Neutrophil-derived tumor necrosis factor-α contributes to acute wound healing promoted by N-(3-oxododecanoyl)-l-homoserine lactone from Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Abstract Background Pseudomonas aeruginosa is frequently isolated from chronic wounds and causes serious infection in immunocompromised hosts. N -(3-Oxododecanoyl)- l -homoserine lactone (3-oxo-C 12 -HSL) is synthesized by an autoinducer synthase encoded by the bacterial lasI gene in P. aeruginosa , which regulates the production of virulence factors and biofilm formation in this bacterium. Recent studies have suggested that 3-oxo-C 12 -HSL contributes to the modulation of immune responses. However, the effect of this molecule on wound healing in P. aeruginosa infection remains to be elucidated. Objective We used an animal model to study the effect of 3-oxo-C 12 -HSL on wound healing in skin infected with P. aeruginosa . Methods Wounds were created on the backs of Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats and the P. aeruginosa strain PAO1 (PAO1) or its lasI deletion mutant (Δ lasI ) was inoculated onto the wound surface. To examine the biological activity of 3-oxo-C 12 -HSL, rats were injected intraperitoneally with anti-3-oxo-C 12 -HSL antiserum or administered 3-oxo-C 12 -HSL at the wound surface. The wound tissues were harvested for analysis of the healing process and inflammatory response. Results PAO1 inoculation significantly accelerated the wound healing and inflammatory response on day 3 post-wounding. These responses were reversed by inoculation with Δ lasI instead of PAO1 or treatment with anti-3-oxo-C 12 -HSL antiserum. In contrast, administration of 3-oxo-C 12 -HSL in the absence of PAO1 significantly promoted these responses, which were suppressed by the anti-TNF-α mAb. Conclusion These results strongly suggest that 3-oxo-C 12 -HSL may be involved in healing wounds infected with P. aeruginosa through induction of inflammatory responses.