The Relevance of IL-1-Signaling in the Protection against Gram-Positive Bacteria

Abstract

Previous studies performed using a model of group B streptococcus (GBS)-induced peritoneal inflammation indicate that the interleukin-1 receptor (IL-1R) family plays an important role in the innate host defense against this encapsulated Gram-positive bacteria. Since the role of IL-1-dependent signaling in peritoneal infections induced by other Gram-positive bacteria is unknown, in the present study we sought to investigate the contribution of IL-1R signaling in host defenses against Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus or GAS) or Staphylococcus aureus, two frequent and global human Gram-positive extracellular pathogens. We analyzed here the outcome of GAS or S. aureus infection in IL-1R-deficient mice. After inoculated intraperitoneal (i.p.) inoculation with group A Streptococcus or S. aureus, all the wild-type (WT) control mice survived the challenge, while, respectively, 63% or 50% of IL-1-defective mice died. Lethality was due to the ability of both bacterial species to replicate and disseminate to the target organs of IL-1R-deficient mice. Moreover, the experimental results indicate that IL-1 signaling promotes the production of leukocyte attractant chemokines CXCL-1 and CXCL-2 and recruitment of neutrophils to bacterial infection sites. Accordingly, the reduced neutrophil recruitment in IL-1R-deficient mice was linked with decreased production of neutrophil chemokines. Collectively, our findings indicate that IL-1 signaling, as previously showed in host defense against GBS, plays a fundamental role also in controlling the progression and outcome of GAS or S. aureus disease.