Proinflammatory Effects of Staphylococcus Aureus Exotoxin B on Nasal Epithelial Cells

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Staphylococcus aureus exotoxin B (SE-B) on proinflammatory cytokine/chemokine releases in primary nasal epithelial cell cultures (NECC) of subjects with and without chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: NECC (CRS: n = 14; Controls: n = 11) were stimulated with SE-B. Protein concentrations of interleukin-(IL)-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 levels were measured in NECC supernatants by ELISA before (T0) and after 24 hr stimulation with SE-B (T1). RESULTS: T0: supernatants of the NECC of CRS patients contained significant lower levels of IL-8 (2.1 ng/ml) compared to Controls (IL-8: 6.2 ng/ml; P < 0.01). T1: SE-B induced a significant increase of IL-6 in NECC ( P < 0.001). IL-1β was not detectable. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study evaluating the effects of exotoxins on NECC. SE-B showed proinflammatory effects on NECC. SIGNIFICANCE: Our data suggest that resident NECC are involved in immunological responses to Staphylococcus aureus toxins, supplementing the so-called “superantigen hypothesis” in CRS.