title: Recognition of Corynebacterium pseudodiphtheriticum by Toll-like receptors and up-regulation of antimicrobial peptides in human corneal epithelial cells.
abstract: Bacterial keratitis is a major cause of corneal ulcers in developing and industrialized nations. In this study, we examined the host innate immune responses to Corynebacterium pseudodiphtheriticum, often overlooked as commensal, in human corneal epithelial cells. The expressions of innate immune mediators were determined by quantitative PCR from corneal ulcers of patients and immortalized human corneal epithelial cells (HCEC). We have found an elevated expression of Toll like receptors (TLRs) along with IL-6 and IL-1β from both ulcers and epithelial cells infected with C. pseudodiphtheriticum. Activation of NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways were also observed in HCEC in response to C. pseudodiphtheriticum. In addition, we found a significant increase in the expression of antimicrobial peptides S100A8, S100A9 and human β-defensin 1 from both corneal ulcers and HCEC.
authors.affiliation: a Prof. Brien Holden Eye Research Center; Hyderabad Eye Research Foundation; LV Prasad Eye Institute ; Hyderabad , India.
authors.forename: Sanhita
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Roy
authors.affiliation: a Prof. Brien Holden Eye Research Center; Hyderabad Eye Research Foundation; LV Prasad Eye Institute ; Hyderabad , India.
authors.forename: Sushma
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Marla
authors.affiliation: a Prof. Brien Holden Eye Research Center; Hyderabad Eye Research Foundation; LV Prasad Eye Institute ; Hyderabad , India.
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Praneetha
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002460:Cell Line; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002648:Child; D003352:Corynebacterium / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D003354:Corynebacterium Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D015533:Transcriptional Activation; D015854:Up-Regulation; D055815:Young Adult; D023083:beta-Defensins / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: C406407:DEFB1 protein, human; D015850:Interleukin-6; D016328:NF-kappa B; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors; D023083:beta-Defensins
keywords: antimicrobial peptides; cytokines; defensins; epithelial cells; toll like receptors