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Updated: May 6, 2026
Long Term Chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa Airway Infection in Mice
Published on: March 18, 2014
Novel Pseudomonas product stimulates interleukin-8 production in airway epithelial cells in vitro
P P Massion1, H Inoue, J Richman-Eisenstat
1Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco 94143-0130.
Abstract:
Because high concentrations of IL-8 are found in the sputum of cystic fibrosis patients, we hypothesized that Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) induces the production of IL-8 in airway epithelial cells and in monocytes. Therefore, we incubated the supernatant from PA culture with human transformed bronchial epithelial cells (16-HBE) or with monocytes. The culture medium of 16-HBE cells that had been incubated with PA supernatant for 6 h had chemotactic activity that was inhibited by an antibody to human IL-8. The PA supernatant induced IL-8 production by primary bronchial epithelial cells, by 16-HBE cells, and by monocytes. After incubation with PA supernatant, 16-HBE cells showed a marked increase in the levels of IL-8 gene expression. The PA product responsible for IL-8 production resisted freezing, boiling, and proteolysis. This product was not lipid extractable and was present in a 1-kD filtrate. We conclude that a small molecular mass product of PA stimulates IL-8 production by 16-HBE cells and by monocytes, and that the chemotactic activity produced by 16-HBE cells after exposure to PA is due principally to IL-8.
Insights
Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) infection stimulates airway epithelial cells and monocytes to produce IL-8. A small molecule from PA is responsible for this IL-8 induction, crucial in cystic fibrosis airway inflammation.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Microbiology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Elevated Interleukin-8 (IL-8) levels are observed in cystic fibrosis (CF) patient sputum.
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) is a common pathogen in CF airways, contributing to inflammation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if PA induces IL-8 production in airway epithelial cells and monocytes.
- To identify the PA-derived factor responsible for IL-8 stimulation.
Main Methods:
- Incubation of human bronchial epithelial cells (16-HBE) and monocytes with PA culture supernatant.
- Assay of chemotactic activity and IL-8 production.
- Analysis of IL-8 gene expression.
- Characterization of the PA-derived stimulating factor.
Main Results:
- PA supernatant induced significant IL-8 production and gene expression in 16-HBE cells and monocytes.
- The induced chemotactic activity in epithelial cells was neutralized by anti-IL-8 antibodies.
- The responsible PA factor was heat-stable, protease-resistant, non-lipid extractable, and within a 1-kD filtrate.
Conclusions:
- A small molecular mass product of PA stimulates IL-8 production in airway epithelial cells and monocytes.
- PA-induced IL-8 is a primary mediator of chemotactic activity in airway epithelial cells, contributing to inflammation in CF.
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