Interleukin-8 expression by mammary gland endothelial and epithelial cells following experimental mastitis infection with E. coli

Epithelial and endothelial cells play a pivotal role in initiating and controlling the movement of leukocytes into tissues during inflammation through the production of cytokines and chemokines such as interleukin-8 (IL-8). In situ hybridization with an IL-8 riboprobe was used to determine IL-8 mRNA expression by mammary gland epithelial and endothelial cells in cows with experimental Escherichia coli mastitis. Epithelial cells of the gland, especially surrounding the alveoli, had increased IL-8 mRNA levels at all time points at which tissue samples were collected (8, 12, and 24h) after E. coli challenge. Levels of IL-8 expression in the epithelial cells decreased at 24h post-infection. IL-8 expression by mammary gland endothelial cells was low, but did increase slightly at 24h post-infection. Both epithelial and endothelial cells of the mammary gland can contribute to the production of IL-8 that is typically seen in coliform mastitis.     

Cryopreserved bovine mammary cells to model epithelial response to infection

Mammary gland epithelial cells are likely to be important effectors in defending against mastitis, yet little is known about their response mechanisms. Here, we describe a cryopreserved bovine mammary epithelial cell model to study the infection response. Primary cell cultures from four Holstein cows were prepared, and frozen after two passages. The cell cultures from each cow were then thawed and maintained separately, yet simultaneously, and exposed to treatments that included infection with Staphylococcus aureus or exposure to LPS from Escherichia coli. A clear inflammatory response was shown by a significant (P < 0.05), dose dependent, increase of lactoferrin and IL-8 secretion within 24h in response to S. aureus or LPS. Marked increases (P < 0.05) in lactoferrin, TNF-alpha and serum amyloid A (SAA) mRNA expression were also observed. The results indicate the usefulness of our model to study infection responses of mammary epithelial cells, where all cells are simultaneously exposed to the same infection pressure. These responses can be studied over time, and most importantly, biological replication is provided by the four different genotypes being investigated individually. Finally, the results indicate that mammary epithelial cells play an important role in inflammatory response, through the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, an acute phase protein, and lactoferrin.     

Immune responses against measles virus in cynomolgus monkeys

Measles virus (MV) induces profound suppression of the immune response during and for weeks after acute infection. On the other hand, virus-specific immune responses that mediate viral clearance and confer long-lasting immunity are efficiently generated. To investigate this paradox, we studied the immune responses to MV using a monkey model of acute measles. Cynomolgus monkeys were experimentally infected with wild-type MV (MV-HL) and showed marked leukopenia associated with a steady reduction in CD4+ T cell numbers for 18 days post-inoculation. Transient expression of interferon and IL-6 were observed in the serum between 4 and 6 days post-inoculation, and IL-10 levels increased after 11 days post-inoculation. Interestingly, IL-8 showed a three-peak increase that correlated with an increase in neutrophils. A non-human primate model of measles allows the early immune response against MV to be studied in more detail.     

Bovine herpesvirus type 1 infection of bovine bronchial epithelial cells increases neutrophil adhesion and activation

Respiratory infection of cattle with bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BHV-1) predisposes cattle to secondary pneumonia with Mannheimia haemolytica as part of the bovine respiratory disease complex (BRD). One cell type that has received limited investigation for its role in the inflammation that accompanies BRD is the respiratory epithelial cell. In the present study we investigated mechanisms by which BHV-1 infection of respiratory epithelial cells contributes to the recruitment and activation of bovine polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) in vitro. Primary cultures of bovine bronchial epithelial (BBE) cells were infected with BHV-1 and assessed for cytokine expression by real-time PCR. We found that BHV-1 infection elicits a rapid IL-1, IL-8 and TNF-α mRNA response by BBE cells. Bovine PMNs exhibited greater adherence to BHV-1 infected BBE cells than uninfected cells. The increased adherence was significantly reduced by the addition of an anti-IL-1β antibody or human soluble TNF-α receptor (sTNF-αR). Pre-incubation of bovine PMNs with conditioned media from BHV-1 infected BBE cells increased PMN migration, which was inhibited by addition of an anti-IL-1β antibody, sTNF-αR, or an IL-8 peptide inhibitor. Conditioned media from BHV-1 infected BBE cells activated bovine PMNs in vitro as demonstrated by PMN shape change, production of reactive oxygen species and degranulation. PMNs also exhibited increased LFA-1 expression and susceptibility to M. haemolytica LKT following incubation with BHV-1 infected BBE cell conditioned media. Our results suggest that BHV-1 infection of BBE cells triggers cytokine expression that contributes to the recruitment and activation of neutrophils, and amplifies the detrimental effects of M. haemolytica LKT.     

Effects of isoprothiolane on cell growth of cultured bovine mammary epithelial cells.

This study was performed to investigate the effects of isoprothiolane on cell growth and the production of interleukin (IL)-1 and IL-6 by bovine mammary epithelial cells in vitro. Isoprothiolane increased proliferation of mammary epithelial cells in a dose-dependent manner at the concentration of 0.05 to 5 microM when cultured either with or without serum-supplemented medium. In contrast, isoprothiolane (0.0005-5 microM) significantly inhibited the production of IL-1 and IL-6 by mammary epithelial cells. Moreover, the cytokines, IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha tended to inhibit the proliferation of mammary epithelial cells in a dose-dependent manner. These results indicated that isoprothiolane regulated mammary epithelial cell growth in vitro possibly by modulating the production of cytokines.     

低水平葡萄糖对奶牛乳腺上皮细胞促炎症因子表达的影响

本研究旨在探讨低葡萄糖水平对奶牛乳腺上皮细胞中肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)、溶菌酶(LYZ)、诱导型一氧化氮合酶(iNOS)、白细胞介素-6 (IL-6)、乳铁蛋白(LF)和白细胞介素-8(CXCL8)等促炎症因子mRNA表达的影响。采用酶消化法将奶牛乳腺上皮细胞分离纯化后,分别在含有0.25、1.00和4.50 mg/mL葡萄糖的完全培养液中培养24 h,采用实时荧光定量PCR技术检测细胞中相关基因的表达。结果表明,上述基因的mRNA相对表达量在各葡萄糖浓度之间没有明显差异(P>0.05)。其中TNF-α和LYZ在各浓度葡萄糖中的表达量均非常少,iNOS的表达量居中,而IL-6、LF和CXCL8在各浓度组中的表达量相对较高。试验结果提示,葡萄糖浓度的减少并没有直接影响乳腺上皮细胞中TNF-α、LYZ、iNOS、IL-6、LF和CXCL8 mRNA的基础性表达;乳腺上皮细胞在未受到感染的情况下,能够表达一定数量的iNOS、IL-6、LF和CXCL8,这些因子可以作为先天性免疫防御的储备,在受到感染的情况下能迅速应对病菌的入侵。     

大肠杆菌与金黄色葡萄球菌对奶牛子宫内膜组织细胞因子表达及损伤程度的影响

本试验旨在研究体外感染金黄色葡萄球菌与大肠杆菌对奶牛子宫内膜组织中细胞因子白介素-6（IL-6）、IL-1β和IL-8的表达及损伤程度的影响。以体外培养的奶牛子宫内膜组织作为研究对象,采用1×10⁵~1×10⁹ CFU/mL大肠杆菌与金黄色葡萄球菌对奶牛子宫内膜组织进行体外感染,通过实时荧光定量PCR和ELISA方法检测两种细菌刺激后奶牛子宫内膜组织中IL-6、IL-1β及IL-8 mRNA与蛋白的表达量,并用HE染色法观察两种细菌感染后奶牛子宫内膜组织病理学切片。结果显示,1×10⁵~1×10⁹ CFU/mL大肠杆菌体外感染后,奶牛子宫内膜组织中IL-6、IL-1β和IL-8 mRNA表达量均极显著高于空白对照组（P<0.01）;金黄色葡萄球菌感染浓度为1×10⁵、1×10⁶ CFU/mL时,IL-6、IL-1β mRNA表达量极显著高于空白对照组（P<0.01）,感染浓度为1×10⁷ CFU/mL时,IL-6、IL-1β mRNA表达量显著高于空白对照组（P<0.05）,感染浓度为1×10⁶ CFU/mL时,IL-8 mRNA表达量显著高于空白对照组（P<0.05）,其他感染浓度均与空白对照组无显著差异（P>0.05）。奶牛子宫内膜组织感染1×10⁵~1×10⁹ CFU/mL金黄色葡萄球菌和大肠杆菌时,IL-6、IL-1β及IL-8蛋白表达量均极显著高于空白对照组（P<0.01）。相同浓度的大肠杆菌感染奶牛子宫内膜组织后,IL-6、IL-1β及IL-8 mRNA与蛋白表达量均极显著高于金黄色葡萄球菌感染组（P<0.01）。HE切片染色结果显示,大肠杆菌感染后仍有部分上皮细胞保留,而金黄色葡萄球菌感染后上皮细胞全部脱落。本试验结果表明,大肠杆菌与金黄色葡萄球菌感染奶牛子宫内膜组织后,引起的炎症反应不同。大肠杆菌感染后,促炎性细胞因子被显著上调,而金黄色葡萄球菌感染后破坏子宫内膜上皮细胞程度更加严重。     

Tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) increases nuclear factor kappaB (NFkappaB) activity in and interleukin-8 (IL-8) release from bovine mammary epithelial cells

Epithelia play important immunological roles at a variety of mucosal sites. We examined NFkappaB activity in control and TNF-alpha treated bovine mammary epithelial monolayers (BME-UV cells). A region of the bovine IL-8 (bIL-8) promoter was sequenced and a putative kappaB consensus sequence was identified bioinformatically. We used this sequence to analyse nuclear extracts for IL-8 specific NFkappaB activity. As a surrogate marker of NFkappaB activation, we investigated IL-8 release in two models. Firstly in BME-UV monolayers, IL-8 release in the presence of pro- and anti-inflammatory agents was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Secondly, we measured IL-8 secretion from a novel model of intact mucosal sheets of bovine teat sinus. IL-8 release into bathing solutions was assessed following treatment with pro- and anti-inflammatory agents. TNF-alpha enhanced NFkappaB activity in bovine mammary epithelial monolayers. p65 NFkappaB homodimer was identified in both control and TNF-alpha treated cells. Novel sequencing of the bovine IL-8 promoter identified a putative kappaB consensus sequence, which specifically bound TNF-alpha inducible p50/p65 heterodimer. TNF-alpha induced primarily serosal IL-8 release in the cell culture model. Pre-treatment with anti-TNF or dexamethasone inhibited TNF-alpha induced IL-8 release. High dose interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) induced IL-8 release, however significantly less potently than TNF-alpha. Bovine mammary mucosal tissue released high basal levels of IL-8 which were unaffected by TNF-alpha or IL-1beta but inhibited by both dexamethasone and anti-TNF. These data support a role for TNF-alpha in activation of NFkappaB and release of IL-8 from bovine mammary epithelial cells.     

IL-17细胞因子家族调节黏膜免疫的研究进展

皮肤和黏膜上皮细胞既是机体的物理屏障,又是机体防御微生物的第一道防线。上皮细胞与白细胞、树突细胞(DCs)等之间的相互作用,是机体产生适应性免疫反应的重要因素。IL-17细胞因子家族是最近新发现的具有强大的促炎症作用的细胞因子,它们在机体的固有和适应性免疫中发挥着重要作用,IL-17A、IL-17C和IL-17F能够直接作用于组织的上皮细胞,诱导各种免疫反应来对抗病原体,且能够促进组织的修复。IL-17E最基本的作用是作用于白细胞和诱导Ⅱ型免疫,这在其对抗寄生虫的作用中是非常关键的,此外,IL-17E还可以反向调节白细胞对IL-17A和IL-17F的产生;而对于IL-17B和IL-17D的研究则相对较少一些。     

IFN-γ renders human intestinal epithelial cells responsive to lipopolysaccharide of Vibrio cholerae by down-regulation of DMBT1

Although intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) are continuously exposed to high densities of enteric bacteria, they are not highly responsive to microbe-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs). However, inflammatory cytokines such as interferon-γ (IFN-γ) are potentially capable of priming IECs to enhance responsiveness to MAMPs. In this study, we observed that heat-killed Vibrio cholerae (HKVC) and its lipopolysaccharide (LPS) poorly induced IL-8 production in a human IEC line, HT-29. However, both HKVC and the LPS showed a substantial induction of IL-8 production in IFN-γ-primed HT-29 cells. LPS-induced IL-8 production was proportional to the IFN-γ-priming period and LPS could not induce IL-8 production in the presence of polymyxin B. Moreover, LPS-induced IL-8 production in the IFN-γ-primed HT-29 cells was mediated through signaling pathways requiring p38 kinase and ERK, but not the JNK/SAPK pathway. Since deleted in malignant brain tumor 1 (DMBT1) is known to interact with and antagonize the action of LPS, we hypothesized that IFN-γ enhanced the responsiveness to LPS in HT-29 through down-regulation of DMBT1. We found that IFN-γ indeed attenuated DMBT1 expression at both the mRNA and protein levels in HT-29 cells. Conversely, when the cells were transfected with small interfering RNA to specifically silence DMBT1, IL-8 expression was augmented even in the absence of IFN-γ and the augmentation was further enhanced by treatment with V. cholerae LPS. Since IFN-γ is known to increase IFN-β expression in the IECs, we examined if IFN-β functioned similar to IFN-γ. Although IFN-β alone was able to induce IL-8 expression, it failed to render HT-29 cells responsive to V. cholerae LPS. In conclusion, our study suggests that IFN-γ primes IECs to become responsive to V. cholerae and its LPS by suppressing the expression of DMBT1.     

Staphylococcus aureus intra-mammary infection affects the expression pattern of IL-R8 in goat

IL-1R8 is a member of Interleukin-1 receptor family acting as a negative regulator of inflammation reliant on ILRs and TLRs activation. IL-1R8 role has never been evaluated in acute bacterial mastitis. We first investigated IL-1R8 sequence conservation among different species and its pattern of expression in a wide panel of organs from healthy goats. Then, modulation of IL-1R8 during natural and experimental mammary infection was evaluated and compared in blood, milk and mammary tissues from healthy and Staphylococcus aureus infected goats. IL-1R8 has a highly conserved sequence among vertebrates. Goat IL-1R8 was ubiquitously expressed in epithelial and lymphoid tissues with highest levels in pancreas. IL-1R8 was down-regulated in epithelial mammary cells following S. aureus infection. Interestingly it was up-regulated in leukocytes infiltrating the infected mammary tissues suggesting that it could represent a target of S. aureus immune evasion.     

脂多糖对体外培养奶牛子宫内膜上皮细胞子宫容受性因子表达的影响

试验旨在通过脂多糖（lipopolysaccharide,LPS）诱导奶牛子宫内膜上皮细胞构建子宫内膜炎体外感染模型,研究子宫内膜炎对奶牛子宫容受性因子大分子转膜黏蛋白-糖蛋白1（MUC-1）、高度保守的分泌型WNT家族亚型糖蛋白（Wnt-7a）、β受体1（IFNAR1）、IFNAR2、Integrin αvβ3 mRNA及蛋白相对表达量的影响,进而阐明子宫内膜炎引起奶牛屡配不孕和繁殖率低下的机制。采用组织块法分离培养奶牛子宫内膜上皮细胞,免疫荧光方法鉴定细胞纯度,不同浓度LPS刺激子宫内膜上皮细胞,在不同时间点用CCK8测定细胞存活率,ELISA检测炎性因子白细胞介素-1β（IL-1β）、肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）、IL-6、IL-8的分泌变化,实时荧光定量PCR和Western blotting分别检测子宫内膜感染模型中子宫容受性因子MUC-1、Wnt-7a、IFNAR1、IFNAR2、Integrin αvβ3 mRNA及蛋白的表达变化。结果显示,通过组织块法纯化获得的奶牛子宫上皮细胞数量较多,经免疫荧光角蛋白染色证实纯度较高。采用CCK8测定细胞存活率发现,与对照组相比,浓度为0、5、10、50μg/mL的LPS作用6、12、24、48 h后,细胞活力无显著变化（P>0.05）;浓度为100μg/mL的LPS作用24 h时,细胞存活率显著低于对照组（P<0.05）,细胞培养上清中的IL-1β、TNF-α、IL-6、IL-8含量均显著高于对照组及低浓度组（P<0.05）,引起细胞的炎症反应。与对照组相比,模型组MUC-1 mRNA及蛋白的相对表达量均极显著增加（P<0.01）;Wnt-7a mRNA及蛋白的相对表达量均极显著下降（P<0.01）;Integrin αvβ3、IFNAR1和IFNAR2 mRNA相对表达量均极显著下降（P<0.01）,蛋白相对表达量均显著下降（P<0.05）。结果表明,浓度为100μg/mL的LPS作用24 h可成功构建子宫内膜炎体外感染模型,子宫内膜炎对奶牛子宫容受性因子MUC-1、Wnt-7a、IFNAR1、IFNAR2、Integrin αvβ3 mRNA及蛋白表达的影响可能是引起奶牛屡配不孕和繁殖率低下的重要原因。     

Lymphocyte proliferation response during Eimeria tenella infection assessed by a new, reliable, nonradioactive colorimetric assay

The application of a tetrazolium salt, WST-8,2-(2-methoxy-4-nitrophenyl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-5-(2,4-disulfophenyl)-2H tetrazolium, monosodium salt to the lymphocyte proliferation assay in the chicken system was evaluated. Proliferation of concanavalin (Con A)-induced splenic lymphocytes and peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) was evaluated with WST-8 and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT). Coefficients of correlation (r) between these two reagents were 0.98 and 0.97 in splenic lymphocytes and PBL, respectively. In general, the sensitivity of the WST-8 assay was significantly higher than that of the MTT assay, and the standard deviations of the WST-8 assay were significantly lower than those of the MTT assay. The WST-8 assay was fast and highly reproducible and provided a good indication of mitogen-induced proliferation of spleen cells induced by Con A. With the use of the WST-8 assay, splenic mitogenic response of chickens infected with Eimeria decreased transiently at 7 days but increased significantly at 10 days after primary infection compared with that of uninfected chickens. Additionally, the measurement of interleukin (IL)-2 production with WST-8 was highly reproducible and showed a significant increase in IL-2 production upon stimulation of Eimeria tenella-immune spleen cells with Con A. After E. tenella infection, splenic IL-2 production increased significantly at 7 days post-primary and at 2 days post-secondary infection. The WST-8 assay is fast, simple, and more reproducible and sensitive than the MTT assay. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of the WST-8 assay to assess cell-mediated immune response of chickens in normal and disease states.     

The flagella of F18ab Escherichia coli is a virulence factor that contributes to infection in a IPEC-J2 cell model in vitro

Bacterial flagella contribute to pathogen virulence; however, the role of flagella in the pathogenesis of F18ab E. coli-mediated swine edema disease (ED) is not currently known. We therefore evaluated the role of flagella in F18ab E. coli adhesion, invasion, biofilm formation, and IL-8 production using an in vitro cell infection model approach with gene-deletion mutant and complemented bacterial strains. We demonstrated that the flagellin-deficient fliC mutant had a marked decrease in the ability to adhere to and invade porcine epithelial IPEC-J2 cells. Surprisingly, there was no difference in adhesion between the F18 fimbriae-deficient ΔfedA mutant and its parent strain. In addition, both the ΔfedA and double ΔfliCΔfedA mutants exhibited an increased ability to invade IPEC-J2 cells compared to the wild-type strain, although this may be due to increased expression of other adhesins following the loss of F18ab fimbriae and flagella. Compared to the wild-type strain, the ΔfliC mutant showed significantly reduced ability to form biofilm, whereas the ΔfedA mutant increased biofilm formation. Although ΔfliC, ΔfedA, and ΔfliCΔfedA mutants had a reduced ability to stimulate IL-8 production from infected Caco-2 cells, the ΔfliC mutant impaired this ability to a greater extent than the ΔfedA mutant. The results from this study clearly demonstrate that flagella are required for efficient F18ab E. coli adhesion, invasion, biofilm formation, and IL-8 production in vitro.     

Campylobacter-induced interleukin-8 responses in human intestinal epithelial cells and primary intestinal chick cells

Campylobacter (C.) jejuni and C. coli can cause gastrointestinal disorders in humans characterized by acute inflammation. Inflammatory signals are initiated during interaction between these pathogens and human intestinal cells, but nothing is known about the stimulation of avian intestinal cells by Campylobacter. Interleukin-8 (IL-8) as a proinflammatory chemokine plays an important role in mobilizing cellular defence mechanism. IL-8 mRNA expression in both human intestinal cells (INT 407) and primary intestinal chick cells (PIC) was determined by quantitative real-time RT-PCR. The secretion of IL-8 protein by INT407 was measured using ELISA. Although C. jejuni and C. coli are considered to be harmless commensals in the gut of birds, the avian Campylobacter isolates investigated were able to induce the proinflammatory IL-8 in PIC as well as in INT407. In an in vitro system, C. jejuni as well as C. coli were able to induce IL-8 mRNA in PIC. Relation between the virulence properties like toxin production, the ability to invade and to survive in Caco-2 cells and the level of IL-8 mRNA produced by INT 407 and PIC after infection with Campylobacter strains was also investigated.     

Immune response of gnotobiotic piglets against Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae

In this study, several cytokine responses were investigated during Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (Mhp) infection using a gnotobiotic infection model. We found that several inflammatory cytokines (IL-1beta, IL-8, IL-18, and TNF-alpha) and an anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 were induced from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of germ-free (GF) piglets stimulated with heat killed Mhp whole antigens, but no IFN-gamma and IL-4 were induced by Mhp. After the intranasal infection of Mhp, IL-1beta, IL-8, IL-18, and IFN-gamma were also detected in the broncho-alveolar lavage fluids (BALF). The antigen-specific IFN-gamma and IL-10 responses after infection of Mhp were gradually suppressed during Mhp infection as well as non-specific immune response to concanavalin A (ConA) and lipopolysacchalide (LPS) at early stage of infection. These results suggested that Mhp infection modulates the immune response of pigs by inducing several cytokines, and causes immuno-suppression of pigs in a gnotobiotic condition.     

Time-dependent alterations in gene expression of interleukin-8 in the bronchial epithelium of horses with recurrent airway obstruction

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate time-dependent alterations in gene expression of chemokines in bronchial epithelium of recurrent airway obstruction (RAO)-affected horses and whether alterations resulted from increases in gene expression of interleukin (IL)-17 in cells isolated from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). ANIMALS: 8 RAO-susceptible horses and 9 control horses. PROCEDURE: In 2 experiments, both groups of horses were evaluated after being maintained on pasture and after being stabled and fed dusty hay for 1, 14, 35, and 49 days (experiment 1) or 14 and 28 days (experiment 2). In experiment 1, gene expression of IL-8, chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 1 (CXCL1), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in epithelium and IL-8, IL-17, and TLR4 in BALF cells was measured. In experiment 2, bronchial biopsy specimens were evaluated for IL-8 immunoreactivity. RESULTS: In RAO-susceptible horses after 14 days of challenge exposure, there was a 3- and 10-fold increase in gene expression of IL-8 for epithelial and BALF cells and an increase in IL-8 immunoreactivity in epithelial cells. Challenge exposure failed to alter gene expression of CXCL1, GM-CSF, G-CSF, and TLR4 in epithelial cells of any horses at any time point. During challenge exposure, gene expression of BALF cell IL-17 was downregulated in control horses (day 1) and upregulated in RAO-affected horses (day 35). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Epithelial-derived IL-8 may promote airway neutrophilia, but the inciting stimulus is unlikely to be IL-17 because upregulation of this gene is subsequent to that of IL-8 in epithelial cells.     

Induction of inflammatory host immune responses by organisms belonging to the genera Chlamydia/Chlamydophila

Chlamydia/Chlamydophila are a family of intracellular gram-negative bacteria that infect their hosts primarily via mucosal epithelia. Chronic disease associated with bacterial persistence, inflammation and tissue damage are common sequelae of infection with these organisms. Human epithelial cell lines respond to infection by releasing pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines such as interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8, and upregulating the expression of mRNA encoding Iκ-B, the endogenous inhibitor of NF-κB. However, Iκ-B is not upregulated in response to bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The failure of epithelial cells to respond to LPS is associated with the absence of surface expression of CD14. Identification of the components of Chlamydia/Chlamydophila that can induce pro-inflammatory mediators coupled with the mechanisms by which epithelial cells detect infection and respond accordingly will advance the development of preventative strategies.     

Campylobacter jejuni induces an anti-inflammatory response in human intestinal epithelial cells through activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt pathway

Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni) is the most common cause of human acute bacterial gastroenteritis. Poultry is a major reservoir of C. jejuni and considered an important source of human infections, thus, it is important to understand the host response to C. jejuni from chicken origin. In this study, we demonstrated firstly that a chicken isolate SC11 colonized chicks faster than clinical isolate NCTC11168. Using the SC11, we further studied the host responds to C. jejuni in terms of inflammatory response and involvement of cellular signaling pathways. Infection of C. jejuni SC11 was able to activate phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway and induce pro-inflammatory interleukin-8 (IL-8) as well as anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 in human intestinal epithelial cell line Colo 205. The signalling pathways PI3K/Akt and mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases ERK and p38 were involved in C. jejuni-induced IL-8 and IL-10 expression. Inhibition of PI3K resulted in augmentation of C. jejuni-induced IL-8 production, concomitant with down-regulation of IL-10 mRNA, indicating an anti-inflammatory response was activated and associated with the activation of P13K/Akt. Similar effect was observed for cytolethal distending toxin (CDT) deficient mutants. Moreover, we demonstrated that heat-killed bacteria were able to induce IL-8 and IL-10 expression to a lower level than live bacteria. We therefore conclude that C. jejuni activate a PI3K/Akt-dependent anti-inflammatory pathway in human intestinal epithelial cells which may benefit the intracellular survival of C. jejuni during infection.