The expression of alpha4 integrins by human polymorphonuclear neutrophils in response to sonicated extracts of Enterococcus faecalis

Comparative evaluation of antimicrobial efficacy of QMix™ 2 in 1, sodium hypochlorite, and chlorhexidine against Enterococcus faecalis and Candida albicans

Aim/Objective:

The aim of this study is to compare the antimicrobial efficacy of QMix™ 2 in 1, sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), and chlorhexidine (CHX) against Enterococcus faecalis and Candida albicans.

Materials and Methods:

Eighty freshly extracted, single-rooted human mandibular premolar teeth were instrumented and autoclaved. Samples were divided into two groups of 40 teeth each based on the type of microorganism used. Group I was inoculated with E. faecalis and Group II with C. albicans and incubated for 3 days. Each group was subdivided into four subgroups based on the type of irrigant used. Group IA, IIA, 5.25% NaOCl; Group IB, IIB, 2% CHX; Group IC, IIC, QMix™ 2 in 1; and Group ID, IID, 0.9% saline (the control group). Ten microliters of the sample from each canal was taken and was placed on Brain Heart Infusion agar and Sabouraud dextrose agar. The plates were incubated at 37°C for 24 h and colony forming units (CFUs) that were grown were counted. Data was analyzed with analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by post-hoc Games-Howell test.

Results:

The greatest antimicrobial effects were observed in samples treated with QMix™ 2 in 1 (P < 0.001). No statistical significant difference was found between 5.25% NaOCl and 2% CHX (P > 0.001) against E. faecalis and C. albicans.

Conclusion:

QMix™ 2 in 1 demonstrated significant antimicrobial efficacy against E. faecalis and C. albicans.

Enterococcus faecalis from healthy infants modulates inflammation through MAPK signaling pathways

Colonizing commensal bacteria after birth are required for the proper development of the gastrointestinal tract. It is believed that bacterial colonization pattern in neonatal gut affects gut barrier function and immune system maturation. Studies on the development of faecal microbiota in infants showed that the neonatal gut was first colonized with enterococci followed by other microbiota such as Bifidobacterium. Other studies showed that babies who developed allergy were less often colonized with Enterococcus during the first month of life as compared to healthy infants. Many studies have been conducted to elucidate how bifidobacteria or lactobacilli, some of which are considered probiotic, regulate infant gut immunity. However, fewer studies have been focused on enterococi. In our study, we demonstrate that E. faecalis, isolated from healthy newborns, suppress inflammatory responses activated in vivo and in vitro. We found E. faecalis attenuates proinflammatory cytokine secretions, especially IL-8, through JNK and p38 signaling pathways. This finding shed light on how the first colonizer, E.faecalis, regulates inflammatory responses in the host.

Enterococcus faecalis overcomes foreign body-mediated inflammation to establish urinary tract infections

Urinary catheterization elicits major histological and immunological changes that render the bladder susceptible to microbial invasion, colonization, and dissemination. However, it is not understood how catheters induce these changes, how these changes act to promote infection, or whether they may have any protective benefit. In the present study, we examined how catheter-associated inflammation impacts infection by Enterococcus faecalis, a leading cause of catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI), a source of significant societal and clinical challenges. Using a recently optimized murine model of foreign body-associated UTI, we found that the implanted catheter itself was the primary inducer of inflammation. In the absence of the silicone tubing implant, E. faecalis induced only minimal inflammation and was rapidly cleared from the bladder. The catheter-induced inflammation was only minimally altered by subsequent enterococcal infection and was not suppressed by inhibitors of the neurogenic pathway and only partially by dexamethasone. Despite the robust inflammatory response induced by urinary implantation, E. faecalis produced biofilm and high bladder titers in these animals. Induction of inflammation in the absence of an implanted catheter failed to promote infection, suggesting that the presence of the catheter itself is essential for E. faecalis persistence in the bladder. Immunosuppression prior to urinary catheterization enhanced E. faecalis colonization, suggesting that implant-mediated inflammation contributes to the control of enterococcal infection. Thus, this study underscores the need for novel strategies against CAUTIs that seek to reduce the deleterious effects of implant-mediated inflammation on bladder homeostasis while maintaining an active immune response that effectively limits bacterial invaders.

Infant intestinal Enterococcus faecalis down-regulates inflammatory responses in human intestinal cell lines

AIM: To investigate the ability of Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) to modulate inflammatory reaction in human intestinal cell lines (Caco-2, HT-29 and HCT116). Different strains of LAB isolated from new born infants and fermented milk, together with the strains obtained from culture collections were tested.

METHODS: LABs were treated with human intestinal cell lines. ELISA was used to detect IL-8 and TGF-β protein secretion. Cytokines and Toll like receptors (TLRs) gene expression were assessed using RT-PCR. Conditional medium, sonicated bacteria and UV killed bacteria were used to find the effecter molecules on the bacteria. Carbohydrate oxidation and protein digestion were applied to figure out the molecules’ residues. Adhesion assays were further carried out.

RESULTS: It was found that Enterococcus faecalis is the main immune modulator among the LABs by downregulation of IL-8 secretion and upregulation of TGF-β. Strikingly, the effect was only observed in four strains of E. faecalis out of the 27 isolated and tested. This implies strain dependent immunomodulation in the host. In addition, E. faecalis may regulate inflammatory responses through TLR3, TLR4, TLR9 and TRAF6. Carbohydrates on the bacterial cell surface are involved in both its adhesion to intestinal cells and regulation of inflammatory responses in the host.

CONCLUSION: These data provide a case for the modulation of intestinal mucosal immunity in which specific strains of E. faecalis have uniquely evolved to maintain colonic homeostasis and regulate inflammatory responses.

Expression of Toll Like Receptor 4 in Normal Human Odontoblasts and Dental Pulp Tissue

The aim of the study was to determine the expression of TLR4 in odontoblasts and the dental pulp. Odontoblasts and pulp tissues were collected from freshly extracted human wisdom teeth. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting were performed to detect TLR4 mRNA and protein expression, respectively. Immunohistochemical staining was used to determine the distribution of TLR4 in odontoblasts and the pulp. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was applied to observe the morphology of odontoblasts. It was demonstrated that TLR4 mRNA and protein expressions were both present in cells of odontoblast layer and pulp tissues and that TLR4 expression was distributed in odontoblasts and some pulpal vascular endothelial cells. SEM revealed the integrity of the odontoblast cell-layer and the well-preserved morphology of individual odontoblast cells. These findings suggest that TLR4 expressed in odontoblasts may play an important role in the dental immune defense.