Signaling mediated by toll-like receptor 5 sensing of pseudomonas aeruginosa Flagellin Influences IL-1ß and IL-18 production by primary fibroblasts derived from the human cornea

Abstract

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the principal cause of bacterial keratitis worldwide and overstimulation of the innate immune system by this organism is believed to contribute significantly to sight loss. In the current study, we have used primary human corneal fibroblast (hCF) cells as an ex vivo model of corneal infection to examine the role of P. aeruginosa flagellum and type three secretion system (TTSS) in inducing inflammasome-associated molecules that trigger IL-1ß and IL-18 production during the early stages of the infection.