GM-CSF- and TNF-&-mediated matrix metalloproteinase production by human osteoblasts and monocytes upon infection with Brucella abortus.

SCIAN R., BARRIONUEVO P., GIAMBARTOLOMEI, G.H., FOSSATI C. A., BALDI P. C. DELPINO M. V.

INFECTION AND IMMUNITY

AMER SOC MICROBIOLOGY

Año: 2011 vol. 79 p. 192 - 202

0019-9567

Osteoarticular complications are common in human brucellosis, but the pathogenic mechanisms involved are largely unknown. Since matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are involved in joint and bone damage in inflammatory and infectious diseases, we investigated the production of MMPs by human osteoblasts and monocytes, either upon Brucella abortus infection or upon reciprocal stimulation with factors produced by each infected cell type. B. abortus infection of the normal human osteoblastic cell line hFOB 1.19 triggered a significant release of MMP-2, which was mediated in part by granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) acting in an autocrine manner. Supernatants from infected osteoblasts exhibited increased levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and induced the migration of human monocytes (THP-1 cell line). Infection with B. abortus induced a high MMP-9 secretion in monocytes, which was also induced by heat-killed B. abortus (HKBA) and by the Omp19 lipoprotein from B. abortus. These effects were mediated by Toll-like receptor 2, and by the autocrine action of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-á). Supernatants from B. abortus-infected monocytes induced MMP-2 secretion in uninfected osteoblasts, and this effect was mediated by TNF-á. Similarly, supernatants from infected osteoblasts induced MMP-9 secretion in uninfected monocytes. This effect was mediated by GM-CSF which induced TNF-á production by monocytes, which in turn induced MMP-9 in an autocrine manner. These results suggest that MMPs may be involved in the tissue damage observed in osteoarticular brucellosis.