Cord‐forming mycobacteria induce DNA meshwork formation by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Issue 1 (15th November 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jönsson, Bodil E.; Bylund, Johan; Johansson, Bengt R.; Telemo, Esbjörn; Wold, Agnes E.
• Is Part Of: Pathogens and disease. Volume 67:Issue 1(2013:Feb.)
• Page Start: 54
• Page End: 66
• Publication Date: 2012-11-15
• Subjects: Medical microbiology -- Periodicals; Pathogenic microorganisms -- Periodicals; Communicable diseases -- Microbiology -- Periodicals; Communicable diseases -- Pathogenesis -- Periodicals; Host-parasite relationships -- Periodicals; Systems biology -- Periodicals; 616.904105
• DOI: 10.1111/2049-632X.12007
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2049-632X

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="fim12007-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>Mononuclear phagocytes, that is, monocytes and macrophages, are central in the defense against mycobacteria. <italic>Mycobacterium abscessu</italic>s is an opportunistic mycobacterial species able to cause chronic pulmonary infections in patients with cystic fibrosis but also soft tissue infections in immunocompetent individuals. Pathogenic isolates of <italic>M. abscessus</italic> with rough colony morphology form cord‐like aggregates. In this study, we investigated the <italic>in vitro</italic> response of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy blood donors to cord‐forming <italic>M. abscessus</italic> strains from cystic fibrosis patients with clinical lung infection. Microscopic examination revealed that the PBMCs produced a coarse fibrous meshwork containing DNA and histones, which surrounded the mycobacterial cords. Thus, the bacterial cord formations were entrapped by monocytes and lymphocytes aggregated onto the DNA‐rich meshwork fibers. <italic>Mycobacterium abscessus</italic> strains with smooth colony morphology, which do not form cords and are readily phagocytosed, did not induce any meshwork formation in PBMCs. The chromatin meshwork may represent a defense mechanism against nondigestible invaders.</p> </abstract>