Prevention of endothelial cell cytokine induction by a Staphylococcus aureus lipoprotein

Staphylococcal strain 8325-4, unlike other staphylococcal strains, fails to induce cytokine IL-1 and IL-6 gene expression in human endothelial cells. In the present investigation, this strain was shown to release a product that inhibited cytokine gene expression in endothelial cells infected with another staphylococcal strain. This inhibition was due to prevention of internalization, but not adherence, of bacteria by endothelial cells. Induction of endothelial cell cytokine gene expression by lipopolysaccharide was not affected by the staphylococcal supernatant. In contrast to endothelial cells, 8325-4 did not inhibit Wb-induced cytokine gene expression in monocytes. Further characterization of the inhibitory factor suggests that it is a lipoprotein and that both protein and lipid components play a role in its inhibitory function.