Effect of Lipopolysaccharide on Development of <i>Aspergillus fumigatus</i> Biofilm on Nasal Epithelial Cells

Abstract

Background and Objectives <i>Aspergillus fumigatus</i> is one of the common causes of fungal airway inflammatory diseases and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) acts as key regulator of airway inflammation. In addition, bacterial and fungal biofilm commonly coexist in chronic rhinosinusitis. In this study, we evaluated the effect of LPS on the development of <i>A. fumigatus</i> biofilm formation on the nasal epithelial cells.Materials and Method Primary nasal epithelial cells were cultured with <i>A. fumigatus</i> conidia with or without LPS for 5 days. The production of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 from nasal epithelial cells was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The effects of LPS on <i>A. fumigatus</i> biofilm formation were determined using biofilm dry weight, and crystal violet, concanavalin A, safranin staining, and confocal scanning laser microscopy.Results LPS and <i>A. fumigatus</i> significantly enhanced the production of I L-6, I L-8, and TGF-β1 from nasal epithelial cells. <i.A. fumigatus</i> can form biofilm on primary nasal epithelial cells, and this significantly increased in a time-dependent manner when cocultured with LPS, the dry weight, concanavalin A, and safranin staining.Conclusion The exposure of <i>A. fumigatus</i> to LPS enhanced the formation of biofilms. The coexistence of LPS and <i>A. fumigatus</i> enhanced fungal biofilm formation and this may be associated with the development of recalcitrant airway inflammatory diseases.