Tetsuya Matsumoto

The Pseudomonas aeruginosa Autoinducer N-3-Oxododecanoyl Homoserine Lactone Accelerates Apoptosis in Macrophages and Neutrophils

ABSTRACT Quorum-sensing systems are critical regulators of the expression of virulence factors of various organisms, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Las and Rhl are two major quorum-sensing components, and they are regulated by their corresponding autoinducers, N-3-oxododecanoyl homoserine lactone (3-oxo-C12-HSL) and N-butyryl-l-homoserine lactone (C4-HSL). Recent progress has demonstrated the potential of quorum-sensing molecules, especially 3-oxo-C12-HSL, for modulation of the host immune system. Here we show the specific ability of 3-oxo-C12-HSL to induce apoptosis in certain types of cells. When bone marrow-derived macrophages were incubated with synthetic 3-oxo-C12-HSL, but when they were incubated not C4-HSL, significant loss of viability was observed in a concentration (12 to 50 μM)- and incubation time (1 to 24 h)-dependent manner. The cytotoxic activity of 3-oxo-C12-HSL was also observed in neutrophils and monocytic cell lines U-937 and P388D1 but not in epithelial cell lines CCL-185 and HEp-2. Cells treated with 3-oxo-C12-HSL revealed morphological alterations indicative of apoptosis. Acceleration of apoptosis in 3-oxo-C12-HSL-treated cells was confirmed by multiple criteria (caspases 3 and 8, histone-associated DNA fragments, phosphatidylserine expression). Structure-activity correlation experiments demonstrated that the fine structure of 3-oxo-C12-HSL, the HSL backbone, and side chain length are required for maximal activity. These data suggest that Pseudomonas 3-oxo-C12-HSL specifically promotes induction of apoptosis, which may be associated with 3-oxo-C12-HSL-induced cytotoxicity in macrophages and neutrophils. Our data suggest that the quorum-sensing molecule 3-oxo-C12-HSL has critical roles in the pathogenesis of P. aeruginosa infection, not only in the induction of bacterial virulence factors but also in the modulation of host responses.

Role of exotoxin A in inducing severe Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections in mice

The effects of exotoxin A (EXA) from Pseudomonas aeruginosa on polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNLs) were studied in a mouse model and in vitro. P. aeruginosa PA103, which produced EXA, was 20 times more virulent for normal mice than was its EXA-deficient mutant, PA103-29. EXA was detected in the plasma of mice infected with P. aeruginosa PA103, and its presence correlated with increasing numbers of bacteria in the blood and internal organs. A monoclonal antibody (MAb) against EXA prevented the death of the mice if it was given simultaneously with, or 2 h before, infection with strain PA103. The number of PMNLs in murine blood decreased by 50% within 30 min of intravenous injection of EXA, but this decrease was prevented by simultaneous or prior injection of MAb to the toxin. EXA inhibited in-vitro phagocytosis and killing of P. aeruginosa by human and murine PMNLs and decreased the number of the PMNLs by between 60 and 68%. Collectively, these results not only confirm that EXA is toxic in vivo, but also suggest that this toxin accelerates the growth of virulent P. aeruginosa in mice.

Role of interferon-gamma in inflammatory responses in murine respiratory infection with Legionella pneumophila.

The role of interferon (IFN)-gamma in host inflammatory responses, including inflammatory cytokine production, in experimental pneumonia with Legionella pneumophila was examined in IFN-gamma knockout (IFN-gamma-/-) mice. IFN-gamma-/- mice and wild-type BALB/cA mice were inoculated intranasally with L. pneumophila strain KC. The survival rate of IFN-gamma-/- mice was significantly lower than that of control mice. Viable bacterial counts in lungs and blood showed a rapid and continuous increase in IFN-gamma-/- mice, in contrast to a gradual decrease in the lungs and an intermittent bacteraemia in control mice. Histopathological analysis of L. pneumophila-infected lung tissues demonstrated mild pneumonia in control mice, whereas severe pneumonia was shown in IFN-gamma-/- mice. During the late stages of infection, the number of total bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cells was significantly higher in IFN-gamma-/- than in control mice. The concentrations of tumour necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1beta in sera of IFN-gamma-/- mice were significantly lower in control mice during the early stages of infection, suggesting suppressed production of inflammatory cytokines in IFN-gamma-/- mice. In contrast, during the late stages of infection, the levels of these cytokines were significantly higher in sera of IFN-gamma-/- mice than in control mice, suggesting severe and systemic infection in IFN-gamma-/- mice. The findings suggest that retardation of host immune responses, including inflammatory cytokine production caused by deficiency of IFN-gamma, might allow the bacteria to grow and cause fulminant pneumonia.

Role of bacterial capsule in local and systemic inflammatory responses of mice during pulmonary infection with Klebsiella pneumoniae.

The role of bacterial capsule in inflammatory responses in experimentally induced pneumonia caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae was evaluated by comparing the host immunological responses in mice infected with capsulate strain DT-S and non-capsulate mutant strain DT-X. Anaesthetised ICR mice were infected intranasally with inocula of strain DT-S or DT-X. Mice infected with strain DT-X survived significantly longer than those inoculated with strain DT-S. Viable bacterial counts in lungs and blood increased rapidly in mice infected with strain DT-S, in contrast to the gradual decrease in their density in lungs and intermittent bacteraemia in mice infected with strain DT-X. The number of broncho-alveolar lavage (BAL) cells in mice infected with strain DT-X at 24 h after inoculation was significantly higher than in those infected with strain DT-S. In the early stages of infection, the levels of tumour necrosis factor-a and interleukin-6 in BAL fluid of mice infected with strain DT-X were significantly higher than those of mice infected with strain DT-S. In contrast, in the late stage of infection, the levels of these cytokines in serum of mice infected with strain DT-S were significantly higher than in mice infected with strain DT-X. These results suggest that K. pneumoniae capsule may suppress the host immunological responses,thus allowing the bacteria to grow, causing pneumonia, septicaemia and death.

Induction of interleukin-10 and down-regulation of cytokine production by Klebsiella pneumoniae capsule in mice with pulmonary infection.

The role of the capsule of Klebsiella pneumoniae in inducing cytokine production was investigated by comparing the responses of mice with experimentally induced pneumonia caused by capsulate (strain DT-S) or non-capsulate (mutant strain DT-X) K. pneumoniae. Anaesthetised ICR mice were inoculated intranasally. Whereas all DT-S-infected mice died within 3 days, no deaths were observed in DT-X-infected mice by 14 days after infection. During the early stage of infection, interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of DT-X-infected mice were significantly higher than those in DT-S-infected mice. In contrast, in the late stage of infection, serum levels of granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and IFN-gamma in DT-S-infected mice were significantly higher than those in DT-X-infected mice. Levels of interleukin10 (IL-10) in BALF and serum of DT-S-infected mice were significantly and persistently higher than those of DT-X-infected mice. The IL-10/TNF-alpha (tumour necrosis factor-a) ratios in BALF and serum indicated that higher levels of IL-10 production were induced in mice infected with strain DT-S than in those infected with strain DT-X. The results suggest that the capsule of K. pneumoniae may induce IL-10 production at the site of infection and, thereafter, these high IL-10 levels may serve to down-regulate the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

'Break-point Checkerboard Plate' for screening of appropriate antibiotic combinations against multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Increase of multiple drug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MDRP) is becoming a serious problem in the clinical setting. Although the checkerboard method to determine FIC index and synergistic effects of antibiotic combinations is useful, it is not well adapted to a routine test, mainly because of its time-consuming and labor-intensive nature. Here we report ‘Break-point Checkerboard Plate’, in which breakpoint concentrations, such as ‘S’ (sensitive) and ‘I’ (intermediate), were combined in a microtiter plate with 8 antibiotics, including carbapenem, aminoglycoside and fluoroquinolone. The results obtained from 12 strains of MDRP demonstrated a strong synergistic effect of some antibiotic combinations at clinically relevant concentrations. Our data suggest a usefulness of ‘Break-point Checkerboard Plate’ to screen appropriate antibiotic combinations against drug resistant organisms, including MDRP.

Protection against pulmonary infection with Klebsiella pneumoniae in mice by interferon-γ through activation of phagocytic cells and stimulation of production of other cytokines

The study was designed to determine the role of interferon (IFN)-gamma in inflammatory responses against experimentally induced pneumonia caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae. The host immunological responses in IFN-gamma gene knockout (IFN-gamma(-/-)) mice and immunocompetent control mice were compared. K. pneumoniae strain T-113 was inoculated intranasally into anaesthetised mice to induce pneumonia. Infected control mice survived significantly longer than infected IFN-gamma(-/-) mice. Viable bacterial counts in lungs and blood abruptly increased in IFN-gamma(-/-) mice; in contrast, a gradual decrease in the number of bacteria was noted in control mice. During the early stages of infection, the concentrations of interleukin (IL)-1beta and IL-6 in broncho-alveolar lavage fluid and IL-1beta in serum of IFN-gamma(-/-) mice were significantly lower than in control mice. During the late stage of infection, serum IL-6 level in IFN-gamma(-/-) mice was significantly higher than in control mice. These results suggest that the defective immunological host response, including inflammatory cytokine production caused by deficiency of IFN-gamma, is one of the mechanisms that allow the progression of pulmonary infection to systemic septicaemia.

Semi-quantitative analysis of Streptococcus pneumoniae urinary antigen: kinetics of antigen titers and severity of diseases.

Detection of urinary antigen by a rapid immunochromatographic membrane test (Binax NOW) was widely accepted as a powerful tool for diagnosis of Streptococcus pneumoniae pneumonia. This is a qualitative kit, so the value of quantitative analysis of urinary antigen, especially correlation of antigen titers and severity of diseases, remained to be determined. We examined semi-quantitative antigen titer in urines collected from urinary antigen-proven S. pneumoniae pneumonia on admission, and analyzed the kinetics of antigen titer and its relation to severity of diseases. After serial 2-fold dilution of urine, the highest dilution for positive results was determined, and this was designated as maximum dilution factor (MDF). MDFs varied from 1 to 4096 in 29 patients examined (mean MDF, 317.8). Importantly, severe cases of S. pneumoniae pneumonia were higher values of MDFs (mean MDF: 760.5) than those of non-severe cases (mean MDF: 5.4). The patients with high MDFs (≥64) demonstrated higher values of LDH, CRP and lower values of WBC and PaO2 compared to those of low MDFs group (≤32). There was no clear correlation between CRP values and antigen titers, and conversely the majority of severe cases showed relatively weak CRP responses, despite high levels of bacterial antigen. Kinetic analysis of urinary and serum antigen titers in 4 cases of S. pneumoniae pneumonia exhibited consistently higher values of antigen titers in urine than those in serum. The half lives of urinary and serum antigen titers were calculated to be 1.0–3.4 and 1.1–2.3 weeks, respectively. These data suggest that quantitative analysis of urinary antigen may be a useful indicator for severity of disease and course of S. pneumoniae pneumonia. Our results demonstrate an application for S. pneumoniae antigen titer determination in urine and serum, which may be crucial not only for diagnostic measures, but also may provide a better understanding of the pathogenesis of S. pneumoniae infection.

Effects of interaction between Escherichia coli verotoxin and lipopolysaccharide on cytokine induction and lethality in mice.

In Escherichia coli 0157 infections, verotoxins (VT) play a critical role in causing the disease, although other factors such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and inflammatory cytokines may affect the progression and course of the disease. The present study examined the roles of VT and LPS in induction of serum cytokines and lethality in mice. LD50 of VT2 (13 ng) was c. 10(4)-fold smaller than that of LPS (400 microg). Although the lethal toxicity of these toxins was examined in several experimental conditions, such as VT2 (5, 10, 20, 40 ng/mouse) alone or in combination with LPS (100 microg/mouse) at various times (-2 days to +2 days), no evidence of synergy was observed. VT2 did not augment LPS-induced tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) or interleukin-6 production, and conversely suppressed TNF-alpha production when it was injected 2 days before LPS challenge. The data failed to indicate either synergic or additive effects of VT and LPS on cytokine production or lethality in mice. In contrast, antagonistic interactions were clearly observed in cytokine production in certain conditions. The results suggested that these toxins may be co-operatively involvedin the pathology of VT-related diseases, but not through synergic interactions.

Legionella pneumophila evades gamma interferon-mediated growth suppression through interleukin-10 induction in bone marrow-derived macrophages

ABSTRACT We examined the roles of Th1-Th2 cytokine cross talk in Legionella pneumophila-infected bone marrow-derived (BM) macrophages in the presence of costimulation with interleukin-12 (IL-12) and IL-18. Treatment with gamma interferon (IFN-γ) alone or treatment with IL-12 in combination with IL-18 resulted in a 3- or 2-log reduction in bacterial numbers, respectively, in BM macrophages, whereas treatment with IL-12 or IL-18 alone had no effect. Significant amounts of IFN-γ were detected in the culture supernatants of infected macrophages stimulated with IL-12 and IL-18 in combination but not independently. Neutralization of IFN-γ by antibody completely abolished the growth inhibitory effects of IL-12 and IL-18. Interestingly, higher infectivity ratios of L. pneumophila or the addition of increasing concentrations of heat-killed bacteria (HKB) suppressed the production of IFN-γ, which resulted in the increased intracellular growth of bacteria. Significant amounts of IL-10 were detected in culture supernatants when Legionella-infected macrophages were cocultured with HKB. Furthermore, neutralization of IL-10 by antibody resulted in an increase in IFN-γ production by infected BM macrophages when cocultured with HKB. Treatment of HKB with trypsin but not polymyxin B attenuated the growth-promoting effects of HKB, suggesting the involvement of a protein component(s) in regulation of the growth of L. pneumophila. These findings demonstrate a crucial role of Th1-Th2 cross talk in L. pneumophila-infected BM macrophages. Our results also suggest that L. pneumophila modulates the cytokine balance from IFN-γ-driven Th1 to more Th2 responses, likely through the induction of IL-10 by a bacterial protein component(s). These data provide new insights not only into the cellular mechanisms of Th1-Th2 cross talk in Legionella-infected macrophages but also into the pathogenesis of L. pneumophila pneumonia in humans.