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Updated: Oct 23, 2026
Culture of Small Colony Variant of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Quantitation of its Alginate
Published on: February 22, 2020
Pseudomonas aeruginosa alginate is a potent secretagogue in the isolated ferret trachea
C Kishioka1, K Okamoto, D J Hassett
1Mie University School of Medicine, Tsu, Japan.
Abstract:
Airway mucus hypersecretion is in part a response to infection and inflammation. Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection is nearly universal in advanced cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease. Mucoid strains of P. aeruginosa produce an exopolysaccharide product called alginate. The purpose of this study was to determine whether P. aeruginosa alginate stimulates secretion from mucous or serous cells in the ferret trachea exposed to alginate at concentrations reported to be present in the CF airway. We used a sandwich enzyme-linked lectin assay (ELLA) to measure mucin secretion and spectrophotometry to measure lysozyme secretion from isolated ferret tracheal segments. Purified Pseudomonas aeruginosa alginate stimulated mucin and lysozyme secretion in a dose-dependent fashion (mucin = +111%: P = 0.003; lysozyme = +20%: P = 0.024 at 200 microg/mL). This stimulated secretion was not due to proteolytic activity, and alginate exposure did not produce ultrastructural damage to the trachea. We conclude that alginate may contribute to mucus hypersecretion and respiratory morbidity associated with P. aeruginosa infection in patients with CF.
Insights
Pseudomonas aeruginosa alginate, found in cystic fibrosis (CF) airways, stimulates airway mucus and lysozyme secretion. This suggests alginate contributes to CF lung disease progression and respiratory issues.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Microbiology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Airway mucus hypersecretion is a key response to infection and inflammation.
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection, particularly mucoid strains producing alginate, is prevalent in advanced cystic fibrosis (CF).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if Pseudomonas aeruginosa alginate stimulates mucus and lysozyme secretion from ferret tracheal cells.
- To assess alginate's effect at concentrations relevant to the CF airway environment.
Main Methods:
- Isolated ferret tracheal segments were used.
- Sandwich enzyme-linked lectin assay (ELLA) measured mucin secretion.
- Spectrophotometry measured lysozyme secretion.
Main Results:
- Purified Pseudomonas aeruginosa alginate significantly stimulated mucin secretion (+111%) and lysozyme secretion (+20%) in a dose-dependent manner.
- Stimulation occurred at 200 microg/mL alginate concentration.
- No proteolytic activity or ultrastructural damage was observed.
Conclusions:
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa alginate can directly stimulate mucin and lysozyme secretion in the trachea.
- Alginate may be a contributing factor to mucus hypersecretion and respiratory morbidity in CF patients with P. aeruginosa infection.
