response; however, this response is diminished by 24 h. Finally, this study identifies several candidate biomarkers, including Chitinase 3-like-1 (CHI3L1 or YKL-40) and peroxiredoxin 1, that are associated with <i>F. tularensis</i> ssp. <i>novicida</i> but not <i>P. aeruginosa</i> infection