Lycopene attenuates Staphylococcus aureus-induced inflammation via inhibiting α-hemolysin expression

The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of Lycopene in Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) (USA 300)-induced inflammation and to elucidate the potential mechanism of its action. The direct effect of Lycopene on S. aureus USA300 growth was determined via growth curves assay, and alpha-hemolysin (Hla) release of S. aureus USA300 using hemolysis assay. Furthermore, S. aureus USA300 infected mouse model was established by intranasally infection using bacterial suspension. Histological evaluation of lung tissue after infection was carried out using H&E staining. The lungs edema was estimated using wet/dry ratio. The concentrations of cytokines in lung tissues homogenate were detected using the commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. It was shown that Lycopene inhibited Hla hemolytic activity and decreased expression of Hla and regulatory RNAIII Lycopene treatment protected A549 cells from S. aureus USA300 induced injury and acute lung inflammation. Inflammatory cytokines were also downregulated by Lycopene treatment in the lung tissues of S. aureus USA300 infected mice. In conclusion, Lycopene restrains S. aureus-induced inflammation via inhibiting alpha-hemolysin expression. (C) 2021 Institut Pasteur. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The study showed that Lycopene protected cells from S. aureus USA300-induced damage and reduced the severity of acute lung inflammation by inhibiting the expression of inflammatory factors induced by S. aureus USA300.