Human dental pulp stem cells: A sanctuary for relapsing Bartonella quintana. (April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Oumarou Hama, Hamadou; Hamada, Attoumani; Aboudharam, Gérard; Ghigo, Éric; Drancourt, Michel
• Is Part Of: Microbial pathogenesis. Volume 153(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-04
• Subjects: Human dental pulp stem cells -- Internalization -- Immunity -- Bartonella quintana; Pathogenic microorganisms -- Periodicals; Pathology, Molecular -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- microbiology -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- parasitology -- Periodicals; Micro-organismes pathogènes -- Périodiques; Pathologie moléculaire -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 616.9041
• DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2021.104797
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0882-4010

Abstract

Abstract: Bartonella quintana is a facultative intracellular bacterium responsible for relapsing fever, an example of non-sterilizing immunity. The cellular sanctuary of B. quintana in-between febrile relapses remains unknown but repeated detection of B. quintana in dental pulp specimens suggested long-term half-life dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) as candidates. As the capacity of DPSCs to internalize microscopic particles was unknown, we confirmed that DPSCs internalized B. quintana bacteria: Gimenez staining and fluorescence microscopy localized B. quintana bacteria inside DPSCs and this internalization did not affect the cellular multiplication of DPSCs during a one-month follow-up despite the increase in the bacterial load. B. quintana -infected DPSCs did not produce Tumor Necrosis Factor-α whereas an important production of Monocytes Chemoattractant Protein-1 was observed. These unprecedented observations suggest the possibility that DPSCs are shelters for the long-term persistence of B. quintana in the host, warranting further experimental and clinical investigations. Highlights: Bartonella quintana is responsible for considerable fatal infections in humans. DPSCs are mesenchymal stem cells with tissue regeneration capacity. Highlights B. quintana as a paradigmal organism.