Inflammatory response of a prostate stromal cell line induced by Trichomonas vaginalis

Abstract

While Trichomonas vaginalis, a cause of sexually transmitted infection, is known as a surface-dwelling protozoa, trichomonads have been detected in prostatic tissue from benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostatitis by immunoperoxidase assay or PCR. However, the immune response of prostate stromal cells infected with T. vaginalis has not been investigated. Our objective was to investigate whether T. vaginalis could induce an inflammatory response in prostate stromal cells. Incubation of a human prostate stromal myofibroblast cells (WPMY-1) with live T. vaginalis T016 increased expression of the inflammatory chemokines CXCL8 and CCL2. In addition, TLR4, ROS, MAPK and NF-κB expression increased, while inhibitors of TLR4, ROS, MAPKs and NF-κB reduced CXCL8 and CCL2 production. Medium conditioned by incubation of WPMY-1 cells with T. vaginalis stimulated the migration of human neutrophils and monocytes (THP-1 cells). We conclude that T. vaginalis increases CXCL8 and CCL2 production by human prostate stromal cells by activating TLR4, ROS, MAPKs and NF-κB, and this in turn attracts neutrophils and monocytes and leads to an inflammatory response. This study is the first attempt to demonstrate an inflammatory reaction in prostate stromal cells caused by T. vaginalis.

Experimental rat prostatitis caused by Trichomonas vaginalis infection

“…Although T. vaginalis infection in men has been viewed as a cause of prostatitis in clinical epidemiologic reports, certain aspects of T. vaginalis ‐induced prostatitis remain unclear. Recently, we reported that T. vaginalis induces inflammatory responses by producing inflammatory cytokines such as IL‐1β, IL‐6, CCL2, and CXCL8 in prostate epithelial and stromal cells in vitro . However, since in vitro experiments have limitations in terms of application to human diseases, animal models are needed.…”

“…Male patients with chronic recurrent prostatitis and urethritis in South Korea also had a high rate (21.2%) of T. vaginalis infection . In previous studies we demonstrated that T. vaginalis induced inflammatory responses in prostate epithelial and stromal cells in vitro . Although T. vaginalis is strongly associated with inflammation of the prostate, there are obvious obstacles to carrying out in vitro experiments on the pathology of prostate disease due to T. vaginalis infection.…”

“…Recently, we reported that T. vaginalis induces inflammatory responses by producing inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-6, CCL2, and CXCL8 in prostate epithelial and stromal cells in vitro. 10,30,31 However, since in vitro experiments have limitations in terms of application to human diseases, animal models are needed. This study is a first attempt at generating such a model for T. vaginalis infection.…”

“…8 In previous studies we demonstrated that T. vaginalis induced inflammatory responses in prostate epithelial and stromal cells in vitro. 9,10 Although T. vaginalis is strongly associated with inflammation of the prostate, there are obvious obstacles to carrying out in vitro experiments on the pathology of prostate disease due to T. vaginalis infection. Therefore, many researchers have awaited the development of animal models of a variety of prostatic diseases, including prostatitis.…”

TLR-Mediated Host Immune Response to Parasitic Infectious Diseases

“…They also regulate the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines by the activation of MAPK and NFκB p65 and prompt pyroptotic cell death through the release of IL-1β [36]. TLR4 upregulation has been reported in a prostate stromal cell line exposed to T. vaginalis [37].…”