Aggregatibacter is inversely associated with inflammatory mediators in sputa of patients with chronic airway diseases and reduces inflammation in vitro

Ellen Goeteyn, Steven L. Taylor, Alison Dicker, Laura Bollé, Merel Wauters, Marie Joossens, Eva Van Braeckel, Jodie L. Simpson, Lucy Burr, James D. Chalmers, Geraint B. Rogers, Aurélie Crabbé (Lead / Corresponding author)

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

20 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Background 

Chronic airway disease (CAD) is characterized by chronic airway inflammation and colonization of the lungs by pro-inflammatory pathogens. However, while various other bacterial species are present in the lower airways, it is not fully understood how they influence inflammation. We aimed to identify novel anti-inflammatory species present in lower airway samples of patients with CAD. 

Methods 

Paired sputum microbiome and inflammatory marker data of adults with CAD across three separate cohorts (Australian asthma and bronchiectasis, Scottish bronchiectasis) was analyzed using Linear discriminant analysis Effect Size (LEfSE) and Spearman correlation analysis to identify species associated with a low inflammatory profile in patients. 

Results 

We identified the genus Aggregatibacter as more abundant in patients with lower levels of airway inflammatory markers in two CAD cohorts (Australian asthma and bronchiectasis). In addition, the relative abundance of Aggregatibacter was inversely correlated with sputum IL-8 (Australian bronchiectasis) and IL-1β levels (Australian asthma and bronchiectasis). Subsequent in vitro testing, using a physiologically relevant three-dimensional lung epithelial cell model, revealed that Aggregatibacter spp. (i.e. A. actinomycetemcomitans, A. aphrophilus) and their cell-free supernatant exerted anti-inflammatory activity without influencing host cell viability. 

Conclusions 

These findings suggest that Aggregatibacter spp. might act to reduce airway inflammation in CAD patients.

Original languageEnglish
Article number368
Number of pages14
JournalRespiratory Research
Volume25
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 12 Oct 2024

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Aggregatibacter is inversely associated with inflammatory mediators in sputa of patients with chronic airway diseases and reduces inflammation in vitro'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this