Open Access

Olaf Eickmeier, Su Youn Kim, Eva Herrmann, Constanze Döring, Ruth Pia Dücker, Sandra Voss, Sibylle Wehner, Christoph Hölscher, Julia Pietzner, Stefan Zielen, Ralf Schubert

• Background: Ataxia telangiectasia (A-T) is a rare but devastating and progressive disorder characterized by cerebellar dysfunction, lymphoreticular malignancies and recurrent sinopulmonary infections. In A-T, disease of the respiratory system causes significant morbidity and is a frequent cause of death. Methods: We used a self-limited murine model of hydrochloric acid-induced acute lung injury (ALI) to determine the inflammatory answer due to mucosal injury in Atm (A-T mutated)- deficient mice (Atm−/−). Results: ATM deficiency increased peak lung inflammation as demonstrated by bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) neutrophils and lymphocytes and increased levels of BALF pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g. IL-6, TNF). Furthermore, bronchial epithelial damage after ALI was increased in Atm−/− mice. ATM deficiency increased airway resistance and tissue compliance before ALI was performed. Conclusions: Together, these findings indicate that ATM plays a key role in inflammatory response after airway mucosal injury.