scholarly journals Synthetic Porcine Hepcidin Exhibits Different Roles in Escherichia coli and Salmonella Infections

2017 ◽  
Vol 61 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan Liu ◽  
Zhen-Shun Gan ◽  
Wan Ma ◽  
Hai-Tao Xiong ◽  
Yun-Qing Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
Iron Status ◽  
Iron Chelator ◽  
Intracellular Iron ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Defense Strategies ◽  
Salmonella Infections

ABSTRACT Hepcidin, an antimicrobial peptide, was discovered to integrate diverse signals from iron status and an infection threat and orchestrate a series of host-protective responses. Several studies have investigated the antimicrobial role of hepcidin, but the results have been controversial. Here, we aimed to examine the role of hepcidin in bacterial adherence and invasion in vitro. We found that porcine hepcidin could decrease the amount of the extracellular pathogen enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) K88 that adhered to cells because it caused the aggregation of the bacteria. However, addition of hepcidin to macrophages infected with the intracellular pathogen Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium enhanced the intracellular growth of the pathogen through the degradation of ferroportin, an iron export protein, and then the sequestration of intracellular iron. Intracellular iron was unavailable by use of the iron chelator deferiprone (DFO), which reduced intracellular bacterial growth. These results demonstrate that hepcidin exhibits different functions in extracellular and intracellular bacterial infections, which suggests that different defense strategies should be taken to prevent bacterial infection.

scholarly journals Fimbria-Encoding GeneyadCHas a Pleiotropic Effect on Several Biological Characteristics and Plays a Role in Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli Pathogenicity

2015 ◽  
Vol 84 (1) ◽  
pp. 187-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renu Verma ◽  
Thaís Cabrera Galvão Rojas ◽  
Renato Pariz Maluta ◽  
Janaína Luisa Leite ◽  
Livia Pilatti Mendes da Silva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Soft Agar ◽  
Pleiotropic Effect ◽  
Biological Characteristics ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Pathogenic Escherichia Coli

The extraintestinal pathogen termed avian pathogenicEscherichia coli(APEC) is known to cause colibacillosis in chickens. The molecular basis of APEC pathogenesis is not fully elucidated yet. In this work, we deleted a component of the Yad gene cluster (yadC) in order to understand the role of Yad in the pathogenicity of the APEC strain SCI-07.In vitro, the transcription level ofyadCwas upregulated at 41°C and downregulated at 22°C. TheyadCexpressionin vivowas more pronounced in lungs than in spleen, suggesting a role in the early steps of the infection. Chicks infected with the wild-type and mutant strains presented, respectively, 80% and 50% mortality rates. The ΔyadCstrain presented a slightly decreased ability to adhere to HeLa cells with or without thed-mannose analog compared with the wild type. Real-time PCR (RT-PCR) assays showed thatfimHwas downregulated (P< 0.05) andcsgAandecpAwere slightly upregulated in the mutant strain, showing thatyadCmodulates expression of other fimbriae. Bacterial internalization studies showed that the ΔyadCstrain had a lower number of intracellular bacteria recovered from Hep-2 cells and HD11 cells than the wild-type strain (P< 0.05). Motility assays in soft agar demonstrated that the ΔyadCstrain was less motile than the wild type (P< 0.01). Curiously, flagellum-associated genes were not dramatically downregulated in the ΔyadCstrain. Taken together, the results show that the fimbrial adhesin Yad contributes to the pathogenicity and modulates different biological characteristics of the APEC strain SCI-07.

scholarly journals Cooperative Role of Antibodies against Heat-Labile Toxin and the EtpA Adhesin in Preventing Toxin Delivery and Intestinal Colonization by Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli

2012 ◽  
Vol 19 (10) ◽  
pp. 1603-1608 ◽  
Author(s):  
Koushik Roy ◽  
David J. Hamilton ◽  
James M. Fleckenstein
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Diarrheal Disease ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Enterotoxigenic Escherichia Coli ◽  
Intestinal Colonization ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Heat Labile

ABSTRACTEnterotoxigenicEscherichia coli(ETEC) is an important cause of diarrheal disease in developing countries, where it is responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths each year. Vaccine development for ETEC has been hindered by the heterogeneity of known molecular targets and the lack of broad-based sustained protection afforded by existing vaccine strategies. In an effort to explore the potential role of novel antigens in ETEC vaccines, we examined the ability of antibodies directed against the ETEC heat-labile toxin (LT) and the recently described EtpA adhesin to prevent intestinal colonizationin vivoand toxin delivery to epithelial cellsin vitro. We demonstrate that EtpA is required for the optimal delivery of LT and that antibodies against this adhesin play at least an additive role in preventing delivery of LT to target intestinal cells when combined with antibodies against either the A or B subunits of the toxin. Moreover, vaccination with a combination of LT and EtpA significantly impaired intestinal colonization. Together, these results suggest that the incorporation of recently identified molecules such as EtpA could be used to enhance current approaches to ETEC vaccine development.

scholarly journals Visualization of Periplasmic and Cytoplasmic Proteins with a Self-Labeling Protein Tag

2016 ◽  
Vol 198 (7) ◽  
pp. 1035-1043 ◽  
Author(s):  
Na Ke ◽  
Dirk Landgraf ◽  
Johan Paulsson ◽  
Mehmet Berkmen
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Fluorescent Proteins ◽  
Living Cells ◽  
Functional Protein ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Additional Tool

ABSTRACTThe use of fluorescent and luminescent proteins in visualizing proteins has become a powerful tool in understanding molecular and cellular processes within living organisms. This success has resulted in an ever-increasing demand for new and more versatile protein-labeling tools that permit light-based detection of proteins within living cells. In this report, we present data supporting the use of the self-labeling HaloTag protein as a light-emitting reporter for protein fusions within the model prokaryoteEscherichia coli. We show that functional protein fusions of the HaloTag can be detected bothin vivoandin vitrowhen expressed within the cytoplasmic or periplasmic compartments ofE. coli. The capacity to visually detect proteins localized in various prokaryotic compartments expands today's molecular biologist toolbox and paves the path to new applications.IMPORTANCEVisualizing proteins microscopically within living cells is important for understanding both the biology of cells and the role of proteins within living cells. Currently, the most common tool is green fluorescent protein (GFP). However, fluorescent proteins such as GFP have many limitations; therefore, the field of molecular biology is always in need of new tools to visualize proteins. In this paper, we demonstrate, for the first time, the use of HaloTag to visualize proteins in two different compartments within the model prokaryoteEscherichia coli. The use of HaloTag as an additional tool to visualize proteins within prokaryotes increases our capacity to ask about and understand the role of proteins within living cells.

scholarly journals Pharmacological iron-chelation as an assisted nutritional immunity strategy against Piscirickettsia salmonis infection

2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mario Caruffo ◽  
Dinka Mandakovic ◽  
Madelaine Mejías ◽  
Ignacio Chávez-Báez ◽  
Pablo Salgado ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
Iron Chelation ◽  
Iron Chelator ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Bacterial Disease ◽  
Protective Capacity ◽  
Intracellular Iron ◽  
Piscirickettsia Salmonis

Abstract Salmonid Rickettsial Septicaemia (SRS), caused by Piscirickettsia salmonis, is a severe bacterial disease in the Chilean salmon farming industry. Vaccines and antibiotics are the current strategies to fight SRS; however, the high frequency of new epizootic events confirms the need to develop new strategies to combat this disease. An innovative opportunity is perturbing the host pathways used by the microorganisms to replicate inside host cells through host-directed antimicrobial drugs (HDAD). Iron is a critical nutrient for P. salmonis infection; hence, the use of iron-chelators becomes an excellent alternative to be used as HDAD. The aim of this work was to use the iron chelator Deferiprone (DFP) as HDAD to treat SRS. Here, we describe the protective effect of the iron chelator DFP over P. salmonis infections at non-antibiotic concentrations, in bacterial challenges both in vitro and in vivo. At the cellular level, our results indicate that DFP reduced the intracellular iron content by 33.1% and P. salmonis relative load during bacterial infections by 78%. These findings were recapitulated in fish, where DFP reduced the mortality of rainbow trout challenged with P. salmonis in 34.9% compared to the non-treated group. This is the first report of the protective capacity of an iron chelator against infection in fish, becoming a potential effective host-directed therapy for SRS and other animals against ferrophilic pathogens.

scholarly journals FNR Regulates Expression of Important Virulence Factors Contributing to Pathogenicity of Uropathogenic Escherichia coli

2014 ◽  
Vol 82 (12) ◽  
pp. 5086-5098 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolle L. Barbieri ◽  
Bryon Nicholson ◽  
Ashraf Hussein ◽  
Wentong Cai ◽  
Yvonne M. Wannemuehler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Virulence Factors ◽  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
Uropathogenic Escherichia Coli ◽  
Type I ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Global Regulator ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Tract Infections

ABSTRACTUropathogenicEscherichia coli(UPEC) is responsible for the majority of urinary tract infections (UTIs), which are some of the world's most common bacterial infections of humans. Here, we examined the role of FNR (fumarate andnitratereduction), a well-known global regulator, in the pathogenesis of UPEC infections. We constructed anfnrdeletion mutant of UPEC CFT073 and compared it to the wild type for changes in virulence, adherence, invasion, and expression of key virulence factors. Compared to the wild type, thefnrmutant was highly attenuated in the mouse model of human UTI and showed severe defects in adherence to and invasion of bladder and kidney epithelial cells. Our results showed that FNR regulates motility and multiple virulence factors, including expression of type I and P fimbriae, modulation of hemolysin expression, and expression of a novel pathogenicity island involved in α-ketoglutarate metabolism under anaerobic conditions. Our results demonstrate that FNR is a key global regulator of UPEC virulence and controls expression of important virulence factors that contribute to UPEC pathogenicity.

scholarly journals Effects of a Mutation in thegyrAGene on the Virulence of Uropathogenic Escherichia coli

2015 ◽  
Vol 59 (8) ◽  
pp. 4662-4668 ◽  
Author(s):  
Javier Sánchez-Céspedes ◽  
Emma Sáez-López ◽  
N. Frimodt-Møller ◽  
Jordi Vila ◽  
Sara M. Soto
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
Dna Supercoiling ◽  
Uropathogenic Escherichia Coli ◽  
Topoisomerase Iv ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Type Gene ◽  
Encoding Genes

ABSTRACTFluoroquinolones are among the drugs most extensively used for the treatment of bacterial infections in human and veterinary medicine. Resistance to quinolones can be chromosome or plasmid mediated. The chromosomal mechanism of resistance is associated with mutations in the DNA gyrase- and topoisomerase IV-encoding genes and mutations in regulatory genes affecting different efflux systems, among others. We studied the role of the acquisition of a mutation in thegyrAgene in the virulence and protein expression of uropathogenicEscherichia coli(UPEC). The HC14366M strain carrying a mutation in thegyrAgene (S83L) was found to lose the capacity to cause cystitis and pyelonephritis mainly due to a decrease in the expression of thefimA,papA,papB, andompAgenes. The levels of expression of thefimA,papB, andompAgenes were recovered on complementing the strain with a plasmid containing thegyrAwild-type gene. However, only a slight recovery was observed in the colonization of the bladder in the GyrA complement strain compared to the mutant strain in a murine model of ascending urinary tract infection. In conclusion, a mutation in thegyrAgene of uropathogenicE. colireduced the virulence of the bacteria, likely in association with the effect of DNA supercoiling on the expression of several virulence factors and proteins, thereby decreasing their capacity to cause cystitis and pyelonephritis.

scholarly journals Prc Contributes to Escherichia coli Evasion of Classical Complement-Mediated Serum Killing

2012 ◽  
Vol 80 (10) ◽  
pp. 3399-3409 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chin-Ya Wang ◽  
Shainn-Wei Wang ◽  
Wen-Chun Huang ◽  
Kwang Sik Kim ◽  
Nan-Shan Chang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
Membrane Attack Complex ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Serum Killing ◽  
High Level ◽  
Classical Complement

ABSTRACTEscherichia coliis a common Gram-negative organism that causes bacteremia. Prc, a bacterial periplasmic protease, and its homologues are known to be involved in the pathogenesis of Gram-negative bacterial infections. The present study examined the role of Prc inE. colibacteremia and characterized the ability of theprcmutant of the pathogenicE. colistrain RS218 to cause bacteremia and survive in human serum. Theprcmutant of RS218 exhibited a decreased ability to cause a high level of bacteremia and was more sensitive to serum killing than strain RS218. This sensitivity was due to the mutant's decreased ability to avoid the activation of the antibody-dependent and -independent classical complement cascades as well as its decreased resistance to killing mediated by the membrane attack complex, the end product of complement system activation. The demonstration of Prc in the evasion of classical complement-mediated serum killing of pathogenicE. colimakes this factor a potential target for the development of therapeutic and preventive measures againstE. colibacteremia.

scholarly journals Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 Targets and Restrains Mouse B16 Melanoma and 4T1 Breast Tumors through Expression of Azurin Protein

2012 ◽  
Vol 78 (21) ◽  
pp. 7603-7610 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yunlei Zhang ◽  
Youming Zhang ◽  
Liqiu Xia ◽  
Xiangli Zhang ◽  
Xuezhi Ding ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
Breast Tumors ◽  
B16 Melanoma ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Immunocompetent Mice

ABSTRACTMany studies have demonstrated that intravenously administered bacteria can target and proliferate in solid tumors and then quickly be released from other organs. Here, we employed the tumor-targeting property ofEscherichia coliNissle 1917 to inhibit mouse B16 melanoma and 4T1 breast tumors through the expression of azurin protein. For this purpose, recombinant azurin-expressingE. coliNissle 1917 was developed. The levels ofin vitroandin vivoazurin secretion in the engineered bacterium were determined by immunochemistry. Our results demonstrated that B16 melanoma and orthotopic 4T1 breast tumor growth were remarkably restrained and pulmonary metastasis was prevented in immunocompetent mice. It is worth noting that this therapeutic effect partially resulted from the antitumor activity of neutrophils and lymphocytes due to inflammatory responses caused by bacterial infections. No toxicity was observed in the animal during the experiments. This study indicates thatE. coliNissle 1917 could be a potential carrier to deliver antitumor drugs effectively for cancer therapy.

scholarly journals Evidence for Escherichia coli Diguanylate Cyclase DgcZ Interlinking Surface Sensing and Adhesion via Multiple Regulatory Routes

2016 ◽  
Vol 198 (18) ◽  
pp. 2524-2535 ◽  
Author(s):  
Egidio Lacanna ◽  
Colette Bigosch ◽  
Volkhard Kaever ◽  
Alex Boehm ◽  
Anke Becker
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
Primary Role ◽  
Bacterial Cells ◽  
Diguanylate Cyclase ◽  
Surface Attachment ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Surface Sensing

ABSTRACTDgcZ is the main cyclic dimeric GMP (c-di-GMP)-producing diguanylate cyclase (DGC) controlling biosynthesis of the exopolysaccharide poly-β-1,6-N-acetylglucosamine (poly-GlcNAc or PGA), which is essential for surface attachment ofEscherichia coli. Although the complex regulation of DgcZ has previously been investigated, its primary role and the physiological conditions under which the protein is active are not fully understood. Transcription ofdgcZis regulated by the two-component system CpxAR activated by the lipoprotein NlpE in response to surface sensing. Here, we show that the negative effect of acpxRmutation and the positive effect ofnlpEoverexpression on biofilm formation both depend on DgcZ. Coimmunoprecipitation data suggest several potential interaction partners of DgcZ. Interaction with FrdB, a subunit of the fumarate reductase complex (FRD) involved in anaerobic respiration and in control of flagellum assembly, was further supported by a bacterial-two-hybrid assay. Furthermore, the FRD complex was required for the increase in DgcZ-mediated biofilm formation upon induction of oxidative stress by addition of paraquat. A DgcZ-mVENUS fusion protein was found to localize at one bacterial cell pole in response to alkaline pH and carbon starvation. Based on our data and previous knowledge, an integrative role of DgcZ in regulation of surface attachment is proposed. We speculate that both DgcZ-stimulated PGA biosynthesis and interaction of DgcZ with the FRD complex contribute to impeding bacterial escape from the surface.IMPORTANCEBacterial cells can grow by clonal expansion to surface-associated biofilms that are ubiquitous in the environment but also constitute a pervasive problem related to bacterial infections. Cyclic dimeric GMP (c-di-GMP) is a widespread bacterial second messenger involved in regulation of motility and biofilm formation, and plays a primary role in bacterial surface attachment.E. colipossesses a plethora of c-di-GMP-producing diguanylate cyclases, including DgcZ. Our study expands the knowledge on the role of DgcZ in regulation of surface attachment and suggests that it interconnects surface sensing and adhesion via multiple routes.

scholarly journals Quorum Sensing Extracellular Death Peptides Enhance the Endoribonucleolytic Activities of Mycobacterium tuberculosis MazF Toxins

mBio ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Akanksha Nigam ◽  
Sathish Kumar ◽  
Hanna Engelberg-Kulka
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Cell Death ◽  
Mycobacterium Tuberculosis ◽  
Quorum Sensing ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Bacterial Cell Death

ABSTRACT mazEF is a toxin-antitoxin module located on chromosomes of most bacteria. MazF toxins are endoribonucleases antagonized by MazE antitoxins. Previously, we characterized several quorum sensing peptides called " e xtracellular d eath f actors" (EDFs). When secreted from bacterial cultures, EDFs induce interspecies cell death. EDFs also enhance the endoribonucleolytic activity of Escherichia coli MazF. Mycobacterium tuberculosis carries several mazEF modules. Among them, the endoribonucleolytic activities of MazF proteins mt-1, mt-3, and mt-6 were identified. MazF-mt6 and MazF-mt-3 cleave M. tuberculosis rRNAs. Here we report the in vitro effects of EDFs on the endoribonucleolytic activities of M. tuberculosis MazFs. Escherichia coli EDF ( Ec EDF) and the three Pseudomonas aeruginosa EDFs ( Pa EDFs) individually enhance the endoribonucleolytic activities of MazF-mt6 and MazF-mt3 and overcome the inhibitory effect of MazE-mt3 or MazE-mt6 on the endoribonucleolytic activities of the respective toxins. We propose that these EDFs can serve as a basis for a novel class of antibiotics against M. tuberculosis . IMPORTANCE Mycobacterium tuberculosis is one of the leading causes of death from infectious disease. M. tuberculosis is highly drug resistant, and drug delivery to the infected site is very difficult. In previous studies, we showed that e xtracellular d eath f actors (EDFs) can work as quorum sensing molecules which participate in interspecies bacterial cell death. In this study, we demonstrated the role of different EDFs in the endoribonucleolytic activities of M. tuberculosis MazFs. Escherichia coli EDF ( Ec EDF) and the three Pseudomonas aeruginosa EDFs ( Pa EDFs) individually enhance the endoribonucleolytic activities of MazF-mt6 and MazF-mt3. The current report provides a basis for the use of the EDF peptides Ec EDF and Pa EDF as novel antibiotics against M. tuberculosis .

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