OBJECTIVES: Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF) caused by Rickettsia conorii (R. conorii) is a potential lethal disease while African tick bite fever (ATBF) caused by Rickettsia africae is a self-limiting flu-like illness. We hypothesized that different inflammatory potential in endothelial cells could contribute to the different clinical features in these rickettsioses. METHODS: We analyzed the effect of heat-inactivated R. africae and R. conorii on the mRNA and protein levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1, interleukin (IL)-8 and adhesion molecules in endothelial cells. Serum samples from patients with MSF (n=16) and ATBF (n=15) were collected before and after therapy. RESULTS: R. conorii induced a marked increase in MCP-1, IL-8, and adhesion molecules in endothelial cells, involving toll-like receptor 4 activation. In contrast, R. africae induced MCP-1 expression, but only modest or no responses were seen on IL-8 and adhesion molecules. Comparable to the in vitro response, levels of IL-8 and adhesion molecules showed no or only a modest increase in ATBF patients while these inflammatory markers were markedly elevated during MSF. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest a superior inflammatory potential of R. conorii as compared to R. africae in endothelial cells, potentially related to the more severe inflammation in MSF comparing ATBF.
OBJECTIVES: Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF) caused by Rickettsia conorii (R. conorii) is a potential lethal disease while African tick bite fever (ATBF) caused by Rickettsia africae is a self-limiting flu-like illness. We hypothesized that different inflammatory potential in endothelial cells could contribute to the different clinical features in these rickettsioses. METHODS: We analyzed the effect of heat-inactivated R. africae and R. conorii on the mRNA and protein levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1, interleukin (IL)-8 and adhesion molecules in endothelial cells. Serum samples from patients with MSF (n=16) and ATBF (n=15) were collected before and after therapy. RESULTS:R. conorii induced a marked increase in MCP-1, IL-8, and adhesion molecules in endothelial cells, involving toll-like receptor 4 activation. In contrast, R. africae induced MCP-1 expression, but only modest or no responses were seen on IL-8 and adhesion molecules. Comparable to the in vitro response, levels of IL-8 and adhesion molecules showed no or only a modest increase in ATBF patients while these inflammatory markers were markedly elevated during MSF. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest a superior inflammatory potential of R. conorii as compared to R. africae in endothelial cells, potentially related to the more severe inflammation in MSF comparing ATBF.
Authors: Yingxin Zhao; Gustavo Valbuena; David H Walker; Michal Gazi; Marylin Hidalgo; Rita DeSousa; Jose Antonio Oteo; Yenny Goez; Allan R Brasier Journal: Mol Cell Proteomics Date: 2015-11-11 Impact factor: 5.911
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Authors: Elisabeth Astrup; Trine Ranheim; Jan K Damås; Giovanni Davì; Francesca Santilli; Mogens Jensenius; Giustina Vitale; Pål Aukrust; Juan P Olano; Kari Otterdal Journal: BMC Infect Dis Date: 2014-02-09 Impact factor: 3.090