The Role of Porcine Monocyte Derived Dendritic Cells (MoDC) in the Inflammation Storm Caused by Streptococcus suis Serotype 2 Infection: e0151256

• Published in: PloS one Vol. 11; no. 3
• Main Authors: Liu, Jin, Tian, Zhong-Yuan, Xiao, Yun-Cai, Wang, Xi-Liang, Jin, Mei-Lin, Shi, De-Shi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.03.2016
• Subjects: Streptococcus; Streptococcus suis
• ISSN: 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0151256

Background Streptococcus suis is an important swine pathogen and zoonotic agent. Infection with this highly pathogenic strain can cause streptococcal toxic shock-like syndrome (STSLS), characterized by a Th-1 inflammatory cytokine storm, and a high mortality rate. Monocyte derived dendritic cells (MoDCs) are known to stimulate Th-1 cell differentiation, but the role of MoDCs in STSLS remains to be elucidated. Methodology and Findings Porcine CD14-positive monocytes, purified from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), were used to generate MoDCs using granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin-4 (IL-4). Highly pure MoDCs were generated, as proved by their morphology, phenotype analysis, phagocytic ability, and induction of T cells proliferation. The MoDCs were further stimulated by the virulent S. suis serotype 2 (SS2) SC19 strain which triggered a strong release of several pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-1[Beta], IL-8, TNF- alpha , IFN- gamma , and IL-12. Furthermore, the stimulated MoDCs induced CD4+ T cell differentiation towards Th-1 cells in vitro. Conclusions The results of this study indicated that the porcine MoDCs stimulated by SS2 could release high levels of Th-1 inflammatory cytokines and induce CD4+ T cell differentiation towards Th-1 cells. Hence, it is likely that porcine MoDCs play an important role in the STSLS caused by SS2.