Escherichia coli K12: An evolving opportunistic commensal gut microbe distorts barrier integrity in human intestinal cells

Progression of swine fecal microbiota during early stages of life and its association with performance: a longitudinal study

BACKGROUND

It is vital to understand healthy gut microbiota composition throughout early life stages when environments are changing, and immunity is developing. There are limited large-scale longitudinal studies classifying healthy succession of swine microbiota. The objectives of this study were to (a) determine the microbiota composition of fecal samples collected from piglets within a few days after birth until one-week post-weaning, and (b) investigate the associations of early fecal microbiota with pig growth performance in nursery and later growing stages. Fecal samples were collected from nine cohorts of 40 pigs (n = 360) from distinct farrowing sources in Ontario and Quebec, Canada at four timepoints from birth to one-week post-weaning, with pig body weight was recorded at each fecal sampling.

RESULTS

Microbiota was dominated by the phyla Firmicutes, Bacteroides and Proteobacteria. There were notable differences in genera abundance between pigs from different provinces and farming systems. Over the early life stage, the genera Bacteroides, Escherichia/Shigella, and Clostridium cluster XIVa were abundant preweaning, while Prevotella dominated post-weaning. Hierarchical clustering identified three major stages of microbiota development, each associated with distinct composition. Stage one occurs from birth to 7 days, stage two from 7 days after birth until weaning, and stage three from weaning to one-week post-weaning. Three enterotypes were identified in stage two that showed differences in growth before weaning, and in the grower production stage. Piglets with a microbiota enterotype characterized by higher abundance of Prevotella and unclassified Ruminococcaceae had lower growth performance in the pre-weaning stage, and the growing stage.

CONCLUSION

These findings help identify the timing of microbiota shifts across early swine life which may be the optimal time for external intervention to shift the microbiota to a beneficial state. The project findings should help decrease antimicrobial use, increase animal welfare, and have positive economic impacts.

Cingulin family: Structure, function and clinical significance

Cingulin and its paralog paracingulin are vital components of the apical junctional complex in vertebrate epithelial and endothelial cells. They are both found in tight junctions (TJ), and paracingulin is also detectable in adherens junctions (AJ) as TJ cytoplasmic plaque proteins. Cingulin and paracingulin interact with other proteins to perform functions. They interact with cytoskeletal proteins, modulate the activity of small GTPases, such as RhoA and Rac1, and regulate gene expression. In addition, cingulin and paracingulin regulate barrier function and many pathological processes, including inflammation and tumorigenesis. In this review, we summarize the discovery and structure, expression and subcellular distribution, and molecular interactions of cingulin family proteins and discuss their role in development, physiology, and pathological processes.

Cranberry, but not D-mannose and ibuprofen, prevents against uropathogenic Escherichia coli-induced cell damage and cell death in MDCK cells

Introduction

The main function of the urinary tract is to form an impermeable barrier against urinary solutes and bacteria. However, this barrier can be compromised by urinary tract infections, most commonly caused by uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC). This can result in damage to the epithelial barrier, leading to decreased epithelial thickness, loss of tight junctions, loss of epithelial integrity, and apoptosis. Due to the rise in antimicrobial resistance, there is worldwide interest in exploring non-antibiotic agents as alternative therapy.

Methods

Using the Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cell line, a widely accepted epithelial cell model for the urinary tract, and the UPEC strain UTI89, this paper aimed to investigate the impact of UPEC on cell integrity, permeability, and barrier functions, and determine whether cranberry, D-mannose and ibuprofen could counteract the effects induced by UPEC. Furthermore, the study examined the protective potential of these agents against UPEC-induced increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression.

Results

The results demonstrated that UTI89 caused a marked reduction in cell viability and monolayer integrity. Cranberry (3 mg/mL) was protective against these changes. In addition, cranberry exhibited protective effects against UPEC-induced damage to cell barrier integrity, escalation of oxidative stress, and UPEC/TNFα-triggered PD-L1 expression. However, no effect was observed for D-mannose and ibuprofen in alleviating UPEC-induced cell damage and changes in ROS and PD-L1 levels.

Conclusion

Overall, cranberry, but not D-mannose or ibuprofen, has a protective influence against UPEC associated damage in urinary epithelial cells.

Biotics (Pre-, Pro-, Post-) and Uremic Toxicity: Implications, Mechanisms, and Possible Therapies

In recent years, more scientific data have pointed out the close connection between intestinal microbial community, nutritional habits, lifestyle, and the appearance of various affections located at certain anatomical systems. Gut dysbiosis enhances the formation and accumulation of specific metabolites with toxic potential that induce the appearance of kidney-associated illnesses. Intestinal microbes are involved in the degradation of food, drugs, or other ingested products that lead to the formation of various metabolites that end up in renal tissue. Over the last few years, the possibilities of modulating the gut microbiota for the biosynthesis of targeted compounds with bioactive properties for reducing the risk of chronic illness development were investigated. In this regard, the present narrative review provides an overview of the scientific literature across the last decade considering the relationship between bioactive compounds, pre-, pro-, and post-biotics, uremic toxicity, and kidney-associated affections, and the possibility of alleviating the accumulation and the negative effects of uremic toxins into the renal system.

Pharmacometabolomic Approach to Investigate the Response to Metformin in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Cross-Sectional Study

Metformin constitutes the foundation therapy in type 2 diabetes (T2D). Despite its multiple beneficial effects and widespread use, there is considerable inter-individual variability in response to metformin. Our objective is to identify metabolic signatures associated with poor and good responses to metformin, which may improve our ability to predict outcomes for metformin treatment. In this cross-sectional study, clinical and metabolic data for 119 patients with type 2 diabetes taking metformin were collected from the Qatar Biobank. Patients were empirically dichotomized according to their HbA1C levels into good and poor responders. Differences in the level of metabolites between these two groups were compared using orthogonal partial least square discriminate analysis (OPLS-DA) and linear models. Good responders showed increased levels of sphingomyelins, acylcholines, and glutathione metabolites. On the other hand, poor responders showed increased levels of metabolites resulting from glucose metabolism and gut microbiota metabolites. The results of this study have the potential to increase our knowledge of patient response variability to metformin and carry significant implications for enabling personalized medicine.

Atypical enteropathogenic E. coli are associated with disease activity in ulcerative colitis

With increasing urbanization and industrialization, the prevalence of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) has steadily been rising over the past two decades. IBD involves flares of gastrointestinal (GI) inflammation accompanied by microbiota perturbations. However, microbial mechanisms that trigger such flares remain elusive. Here, we analyzed the association of the emerging pathogen atypical enteropathogenic E. coli (aEPEC) with IBD disease activity. The presence of diarrheagenic E. coli was assessed in stool samples from 630 IBD patients and 234 age- and sex-matched controls without GI symptoms. Microbiota was analyzed with 16S ribosomal RNA gene amplicon sequencing, and 57 clinical aEPEC isolates were subjected to whole-genome sequencing and in vitro pathogenicity experiments including biofilm formation, epithelial barrier function and the ability to induce pro-inflammatory signaling. The presence of aEPEC correlated with laboratory, clinical and endoscopic disease activity in ulcerative colitis (UC), as well as microbiota dysbiosis. In vitro, aEPEC strains induce epithelial p21-activated kinases, disrupt the epithelial barrier and display potent biofilm formation. The effector proteins espV and espG2 distinguish aEPEC cultured from UC and Crohn's disease patients, respectively. EspV-positive aEPEC harbor more virulence factors and have a higher pro-inflammatory potential, which is counteracted by 5-ASA. aEPEC may tip a fragile immune-microbiota homeostasis and thereby contribute to flares in UC. aEPEC isolates from UC patients display properties to disrupt the epithelial barrier and to induce pro-inflammatory signaling in vitro.

Curcumin Regulates Gut Microbiota and Exerts a Neuroprotective Effect in the MPTP Model of Parkinson's Disease

OBJECTIVES

The experiment aimed to explore the effects of curcumin on motor impairment, dopamine neurons, and gut microbiota in the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) mice model.

METHODS

Mice were randomly assigned to six groups: normal control group, solvent control group, MPTP group, curcumin-low-dose group (40 mg/kg), curcumin-medium-dose group (80 mg/kg), and curcumin-high-dose group (160 mg/kg). After 14 days, each group of mice was subjected to the pole text, the hanging test, and the open-field test. Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunohistochemistry was used to observe the survival of nigrostriatal dopamine neurons. Moreover, ultrastructural changes were observed with a transmission electron microscope in mice striatal tissue cells. Then, 16S rRNA was used to assess changes in the gut microbiota.

RESULTS

(1) Each dose of curcumin reduced pole climbing time and increased suspension score and total distance moved dose-dependently. (2) All curcumin groups improved cell wrinkling and vacuolar degeneration, increased the number of TH positives, improved cell survival, and the higher the dose of curcumin, the better the effect. (3) There were differences in microbiota composition and a relative abundance among the groups. The relative abundance of Patescibacteria, Proteobacteria, and Verrucomicrobia was higher in the MPTP group. The relative abundance of Patescibacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, Enterococcaceae all decreased in all curcumin groups. In addition, the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways showed a reduction in the superpathway of N-acetylneuraminate degradation after medium- and high-dose curcumin administration.

CONCLUSIONS

Curcumin regulates gut microbiota and exerts a neuroprotective effect in the MPTP mice model. This preliminary study demonstrates the therapeutic potential of curcumin for Parkinson's disease, providing clues for microbially targeted therapies for Parkinson's disease.

Intestinal Alkaline Phosphatase Prevents Sulfate Reducing Bacteria-Induced Increased Tight Junction Permeability by Inhibiting Snail Pathway

Tight junctions (TJs) are essential components of intestinal barrier integrity and protect the epithelium against passive paracellular flux and microbial translocation. Dysfunctional TJ leads to leaky gut, a condition associated with diseases including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria (SRB) are minor residents of the gut. An increased number of Desulfovibrio, the most predominant SRB, is observed in IBD and other diseases associated with leaky gut. However, it is not known whether Desulfovibrio contributes to leaky gut. We tested the hypothesis that Desulfovibrio vulgaris (DSV) may induce intestinal permeability in vitro. Snail, a transcription factor, disrupts barrier function by affecting TJ proteins such as occludin. Intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP), a host defense protein, protects epithelial barrier integrity. We tested whether DSV induced permeability in polarized Caco-2 cells via snail and if this effect was inhibited by IAP. Barrier integrity was assessed by measuring transepithelial electric resistance (TEER) and by 4kDa FITC-Dextran flux to determine paracellular permeability. We found that DSV reduced TEER, increased FITC-flux, upregulated snail protein expression, caused nuclear translocation of snail, and disrupted occludin staining at the junctions. DSV-induced permeability effects were inhibited in cells knocked down for snail. Pre-treatment of cells with IAP inhibited DSV-induced FITC flux and snail expression and DSV-mediated disruption of occludin staining. These data show that DSV, a resident commensal bacterium, can contribute to leaky gut and that snail may serve as a novel therapeutic target to mitigate DSV-induced effects. Taken together, our study suggests a novel underlying mechanism of association of Desulfovibrio bloom with diseases with increased intestinal permeability. Our study also underscores IAP as a novel therapeutic intervention for correcting SRB-induced leaky gut via inhibition of snail.

ImitateDB: A database for domain and motif mimicry incorporating host and pathogen protein interactions

Molecular mimicry of host proteins by pathogens constitutes a strategy to hijack the host pathways. At present, there is no dedicated resource for mimicked domains and motifs in the host-pathogen interactome. In this work, the experimental host-pathogen (HP) and host-host (HH) protein-protein interactions (PPIs) were collated. The domains and motifs of these proteins were annotated using CD Search and ScanProsite, respectively. Host and pathogen proteins with a shared host interactor and similar domain/motif constitute a mimicry pair exhibiting global structural similarity (domain mimicry pair; DMP) or local sequence motif similarity (motif mimicry pair; MMP). Mimicry pairs are likely to be co-expressed and co-localized. 1,97,607 DMPs and 32,67,568 MMPs were identified in 49,265 experimental HP-PPIs and organized in a web-based resource, ImitateDB ( http://imitatedb.sblab-nsit.net ) that can be easily queried. The results are externally integrated using hyperlinked domain PSSM ID, motif ID, protein ID and PubMed ID. Kinase, UL36, Smc and DEXDc were frequent DMP domains whereas protein kinase C phosphorylation, casein kinase 2 phosphorylation, glycosylation and myristoylation sites were frequent MMP motifs. Novel DMP domains SANT, Tudor, PhoX and MMP motif microbody C-terminal targeting signal, cornichon signature and lipocalin signature were proposed. ImitateDB is a novel resource for identifying mimicry in interacting host and pathogen proteins.

Synbiotics Containing Nanoprebiotics: A Novel Therapeutic Strategy to Restore Gut Dysbiosis

A new formulation, nanoprebiotics [e.g., phthalyl pullulan nanoparticles (PPNs)], was demonstrated to enhance the antimicrobial activity of probiotics [e.g., Lactobacillus plantarum (LP)] in vitro through intracellular stimulation better than that by backbone prebiotics, which are commonly used. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether this combination would exert distinct effects as synbiotics in vivo. Synbiotics combinations of LP, pullulan, and PPNs were used as experimental treatments in a dysbiosis-induced murine model, and their restorative effect was assessed using pathogen Escherichia coli K99 challenge. Our results showed that the E. coli infection was suppressed markedly in the experimental group fed with synbiotics containing PPNs. In addition, the decrease in serum endotoxin level after synbiotics treatment suggested the reinforcement of the gut barrier. Comparison of treatment groups, including a normal control group, showed that synbiotics containing PPNs increased microbial diversity, which is a representative parameter of healthy status. Furthermore, distinct from probiotics treatment alone, synbiotics showed additive effects of enrichment of several well-known beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and other butyrate-producing bacteria including Faecalibacterium. Collectively, our results indicate that synbiotics containing PPNs are effective at restoring gut dysbiosis, suppressing pathogenic infection, and increasing microbial diversity, suggesting that synbiotics with nanoprebiotics have the potential to be a novel strategy for ameliorating gut dysbiosis and infectious diseases.

Potential Probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus (MTCC-5897) Inhibits Escherichia coli Impaired Intestinal Barrier Function by Modulating the Host Tight Junction Gene Response

Probiotic as a preventive medicine is emerging as an indispensable tool in addressing the foodborne infections or gastrointestinal disorders. The present study was sought to determine the in vitro prophylactic potential of probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus (LR: MTCC-5897) against Escherichia coli (ATCC 14948) induced impairment in intestinal barrier function using Caco-2 cells. Intestinal cells exposed to E. coli demonstrated significantly higher phenol red flux (p < 0.05) and concomitantly decreased TEER (0.69 ± 0.01) in contrast to control or L. rhamnosus (10⁹ cfu/mL)-treated cells. However, E. coli-induced barrier hyperpermeability was restored to significant extents (p < 0.01) when E. coli were excluded, competed or displaced by probiotic LR. Similarly, exposure of Caco-2 cells to E. coli reduced the mRNA expression of key tight junction genes, viz. Zo-1, Claudin-1, Occludin and Cingulin which however were restored significantly (p < 0.05) with L. rhamnosus treatment during exclusion or competition than displacement assays. The protective behaviour of probiotic LR against E. coli can also be observed in immunofluorescent and electron micrograph where intact cellular morphology along with preserved distribution and localisation of key integrity proteins can be found in LR-treated cells in contrast to distorted and disorganised distribution observed with E. coli exposure. In conclusion, L. rhamnosus inhibited and re-established E. coli-impaired intestinal barrier function by improving the expression and distribution of key junction protein and hence could serve an essential food additive to address the various health complications especially those associated with gastrointestinal tract.

Extractable surface proteins of indigenous probiotic strains confer anti-adhesion knack and protect against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus induced epithelial hyperpermeability in HT-29 cell line

Probiotic intervention has been long believed to have beneficial effects on human health by curbing the intestinal colonization of pathogens. However, the application of live probiotics therapy may not be an ideal approach to circumvent the infections of superbug origin due to the risk of horizontal antibiotic resistance genes transfer. In this study, the anti-adhesion ability of extractable cell surface proteins from two indigenous potential probiotic strains (Lactiplantibacillus plantarum A5 and Limosilactobacillus fermentum Lf1) and two standard reference strains (Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus LGG) was evaluated against clinical isolates of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) on porcine gastric mucin and HT-29 cells. The surface proteins from the probiotic strains were extracted by treatment with 5 M lithium chloride. The surface protein quantification and SDS-PAGE profiling indicated that the yield and protein patterns were strain-specific. Surface proteins significantly hampered the mucoadhesion of MRSA isolates via protective, competitive, and displacement. Similarly, the treatment with surface proteins probiotic strains displayed anti-adhesion against MRSA isolates on HT-29 cells without affecting the viability of the cell line. Surface proteins treatment to the confluent monolayer of HT-29 cells maintained the epithelial integrity; however, MRSA isolates (10⁹ cells/mL) showed considerable alteration in the epithelial integrity by exacerbating the FITC-dextran transflux. Contrarily, the co-treatment with surface proteins with MRSA isolates significantly lowered the FITC-dextran transflux across the differentiated HT-29 monolayer. Overall, the findings of this study suggest that probiotic-derived surface proteins could be the novel biotherapeutics to combat the MRSA colonization and their concomitant intestinal infections.

Modulatory Effects of Probiotics During Pathogenic Infections With Emphasis on Immune Regulation

In order to inhibit pathogenic complications and to enhance animal and poultry growth, antibiotics have been extensively used for many years. Antibiotics applications not only affect target pathogens but also intestinal beneficially microbes, inducing long-lasting changes in intestinal microbiota associated with diseases. The application of antibiotics also has many other side effects like, intestinal barrier dysfunction, antibiotics residues in foodstuffs, nephropathy, allergy, bone marrow toxicity, mutagenicity, reproductive disorders, hepatotoxicity carcinogenicity, and antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which greatly compromise the efficacy of antibiotics. Thus, the development of new antibiotics is necessary, while the search for antibiotic alternatives continues. Probiotics are considered the ideal antibiotic substitute; in recent years, probiotic research concerning their application during pathogenic infections in humans, aquaculture, poultry, and livestock industry, with emphasis on modulating the immune system of the host, has been attracting considerable interest. Hence, the adverse effects of antibiotics and remedial effects of probiotics during infectious diseases have become central points of focus among researchers. Probiotics are live microorganisms, and when given in adequate quantities, confer good health effects to the host through different mechanisms. Among them, the regulation of host immune response during pathogenic infections is one of the most important mechanisms. A number of studies have investigated different aspects of probiotics. In this review, we mainly summarize recent discoveries and discuss two important aspects: (1) the application of probiotics during pathogenic infections; and (2) their modulatory effects on the immune response of the host during infectious and non-infectious diseases.

Tight Junctions as a Key for Pathogens Invasion in Intestinal Epithelial Cells

Tight junctions play a major role in maintaining the integrity and impermeability of the intestinal barrier. As such, they act as an ideal target for pathogens to promote their translocation through the intestinal mucosa and invade their host. Different strategies are used by pathogens, aimed at directly destabilizing the junctional network or modulating the different signaling pathways involved in the modulation of these junctions. After a brief presentation of the organization and modulation of tight junctions, we provide the state of the art of the molecular mechanisms leading to permeability breakdown of the gut barrier as a consequence of tight junctions’ attack by pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.

Two-Stage Interpretation of Changes in TEER of Intestinal Epithelial Layers Protected by Adhering Bifidobacteria During E. coli Challenges

Mechanisms of gastrointestinal protection by probiotic bacteria against infection involve amongst others, modulation of intestinal epithelial barrier function. Trans-epithelial electrical resistance (TEER) is widely used to evaluate cellular barrier functions. Here, we developed a two-stage interpretative model of the time-dependence of the TEER of epithelial layers grown in a transwell during Escherichia coli challenges in the absence or presence of adhering bifidobacteria. E. coli adhesion in absence or presence of adhering bifidobacteria was enumerated using selective plating. After 4-8 h, E. coli challenges increased TEER to a maximum due to bacterial adhesion and increased expression of a tight-junction protein [zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1)], concurrent with a less dense layer structure, that is indicative of mild epithelial layer damage. Before the occurrence of a TEER-maximum, decreases in electrical conductance (i.e., the reciprocal TEER) did not relate with para-cellular dextran-permeability, but after occurrence of a TEER-maximum, dextran-permeability and conductance increased linearly, indicative of more severe epithelial layer damage. Within 24 h after the occurrence of a TEER maximum, TEER decreased to below the level of unchallenged epithelial layers demonstrating microscopically observable holes and apoptosis. Under probiotic protection by adhering bifidobacteria, TEER-maxima were delayed or decreased in magnitude due to later transition from mild to severe damage, but similar linear relations between conductance and dextran permeability were observed as in absence of adhering bifidobacteria. Based on the time-dependence of the TEER and the relation between conductance and dextran-permeability, it is proposed that bacterial adhesion to epithelial layers first causes mild damage, followed by more severe damage after the occurrence of a TEER-maximum. The mild damage caused by E. coli prior to the occurrence of TEER maxima was reversible upon antibiotic treatment, but the severe damage after occurrence of TEER maxima could not be reverted by antibiotic treatment. Thus, single-time TEER is interpretable in two ways, depending whether increasing to or decreasing from its maximum. Adhering bifidobacteria elongate the time-window available for antibiotic treatment to repair initial pathogen damage to intestinal epithelial layers.