@article{SilwedelSpeerHaarmannetal.2019,
  author    = {Silwedel, Christine and Speer, Christian P. and Haarmann, Axel and Fehrholz, Markus and Claus, Heike and Schlegel, Nicolas and Glaser, Kirsten},
  title     = {Ureaplasma species modulate cytokine and chemokine responses in human brain microvascular endothelial cells},
  series = {International Journal of Molecular Science},
  volume    = {20},
  journal   = {International Journal of Molecular Science},
  number    = {14},
  issn      = {1422-0067},
  doi       = {10.3390/ijms20143583},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-201848},
  year      = {2019},
  abstract  = {Ureaplasma species are common colonizers of the adult genitourinary tract and often considered as low-virulence commensals. Intraamniotic Ureaplasma infections, however, facilitate chorioamnionitis and preterm birth, and cases of Ureaplasma-induced neonatal sepsis, pneumonia, and meningitis raise a growing awareness of their clinical relevance. In vitro studies are scarce but demonstrate distinct Ureaplasma-driven impacts on immune mechanisms. The current study addressed cytokine and chemokine responses upon exposure of native or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) co-stimulated human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMEC) to Ureaplasma urealyticum or U. parvum, using qRT-PCR, RNA sequencing, multi-analyte immunoassay, and flow cytometry. Ureaplasma exposure in native HBMEC reduced monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-3 mRNA expression (p < 0.01, vs. broth). In co-stimulated HBMEC, Ureaplasma spp. attenuated LPS-evoked mRNA responses for C-X-C chemokine ligand 5, MCP-1, and MCP-3 (p < 0.05, vs. LPS) and mitigated LPS-driven interleukin (IL)-1α protein secretion, as well as IL-8 mRNA and protein responses (p < 0.05). Furthermore, Ureaplasma isolates increased C-X-C chemokine receptor 4 mRNA levels in native and LPS co-stimulated HBMEC (p < 0.05). The presented results may imply immunomodulatory capacities of Ureaplasma spp. which may ultimately promote chronic colonization and long-term neuroinflammation.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{SilwedelHuettenSpeeretal.2023,
  author    = {Silwedel, Christine and H{\"u}tten, Matthias C. and Speer, Christian P. and H{\"a}rtel, Christoph and Haarmann, Axel and Henrich, Birgit and Tijssen, Maud P. M. and Alnakhli, Abdullah Ahmed and Spiller, Owen B. and Schlegel, Nicolas and Seidenspinner, Silvia and Kramer, Boris W. and Glaser, Kirsten},
  title     = {Ureaplasma-driven neonatal neuroinflammation: novel insights from an ovine model},
  series = {Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology},
  volume    = {43},
  journal   = {Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology},
  number    = {2},
  doi       = {10.1007/s10571-022-01213-8},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-324285},
  pages     = {785-795},
  year      = {2023},
  abstract  = {Ureaplasma species (spp.) are considered commensals of the adult genitourinary tract, but have been associated with chorioamnionitis, preterm birth, and invasive infections in neonates, including meningitis. Data on mechanisms involved in Ureaplasma-driven neuroinflammation are scarce. The present study addressed brain inflammatory responses in preterm lambs exposed to Ureaplasma parvum (UP) in utero. 7 days after intra-amniotic injection of UP (n = 10) or saline (n = 11), lambs were surgically delivered at gestational day 128-129. Expression of inflammatory markers was assessed in different brain regions using qRT-PCR and in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) by multiplex immunoassay. CSF was analyzed for UP presence using ureB-based real-time PCR, and MRI scans documented cerebral white matter area and cortical folding. Cerebral tissue levels of atypical chemokine receptor (ACKR) 3, caspases 1-like, 2, 7, and C-X-C chemokine receptor (CXCR) 4 mRNA, as well as CSF interleukin-8 protein concentrations were significantly increased in UP-exposed lambs. UP presence in CSF was confirmed in one animal. Cortical folding and white matter area did not differ among groups. The present study confirms a role of caspases and the transmembrane receptors ACKR3 and CXCR4 in Ureaplasma-driven neuroinflammation. Enhanced caspase 1-like, 2, and 7 expression may reflect cell death. Increased ACKR3 and CXCR4 expression has been associated with inflammatory central nervous system (CNS) diseases and impaired blood-brain barrier function. According to these data and previous in vitro findings from our group, we speculate that Ureaplasma-induced caspase and receptor responses affect CNS barrier properties and thus facilitate neuroinflammation.},
  language  = {en}
}