Analysis of the in vitro transcriptional response of human pharyngeal epithelial cells to adherent Streptococcus pneumoniae: evidence for a distinct response to encapsulated strains.

ABSTRACT: Infection of the human host by Streptococcus pneumoniae begins with colonization of the nasopharynx, which is mediated by the adherence of bacteria to the respiratory epithelium. Several studies have indicated an important role for the pneumococcal capsule in this process. Here, we used microarrays to characterize the in vitro transcriptional response of human pharyngeal epithelial Detroit 562 cells to the adherence of serotype 2 encapsulated strain D39, serotype 19F encapsulated strain G54, serotype 4 encapsulated strain TIGR4, and their nonencapsulated derivatives (Deltacps). In total, 322 genes were found to be upregulated in response to adherent pneumococci. Twenty-two genes were commonly induced, including those encoding several cytokines (e.g., interleukin 1beta [IL-1beta] and IL-6),

SUBMITTER: Bootsma HJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2168309 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature