Pseudomonas fluorescens can induce and divert the human β-defensin-2 secretion in intestinal epithelial cells to enhance its virulence

The effect of intestinal molecules produced by the host on the virulence of Pseudomonas fluorescens is poorly documented. In the present work, we evaluated the secretion of human β-defensin-2 (hBD-2) by enterocytes after infection with P. fluorescens (a species previously suggested to be involved in inflammatory bowel disease) and investigated the effect of this host-defense peptide on the bacterial virulence. The results showed that P. fluorescens can induce hBD-2 production in Caco-2/TC7 cells via P38 and ERK MAPK-dependent pathways. Surprisingly, the exposure of P. fluorescens to low doses of the antimicrobial peptide was found to enhance its cytotoxic and proinflammatory effects suggesting a potential feedback mechanism in the dialog between bacteria and the host.