Pseudomonas stutzeri PM101005 inhaled with atmospheric particulate matter induces lung damage through inflammatory

Yu-Jin Jeong1, Chang-Ung Kim2, Kyung-Soo Lee3

  • 1Environmental Diseases Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience & Biotechnology (KRIBB), 125 Gwahak-ro, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea.

Insights

Particulate matter-associated bacteria like Pseudomonas stutzeri PM101005 (PMPS) trigger significant inflammatory responses in lung tissues. These responses, mediated by Toll-like receptors (TLRs), contribute to respiratory damage and highlight the immunological impact of airborne microbes.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Respiratory medicine

Background:

  • Atmospheric particulate matter (PM) poses respiratory health risks due to its complex composition.
  • The immunological effects of microorganisms within PM are not fully understood.
  • Pseudomonas stutzeri PM101005 (PMPS) is a bacterium isolated from fine dust with potential pathogenic mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the pathogenicity of PMPS in lung epithelial cells, alveolar cells, and macrophages.
  • To elucidate the immunological mechanisms underlying PMPS-induced inflammation.
  • To compare the inflammatory potential of PMPS with its non-PM-associated strain (PS) and PM itself.

Main Methods:

  • In vitro studies using lung epithelial cells, alveolar cells, and macrophages.
  • Three-dimensional (3D) airway spheroid models to mimic human bronchial epithelium.
  • Murine models to assess in vivo inflammatory responses.
  • Analysis of NF-κB, MAPK, and Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling pathways.
  • Measurement of cytokine, chemokine, and β-defensin 3 (BD3) expression.

Main Results:

  • PMPS infection induced higher levels of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines than PS infection, mediated by NF-κB and MAPK pathways.
  • PMPS triggered greater pro-inflammatory cytokine induction in 3D airway spheroids compared to PM alone.
  • Murine models showed enhanced inflammatory responses and tissue damage with PMPS compared to PS.
  • TLR signaling pathways mediated PMPS infection and regulated BD3 expression, which suppressed bacterial proliferation.
  • PM pretreatment exacerbated inflammatory responses and tissue damage while reducing BD3 expression.

Conclusions:

  • PM-isolated PMPS induces significant TLR-mediated inflammatory responses in lung tissues.
  • PMPS contributes to the understanding of the etiology of PM-induced respiratory damage.
  • The interaction between PM, bacteria, and host immune responses is crucial for respiratory health.