The osteoblast as an inflammatory cell: production of cytokines in response to bacteria and components of bacterial biofilms

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Research Article

Ulrike Dapunt¹  Arash Moghaddam²  Sabine Stegmaier³  Gertrud Maria Hänsch³  Thomas Giese³ 

[1] Center for Orthopaedics, Trauma Surgery and Spinal Cord Injury, Heidelberg University Hospital, Schlierbacher Landstrasse 200a, 69118, Heidelberg, Germany;HTRG Heidelberg Trauma Research Group, Center for Orthopaedics, Trauma Surgery and Spinal Cord Injury, Heidelberg University Hospital, Schlierbacher Landstrasse 200a, 69118, Heidelberg, Germany;Institute for Immunology, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 305, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany;

关键词: Osteoblast;    Biofilm infection;    GroEL;    Extracellular polymeric substance;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12891-016-1091-y

 received in 2015-12-18, accepted in 2016-05-19,  发布年份 2016

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundImplant infections are a major complication in the field of orthopaedics. Bacteria attach to the implant-surface and form biofilm-colonies which makes them difficult to treat. Not only immune cells exclusively respond to bacterial challenges, but also local tissue cells are capable of participating in defense mechanisms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of osteoblasts in the context of implant infections.MethodsPrimary osteoblasts were cultivated and stimulated with free-swimming bacteria at 4 °C and 37 °C. Supernatants were harvested for ELISA and expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines evaluated by RT-PCR. Bacterial binding to osteoblasts was evaluated using cytofluorometry and uptake was investigated by 3H thymidine-labelling of bacteria. Osteoblasts were additionally stimulated with the extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) of Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilms, as well as components of the EPS; the bacterial heat shock protein GroEL in particular.ResultsWe demonstrated that binding of bacteria to the osteoblast cell surface leads to an increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Bacteria are capable of surviving intracellular. Furthermore, osteoblasts do not only respond to free-swimming, planktonic bacteria, but also to components of the EPS, including lipoteichoic acid and the heat shock protein GroEL.ConclusionIn conclusion, local tissue cells, specifically osteoblasts, might contribute to the persistence of the inflammatory response associated with implant-infections.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© The Author(s). 2016