scholarly journals Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli Secretes a Highly Conserved Mucin-Degrading Metalloprotease To Effectively Engage Intestinal Epithelial Cells

2013 ◽  
Vol 82 (2) ◽  
pp. 509-521 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qingwei Luo ◽  
Pardeep Kumar ◽  
Tim J. Vickers ◽  
Alaullah Sheikh ◽  
Warren G. Lewis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Enterotoxigenic Escherichia Coli ◽  
Effective Vaccine ◽  
Type Ii Secretion ◽  
Intestinal Epithelial ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Type Ii Secretion System ◽  
Efficient Access ◽  
Genes Encoding

ABSTRACTEnterotoxigenicEscherichia coli(ETEC) is a leading cause of death due to diarrheal illness among young children in developing countries, and there is currently no effective vaccine. Many elements of ETEC pathogenesis are still poorly defined. Here we demonstrate that YghJ, a secreted ETEC antigen identified in immunoproteomic studies using convalescent patient sera, is required for efficient access to small intestinal enterocytes and for the optimal delivery of heat-labile toxin (LT). Furthermore, YghJ is a highly conserved metalloprotease that influences intestinal colonization of ETEC by degrading the major mucins in the small intestine, MUC2 and MUC3. Genes encoding YghJ and its cognate type II secretion system (T2SS), which also secretes LT, are highly conserved in ETEC and exist in other enteric pathogens, including other diarrheagenicE. coliandVibrio choleraebacteria, suggesting that this mucin-degrading enzyme may represent a shared virulence feature of these important pathogens.

scholarly journals Porcine Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli Strains Differ in Their Capacity To Secrete Enterotoxins through Varying YghG Levels

2020 ◽  
Vol 86 (24) ◽  
Author(s):  
Haixiu Wang ◽  
Raquel Sanz Garcia ◽  
Eric Cox ◽  
Bert Devriendt
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Secretion System ◽  
Farm Animals ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Type Ii Secretion ◽  
Type Ii ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Type Ii Secretion System ◽  
Heat Labile

ABSTRACT Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) strains are important pathogens for humans and farm animals such as pigs. Porcine ETEC strains induce diarrhea through the production of heat-labile enterotoxin (LT) and/or heat-stable enterotoxins (pSTa/STb). Although LT secretion levels differ between porcine ETEC strains, and this has been linked to virulence, it is unclear whether ST secretion levels also differ between porcine ETEC strains. In addition, the molecular mechanism underlying different LT secretion levels has not been elucidated. In this work, multiple porcine ETEC strains were assessed for their capacity to produce and secrete the enterotoxins LT, pSTa, and STb. The strains differed greatly in their capacity to secrete LT, pSTa, and STb. Remarkably, in some strains, periplasmic production did not correlate with their ability to secrete LT, resulting in high periplasmic production and low LT secretion levels. Furthermore, the results indicated that the type II secretion system (T2SS) protein YghG plays a regulatory role in controlling LT secretion levels. These findings highlight YghG as an important mediator of the secretion of the heat-labile enterotoxin LT by porcine ETEC strains and provide better insights into ETEC enterotoxin secretion. IMPORTANCE Enterotoxigenic E. coli strains are a major health concern. Enterotoxins secreted by enterotoxigenic E. coli are crucial for diarrhea induction. Enterotoxin secretion levels differ between strains; however, it is currently unclear what drives these differences. The discrepancy in the production and secretion capacities of enterotoxins in ETEC is important to clarify their function involved in diarrhea induction. Our results further deepen our understanding of how type II secretion system (T2SS) components of ETEC control enterotoxin secretion levels and may lay the foundation for a better understanding of ETEC molecular pathogenesis.

scholarly journals Porcine and Bovine Forms of Lactoferrin Inhibit Growth of Porcine Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli and Degrade Its Virulence Factors

2020 ◽  
Vol 86 (24) ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthias Dierick ◽  
Hans Van der Weken ◽  
Joanna Rybarczyk ◽  
Daisy Vanrompay ◽  
Bert Devriendt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Virulence Factors ◽  
Intestinal Epithelial Cells ◽  
Enterotoxigenic Escherichia Coli ◽  
Bovine Lactoferrin ◽  
Adhesion Assay ◽  
Intestinal Epithelial ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli

ABSTRACT Postweaning diarrhea (PWD) is an economically important, multifactorial disease affecting pigs within the first 2 weeks after weaning. The most common agent associated with PWD is enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC). Currently, antibiotics are used to control PWD, and this has most likely contributed to an increased prevalence of antibiotic-resistant strains. This puts pressure on veterinarians and farmers to decrease or even abandon the use of antibiotics, but these measures need to be supported by alternative strategies for controlling these infections. Naturally derived molecules, such as lactoferrin, could be potential candidates due to their antibacterial or immune-modulating activities. Here, we analyzed the ability of bovine lactoferrin (bLF), porcine lactoferrin (pLF), and ovotransferrin (ovoTF) to inhibit ETEC growth, degrade ETEC virulence factors, and inhibit adherence of these pathogens to porcine intestinal epithelial cells. Our results revealed that bLF and pLF, but not ovoTF, inhibit the growth of ETEC. Furthermore, bLF and pLF can degrade several virulence factors produced by ETEC strains, more specifically F4 fimbriae, F18 fimbriae, and flagellin. On the other hand, ovoTF degrades F18 fimbriae and flagellin but not F4 fimbriae. An in vitro adhesion assay showed that bLF, ovoTF, and pLF can decrease the number of bacteria adherent to epithelial cells. Our findings demonstrate that lactoferrin can directly affect porcine ETEC strains, which could allow lactoferrin to serve as an alternative to antimicrobials for the prevention of ETEC infections in piglets. IMPORTANCE Currently, postweaning F4+ and F18+ Escherichia coli infections in piglets are controlled by the use of antibiotics and zinc oxide, but the use of these antimicrobial agents most likely contributes to an increase in antibiotic resistance. Our work demonstrates that bovine and porcine lactoferrin can inhibit the growth of porcine enterotoxigenic E. coli strains. In addition, we also show that lactoferrin can reduce the adherence of these strains to small intestinal epithelial cells, even at a concentration that does not inhibit bacterial growth. This research could allow us to develop lactoferrin as an alternative strategy to prevent enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) infections in piglets.

scholarly journals Deletion of FaeG alleviated Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli F4ac-induced apoptosis in the intestine

AMB Express ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pengpeng Xia ◽  
Yunping Wu ◽  
Siqi Lian ◽  
Guomei Quan ◽  
Yiting Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Mucosal Damage ◽  
Enterotoxigenic Escherichia Coli ◽  
Intestinal Epithelial ◽  
Antibody Microarray ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Fimbrial Subunit ◽  
Induced Apoptosis ◽  
Weaning Piglets

AbstractEnterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) F4ac is a major constraint to the development of the pig industry, which is causing newborn and post-weaning piglets diarrhea. Previous studies proved that FaeG is the major fimbrial subunit of F4ac E. coli and efficient for bacterial adherence and receptor recognition. Here we show that the faeG deletion attenuates both the clinical symptoms of F4ac infection and the F4ac-induced intestinal mucosal damage in piglets. Antibody microarray analysis and the detection of mRNA expression using porcine neonatal jejunal IPEC-J2 cells also determined that the absence of FaeG subunit alleviated the F4ac promoted apoptosis in the intestinal epithelial cells. Thus, targeted depletion of FaeG is still beneficial for the prevention or treatment of F4ac infection.

scholarly journals Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli infection and intestinal thiamin uptake: studies with intestinal epithelial Caco-2 monolayers

2013 ◽  
Vol 305 (11) ◽  
pp. C1185-C1191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abhisek Ghosal ◽  
Nabendu S. Chatterjee ◽  
Tristan Chou ◽  
Hamid M. Said
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Significant Inhibition ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Enterotoxigenic Escherichia Coli ◽  
Adenylate Cyclase System ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Intestinal Epithelial ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Heat Labile ◽  
Etec Infection

Infections with enteric pathogens like enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli ( ETEC) is a major health issue worldwide and while diarrhea is the major problem, prolonged, severe, and dual infections with multiple pathogens may also compromise the nutritional status of the infected individuals. There is almost nothing currently known about the effect of ETEC infection on intestinal absorptions of water-soluble vitamins including thiamin. We examined the effect of ETEC infection on intestinal uptake of the thiamin using as a model the human-derived intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cells. The results showed that infecting confluent Caco-2 monolayers with live ETEC (but not with boiled/killed ETEC or nonpathogenic E. coli) or treatment with bacterial culture supernatant led to a significant inhibition in thiamin uptake. This inhibition appears to be caused by a heat-labile and -secreted ETEC component and is mediated via activation of the epithelial adenylate cyclase system. The inhibition in thiamin uptake by ETEC was associated with a significant reduction in expression of human thiamin transporter-1 and -2 (hTHTR1 and hTHTR2) at the protein and mRNA levels as well as in the activity of the SLC19A2 and SLC19A3 promoters. Dual infection of Caco-2 cells with ETEC and EPEC (enteropathogenic E. coli) led to compounded inhibition in intestinal thiamin uptake. These results show for the first time that infection of human intestinal epithelial cells with ETEC causes a significant inhibition in intestinal thiamin uptake. This inhibition is mediated by a secreted heat-labile toxin and is associated with a decrease in the expression of intestinal thiamin transporters.

scholarly journals Activation of Toxin-Antitoxin System Toxins Suppresses Lethality Caused by the Loss of σEin Escherichia coli

2015 ◽  
Vol 197 (14) ◽  
pp. 2316-2324 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasushi Daimon ◽  
Shin-ichiro Narita ◽  
Yoshinori Akiyama
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Stress Responses ◽  
Ectopic Expression ◽  
Growth Media ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Envelope Stress ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Σ Factor ◽  
Mutant Forms

ABSTRACTσE, an alternative σ factor that governs a major signaling pathway in envelope stress responses in Gram-negative bacteria, is essential for growth ofEscherichia colinot only under stressful conditions, such as elevated temperature, but also under normal laboratory conditions. A mutational inactivation of thehicBgene has been reported to suppress the lethality caused by the loss of σE.hicBencodes the antitoxin of the HicA-HicB toxin-antitoxin (TA) system; overexpression of the HicA toxin, which exhibits mRNA interferase activity, causes cleavage of mRNAs and an arrest of cell growth, while simultaneous expression of HicB neutralizes the toxic effects of overproduced HicA. To date, however, how the loss of HicB rescues the cell lethality in the absence of σEand, more specifically, whether HicA is involved in this process remain unknown. Here we showed that simultaneous disruption ofhicAabolished suppression of the σEessentiality in the absence ofhicB, while ectopic expression of wild-type HicA, but not that of its mutant forms without mRNA interferase activity, restored the suppression. Furthermore, HicA and two other mRNA interferase toxins, HigB and YafQ, suppressed the σEessentiality even in the presence of chromosomally encoded cognate antitoxins when these toxins were overexpressed individually. Interestingly, when the growth media were supplemented with low levels of antibiotics that are known to activate toxins,E. colicells with no suppressor mutations grew independently of σE. Taken together, our results indicate that the activation of TA system toxins can suppress the σEessentiality and affect the extracytoplasmic stress responses.IMPORTANCEσEis an alternative σ factor involved in extracytoplasmic stress responses. Unlike other alternative σ factors, σEis indispensable for the survival ofE. colieven under unstressed conditions, although the exact reason for its essentiality remains unknown. Toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems are widely distributed in prokaryotes and are composed of two adjacent genes, encoding a toxin that exerts harmful effects on the toxin-producing bacterium itself and an antitoxin that neutralizes the cognate toxin. Curiously, it is known that inactivation of an antitoxin rescues the σEessentiality, suggesting a connection between TA systems and σEfunction. We demonstrate here that toxin activation is necessary for this rescue and suggest the possible involvement of TA systems in extracytoplasmic stress responses.

scholarly journals Heterogeneous and Flexible Transmission ofmcr-1in Hospital-AssociatedEscherichia coli

mBio ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yingbo Shen ◽  
Zuowei Wu ◽  
Yang Wang ◽  
Rong Zhang ◽  
Hong-Wei Zhou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Genomic Analysis ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Fluoroquinolone Resistance ◽  
Gram Negative Bacteria ◽  
Colistin Resistance ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Genes Encoding

ABSTRACTThe recent emergence of a transferable colistin resistance mechanism, MCR-1, has gained global attention because of its threat to clinical treatment of infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. However, the possible transmission route ofmcr-1amongEnterobacteriaceaespecies in clinical settings is largely unknown. Here, we present a comprehensive genomic analysis ofEscherichia coliisolates collected in a hospital in Hangzhou, China. We found thatmcr-1-carrying isolates from clinical infections and feces of inpatients and healthy volunteers were genetically diverse and were not closely related phylogenetically, suggesting that clonal expansion is not involved in the spread ofmcr-1. Themcr-1gene was found on either chromosomes or plasmids, but in most of theE. coliisolates,mcr-1was carried on plasmids. The genetic context of the plasmids showed considerable diversity as evidenced by the different functional insertion sequence (IS) elements, toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems, heavy metal resistance determinants, and Rep proteins of broad-host-range plasmids. Additionally, the genomic analysis revealed nosocomial transmission ofmcr-1and the coexistence ofmcr-1with other genes encoding β-lactamases and fluoroquinolone resistance in theE. coliisolates. These findings indicate thatmcr-1is heterogeneously disseminated in both commensal and pathogenic strains ofE. coli, suggest the high flexibility of this gene in its association with diverse genetic backgrounds of the hosts, and provide new insights into the genome epidemiology ofmcr-1among hospital-associatedE. colistrains.IMPORTANCEColistin represents one of the very few available drugs for treating infections caused by extensively multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. The recently emergentmcr-1colistin resistance gene threatens the clinical utility of colistin and has gained global attention. Howmcr-1spreads in hospital settings remains unknown and was investigated by whole-genome sequencing ofmcr-1-carryingEscherichia coliin this study. The findings revealed extraordinary flexibility ofmcr-1in its spread among genetically diverseE. colihosts and plasmids, nosocomial transmission ofmcr-1-carryingE. coli, and the continuous emergence of novel Inc types of plasmids carryingmcr-1and newmcr-1variants. Additionally,mcr-1was found to be frequently associated with other genes encoding β-lactams and fluoroquinolone resistance. These findings provide important information on the transmission and epidemiology ofmcr-1and are of significant public health importance as the information is expected to facilitate the control of this significant antibiotic resistance threat.

scholarly journals The c-Type Cytochrome OmcA Localizes to the Outer Membrane upon Heterologous Expression in Escherichia coli

2008 ◽  
Vol 190 (14) ◽  
pp. 5127-5131 ◽  
Author(s):  
James W. Donald ◽  
Matthew G. Hicks ◽  
David J. Richardson ◽  
Tracy Palmer
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Outer Membrane ◽  
Shewanella Oneidensis ◽  
Type Ii Secretion ◽  
Type Ii ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Expression In Escherichia Coli ◽  
Type Ii Secretion System ◽  
Surface Localization ◽  
K 12

ABSTRACT We have functionally produced the outer membrane cytochrome OmcA from Shewanella oneidensis in Escherichia coli. Substrate accessibility experiments indicate that OmcA is surface exposed in an E. coli B strain but not in a K-12 strain. We show that a functional type II secretion system is required for surface localization.

scholarly journals Inflammation-Induced Acid Tolerance GenesgadABin Luminal Commensal Escherichia coli Attenuate Experimental Colitis

2013 ◽  
Vol 81 (10) ◽  
pp. 3662-3671 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandrine Tchaptchet ◽  
Ting-Jia Fan ◽  
Laura Goeser ◽  
Alexi Schoenborn ◽  
Ajay S. Gulati ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Immune Responses ◽  
Intestinal Inflammation ◽  
Intestinal Epithelial Cells ◽  
Acid Tolerance ◽  
Experimental Colitis ◽  
Intestinal Epithelial ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Chronic Intestinal Inflammation

ABSTRACTDysregulated immune responses to commensal intestinal bacteria, includingEscherichia coli, contribute to the development of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) and experimental colitis. Reciprocally,E. coliresponds to chronic intestinal inflammation by upregulating expression of stress response genes, includinggadAandgadB. GadAB encode glutamate decarboxylase and protectE. colifrom the toxic effects of low pH and fermentation acids, factors present in the intestinal lumen in patients with active IBDs. We hypothesized thatE. coliupregulatesgadABduring inflammation to enhance its survival and virulence. Using real-time PCR, we determinedgadABexpression in luminalE. colifrom ex-germfree wild-type (WT) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) knockout (KO) (IL-10−/−) mice selectively colonized with a commensalE. coliisolate (NC101) that causes colitis in KO mice in isolation or in combination with 7 other commensal intestinal bacterial strains.E. colisurvival and host inflammatory responses were measured in WT and KO mice colonized with NC101 or a mutant lacking thegadABgenes (NC101ΔgadAB). The susceptibility of NC101 and NC101ΔgadABto killing by host antimicrobial peptides and their translocation across intestinal epithelial cells were evaluated using bacterial killing assays and transwell experiments, respectively. We show that expression ofgadABin luminalE. coliincreases proportionately with intestinal inflammation in KO mice and enhances the susceptibility of NC101 to killing by the host antimicrobial peptide cryptdin-4 but decreases bacterial transmigration across intestinal epithelial cells, colonic inflammation, and mucosal immune responses. Chronic intestinal inflammation upregulates acid tolerance pathways in commensalE. coliisolates, which, contrary to our original hypothesis, limits their survival and colitogenic potential. Further investigation of microbial adaptation to immune-mediated inflammation may provide novel insights into the pathogenesis and treatment of IBDs.

scholarly journals Silver Resistance Genes Are Overrepresented among Escherichia coli Isolates with CTX-M Production

2014 ◽  
Vol 80 (22) ◽  
pp. 6863-6869 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susanne Sütterlin ◽  
Petra Edquist ◽  
Linus Sandegren ◽  
Marlen Adler ◽  
Thomas Tängdén ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Resistance Genes ◽  
Selective Pressure ◽  
Human Origin ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Beta Lactamases ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamases ◽  
M 14

ABSTRACTMembers of theEnterobacteriaceaewith extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) of the CTX-M type have disseminated rapidly in recent years and have become a threat to public health. In parallel with the CTX-M type expansion, the consumption and widespread use of silver-containing products has increased. To determine the carriage rates of silver resistance genes in differentEscherichia colipopulations, the presence of three silver resistance genes (silE,silP, andsilS) and genes encoding CTX-M-, TEM-, and SHV-type enzymes were explored inE. coliisolates of human (n= 105) and avian (n= 111) origin. The antibiotic profiles were also determined. Isolates harboring CTX-M genes were further characterized, and phenotypic silver resistance was examined. ThesilEgene was present in 13 of the isolates. All of them were of human origin. Eleven of these isolates harbored ESBLs of the CTX-M type (P= 0.007), and eight of them were typed as CTX-M-15 and three as CTX-M-14. None of thesilE-positive isolates was related to the O25b-ST131 clone, but 10 out of 13 belonged to the ST10 or ST58 complexes. Phenotypic silver resistance (silver nitrate MIC > 512 mg/liter) was observed after silver exposure in 12 of them, and a concomitant reduced susceptibility to piperacillin-tazobactam developed in three. In conclusion, 12% of the humanE. coliisolates but none of the avian isolates harbored silver resistance genes. This indicates another route for or level of silver exposure for humans than that caused by common environmental contamination. SincesilE-positive isolates were significantly more often found in CTX-M-positive isolates, it is possible that silver may exert a selective pressure on CTX-M-producingE. coliisolates.

scholarly journals Acetate Exposure Determines the Diauxic Behavior of Escherichia coli during the Glucose-Acetate Transition

2015 ◽  
Vol 197 (19) ◽  
pp. 3173-3181 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brice Enjalbert ◽  
Muriel Cocaign-Bousquet ◽  
Jean-Charles Portais ◽  
Fabien Letisse
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Batch Culture ◽  
Prolonged Exposure ◽  
Growth Parameters ◽  
Metabolic Adaptation ◽  
Growth Stages ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Metabolic Properties

ABSTRACTGrowth ofEscherichia colion glucose in batch culture is accompanied by the excretion of acetate, which is consumed by the cells when glucose is exhausted. This glucose-acetate transition is classically described as a diauxie (two successive growth stages). Here, we investigated the physiological and metabolic properties of cells after glucose exhaustion through the analysis of growth parameters and gene expression. We found thatE. colicells grown on glucose in batch culture produce acetate and consume it after glucose exhaustion but do not grow on acetate. Acetate is catabolized, but key anabolic genes—such as the genes encoding enzymes of the glyoxylate shunt—are not upregulated, hence preventing growth. Both the induction of the latter anabolic genes and growth were observed only after prolonged exposure to low concentrations of acetate and could be accelerated by high acetate concentrations. We postulate that such decoupling between acetate catabolism and acetate anabolism might be an advantage for the survival ofE. coliin the ever-changing environment of the intestine.IMPORTANCEThe glucose-acetate transition is a valuable experimental model for comprehensive investigations of metabolic adaptation and a current paradigm for developing modeling approaches in systems microbiology. Yet, the work reported in our paper demonstrates that the metabolic behavior ofEscherichia coliduring the glucose-acetate transition is much more complex than what has been reported so far. A decoupling between acetate catabolism and acetate anabolism was observed after glucose exhaustion, which has not been reported previously. This phenomenon could represent a strategy for optimal utilization of carbon resources during colonization and persistence ofE. coliin the gut and is also of significant interest for biotechnological applications.

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