Cytoprotective effects of exogenous Flagellin

Flagellin, the primary component of bacterial flagella, is a potent activator of toll-like receptor 5 (TLR5) signaling and is a major proinflammatory determinant of enteropathogenic Salmonella. Apoptosis is a crucial mechanism that eliminates cells without releasing noxious components. In present study, we examined the role of flagellin in the induction of apoptosis to mononuclear cells (MNCs) in spleen during salmonellosis. Swiss albino mice were given systemic treatment with exogenous flagellin from Salmonella enterica Typhimurium strains. In accordance with this, we report here that unstimulated culture of spleenocytes from control group showed increased apoptosis of MNCs at 12 h incubation compared to the stimulated culture, whereas no any appreciable difference was observed in the extent of apoptosis in treated group. In conclusion, flagellin seems to be involved in the modulation of apoptosis of mononuclear cells in spleen both in-vitro.