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Staphylococcus aureus Inhibits IL-8 Responses Induced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Airway Epithelial Cells

Samuel M Chekabab1, Richard J Silverman2, Shantelle L Lafayette1

  • 1Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Meakins Christie Laboratories, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Plos One
|September 12, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Staphylococcus aureus (SA) can suppress Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA)-induced inflammation in airway cells. This finding reveals a novel anti-inflammatory role for SA in polymicrobial respiratory infections, impacting conditions like cystic fibrosis.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Microbiology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) and Staphylococcus aureus (SA) are key respiratory pathogens often co-infecting patients with chronic obstructive diseases, like cystic fibrosis (CF).
  • Airway epithelial cells are crucial for innate immune responses, but how they integrate signals from multiple bacteria during co-infection is unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the inflammatory responses of airway epithelial cells to co-stimulation with PA and SA.
  • To determine if SA modulates the inflammatory effects of PA in airway epithelial cells.

Main Methods:

  • Immortalised human airway epithelial cells (Beas-2B) and a CF epithelial cell line (CFBE41o-) were stimulated with bacteria-free filtrates from PA (PAF) and SA (SAF).
  • Inflammatory cytokine (IL-8) production and signalling pathways (NF-κB, p38 MAPK) were analyzed.
  • Responses to TLR ligands (Pam3CysSK4, LPS, flagellin) were assessed.

Main Results:

  • PAF induced significant IL-8 production, while SAF had minimal effect.
  • Co-stimulation with SAF strongly inhibited PAF-induced IL-8 production, demonstrating an anti-inflammatory effect of SA.
  • SAF specifically inhibited IL-8 production induced by the TLR1/TLR2 ligand Pam3CysSK4 and dampened TLR1/TLR2-mediated NF-κB activation, but not responses to LPS or flagellin.

Conclusions:

  • Staphylococcus aureus possesses a direct, potent anti-inflammatory effect on airway epithelial cells.
  • This anti-inflammatory activity of SA can modulate host responses during polymicrobial respiratory infections.
  • SA's ability to suppress inflammation warrants further investigation in the context of diseases like cystic fibrosis.

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