scholarly journals Pseudomonas aeruginosa-Mediated Damage Requires Distinct Receptors at the Apical and Basolateral Surfaces of the Polarized Epithelium

2009 ◽  
Vol 78 (3) ◽  
pp. 939-953 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iwona Bucior ◽  
Keith Mostov ◽  
Joanne N. Engel

ABSTRACT Pseudomonas aeruginosa, an important opportunistic pathogen of humans, exploits epithelial damage to establish infection. We have rigorously explored the role of N-glycoproteins and heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) in P. aeruginosa-mediated attachment and subsequent downstream events at the apical (AP) and basolateral (BL) surfaces of polarized epithelium. We demonstrate that the N-glycan chains at the AP surface are necessary and sufficient for binding, invasion, and cytotoxicity to kidney (MDCK) and airway (Calu-3) cells grown at various states of polarization on Transwell filters. Upregulation of N-glycosylation enhanced binding, whereas pharmacologic inhibition of N-glycosylation or infection of MDCK cells defective in N-glycosylation resulted in decreased binding. In contrast, at the BL surface, the HS moiety of HSPGs mediated P. aeruginosa binding, cytotoxicity, and invasion. In incompletely polarized epithelium, HSPG abundance was increased at the AP surface, explaining its increased susceptibility to P. aeruginosa colonization and damage. Using MDCK cells grown as three-dimensional cysts as a model for epithelial organs, we show that P. aeruginosa specifically colocalized with HS-rich areas at the BL membrane but with complex N-glycans at the AP surface. Finally, P. aeruginosa bound to HS chains and N-glycans coated on plastic surfaces, showing the highest binding affinity toward isolated HS chains. Together, these findings demonstrate that P. aeruginosa recognizes distinct receptors on the AP and BL surfaces of polarized epithelium. Changes in the composition of N-glycan chains and/or in the distribution of HSPGs may explain the enhanced susceptibility of damaged epithelium to P. aeruginosa.


1980 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 1146-1151 ◽  
Author(s):  
D E Woods ◽  
D C Straus ◽  
W G Johanson ◽  
V K Berry ◽  
J A Bass

Adherence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa organisms to the upper respiratory epithelium of seriously ill patients in vitro is correlated with subsequent colonization of the respiratory tract by this opportunistic pathogen. The role of pili in the attachment to epithelial cells of P. aeruginosa was studied in an in vitro system employing human buccal epithelial cells and P. aeruginosa pretreated by various means. Pretreatment of the bacteria with proteases, heat, or Formalin caused a significant decrease in adherence. A decrease when compared with controls was also noted in the adherence of P. aeruginosa organisms to buccal epithelial cells preincubated with purified pili prepared from the strain used for adherence testing; however, pili prepared from a heterologous strain failed to block adherence. Similar results were obtained in serological studies when antisera to purified pili prepared from the strain used for adherence testing decreased adherence, whereas heterologous antiserum to pili did not decrease adherence. From these results it appears that pili mediate the adherence of P. aeruginosa organisms to human buccal epithelial cells.



2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
William Y. Harvey ◽  
Cynthia Gagné-Thivierge ◽  
Sepideh Fakari ◽  
Jean Barbeau ◽  
Steve Charette ◽  
...  

The bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen in certain organisms, including humans, but can also survive and proliferate in natural and engineered water systems. Microfluidic technology can address hydrodynamic questions related to bacterial contamination of water flow systems and infrastructure. In this work, a microfluidic approach was devised to study the effect of shear stresses on biofilms from a dental unit waterline (DUWL)-isolated P. aeruginosa strain, PPF-1. During application of relevant shear stress levels to DUWLs, the response of the PPF-1 biofilm was observed and compared to a clinical P. aeruginosa reference strain, PAO1. The response measurements were repeated for biofilms exposed to additional Mg2+ ions. Using a microfluidic approach to transforming optical density maps into three-dimensional images, we applied computational fluid dynamics simulations and determined the critical shear stresses for biofilm sloughing. In the absence of Mg2+, PPF-1 biofilms showed weaker attachment than PAO1 biofilms, resulting in continuous slough/regrowth cycles triggered by applied shear stresses of 1.42 +/- 0.32 Pa. Introducing Mg2+ into the PPF-1 biofilm culture medium seemed to place the biofilm into a viscoplastic mechanical state, thereby increasing mechanical stability, which resulted in elevated tolerances to shear stresses up to a critical value of 5.43 +/- 1.52 Pa. This resulted in a propensity for less frequent but more catastrophic sloughing events like that observed for the PAO1 reference strain. This suggests that in a low ionic environment, biofilms from the PPF-1 strain can result in higher and more continuous ejection of biofilm materials, possibly leading to increased downstream colonization of engineered flow systems.



2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy V. Thees ◽  
Kathryn M. Pietrosimone ◽  
Clare K. Melchiorre ◽  
Jeremiah N. Marden ◽  
Joerg Graf ◽  
...  

The opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa expresses a small molecular weight, cysteine-rich protein (PmtA), identified as a metallothionein (MT) protein family member. The MT family proteins have been well-characterized in eukaryotes as essential for zinc and copper homeostasis, protection against oxidative stress, and the ability to modify a variety of immune activities. Bacterial MTs share sequence homology, antioxidant chemistry, and heavy metal-binding capacity with eukaryotic MTs, however, the impact of bacterial MTs on virulence and infection have not been well-studied. In the present study, we investigated the role of PmtA in P. aeruginosa PAO1 using a PmtA-deficient strain (ΔpmtA). Here we demonstrated the virulence factor, pyocyanin, relies on the expression of PmtA. We showed that PmtA may be protective against oxidative stress, as an alternative antioxidant, glutathione, can rescue pyocyanin expression. Furthermore, the expression of phzM, which encodes a pyocyanin precursor enzyme, was decreased in the ΔpmtA mutant during early stationary phase. Upregulated pmtA expression was previously detected in confluent biofilms, which are essential for chronic infection, and we observed that the ΔpmtA mutant was disrupted for biofilm formation. As biofilms also modulate antibiotic susceptibility, we examined the ΔpmtA mutant susceptibility to antibiotics and found that the ΔpmtA mutant is more susceptible to cefepime and ciprofloxacin than the wild-type strain. Finally, we observed that the deletion of pmtA results in decreased virulence in a waxworm model. Taken together, our results support the conclusion that PmtA is necessary for the full virulence of P. aeruginosa and may represent a potential target for therapeutic intervention.



Pathogens ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven M. Huszczynski ◽  
Joseph S. Lam ◽  
Cezar M. Khursigara

The major constituent of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria is lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which is comprised of lipid A, core oligosaccharide, and O antigen, which is a long polysaccharide chain extending into the extracellular environment. Due to the localization of LPS, it is a key molecule on the bacterial cell wall that is recognized by the host to deploy an immune defence in order to neutralize invading pathogens. However, LPS also promotes bacterial survival in a host environment by protecting the bacteria from these threats. This review explores the relationship between the different LPS glycoforms of the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the ability of this organism to cause persistent infections, especially in the genetic disease cystic fibrosis. We also discuss the role of LPS in facilitating biofilm formation, antibiotic resistance, and how LPS may be targeted by new antimicrobial therapies.



F1000Research ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 1261 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jens Klockgether ◽  
Burkhard Tümmler

The versatile and ubiquitousPseudomonas aeruginosais an opportunistic pathogen causing acute and chronic infections in predisposed human subjects. Here we review recent progress in understandingP. aeruginosapopulation biology and virulence, its cyclic di-GMP-mediated switches of lifestyle, and its interaction with the mammalian host as well as the role of the type III and type VI secretion systems inP. aeruginosainfection.



2001 ◽  
Vol 183 (3) ◽  
pp. 1047-1057 ◽  
Author(s):  
David E. Nivens ◽  
Dennis E. Ohman ◽  
Jessica Williams ◽  
Michael J. Franklin

ABSTRACT Attenuated total reflection/Fourier transform-infrared spectrometry (ATR/FT-IR) and scanning confocal laser microscopy (SCLM) were used to study the role of alginate and alginate structure in the attachment and growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa on surfaces. Developing biofilms of the mucoid (alginate-producing) cystic fibrosis pulmonary isolate FRD1, as well as mucoid and nonmucoid mutant strains, were monitored by ATR/FT-IR for 44 and 88 h as IR absorbance bands in the region of 2,000 to 1,000 cm−1. All strains produced biofilms that absorbed IR radiation near 1,650 cm−1 (amide I), 1,550 cm−1 (amide II), 1,240 cm−1 (PO stretching, C—O—C stretching, and/or amide III vibrations), 1,100 to 1,000 cm−1 (C—OH and P—O stretching) 1,450 cm−1, and 1,400 cm−1. The FRD1 biofilms produced spectra with an increase in relative absorbance at 1,060 cm−1 (C—OH stretching of alginate) and 1,250 cm−1 (C—O stretching of the O-acetyl group in alginate), as compared to biofilms of nonmucoid mutant strains. Dehydration of an 88-h FRD1 biofilm revealed other IR bands that were also found in the spectrum of purified FRD1 alginate. These results provide evidence that alginate was present within the FRD1 biofilms and at greater relative concentrations at depths exceeding 1 μm, the analysis range for the ATR/FT-IR technique. After 88 h, biofilms of the nonmucoid strains produced amide II absorbances that were six to eight times as intense as those of the mucoid FRD1 parent strain. However, the cell densities in biofilms were similar, suggesting that FRD1 formed biofilms with most cells at depths that exceeded the analysis range of the ATR/FT-IR technique. SCLM analysis confirmed this result, demonstrating that nonmucoid strains formed densely packed biofilms that were generally less than 6 μm in depth. In contrast, FRD1 produced microcolonies that were approximately 40 μm in depth. An algJ mutant strain that produced alginate lacking O-acetyl groups gave an amide II signal approximately fivefold weaker than that of FRD1 and produced small microcolonies. After 44 h, the algJ mutant switched to the nonmucoid phenotype and formed uniform biofilms, similar to biofilms produced by the nonmucoid strains. These results demonstrate that alginate, although not required for P. aeruginosa biofilm development, plays a role in the biofilm structure and may act as intercellular material, required for formation of thicker three-dimensional biofilms. The results also demonstrate the importance of alginate O acetylation in P. aeruginosabiofilm architecture.



2005 ◽  
Vol 187 (24) ◽  
pp. 8511-8515 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiang-Sheng Shen ◽  
Valérie Geoffroy ◽  
Shadi Neshat ◽  
Zongchao Jia ◽  
Allison Meldrum ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT A number of aromatic residues were seen to cluster in the upper portion of the three-dimensional structure of the FpvA ferric pyoverdine receptor of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, reminiscent of the aromatic binding pocket for ferrichrome in the FhuA receptor of Escherichia coli. Alanine substitutions in three of these, W362, W391, and F795, markedly compromised ferric pyoverdine binding and transport, consistent with a role of FpvA in ferric pyoverdine recognition.



2016 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 1428-1433 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernardas Morkunas ◽  
Balint Gal ◽  
Warren R J D Galloway ◽  
James T Hodgkinson ◽  
Brett M Ibbeson ◽  
...  

Pyocyanin is a small molecule produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa that plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of infections by this notorious opportunistic pathogen. The inhibition of pyocyanin production has been identified as an attractive antivirulence strategy for the treatment of P. aeruginosa infections. Herein, we report the discovery of an inhibitor of pyocyanin production in cultures of wild-type P. aeruginosa which is based around a 4-alkylquinolin-2(1H)-one scaffold. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported example of pyocyanin inhibition by a compound based around this molecular framework. The compound may therefore be representative of a new structural sub-class of pyocyanin inhibitors, which could potentially be exploited in in a therapeutic context for the development of critically needed new antipseudomonal agents. In this context, the use of wild-type cells in this study is notable, since the data obtained are of direct relevance to native situations. The compound could also be of value in better elucidating the role of pyocyanin in P. aeruginosa infections. Evidence suggests that the active compound reduces the level of pyocyanin production by inhibiting the cell–cell signalling mechanism known as quorum sensing. This could have interesting implications; quorum sensing regulates a range of additional elements associated with the pathogenicity of P. aeruginosa and there is a wide range of other potential applications where the inhibition of quorum sensing is desirable.



2006 ◽  
Vol 188 (2) ◽  
pp. 815-819 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giordano Rampioni ◽  
Iris Bertani ◽  
Elisabetta Zennaro ◽  
Fabio Polticelli ◽  
Vittorio Venturi ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT A mutation in the rsaL gene of Pseudomonas aeruginosa produces dramatically higher amounts of N-acyl homoserine lactone with respect to the wild type, highlighting the key role of this negative regulator in controlling quorum sensing (QS) in this opportunistic pathogen. The DNA binding site of the RsaL protein on the rsaL-lasI bidirectional promoter partially overlaps the binding site of the LasR protein, consistent with the hypothesis that RsaL and LasR could be in binding competition on this promoter. This is the first direct demonstration that RsaL acts as a QS negative regulator by binding to the lasI promoter.



2017 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Malaka De Silva ◽  
Patrick Chong ◽  
Dinesh M. Fernando ◽  
Garrett Westmacott ◽  
Ayush Kumar

ABSTRACT Acinetobacter baumannii is a notorious opportunistic pathogen that is prevalent mainly in hospital settings. The ability of A. baumannii to adapt and to survive in a range of environments has been a key factor for its persistence and success as an opportunistic pathogen. In this study, we investigated the effect of temperature on the clinically relevant phenotypes displayed by A. baumannii at 37°C and 28°C. Surface-associated motility was significantly reduced at 28°C, while biofilm formation on plastic surfaces was increased at 28°C. Decreased susceptibility to aztreonam and increased susceptibility to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole were observed at 28°C. No differences in virulence, as assayed in a Galleria mellonella model, were observed. Proteomic analysis showed differential expression of 629 proteins, of which 366 were upregulated and 263 were downregulated at 28°C. Upregulation of the Csu and iron uptake proteins at 28°C was a key finding for understanding some of the phenotypes displayed by A. baumannii at 28°C.



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