Mycoplasma pneumoniae extract induces an IL-17-associated inflammatory reaction in murine lung: implication for mycoplasmal pneumonia

Inflammation. 2013 Apr;36(2):285-93. doi: 10.1007/s10753-012-9545-3.

Abstract

Mycoplasma pneumoniae (Mp) may cause immune cell reactions as pivotal aspects of this clinically common respiratory pathogen. Our aim is to determine if Mp extract induces a cellular immune response associated with interleukin (IL)-17, leading to lung inflammation and lung injury. BALB/c mice were immunized with Mp extract intraperitoneally followed by its intratracheal administration, to mimic repeated Mp infection found in humans (repeated inoculation, RI group). Those with a single inoculation were compared as single inoculation group (SI group). Analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) demonstrated that keratinocyte-derived cytokine, tumor necrosis factor-α, and IL-6 were produced and peaked on days 0.5 or 1, followed by IL-17 on day 2. Levels of these mediators in BALF were higher in RI group than SI group (P < 0.05). Further, significantly more neutrophils were recruited to the lungs of the RI group (P < 0.05). These observations suggest that IL-17 is involved in the prolonged induction of neutrophils in mice treated with Mp extract.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / chemistry
  • Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / cytology
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Female
  • Immunization
  • Inflammation
  • Interleukin-17 / biosynthesis
  • Interleukin-17 / immunology*
  • Interleukin-23 / metabolism
  • Interleukin-6 / biosynthesis
  • Interleukin-6 / immunology
  • Lung / immunology*
  • Lung / microbiology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mycoplasma pneumoniae / immunology*
  • Mycoplasma pneumoniae / metabolism
  • Neutrophils / immunology
  • Pneumonia, Mycoplasma / immunology*
  • Pneumonia, Mycoplasma / microbiology
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / biosynthesis
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / immunology

Substances

  • Interleukin-17
  • Interleukin-23
  • Interleukin-6
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha