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Published on: February 22, 2019
Susceptibility Analysis in Several Mouse Strains Reveals Robust T-Cell Responses After Mycoplasma pneumoniae
Shigeyuki Tamiya1,2,3, Eisuke Yoshikawa1,2,3, Koichiro Suzuki4
1Laboratory of Nano-design for innovative drug development, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan.
Abstract:
Mycoplasma pneumoniae (Mp) is a highly contagious respiratory pathogen responsible for human community-acquired pneumonia. The number of antibiotic-resistant Mp strains is increasing; therefore, to develop novel therapeutics, it is crucial to precisely understand the pathogenesis of mycoplasma pneumonia. Herein, we examined the susceptibility and response to Mp among eight inbred mouse strains. Following infection, the bacterial load in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from DBA/2 mice was higher than that in the other tested strains such as BALB/c mice, which are frequently used in Mp research. In contrast, the numbers of CD45+ immune cells and neutrophils in BALF were comparable between BALB/c and DBA/2 mice, with lower numbers observed in C57BL/6J and CBA/N mice than in BALB/c mice. Among the tested strains, the BALF level of interleukin 12 subunit p40 was highest in DBA/2 mice; however, significant differences in other cytokines levels were not observed between BALB/c and DBA/2 mice. After Mp infection, Mp-specific Th1 and Th17 responses were significantly enhanced in DBA/2 mice when compared with BALB/c mice. Furthermore, prior infection with Mp increased the number of neutrophils in BALF after the reinfection of DBA/2 mice through an Mp-specific CD4+ T cell-dependent mechanism. Thus, DBA/2 may be an appropriate strain for evaluating Mp infection. Moreover, a comparison of responses revealed by various inbred mouse strains could be useful for elucidating the pathogenesis of Mycoplasma pneumonia.
Insights
DBA/2 mice show higher susceptibility to Mycoplasma pneumoniae (Mp) infection and enhanced immune responses compared to other strains. This finding suggests DBA/2 mice are a suitable model for studying Mp pathogenesis and developing new treatments.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Mycoplasma pneumoniae (Mp) causes community-acquired pneumonia and antibiotic resistance is increasing.
- Understanding Mp pathogenesis is crucial for developing new therapeutics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the susceptibility and immune response of eight inbred mouse strains to Mp infection.
- To identify a suitable mouse model for studying Mp pathogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Infection of eight inbred mouse strains with Mp.
- Quantification of bacterial load and immune cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF).
- Analysis of cytokine levels and T cell responses (Th1, Th17, CD4+ T cells).
Main Results:
- DBA/2 mice exhibited higher bacterial load in BALF compared to other strains, including BALB/c.
- DBA/2 mice showed enhanced Mp-specific Th1 and Th17 responses.
- Prior Mp infection in DBA/2 mice led to increased neutrophils upon reinfection via a CD4+ T cell-dependent mechanism.
Conclusions:
- DBA/2 mice are a potentially valuable model for evaluating Mp infection and therapeutics.
- Comparative analysis of inbred mouse strain responses aids in elucidating Mp pathogenesis.
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