Extracellular vesicles from Pseudomonas aeruginosa suppress MHC-related molecules in human Lung Macrophages

We investigate whether EVs secreted from P. aeruginosa alter MHC antigen expression in lung macrophages, thereby potentially contributing to decreased pathogen clearance. Primary lung macrophages from human subjects were collected via bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and exposed to EVs isolated from P. aeruginosa in vitro. Gene expression was measured with the NanoString nCounter gene expression assay and validated by examining total cellular protein. DNA methylation was measured with the EPIC array platform to assess changes in methylation at MHC-specific locations.