Respiratory epithelial cells as an alternative niche for B. parapertussis

GORGOJO J; BLANCÁ, B.; ALVAREZ HAYES J; ALVAREZ HAYES J; BAROLI C.; BAROLI C.; GORGOJO J; BLANCÁ, B.

Mar del Plata

Congreso; LXVI: Reunión anual de la Sociedad Argentina de Inmunología (SAI); 2018

B. parapertussis (Bpp) is one of the two causative agents of whopping cough. Humansare the only natural reservoir for this respiratory non-invasive pathogen. However, itslocation within the host during asymptomatic periods is still unclear. We previouslyshowed that Bpp survives intracellularly in neutrophils and macrophages. These cellshave been proposed as a niche of persistence. Here we investigated the potential ofthe epithelial airway cells, also relevant at the infection sites, as another niche ofpersistence for Bpp. We used the 16HBE40- bronchial cell line that partially retainedthe characteristics and functions of the airway epithelium. Culture conditions were setup to promote cell polarity and the formation of tight junctions. Cells were infected withBpp and the outcome of this interaction was evaluated. We used fluorescent probes toinvestigate bacterial internalization and intracellular trafficking by confocal microscopy.Intracellular survival was evaluated by polymyxin B protection assays. Statisticaldifferences were analyzed by ANOVA (p