Pneumonia is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. While inflammation is a host protective response that ensures bacterial clearance, a finely regulated response is necessary to prevent bystander tissue damage. Glucocorticoid (GC)-induced leucine zipper (GILZ) is a GC-induced protein with anti-inflammatory and proresolving bioactions, yet the therapeutical role of GILZ in infectious diseases remains unexplored. Herein, we investigate the role and effects of GILZ during acute lung injury (ALI) induced by LPS and Streptococcus pneumoniae infection. GILZ deficient mice (GILZ^−/−) presented more severe ALI, characterized by increased inflammation, decreased macrophage efferocytosis and pronounced lung damage. In contrast, pulmonary inflammation, and damage were attenuated in WT mice treated with TAT-GILZ fusion protein. During pneumococcal pneumonia, TAT-GILZ reduced neutrophilic inflammation and prevented the associated lung damage. There was also enhanced macrophage efferocytosis and bacterial clearance in TAT-GILZ-treated mice. Mechanistically, TAT-GILZ enhanced macrophage phagocytosis of pneumococcus, which was lower in GILZ^−/− macrophages. Noteworthy, early treatment with TAT-GILZ rescued 30% of S. pneumoniae-infected mice from lethal pneumonia. Altogether, we present evidence that TAT-GILZ enhances host resilience and resistance to pneumococcal pneumonia by controlling pulmonary inflammation and bacterial loads leading to decreased lethality. Exploiting GILZ pathways holds promise for the treatment of severe respiratory infections.

Waterborne viruses, such as adenovirus, herpesvirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, and vaccinia virus, pose a health risk due to their persistence and structural variability. Ultraviolet C light-emitting diodes have emerged as a promising alternative to conventional mercury lamps, due to their energy efficiency, durability, and absence of mercury. This study evaluated the inactivation of these four viruses in water by exposure to light-emitting diodes with wavelengths of 265 nm and 275 nm. Ultraviolet light doses were quantified by chemical actinometry; inactivation kinetics were adjusted to log-linear and Weibull models, and statistical differences between treatments were evaluated by analysis of variance (p < 0.05). Results indicated a reduction ≥ 4 logs for all viruses, with doses ranging from 19.0 to 40.9 mJ/cm², depending on the virus, lower than those found in the literature for conventional systems. The Weibull model showed a better fit, suggesting resistant viral subpopulations. No statistically significant differences were observed between wavelengths in all viruses. It is concluded that ultraviolet C light-emitting diodes are highly effective for viral disinfection in water, offering a sustainable and energy-efficient alternative for water disinfection applications.