Non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae decreases cilia beating via protein kinase C epsilon

NTHi supernatant exposure significantly and rapidly decreased CBF in a dose-dependent manner within 10 minutes of exposure. After 3 hours of exposure, the number of motile ciliated cells significantly decreased. Direct measurement of PKC？ activity revealed a dose-dependent activation of PKC？ in response to NTHi supernatant exposure. Both CBF and PKC？ activity changes were only observed in fresh NTHi culture supernatant and not observed in exposures to heat-inactivated or frozen supernatants.Our results suggest that CBF slowing observed in response to NTHi is consistent with the stimulated activation of PKC？. Ciliated cell detachment is associated with PKC？ autodownregulation.