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Original article
Enteroglial-derived S100B protein integrates bacteria-induced Toll-like receptor signalling in human enteric glial cells
  1. Fabio Turco1,
  2. Giovanni Sarnelli1,
  3. Carla Cirillo1,2,
  4. Ilaria Palumbo1,
  5. Francesco De Giorgi1,
  6. Alessandra D'Alessandro1,
  7. Marcella Cammarota3,
  8. Mariateresa Giuliano3,
  9. Rosario Cuomo1
  1. 1Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, ‘Federico II’ University of Naples, Naples, Italy
  2. 2Laboratory for Enteric NeuroScience (LENS), TARGID, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
  3. 3Department of Experimental Medicine, Biotechnology and Molecular Biology section, Seconda Università di Napoli, Naples, Italy
  1. Correspondence to Professor Rosario Cuomo, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Gastroenterological Unit, ‘Federico II’ University of Naples, Via Sergio Pansini 5, Naples 80131, Italy; rcuomo{at}unina.it

Abstract

Objective Enteric glial cells (EGC) have been suggested to participate in host–bacteria cross-talk, playing a protective role within the gut. The way EGC interact with microorganisms is still poorly understood. We aimed to evaluate whether: EGC participate in host–bacteria interaction; S100B and Toll-like receptor (TLR) signalling converge in a common pathway leading to nitric oxide (NO) production.

Design Primary cultures of human EGC were exposed to pathogenic (enteroinvasive Escherichia coli; EIEC) and probiotic (Lactobacillus paracasei F19) bacteria. Cell activation was assessed by evaluating the expression of cFos and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules. TLR expression in EGC was evaluated at both baseline and after exposure to bacteria by real-time PCR, fluorescence microscopy and western blot analysis. S100B expression and NO release from EGC, following exposure to bacteria, were measured in the presence or absence of specific TLR and S100B pathway inhibitors.

Results EIEC activated EGC by inducing the expression of cFos and MHC II. EGC expressed TLR at baseline. Pathogens and probiotics differentially modulated TLR expression in EGC. Pathogens, but not probiotics, significantly induced S100B protein overexpression and NO release from EGC. Pretreatment with specific inhibitors of TLR and S100B pathways abolished bacterial-induced NO release from EGC.

Conclusions Human EGC interact with bacteria and discriminate between pathogens and probiotics via a different TLR expression and NO production. In EGC, NO release is impaired in the presence of specific inhibitors of the TLR and S100B pathways, suggesting the presence of a novel common pathway involving both TLR stimulation and S100B protein upregulation.

  • Nitric Oxide
  • Probiotics
  • Enteric Bacterial Microflora
  • Nervous Control of Intestinal Functions
  • Enteric Nervous System

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