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Maltz-Matyschsyk M, Melchiorre CK, Knecht DA, Lynes MA. Bacterial metallothionein, PmtA, a novel stress protein found on the bacterial surface of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and involved in management of oxidative stress and phagocytosis. mSphere 2024; 9:e0021024. [PMID: 38712943 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00210-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Metallothioneins (MTs) are small cysteine-rich proteins that play important roles in homeostasis and protection against heavy metal toxicity and oxidative stress. The opportunistic pathogen, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, expresses a bacterial MT known as PmtA. Utilizing genetically modified P. aeruginosa PAO1 strains (a human clinical wound isolate), we show that inducing pmtA increases levels of pyocyanin and biofilm compared to other PAO1 isogenic strains, supporting previous results that pmtA is important for pyocyanin and biofilm production. We also show that overexpression of pmtA in vitro provides protection for cells exposed to oxidants, which is a characteristic of inflammation, indicating a role for PmtA as an antioxidant in inflammation. We found that a pmtA clean deletion mutant is phagocytized faster than other PAO1 isogenic strains in THP-1 human macrophage cells, indicating that PmtA provides protection from the phagocytic attack. Interestingly, we observed that monoclonal anti-PmtA antibody binds to PmtA, which is accessible on the surface of PAO1 strains using both flow cytometry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay techniques. Finally, we investigated intracellular persistence of these PAO1 strains within THP-1 macrophages cells and found that the phagocytic endurance of PAO1 strains is affected by pmtA expression. These data show for the first time that a bacterial MT (pmtA) can play a role in the phagocytic process and can be found on the outer surface of PAO1. Our results suggest that PmtA plays a role both in protection from oxidative stress and in the resistance to the host's innate immune response, identifying PmtA as a potential therapeutic target in P. aeruginosa infection. IMPORTANCE The pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a highly problematic multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogen with complex virulence networks. MDR P. aeruginosa infections have been associated with increased clinical visits, very poor healthcare outcomes, and these infections are ranked as critical on priority lists of both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization. Known P. aeruginosa virulence factors have been extensively studied and are implicated in counteracting host defenses, causing direct damage to the host tissues, and increased microbial competitiveness. Targeting virulence factors has emerged as a new line of defense in the battle against MDR P. aeruginosa strains. Bacterial metallothionein is a newly recognized virulence factor that enables evasion of the host immune response. The studies described here identify mechanisms in which bacterial metallothionein (PmtA) plays a part in P. aeruginosa pathogenicity and identifies PmtA as a potential therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Clare K Melchiorre
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
| | - David A Knecht
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
| | - Michael A Lynes
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
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Bajire SK, Shastry RP. Synergistic effects of COVID-19 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a polymicrobial perspective. Mol Cell Biochem 2024; 479:591-601. [PMID: 37129767 PMCID: PMC10152025 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-023-04744-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
This article discusses the connection between the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD is a multifaceted respiratory illness that is typically observed in individuals with chronic exposure to chemical irritants or severe lung damage caused by various pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The pathogenesis of COPD is complex, involving a variety of genotypes and phenotypic characteristics that result in severe co-infections and a poor prognosis if not properly managed. We focus on the role of SARS-CoV-2 infection in severe COPD exacerbations in connection to P. aeruginosa infection, covering pathogenesis, diagnosis, and therapy. This review also includes a thorough structural overview of COPD and recent developments in understanding its complicated and chronic nature. While COVID-19 is clearly linked to emphysema and chronic bronchitis at different stages of the disease, our understanding of the precise interaction between microbial infections during COPD, particularly with SARS-CoV-2 in the lungs, remains inadequate. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the host-pathogen relationship from the clinician's perspective in order to effectively manage COPD. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the subject matter to assist clinicians in their efforts to improve the treatment and management of COPD, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sukesh Kumar Bajire
- Division of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to Be University), University Road, Deralakatte, Mangalore, 575018, India
| | - Rajesh P Shastry
- Division of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to Be University), University Road, Deralakatte, Mangalore, 575018, India.
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Lushington GH, Linde A, Melgarejo T. Bacterial Proteases as Potentially Exploitable Modulators of SARS-CoV-2 Infection: Logic from the Literature, Informatics, and Inspiration from the Dog. BIOTECH 2023; 12:61. [PMID: 37987478 PMCID: PMC10660736 DOI: 10.3390/biotech12040061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 08/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: The COVID-19 pandemic left many intriguing mysteries. Retrospective vulnerability trends tie as strongly to odd demographics as to exposure profiles, genetics, health, or prior medical history. This article documents the importance of nasal microbiome profiles in distinguishing infection rate trends among differentially affected subgroups. (2) Hypothesis: From a detailed literature survey, microbiome profiling experiments, bioinformatics, and molecular simulations, we propose that specific commensal bacterial species in the Pseudomonadales genus confer protection against SARS-CoV-2 infections by expressing proteases that may interfere with the proteolytic priming of the Spike protein. (3) Evidence: Various reports have found elevated Moraxella fractions in the nasal microbiomes of subpopulations with higher resistance to COVID-19 (e.g., adolescents, COVID-19-resistant children, people with strong dietary diversity, and omnivorous canines) and less abundant ones in vulnerable subsets (the elderly, people with narrower diets, carnivorous cats and foxes), along with bioinformatic evidence that Moraxella bacteria express proteases with notable homology to human TMPRSS2. Simulations suggest that these proteases may proteolyze the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in a manner that interferes with TMPRSS2 priming.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Annika Linde
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA 91766, USA;
| | - Tonatiuh Melgarejo
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA 91766, USA;
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Hawsawi NM, Hamad AM, Rashid SN, Alshehri F, Sharaf M, Zakai SA, Al Yousef SA, Ali AM, Abou-Elnour A, Alkhudhayri A, Elrefaei NG, Elkelish A. Biogenic silver nanoparticles eradicate of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolated from the sputum of COVID-19 patients. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1142646. [PMID: 37143540 PMCID: PMC10153441 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1142646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent investigations, secondary bacterial infections were found to be strongly related to mortality in COVID-19 patients. In addition, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteria played an important role in the series of bacterial infections that accompany infection in COVID-19. The objective of the present study was to investigate the ability of biosynthesized silver nanoparticles from strawberries (Fragaria ananassa L.) leaf extract without a chemical catalyst to inhibit Gram-negative P. aeruginosa and Gram-positive Staph aureus isolated from COVID-19 patient’s sputum. A wide range of measurements was performed on the synthesized AgNPs, including UV–vis, SEM, TEM, EDX, DLS, ζ -potential, XRD, and FTIR. UV-Visible spectral showed the absorbance at the wavelength 398 nm with an increase in the color intensity of the mixture after 8 h passed at the time of preparation confirming the high stability of the FA-AgNPs in the dark at room temperature. SEM and TEM measurements confirmed AgNPs with size ranges of ∼40-∼50 nm, whereas the DLS study confirmed their average hydrodynamic size as ∼53 nm. Furthermore, Ag NPs. EDX analysis showed the presence of the following elements: oxygen (40.46%), and silver (59.54%). Biosynthesized FA-AgNPs (ζ = −17.5 ± 3.1 mV) showed concentration-dependent antimicrobial activity for 48 h in both pathogenic strains. MTT tests showed concentration-dependent and line-specific effects of FA-AgNPs on cancer MCF-7 and normal liver WRL-68 cell cultures. According to the results, synthetic FA-AgNPs obtained through an environmentally friendly biological process are inexpensive and may inhibit the growth of bacteria isolated from COVID-19 patients.
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Ren A, Jia M, Liu J, Zhou T, Wu L, Dong T, Cai Z, Qu J, Liu Y, Yang L, Zhang Y. Acquisition of T6SS Effector TseL Contributes to the Emerging of Novel Epidemic Strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0330822. [PMID: 36546869 PMCID: PMC9927574 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03308-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen with multiple strategies to interact with other microbes and host cells, gaining fitness in complicated infection sites. The contact-dependent type VI secretion system (T6SS) is one critical secretion apparatus involved in both interbacterial competition and pathogenesis. To date, only limited numbers of T6SS-effectors have been clearly characterized in P. aeruginosa laboratory strains, and the importance of T6SS diversity in the evolution of clinical P. aeruginosa remains unclear. Recently, we characterized a P. aeruginosa clinical strain LYSZa7 from a COVID-19 patient, which adopted complex genetic adaptations toward chronic infections. Bioinformatic analysis has revealed a putative type VI secretion system (T6SS) dependent lipase effector in LYSZa7, which is a homologue of TseL in Vibrio cholerae and is widely distributed in pathogens. We experimentally validated that this TseL homologue belongs to the Tle2, a subfamily of T6SS-lipase effectors; thereby, we name this effector TseL (TseLPA in this work). Further, we showed the lipase-dependent bacterial toxicity of TseLPA, which primarily targets bacterial periplasm. The toxicity of TseLPA can be neutralized by two immunity proteins, TsiP1 and TsiP2, which are encoded upstream of tseL. In addition, we proved this TseLPA contributes to bacterial pathogenesis by promoting bacterial internalization into host cells. Our study suggests that clinical bacterial strains employ a diversified group of T6SS effectors for interbacterial competition and might contribute to emerging of new epidemic clonal lineages. IMPORTANCE Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one predominant pathogen that causes hospital-acquired infections and is one of the commonest coinfecting bacteria in immunocompromised patients and chronic wounds. This bacterium harbors a diverse accessory genome with a high frequency of gene recombination, rendering its population highly heterogeneous. Numerous Pa lineages coexist in the biofilm, where successful epidemic clonal lineage or strain-specific type commonly acquires genes to increase its fitness over the other organisms. Current studies of Pa genomic diversity commonly focused on antibiotic resistant genes and novel phages, overlooking the contribution of type VI secretion system (T6SS). We characterized a Pa clinical strain LYSZa7 from a COVID-19 patient, which adopted complex genetic adaptations toward chronic infections. We report, in this study, a novel T6SS-lipase effector that is broadly distributed in Pa clinical isolates and other predominant pathogens. The study suggests that hospital transmission may raise the emergence of new epidemic clonal lineages with specified T6SS effectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anmin Ren
- School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Minlu Jia
- School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jihong Liu
- Medical Research Center, Southern University of Science and Technology Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Tian Zhou
- School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Liwen Wu
- School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Tao Dong
- School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhao Cai
- School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jiuxin Qu
- Shenzhen Third People’s Hospital, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yang Liu
- Medical Research Center, Southern University of Science and Technology Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Liang Yang
- School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China
- Shenzhen Third People’s Hospital, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Disease, Shenzhen, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China
- Key University Laboratory of Metabolism and Health of Guangdong, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yingdan Zhang
- School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China
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Gheorghita AA, Li YE, Kitova EN, Bui DT, Pfoh R, Low KE, Whitfield GB, Walvoort MTC, Zhang Q, Codée JDC, Klassen JS, Howell PL. Structure of the AlgKX modification and secretion complex required for alginate production and biofilm attachment in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Nat Commun 2022; 13:7631. [PMID: 36494359 PMCID: PMC9734138 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35131-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Synthase-dependent secretion systems are a conserved mechanism for producing exopolysaccharides in Gram-negative bacteria. Although widely studied, it is not well understood how these systems are organized to coordinate polymer biosynthesis, modification, and export across both membranes and the peptidoglycan. To investigate how synthase-dependent secretion systems produce polymer at a molecular level, we determined the crystal structure of the AlgK-AlgX (AlgKX) complex involved in Pseudomonas aeruginosa alginate exopolysaccharide acetylation and export. We demonstrate that AlgKX directly binds alginate oligosaccharides and that formation of the complex is vital for polymer production and biofilm attachment. Finally, we propose a structural model for the AlgEKX outer membrane modification and secretion complex. Together, our study provides insight into how alginate biosynthesis proteins coordinate production of a key exopolysaccharide involved in establishing persistent Pseudomonas lung infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreea A. Gheorghita
- grid.42327.300000 0004 0473 9646Program in Molecular Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada ,grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Yancheng E. Li
- grid.42327.300000 0004 0473 9646Program in Molecular Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada ,grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada ,grid.20861.3d0000000107068890Present Address: Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA USA
| | - Elena N. Kitova
- grid.17089.370000 0001 2190 316XDepartment of Chemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB Canada
| | - Duong T. Bui
- grid.17089.370000 0001 2190 316XDepartment of Chemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB Canada
| | - Roland Pfoh
- grid.42327.300000 0004 0473 9646Program in Molecular Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Kristin E. Low
- grid.42327.300000 0004 0473 9646Program in Molecular Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada ,grid.55614.330000 0001 1302 4958Present Address: Lethbridge Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge, AB Canada
| | - Gregory B. Whitfield
- grid.42327.300000 0004 0473 9646Program in Molecular Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada ,grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada ,grid.14848.310000 0001 2292 3357Present Address: Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC Canada
| | - Marthe T. C. Walvoort
- grid.5132.50000 0001 2312 1970Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands ,grid.4830.f0000 0004 0407 1981Present Address: Department of Chemical Biology, Stratingh Institute for Chemistry, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Qingju Zhang
- grid.5132.50000 0001 2312 1970Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands ,grid.411862.80000 0000 8732 9757Present Address: National Research Centre for Carbohydrate Synthesis, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, China
| | - Jeroen D. C. Codée
- grid.5132.50000 0001 2312 1970Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - John S. Klassen
- grid.17089.370000 0001 2190 316XDepartment of Chemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB Canada
| | - P. Lynne Howell
- grid.42327.300000 0004 0473 9646Program in Molecular Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada ,grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
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7
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Immune Response to Biofilm Growing Pulmonary Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infection. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10092064. [PMID: 36140163 PMCID: PMC9495460 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10092064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Biofilm infections are tolerant to the host responses and recalcitrance to antibiotic drugs and disinfectants. The induced host-specific innate and adaptive immune responses by established biofilms are significantly implicated and contributes to the course of the infections. Essentially, the host response may be the single one factor impacting the outcome most, especially in cases where the biofilm is caused by low virulent opportunistic bacterial species. Due to the chronicity of biofilm infections, activation of the adaptive immune response mechanisms is frequently experienced, and instead of clearing the infection, the adaptive response adds to the pathogenesis. To a high degree, this has been reported for chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infections, where both a pronounced antibody response and a skewed Th1/Th2 balance has been related to a poorer outcome. In addition, detection of an adaptive immune response can be used as a significant indicator of a chronic P. aeruginosa lung infection and is included in the clinical definitions as such. Those issues are presented in the present review, along with a characterization of the airway structure in relation to immune responses towards P. aeruginosa pulmonary infections.
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