scholarly journals Lipopolysaccharide from biofilm-forming Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 induces macrophage hyperinflammatory responses

2021 ◽  
Vol 70 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sufei Wang ◽  
Dandan Xiang ◽  
Fangbing Tian ◽  
Ming Ni

Introduction. Macrophages polarization is essential in infection control. Llipopolysaccharide (LPS) plays an essential role in host innate immune system–pathogen interaction. The LPS structure of Pseudomonas aeruginosa modifies in the adaptation of this pathogen to biofilm-related chronic infection. Gap statement. There have been several studies on LPS induced polarization of human and mouse macrophages with different results. And it was reported that the lipid A structure of the LPS derived from biofilm-forming Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain PAO1 was modified. Aim. This study aimed to investigate the effect and the involved pathway of LPS from biofilm-forming PAO1 on human and murine macrophage polarization. Methodology. LPS was isolated from biofilm-forming and planktonic PAO1 and quantified. Then the LPS was added to PMA-differentiated human macrophage THP-1 cells and Raw264.7 murine macrophage cells. The expression of iNOS, Arg-1, IL4, TNF-α, CCL3, and CCL22 was analysed in the different cell lines. The expression of TICAM-1 and MyD88 in human THP-1 macrophages was quantified by Western blot. PAO1 infected macrophages at different polarization states, and the intracellular bacterial growth in macrophages was evaluated. Results. LPS from biofilm-forming PAO1 induced more marked hyperinflammatory responses in THP-1 and Raw264.7 macrophages than LPS derived from planktonic PAO1, and these responses were related to the up-regulation of MyD88. Intracellular growth of PAO1 was significantly increased in THP-1 macrophages polarized by LPS from biofilm-forming PAO1, but decreased both in THP-1 and Raw264.7 macrophages polarized by LPS from planktonic PAO1. Conclusion. The presented in vitro study indicates that LPS derived from biofilm-forming PAO1 induces enhanced M1 polarization in human and murine macrophage cell lines than LPS from planktonic PAO1.

2020 ◽  
Vol 69 (4) ◽  
pp. 492-504
Author(s):  
Gabriel Torrens ◽  
Maria Escobar-Salom ◽  
Antonio Oliver ◽  
Carlos Juan

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the most important opportunistic pathogens, whose clinical relevance is not only due to the high morbidity/mortality of the infections caused, but also to its striking capacity for antibiotic resistance development. In the current scenario of a shortage of effective antipseudomonal drugs, it is essential to have thorough knowledge of the pathogen’s biology from all sides, so as to find weak points for drug development. Obviously, one of these points could be the peptidoglycan, given its essential role for cell viability. Meanwhile, immune weapons targeting this structure could constitute an excellent model to be taken advantage of in order to design new therapeutic strategies. In this context, this review gathers all the information regarding the activity of mammalian peptidoglycan-targeting innate immunity (namely lysozyme and peptidoglycan recognition proteins), specifically against P. aeruginosa . All the published studies were considered, from both in vitro and in vivo fields, including works that envisage these weapons as options not only to potentiate their innate effects within the host or for use as exogenously administered treatments, but also harnessing their inflammatory and immune regulatory capacity to finally reduce damage in the patient. Altogether, this review has the objective of anticipating and discussing whether these innate immune resources, in combination or not with other drugs attacking certain P. aeruginosa targets leading to its increased sensitization, could be valid therapeutic antipseudomonal allies.


2020 ◽  
Vol 69 (6) ◽  
pp. 906-919 ◽  
Author(s):  
Divakar Badal ◽  
Abhijith Vimal Jayarani ◽  
Mohammed Ameen Kollaran ◽  
Aloke Kumar ◽  
Varsha Singh

Introduction. Indwelling medical devices such as endotracheal tubes (ETTs), urinary catheters, vascular access devices, tracheostomies and feeding tubes are often associated with hospital-acquired infections. Bacterial biofilm formed on the ETTs in intubated patients is a significant risk factor associated with ventilator-associated pneumonia. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the four frequently encountered bacteria responsible for causing pneumonia, and the biofilm formation on ETTs. However, understanding of biofilm formation on ETT and interventions to prevent biofilm remains lagging. The ability to sense and adapt to external cues contributes to their success. Thus, the biofilm formation is likely to be influenced by the two-component systems (TCSs) that are composed of a membrane-associated sensor kinase and an intracellular response regulator. Aim. This study aims to establish an in vitro method to analyse the P. aeruginosa biofilm formation on ETTs, and identify the TCSs that contribute to this process. Methodology. In total, 112 P. aeruginosa PA14 TCS mutants were tested for their ability to form biofilm on ETTs, their effect on quorum sensing (QS) and motility. Results. Out of 112 TCS mutants studied, 56 had altered biofilm biomass on ETTs. Although the biofilm formation on ETTs is QS-dependent, none of the 56 loci controlled quorum signal. Of these, 18 novel TCSs specific to ETT biofilm were identified, namely, AauS, AgtS, ColR, CopS, CprR, NasT, KdpD, ParS, PmrB, PprA, PvrS, RcsC, PA14_11120, PA14_32580, PA14_45880, PA14_49420, PA14_52240, PA14_70790. The set of 56 included the GacS network, TCS proteins involved in fimbriae synthesis, TCS proteins involved in antimicrobial peptide resistance, and surface-sensing. Additionally, several of the TCS-encoding genes involved in biofilm formation on ETTs were found to be linked to flagellum-dependent swimming motility. Conclusions. Our study established an in vitro method for studying P. aeruginosa biofilm formation on the ETT surfaces. We also identified novel ETT-specific TCSs that could serve as targets to prevent biofilm formation on indwelling devices frequently used in clinical settings.


2021 ◽  
Vol 70 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vidula Iyer ◽  
Janhavi Raut ◽  
Anindya Dasgupta

The pH of skin is critical for skin health and resilience and plays a key role in controlling the skin microbiome. It has been well reported that under dysbiotic conditions such as atopic dermatitis (AD), eczema, etc. there are significant aberrations of skin pH, along with a higher level of Staphylococcus aureus compared to the commensal Staphylococcus epidermidis on skin. To understand the effect of pH on the relative growth of S. epidermidis and S. aureus , we carried out simple in vitro growth kinetic studies of the individual microbes under varying pH conditions. We demonstrated that the growth kinetics of S. epidermidis is relatively insensitive to pH within the range of 5–7, while S. aureus shows a stronger pH dependence in that range. Gompertz’s model was used to fit the pH dependence of the growth kinetics of the two bacteria and showed that the equilibrium bacterial count of S. aureus was the more sensitive parameter. The switch in growth rate happens at a pH of 6.5–7. Our studies are in line with the general hypothesis that keeping the skin pH within an acidic range is advantageous in terms of keeping the skin microbiome in balance and maintaining healthy skin.


Microbiology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 167 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alberto Gonçalves Evangelista ◽  
Jessica Audrey Feijó Corrêa ◽  
João Vitor Garcia dos Santos ◽  
Eduardo Henrique Custódio Matté ◽  
Mônica Moura Milek ◽  
...  

The genus Salmonella is closely associated with foodborne outbreaks and animal diseases, and reports of antimicrobial resistance in Salmonella species are frequent. Several alternatives have been developed to control this pathogen, such as cell-free supernatants (CFS). Our objective here was to evaluate the use of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) CFS against Salmonella in vitro. Seventeen strains of LAB were used to produce CFS, and their antimicrobial activity was screened towards six strains of Salmonella . In addition, CFS were also pH-neutralized and/or boiled. Those with the best results were lyophilized. MICs of lyophilized CFS were 11.25–22.5 g l–1. Freeze-dried CFS were also used to supplement swine and poultry feed (11.25 g kg–1) and in vitro simulated digestion of both species was performed, with Salmonella contamination of 5×106 and 2×105 c.f.u. g−1 of swine and poultry feed, respectively. In the antimicrobial screening, all acidic CFS were able to inhibit the growth of Salmonella . After pH neutralization, Lactobacillus acidophilus Llorente, Limosilactobacillus fermentum CCT 1629, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum PUCPR44, Limosilactobacillus reuteri BioGaia, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus ATCC 7469 and Pediococcus pentosaceus UM116 CFS were the only strains that partially maintained their antimicrobial activity and, therefore, were chosen for lyophilization. In the simulated swine digestion, Salmonella counts were reduced ≥1.78 log c.f.u. g–1 in the digesta containing either of the CFS. In the chicken simulation, a significant reduction was obtained with all CFS used (average reduction of 0.59±0.01 log c.f.u. ml–1). In general, the lyophilized CFS of L. fermentum CCT 1629, L. rhamnosus ATCC 7469 and L. acidophilus Llorente presented better antimicrobial activity. In conclusion, CFS show potential as feed additives to control Salmonella in animal production and may be an alternative to the use of antibiotics, minimizing problems related to antimicrobial resistance.


Author(s):  
Catrina Olivera ◽  
Vuong Van Hung Le ◽  
Catherine Davenport ◽  
Jasna Rakonjac

Introduction. There is an urgent need for effective therapies against bacterial infections, especially those caused by antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative pathogens. Hypothesis. Synergistic combinations of existing antimicrobials show promise due to their enhanced efficacies and reduced dosages which can mitigate adverse effects, and therefore can be used as potential antibacterial therapy. Aim. In this study, we sought to characterize the in vitro interaction of 5-nitrofurans, vancomycin and sodium deoxycholate (NVD) against pathogenic bacteria. Methodology. The synergy of the NVD combination was investigated in terms of growth inhibition and bacterial killing using checkerboard and time-kill assays, respectively. Results. Using a three-dimensional checkerboard assay, we showed that 5-nitrofurans, sodium deoxycholate and vancomycin interact synergistically in the growth inhibition of 15 out of 20 Gram-negative strains tested, including clinically significant pathogens such as carbapenemase-producing Escherichia coli , Klebsiella pneumoniae and Acinetobacter baumannii , and interact indifferently against the Gram-positive strains tested. The time-kill assay further confirmed that the triple combination was bactericidal in a synergistic manner. Conclusion. This study demonstrates the synergistic effect of 5-nitrofurans, sodium deoxycholate and vancomycin against Gram-negative pathogens and highlights the potential of the combination as a treatment for Gram-negative and Gram-positive infections.


Microbiology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 166 (5) ◽  
pp. 484-497 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alejandra Arteaga Ide ◽  
Victor M. Hernández ◽  
Liliana Medina-Aparicio ◽  
Edson Carcamo-Noriega ◽  
Lourdes Girard ◽  
...  

In bacteria, l-arginine is a precursor of various metabolites and can serve as a source of carbon and/or nitrogen. Arginine catabolism by arginase, which hydrolyzes arginine to l-ornithine and urea, is common in nature but has not been studied in symbiotic nitrogen-fixing rhizobia. The genome of the alfalfa microsymbiont Sinorhizobium meliloti 1021 has two genes annotated as arginases, argI1 (smc03091) and argI2 (sma1711). Biochemical assays with purified ArgI1 and ArgI2 (as 6His-Sumo-tagged proteins) showed that only ArgI1 had detectable arginase activity. A 1021 argI1 null mutant lacked arginase activity and grew at a drastically reduced rate with arginine as sole nitrogen source. Wild-type growth and arginase activity were restored in the argI1 mutant genetically complemented with a genomically integrated argI1 gene. In the wild-type, arginase activity and argI1 transcription were induced several fold by exogenous arginine. ArgI1 purified as a 6His-Sumo-tagged protein had its highest in vitro enzymatic activity at pH 7.5 with Ni2+ as cofactor. The enzyme was also active with Mn2+ and Co2+, both of which gave the enzyme the highest activities at a more alkaline pH. The 6His-Sumo-ArgI1 comprised three identical subunits based on the migration of the urea-dissociated protein in a native polyacrylamide gel. A Lrp-like regulator (smc03092) divergently transcribed from argI1 was required for arginase induction by arginine or ornithine. This regulator was designated ArgIR. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays showed that purified ArgIR bound to the argI1 promoter in a region preceding the predicted argI1 transcriptional start. Our results indicate that ArgI1 is the sole arginase in S. meliloti , that it contributes substantially to arginine catabolism in vivo and that argI1 induction by arginine is dependent on ArgIR.


2021 ◽  
Vol 70 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Souad Belkacemi ◽  
Maryam Tidjani Alou ◽  
Saber Khelaifia ◽  
Didier Raoult

To date, the axenic culture of Treponema pallidum remains a challenge in the field of microbiology despite countless attempts. Here, we conducted a comprehensive bibliographic analysis using several databases and search engines, namely Pubmed, Google scholar, Google, Web of Science and Scopus. Numerous unsuccessful empiric studies have been conducted and evaluated using as criteria dark-field microscopic observation of motile spiral shaped cells in the culture and virulence of the culture through rabbit infectivity. All of these studies failed to induce rabbit infectivity, even when deemed positive after microscopic observation leading to the misnomer of avirulent T. pallidum . In fact, this criterion was improperly chosen because not all spiral shaped cells are T. pallidum . However, these studies led to the formulation of culture media particularly favourable to the growth of several species of Treponema, including Oral Microbiology and Immunology, Zürich medium (OMIZ), Oral Treponeme Enrichment Broth (OTEB) and T-Raoult, thus allowing the increase in the number of cultivable strains of Treponema . The predicted metabolic capacities of T. pallidum show limited metabolism, also exhibited by other non-cultured and pathogenic Treponema species, in contrast to cultured Treponema species. The advent of next generation sequencing represents a turning point in this field, as the knowledge inferred from the genome can finally lead to the axenic culture of T. pallidum .


2022 ◽  
Vol 71 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bailey F. Keefe ◽  
Luiz E. Bermudez

Introduction. Pulmonary infections caused by organisms of the Mycobacterium abscessus complex are increasingly prevalent in populations at risk, such as patients with cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis and emphysema. Hypothesis. M. abscessus infection of the lung is not observed in immunocompetent individuals, which raises the possibility that the compromised lung environment is a suitable niche for the pathogen to thrive in due to the overproduction of mucus and high amounts of host cell lysis. Aim. Evaluate the ability of M. abscessus to form biofilm and grow utilizing in vitro conditions as seen in immunocompromised lungs of patients. Methodology. We compared biofilm formation and protein composition in the presence and absence of synthetic cystic fibrosis medium (SCFM) and evaluated the bacterial growth when exposed to human DNA. Results. M. abscessus is capable of forming biofilm in SCFM. By eliminating single components found in the medium, it became clear that magnesium works as a signal for the biofilm formation, and chelation of the divalent cations resulted in the suppression of biofilm formation. Investigation of the specific proteins expressed in the presence of SCFM and in the presence of SCFM lacking magnesium revealed many different proteins between the conditions. M. abscessus also exhibited growth in SCFM and in the presence of host cell DNA, although the mechanism of DNA utilization remains unclear. Conclusions. In vitro conditions mimicking the airways of patients with cystic fibrosis appear to facilitate M. abscessus establishment of infection, and elimination of magnesium from the environment may affect the ability of the pathogen to establish infection.


2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Genevieve Johnson ◽  
Alan J. Wolfe ◽  
Catherine Putonti

Bacteriophages (phages) are vital members of the human microbiota. They are abundant even within low biomass niches of the human body, including the lower urinary tract. While several prior studies have cultured bacteria from kidney stones, this is the first study to explore phages within the kidney stone microbiota. Here we report Dobby, a temperate phage isolated from a strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa cultured from a kidney stone. Dobby is capable of lysing clinical P. aeruginosa strains within our collection from the urinary tract. Sequencing was performed producing a 37 152 bp genome that closely resembles the temperate P. aeruginosa phage φCTX, a member of the P2 phage group. Dobby does not, however, encode for the cytotoxin CTX. Dobby’s genome was queried against publicly available bacterial sequences identifying 44 other φCTX-like prophages. These prophages are integrated within the genomes of P. aeruginosa strains from a variety of environments, including strains isolated from urine samples and other niches of the human body. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that the temperate φCTX phage species is widespread. With the isolation of Dobby, we now have evidence that phages are members of the kidney stone microbiota. Further investigation, however, is needed to determine their abundance and diversity within these communities.


2021 ◽  
Vol 70 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyo-Young Oh ◽  
Shivakumar S. Jalde ◽  
In-Young Chung ◽  
Yeon-Ji Yoo ◽  
Hye-Jeong Jang ◽  
...  

Introduction. Antipathogenic or antivirulence strategy is to target a virulence pathway that is dispensable for growth, in the hope to mitigate the selection for drug resistance. Hypothesis/Gap Statment. Peroxide stress responses are one of the conserved virulence pathways in bacterial pathogens and thus good targets for antipathogenic strategy. Aim. This study aims to identify a new chemical compound that targets OxyR, the peroxide sensor required for the full virulence of the opportunistic human pathogen, Pseudomonas aeruginosa . Methodology. Computer-based virtual screening under consideration of the ‘eNTRy’ rules and molecular docking were conducted on the reduced form of the OxyR regulatory domain (RD). Selected hits were validated by their ability to phenocopy the oxyR null mutant and modulate the redox cycle of OxyR. Results. We first isolated three robust chemical hits that inhibit OxyR without affecting prototrophic growth or viability. One (compound 1) of those affected the redox cycle of OxyR in response to H2O2 treatment, in a way to impair its function. Compound 1 displayed selective antibacterial efficacy against P. aeruginosa in Drosophila infection model, without antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus . Conclusion. These results suggest that compound 1 could be an antipathogenic hit inhibiting the P. aeruginosa OxyR. More importantly, our study provides an insight into the computer-based discovery of new-paradigm selective antibacterials to treat Gram-negative bacterial infections presumably with few concerns of drug resistance.


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