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Polyinosine‐polycytidylic acid enhances cellular adherence of Streptococcus pneumoniae
Author(s) -
Kawabata Masaki,
Kurono Yuichi
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1002/lary.22328
Subject(s) - flow cytometry , immunofluorescence , in vitro , respiratory tract , streptococcus pneumoniae , cell culture , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , cell , receptor , epithelium , respiratory system , immunology , antibody , biochemistry , genetics , anatomy , antibiotics
Objectives/Hypothesis: Viral upper respiratory tract infections (URIs) are often followed by secondary bacterial infections. To better understand this phenomenon, we examined the impact of the viral agent polyinosine‐polycytidylic acid [Poly (I:C)] on the adherence of Streptococcus pneumoniae (Spn) to pharyngeal epithelial cells. Study Design: In vitro model of cultured human pharyngeal epithelial cells. Methods: Detroit 562 cells, a human pharyngeal carcinoma cell line, were pretreated with Poly (I:C). Poly (I:C)–induced expression of platelet‐activating factor receptor (PAF‐R) was assayed using real‐time polymerase chain reaction, flow cytometry, and immunofluorescence microscopy. Bacterial adhesion to these epithelial cells was assessed using immunofluorescence microscopy and colony formation assays. Results: Pretreatment with Poly (I:C) increased mRNA and protein expression of PAF‐R in Detroit 562 cells and enhanced the adherence of Spn to these epithelial cells. Conclusions: RNA viral infection can enhance PAF‐R expression in epithelial cells and increase the adherence of Spn. These findings might explain in part the mechanisms that underlie the increase in bacterial infection following URIs.