Tracheal aspirates of mechanically ventilated preterm infants possess cytopathic tau variants: a prospective exploratory study
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: In mechanically ventilated preterm infants, endogenous airway molecules may influence lung injury and development. Tau, a microtubule-associated protein expressed in lung endothelium, was abundant in neonatal tracheal aspirates and elevated in preterm infants. Tau in preterm samples also showed cytopathic seeding activity, which was further increased in infants with histological chorioamnionitis. These findings identify tau as a previously unrecognized bioactive airway component that may contribute to early lung pathology.
Institution: University of South Alabama
Language: English
Subfield: Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7161913765