Potent Antimycobacterial Activity of Mouse Secretory Leukocyte Protease Inhibitor

Secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) has multiple functions, including inhibition of protease activity, microbial growth, and inflammatory responses. In this study, we demonstrate that mouse SLPI is critically involved in innate host defense against pulmonary mycobacterial infection. During the early phase of respiratory infection with Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guérin, SLPI was produced by bronchial and alveolar epithelial...