Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 26, 2026
Intra-tracheal Administration of Haemophilus influenzae in Mouse Models to Study Airway Inflammation
Published on: March 2, 2016
Mycoplasma hyorhinis induces proinflammatory responses in mice lymphocytes
Jonathan D Kornspan1, Maayan Tsur, Mark Tarshis
1Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel.
Abstract:
Mycoplasmas are frequent contaminants of cultured cells, leading to alterations in cellular gene expression, protein synthesis, signal transduction, and metabolic pathways. Mycoplasma hyorhinis, the major contaminant of tissue cultures, has been implicated in a variety of diseases in swine. Most human and animal mycoplasmas remain attached to the surface of epithelial cells. Nonetheless, we have recently shown that M. hyorhinis is able to invade nonphagocytic melanoma cells. In the present study, we show by confocal laser scanning microscopy, that by exposing mice splenocytes to intact M. hyorhinis, intracellular mycoplasmas were detected. Mycoplasmal components were not detected within splenocytes after exposure to heat inactivated M. hyorhinis or to a purified M. hyorhinis lipoprotein (LPP) fraction. However, incubation of the splenocytes with intact M. hyorhinis cells, heat inactivated cells or M. hyorhinis LPP fraction induced accelerated cell proliferation and the secretion of interferon gamma and interleukin 17. Thus, M. hyorhinis and its LPPs can be added to the list of infectious agents causing direct stimulation of proinflammatory responses by mammalian lymphocytes.
Insights
Mycoplasma hyorhinis invades mouse splenocytes and stimulates immune responses. This common cell culture contaminant, even inactivated or as a lipoprotein fraction, triggers accelerated cell proliferation and the release of key inflammatory cytokines like interferon gamma and interleukin 17.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Mycoplasmas are common contaminants in cell cultures, affecting cellular functions.
- Mycoplasma hyorhinis is a significant swine pathogen and a frequent tissue culture contaminant.
- Previous research indicated M. hyorhinis can invade nonphagocytic cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the intracellular invasion of mouse splenocytes by Mycoplasma hyorhinis.
- To determine the immunomodulatory effects of intact and inactivated M. hyorhinis, and its lipoprotein fraction on splenocytes.
Main Methods:
- Confocal laser scanning microscopy was used to detect intracellular M. hyorhinis in mouse splenocytes.
- Splenocytes were exposed to intact M. hyorhinis, heat-inactivated M. hyorhinis, and a purified M. hyorhinis lipoprotein (LPP) fraction.
- Cell proliferation and cytokine secretion (interferon gamma, interleukin 17) were measured.
Main Results:
- Intact M. hyorhinis was detected within mouse splenocytes.
- Exposure to intact M. hyorhinis, heat-inactivated cells, or the LPP fraction induced accelerated splenocyte proliferation.
- All tested M. hyorhinis preparations stimulated the secretion of interferon gamma and interleukin 17.
Conclusions:
- Mycoplasma hyorhinis can invade mammalian lymphocytes.
- Components of M. hyorhinis, including its lipoprotein fraction, directly stimulate proinflammatory responses in lymphocytes.
- M. hyorhinis is identified as an infectious agent capable of directly activating lymphocytes, contributing to inflammatory responses.
