scholarly journals A Chlamydia trachomatis OmcB C-Terminal Fragment Is Released into the Host Cell Cytoplasm and Is Immunogenic in Humans

2011 ◽  
Vol 79 (6) ◽  
pp. 2193-2203 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manli Qi ◽  
Siqi Gong ◽  
Lei Lei ◽  
Quanzhong Liu ◽  
Guangming Zhong

ABSTRACTTheChlamydia trachomatisouter membrane complex protein B (OmcB) is an antigen with diagnostic and vaccine relevance. To further characterize OmcB, we generated antibodies against OmcB C-terminal (OmcBc) and N-terminal (OmcBn) fragments. Surprisingly, the anti-OmcBc antibody detected dominant signals in the host cell cytosol, while the anti-OmcBn antibody exclusively labeled intrainclusion signals inC. trachomatis-infected cells permeabilized with saponin. Western blot analyses revealed that OmcB was partially processed into OmcBc and OmcBn fragments. The processed OmcBc was released into host cell cytosol, while the OmcBn and remaining full-length OmcB were retained within the chlamydial inclusions. The organism-associated OmcB epitopes became detectable only after theC. trachomatis-infected cells were permeabilized with strong detergents such as SDS. However, the harsh permeabilization conditions also led to the leakage of the already secreted OmcBc and chlamydia-secreted protease (CPAF) out of the host cells. The OmcBc processing and release occurred in all biovars ofC. trachomatis. Moreover, the released OmcBc but not the retained OmcBn was highly immunogenic inC. trachomatis-infected women, which is consistent with the concept that exposure of chlamydial proteins to host cell cytosol is accompanied by increased immunogenicity. These observations have provided important information for further exploring/optimizing OmcB as a target for the development of diagnosis methods and vaccines.


2011 ◽  
Vol 79 (10) ◽  
pp. 3993-4001 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis Miguel De Pablos ◽  
Gloria González González ◽  
Jennifer Solano Parada ◽  
Víctor Seco Hidalgo ◽  
Isabel María Díaz Lozano ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTWe describe the characterization, purification, expression, and location of a 52-kDa protein secreted during interaction between the metacyclic form ofTrypanosoma cruziand its target host cell. The protein, which we have named MASP52, belongs to the family of mucin-associated surface proteins (MASPs). The highest levels of expression of both the protein and mRNA occur during the metacyclic and bloodstream trypomastigote stages, the forms that infect the vertebrate host cells. The protein is located in the plasma membrane and in the flagellar pockets of the epimastigote, metacyclic, and trypomastigote forms and is secreted into the medium at the point of contact between the parasite and the cell membrane, as well as into the host-cell cytosol during the amastigote stage. IgG antibodies specific against a synthetic peptide corresponding to the catalytic zone of MASP52 significantly reduce the parasite's capacity to infect the host cells. Furthermore, when the protein is adsorbed onto inert particles of bentonite and incubated with a nonphagocytic cell culture, the particles are able to induce endocytosis in the cells, which seems to demonstrate that MASP52 plays a role in a process whereby the trypomastigote forms of the parasite invade the host cell.



1999 ◽  
Vol 112 (5) ◽  
pp. 681-693
Author(s):  
U.E. Schaible ◽  
P.H. Schlesinger ◽  
T.H. Steinberg ◽  
W.F. Mangel ◽  
T. Kobayashi ◽  
...  

The intracellular parasite Leishmania survives and proliferates in host macrophages. In this study we show that parasitophorous vacuoles of L. mexicana gain access to cytosolic material via two different routes. (1) Small anionic molecules such as Lucifer Yellow are rapidly transported into the vacuoles by an active transport mechanism that is sensitive to inhibitors of the host cell's organic anion transporter. (2) Larger molecules such as fluorescent dextrans introduced into the host cell cytosol are also delivered to parasitophorous vacuoles. This transport is slower and sensitive to modulators of autophagy. Infected macrophages were examined by two novel assays to visualize and quantify this process. Immunoelectron microscopy of cells loaded with digoxigenin-dextran revealed label in multivesicular endosomes, which appeared to fuse with parasitophorous vacuoles. The inner membranes of the multivesicular vesicles label strongly with antibodies against lysobisphosphatidic acid, suggesting that they represent a point of confluence between the endosomal and autophagosomal pathways. Although the rate of autophagous transfer was comparable in infected and uninfected cells, infected cells retained hydrolyzed cysteine proteinase substrate to a greater degree. These data suggest that L. mexicana-containing vacuoles have access to potential nutrients in the host cell cytosol via at least two independent mechanisms.



2020 ◽  
Vol 88 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Susmita Ghosh ◽  
Elizabeth A. Ruelke ◽  
Joshua C. Ferrell ◽  
Maria D. Bodero ◽  
Kenneth A. Fields ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The translocated actin recruiting phosphoprotein (Tarp) is a multidomain type III secreted effector used by Chlamydia trachomatis. In aggregate, existing data suggest a role of this effector in initiating new infections. As new genetic tools began to emerge to study chlamydial genes in vivo, we speculated as to what degree Tarp function contributes to Chlamydia’s ability to parasitize mammalian host cells. To address this question, we generated a complete tarP deletion mutant using the fluorescence-reported allelic exchange mutagenesis (FRAEM) technique and complemented the mutant in trans with wild-type tarP or mutant tarP alleles engineered to harbor in-frame domain deletions. We provide evidence for the significant role of Tarp in C. trachomatis invasion of host cells. Complementation studies indicate that the C-terminal filamentous actin (F-actin)-binding domains are responsible for Tarp-mediated invasion efficiency. Wild-type C. trachomatis entry into HeLa cells resulted in host cell shape changes, whereas the tarP mutant did not. Finally, using a novel cis complementation approach, C. trachomatis lacking tarP demonstrated significant attenuation in a murine genital tract infection model. Together, these data provide definitive genetic evidence for the critical role of the Tarp F-actin-binding domains in host cell invasion and for the Tarp effector as a bona fide C. trachomatis virulence factor.



2011 ◽  
Vol 80 (1) ◽  
pp. 195-205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jürgen Rödel ◽  
Christina Große ◽  
Hangxing Yu ◽  
Katharina Wolf ◽  
Gordon P. Otto ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTIntracellular persistence ofChlamydia trachomatishas been implicated in the development of chronic infection that can result in pelvic inflammatory disease and tubal sterility. By inhibition of host cell apoptosis, chlamydiae have evolved a strategy to maintain the intracellular environment for replication and persistence. Both antiapoptotic host cell-derived factors and the chlamydial protease-like activity factor (CPAF) are involved inChlamydia-mediated apoptosis resistance. Here, we show that in HeLa cells infected with gamma interferon (IFN-γ)-induced persistentC. trachomatisserovar D, the expression of CPAF is downregulated, and proapoptotic protease substrates are not cleaved. Persistent infection protected HeLa cells from apoptosis when they were exposed to staurosporine. Small-interfering RNA-mediated inhibition of myeloid cell leukemia 1 (Mcl-1) protein upregulation sensitized persistently infected cells for apoptosis. The inhibitor of apoptosis protein 2 (IAP-2) seems not to be relevant in this context because IAP-2 protein was not induced in response to IFN-γ treatment. Although apoptosis was inhibited, persistent infection caused cell membrane disintegration, as measured by the increased release of cytokeratin 18 from HeLa cells. Moreover, persistently infected cells released significantly increased amounts of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) protein which represents a proinflammatory damage-associated pattern molecule. The data of this study suggest that cells infected with persistentC. trachomatisare protected from apoptosis independently of CPAF but may promote chronic inflammation through HMGB1 release.



mBio ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yang Mi ◽  
Rajendra Kumar Gurumurthy ◽  
Piotr K. Zadora ◽  
Thomas F. Meyer ◽  
Cindrilla Chumduri

ABSTRACT Cervical and ovarian cancers exhibit characteristic mutational signatures that are reminiscent of mutational processes, including defective homologous recombination (HR) repair. How these mutational processes are initiated during carcinogenesis is largely unclear. Chlamydia trachomatis infections are epidemiologically associated with cervical and ovarian cancers. Previously, we showed that C. trachomatis induces DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) but suppresses Ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM) activation and cell cycle checkpoints. The mechanisms by which ATM regulation is modulated and its consequences for the repair pathway in C. trachomatis-infected cells remain unknown. Here, we found that Chlamydia bacteria interfere with the usual response of PP2A to DSBs. As a result, PP2A activity remains high, as the level of inhibitory phosphorylation at Y307 remains unchanged following C. trachomatis-induced DSBs. Protein-protein interaction analysis revealed that C. trachomatis facilitates persistent interactions of PP2A with ATM, thus suppressing ATM activation. This correlated with a remarkable lack of homologous recombination (HR) repair in C. trachomatis-infected cells. Chemical inhibition of PP2A activity in infected cells released ATM from PP2A, resulting in ATM phosphorylation. Activated ATM was then recruited to DSBs and initiated downstream signaling, including phosphorylation of MRE11 and NBS1 and checkpoint kinase 2 (Chk2)-mediated activation of the G2/M cell cycle checkpoint in C. trachomatis-infected cells. Further, PP2A inhibition led to the restoration of C. trachomatis-suppressed HR DNA repair function. Taking the data together, this study revealed that C. trachomatis modulates PP2A signaling to suppress ATM activation to prevent cell cycle arrest, thus contributing to a deficient high-fidelity HR pathway and a conducive environment for mutagenesis. IMPORTANCE Chlamydia trachomatis induces DNA double-strand breaks in host cells but simultaneously inhibits proper DNA damage response and repair mechanisms. This may render host cells prone to loss of genetic integrity and transformation. Here we show that C. trachomatis prevents activation of the key DNA damage response mediator ATM by preventing the release from PP2A, leading to a complete absence of homologous recombination repair in host cells.



2011 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1095-1099 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolina E. Caffaro ◽  
John C. Boothroyd

ABSTRACT The intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii develops inside a parasitophorous vacuole (PV) that derives from the host cell plasma membrane during invasion. Previous electron micrograph images have shown that the membrane of this vacuole undergoes an extraordinary remodeling with an extensive network of thin tubules and vesicles, the intravacuolar network (IVN), which fills the lumen of the PV. While dense granule proteins, secreted during and after invasion, are the main factors for the organization and tubulation of the network, little is known about the source of lipids used for this remodeling. By selectively labeling host cell or parasite membranes, we uncovered evidence that strongly supports the host cell as the primary, if not exclusive, source of lipids for parasite IVN remodeling. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) microscopy experiments revealed that lipids are surprisingly dynamic within the parasitophorous vacuole and are continuously exchanged or replenished by the host cell. The results presented here suggest a new model for development of the parasitophorous vacuole whereby the host provides a continuous stream of lipids to support the growth and maturation of the PVM and IVN.



2006 ◽  
Vol 74 (11) ◽  
pp. 6479-6486 ◽  
Author(s):  
Feng Dong ◽  
Rhonda Flores ◽  
Ding Chen ◽  
Jianhua Luo ◽  
Youmin Zhong ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Using antibodies raised with chlamydial fusion proteins, we have localized a protein encoded by the hypothetical open reading frame Cpn0797 in the cytoplasm of Chlamydia pneumoniae-infected host cells. The anti-Cpn0797 antibodies specifically recognized Cpn0797 protein without cross-reacting with either CPAFcp or Cpn0796, the only two proteins known to be secreted into the host cell cytosol by C. pneumoniae organisms. Thus, Cpn0797 represents the third C. pneumoniae protein secreted into the host cell cytosol experimentally identified so far.



mSystems ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan L. Sontag ◽  
Ernesto S. Nakayasu ◽  
Roslyn N. Brown ◽  
George S. Niemann ◽  
Michael A. Sydor ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT During infection, pathogenic bacteria face an adverse environment of factors driven by both cellular and humoral defense mechanisms. To help evade the immune response and ultimately proliferate inside the host, many bacteria evolved specialized secretion systems to deliver effector proteins directly into host cells. Translocated effector proteins function to subvert host defense mechanisms. Numerous pathogenic bacteria use a specialized secretion system called type III secretion to deliver effectors into the host cell cytosol. Here, we identified 75 new host targets of Salmonella and Citrobacter effectors, which will help elucidate their mechanisms of action. Many pathogenic bacteria of the family Enterobacteriaceae use type III secretion systems to inject virulence proteins, termed “effectors,” into the host cell cytosol. Although host-cellular activities of several effectors have been demonstrated, the function and host-targeted pathways of most of the effectors identified to date are largely undetermined. To gain insight into host proteins targeted by bacterial effectors, we performed coaffinity purification of host proteins from cell lysates using recombinant effectors from the Enterobacteriaceae intracellular pathogens Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium and Citrobacter rodentium. We identified 54 high-confidence host interactors for the Salmonella effectors GogA, GtgA, GtgE, SpvC, SrfH, SseL, SspH1, and SssB collectively and 21 interactors for the Citrobacter effectors EspT, NleA, NleG1, and NleK. We biochemically validated the interaction between the SrfH Salmonella protein and the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 (ERK2) host protein kinase, which revealed a role for this effector in regulating phosphorylation levels of this enzyme, which plays a central role in signal transduction. IMPORTANCE During infection, pathogenic bacteria face an adverse environment of factors driven by both cellular and humoral defense mechanisms. To help evade the immune response and ultimately proliferate inside the host, many bacteria evolved specialized secretion systems to deliver effector proteins directly into host cells. Translocated effector proteins function to subvert host defense mechanisms. Numerous pathogenic bacteria use a specialized secretion system called type III secretion to deliver effectors into the host cell cytosol. Here, we identified 75 new host targets of Salmonella and Citrobacter effectors, which will help elucidate their mechanisms of action.



2012 ◽  
Vol 80 (8) ◽  
pp. 2940-2947 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaohui Zhou ◽  
Jennifer M. Ritchie ◽  
Hirotaka Hiyoshi ◽  
Tetsuya Iida ◽  
Brigid M. Davis ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTThe pathogenesis of the diarrheal disease caused byVibrio parahaemolyticus, a leading cause of seafood-associated enteritis worldwide, is dependent upon a type III secretion system, T3SS2. This apparatus enables the pathogen to inject bacterial proteins (effectors) into the cytosol of host cells and thereby modulate host processes. T3SS effector proteins transit into the host cell via a membrane pore (translocon) typically formed by 3 bacterial proteins. We have identified the third translocon protein for T3SS2: VopW, which was previously classified as an effector protein for a homologous T3SS inV. cholerae. VopW is a hydrophilic translocon protein; like other such proteins, it is not inserted into the host cell membrane but is required for insertion of the two hydrophobic translocators, VopB2 and VopD2, that constitute the membrane channel. VopW is not required for secretion of T3SS2 effectors into the bacterial culture medium; however, it is essential for transfer of these proteins into the host cell cytoplasm. Consequently, deletion ofvopWabrogates the virulence ofV. parahaemolyticusin several animal models of diarrheal disease. Unlike previously described hydrophilic translocators, VopW is itself translocated into the host cell cytoplasm, raising the possibility that it functions as both a translocator and an effector.



2016 ◽  
Vol 84 (5) ◽  
pp. 1603-1614 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carina Carraro Pessoa ◽  
Éden Ramalho Ferreira ◽  
Ethel Bayer-Santos ◽  
Michel Rabinovitch ◽  
Renato Arruda Mortara ◽  
...  

The trypanosomatidsLeishmania amazonensisandTrypanosoma cruziare excellent models for the study of the cell biology of intracellular protozoan infections. After their uptake by mammalian cells, the parasitic protozoan flagellatesL. amazonensisandT. cruzilodge within acidified parasitophorous vacuoles (PVs). However, whereasL. amazonensisdevelops in spacious, phagolysosome-like PVs that may enclose numerous parasites,T. cruziis transiently hosted within smaller vacuoles from which it soon escapes to the host cell cytosol. To investigate if parasite-specific vacuoles are required for the survival and differentiation ofT. cruzi, we constructed chimeric vacuoles by infection ofL. amazonensisamastigote-infected macrophages withT. cruziepimastigotes (EPIs) or metacyclic trypomastigotes (MTs). These chimeric vacuoles, easily observed by microscopy, allowed the entry and fate ofT. cruziinL. amazonensisPVs to be dynamically recorded by multidimensional imaging of coinfected cells. We found that althoughT. cruziEPIs remained motile and conserved their morphology in chimeric vacuoles,T. cruziMTs differentiated into amastigote-like forms capable of multiplying. These results demonstrate that the large adaptive vacuoles ofL. amazonensisare permissive toT. cruzisurvival and differentiation and that noninfective EPIs are spared from destruction within the chimeric PVs. We conclude thatT. cruzidifferentiation can take place inLeishmania-containing vacuoles, suggesting this occurs prior to their escape into the host cell cytosol.



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