PYOCYANIN FROM PSEUDOMONAS-AERUGINOSA INHIBITS PROSTACYCLIN RELEASE FROM ENDOTHELIAL-CELLS

Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia causes a vasculitis of small pulmonar y arteries. While the fully developed lesion demonstrates vessel wall necrosis, the early lesion is remarkable for preservation of viable en dothelium despite vessel wall invasion by bacteria. Pyocyanin, an exop roduct of P. aeruginosa, markedly inhibited prostacyclin production by pulmonary artery endothelial cells without causing cell lysis. Pyocya nin might alter vascular homeostasis in the absence of cytolysis.