FIGURE LEGENDS
Figure-1 . The main strategies used by nontypeableHaemophilus influenzae to establish a persistent infection in the lower airways of patients with chronic suppurative lung disease.
Figure-2. NTHi biofilm life cycle. (A) NTHi in planktonic form escapes local airway defenses and irreversibly attaches to receptors on airway cells. (B) After evading local niches,NTHi aggregates and starts the production of extracellular polymeric substance matrix which favors NTHi survival in the form of biofilm. (C) Biofilm properties enhance growth and survival ofNTHi and other bacteria. (D) Maturation of biofilm is followed byNTHi dispersal in planktonic forms to subsequently develop biofilms in secondary niches. NTHi : nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae . Created by biorender.com
Figure-3 . Schematic representation of NTHi -induced host damage. AMs: alveolar macrophages, AMPs: antimicrobial peptides, Aps: antioxidant peptides, IL: interleukin, NE: neutrophil elastase, NKs: natural killer cells, NPs: neutrophils, NTHi : nontyeableHaemophilus influenzae, ROS: reactive oxygen species, Th: T helper cells. Created by biorender.com