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Infection and Immunity, December 1998, p. 5777-5784, Vol. 66, No. 12
0019-9567/98/$04.00+0
Copyright © 1998, American Society for Microbiology. All rights reserved.

Pseudomonas Pyocyanin Increases Interleukin-8 Expression by Human Airway Epithelial Cells

Gerene M. Denning,1,* Laura A. Wollenweber,1 Michelle A. Railsback,1 Charles D. Cox,2 Lynn L. Stoll,1 and Bradley E. Britigan1

Departments of Internal Medicine1 and Microbiology,2 The VA Medical Center and The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242

Received 30 March 1998/Returned for modification 20 May 1998/Accepted 2 September 1998

Pseudomonas aeruginosa, an opportunistic human pathogen, causes acute pneumonia in patients with hospital-acquired infections and is commonly associated with chronic lung disease in individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF). Evidence suggests that the pathophysiological effects of P. aeruginosa are mediated in part by virulence factors secreted by the bacterium. Among these factors is pyocyanin, a redox active compound that increases intracellular oxidant stress. We find that pyocyanin increases release of interleukin-8 (IL-8) by both normal and CF airway epithelial cell lines and by primary airway epithelial cells. Moreover, pyocyanin synergizes with the inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha and IL-1alpha . RNase protection assays indicate that increased IL-8 release is accompanied by increased levels of IL-8 mRNA. The antioxidant n-acetyl cysteine, general inhibitors of protein tyrosine kinases, and specific inhibitors of mitogen-activated protein kinases diminish pyocyanin-dependent increases in IL-8 release. Conversely, inhibitors of protein kinases C (PKC) and PKA have no effect. In contrast to its effects on IL-8 expression, pyocyanin inhibits cytokine-dependent expression of the monocyte/macrophage/T-cell chemokine RANTES. Increased release of IL-8, a potent neutrophil chemoattractant, in response to pyocyanin could contribute to the marked infiltration of neutrophils and subsequent neutrophil-mediated tissue damage that are observed in Pseudomonas-associated lung disease.

* Corresponding author. Mailing address: Building 3, Room 139, VA Medical Center, Iowa City, IA 52246. Phone: (319) 338-0581, ext. 7573. Fax: (319) 339-7162. E-mail: gerene-denning{at}uiowa.edu.

Infection and Immunity, December 1998, p. 5777-5784, Vol. 66, No. 12
0019-9567/98/$04.00+0
Copyright © 1998, American Society for Microbiology. All rights reserved.


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