title: A novel method for investigating Burkholderia cenocepacia infections in patients with cystic fibrosis and other chronic diseases of the airways.
abstract: Burkholderia cenocepacia is a Gram-negative, opportunistic pathogen that is a cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Research efforts over the past few decades contributed to our understanding of these infections by identifying virulence factors. However, little is known about how this pathogen adapts to the harsh environment found inside the CF airways, which is characterized by a unique mucus containing high concentrations of inflammatory markers. The current study developed a novel model to further investigate this phenomenon.
  
  
  
  Monolayers of human A549 lung carcinoma cells (HLCCs) were exposed to a mixture of artificial CF sputum medium (ASMDM) in tissue culture growth medium, and subsequently infected with B. cenocepacia K56-2 for 24 h. The data showed that this model supported B. cenocepacia growth. In addition, consistent with similar studies using current models such as CF airway tissue samples, HLCC viability was reduced by more than 70 % when grown in 60 % ASMDM and infected with B. cenocepacia compared to mock-infected controls and medium alone. Furthermore, the amount of B. cenocepacia cells associated with the HLCC monolayer was more than 10 times greater in 60 % ASMDM when compared to medium controls.
  
  
  
  These findings suggest that HLCC monolayers in 60 % ASMDM serve as a valid alternative to study B. cenocepacia infections in patients with CF, and possibly other chronic diseases of the airways. Furthermore, the results obtained in this study suggest an important role for CF sputum in B. cenocepacia pathogenesis.
authors: Department of Biological Sciences, Denison University, 100 West College Street, Granville, OH, 43023, USA.
authors: Christiaan D M
authors: CD
authors: Wijers
authors: Department of Biological Sciences, Denison University, 100 West College Street, Granville, OH, 43023, USA.
authors: Ryan
authors: R
authors: Vagedes
authors: Department of Biological Sciences, Denison University, 100 West College Street, Granville, OH, 43023, USA. weingartc@denison.edu.
authors: Christine
authors: C
authors: Weingart
mesh_terms: D000072283:A549 Cells; D019121:Burkholderia Infections / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D057508:Burkholderia cenocepacia / Q000187:drug effects / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D017077:Culture Media, Conditioned; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D007619:Kartagener Syndrome / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D050296:Microbial Viability; D013183:Sputum / Q000382:microbiology; D013752:Tetracycline / Q000494:pharmacology; D037521:Virulence Factors
chemical_list: D017077:Culture Media, Conditioned; D037521:Virulence Factors; D013752:Tetracycline
keywords: Burkholderia; CF sputum; Model; PCD sputum; Tissue culture; cenocepacia