Beneficial effect of antibiotics on ciliary beat frequency of human nasal epithelial cells exposed to bacterial toxins

Abstract

In the present study, we explored whether the cilio-inhibitory effect induced by toxins derived from bacterial infections could be compensated for by a cilio-stimulatory effect of antibiotics. Human nasal epithelial cells (HNEC) expressing beating cilia were grown as monolayers. Ciliary beat frequency (CBF) was determined using an inverted microscope coupled with a high-speed digital camera. Clarithromycin and neomycin did not influence ciliary activity. Bacitracin, clindamycin, gramicidin and roxithromycin increased CBF significantly: by 50 +/- 12%, 54 +/- 16%, 31 +/- 16% and 31 +/- 18%, respectively. A 30 min exposure to Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin B (SEB) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa lipopolysaccharide (PAL) decreased CBF significantly, by 37 +/- 16 and 28 +/- 12%, respectively. In contrast with exposure to the toxin alone, co-incubation of the nasal monolayer cells with PAL and bacitracin or clindamycin did not result in a decrease in CBF after 30 and 60 min. The effect of SEB could be compensated for by bacitracin but not by clindamycin. After a 12 h preincubation period with SEB, co-incubation with either bacitracin or clindamycin resulted in the complete recovery of CBF. This study suggests that topical antibiotic treatment of nasal infections could result in a dual positive effect, namely treatment of the bacterial infection and recovery of ciliary activity.

Bacterial‐induced epithelial damage promotes fungal biofilm formation in a sheep model of sinusitis

“…Despite this, in the current study S. epidermidis biofilm was associated with similar degrees of epithelial damage and fungal biofilm formation as the other species. In addition to cilial destruction, it is known that bacterial toxins from S. aureus and P. aeruginosa are capable of significantly impeding cilia beat frequency, an additional factor which may promote both bacterial and fungal biofilm formation.…”

Pseudomonasinfection and mucociliary and absorptive clearance in the cystic fibrosis lung

“…Ciliary beat frequency can be reduced after exposure to PA [20, 21], potentially mediated by virulence factors such as pyocyanin [22] and rhamnolipids [23]. Previous studies have demonstrated that mucus production, composition, and rheology could be affected by PA [24] and pyocyanin in particular is associated with goblet cell hyperplasia and mucus hypersecretion [25].…”

Kartagener's Syndrome and Rheumatoid Arthritis

“…In addition to exhibiting primary antimicrobial activity, macrolides have been shown to have immunomodulatory effects (38) and stimulate ciliary beat frequency, consequently improving mucociliary clearance (39,40). However, of the many effects of macrolides, stimulation of ciliary beat frequency is not expected in patients with Kartagener's syndrome with ciliary dyskinesia.…”