Penicillin G—Induced Microbicidal Activity of Endothelial Cells Cultured on Gelfoam Blocks

• Published in: The Journal of infectious diseases 1996-11, Vol.174 (5), p.1001-1009
• Main Authors: Zhang, Bin, Centra, Michelle, Cao, Guan Liang, Taylor, Robert M., Ratych, Roman E., Rosen, Gerald M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Absorbable gelatin sponges; Animals; Antibiotics; Bacteria; Cattle; Cell growth; Cells, Cultured; Cultured cells; Cytochalasin B - pharmacology; Cytochalasins; Endothelial cells; Endothelium, Vascular - cytology; Female; Gelatin Sponge, Absorbable - pharmacology; Major Articles; Penicillin; Penicillin G - pharmacology; Penicillins - pharmacology; Phagocytosis; Pregnancy; Staphylococcus aureus - immunology; Streptomycin - pharmacology; Ungulates
• ISSN: 0022-1899; 1537-6613
• DOI: 10.1093/infdis/174.5.1001

A body of evidence has surfaced documenting the ability of endothelial cells cultured on mono-layers to phagocytose but not kill bacteria. Several years ago, a new three-dimensional endothelial cell culturing model was developed, which simulated the morphology of the endothelium in small vessels and capillaries. Given that endothelial cellsmay be derived from the same pluripotent stem cells as macrophages, the question of whether endothelial cells might phagocytose and kill bacteria was explored. Endothelial cells grown on Gelfoam blocks exhibited bactericidal activity towards Staphylococcus aureus, reaching maximal killing of >90% after 2 h. Evidence documents the involvementof bacterial adherence to the plasma membrane of the endothelial cell. This is followed by phagocytosis of S. aureus, leading to intracellular killing. Penicillin G, included in the endothelial cell growth medium, was found to be a critical factor in the bactericidal activity demonstrated by Gelfoam blocks laden with endothelial cells.