Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) directly interfere with the regulation of E-cadherin in lung epithelial cells

Publication date: Available online 10 August 2017
Source:Microbes and Infection
Author(s): Inga Kaufhold, Sünja Osbahr, Kensuke Shima, Sebastian Marwitz, Kristina Rohmann, Daniel Drömann, Torsten Goldmann, Klaus Dalhoff, Jan Rupp
Loss of epithelial barriers characterized by reduction of E-cadherin is a hallmark of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We investigated the effects of nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) infections, associated with acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis, on the regulation of E-cadherin in host cells.NTHi infection decreased E-cadherin mRNA and protein-levels in lung epithelial cells. E-cadherin reduction was mediated by activation of the fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2), the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and Slug.These data indicate that epithelial integrity and barrier function is disturbed by NTHi infection. Mainly, the destruction of cell-cell contacts is a prominent feature in NTHi infection.



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