Streptococcus pneumoniae promotes lung cancer development and progression

Abstract

Streptococcus pneumoniae (SP) is associated with lung cancer, yet its role in thetumorigenesis remains uncertain. Herein we find that SP attaches to lung cancer cells via binding pneumococcal surface protein C (PspC) to platelet-activating factor receptor (PAFR). Interaction between PspC and PAFR stimulates cell proliferation and activates PI3K/AKT and nuclear factor kB (NF-kB) signalingpathways, which trigger a pro-inflammatory response. Lung cancer cellsinfected with SP form larger tumors in BALB/C mice compared to untreated cells. Mice treated with tobacco carcinogen and SP develop more lung tumors and had shorter survival period than mice treated with the carcinogen alone. Mutating PspC or PAFR abolishes tumor-promoting effects of SP. Overabundance of SP is associated with the survival. SP may play a driving role in lungtumorigenesis by activating PI3K/AKT and NF-kB pathways via binding PspC to PAFR and provide a microbial target for diagnosis and treatment of the disease.