Full text

Turn on search term navigation

© 2020. This work is licensed under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.

Abstract

Escherichia coli is an important pathogen responsible for a variety of diseases. We have recently shown that Pic, a serine protease secreted by E. coli, mediates immune evasion by the direct cleavage of complement molecules. The aim of this study was to investigate the action of a Pic-producing bacteria in a murine model of sepsis. Mice were infected with Pic-producing E. coli (F5) or F5∆pic mutant. Animal survival was monitored for five days, and a subset of mice was euthanized after 12 h for sample acquisition. The inoculation of Pic-producing bacteria induced 100% death within 24 h. The colony forming units count in the organs was significantly higher in F5. Hematological analysis showed a decrease of total leukocytes. Nitric oxide and cytokines were detected in serum, as well as on peritoneal lavage of the F5 group in higher levels than those detected in the other groups. In addition, immunophenotyping showed a decrease of activated lymphocytes and macrophages in the F5 group. Therefore, Pic represents an important virulence factor, allowing the survival of the bacterium in the bloodstream and several organs, as well as inducing a high production of proinflammatory mediators by the host, and concomitantly a cellular immunosuppression, leading to sepsis and death.

Details

Title
Pic-Producing Escherichia coli Induces High Production of Proinflammatory Mediators by the Host Leading to Death by Sepsis
Author
Dutra, Itaynara L; Araújo, Lorena G; Assunção, Raissa G; Lima, Yago A; Nascimento, Johnny R; Vale, André A M; Alves, Patrícia C S; Trovão, Liana O; Santos, Ana Carolina M; Silva, Rosa M; Silva, Lucilene A; Maciel, Márcia C G  VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; de Sousa, Eduardo M; Elias, Waldir P  VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Nascimento, Flávia R F; Abreu, Afonso G  VIAFID ORCID Logo 
First page
2068
Publication year
2020
Publication date
2020
Publisher
MDPI AG
ISSN
16616596
e-ISSN
14220067
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
2383316810
Copyright
© 2020. This work is licensed under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.