MARCO Is Required for TLR2- and Nod2-Mediated Responses to Streptococcus pneumoniae and Clearance of Pneumococcal Colonization in the Murine Nasopharynx

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a common human pathogen that accounts for >1 million deaths every year. Colonization of the nasopharynx by S. pneumoniae precedes pulmonary and other invasive diseases and, therefore, is a promising target for intervention. Because the receptors scavenger receptor A (SRA), macrophage receptor with collagenous structure (MARCO), and mannose receptor (MR) have been identified as nonopsonic receptors for S. pneumoniae …