Streptococcus pneumoniae induces mast cell degranulation

Streptococcus pneumoniae colonizes the nasopharynx of healthy human carriers, but occasionally can spread in the body causing severe diseases. The mucosa of the respiratory tract is enriched in mast cells, key players of the innate immune response. Here, we report on the interaction of various strai...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of medical microbiology 2006-08, Vol.296 (4), p.325-329
Main Authors: Barbuti, Giovanna, Moschioni, Monica, Censini, Stefano, Covacci, Antonello, Montecucco, Cesare, Montemurro, Pasqualina
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Cell Degranulation
Cell Line
Hexosaminidases - analysis
Inflammation
Interleukin-6 - analysis
Mast cell
Mast Cells - immunology
Mast Cells - microbiology
Rats
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Streptococcus pneumoniae - immunology
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha - analysis
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Summary:Streptococcus pneumoniae colonizes the nasopharynx of healthy human carriers, but occasionally can spread in the body causing severe diseases. The mucosa of the respiratory tract is enriched in mast cells, key players of the innate immune response. Here, we report on the interaction of various strains of S. pneumoniae with the mast cell line RBL-2H3. Live, but not heat-killed, bacteria were found to induce mast cell degranulation in a dose- and time-dependent manner, only partially controlled by cytosolic calcium, with no production of TNF- α and IL-6. Non-encapsulated pneumococcal strains exhibited different potencies in triggering mast cells. We propose here that the induction of mast cell degranulation by pneumococcal factors not accompanied by the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines may be a specific strategy elaborated by this bacterium to promote its own spreading from the respiratory mucosa into the environment.
ISSN:1438-4221
1618-0607
DOI:10.1016/j.ijmm.2005.11.009