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Smith-Norowitz TA, Shidid S, Norowitz YM, Kohlhoff S. Chlamydia pneumoniae-Induced IFN-Gamma Responses in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells Increase Numbers of CD4+ but Not CD8+ T Effector Memory Cells. J Blood Med 2021; 12:385-394. [PMID: 34104025 PMCID: PMC8178698 DOI: 10.2147/jbm.s303275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Chlamydia pneumoniae causes respiratory infection in adults and children. Previous studies in our laboratory identified significantly higher in vitro T lymphocyte responses to C. pneumoniae in children with asthma compared to healthy controls which may indicate the presence of T effector memory (TEM) lymphocytes. Aim In the present study, healthy subjects were screened for the presence of TEM cells and their cytokines. CCR7 negative effector TEMs may indicate persistent infection with C. pneumoniae. Methods Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) (1×106/mL) from adult non-asthmatic subjects were infected for 1h ± C. pneumoniae TW-183 at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) = 0.1 and cultured (48 hrs). Distributions of lymphocytes (CD4+, CD8+) and TEM cells (CD4+CCR7+CD45RA+CD154+, CD8+CCR7+CD45RA+CD154+) were determined. Levels of intracellular interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, and interferon (IFN)-gamma were measured (flow microfluorimetry); IFN-gamma was measured in supernatants (ELISA). Results C. pneumoniae infection led to a decrease in numbers of CD8+ TEM and CD8+CD154+ cells; CD4+TEM and CD4+CD154+ cells did not change. Numbers of TEM cells (CD4+IL-2+, CD8+ IL-2+) also decreased. However, number of TEM cells (CD4+IL4-+, CD8+ IL-4+) and (CD4+ IFN-gamma+, CD8+IFN-gamma+) did not change. When stratified according to IFN-gamma+ status, numbers of CD4+ IL-2+ and CD4+IL-4+ TEMs increased; CD8+IL-2+ and CD8+ IL-4+ TEMs decreased. Conclusion C. pneumoniae-induced PBMC IFN-gamma+ responses increased numbers of CD4+ IL-2+ and CD4+IL-4+ TEM cells, while CD8+IL-2+ and CD8+IL-4+ TEMs decreased. Production of IFN-gamma by C. pneumoniae infected PBMC should be further studied as a biomarker of persistent infection in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamar A Smith-Norowitz
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, 11203, USA
| | - Sarah Shidid
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, 11203, USA
| | - Yitzchok M Norowitz
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, 11203, USA
| | - Stephan Kohlhoff
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, 11203, USA
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Smith-Norowitz TA, Huang Y, Loeffler J, Klein E, Norowitz YM, Hammerschlag MR, Joks R, Kohlhoff S. Azithromycin decreases Chlamydia pneumoniae-mediated Interleukin-4 responses but not Immunoglobulin E responses. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0234413. [PMID: 32511255 PMCID: PMC7279567 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0234413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 05/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chlamydia pneumoniae is an obligate intracellular bacterium that causes respiratory infection. There may exist an association between C. pneumoniae, asthma, and production of immunoglobulin (Ig) E responses in vitro. Interleukin (IL-4) is required for IgE production. OBJECTIVE We previously demonstrated that doxycycline suppresses C. pneumoniae-induced production of IgE and IL-4 responses in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from asthmatic subjects. Whereas macrolides have anti-chlamydial activity, their effect on in vitro anti-inflammatory (IgE) and IL-4 responses to C. pneumoniae have not been studied. METHODS PBMC from IgE- adult atopic subjects (N = 5) were infected +/- C. pneumoniae BAL69, +/- azithromycin (0.1, 1.0 ug/mL) for 10 days. IL-4 and IgE levels were determined in supernatants by ELISA. IL-4 and IgE were detected in supernatants of PBMC (day 10). RESULTS When azithromycin (0.1, 1.0 ug/ml) was added, IL-4 levels decreased. At low dose, IgE levels increased and at high dose, IgE levels decreased. When PBMC were infected with C. pneumoniae, both IL-4 and IgE levels decreased. Addition of azithromycin (0.1, 1.0 ug/mL) decreased IL-4 levels and had no effect on IgE levels. CONCLUSIONS These findings indicate that azithromycin decreases IL-4 responses but has a bimodal effect on IgE responses in PBMC from atopic patients in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamar A. Smith-Norowitz
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, State University of New York Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, New York, United States of America
| | - Yvonne Huang
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, State University of New York Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, New York, United States of America
| | - Jeffrey Loeffler
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, State University of New York Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, New York, United States of America
| | - Elliot Klein
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, State University of New York Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, New York, United States of America
| | - Yitzchok M. Norowitz
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, State University of New York Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, New York, United States of America
| | - Margaret R. Hammerschlag
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, State University of New York Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, New York, United States of America
| | - Rauno Joks
- Department of Medicine, State University of New York Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, New York, United States of America
| | - Stephan Kohlhoff
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, State University of New York Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, New York, United States of America
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Smith-Norowitz TA, Chotikanatis K, Weaver D, Ditkowsky J, Norowitz YM, Hammerschlag MR, Joks R, Kohlhoff S. Chlamydia pneumoniae-induced tumour necrosis factor alpha responses are lower in children with asthma compared with non-asthma. BMJ Open Respir Res 2018; 5:e000239. [PMID: 29755754 PMCID: PMC5942456 DOI: 10.1136/bmjresp-2017-000239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2017] [Revised: 01/16/2018] [Accepted: 03/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Chlamydia pneumoniae respiratory tract infection has been implicated in the pathogenesis of reactive airway disease and asthma. Innate cytokine responses that are protective of infection with intracellular pathogens may be impaired in patients with asthma. Tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) is a cytokine related to functions of monocytes and may inhibit C. pneumoniae infection. We investigated TNF-α responses in C. pneumoniae-infected peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in patients with asthma and non-asthma, and whether ciprofloxacin, azithromycin or doxycycline affects TNF-α responses. Methods PBMC (1.5×106) from paediatric patients with asthma (n=19) and non-asthmatic controls (n=6) were infected or mock infected for 1 hour with or without C. pneumoniae AR-39 at a multiplicity of infection=0.1, and cultured+ciprofloxacin, azithromycin or doxycycline (0.1 ug/mL) for 48 hours. TNF-α levels were measured in supernatants by ELISA. Results When PBMC from patients with asthma were infected with C. pneumoniae, levels of TNF-α were significantly lower than in subjects without asthma (48 hours) (5.5±5.6, 38.4±53.7; p=0.0113). However, baseline responses (no infection with C. pneumoniae) were similar in asthma and non-asthma (1.0±1.7, 1.1±1.2; p=0.89). When PBMC frompatiens with asthma were infected with C. pneumoniae+ciprofloxacin, azithromycin or doxycycline, TNF-α levels increased (25%–45%); this affect was not observed in PBMC from patients without asthma. Conclusions We identified differences in the quantity of TNF-α produced by C. pneumoniae-infected PBMC in asthma compared with non-asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamar Anne Smith-Norowitz
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York, USA
| | - Kobkul Chotikanatis
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York, USA
| | - Diana Weaver
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York, USA
| | - Jared Ditkowsky
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York, USA
| | - Yitzchok Meir Norowitz
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York, USA
| | - Margaret R Hammerschlag
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York, USA
| | - Rauno Joks
- Department of Medicine, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York, USA
| | - Stephan Kohlhoff
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York, USA
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Smith-Norowitz TA, Perlman J, Norowitz YM, Joks R, Durkin HG, Hammerschlag MR, Kohlhoff S. Chlamydia pneumoniae induces interleukin-12 responses in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in asthma and the role of toll like receptor 2 versus 4: a pilot study. Ir J Med Sci 2016; 186:511-517. [PMID: 28035483 DOI: 10.1007/s11845-016-1549-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2016] [Accepted: 12/26/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chlamydia pneumoniae causes respiratory infection in adults and children, and has been associated with asthma exacerbations and induction of Immunoglobulin (Ig) E responses. We previously reported that C. pneumoniae enhances T helper (Th) 2 responses of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from asthmatic patients. It is likely that toll like receptor (TLR)-2 and TLR-4 mediate cytokine responses and host defense against C. pneumoniae. Thus, we sought to determine whether engagement of TLR-2 or TLR-4 may induce IL-12 production in our C. pneumoniae model. METHODS PBMC (1.5 × 106) from asthmatic patients (N = 10) and non-asthmatic controls (N = 5) were infected or mock-infected for 1 h ± C. pneumoniae TW183 at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) = 1 and MOI = 0.1, and cultured for 48 h ± anti- TLR-2 and TLR-4 antibodies (Abs) (1 mg/mL). Interleukin (IL)-12 (48 h p.i.) and total IgE levels (day 10) were measured in supernatants (ELISA). RESULTS High IgE levels were detected in supernatants of C. pneumoniae- infected PBMC from asthmatics on day 10, compared with mock-infected PBMC (p < 0.03). In contrast, IgE was not detected (<0.3 ng/mL) in either C. pneumoniae infected or mock-infected PBMC from non-asthmatics. IL-12 production by C. pneumoniae-infected asthmatic and non-asthmatic PBMC were similar. When anti-TLR4, but not anti-TLR2, was included in culture, IL-12 production by C. pneumoniae- infected asthmatic PBMC decreased. CONCLUSIONS C. pneumoniae infection induces IgE production and modulates IL-12 responses in patients with asthma, which may be caused, in part, by differences in TLR-2 and TLR-4 stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- T A Smith-Norowitz
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Box 49, 450 Clarkson Ave., Brooklyn, NY, 11203, USA.
| | - J Perlman
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Box 49, 450 Clarkson Ave., Brooklyn, NY, 11203, USA
| | - Y M Norowitz
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Box 49, 450 Clarkson Ave., Brooklyn, NY, 11203, USA
| | - R Joks
- Department of Medicine, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, 11203, USA
| | - H G Durkin
- Department of Pathology, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, 11203, USA
| | - M R Hammerschlag
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Box 49, 450 Clarkson Ave., Brooklyn, NY, 11203, USA
| | - S Kohlhoff
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Box 49, 450 Clarkson Ave., Brooklyn, NY, 11203, USA
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