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Updated: Feb 11, 2026
Long Term Chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa Airway Infection in Mice
Published on: March 17, 2014
Multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa aggravates inflammatory responses in murine chronic colitis
Eliane von Klitzing1, Ira Ekmekciu1, Anja A Kühl2
1Department of Microbiology and Infection Immunology, Gastrointestinal Microbiology Research Group, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany.
Abstract:
The World Health Organization has rated multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacteria including Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Psae) as serious threat to human health. We here addressed whether chronic murine gut inflammation facilitates intestinal MDR Psae colonization and whether bacterial infection subsequently worsens colonic immunopathology. Converse to wildtype counterparts, Psae colonized the intestines of IL-10-/- mice with chronic colitis following peroral challenge, but did not lead to changes in intestinal microbiota composition. Psae infection accelerated both macroscopic (i.e. clinical) and microscopic disease (i.e. colonic epithelial apoptosis), that were accompanied by increased intestinal pro-inflammatory immune responses as indicated by elevated colonic numbers of innate and adaptive immune cell subsets and enhanced secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF and IFN-γ in mesenteric lymph nodes of Psae-infected as compared to unchallenged IL-10-/- mice. Remarkably, Psae-induced pro-inflammatory immune responses were not restricted to the gut, but could also be observed systemically as indicated by increased TNF and IFN-γ concentrations in sera upon Psae-infection. Furthermore, viable commensals originating from the intestinal microbiota translocated to extra-intestinal compartments such as liver, kidney and spleen of Psae-infected IL-10-/- mice with chronic colitis only. Hence, peroral MDR Psae-infection results in exacerbated colonic as well as systemic pro-inflammatory immune responses during chronic murine colitis.
Insights
Chronic gut inflammation in mice enables colonization by multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MDR Psae). This infection worsens colitis and triggers systemic inflammation and bacterial translocation.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Psae), are a significant global health threat.
- Chronic gut inflammation is common in various gastrointestinal diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if chronic gut inflammation facilitates intestinal colonization by MDR Psae.
- To determine if Psae infection exacerbates colonic immunopathology in a murine model.
Main Methods:
- Utilized IL-10 knockout (IL-10-/-) mice with chronic colitis to model gut inflammation.
- Administered Psae perorally to assess intestinal colonization and disease progression.
- Analyzed colonic tissue, mesenteric lymph nodes, and serum for immune cell subsets, cytokine levels, and bacterial translocation.
Main Results:
- Psae successfully colonized the intestines of IL-10-/- mice but did not alter microbiota composition.
- Psae infection accelerated both clinical and microscopic colitis, increasing epithelial apoptosis.
- Elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF, IFN-γ) and immune cell infiltration were observed in the gut and systemically.
- Viable commensal bacteria translocated to extra-intestinal sites (liver, kidney, spleen) in infected mice.
Conclusions:
- Chronic gut inflammation promotes intestinal colonization by MDR Psae.
- Psae infection exacerbates both local colonic and systemic inflammatory responses.
- Bacterial translocation from the gut to systemic organs occurs during Psae infection in inflamed conditions.
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