Responses of macrophages against Salmonella infection compared with phagocytosis

Maozhi Hu1, Yun Yang, Chuang Meng

  • 1Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China.

Insights

Live Salmonella enteritidis triggered earlier and stronger host cell responses, including caspase-1 activation and IL-1β release, compared to dead bacteria. This suggests targeting these innate defense pathways could control Salmonella infection.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Host-pathogen interactions are crucial for understanding infection dynamics.
  • Salmonella enteritidis infection elicits complex macrophage responses.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare host macrophage responses to live versus dead Salmonella enteritidis.
  • To identify key cellular pathways involved in Salmonella infection.

Main Methods:

  • Infection of mouse macrophages with live Salmonella enteritidis C50041 and fixed C50041 (C50041-d).
  • Analysis of cytotoxicity, mitochondrial membrane potential, intracellular calcium ions, reactive oxygen species, nitric oxide, LC3 expression, tumor necrosis factor, IL-6, caspase-1 activation, and IL-1β release.

Main Results:

  • Live Salmonella induced stronger cytotoxicity and earlier, more robust cellular responses than dead bacteria.
  • While trends in mitochondrial potential and ion concentrations were similar, live Salmonella led to lower LC3 expression.
  • Live Salmonella significantly inhibited TNF and IL-6 but enhanced caspase-1 activation and IL-1β release.

Conclusions:

  • Host macrophage responses are significantly different between live and dead Salmonella enteritidis.
  • Enhanced caspase-1 activation and IL-1β release by live Salmonella indicate crucial innate defense mechanisms.
  • Targeting the caspase-1/IL-1β pathway presents a potential strategy for controlling Salmonella infections.

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