THE INFLUENCE OF MYCOPLASMA PNEUMONIAE AND RECOMBINANT CARDS TOXIN ON THE HUMAN LUNG EPITHELIAL CELLS: THE EFFECT OF SURFACTANT PROTEIN A ON THE MICROORGANISM PATHOGENICITY IN VITRO

Background: M. pneumoniae and CARDS toxin interact with respiratory epithelium in the presence of surfactant protein A (SP-A). Objective of the study was to estimate the production of proinflammatory cytokines from human lung epithelial cells activated with M. pneumoniae and CARDS toxin as well as to study the influence of SP-A on M. pneumoniae pathogenicity. Material and Method: SP-A treated and not-treated A549 cells were activated with M. pneumoniae and recombinant CARDS (rCARDS) toxin. TNF-α, IL-6, RANTES and IL-33 were analyzed. Results: Pre-treatment with SP-A enhanced RANTES, TNF-α and IL-6 production and prevented cells from increased release of the allergy associated cytokine IL-33. Conclusion: SP-A regulates the interaction between M. pneumoniae, rCARDS and A549 cells by modulating the cytokine release.