Figure 4. STAT1 inhibits fungal clearance during post-influenza invasive pulmonary aspergillosis.

C57BL/6 mice were infected with 100 PFU of influenza A PR/8/34 for 6 days, then challenged with 2.5×10⁷ resting conidia of A. fumigatus for 48 hours (n=8 mice). A-C – Interferon gene expression in lung tissue measured by RT-PCR (n=8). STAT1−/− and C57BL/6 mice were infected influenza and A. fumigatus for 48 hours (n=12 mice). D - lung fungal burden was assessed by RT-PCR analysis of A. fumigatus 18S rRNA levels (n=12). STAT2−/− and C57BL/6 mice were infected influenza and A. fumigatus for 48 hours (n=6–8 mice). E - lung fungal burden was assessed by RT-PCR analysis of A. fumigatus 18S rRNA levels (n=6–8). STAT1/2−/− and C57BL/6 mice were infected influenza and A. fumigatus for 48 hours (n=9–15 mice). F - lung fungal burden was assessed by RT-PCR analysis of A. fumigatus 18S rRNA levels (n=9–15). IFNγ−/− and C57BL/6 mice were infected influenza and A. fumigatus for 48 hours (n=6 mice). G - lung fungal burden was assessed by RT-PCR analysis of A. fumigatus 18S rRNA levels (n=6). * p < 0.05. Significance was tested by unpaired t test or one-way ANOVA. Each experiment was independently performed at least 2 times and data are shown from combined experiments with the exception of Panel G which was performed once.