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Chen J, Chen S, Gong G, Yang F, Chen J, Wang Y. Inhibition of IL-4/STAT6/IRF4 signaling reduces the epithelial-mesenchymal transition in eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 121:110554. [PMID: 37385124 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies have shown that epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in nasal epithelial cells is critical for tissue remodeling of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). However, the precise mechanism underlying the EMT remains poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the role of interleukin-4 (IL-4)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6)/interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) signaling pathway on EMT in eosinophilic CRSwNP. METHODS We performed quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescent staining, and Western blotting to evaluate the expression of STAT6, IRF4, and EMT markers in sinonasal mucosal samples. Effects of IL-4-induced EMT were determined using primary human nasal epithelial cells (hNECs) from patients with eosinophilic CRSwNP. Wound scratch assay, cell morphology, Western blotting, and immunofluorescence cytochemistry were performed to evaluate EMT, and EMT-related markers. Next, human THP-1 monocytic cells were stimulated by phorbolate-12-myristate-13-acetate to differentiate into M0 and were subsequently polarized into M1 with lipopolysaccharide and interferon-γ, M2 with IL-4. The markers of the macrophage phenotype were assessed by Western blotting. The co-culture system was built to explore the interaction between macrophages (THP-1 cells) and hNECs. After co-culture with M2 macrophages, EMT-related markers of primary hNECs were evaluated by immunofluorescence cytochemistry and Western blotting. Enzymelinked immunosorbent assays were used to detect transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) in THP-1-derived supernatants. RESULTS STAT6 and IRF4 mRNA and protein expression were significantly upregulated in both eosinophilic and noneosinophilic nasal polyps compared with control tissues. The expression of STAT6 and IRF4 in eosinophilic nasal polyps was higher than those in noneosinophilic nasal polyps. STAT6 and IRF4 were not only expressed in epithelial cells but also in macrophages. The number of STAT6+CD68+ cells and IRF4+CD68+ cells in eosinophilic nasal polyps was higher than those in noneosinophilic nasal polyps and control tissues. EMT was enhanced in eosinophilic CRSwNP compared to the healthy controls and noneosinophilic CRSwNP. IL-4-stimulated human nasal epithelial cells exhibited EMT characteristics. The hNECs co-cultured with M2 macrophages demonstrated high levels of EMT-related markers. The TGF-β1 level was significantly induced by IL-4 and elevated (M2) rather than control macrophages. The inhibition of STAT6 by AS1517499 reduced the expression of IRF4 in epithelial cells and macrophages and counteracted IL-4-induced EMT in epithelial cells. CONCLUSION In eosinophilic nasal polyps, IL-4 induces STAT6 signaling to upregulate IRF4 expression in epithelial cells and macrophages. IL-4 promotes EMT of hNECs through the STAT6/IRF4 signaling pathway. IL-4-induced M2 macrophages enhanced EMT of hNECs. Inhibition of STAT6 can downregulate the expression of IRF4 and suppress the EMT process, thus providing a new strategy for the treatment of nasal polyps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingcai Chen
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832000, Xinjiang, China
| | - Shan Chen
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Guoqing Gong
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Central Theater Command General Hospital of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Fan Yang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Jianjun Chen
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Yanjun Wang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China.
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Bierwagen J, Wiegand M, Laakmann K, Danov O, Limburg H, Herbel SM, Heimerl T, Dorna J, Jonigk D, Preußer C, Bertrams W, Braun A, Sewald K, Schulte LN, Bauer S, Pogge von Strandmann E, Böttcher-Friebertshäuser E, Schmeck B, Jung AL. Bacterial vesicles block viral replication in macrophages via TLR4-TRIF-axis. Cell Commun Signal 2023; 21:65. [PMID: 36978183 PMCID: PMC10045439 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01086-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Gram-negative bacteria naturally secrete nano-sized outer membrane vesicles (OMVs), which are important mediators of communication and pathogenesis. OMV uptake by host cells activates TLR signalling via transported PAMPs. As important resident immune cells, alveolar macrophages are located at the air-tissue interface where they comprise the first line of defence against inhaled microorganisms and particles. To date, little is known about the interplay between alveolar macrophages and OMVs from pathogenic bacteria. The immune response to OMVs and underlying mechanisms are still elusive. Here, we investigated the response of primary human macrophages to bacterial vesicles (Legionella pneumophila, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica, Streptococcus pneumoniae) and observed comparable NF-κB activation across all tested vesicles. In contrast, we describe differential type I IFN signalling with prolonged STAT1 phosphorylation and strong Mx1 induction, blocking influenza A virus replication only for Klebsiella, E.coli and Salmonella OMVs. OMV-induced antiviral effects were less pronounced for endotoxin-free Clear coli OMVs and Polymyxin-treated OMVs. LPS stimulation could not mimic this antiviral status, while TRIF knockout abrogated it. Importantly, supernatant from OMV-treated macrophages induced an antiviral response in alveolar epithelial cells (AEC), suggesting OMV-induced intercellular communication. Finally, results were validated in an ex vivo infection model with primary human lung tissue. In conclusion, Klebsiella, E.coli and Salmonella OMVs induce antiviral immunity in macrophages via TLR4-TRIF-signaling to reduce viral replication in macrophages, AECs and lung tissue. These gram-negative bacteria induce antiviral immunity in the lung through OMVs, with a potential decisive and tremendous impact on bacterial and viral coinfection outcome. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeff Bierwagen
- Institute for Lung Research, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center, German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Marie Wiegand
- Institute for Lung Research, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center, German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Katrin Laakmann
- Institute for Lung Research, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center, German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Olga Danov
- Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine ITEM, Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease Hannover (BREATH), German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Member of Fraunhofer International Consortium for Anti-Infective Research (iCAIR), Hannover, Germany
| | - Hannah Limburg
- Institute of Virology, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Stefanie Muriel Herbel
- Institute for Lung Research, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center, German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Heimerl
- Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO), Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Jens Dorna
- Institute for Immunology, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Danny Jonigk
- Institute of Pathology, Hannover Medical School, Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease Hannover (BREATH), German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Christian Preußer
- Institute for Tumor Immunology and Core Facility - Extracellular Vesicles, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Wilhelm Bertrams
- Institute for Lung Research, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center, German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Armin Braun
- Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine ITEM, Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease Hannover (BREATH), German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Member of Fraunhofer International Consortium for Anti-Infective Research (iCAIR), Hannover, Germany
| | - Katherina Sewald
- Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine ITEM, Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease Hannover (BREATH), German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Member of Fraunhofer International Consortium for Anti-Infective Research (iCAIR), Hannover, Germany
| | - Leon N Schulte
- Institute for Lung Research, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center, German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Bauer
- Institute for Immunology, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Elke Pogge von Strandmann
- Institute for Tumor Immunology and Core Facility - Extracellular Vesicles, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | | | - Bernd Schmeck
- Institute for Lung Research, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center, German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
- Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO), Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
- Core Facility Flow Cytometry - Bacterial Vesicles, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
- Member of the German Center for Infectious Disease Research (DZIF), Marburg, Germany
| | - Anna Lena Jung
- Institute for Lung Research, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center, German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany.
- Core Facility Flow Cytometry - Bacterial Vesicles, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany.
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3
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M.tb-Rv2462c of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Shows Chaperone-like Activity and Plays a Role in Stress Adaptation and Immunomodulation. BIOLOGY 2022; 12:biology12010069. [PMID: 36671761 PMCID: PMC9855790 DOI: 10.3390/biology12010069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb)-encoded factors protect it against host-generated stresses and support its survival in the hostile host environment. M.tb possesses two peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerases and a probable trigger factor encoded by Rv2462c which has an FKBP-like PPIase domain. PPIases are known to assist the folding of peptidyl-prolyl bonds and are involved in various cellular processes important for bacterial survival in host-generated stresses. In this study, we aim to functionally characterize Rv2462c of M.tb. Our data suggest that the trigger factor of M.tb exhibits chaperone activity both in vitro and in vivo. Heterologous expression of M.tb-Rv2462c locus into Mycobacterium smegmatis enhanced its survival within macrophages, adaptation to oxidative stress and biofilm formation. M.tb-trigger factor has strong immunomodulatory potential and modifies the cytokine profile of the host towards the proinflammatory axis.
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Moysidou CM, Withers AM, Nisbet AJ, Price DRG, Bryant CE, Cantacessi C, Owens RM. Investigation of Host-Microbe-Parasite Interactions in an In Vitro 3D Model of the Vertebrate Gut. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2022; 6:e2200015. [PMID: 35652159 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202200015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 04/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
In vitro models of the gut-microbiome axis are in high demand. Conventionally, intestinal monolayers grown on Transwell setups are used to test the effects of commensals/pathogens on the barrier integrity, both under homeostatic and pathophysiological conditions. While such models remain valuable for deepening the understanding of host-microbe interactions, often, they lack key biological components that mediate this intricate crosstalk. Here, a 3D in vitro model of the vertebrate intestinal epithelium, interfaced with immune cells surviving in culture for over 3 weeks, is developed and applied to proof-of-concept studies of host-microbe interactions. More specifically, the establishment of stable host-microbe cocultures is described and functional and morphological changes in the intestinal barrier induced by the presence of commensal bacteria are shown. Finally, evidence is provided that the 3D vertebrate gut models can be used as platforms to test host-microbe-parasite interactions. Exposure of gut-immune-bacteria cocultures to helminth "excretory/secretory products" induces in vivo-like up-/down-regulation of certain cytokines. These findings support the robustness of the modular in vitro cell systems for investigating the dynamics of host-microbe crosstalk and pave the way toward new approaches for systems biology studies of pathogens that cannot be maintained in vitro, including parasitic helminths.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chrysanthi-Maria Moysidou
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Philippa Fawcett Drive, West Cambridge Site, CB3 0AS, UK
| | - Aimee M Withers
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Philippa Fawcett Drive, West Cambridge Site, CB3 0AS, UK
| | - Alasdair J Nisbet
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Edinburgh, EH26 0PZ, UK
| | - Daniel R G Price
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Edinburgh, EH26 0PZ, UK
| | - Clare E Bryant
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Cambridge Veterinary School, University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ES, UK
| | - Cinzia Cantacessi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Cambridge Veterinary School, University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ES, UK
| | - Róisín M Owens
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Philippa Fawcett Drive, West Cambridge Site, CB3 0AS, UK
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5
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Lai X, Keller C, Santos G, Schaft N, Dörrie J, Vera J. Multi-Level Computational Modeling of Anti-Cancer Dendritic Cell Vaccination Utilized to Select Molecular Targets for Therapy Optimization. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 9:746359. [PMID: 35186943 PMCID: PMC8847669 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.746359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Dendritic cells (DCs) can be used for therapeutic vaccination against cancer. The success of this therapy depends on efficient tumor-antigen presentation to cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and the induction of durable CTL responses by the DCs. Therefore, simulation of such a biological system by computational modeling is appealing because it can improve our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying CTL induction by DCs and help identify new strategies to improve therapeutic DC vaccination for cancer. Here, we developed a multi-level model accounting for the life cycle of DCs during anti-cancer immunotherapy. Specifically, the model is composed of three parts representing different stages of DC immunotherapy – the spreading and bio-distribution of intravenously injected DCs in human organs, the biochemical reactions regulating the DCs’ maturation and activation, and DC-mediated activation of CTLs. We calibrated the model using quantitative experimental data that account for the activation of key molecular circuits within DCs, the bio-distribution of DCs in the body, and the interaction between DCs and T cells. We showed how such a data-driven model can be exploited in combination with sensitivity analysis and model simulations to identify targets for enhancing anti-cancer DC vaccination. Since other previous works show how modeling improves therapy schedules and DC dosage, we here focused on the molecular optimization of the therapy. In line with this, we simulated the effect in DC vaccination of the concerted modulation of combined intracellular regulatory processes and proposed several possibilities that can enhance DC-mediated immunogenicity. Taken together, we present a comprehensive time-resolved multi-level model for studying DC vaccination in melanoma. Although the model is not intended for personalized patient therapy, it could be used as a tool for identifying molecular targets for optimizing DC-based therapy for cancer, which ultimately should be tested in in vitro and in vivo experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Lai
- Laboratory of Systems Tumor Immunology, Department of Dermatology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie and Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, Erlangen, Germany
- *Correspondence: Xin Lai, ; Julio Vera,
| | - Christine Keller
- Laboratory of Systems Tumor Immunology, Department of Dermatology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Guido Santos
- Laboratory of Systems Tumor Immunology, Department of Dermatology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Departament of Biochemistry, Microbiology, Cell Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Sciences, University of La Laguna, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
| | - Niels Schaft
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie and Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, Erlangen, Germany
- RNA Group, Department of Dermatology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jan Dörrie
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie and Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, Erlangen, Germany
- RNA Group, Department of Dermatology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Julio Vera
- Laboratory of Systems Tumor Immunology, Department of Dermatology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie and Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, Erlangen, Germany
- *Correspondence: Xin Lai, ; Julio Vera,
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Tissue-resident macrophages mediate neutrophil recruitment and kidney injury in shiga toxin-induced hemolytic uremic syndrome. Kidney Int 2021; 100:349-363. [PMID: 33930412 DOI: 10.1016/j.kint.2021.03.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2020] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Enterohaemorrhagic E. coli cause major epidemics worldwide with significant organ damage and very high percentages of death. Due to the ability of enterohaemorrhagic E. coli to produce shiga toxin these bacteria damage the kidney leading to the hemolytic uremic syndrome. A therapy against this serious kidney disease has not been developed yet and the impact and mechanism of leukocyte activation and recruitment are unclear. Tissue-resident macrophages represent the main leukocyte population in the healthy kidney, but the role of this important cell population in shiga toxin-producing E. coli-hemolytic uremic syndrome is incompletely understood. Using state of the art microscopy and mass spectrometry imaging, our preclinical study demonstrated a phenotypic and functional switch of tissue-resident macrophages after disease induction in mice. Kidney macrophages produced the inflammatory molecule TNFα and depletion of tissue-resident macrophages via the CSF1 receptor abolished TNFα levels in the kidney and significantly diminished disease severity. Furthermore, macrophage depletion did not only attenuate endothelial damage and thrombocytopenia, but also activation of thrombocytes and neutrophils. Moreover, we observed that neutrophils infiltrated the kidney cortex and depletion of macrophages significantly reduced the recruitment of neutrophils and expression of the neutrophil-attracting chemokines CXCL1 and CXCL2. Intravital microscopy revealed that inhibition of CXCR2, the receptor for CXCL1 and CXCL2, significantly reduced the infiltration of neutrophils and reduced kidney injury. Thus, our study shows activation of tissue-resident macrophages during shiga toxin-producing E. coli-hemolytic uremic syndrome leading to the production of disease-promoting TNFα and CXCR2-dependent recruitment of neutrophils.
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7
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Bertrams W, Jung AL, Schmeck B. Modeling of Pneumonia and Acute Lung Injury: Bioinformatics, Systems Medicine, and Artificial Intelligence. SYSTEMS MEDICINE 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-801238-3.11689-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
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8
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Sepsis and Autoimmune Disease: Pathology, Systems Medicine, and Artificial Intelligence. SYSTEMS MEDICINE 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-801238-3.11643-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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9
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The Role of Age, Neutrophil Infiltration and Antibiotics Timing in the Severity of Streptococcus pneumoniae Pneumonia. Insights from a Multi-Level Mathematical Model Approach. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21228428. [PMID: 33182614 PMCID: PMC7696447 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21228428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial pneumonia is one of the most prevalent infectious diseases and has high mortality in sensitive patients (children, elderly and immunocompromised). Although an infection, the disease alters the alveolar epithelium homeostasis and hinders normal breathing, often with fatal consequences. A special case is hospitalized aged patients, which present a high risk of infection and death because of the community acquired version of the Streptococcus pneumoniae pneumonia. There is evidence that early antibiotics treatment decreases the inflammatory response during pneumonia. Here, we investigate mechanistically this strategy using a multi-level mathematical model, which describes the 24 first hours after infection of a single alveolus from the key signaling networks behind activation of the epithelium to the dynamics of the local immune response. With the model, we simulated pneumonia in aged and young patients subjected to different antibiotics timing. The results show that providing antibiotics to elderly patients 8 h in advance compared to young patients restores in aged individuals the effective response seen in young ones. This result suggests the use of early, probably prophylactic, antibiotics treatment in aged hospitalized people with high risk of pneumonia.
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De Rudder C, Garcia-Tímermans C, De Boeck I, Lebeer S, Van de Wiele T, Calatayud Arroyo M. Lacticaseibacillus casei AMBR2 modulates the epithelial barrier function and immune response in a donor-derived nasal microbiota manner. Sci Rep 2020; 10:16939. [PMID: 33037304 PMCID: PMC7547715 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-73857-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Live biotherapeutic products (LBP) are emerging as alternative treatment strategies for chronic rhinosinusitis. The selection of interesting candidate LBPs often involves model systems that do not include the polymicrobial background (i.e. the host microbiota) in which they will be introduced. Here, we performed a screening in a simplified model system of upper respiratory epithelium to assess the effect of nasal microbiota composition on the ability to attach and grow of a potential LBP, Lacticaseibacillus casei AMBR2, in this polymicrobial background. After selecting the most permissive and least permissive donor, L. casei AMBR2 colonisation in their respective polymicrobial backgrounds was assessed in more physiologically relevant model systems. We examined cytotoxicity, epithelial barrier function, and cytokine secretion, as well as bacterial cell density and phenotypic diversity in differentiated airway epithelium based models, with or without macrophage-like cells. L. casei AMBR2 could colonize in the presence of both selected donor microbiota and increased epithelial barrier resistance in presence of donor-derived nasal bacteria, as well as anti-inflammatory cytokine secretion in the presence of macrophage-like cells. This study highlights the potential of L. casei AMBR2 as LBP and the necessity to employ physiologically relevant model systems to investigate host–microbe interaction in LBP research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte De Rudder
- Center for Microbial Ecology and Technology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Coupure Links 653, Ghent University, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Cristina Garcia-Tímermans
- Center for Microbial Ecology and Technology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Coupure Links 653, Ghent University, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Ilke De Boeck
- Research Group of Environmental Ecology and Applied Microbiology, Department of Bioscience Engineering, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Sarah Lebeer
- Research Group of Environmental Ecology and Applied Microbiology, Department of Bioscience Engineering, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Tom Van de Wiele
- Center for Microbial Ecology and Technology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Coupure Links 653, Ghent University, 9000, Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Marta Calatayud Arroyo
- Center for Microbial Ecology and Technology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Coupure Links 653, Ghent University, 9000, Ghent, Belgium.,Group of Lactic Bacteria and Probiotics, Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology (IATA), Spanish Research Council (CSIC), Valencia, Spain
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11
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Gosens R, Hiemstra PS, Adcock IM, Bracke KR, Dickson RP, Hansbro PM, Krauss-Etschmann S, Smits HH, Stassen FRM, Bartel S. Host-microbe cross-talk in the lung microenvironment: implications for understanding and treating chronic lung disease. Eur Respir J 2020; 56:13993003.02320-2019. [PMID: 32430415 PMCID: PMC7439216 DOI: 10.1183/13993003.02320-2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Chronic respiratory diseases are highly prevalent worldwide and will continue to rise in the foreseeable future. Despite intensive efforts over recent decades, the development of novel and effective therapeutic approaches has been slow. However, there is new and increasing evidence that communities of micro-organisms in our body, the human microbiome, are crucially involved in the development and progression of chronic respiratory diseases. Understanding the detailed mechanisms underlying this cross-talk between host and microbiota is critical for development of microbiome- or host-targeted therapeutics and prevention strategies. Here we review and discuss the most recent knowledge on the continuous reciprocal interaction between the host and microbes in health and respiratory disease. Furthermore, we highlight promising developments in microbiome-based therapies and discuss the need to employ more holistic approaches of restoring both the pulmonary niche and the microbial community. The reciprocal interaction between microbes and host in the lung is increasingly recognised as an important determinant of health. The complexity of this cross-talk needs to be taken into account when studying diseases and developing future new therapies.https://bit.ly/2VKYUfT
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Affiliation(s)
- Reinoud Gosens
- University of Groningen, Dept of Molecular Pharmacology, GRIAC Research Institute, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Pieter S Hiemstra
- Dept of Pulmonology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ian M Adcock
- Airways Disease, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Ken R Bracke
- Dept of Respiratory Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Robert P Dickson
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Dept of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.,Michigan Center for Integrative Research in Critical Care, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Philip M Hansbro
- Priority Research Centre for Healthy Lungs, Hunter Medical Research Institute and the University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia.,Centre for Inflammation, Centenary Institute and University of Technology Sydney, Faculty of Science, Sydney, Australia
| | - Susanne Krauss-Etschmann
- Early Life Origins of Chronic Lung Disease, Research Center Borstel, Leibniz Lung Center, Airway Research Center North, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Borstel, Germany.,Institute for Experimental Medicine, Christian-Albrechts-Universitaet zu Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Hermelijn H Smits
- Dept of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Frank R M Stassen
- Dept of Medical Microbiology, NUTRIM - School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Sabine Bartel
- Early Life Origins of Chronic Lung Disease, Research Center Borstel, Leibniz Lung Center, Airway Research Center North, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Borstel, Germany .,University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Dept of Pathology and Medical Biology, GRIAC Research Institute, Groningen, The Netherlands
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Dual and Triple Epithelial Coculture Model Systems with Donor-Derived Microbiota and THP-1 Macrophages To Mimic Host-Microbe Interactions in the Human Sinonasal Cavities. mSphere 2020; 5:5/1/e00916-19. [PMID: 31941815 PMCID: PMC6968656 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00916-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the relevance of the resident microbiota in sinonasal health and disease and the need for cross talk between immune and epithelial cells in the upper respiratory tract, these parameters have not been combined in a single in vitro model system. We have developed a coculture system of differentiated respiratory epithelium and natural nasal microbiota and incorporated an immune component. As indicated by absence of cytotoxicity and stable cytokine profiles and epithelial integrity, nasal microbiota from human origin appeared to be well tolerated by host cells, while microbial community composition remained representative for that of the human (sino)nasal cavity. Importantly, the introduction of macrophage-like cells enabled us to obtain a differential readout from the epithelial cells dependent on the donor microbial background to which the cells were exposed. We conclude that both model systems offer the means to investigate host-microbe interactions in the upper respiratory tract in a more representative way. The epithelium of the human sinonasal cavities is colonized by a diverse microbial community, modulating epithelial development and immune priming and playing a role in respiratory disease. Here, we present a novel in vitro approach enabling a 3-day coculture of differentiated Calu-3 respiratory epithelial cells with a donor-derived bacterial community, a commensal species (Lactobacillus sakei), or a pathobiont (Staphylococcus aureus). We also assessed how the incorporation of macrophage-like cells could have a steering effect on both epithelial cells and the microbial community. Inoculation of donor-derived microbiota in our experimental setup did not pose cytotoxic stress on the epithelial cell layers, as demonstrated by unaltered cytokine and lactate dehydrogenase release compared to a sterile control. Epithelial integrity of the differentiated Calu-3 cells was maintained as well, with no differences in transepithelial electrical resistance observed between coculture with donor-derived microbiota and a sterile control. Transition of nasal microbiota from in vivo to in vitro conditions maintained phylogenetic richness, and yet a decrease in phylogenetic and phenotypic diversity was noted. Additional inclusion and coculture of THP-1-derived macrophages did not alter phylogenetic diversity, and yet donor-independent shifts toward higher Moraxella and Mycoplasma abundance were observed, while phenotypic diversity was also increased. Our results demonstrate that coculture of differentiated airway epithelial cells with a healthy donor-derived nasal community is a viable strategy to mimic host-microbe interactions in the human upper respiratory tract. Importantly, including an immune component allowed us to study host-microbe interactions in the upper respiratory tract more in depth. IMPORTANCE Despite the relevance of the resident microbiota in sinonasal health and disease and the need for cross talk between immune and epithelial cells in the upper respiratory tract, these parameters have not been combined in a single in vitro model system. We have developed a coculture system of differentiated respiratory epithelium and natural nasal microbiota and incorporated an immune component. As indicated by absence of cytotoxicity and stable cytokine profiles and epithelial integrity, nasal microbiota from human origin appeared to be well tolerated by host cells, while microbial community composition remained representative for that of the human (sino)nasal cavity. Importantly, the introduction of macrophage-like cells enabled us to obtain a differential readout from the epithelial cells dependent on the donor microbial background to which the cells were exposed. We conclude that both model systems offer the means to investigate host-microbe interactions in the upper respiratory tract in a more representative way.
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Scheller N, Herold S, Kellner R, Bertrams W, Jung AL, Janga H, Greulich T, Schulte LN, Vogelmeier CF, Lohmeyer J, Schmeck B. Proviral MicroRNAs Detected in Extracellular Vesicles From Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid of Patients With Influenza Virus-Induced Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome. J Infect Dis 2019; 219:540-543. [PMID: 30239899 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiy554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2018] [Accepted: 09/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Influenza A virus (IAV) causes severe respiratory infections and alveolar epithelial damage resulting in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been shown to mediate cellular crosstalk in inflammation by transfer of microRNAs (miRNAs). In this study, we found significant changes in the miRNA composition of EVs in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from patients with IAV-induced ARDS. Among the 9 significantly deregulated microRNAs, miR-17-5p was upregulated in patients' BALF and in EVs of IAV-infected lung epithelial cells (A549). In these cells, transfer of miR-17-5p strongly downregulated expression of the antiviral factor Mx1 and significantly enhanced IAV replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicoletta Scheller
- Institute for Lung Research, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center
| | - Susanne Herold
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center, Justus Liebig University, Member of the DZL, Giessen
| | - Ronny Kellner
- Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research, Cologne, Germany
| | - Wilhelm Bertrams
- Institute for Lung Research, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center
| | - Anna Lena Jung
- Institute for Lung Research, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center
| | - Harshavadhan Janga
- Research Group "RNA-Biology of Inflammation & Infection," Institute for Lung Research, Philipps-University Marburg
| | - Timm Greulich
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Giessen and Marburg, Philipps-University Marburg, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL)
| | - Leon N Schulte
- Research Group "RNA-Biology of Inflammation & Infection," Institute for Lung Research, Philipps-University Marburg
| | - Claus F Vogelmeier
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Giessen and Marburg, Philipps-University Marburg, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL)
| | - Jürgen Lohmeyer
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center, Justus Liebig University, Member of the DZL, Giessen
| | - Bernd Schmeck
- Institute for Lung Research, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center.,Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Giessen and Marburg, Philipps-University Marburg, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL)
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Artzy-Schnirman A, Zidan H, Elias-Kirma S, Ben-Porat L, Tenenbaum-Katan J, Carius P, Fishler R, Schneider-Daum N, Lehr CM, Sznitman J. Capturing the Onset of Bacterial Pulmonary Infection in Acini-On-Chips. ADVANCED BIOSYSTEMS 2019; 3:e1900026. [PMID: 32648651 PMCID: PMC7611792 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.201900026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2019] [Revised: 06/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Bacterial invasion of the respiratory system leads to complex immune responses. In the deep alveolar regions, the first line of defense includes foremost the alveolar epithelium, the surfactant-rich liquid lining, and alveolar macrophages. Typical in vitro models come short of mimicking the complexity of the airway environment in the onset of airway infection; among others, they neither capture the relevant anatomical features nor the physiological flows innate of the acinar milieu. Here, novel microfluidic-based acini-on-chips that mimic more closely the native acinar airways at a true scale with an anatomically inspired, multigeneration alveolated tree are presented and an inhalation-like maneuver is delivered. Composed of human alveolar epithelial lentivirus immortalized cells and macrophages-like human THP-1 cells at an air-liquid interface, the models maintain critically an epithelial barrier with immune function. To demonstrate, the usability and versatility of the platforms, a realistic inhalation exposure assay mimicking bacterial infection is recapitulated, whereby the alveolar epithelium is exposed to lipopolysaccharides droplets directly aerosolized and the innate immune response is assessed by monitoring the secretion of IL8 cytokines. These efforts underscore the potential to deliver advanced in vitro biosystems that can provide new insights into drug screening as well as acute and subacute toxicity assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arbel Artzy-Schnirman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Hikaia Zidan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Shani Elias-Kirma
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Lee Ben-Porat
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Janna Tenenbaum-Katan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Patrick Carius
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Helmholtz Center for Infection Research (HZI), Saarland University, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
- Biopharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Department of Pharmacy, Saarland University, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Ramy Fishler
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Nicole Schneider-Daum
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Helmholtz Center for Infection Research (HZI), Saarland University, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Claus-Michael Lehr
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Helmholtz Center for Infection Research (HZI), Saarland University, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
- Biopharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Department of Pharmacy, Saarland University, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Josué Sznitman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
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Liu G, Betts C, Cunoosamy DM, Åberg PM, Hornberg JJ, Sivars KB, Cohen TS. Use of precision cut lung slices as a translational model for the study of lung biology. Respir Res 2019; 20:162. [PMID: 31324219 PMCID: PMC6642541 DOI: 10.1186/s12931-019-1131-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal models remain invaluable for study of respiratory diseases, however, translation of data generated in genetically homogeneous animals housed in a clean and well-controlled environment does not necessarily provide insight to the human disease situation. In vitro human systems such as air liquid interface (ALI) cultures and organ-on-a-chip models have attempted to bridge the divide between animal models and human patients. However, although 3D in nature, these models struggle to recreate the architecture and complex cellularity of the airways and parenchyma, and therefore cannot mimic the complex cell-cell interactions in the lung. To address this issue, lung slices have emerged as a useful ex vivo tool for studying the respiratory responses to inflammatory stimuli, infection, and novel drug compounds. This review covers the practicality of precision cut lung slice (PCLS) generation and benefits of this ex vivo culture system in modeling human lung biology and disease pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanghui Liu
- RIA Safety, Clinical Pharmacology & Safety Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Catherine Betts
- Pathology, Clinical Pharmacology & Safety Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Danen M Cunoosamy
- Bioscience, Respiratory Inflammation and Autoimmunity, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Present Address: Sanofi, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Per M Åberg
- RIA Safety, Clinical Pharmacology & Safety Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Jorrit J Hornberg
- RIA Safety, Clinical Pharmacology & Safety Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Kinga Balogh Sivars
- RIA Safety, Clinical Pharmacology & Safety Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Taylor S Cohen
- Microbial Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, One Medimmune Way, Gaithersburg, MD, 20877, USA.
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Dohle E, Singh S, Nishigushi A, Fischer T, Wessling M, Möller M, Sader R, Kasper J, Ghanaati S, Kirkpatrick CJ. Human Co- and Triple-Culture Model of the Alveolar-Capillary Barrier on a Basement Membrane Mimic. Tissue Eng Part C Methods 2018; 24:495-503. [DOI: 10.1089/ten.tec.2018.0087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Eva Dohle
- FORM, Frankfurt Orofacial Regenerative Medicine, Clinic for Maxillofacial and Plastic Surgery, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Frankfurt Am Main, Germany
| | - Smriti Singh
- DWI Leibniz-Institute for Interactive Materials, Aachen, Germany
| | | | - Thorsten Fischer
- DWI Leibniz-Institute for Interactive Materials, Aachen, Germany
| | | | - Martin Möller
- DWI Leibniz-Institute for Interactive Materials, Aachen, Germany
- Institute of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Robert Sader
- FORM, Frankfurt Orofacial Regenerative Medicine, Clinic for Maxillofacial and Plastic Surgery, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Frankfurt Am Main, Germany
| | - Jennifer Kasper
- INM − Leibniz Institute for New Materials, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Shahram Ghanaati
- FORM, Frankfurt Orofacial Regenerative Medicine, Clinic for Maxillofacial and Plastic Surgery, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Frankfurt Am Main, Germany
| | - C. James Kirkpatrick
- FORM, Frankfurt Orofacial Regenerative Medicine, Clinic for Maxillofacial and Plastic Surgery, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Frankfurt Am Main, Germany
- Department of Biomaterials, University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden
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Vera J, Santos G. Can Gamification Contribute to Computer Modeling-Driven Biomedical Research? Front Physiol 2018; 9:908. [PMID: 30072911 PMCID: PMC6060613 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.00908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2018] [Accepted: 06/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Julio Vera
- Laboratory of Systems Tumor Immunology, Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen and Faculty of Medicine, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Guido Santos
- Laboratory of Systems Tumor Immunology, Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen and Faculty of Medicine, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
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Santos G, Lai X, Eberhardt M, Vera J. Bacterial Adherence and Dwelling Probability: Two Drivers of Early Alveolar Infection by Streptococcus pneumoniae Identified in Multi-Level Mathematical Modeling. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2018; 8:159. [PMID: 29868515 PMCID: PMC5962665 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2018.00159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2017] [Accepted: 04/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Pneumococcal infection is the most frequent cause of pneumonia, and one of the most prevalent diseases worldwide. The population groups at high risk of death from bacterial pneumonia are infants, elderly and immunosuppressed people. These groups are more vulnerable because they have immature or impaired immune systems, the efficacy of their response to vaccines is lower, and antibiotic treatment often does not take place until the inflammatory response triggered is already overwhelming. The immune response to bacterial lung infections involves dynamic interactions between several types of cells whose activation is driven by intracellular molecular networks. A feasible approach to the integration of knowledge and data linking tissue, cellular and intracellular events and the construction of hypotheses in this area is the use of mathematical modeling. For this paper, we used a multi-level computational model to analyse the role of cellular and molecular interactions during the first 10 h after alveolar invasion of Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. By “multi-level” we mean that we simulated the interplay between different temporal and spatial scales in a single computational model. In this instance, we included the intracellular scale of processes driving lung epithelial cell activation together with the scale of cell-to-cell interactions at the alveolar tissue. In our analysis, we combined systematic model simulations with logistic regression analysis and decision trees to find genotypic-phenotypic signatures that explain differences in bacteria strain infectivity. According to our simulations, pneumococci benefit from a high dwelling probability and a high proliferation rate during the first stages of infection. In addition to this, the model predicts that during the very early phases of infection the bacterial capsule could be an impediment to the establishment of the alveolar infection because it impairs bacterial colonization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guido Santos
- Laboratory of Systems Tumor Immunology, Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen and Faculty of Medicine, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Xin Lai
- Laboratory of Systems Tumor Immunology, Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen and Faculty of Medicine, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Martin Eberhardt
- Laboratory of Systems Tumor Immunology, Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen and Faculty of Medicine, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Julio Vera
- Laboratory of Systems Tumor Immunology, Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen and Faculty of Medicine, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
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