Induction of inflammatory cytokines in the brain following respiratory infection with Bordetella pertussis.
Parenteral injection of endotoxin has been used as a model to examine the role of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the centrally controlled responses to Gram-negative bacterial infection. However, the events that occur following mucosal exposure to live bacteria have received little attention. In this study, we have used a murine model to demonstrate that respiratory infection with Bordetella pertussis, which is associated with a number of systemic complications including fever, seizure and encephalopathy in children, resulted in persistent expression of mRNA transcripts for IL-1beta and TNFalpha and transient expression of IL-6 in the hippocampus and hypothalamus. These changes correlated with elevated levels of cytokine protein in the same brain areas. The results demonstrate that infection at a mucosal surface can result in the induction of pro-inflammatory cytokine production in the brain and suggest that these locally synthesized mediators may contribute to the centrally controlled clinical manifestations of B. pertussis infection.
Loscher
C E
CE
Department of Biology, National University of Ireland, Maynooth, Co., Kildare.
Donnelly
S
S
Lynch
M A
MA
Mills
K H
KH
D000818:Animals; D001886:Bordetella pertussis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D008168:Lung / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000382:microbiology; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014917:Whooping Cough / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000382:microbiology
D016207:Cytokines; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D012333:RNA, Messenger