Glycosaminoglycans are differentially involved in bacterial binding to healthy and cystic fibrosis lung cells

J Cyst Fibros. 2019 May;18(3):e19-e25. doi: 10.1016/j.jcf.2018.10.017. Epub 2018 Nov 8.

Abstract

Background: Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are essential in many infections, including recurrent bacterial respiratory infections, the main cause of mortality in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients.

Methods: Using a cellular model of healthy and CF lung epithelium, a comparative transcriptomic study of GAG encoding genes was performed using qRT-PCR, and their differential involvement in the adhesion of bacterial pathogens analyzed by enzymatic degradation and binding competition experiments.

Results: Various alterations in gene expression in CF cells were found which affect GAG structures and seem to influence bacterial adherence to lung epithelium cells. Heparan sulfate appears to be the most important GAG species involved in bacterial binding.

Conclusions: Adherence to lung epithelial cells of some of the main pathogens involved in CF is dependent on GAGs, and the expression of these polysaccharides is altered in CF cells, suggesting it could play an essential role in the development of infectious pathology.

Keywords: Bacteria; Cystic fibrosis; Glycosaminoglycans; Host interaction; Infection; Lung cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alveolar Epithelial Cells / enzymology
  • Bacteria* / classification
  • Bacteria* / metabolism
  • Bacterial Adhesion / physiology*
  • Cell Line
  • Chondroitin Sulfates* / biosynthesis
  • Chondroitin Sulfates* / metabolism
  • Cystic Fibrosis* / metabolism
  • Cystic Fibrosis* / microbiology
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Glycosaminoglycans / physiology
  • Heparitin Sulfate* / biosynthesis
  • Heparitin Sulfate* / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Respiratory Tract Infections* / metabolism
  • Respiratory Tract Infections* / microbiology

Substances

  • Glycosaminoglycans
  • Chondroitin Sulfates
  • Heparitin Sulfate