Activation State of Human T and NK Cells Increases Sensitivity to Death by Streptococcus pneumoniae

Pneumonia is the leading cause of mortality of adults and children in the United States from an infectious agent; Streptococcus pneumoniae (Spn) is the most often isolated bacteria from patients with pneumonia. When Spn undergoes cell lysis, pneumolysin (PLY) and other intracellular proteins are released. These intracellular proteins allow for Spn to acquire nutrients and to evade the host immune system. PLY is a cholesterol-dependent cytolysin and has been shown to be a major virulence factor. In this study, we investigated the hemolytic activity of Spn lysates of several different pneumococcal serotypes. We showed the hemolytic activity of Spn correlated with CD8 T cell, CD4 T cell, and NK cell survival. Looking further, we identified that lymphocytes incubated with Spn lysates in the presence of stimulation had increased susceptibility to death relative to non-stimulated cells. We concluded that activation may significantly increase sensitivity to death by pneumococcus depending on lymphocyte subset.

Grantor dc:publisher

Wake Forest University

Year dc:date.issued

2016

Author dc:creator

• Grayson, Kristina

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10339/59331

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:wakespace.lib.wfu.edu:10339/59331