TY - JOUR
T1 - Virulence factors of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and immune response during exacerbations and stable phase in bronchiectasis
AU - Cabrera, Roberto
AU - Rovira-Ribalta, Nona
AU - Motos, Anna
AU - Bueno-Freire, Leticia
AU - Vázquez, Nil
AU - Soler-Comas, Alba
AU - Alcaraz-Serrano, Victoria
AU - López-Aladid, Rubén
AU - Muñoz, Laura
AU - Vila, Jordi
AU - Torres, Antoni
AU - Fernández-Barat, Laia
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2025.
PY - 2025/2/22
Y1 - 2025/2/22
N2 - The study of key Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) virulence factors, the molecular basis of pathogenicity, as well as their correlation with the immune response during exacerbations in patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis can help to identify novel targets and biomarkers for clinical management. The objective was to compare P. aeruginosa virulence and the patient’s immune response during stable phases and exacerbations of bronchiectasis. We used polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) to perform molecular characterization of the genomic islands and virulence genes present in 42 P. aeruginosa strains obtained from the sputum of patients with bronchiectasis during stability and exacerbations. Immunoglobulin (Ig) and interleukin (IL) levels in 32 serum samples were analyze by ELISA and Luminex assay. A greater presence of the conjugative element pKLC102, specific virulence genes (exoS, exoY) and pyoverdine production characterize the P. aeruginosa strains obtained during exacerbations. The expression levels of type III secretion system (exoS, exoY) showed an important role in the humoral immune response during exacerbations. Exacerbations were associated with high levels of IL-6. The presence of specific genomic islands, virulence genes, and increased IL-6 levels provide an accurate characterization on bronchiectasis exacerbations. These targets could be useful in the prevention, management and treatment of these exacerbations.
AB - The study of key Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) virulence factors, the molecular basis of pathogenicity, as well as their correlation with the immune response during exacerbations in patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis can help to identify novel targets and biomarkers for clinical management. The objective was to compare P. aeruginosa virulence and the patient’s immune response during stable phases and exacerbations of bronchiectasis. We used polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) to perform molecular characterization of the genomic islands and virulence genes present in 42 P. aeruginosa strains obtained from the sputum of patients with bronchiectasis during stability and exacerbations. Immunoglobulin (Ig) and interleukin (IL) levels in 32 serum samples were analyze by ELISA and Luminex assay. A greater presence of the conjugative element pKLC102, specific virulence genes (exoS, exoY) and pyoverdine production characterize the P. aeruginosa strains obtained during exacerbations. The expression levels of type III secretion system (exoS, exoY) showed an important role in the humoral immune response during exacerbations. Exacerbations were associated with high levels of IL-6. The presence of specific genomic islands, virulence genes, and increased IL-6 levels provide an accurate characterization on bronchiectasis exacerbations. These targets could be useful in the prevention, management and treatment of these exacerbations.
KW - Biomarkers
KW - Bronchiectasis
KW - Pathogenicity
KW - Pseudomonas aeruginosa
KW - Respiratory diseases
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85218695796
UR - https://www.webofscience.com/wos/woscc/full-record/WOS:001446987200032
U2 - 10.1038/s41598-025-91368-3
DO - 10.1038/s41598-025-91368-3
M3 - Article
C2 - 39987197
AN - SCOPUS:85218695796
SN - 2045-2322
VL - 15
JO - Scientific Reports
JF - Scientific Reports
M1 - 6520
ER -