Abstract
Damp indoor environments contaminated with different mold species may contribute to the development and exacerbation of respiratory illnesses. Human bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B cells were exposed to X-ray treated spores and hyphal fragments from pure cultures of Aspergillus fumigatus, Penicillum chrysogenum, Aspergillus versicolor and Stachybotrys chartarum. Hyphal fragments of A. fumigatus and P. chrysogenum induced expression and release of the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-6 and the chemokine IL-8, while none of the other hyphal preparations had effects. Hyphal fragments from A. fumigatus and P. chrysogenum also increased the expression of IL-1α, IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, but these cytokines were not released. X-ray treated spores had little or no inflammatory potential. Attenuating Toll-like receptor (TLR)-2 by blocking antibodies strongly reduced the A. fumigatus and P. chrysogenum hyphae-induced IL-6 and IL-8 release, whereas TLR4 antagonist treatment was without effects. Untreated A. fumigatus spores formed hyphae and triggered expression of pro-inflammatory genes with similarities to the effects of hyphal fragments. In conclusion, while X-ray treated spores induced no pro-inflammatory responses, hyphal fragments of A. fumigatus and P. chrysogenum enhanced a TLR2-dependent expression and release of IL-6 and IL-8.
Highlights
Dampness and moldy indoor environments are associated with adverse respiratory diseases, including allergic and infectious conditions with enhanced inflammatory state [1,2,3]
Two different preparations of A. fumigatus and P. chrysogenum spores were tested: spores collected by airflow and by washing the culture as well as their hyphal fragment preparations, to allow for comparison with the spores from
This study showed that X-ray treated hyphal fragments from pathogenic A. fumigatus and pointing toward a role of TLR4 (Øya et al, submitted)
Summary
Dampness and moldy indoor environments are associated with adverse respiratory diseases, including allergic and infectious conditions with enhanced inflammatory state [1,2,3]. Fungal dysbiosis occurring on highly exposed biological barrier surfaces including the pulmonary airways have been suggested to have a role in shaping the immune responses [4]. Aspergillus fumigatus, Penicillium chrysogenum, Aspergillus versicolor and Stachybotrys chartarum are species that commonly occur in water-damaged indoor environments [5] Both spores and hyphal fragments are liberated from cultures of molds and may become airborne [6,7,8,9]. While A. fumigatus is pathogenic [11,12,13], P. chrysogenum is rarely responsible for invasive disease [14,15]
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