Pseudomonas aeruginosa activates components of the inflammasome complex in human corneal fibroblast

Cendra Gascon, Maria del mar DM, Elsahn, Ahmad, Christodoulides, Myron and Hossain, Parwez (2014) Pseudomonas aeruginosa activates components of the inflammasome complex in human corneal fibroblast. Immunology, 143 ((suppl 2)), 111. (doi:10.1111/imm.12406).

Abstract

Microbial keratitis is a principal cause of visual impairment and blindness worldwide. Pseudomonas aeruginosa has been described as the leading Gram-negative bacteria causative agent of corneal infections associated with contact lens and ocular trauma. In front of the external environment, the cornea provides a defensive barrier and it is important in the host innate immune response to microbial invasion. Studies in mice have revealed that the activation of multiprotein complexes called inflammasomes, in response to the bacterial infection, plays an important role in the pathogenesis and in the corneal tissue damage. The inflammasome complex contains signalling molecules, e.g. ASC, NLRs and caspases, that assemble in response of pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) recognition and lead to secretion of IL-1B and IL-18. In our study, we have used qPCR and western blotting to investigate the activation of different inflammasome molecules in primary human corneal fibroblast infected with P. aeruginosa PAO1 strain. In addition, we have investigated how the non-functionality of P. aeruginosa virulent factors modify the corneal immune signalling cascade and inflammasome activation and the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Our data also indicate that P. aeruginosa influences the nature of caspase activation and this is dependent of the expression of particular virulence factors.

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Contributors

Author: Myron Christodoulides

Author: Parwez Hossain

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