Enhanced enzymatic production of cholesteryl 6ʹ-acylglucoside impairs lysosomal degradation for the intracellular survival of Helicobacter pylori

Abstract Background During autophagy defense against invading microbes, certain lipid types are indispensable for generating specialized membrane-bound organelles. The lipid composition of autophagosomes remains obscure, as does the issue of how specific lipids and lipid-associated enzymes participate in autophagosome formation and maturation. Helicobacter pylori is auxotrophic for cholesterol and converts cholesterol to cholesteryl glucoside derivatives, including cholesteryl 6ʹ-O-acyl-α-d-glucoside (CAG). We investigated how CAG and its biosynthetic acyltransferase assist H. pylori to escape host-cell autophagy. Methods We applied a metabolite-tagging method to obtain fluorophore-containing cholesteryl glucosides that were utilized to understand their intracellular locations. H. pylori 26695 and a cholesteryl glucosyltransferase (CGT)-deletion mutant (ΔCGT) were used as the standard strain and the negative control that contains no cholesterol-derived metabolites, respectively. Bacterial internalization and several autophagy-related assays were conducted to unravel the possible mechanism that H. pylori develops to hijack the host-cell autophagy response. Subcellular fractions of H. pylori-infected AGS cells were obtained and measured for the acyltransferase activity. Results The imaging studies of fluorophore-labeled cholesteryl glucosides pinpointed their intracellular localization in AGS cells. The result indicated that CAG enhances the internalization of H. pylori in AGS cells. Particularly, CAG, instead of CG and CPG, is able to augment the autophagy response induced by H. pylori. How CAG participates in the autophagy process is multifaceted. CAG was found to intervene in the degradation of autophagosomes and reduce lysosomal biogenesis, supporting the idea that intracellular H. pylori is harbored by autophago-lysosomes in favor of the bacterial survival. Furthermore, we performed the enzyme activity assay of subcellular fractions of H. pylori-infected AGS cells. The analysis showed that the acyltransferase is mainly distributed in autophago-lysosomal compartments. Conclusions Our results support the idea that the acyltransferase is mainly distributed in the subcellular compartment consisting of autophagosomes, late endosomes, and lysosomes, in which the acidic environment is beneficial for the maximal acyltransferase activity. The resulting elevated level of CAG can facilitate bacterial internalization, interfere with the autophagy flux, and causes reduced lysosomal biogenesis.

Download Full-text

SHP2-independent tyrosine dephosphorylation of cortactin and vinculin during infection with Helicobacter pylori

European Journal of Microbiology and Immunology ◽

10.1556/1886.2020.00001 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 20-27

Author(s):

Jakob Knorr ◽

Steffen Backert ◽

Nicole Tegtmeyer

Keyword(s):

Helicobacter Pylori ◽

Host Cell ◽

Tyrosine Phosphatase ◽

Actin Binding ◽

World Population ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Knockout Mutant ◽

Ags Cells ◽

Type Iv ◽

H Pylori

The gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori colonizes approximately half of the human world population. The bacterium injects the effector protein cytotoxin associated gene A (CagA) via a type-IV secretion system into host epithelial cells, where the protein becomes phosphorylated at specific EPIYA-motifs by cellular kinases. Inside the host cell, CagA can interact with over 25 different proteins in both phosphorylation-dependent and phosphorylation-independent manners, resulting in manipulation of host-cell signaling pathways. During the course of an H. pylori infection, certain host-cell proteins undergo tyrosine dephosphorylation in a CagA-dependent manner, including the actin-binding proteins cortactin and vinculin. A predominant response of intracellular CagA is the binding and activation of tyrosine phosphatase, the human Src-homology-region-2-domain-containing-phosphatase-2 (SHP2). Here, we considered the possibility that activated SHP2 might be responsible for the dephosphorylation of cortactin and vinculin. To investigate this, phosphatase inhibitor studies were performed. Additionally, a complete knockout mutant of SHP2 in AGS cells was created by CRISPR/Cas9 technology, and these cells were infected with H. pylori. However, neither the presence of an inhibitor nor the inactivation of SHP2 prevented the dephosphorylation of cortactin and vinculin upon CagA delivery. Tyrosine dephosphorylation of these proteins is therefore independent of SHP2 and instead must be caused by another, as yet unidentified, protein tyrosine phosphatase.

Download Full-text

Effects ofHelicobacter pyloriand Heat Shock Protein 70 on the Proliferation of Human Gastric Epithelial Cells

Gastroenterology Research and Practice ◽

10.1155/2014/794342 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-5 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Liping Tao ◽

Hai Zou ◽

Zhimin Huang

Keyword(s):

Helicobacter Pylori ◽

Heat Shock ◽

Epithelial Cells ◽

Heat Shock Protein ◽

Mtt Assay ◽

Heat Shock Protein 70 ◽

Hsp70 Expression ◽

Gastric Epithelial Cells ◽

Ags Cells ◽

H Pylori

Infection ofHelicobacter pylori (H. pylori)changed the proliferation of gastric epithelial cells and decreased the expression of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70). However, the effects ofH. pylorion the proliferation of gastric epithelial cells and the roles of HSP70 during the progress need further investigation.Objective.To investigate the effects ofHelicobacter pylori (H. pylori)and heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) on the proliferation of human gastric epithelial cells.Methods. H. pyloriand a human gastric epithelial cell line (AGS) were cocultured. The proliferation of AGS cells was quantitated by an MTT assay, and the expression of HSP70 in AGS cells was detected by Western blotting. HSP70 expression in AGS cells was silenced by small interfering RNA (siRNA) to investigate the role of HSP70. ThesiRNA-treated AGS cells were cocultured withH. pyloriand cell proliferation was measured by an MTT assay.Results.The proliferation of AGS cells was accelerated by coculturing withH. pylorifor 4 and 8 h, but was suppressed at 24 and 48 h. HSP70 expression was decreased in AGS cells infected byH. pylorifor 48 h. The proliferation in HSP70-silenced AGS cells was inhibited after coculturing withH. pylorifor 24 and 48 h compared with the control group.Conclusions.Coculture ofH. pylorialtered the proliferation of gastric epithelial cells and decreased HSP70 expression. HSP70 knockdown supplemented the inhibitory effect ofH. pylorion proliferation of epithelial cells. These results indicate that the effects ofH. pylorion the proliferation of gastric epithelial cells at least partially depend on the decreased expression of HSP70 induced by the bacterium.

Download Full-text

Lactobacillus johnsonii La1 Attenuates Helicobacter pylori-Associated Gastritis and Reduces Levels of Proinflammatory Chemokines in C57BL/6 Mice

Clinical and Diagnostic Laboratory Immunology ◽

10.1128/cdli.12.12.1378-1386.2005 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 12 (12) ◽

pp. 1378-1386 ◽

Cited By ~ 56

Author(s):

Dionyssios N. Sgouras ◽

Effrosini G. Panayotopoulou ◽

Beatriz Martinez-Gonzalez ◽

Kalliopi Petraki ◽

Spyros Michopoulos ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Helicobacter Pylori ◽

Lamina Propria ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Favorable Effect ◽

Lactobacillus Johnsonii ◽

Ags Cells ◽

Inflammatory Infiltration ◽

H Pylori

ABSTRACT In clinical settings, Lactobacillus johnsonii La1 administration has been reported to have a favorable effect on Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis, although the mechanism remains unclear. We administered, continuously through the water supply, live La1 to H. pylori-infected C57BL/6 mice and followed colonization, the development of H. pylori-associated gastritis in the lamina propria, and the levels of proinflammatory chemokines macrophage inflammatory protein 2 (MIP-2) and keratinocyte-derived cytokine (KC) in the serum and gastric tissue over a period of 3 months. We documented a significant attenuation in both lymphocytic (P = 0.038) and neutrophilic (P = 0.003) inflammatory infiltration in the lamina propria as well as in the circulating levels of anti-H. pylori immunoglobulin G antibodies (P = 0.003), although we did not observe a suppressive effect of La1 on H. pylori colonizing numbers. Other lactobacilli, such as L. amylovorus DCE 471 and L. acidophilus IBB 801, did not attenuate H. pylori-associated gastritis to the same extent. MIP-2 serum levels were distinctly reduced during the early stages of H. pylori infection in the La1-treated animals, as were gastric mucosal levels of MIP-2 and KC. Finally, we also observed a significant reduction (P = 0.046) in H. pylori-induced interleukin-8 secretion by human adenocarcinoma AGS cells in vitro in the presence of neutralized (pH 6.8) La1 spent culture supernatants, without concomitant loss of H. pylori viability. These observations suggest that during the early infection stages, administration of La1 can attenuate H. pylori-induced gastritis in vivo, possibly by reducing proinflammatory chemotactic signals responsible for the recruitment of lymphocytes and neutrophils in the lamina propria.

Download Full-text

Helicobacter pylori Induces Gastric Epithelial Cell Apoptosis in Association with Increased Fas Receptor Expression

Infection and Immunity ◽

10.1128/iai.67.8.4237-4242.1999 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 67 (8) ◽

pp. 4237-4242 ◽

Cited By ~ 106

Author(s):

Nicola L. Jones ◽

Andrew S. Day ◽

Hilary A. Jennings ◽

Philip M. Sherman

Keyword(s):

Cell Death ◽

Helicobacter Pylori ◽

Epithelial Cells ◽

Receptor Expression ◽

Gastric Epithelial Cells ◽

Ags Cells ◽

Fas Receptor ◽

Epithelial Cell Apoptosis ◽

H Pylori

ABSTRACT The mechanisms involved in mediating the enhanced gastric epithelial cell apoptosis observed during infection withHelicobacter pylori in vivo are unknown. To determine whether H. pylori directly induces apoptosis of gastric epithelial cells in vitro and to define the role of the Fas-Fas ligand signal transduction cascade, human gastric epithelial cells were infected with H. pylori for up to 72 h under microaerophilic conditions. As assessed by both transmission electron microscopy and fluorescence microscopy, incubation with acagA-positive, cagE-positive, VacA-positive clinical H. pylori isolate stimulated an increase in apoptosis compared to the apoptosis of untreated AGS cells (16.0% ± 2.8% versus 5.9% ± 1.4%, P < 0.05) after 72 h. In contrast, apoptosis was not detected following infection withcagA-negative, cagE-negative, VacA-negative clinical isolates or a Campylobacter jejuni strain. In addition to stimulating apoptosis, infection with H. pylorienhanced Fas receptor expression in AGS cells to a degree comparable to that of treatment with a positive control, gamma interferon (12.5 ng/ml) (148% ± 24% and 167% ± 24% of control, respectively). The enhanced Fas receptor expression was associated with increased sensitivity to Fas-mediated cell death. Ligation of the Fas receptor with an agonistic monoclonal antibody resulted in an increase in apoptosis compared to the apoptosis of cells infected with the bacterium alone (38.5% ± 7.1% versus 16.0% ± 2.8%,P < 0.05). Incubation with neutralizing anti-Fas antibody did not prevent apoptosis of H. pylori-infected cells. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that the gastric pathogen H. pylori stimulates apoptosis of gastric epithelial cells in vitro in association with the enhanced expression of the Fas receptor. These data indicate a role for Fas-mediated signaling in the programmed cell death that occurs in response toH. pylori infection.

Download Full-text

The Helicobacter pylori Autotransporter ImaA Tempers the Bacterium's Interaction with α5β1 Integrin

Infection and Immunity ◽

10.1128/iai.00450-16 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 85 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

William E. Sause ◽

Daniela Keilberg ◽

Soufiane Aboulhouda ◽

Karen M. Ottemann

Keyword(s):

Helicobacter Pylori ◽

Host Cell ◽

Type Iv Secretion ◽

Host Cells ◽

Wild Type ◽

Content Type ◽

Type Iv ◽

H Pylori ◽

Α5β1 Integrin ◽

Cell Interface

ABSTRACT The human pathogen Helicobacter pylori uses the host receptor α5β1 integrin to trigger inflammation in host cells via its cag pathogenicity island (cag PAI) type IV secretion system (T4SS). Here, we report that the H. pylori ImaA protein (HP0289) decreases the action of the cag PAI T4SS via tempering the bacterium's interaction with α5β1 integrin. Previously, imaA-null mutants were found to induce an elevated inflammatory response that was dependent on the cag PAI T4SS; here we extend those findings to show that the elevated response is independent of the CagA effector protein. To understand how ImaA could be affecting cag PAI T4SS activity at the host cell interface, we utilized the Phyre structural threading program and found that ImaA has a region with remote homology to bacterial integrin-binding proteins. This region was required for ImaA function. Unexpectedly, we observed that imaA mutants bound higher levels of α5β1 integrin than wild-type H. pylori, an outcome that required the predicted integrin-binding homology region of ImaA. Lastly, we report that ImaA directly affected the amount of host cell β1 integrin but not other cellular integrins. Our results thus suggest a model in which H. pylori employs ImaA to regulate interactions between integrin and the T4SS and thus alter the host inflammatory strength.

Download Full-text

Lactobacillus fermentum UCO-979C beneficially modulates the innate immune response triggered by Helicobacter pylori infection in vitro

Beneficial Microbes ◽

10.3920/bm2018.0019 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 9 (5) ◽

pp. 829-841 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

V. Garcia-Castillo ◽

H. Zelaya ◽

A. Ilabaca ◽

M. Espinoza-Monje ◽

R. Komatsu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Immune Response ◽

Helicobacter Pylori ◽

Epithelial Cells ◽

Morphological Changes ◽

Helicobacter Pylori Infection ◽

Lactobacillus Fermentum ◽

Gastric Tissue ◽

Gastric Epithelial Cells ◽

Ags Cells ◽

H Pylori

Helicobacter pylori infection is associated with important gastric pathologies. An aggressive proinflammatory immune response is generated in the gastric tissue infected with H. pylori, resulting in gastritis and a series of morphological changes that increase the susceptibility to cancer development. Probiotics could present an alternative solution to prevent or decrease H. pylori infection. Among them, the use of immunomodulatory lactic acid bacteria represents a promising option to reduce the severity of chronic inflammatory-mediated tissue damage and to improve protective immunity against H. pylori. We previously isolated Lactobacillus fermentum UCO-979C from human gastric tissue and demonstrated its capacity to reduce adhesion of H. pylori to human gastric epithelial cells (AGS cells). In this work, the ability of L. fermentum UCO-979C to modulate immune response in AGS cells and PMA phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-differentiated THP-1 (human monocytic leukaemia) macrophages in response to H. pylori infection was evaluated. We demonstrated that the UCO-979C strain is able to differentially modulate the cytokine response of gastric epithelial cells and macrophages after H. pylori infection. Of note, L. fermentum UCO-979C was able to significantly reduce the production of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in AGS and THP-1 cells as well as increase the levels of immunoregulatory cytokines, indicating a remarkable anti-inflammatory effect. These findings strongly support the probiotic potential of L. fermentum UCO-979C and provide evidence of its beneficial effects against the inflammatory damage induced by H. pylori infection. Although our findings should be proven in appropriate experiments in vivo, in both H. pylori infection animal models and human trials, the results of the present work provide a scientific rationale for the use of L. fermentum UCO-979C to prevent or reduce H. pylori-induced gastric inflammation in humans.

Download Full-text

Inhibitory Effect of β-Carotene on Helicobacter pylori-Induced TRAF Expression and Hyper-Proliferation in Gastric Epithelial Cells

Antioxidants ◽

10.3390/antiox8120637 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (12) ◽

pp. 637 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Yongchae Park ◽

Hanbit Lee ◽

Joo Weon Lim ◽

Hyeyoung Kim

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Gastric Cancer ◽

Helicobacter Pylori ◽

Epithelial Cells ◽

Nadph Oxidase ◽

Gastric Epithelial Cells ◽

Gastric Cancer Cells ◽

Ags Cells ◽

H Pylori ◽

Β Carotene

Helicobacter pylori infection causes the hyper-proliferation of gastric epithelial cells that leads to the development of gastric cancer. Overexpression of tumor necrosis factor receptor associated factor (TRAF) is shown in gastric cancer cells. The dietary antioxidant β-carotene has been shown to counter hyper-proliferation in H. pylori-infected gastric epithelial cells. The present study was carried out to examine the β-carotene mechanism of action. We first showed that H. pylori infection decreases cellular IκBα levels while increasing cell viability, NADPH oxidase activity, reactive oxygen species production, nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) activation, and TRAF1 and TRAF2 gene expression, as well as protein–protein interaction in gastric epithelial AGS cells. We then demonstrated that pretreatment of cells with β-carotene significantly attenuates these effects. Our findings support the proposal that β-carotene has anti-cancer activity by reducing NADPH oxidase-mediated production of ROS, NF-κB activation and NF-κB-regulated TRAF1 and TRAF2 gene expression, and hyper-proliferation in AGS cells. We suggest that the consumption of β-carotene-enriched foods could decrease the incidence of H. pylori-associated gastric disorders.

Download Full-text

Effect of Astaxanthin on Activation of Autophagy and Inhibition of Apoptosis in Helicobacter pylori-Infected Gastric Epithelial Cell Line AGS

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu12061750 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (6) ◽

pp. 1750 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Hanbit Lee ◽

Joo Weon Lim ◽

Hyeyoung Kim

Keyword(s):

Helicobacter Pylori ◽

Protein Kinase ◽

Epithelial Cell ◽

Cell Line ◽

Gastric Epithelial Cell ◽

Epithelial Cell Line ◽

Ags Cells ◽

Compound C ◽

H Pylori ◽

Induced Apoptosis

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection leads to the massive apoptosis of the gastric epithelial cells, causing gastric ulcers, gastritis, and gastric adenocarcinoma. Autophagy is a cellular recycling process that plays important roles in cell death decisions and can protect cells by preventing apoptosis. Upon the induction of autophagy, the level of the autophagy substrate p62 is reduced and the autophagy-related ratio of microtubule-associated proteins 1A/1B light chain 3B (LC3B)-II/LC3B-I is heightened. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) are involved in the regulation of autophagy. Astaxanthin (AST) is a potent anti-oxidant that plays anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer roles in various cells. In the present study, we examined whether AST inhibits H. pylori-induced apoptosis through AMPK-mediated autophagy in the human gastric epithelial cell line AGS (adenocarcinoma gastric) in vitro. In this study, H. pylori induced apoptosis. Compound C, an AMPK inhibitor, enhanced the H. pylori-induced apoptosis of AGS cells. In contrast, metformin, an AMPK activator, suppressed H. pylori-induced apoptosis, showing that AMPK activation inhibits H. pylori-induced apoptosis. AST inhibited H. pylori-induced apoptosis by increasing the phosphorylation of AMPK and decreasing the phosphorylation of RAC-alpha serine/threonine-protein kinase (Akt) and mTOR in H. pylori-stimulated cells. The number of LC3B puncta in H. pylori-stimulated cells increased with AST. These results suggest that AST suppresses the H. pylori-induced apoptosis of AGS cells by inducing autophagy through the activation of AMPK and the downregulation of its downstream target, mTOR. In conclusion, AST may inhibit gastric diseases associated with H. pylori infection by increasing autophagy through the activation of the AMPK pathway.

Download Full-text

α-Lipoic Acid Inhibits IL-8 Expression by Activating Nrf2 Signaling in Helicobacter pylori-infected Gastric Epithelial Cells

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu11102524 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (10) ◽

pp. 2524 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Seoyeon Kyung ◽

Joo Weon Lim ◽

Hyeyoung Kim

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Helicobacter Pylori ◽

Epithelial Cells ◽

Lipoic Acid ◽

Heme Oxygenase 1 ◽

Related Factor ◽

Gastric Epithelial Cells ◽

Gastric Diseases ◽

Ags Cells ◽

H Pylori

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) causes gastritis and gastric cancers. Oxidative stress is involved in the pathological mechanism of H. pylori-induced gastritis and gastric cancer induction. Therefore, reducing oxidative stress may be beneficial for preventing the development of H. pylori-associated gastric diseases. Nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a crucial regulator for the expression of antioxidant enzyme heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), which protects cells from oxidative injury. α-Lipoic acid (α-LA), a naturally occurring dithiol, shows antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in various cells. In the present study, we examined the mechanism by which α-LA activates the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway, suppresses the production of pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukine-8 (IL-8), and reduces reactive oxygen species (ROS) in H. pylori-infected AGS cells. α-LA increased the level of phosphorylated and nuclear-translocated Nrf2 by decreasing the amount of Nrf2 sequestered in the cytoplasm by complex formation with Kelch-like ECH1-associated protein 1 (KEAP 1). By using exogenous inhibitors targeting Nrf2 and HO-1, we showed that up-regulation of activated Nrf2 and of HO-1 results in the α-LA-induced suppression of interleukin 8 (IL-8) and ROS. Consumption of α-LA-rich foods may prevent the development of H. pylori-associated gastric diseases by decreasing ROS-mediated IL-8 expression in gastric epithelial cells.

Download Full-text

SUMOs Mediate the Nuclear Transfer of p38 and p-p38 during Helicobacter Pylori Infection

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms19092482 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 19 (9) ◽

pp. 2482 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Pin Wang ◽

Ping Hsu ◽

Deng Wu ◽

Te Chen ◽

Andrew Jarman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Helicobacter Pylori ◽

Nuclear Transfer ◽

Nuclear Translocation ◽

Mapk Signaling ◽

Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽

Nuclear Fraction ◽

Ags Cells ◽

Covalent Interaction ◽

H Pylori ◽

Nuclear Levels

The p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway has been suggested to play a significant role in the gastric mucosal inflammatory response to chronic Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. Nuclear translocation is thought to be important for p38 function, but no nuclear translocation signals have been found in the protein and no nuclear carrier proteins have been identified for p38. We have investigated the role of small ubiquitin-related modifier (SUMO) in the nuclear transfer of p38 in response to H. pylori infection. Exposure of human AGS cells to H. pylori induced the activation of p38 and the expression of SUMOs, especially SUMO-2. SUMO knockdown counteracted the effect of H. pylori infection by decreasing the resulting p38 mediated cellular apoptosis through a reduction in the nuclear fraction of phosphorylated p38. We identified a non-covalent interaction between SUMOs and p38 via SUMO interaction motifs (SIMs), and showed that SUMO-dependent nuclear transfer of p38 was decreased upon mutation of its SIMs. This study has identified a new pathway of p38 nuclear translocation, in response to H. pylori infection. We conclude that in the presence of H. pylori SUMO-2 has a major role in regulating nuclear levels of p38, through non-covalent SUMO-p38 interactions, independent of the p38 phosphorylation state.

Download Full-text