Fimbria-mediated enhanced attachment of nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae to respiratory syncytial virus-infected respiratory epithelial cells
INFECTION AND IMMUNITY
Authors: Jiang, ZL; Nagata, N; Molina, E; Bakaletz, LO; Hawkins, H; Patel, JA
Abstract
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection is known to predispose children to otitis media and sinusitis due to bacteria such as nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHI), In this study, we investigated the role of NTHI surface outer membrane protein P5-homologous fimbriae (P5-fimbriae) in attachment to RSV-exposed A549 epithelial cells. Analysis by fluorescence flow cytometry showed that a live P5-fimbriated NTHI strain (NTHIF+) attached to a higher proportion of RSV-exposed A549 cells than to control cells (mean, 68% for RSV versus 29% for control; P = 0.008), while attachment of the PS-fimbriae-deficient isogenic mutant strain (NTHIF-) was significantly lower than in control cells and rose only slightly following RSV exposure (mean, 17% for RSV versus 10% for control, P = 0.229), Attachment of NTHIF+ did not correlate with the amount of RSV antigen expressed by A549 cells. Furthermore, paraformaldehyde-fixed NTHIF+ also demonstrated an enhanced binding to RSV-exposed cells, Observations by transmission electronic microscopy showed that the mean number of bacteria attached per 100 RSV exposed A549 cells was higher for NTHIF+ than NTHIF- (99 versus 18; P < 0.001). No intracellular bacteria were identified. UV-irradiated conditioned supernatants collected from RSV-infected A549 cultures (UV-cRSV) also enhanced the attachment of NTHIF+ to A549, suggesting the presence of a preformed soluble mediator(s) in UV-cRSV that enhances the expression of receptors for P5-fimbriae on A549 cells. In summary, RSV infection significantly enhances NTHI attachment to respiratory epithelial cells. P5-fimbria is the critical appendage of NTHI that participates in this attachment. In clinical settings, blocking of the PS-fimbria-mediated attachment of NTHIF+ by passive or active immunity may reduce the morbidity due to NTHI during RSV infection.
Gender, violence and reparations in Northern Ireland: a story yet to be told
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HUMAN RIGHTS
Authors: O'Rourke, Catherine; Swaine, Aisling
Abstract
Both reparations and conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) have been marginal to the story of the Northern Ireland transition from conflict. CRSV has received little formal acknowledgement, reflecting more fundamental gender-blindness in harm documentation and transitional justice in the jurisdiction. Likewise, reparations provision has been scant and piecemeal. The article documents the highly partial and deeply inadequate approach to reparations for CRSV in Northern Ireland throughout and after the conflict. We contend that the inadequacies of this approach have been so deficient as to in fact obscure - rather than illuminate the manifestation of CRSV in the jurisdiction, thus undercutting an essential basis for effective reparations design and delivery in the future. The article ameliorates the identified absence of documentation and understanding of gendered harm in Northern Ireland, by offering a preliminary mapping of CRSV in the conflict. The article concludes that a transformative approach to reparations for CRSV in Northern Ireland would be one that advances recognition of both gender analysis and reparations as essential components of post-conflict justice in the jurisdiction.