The non-pathogenic mycobacteria M. smegmatis and M. fortuitum induce rapid host cell apoptosis via a caspase-3 and TNF dependent pathway

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The HIV pandemic raised the potential for facultative-pathogenic mycobacterial species like, <it>Mycobacterium kansasii</it>, to cause disseminating disease in humans with immune deficiencies. In contrast, non-pathogenic mycobacterial species, like <it>M. smegmatis</it>, are not known to cause disseminating disease even in immunocompromised individuals. We hypothesized that this difference in phenotype could be explained by the strong induction of an innate immune response by the non-pathogenic mycobacterial species.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A comparison of two rapid-growing, non-pathogenic species (<it>M. smegmatis </it>and <it>M. fortuitum</it>) with two facultative-pathogenic species (<it>M. kansasii </it>and <it>M. bovis </it>BCG) demonstrated that only the non-pathogenic bacteria induced strong apoptosis in human THP-1 cells and murine bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM) and dendritic cells (BMDD). The phospho-<it>myo</it>-inositol modification of lipoarabinomannan (PI-LAM) isolated from non-pathogenic species may be one of the cell wall components responsible for the pro-inflammatory activity of the whole bacteria. Indeed, PI-LAM induces high levels of apoptosis and IL-12 expression compared to the mannosyl modification of LAM isolated from facultative-pathogenic mycobacteria. The apoptosis induced by non-pathogenic <it>M. smegmatis </it>was dependent upon caspase-3 activation and TNF secretion. Consistently, BALB/c BMDM responded by secreting large amounts of TNF upon infection with non-pathogenic but not facultative-pathogenic mycobacteria. Interestingly, C57Bl/6 BMDM do not undergo apoptosis upon infection with non-pathogenic mycobacteria despite the fact that they still induce an increase in TNF secretion. This suggests that the host cell signaling pathways are different between these two mouse genotypes and that TNF is necessary but not sufficient to induce host cell apoptosis.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These results demonstrate a much stronger induction of the innate immune response by non-pathogenic versus facultative-pathogenic mycobacteria as measured by host cell apoptosis, IL-12 and TNF cytokine induction. These observations lend support to the hypothesis that the strong induction of the innate immune response is a major reason for the lack of pathogenicity in fast-growing mycobacteria.</p

Modulation of Transcriptional and Inflammatory Responses in Murine Macrophages by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis Mammalian Cell Entry (Mce) 1 Complex

The outcome of many infections depends on the initial interactions between agent and host. Aiming at elucidating the effect of the M. tuberculosis Mce1 protein complex on host transcriptional and immunological responses to infection with M. tuberculosis, RNA from murine macrophages at 15, 30, 60 min, 4 and 10 hrs post-infection with M. tuberculosis H37Rv or Δ-mce1 H37Rv was analyzed by whole-genome microarrays and RT-QPCR. Immunological responses were measured using a 23-plex cytokine assay. Compared to uninfected controls, 524 versus 64 genes were up-regulated by 15 min post H37Rv- and Δ-mce1 H37Rv-infection, respectively. By 15 min post-H37Rv infection, a decline of 17 cytokines combined with up-regulation of Ccl24 (26.5-fold), Clec4a2 (23.2-fold) and Pparγ (10.5-fold) indicated an anti-inflammatory response initiated by IL-13. Down-regulation of Il13ra1 combined with up-regulation of Il12b (30.2-fold), suggested switch to a pro-inflammatory response by 4 hrs post H37Rv-infection. Whereas no significant change in cytokine concentration or transcription was observed during the first hour post Δ-mce1 H37Rv-infection, a significant decline of IL-1b, IL-9, IL-13, Eotaxin and GM-CSF combined with increased transcription of Il12b (25.1-fold) and Inb1 (17.9-fold) by 4 hrs, indicated a pro-inflammatory response. The balance between pro-and anti-inflammatory responses during the early stages of infection may have significant bearing on outcome

Prevalence of cancer in the Afro-Caribbean population presenting dermatomyositis and anti-synthetase syndrome: a preliminary study conducted at Pointe-à-Pitre University Hospital, 2000-2012

International audienceBackground. An association with cancer is described in 17–32% of cases of dermatomyositis (DM) and in 5–16% of cases of anti-synthetase syndrome (ASS). The literature contains very few studies involving Afro-Caribbean patients with DM or ASS. The aim of our retrospective study was to determine the prevalence of cancer in a series of patients with DM or ASS at the University Hospital of Pointe-à-Pitre between 1st January 2000 and 31st December 2012. The secondary objective was to review the clinical and laboratory features as well as the course of DM/ASS in these patients.Patients and methods. The inclusion criteria were as follows: Afro-Caribbean origin; age >15 years; patient living in Guadeloupe; screening for malignancy.Results. Twenty-two patients were included (15 DM, 7 ASS). Only one case of cancer was diagnosed in the entire study population at a mean follow-up of 6±4 years (prevalence: 6.7%, CI95% [1.7–31.9]). Of the 15 patients presenting DM (sex ratio F/M: 4, mean age: 45±14 years), 6 (40%) had associated connective tissue disease.Conclusion. Our study suggests a weak association between DM and cancer in Afro-Caribbean patients. These results may be explained by the features of the disease seen in these patients (female gender, young age at onset, associated connective tissue disease) and the low prevalence in the Caribbean region of cancers typically associated with DM.Introduction. Dix-sept à 32 % des cas de dermatomyosite (DM) et 5 à 16 % des cas de syndrome des anti-synthétases (SAS) sont associés à un cancer. Les séries de patients afro-caribéens atteints de DM ou de SAS sont exceptionnellement rapportées dans la littérature. Le but de notre étude rétrospective était d’estimer la prévalence des cancers dans une série de patients guadeloupéens atteints de DM ou de SAS. L’objectif secondaire était de préciser les caractéristiques cliniques, biologiques et évolutives de la maladie chez ces patients.Patients et méthode. Les critères d’inclusion étaient les suivants : patient afro-caribéen ; âge >15ans ; patient vivant en Guadeloupe ; réalisation d’un bilan d’extension à la recherche d’une néoplasie.Résultats. Vingt-deux patients ont été inclus (15 atteints de DM, 7 de SAS). Un seul cancer a été diagnostiqué, avec une durée moyenne de suivi de 6±4ans sur l’ensemble de la série (prévalence de 6,7 % ; IC 95 % [1,7 ; 31,9]). Parmi les 15 patients atteints de DM (sex-ratio H/F=1/4 ; âge moyen : 45±14ans), 6 (40 %) avaient une connectivite associée.Conclusion. Notre étude suggère une faible association entre DM et cancer chez les patients afro-caribéens. Ces résultats s’expliquent principalement par les caractéristiques de la maladie chez ces patients (sexe féminin, jeune âge, connectivite associée) et la faible prévalence, aux Antilles, des cancers classiquement associés aux DM