This anatomical illustration only hints at the extraordinary complexity of what goes on inside a nose.
A new study gives major insight into how our noses keep us from getting sick – even though we are surrounded by airborne bacteria.
When we breathe in bacteria, cells along our nasal passages release “tiny fluid-filled sacs,” called exosomes, that directly fight the microbes. They also warn cells further along the route, prompting them to do the same, effectively arming the whole system, according to research led by Benjamin Bleier, a sinus surgeon at Massachusetts Eye and Ear in Boston, US.
“Similar to kicking a hornets’ nest, the nose releases billions of exosomes into the mucus at the first sign of bacteria, killing the bacteria and arming cells throughout the airway with a natural, potent defence,” Bleier explains.
“It’s almost like this swarm of exosomes vaccinates cells further down the airway against a microbe before they even have a chance to see it.”
The researchers say their findings provide insight into how the immune system functions, which could be used to develop new treatment methods.
Exosomes are vesicles released by cells and are found in bodily fluid such as blood, urine, and mucous. These particular ones attack bacteria and carry antimicrobial proteins along the airway.
The defence happens rapidly. Within five minutes of making contact with bacteria, the number of exosomes in nasal mucous doubles, and within each one the amount of nitric oxide synthase, an antimicrobial, also doubles.
During the study, the researchers uncovered the mechanism by first simulating an exposure to bacteria in mucous samples,. They then confirmed their findings in live patients.
They report that the exosomes were “as effective as antibiotics at killing the bacteria”. They also found the exosomes were “rapidly taken up” by other cells, passing on antimicrobial molecules.
“The nose provides a unique opportunity to directly study the immune system of the entire human airway – including the lungs,” Bleier says.
The findings are published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (JACI).
Originally published by Cosmos as What happens when we breathe in bacteria
Samantha Page
Samantha Page is a science journalist based in Spain.
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