Related Experiment Videos
Invasion of human type II pneumocytes by Burkholderia cepacia
1Division of Microbiology, School of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK.
Abstract:
Burkholderia cepacia is known to invade and survive within respiratory epithelial cells. Previous studies have employed transformed cell lines and it is not known whether the bacterium is capable of manifesting the same phenomena in primary cell culture. Two strains of B. cepacia of environmental (NCTC 10661) and clinical origin (C1359) were examined for their ability to invade and survive (over a 24 h period) within type II pneumocytes in primary culture using a gentamicin-ceftazidime antibiotic protection assay. Both strains of B. cepacia were capable of invasion of type II pneumocytes in primary culture. Strain C1359 was capable of multiplying intracellularly as indicated by a seven-fold increase in the numbers of bacteria from 4-24 h, whereas strain 10661, although unable to replicate intracellularly, was found to survive in the pneumocytes for at least 24 h. Future studies on the invasiveness of B. cepacia can employ A549 cells as a valid surrogate for primary cell culture assays which are time-consuming, labour-intensive and expensive to perform.
Insights
Burkholderia cepacia invades primary human lung cells. A clinical strain multiplied inside cells, while an environmental strain survived, showing potential for future research models.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Cell Biology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Burkholderia cepacia is known to invade and survive within respiratory epithelial cells.
- Previous studies utilized transformed cell lines; the bacterium's behavior in primary cell cultures remained unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the invasion and intracellular survival capabilities of Burkholderia cepacia in primary type II pneumocytes.
- To compare the behavior of clinical and environmental B. cepacia strains within primary lung cells.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a gentamicin-ceftazidime antibiotic protection assay.
- Examined two B. cepacia strains (environmental NCTC 10661 and clinical C1359) in primary type II pneumocyte cultures over 24 hours.
Main Results:
- Both B. cepacia strains successfully invaded primary type II pneumocytes.
- Clinical strain C1359 demonstrated intracellular multiplication (seven-fold increase from 4-24 h).
- Environmental strain 10661 survived intracellularly for at least 24 hours but did not replicate.
Conclusions:
- Burkholderia cepacia can invade and survive within primary human type II pneumocytes.
- A clinical strain exhibits intracellular replication, while an environmental strain shows prolonged survival.
- A549 cells may serve as a valid, more efficient surrogate for future B. cepacia invasiveness studies.