Filifactor alocis infection and inflammatory responses in the mouse subcutaneous chamber model

Infect Immun. 2014 Mar;82(3):1205-12. doi: 10.1128/IAI.01434-13. Epub 2013 Dec 30.

Abstract

Recent microbiome studies have implicated a role for Filifactor alocis in periodontal disease. In this study, we investigated the colonization and survival properties of F. alocis in a mouse subcutaneous chamber model of infection and characterized host innate immune responses. An infection of 10(9) F. alocis successfully colonized all chambers; however, the infection was cleared after 72 h. F. alocis elicited a local inflammatory response with neutrophils recruited into the chambers at 2 h postinfection along with an increase in levels of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin 1β (IL-1β), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF). F. alocis also induced apoptosis in chamber epithelial cells and neutrophils. Consistent with resolution of infection, neutrophil numbers and cytokine levels returned to baseline by 72 h. Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) and quantitative PCR demonstrated that F. alocis exited the chambers and spread to the spleen, liver, lung, and kidney. Massive neutrophil infiltration was observed in the spleen and lungs, and the recruited neutrophils were in close proximity to the infecting bacteria. Significant epithelial injury was observed in the kidneys. Infection of all tissues was resolved after 7 days. This first in vivo study of the pathogenicity of F. alocis shows that in the chamber model the organism can establish a proinflammatory, proapoptotic local infection which is rapidly resolved by the host concordant with neutrophil influx. Moreover, F. alocis can spread to, and transiently infect, remote tissues where neutrophils can also be recruited.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / immunology
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Female
  • Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / immunology*
  • Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / microbiology
  • Inflammation / immunology*
  • Inflammation / microbiology
  • Interleukin-1beta / immunology
  • Interleukin-6 / immunology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Neutrophil Infiltration / immunology
  • Neutrophils / immunology
  • Neutrophils / microbiology
  • Peptostreptococcus / immunology*
  • Tumor Necrosis Factors / immunology

Substances

  • Interleukin-1beta
  • Interleukin-6
  • Tumor Necrosis Factors