Multifaceted dysfunction of infant airway macrophages in response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Infants are vulnerable to disseminated forms of tuberculosis and suffer disproportionately high morbidity and mortality, but the reasons for this are unknown. We hypothesized that since alveolar macrophages (AMs) are critical in the uptake and containment of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) in the lung, their function may be impaired in early life. We developed a method of obtaining AMs during rigid bronchoscopy of healthy infants with suspected airway abnormality. RNAseq analysis of Mtb-stimulated AMs from 4 infants and 4 adults was performed.