scholarly journals Host-Dependent Trigger of Caspases and Apoptosis by Legionella pneumophila

2007 ◽  
Vol 75 (6) ◽  
pp. 2903-2913 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina Santic ◽  
Rexford Asare ◽  
Miljenko Doric ◽  
Yousef Abu Kwaik
Keyword(s):  
Single Cell ◽  
Legionella Pneumophila ◽  
Type Strain ◽  
Caspase 3 ◽  
Wild Type Strain ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Human Macrophages ◽  
Caspase 1 ◽  
Mouse Macrophages ◽  
Late Stages

ABSTRACT The Dot/Icm system of Legionella pneumophila triggers activation of caspase-3 during early stages of infection of human macrophages, but apoptosis is delayed until late stages of infection. During early stages of infection of mouse macrophages, the organism triggers rapid caspase-1-mediated cytotoxicity, which is mediated by bacterial flagellin. However, it is not known whether caspase-1 is triggered by L. pneumophila in human macrophages or whether caspase-3 is activated in permissive or nonpermissive mouse macrophages. Using single-cell analyses, we show that the wild-type strain of L. pneumophila does not trigger caspase-1 activation throughout the intracellular infection of human monocyte-derived macrophages (hMDMs), even when the flagellated bacteria escape into the cytoplasm during late stages. Using single-cell analyses, we show that the Dot/Icm system of L. pneumophila triggers caspase-3 but not caspase-1 within permissive A/J mouse bone marrow-derived primary macrophages by 2 to 8 h, but apoptosis is delayed until late stages of infection. While L. pneumophila triggers a Dot/Icm-dependent activation of caspase-1 in nonpermissive BALB/c mouse-derived macrophages, caspase-3 is not activated at any stage of infection. We show that robust intrapulmonary replication of the wild-type strain of L. pneumophila in susceptible A/J mice is associated with late-stage Dot/Icm-dependent pulmonary apoptosis and alveolar inflammation. In the lungs of nonpermissive BALB/c mice, L. pneumophila does not replicate and does not trigger pulmonary apoptosis or alveolar inflammation. Thus, similar to hMDMs, L. pneumophila does not trigger caspase-1 but triggers caspase-3 activation during early and exponential replication in permissive A/J mouse-derived macrophages, and apoptosis is delayed until late stages of infection. The Dot/Icm type IV secretion system is essential for pulmonary apoptosis in the genetically susceptible A/J mice.

scholarly journals Characterization of a Legionella pneumophila relA Insertion Mutant and Roles of RelA and RpoS in Virulence Gene Expression

2002 ◽  
Vol 184 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tal Zusman ◽  
Ohad Gal-Mor ◽  
Gil Segal
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Stationary Phase ◽  
Gene Product ◽  
Legionella Pneumophila ◽  
Type Strain ◽  
Wild Type Strain ◽  
Insertion Mutant ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Intracellular Growth ◽  
Virulence Gene Expression

ABSTRACT To investigate the involvement of RelA in the regulation of Legionella pneumophila virulence, a deletion substitution was constructed in the relA gene. The relA knockout resulted in an undetectable level of ppGpp in the cells during the stationary phase, but the original level was restored when the relA gene product was supplied on a plasmid. The effect of the relA mutation was examined with two systems that are known to be expressed during the stationary phase in L. pneumophila. Pigment production was found to be dependent on the relA gene product, and only one-half as much pigment was produced by the relA mutant as by the wild-type strain. Flagellum gene expression was also found to be dependent on the relA gene product, as determined with a flaA::lacZ fusion. However, the relA gene product was found to be dispensable for intracellular growth both in HL-60-derived human macrophages and in the protozoan host Acanthamoeba castellanii. To determine the involvement of the relA gene product in expression of L. pneumophila genes required for intracellular growth (icm/dot genes), nine icm::lacZ fusions were constructed, and expression of these fusions in the wild-type strain was compared with their expression in relA mutant strains. Expression of only one of the icm::lacZ fusions was moderately reduced in the relA mutant strain. Expression of the nine icm::lacZ fusions was also examined in a strain containing an insertion in the gene that codes for the stationary-phase sigma factor RpoS, and similar results were obtained. We concluded that RelA is dispensable for intracellular growth of L. pneumophila in the two hosts examined and that both RelA and RpoS play minor roles in L. pneumophila icm/dot gene expression.

scholarly journals sciS, an icmF Homolog in Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium, Limits Intracellular Replication and Decreases Virulence

2005 ◽  
Vol 73 (7) ◽  
pp. 4338-4345 ◽  
Author(s):  
Duncan A. Parsons ◽  
Fred Heffron
Keyword(s):  
Legionella Pneumophila ◽  
Salmonella Enterica ◽  
Wild Type Strain ◽  
Salmonella Enterica Serovar Typhimurium ◽  
The Body ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Serovar Typhimurium ◽  
Intracellular Multiplication ◽  
Late Stages ◽  
Made In

ABSTRACT Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium utilizes macrophages to disseminate from the intestine to deeper tissues within the body. While S. enterica serovar Typhimurium has been shown to kill its host macrophage, it can persist intracellularly beyond 18 h postinfection. To identify factors involved in late stages of infection, we screened a transposon library made in S. enterica serovar Typhimurium for the ability to persist in J774 macrophages at 24 h postinfection. Through this screen, we identified a gene, sciS, found to be homologous to icmF in Legionella pneumophila. icmF, which is required for intracellular multiplication, is conserved in several gram-negative pathogens, and its homolog appears to have been acquired horizontally in S. enterica serovar Typhimurium. We found that an sciS mutant displayed increased intracellular numbers in J774 macrophages when compared to the wild-type strain at 24 h postinfection. sciS was maximally transcribed at 27 h postinfection and is repressed by SsrB, an activator of genes required for promoting intracellular survival. Finally, we demonstrate that an sciS mutant is hypervirulent in mice when administered intragastrically. Taken together, these data indicate a role for SciS in controlling intracellular bacterial levels at later stages of infection and attenuating virulence in a murine host

scholarly journals Single Cell Oil Production by Wild Type Strain Lipomyces starkeyi Y604

2020 ◽  
Vol 439 ◽  
pp. 012002
Author(s):  
E Agustriana ◽  
A B Juanssilfero ◽  
A Andriani ◽  
Fahrurrozi ◽  
R Pangestu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Single Cell ◽  
Type Strain ◽  
Wild Type Strain ◽  
Oil Production ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Single Cell Oil ◽  
Lipomyces Starkeyi

scholarly journals The PmrA/PmrB Two-Component System of Legionella pneumophila Is a Global Regulator Required for Intracellular Replication within Macrophages and Protozoa

2008 ◽  
Vol 77 (1) ◽  
pp. 374-386 ◽  
Author(s):  
Souhaila Al-Khodor ◽  
Sergey Kalachikov ◽  
Irina Morozova ◽  
Christopher T. Price ◽  
Yousef Abu Kwaik
Keyword(s):  
Legionella Pneumophila ◽  
Wild Type Strain ◽  
Growth Defect ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Intracellular Growth ◽  
Global Effect ◽  
Two Component System ◽  
Human Macrophages ◽  
Two Component ◽  
Intracellular Proliferation

ABSTRACT To examine the role of the PmrA/PmrB two-component system (TCS) of Legionella pneumophila in global gene regulation and in intracellular infection, we constructed pmrA and pmrB isogenic mutants by allelic exchange. Genome-wide microarray gene expression analyses of the pmrA and pmrB mutants at both the exponential and the postexponential phases have shown that the PmrA/PmrB TCS has a global effect on the expression of 279 genes classified into nine groups of genes encoding eukaryotic-like proteins, Dot/Icm apparatus and secreted effectors, type II-secreted proteins, regulators of the postexponential phase, stress response genes, flagellar biosynthesis genes, metabolic genes, and genes of unknown function. Forty-one genes were differentially regulated in the pmrA or pmrB mutant, suggesting a possible cross talk with other TCSs. The pmrB mutant is more sensitive to low pH than the pmrA mutant and the wild-type strain, suggesting that acidity may trigger this TCS. The pmrB mutant exhibits a significant defect in intracellular proliferation within human macrophages, Acanthamoeba polyphaga, and the ciliate Tetrahymena pyriformis. In contrast, the pmrA mutant is defective only in the ciliate. Despite the intracellular growth defect within human macrophages, phagosomes harboring the pmrB mutant exclude late endosomal and lysosomal markers and are remodeled by the rough endoplasmic reticulum. Similar to the dot/icm mutants, the intracellular growth defect of the pmrB mutant is totally rescued in cis within communal phagosomes harboring the wild-type strain. We conclude that the PmrA/PmrB TCS has a global effect on gene expression and is required for the intracellular proliferation of L. pneumophila within human macrophages and protozoa. Differences in gene regulation and intracellular growth phenotypes between the pmrA and pmrB mutant suggests a cross talk with other TCSs.

scholarly journals Legionella pneumophila Catalase-Peroxidases Are Required for Proper Trafficking and Growth in Primary Macrophages

2003 ◽  
Vol 71 (8) ◽  
pp. 4526-4535 ◽  
Author(s):  
Purnima Bandyopadhyay ◽  
Brenda Byrne ◽  
Yolande Chan ◽  
Michele S. Swanson ◽  
Howard M. Steinman
Keyword(s):  
Legionella Pneumophila ◽  
Type Strain ◽  
Wild Type Strain ◽  
Acanthamoeba Castellanii ◽  
Secretion System ◽  
Type Iv Secretion ◽  
Type Iv Secretion System ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Type Iv ◽  
Virulence Traits

ABSTRACT Legionella pneumophila, a parasite of aquatic amoebae and pathogen of pulmonary macrophages, replicates intracellularly, utilizing a type IV secretion system to subvert the trafficking of Legionella-containing phagosomes. Defense against host-derived reactive oxygen species has been proposed as critical for intracellular replication. Virulence traits of null mutants in katA and katB, encoding the two Legionella catalase-peroxidases, were analyzed to evaluate the hypothesis that L. pneumophila must decompose hydrogen peroxide to establish a replication niche in macrophages. Phagosomes containing katA or katB mutant Legionella colocalize with LAMP-1, a late endosomal-lysosomal marker, at twice the frequency of those of wild-type strain JR32 and show a decreased frequency of bacterial replication, in similarity to phenotypes of mutants with mutations in dotA and dotB, encoding components of the Type IV secretion system. Quantitative similarity of the katA/B phenotypes indicates that each contributes to virulence traits largely independently of intracellular compartmentalization (KatA in the periplasm and KatB in the cytosol). These data support a model in which KatA and KatB maintain a critically low level of H2O2 compatible with proper phagosome trafficking mediated by the type IV secretion apparatus. During these studies, we observed that dotA and dotB mutations in wild-type strain Lp02 had no effect on intracellular multiplication in the amoeba Acanthamoeba castellanii, indicating that certain dotA/B functions in Lp02 are dispensable in that experimental model. We also observed that wild-type JR32, unlike Lp02, shows minimal contact-dependent cytotoxicity, suggesting that cytotoxicity of JR32 is not a prerequisite for formation of replication-competent Legionella phagosomes in macrophages.

scholarly journals icmT Is Essential for Pore Formation-Mediated Egress of Legionella pneumophila from Mammalian and Protozoan Cells

2002 ◽  
Vol 70 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maelle Molmeret ◽  
O. A. Terry Alli ◽  
Steven Zink ◽  
Antje Flieger ◽  
Nicholas P. Cianciotto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Host Cell ◽  
Legionella Pneumophila ◽  
Type Strain ◽  
Pore Formation ◽  
Wild Type Strain ◽  
Secretion System ◽  
Type Ii Secretion ◽  
Type Ii ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Type Ii Secretion System

ABSTRACT The final step of the intracellular life cycle of Legionella pneumophila and other intracellular pathogens is their egress from the host cell after termination of intracellular replication. We have previously isolated five spontaneous mutants of L. pneumophila that replicate intracellularly similar to the wild-type strain but are defective in pore formation-mediated cytolysis and egress from mammalian and protozoan cells, and the mutants have been designated rib (release of intracellular bacteria). Here, we show that the rib mutants are not defective in the activity of enzymes secreted through the type II secretion system, including phospholipase A, lysophospholipase A, and monoacylglycerol lipase, although they are potential candidates for factors that lyse host cell membranes. In addition, the pilD and lspG mutants, which are defective in the type II secretion system, are not defective in the pore-forming toxin. We show that all five rib mutants have an identical point mutation (deletion) following a stretch of poly(T) in the icmT gene. Spontaneous revertants of the rib mutants, due to an insertion of a nucleotide following the poly(T) stretch in icmT, have been isolated and shown to have regained the wild-type phenotype. We constructed an icmT insertion mutant (AA100kmT) in the chromosome of the wild-type strain by allelic exchange. The AA100kmT mutant was as defective as the rib mutant in pore formation-mediated cytolysis and egress from mammalian and protozoan cells. Both the rib mutant and the AA100kmT mutant were complemented by the icmT gene for their phenotypic defect. rtxA, a gene that is thought to have a minor role in pore formation, was not involved in pore formation-mediated cytolysis and egress from mammalian and protozoan cells. We conclude that the icmT gene is essential for pore formation-mediated lysis of mammalian and protozoan cells and the subsequent bacterial egress.

scholarly journals Influence of the Alternative σ28 Factor on Virulence and Flagellum Expression of Legionella pneumophila

2002 ◽  
Vol 70 (3) ◽  
pp. 1604-1608 ◽  
Author(s):  
Klaus Heuner ◽  
Claudia Dietrich ◽  
Carina Skriwan ◽  
Michael Steinert ◽  
Jörg Hacker
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Western Blot ◽  
Mutant Strain ◽  
Legionella Pneumophila ◽  
Blot Analysis ◽  
Type Strain ◽  
Wild Type Strain ◽  
Kanamycin Resistance ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Kanamycin Resistance Cassette

ABSTRACT The fliA gene of Legionella pneumophila encoding the alternative σ28 factor was inactivated by introducing a kanamycin resistance cassette. Electron microscopy and Western blot analysis revealed that the fliA mutant strain is aflagellate and expresses no flagellin. Reporter gene assays indicated that the flaA promoter is not active in the fliA mutant strain. The fliA mutant strain multiplied less effectively in coculture with amoebae than the wild-type strain and was not able to replicate in coculture with Dictyostelium discoideum.

scholarly journals Genetic Susceptibility and Caspase Activation in Mouse and Human Macrophages Are Distinct for Legionella longbeachae and L. pneumophila

2007 ◽  
Vol 75 (4) ◽  
pp. 1933-1945 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rexford Asare ◽  
Marina Santic ◽  
Ivana Gobin ◽  
Miljenko Doric ◽  
Jill Suttles ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Genetic Susceptibility ◽  
Mouse Strain ◽  
Caspase 3 ◽  
The United States ◽  
Mouse Bone Marrow ◽  
Human Macrophages ◽  
Caspase 1 ◽  
Mouse Macrophages

ABSTRACT Legionella pneumophila is the predominant cause of Legionnaires' disease in the United States and Europe, while Legionella longbeachae is the common cause of the disease in Western Australia. Although clinical manifestations by both intracellular pathogens are very similar, recent studies have shown that phagosome biogeneses of both species within human macrophages are distinct (R. Asare and Y. Abu Kwaik, Cell. Microbiol., in press). Most inbred mouse strains are resistant to infection by L. pneumophila, with the exception of the A/J mouse strain, and this genetic susceptibility is associated with polymorphism in the naip5 allele and flagellin-mediated early activation of caspase 1 and pyropoptosis in nonpermissive mouse macrophages. Here, we show that genetic susceptibility of mice to infection by L. longbeachae is independent of allelic polymorphism of naip5. L. longbeachae replicates within bone marrow-derived macrophages and in the lungs of A/J, C57BL/6, and BALB/c mice, while L. pneumophila replicates in macrophages in vitro and in the lungs of the A/J mouse strain only. Quantitative real-time PCR studies on infected A/J and C57BL/6 mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages show that both L. longbeachae and L. pneumophila trigger similar levels of naip5 expression, but the levels are higher in infected C57BL/6 mouse macrophages. In contrast to L. pneumophila, L. longbeachae has no detectable pore-forming activity and does not activate caspase 1 in A/J and C57BL/6 mouse or human macrophages, despite flagellation. Unlike L. pneumophila, L. longbeachae triggers only a modest activation of caspase 3 and low levels of apoptosis in human and murine macrophages in vitro and in the lungs of infected mice at late stages of infection. We conclude that despite flagellation, infection by L. longbeachae is independent of polymorphism in the naip5 allele and L. longbeachae does not trigger the activation of caspase 1, caspase 3, or late-stage apoptosis in mouse and human macrophages. Neither species triggers caspase 1 activation in human macrophages.

scholarly journals A Regulatory Feedback Loop between RpoS and SpoT Supports the Survival of Legionella pneumophila in Water

2014 ◽  
Vol 81 (3) ◽  
pp. 918-928 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hana Trigui ◽  
Paulina Dudyk ◽  
Jinrok Oh ◽  
Jong-In Hong ◽  
Sebastien P. Faucher
Keyword(s):  
Legionella Pneumophila ◽  
Type Strain ◽  
Feedback Loop ◽  
Wild Type Strain ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Stringent Response ◽  
Water Medium ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Regulatory Feedback Loop

ABSTRACTLegionella pneumophilais a waterborne pathogen, and survival in the aquatic environment is central to its transmission to humans. Therefore, identifying genes required for its survival in water could help prevent Legionnaires' disease outbreaks. In the present study, we investigate the role of the sigma factor RpoS in promoting survival in water, whereL. pneumophilaexperiences severe nutrient deprivation. TherpoSmutant showed a strong survival defect compared to the wild-type strain in defined water medium. The transcriptome of therpoSmutant during exposure to water revealed that RpoS represses genes associated with replication, translation, and transcription, suggesting that the mutant fails to shut down major metabolic programs. In addition, therpoSmutant is transcriptionally more active than the wild-type strain after water exposure. This could be explained by a misregulation of the stringent response in therpoSmutant. Indeed, therpoSmutant shows an increased expression ofspoTand a corresponding decrease in the level of (p)ppGpp, which is due to the presence of a negative feedback loop between RpoS and SpoT. Therefore, the lack of RpoS causes an aberrant regulation of the stringent response, which prevents the induction of a successful response to starvation.

scholarly journals Phase-variable Expression of Lipopolysaccharide Contributes to the Virulence of Legionella pneumophila

1998 ◽  
Vol 188 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edeltraud Lüneberg ◽  
Ulrich Zähringer ◽  
Yuriy A. Knirel ◽  
Dorothee Steinmann ◽  
Maike Hartmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Legionella Pneumophila ◽  
Type Strain ◽  
Wild Type Strain ◽  
Phase Variable ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Complement Components ◽  
Variable Expression ◽  
Pig Animal Model

With the aid of monoclonal antibody (mAb) 2625, raised against the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1, subgroup OLDA, we isolated mutant 811 from the virulent wild-type strain RC1. This mutant was not reactive with mAb 2625 and exhibited an unstable phenotype, since we observed an in vitro and in vivo switch of mutant 811 to the mAb 2625–positive phenotype, thus restoring the wild-type LPS. Bactericidal assays revealed that mutant 811 was lysed by serum complement components, whereas the parental strain RC1 was almost serum resistant. Moreover, mutant 811 was not able to replicate intracellularly in macrophage-like cell line HL-60. In the guinea pig animal model, mutant 811 exhibited significantly reduced ability to replicate. Among recovered bacteria, mAb 2625–positive revertants were increased by fourfold. The relevance of LPS phase switch for pathogenesis of Legionella infection was further corroborated by the observation that 5% of the bacteria recovered from the lungs of guinea pigs infected with the wild-type strain RC1 were negative for mAb 2625 binding. These findings strongly indicate that under in vivo conditions switching between two LPS phenotypes occurs and may promote adaptation and replication of L. pneumophila. This is the first description of phase-variable expression of Legionella LPS.

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