Pneumolysin and the bacterial capsule of Streptococcus pneumoniae cooperatively inhibit taxis and motility of microglia.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Streptococcus pneumoniae is the cause of a highly lethal form of meningitis in humans. Microglial cells in the brain represent the first line of defense against pathogens, and they participate in the inflammatory response. The cholesterol-dependent cytolysin pneumolysin and the bacterial capsule are key pathogenic factors, known to exacerbate the course of pneumococcal meningitis.

Methods

We utilized live imaging and immunostaining of glial cells in dissociated and acute brain slice cultures to study the effect of pneumococcal factors, including the cholesterol-dependent cytolysin pneumolysin and the pneumococcal capsule, on microglial motility and taxis.

Results

In brain tissue, primary microglia cells showed an enhanced response towards lysates from bacte

SUBMITTER: Hupp S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6525981 | biostudies-literature | 2019 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature