Roles of the bacterial cell wall and capsule in induction of tumor necrosis factor alpha by type III group B streptococci.
Group B streptococci (GBS) are the major cause of sepsis and fatal shock in neonates in the United States. The precise role of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) in the development of human GBS sepsis has not been defined; however, whole GBS have been shown to induce the production of this inflammatory cytokine. We sought to determine which bacterial cell wall components of GBS are responsible for triggering TNF-alpha production. Human cord blood monocytes were stimulated with encapsulated (COH1) or unencapsulated (COH1-13) whole type III GBS or with purified bacterial components, including type III capsular polysaccharide (III-PS), group B polysaccharide (GB-PS), lipoteichoic acid (LTA), or peptidoglycan (PG). Lipopolysaccharide from Escherichia coli served as a control. Supernatants were harvested at specific timed intervals, and TNF-alpha levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Monocytes exposed to COH1 and COH1-13 induced similar amounts of TNF-alpha. III-PS, GB-PS, LTA, and PG each induced TNF-alpha in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. However, TNF-alpha release was significantly greater after stimulation by the GB-PS or PG than after stimulation by III-PS or LTA (P < 0.05). Our findings indicate that GB-PS and PG are the bacterial cell wall components primarily evoking TNF-alpha release. These, alone or in concert with other factors, may be responsible for septic shock accompanying GBS sepsis.
Vallejo
J G
JG
Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
Baker
C J
CJ
Edwards
M S
MS
D016667:Bacterial Capsules / Q000378:metabolism*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006801:Humans; D009000:Monocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000382:microbiology; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000378:metabolism*; D013291:Streptococcus; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism*
D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha