scholarly journals Role of Listeria monocytogenes Exotoxins Listeriolysin and Phosphatidylinositol-Specific Phospholipase C in Activation of Human Neutrophils

1999 ◽  
Vol 67 (3) ◽  
pp. 1125-1130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ulf Sibelius ◽  
Eva-Cathrin Schulz ◽  
Frank Rose ◽  
Katja Hattar ◽  
Thomas Jacobs ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) are essential for resolution of infections with Listeria monocytogenes. The present study investigated the role of the listerial exotoxins listeriolysin (LLO) and phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PlcA) in human neutrophil activation. Different Listeria strains, mutated in individual virulence genes, as well as purified LLO were used. Coincubation of human neutrophils with wild-type L. monocytogenes provoked PMN activation, occurring independently of phagocytosis events, with concomitant elastase secretion, leukotriene generation, platelet-activating factor (PAF) synthesis, respiratory burst, and enhanced phosphoinositide hydrolysis. Degranulation and leukotriene formation were noted to be solely dependent on LLO expression, as these features were absent when the LLO-defective mutant EGD− and the avirulent strain L. innocua were used. These effects were fully reproduced by a recombinant L. innocuastrain expressing LLO (INN+) and by the purified LLO molecule. LLO secretion was also required for PAF synthesis. However, wild-typeL. monocytogenes was more potent in eliciting PAF formation than mutants expressing LLO, suggesting the involvement of additional virulence factors. This was even more obvious for phosphoinositide hydrolysis and respiratory burst: these events were provoked not only by INN+ but also by the LLO-defective mutant EGD− and by a recombinantL. innocua strain producing listerial PlcA. We conclude that human neutrophils react to extracellularly provided listerial exotoxins by rapid cell activation. Listeriolysin is centrally involved in triggering degranulation and lipid mediator generation, and further virulence factors such as PlcA apparently contribute to trigger neutrophil phosphoinositide hydrolysis and respiratory burst. In this way, listerial exotoxins may influence the host defense against infections with L. monocytogenes.

1999 ◽  
Vol 67 (4) ◽  
pp. 1770-1778 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra J. Wadsworth ◽  
Howard Goldfine

ABSTRACT Listeria monocytogenes secretes several proteins that have been shown to contribute to virulence. Among these is listeriolysin O (LLO), a pore-forming hemolysin that is absolutely required for virulence. Two other virulence factors are phospholipases: a phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC [plcA]) and a broad-range PLC (plcB). Although mutations in plcA or plcB resulted in small increases in mouse 50% lethal dose (LD50), deletions in both genes resulted in a 500-fold increase in LD50. We have examined the role of these secreted proteins in host intracellular signaling in the J774 macrophage-like cell line. Measurements of cytosolic free calcium ([Ca2+]i) have revealed a rapid spike upon exposure of these cells to wild-typeL. monocytogenes. This is followed by a second peak at 5 min and a third prolonged peak with a maximal [Ca2+]i of 800 to 1,000 nM. The pattern of calcium changes was greatly altered by deletion of any of the three virulence factors. An LLO mutant produced none of these elevations in [Ca2+]i; however, a transient elevation was observed whenever these bacteria entered the cell. A PI-PLC mutant produced a diminished single elevation in [Ca2+]i at 15 to 30 min. A broad-range PLC mutant produced only the first calcium spike. Studies with inhibitors suggested that the first elevation arises from influx of calcium from the extracellular medium through plasma membrane channels and that the second and third elevations come from release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores. We observed that internalization of wild-type bacteria and the broad-range PLC mutant was delayed for 5 to 10 min, but the LLO and PI-PLC mutants were internalized rapidly upon infection. Inhibitors that affected calcium signaling changed the kinetics of association of wild-type bacteria with J774 cells, the kinetics of entry, and the efficiency of escape from the primary phagosome.


Antioxidants ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 522 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wang ◽  
Xiao ◽  
Huang ◽  
Liu

In this study, cell death induced by the oxidant tert-butylhydroperoxide (tBH) was observed in U2OS cells; this phenotype was rescued by Syntaxin 17 (STX17) knockout (KO) but the mechanism is unknown. STX17 plays dual roles in autophagosome–lysosome fusion and mitochondrial fission. However, the contribution of the two functions of STX17 to apoptosis has not been extensively studied. Here, we sought to dissect the dual roles of STX17 in oxidative-stress-induced apoptosis by taking advantage of STX17 knockout cells and an autophagosome–lysosome fusion defective mutant of STX17. We generated STX17 knockout U2OS cells using the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) system and the STX17 knockout cells were reconstituted with wild-type STX17 and its autophagosome–lysosome fusion defective mutant. Autophagy was assessed by autophagic flux assay, Monomer red fluorescent protein (mRFP)–GFP–LC3 assay and protease protection assay. Golgi, endoplasmic reticulum (ER)/ER–Golgi intermediate compartment (ERGIC) and mitochondrial dynamics were examined by staining the different indicator proteins. Apoptosis was evaluated by caspase cleavage assay. The general reactive oxygen species (ROS) were detected by flow cytometry. In STX17 complete knockout cells, sealed autophagosomes were efficiently formed but their fusion with lysosomes was less defective. The fusion defect was rescued by wild-type STX17 but not the autophagosome–lysosome fusion defective mutant. No obvious defects in Golgi, ERGIC or ER dynamics were observed. Mitochondria were significantly elongated, supporting a role of STX17 in mitochondria fission and the elongation caused by STX17 KO was reversed by the autophagosome–lysosome fusion defective mutant. The clearance of protein aggregation was compromised, correlating with the autophagy defect but not with mitochondrial dynamics. This study revealed a mixed role of STX17 in autophagy, mitochondrial dynamics and oxidative stress response. STX17 knockout cells were highly resistant to oxidative stress, largely due to the function of STX17 in mitochondrial fission rather than autophagy.


2006 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 799-813 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keylon L. Cheeseman ◽  
Takehiko Ueyama ◽  
Tanya M. Michaud ◽  
Kaori Kashiwagi ◽  
Demin Wang ◽  
...  

Protein kinase C-ϵ (PKC-ϵ) translocates to phagosomes and promotes uptake of IgG-opsonized targets. To identify the regions responsible for this concentration, green fluorescent protein (GFP)-protein kinase C-ϵ mutants were tracked during phagocytosis and in response to exogenous lipids. Deletion of the diacylglycerol (DAG)-binding ϵC1 and ϵC1B domains, or the ϵC1B point mutant ϵC259G, decreased accumulation at phagosomes and membrane translocation in response to exogenous DAG. Quantitation of GFP revealed that ϵC259G, ϵC1, and ϵC1B accumulation at phagosomes was significantly less than that of intact PKC-ϵ. Also, the DAG antagonist 1-hexadecyl-2-acetyl glycerol (EI-150) blocked PKC-ϵ translocation. Thus, DAG binding to ϵC1B is necessary for PKC-ϵ translocation. The role of phospholipase D (PLD), phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC)-γ1, and PI-PLC-γ2 in PKC-ϵ accumulation was assessed. Although GFP-PLD2 localized to phagosomes and enhanced phagocytosis, PLD inhibition did not alter target ingestion or PKC-ϵ localization. In contrast, the PI-PLC inhibitor U73122 decreased both phagocytosis and PKC-ϵ accumulation. Although expression of PI-PLC-γ2 is higher than that of PI-PLC-γ1, PI-PLC-γ1 but not PI-PLC-γ2 consistently concentrated at phagosomes. Macrophages from PI-PLC-γ2-/-mice were similar to wild-type macrophages in their rate and extent of phagocytosis, their accumulation of PKC-ϵ at the phagosome, and their sensitivity to U73122. This implicates PI-PLC-γ1 as the enzyme that supports PKC-ϵ localization and phagocytosis. That PI-PLC-γ1 was transiently tyrosine phosphorylated in nascent phagosomes is consistent with this conclusion. Together, these results support a model in which PI-PLC-γ1 provides DAG that binds to ϵC1B, facilitating PKC-ϵ localization to phagosomes for efficient IgG-mediated phagocytosis.


1991 ◽  
Vol 177 (3) ◽  
pp. 948-955 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vittorina Della Bianca ◽  
Miroslawa Grzeskowiak ◽  
Daniele Lissandrini ◽  
Filippo Rossi

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Carmen Rodenas ◽  
Nicola Tamassia ◽  
Isabel Cabas ◽  
Federica Calzetti ◽  
José Meseguer ◽  
...  

Background: The role of estrogens in immune functioning is relatively well known under both physiological and pathological conditions. Neutrophils are the most abundant circulating leukocytes in humans, and their abundance and function are regulated by estrogens, since they express estrogen receptors (ERs). Traditionally, estrogens were thought to act via classical nuclear ERs, namely ERα and ERβ. However, it was observed that some estrogens induced biological effects only minutes after their application. This rapid, “nongenomic” effect of estrogens is mediated by a membrane-anchored receptor called G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER1). Nevertheless, the expression and role of GPER1 in the immune system has not been exhaustively studied, and its relevance in neutrophil functions remains unknown. Methods: Human neutrophils were incubated in vitro with 10-100 µM of the GPER1-specific agonist G1 alone or in combination with lipopolysaccharide. GPER1 expression and subcellular localization, respiratory burst, life span, gene expression profile, and cell signaling pathways involved were then analyzed in stimulated neutrophils. Results: Human neutrophils express a functional GPER1 which regulates their functions through cAMP/protein kinase A/cAMP response element-binding protein, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, and extracellular regulated MAPK signaling pathways. Thus, GPER1 activation in vitro increases the respiratory burst of neutrophils, extends their life span, and drastically alters their gene expression profile. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that GPER1 activation promotes the polarization of human neutrophils towards a proinflammatory phenotype and point to GPER1 as a potential therapeutic target in immune diseases where neutrophils play a key role.


Blood ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 118 (21) ◽  
pp. 3206-3206
Author(s):  
Carlos E Vazquez ◽  
Gregory N Prado ◽  
Enrique R Maldonado ◽  
Gabriela Saca ◽  
Iren M Ortiz ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 3206 Blockade of the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR), the receptor for aldosterone (ALDO), improves cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. There is growing evidence for a critical role of ALDO in inflammation in addition to its well-described effects on sodium homeostasis. However, the role of ALDO on neutrophil activation is not entirely clear. We studied the role of ALDO on HL-60, a human promyelocytic cell line, induced to differentiate into neutrophil-like cells by incubation for 3 days with 1.3% DMSO. We detected the presence of the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR), the receptor for ALDO, by western blot analyses and MR transcript by quantitative RT-PCR using TaqMan detection probes in these cells. Cells incubated with ALDO (10−8-10−7 M) showed a dose-dependent rise in cytosolic Ca2+ that peaked within 3 min using FURA-2AM fluorescence; an event not observed when cells were incubated with 10−8 M dexamethasone (DEXA). Consistent with these results, incubation with 10−8 M ALDO led to increases in the oxidative-respiratory burst [superoxide production] (P<0.01, n=3); an event not observed when cells were incubated with either 10−8 or 10−7 M dexamethasone. The oxidative responses to ALDO were blunted by pre-incubation of cells with 1 uM canrenoic acid (CA), a well-described MR antagonist (P<0.03, n=3). We then studied the effect of ALDO on HL-60 transmigration and observed that 2 hr incubation at 37C with 10−8 M ALDO led to augmented migration (P<0.03, n=2) when compared to vehicle as estimated by CyQuant cell migration assays. We then isolated untouched circulating human neutrophils by immunomagnetic isolation following density gradient sedimentation with PolymorphPrep from otherwise healthy subjects. Flow cytometric analyses showed greater than 97% neutrophils as these cells were positive for CD45, CD16 and CD66b. Live/dead cell automated analyses shows greater than 90% cell viability by acridine orange and propidium iodide fluorescence. These cells likewise express MR as determined by western blot analyses for MR as reported in kidney and endothelial cells. Cells incubated with ALDO (10−8 M) showed a rise in cytosolic Ca2+ and an increase in the oxidative-respiratory burst (P<0.01, n=3); a response that was sensitive to 1 uM CA. We also observed that 4 hr 10−9M ALDO incubation led to augmented neutrophil transmigration (P<0.03, n=2). Thus our results suggest that activation of MR by ALDO leads to neutrophil activation that may contribute to the inflammatory responses associated with MR activation in vivo. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


1986 ◽  
Vol 237 (2) ◽  
pp. 601-604 ◽  
Author(s):  
S W Edwards ◽  
T F Swan

The role of myeloperoxidase in the regulation of the respiratory burst of human neutrophils activated by the chemotactic peptide (N-formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine) plus cytochalasin B was determined by using anti-(human myeloperoxidase) antibody. The respiratory burst activated under these conditions consisted of an initial (1-2 min) phase with high rates of O2 uptake, luminol-dependent chemiluminescence and superoxide radical (O2-.) generation and a second, more sustained, phase of lower magnitude of chemiluminescence and O2 uptake: O2-. generation did not occur during this second phase. In cell suspensions stimulated in the presence of anti-(human myeloperoxidase) antibody, the magnitude of the initial phase of both O2 uptake and O2-. generation was unaffected, but these high rates were maintained over much longer periods than in control suspensions. It is therefore proposed that a product of myeloperoxidase normally regulates the duration of O2-. generation during the respiratory burst, possibly by inhibition of NADPH oxidase.


2009 ◽  
Vol 55 (10) ◽  
pp. 1153-1159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Radosław Stachowiak ◽  
Jarosław Wiśniewski ◽  
Olga Osińska ◽  
Jacek Bielecki

Listeriolysin (LLO) is the key virulence factor critical for Listeria monocytogenes pathogenesis. Listerial cytolysin belongs to the family of cholesterol-dependent cytolysins (CDCs), a group of pore-forming toxins produced by related gram-positive bacteria. Most CDCs contain a cysteine residue in the conserved undecapeptide — a sequence that is highly preserved among this group of proteins. Substitutions of cysteine do not always lead to loss of hemolytic activity, questioning the purpose of such strong conservation of this amino acid in the sequence of CDC. The properties of 3 L. monocytogenes strains, a wild type and 2 mutants expressing modified LLO within the cysteine residue, were analyzed in this work. The first of these mutants producing a toxin with cysteine to alanine substitution showed similar features to the wild type except that a thiol-reducing agent was not necessary for hemolytic activity. Another strain secreting LLO containing serine instead of cysteine exhibited strikingly different properties than the wild type. Modified toxin is independent of the reducing reagents, less stable, and shows accelerated kinetics of cytolysis in comparison with the unchanged protein. However, both mutant strains are less invasive in the cell culture model showing the important role of cysteine in L. monocytogenes virulence.


2009 ◽  
Vol 77 (10) ◽  
pp. 4371-4382 ◽  
Author(s):  
Javier A. Carrero ◽  
Boris Calderon ◽  
Hector Vivanco-Cid ◽  
Emil R. Unanue

ABSTRACT Listeriolysin O (LLO) is an essential virulence factor for the gram-positive bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. Our goal was to determine if altering the topology of LLO would alter the virulence and toxicity of L. monocytogenes in vivo. A recombinant strain was generated that expressed a surface-associated LLO (sLLO) variant secreted at 40-fold-lower levels than the wild type. In culture, the sLLO strain grew in macrophages, translocated to the cytosol, and induced cell death. However, the sLLO strain showed decreased infectivity, reduced lymphocyte apoptosis, and decreased virulence despite a normal in vitro phenotype. Thus, the topology of LLO in L. monocytogenes was a factor in the pathogenesis of the infection and points to a role of LLO secretion during in vivo infection. The sLLO strain was cleared by severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice. Despite the attenuation of virulence, the sLLO strain was immunogenic and capable of eliciting protective T-cell responses.


2004 ◽  
Vol 72 (6) ◽  
pp. 3584-3591 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasser Musa Ibrahim ◽  
Alison R. Kerr ◽  
Jackie McCluskey ◽  
Tim J. Mitchell

ABSTRACT HtrA is a major virulence factor of Streptococcus pneumoniae (the pneumococcus). Deletion of the gene for HtrA from strain D39 of the pneumococcus completely abolished its virulence in mouse models of pneumonia and bacteremia, while the virulence of a second strain (TIGR4) was dramatically reduced. HtrA-negative mutants induced much less inflammation in the lungs during pneumonia than the wild type. HtrA is involved in the ability of the pneumococcus to grow at high temperatures, to resist oxidative stress, and to undergo genetic transformation. The expression and cellular location of several known virulence factors of the pneumococcus were not affected by the lack of HtrA.


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