Vibrio cholerae porin OmpU induces pro-inflammatory responses, but down-regulates LPS-mediated effects in RAW 264.7, THP-1 and human PBMCs

Outer membrane proteins and vesicles as promising vaccine candidates against Vibrio spp. infections

Indiscriminate use of antibiotics to treat bacterial infections has brought unmanageable antibiotic-resistant strains into existence. Vibrio spp. represents one such gram-negative enteric pathogenic group with more than 100 species, infecting humans and fish. The Vibrio spp. is demarcated into two groups, one that causes cholera and the other producing non-cholera or vibriosis infections. People who encounter contaminated water are at risk, but young children and pregnant women are the most vulnerable. Though controllable, Vibrio infection still necessitates the development of preventative measures, such as vaccinations, that can lessen the severity of the infection and reduce reliance on antibiotic use. With emerging multi-drug resistant strains, efforts are needed to develop newer vaccines, such as subunit-based or outer membrane vesicle-based. Thus, this review strives to bring together available information about Vibrio spp. outer membrane proteins and vesicles, encompassing their structure, function, and immunoprotective role.

Vibrio cholerae, classification, pathogenesis, immune response, and trends in vaccine development

Vibrio cholerae is the causative agent of cholera, a highly contagious diarrheal disease affecting millions worldwide each year. Cholera is a major public health problem, primarily in countries with poor sanitary conditions and regions affected by natural disasters, where access to safe drinking water is limited. In this narrative review, we aim to summarize the current understanding of the evolution of virulence and pathogenesis of V. cholerae as well as provide an overview of the immune response against this pathogen. We highlight that V. cholerae has a remarkable ability to adapt and evolve, which is a global concern because it increases the risk of cholera outbreaks and the spread of the disease to new regions, making its control even more challenging. Furthermore, we show that this pathogen expresses several virulence factors enabling it to efficiently colonize the human intestine and cause cholera. A cumulative body of work also shows that V. cholerae infection triggers an inflammatory response that influences the development of immune memory against cholera. Lastly, we reviewed the status of licensed cholera vaccines, those undergoing clinical evaluation, and recent progress in developing next-generation vaccines. This review offers a comprehensive view of V. cholerae and identifies knowledge gaps that must be addressed to develop more effective cholera vaccines.

Vibrio cholerae Porin OmpU Activates Dendritic Cells via TLR2 and the NLRP3 Inflammasome

OmpU is one of the major porins of Vibrio cholerae, a Gram-negative human pathogen. Previously, we showed that OmpU stimulates host monocytes and macrophages and induces the production of proinflammatory mediators via activation of the Toll-like receptor 1/2 (TLR1/2)-MyD88-dependent pathways. In the present study, we show that OmpU activates murine dendritic cells (DCs) via activation of the TLR2-mediated pathway and the NLRP3 inflammasome, leading to the production of proinflammatory cytokines and DC maturation. Our data reveal that although TLR2 plays an important role in providing both priming and the activation signal for the NLRP3 inflammasome in OmpU-activated DCs, OmpU is capable of activating the NLRP3 inflammasome, even in the absence of TLR2, if a priming signal is given. Furthermore, we show that the OmpU-mediated interleukin-1β (IL-1β) production in DCs depends on calcium flux and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mitoROS) generation. Interestingly, both OmpU translocation to the mitochondria of DCs as well as calcium signaling contribute to mitoROS production and prompt NLRP3 inflammasome activation. We also demonstrate that OmpU induces downstream signaling via activation of phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K)-AKT, protein kinase C (PKC), mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), and transcription factor NF-κB. Furthermore, our data reveal that OmpU-mediated activation of TLR2 induces signaling via PKC, MAPKs p38 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and transcription factor NF-κB; however, PI3K and MAPK Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK) are activated in TLR2 independent manner.

Endothelium-Released Microvesicles Transport miR-126 That Induces Proangiogenic Reprogramming in Monocytes

We have recently shown that in ischemic tissue, the hypoxic endothelial cells (EC) release extracellular microvesicles (EMVs) that are rich in tissue factor (TF). These TF-EMVs induce monocyte (Mo) homing to the ischemic zone, their differentiation into EC-like cells, and the formation of new blood vessels increasing tissue perfusion. In addition to membrane proteins, EMVs contain noncoding RNAs that can modulate cellular signaling pathways in the recipient cells. Here, we have investigated whether miRNA contained into secreted EMVs may be transferred into Mo where they could modulate EC-like cell differentiation and angiogenic responses. Our results indicated that EMVs released from activated ECs contain high levels of miR-126 and that the levels are directly proportional to TF expression in EMVs. Interestingly, miR-126 is transferred to Mo when they are incubated with TF-EMVs. Increased levels of miR-126 in Mo do not promote EC-like cell differentiation but regulate angiogenesis by targeting several components of the VEGF pathway, as SPRED1 and PI3KR2. Our findings reveal that activated ECs secrete EMVs carrying miR-126, which can modulate Mo reprogramming of angiogenic genes.

Modulation of host cellular responses by gram-negative bacterial porins

The outer membrane of a gram-negative bacteria encapsulates the plasma membrane thereby protecting it from the harsh external environment. This membrane acts as a sieving barrier due to the presence of special membrane-spanning proteins called "porins." These porins are β-barrel channel proteins that allow the passive transport of hydrophilic molecules and are impermeable to large and charged molecules. Many porins form trimers in the outer membrane. They are abundantly present on the bacterial surface and therefore play various significant roles in the host-bacteria interactions. These include the roles of porins in the adhesion and virulence mechanisms necessary for the pathogenesis, along with providing resistance to the bacteria against the antimicrobial substances. They also act as the receptors for phage and complement proteins and are involved in modulating the host cellular responses. In addition, the potential use of porins as adjuvants, vaccine candidates, therapeutic targets, and biomarkers is now being exploited. In this review, we focus briefly on the structure of the porins along with their important functions and roles in the host-bacteria interactions.

Ambient pH Alters the Protein Content of Outer Membrane Vesicles, Driving Host Development in a Beneficial Symbiosis

Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) are continuously produced by Gram-negative bacteria and are increasingly recognized as ubiquitous mediators of bacterial physiology. In particular, OMVs are powerful effectors in interorganismal interactions, driven largely by their molecular contents. These impacts have been studied extensively in bacterial pathogenesis but have not been well documented within the context of mutualism. Here, we examined the proteomic composition of OMVs from the marine bacterium Vibrio fischeri, which forms a specific mutualism with the Hawaiian bobtail squid, Euprymna scolopes We found that V. fischeri upregulates transcription of its major outer membrane protein, OmpU, during growth at an acidic pH, which V. fischeri experiences when it transitions from its environmental reservoir to host tissues. We used comparative genomics and DNA pulldown analyses to search for regulators of ompU and found that differential expression of ompU is governed by the OmpR, H-NS, and ToxR proteins. This transcriptional control combines with nutritional conditions to govern OmpU levels in OMVs. Under a host-encountered acidic pH, V. fischeri OMVs become more potent stimulators of symbiotic host development in an OmpU-dependent manner. Finally, we found that symbiotic development could be stimulated by OMVs containing a homolog of OmpU from the pathogenic species Vibrio cholerae, connecting the role of a well-described virulence factor with a mutualistic element. This work explores the symbiotic effects of OMV variation, identifies regulatory machinery shared between pathogenic and mutualistic bacteria, and provides evidence of the role that OMVs play in animal-bacterium mutualism.IMPORTANCE Beneficial bacteria communicate with their hosts through a variety of means. These communications are often carried out by a combination of molecules that stimulate responses from the host and are necessary for development of the relationship between these organisms. Naturally produced bacterial outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) contain many of those molecules and can stimulate a wide range of responses from recipient organisms. Here, we describe how a marine bacterium, Vibrio fischeri, changes the makeup of its OMVs under conditions that it experiences as it goes from its free-living lifestyle to associating with its natural host, the Hawaiian bobtail squid. This work improves our understanding of how bacteria change their signaling profile as they begin to associate with their beneficial partner animals.

Differential Recognition of Vibrio parahaemolyticus OmpU by Toll-Like Receptors in Monocytes and Macrophages for the Induction of Proinflammatory Responses

Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a human pathogen, and it is a major cause of severe gastroenteritis in coastal areas. OmpU is one of the major outer membrane porins of V. parahaemolyticus Host-immunomodulatory effects of V. parahaemolyticus OmpU (VpOmpU) have not been elucidated yet. In this study, in an effort towards characterizing the effect of VpOmpU on innate immune responses of the host, we observed that VpOmpU is recognized by the Toll-like receptor 1/2 (TLR1/2) heterodimer in THP-1 monocytes but by both TLR1/2 and TLR2/6 heterodimers in RAW 264.7 macrophages. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a natural pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP) recognized by both TLR1/2 and TLR2/6 heterodimers; so far, mainly the synthetic ligand Pam₂CSK4 has been known to be recognized by both the TLR1/2 and TLR2/6 heterodimers. We also have shown that VpOmpU can activate monocytes and macrophages, leading to the generation of proinflammatory responses as indicated by tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and NO production in macrophages and TNF-α and IL-6 production in monocytes. VpOmpU-mediated proinflammatory responses involve MyD88-IRAK-1 leading to the activation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases (p38 and Jun N-terminal protein kinase [JNK]) and transcription factors NF-κB and AP-1. Further, we have shown that for the activation of macrophages leading to the proinflammatory responses, the TLR2/6 heterodimer is preferred over the TLR1/2 heterodimer. We have also shown that MAP kinase activation is TLR2 mediated.

Vibrio cholerae OmpU Mediates CD36-Dependent Reactive Oxygen Species Generation Triggering an Additional Pathway of MAPK Activation in Macrophages

OmpU, one of the porins of Gram-negative bacteria Vibrio cholerae, induces TLR1/2-MyD88-NF-κB-dependent proinflammatory cytokine production by monocytes and macrophages of human and mouse origin. In this study, we report that in both the cell types, OmpU-induced proinflammatory responses involve activation of MAPKs (p38 and JNK). Interestingly, we observed that in OmpU-treated macrophages, p38 activation is TLR2 dependent, but JNK activation happens through a separate pathway involving reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation by NADPH oxidase complex and mitochondrial ROS. Further, we observed that OmpU-mediated mitochondrial ROS generation probably depends on OmpU translocation to mitochondria and NADPH oxidase-mediated ROS production is due to activation of scavenger receptor CD36. For the first time, to our knowledge, we are reporting that a Gram-negative bacterial protein can activate CD36 as a pattern recognition receptor. Additionally, we found that in OmpU-treated monocytes, both JNK and p38 activation is linked to the TLR2 activation only. Therefore, the ability of macrophages to employ multiple receptors such as TLR2 and CD36 to recognize a single ligand, as in this case OmpU, probably explains the very basic nature of macrophages being more proinflammatory than monocytes.

HMGB1 Activates Proinflammatory Signaling via TLR5 Leading to Allodynia

Infectious and sterile inflammatory diseases are correlated with increased levels of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) in tissues and serum. Extracellular HMGB1 is known to activate Toll-like receptors (TLRs) 2 and 4 and RAGE (receptor for advanced glycation endproducts) in inflammatory conditions. Here, we find that TLR5 is also an HMGB1 receptor that was previously overlooked due to lack of functional expression in the cell lines usually used for studying TLR signaling. HMGB1 binding to TLR5 initiates the activation of NF-κB signaling pathway in a MyD88-dependent manner, resulting in proinflammatory cytokine production and pain enhancement in vivo. Biophysical and in vitro results highlight an essential role for the C-terminal tail region of HMGB1 in facilitating interactions with TLR5. These results suggest that HMGB1-modulated TLR5 signaling is responsible for pain hypersensitivity.

Vibrio cholerae OmpU induces IL-8 expression in human intestinal epithelial cells

Although Vibrio cholerae colonizes the small intestine and induces acute inflammatory responses, less is known about the molecular mechanisms of V. cholerae-induced inflammatory responses in the intestine. We recently reported that OmpU, one of the most abundant outer membrane proteins of V. cholerae, plays an important role in the innate immunity of the whole bacteria. In this study, we evaluated the role of OmpU in induction of IL-8, a representative chemokine that recruits various inflammatory immune cells, in the human intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) line, HT-29. Recombinant OmpU (rOmpU) of V. cholerae induced IL-8 expression at the mRNA and protein levels in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Interestingly, IL-8 was secreted through both apical and basolateral sides of the polarized HT-29 cells upon apical exposure to rOmpU but not upon basolateral exposure. rOmpU-induced IL-8 expression was inhibited by interference of lipid raft formation with nystatin, but not by blocking the formation of clathrin-coated pits with chlorpromazine. In addition, rOmpU-induced IL-8 expression was mediated via ERK1/2 and p38 kinase pathways, but not via JNK signaling pathway. Finally, V. cholerae lacking ompU elicited decreased IL-8 expression and adherence to HT-29 cells compared to the parental strain. Collectively, these results suggest that V. cholerae OmpU might play an important role in intestinal inflammation by inducing IL-8 expression in human IECs.

Retinoic acid pre-treatment down regulates V. cholerae outer membrane vesicles induced acute inflammation and enhances mucosal immunity

Bacterial outer membrane vesicles have been extensively investigated and considered as a next generation vaccine. Recently, we have demonstrated that the cholera pentavalent outer membrane vesicles (CPMVs) immunogen induced adaptive immunity and had a strong protective efficacy against the circulating V. cholerae strains in a mouse model. In this present study, we are mainly focusing on reducing outer membrane vesicle (OMV) -mediated toxicity without altering its antigenic property. Therefore, we have selected All-trans Retinoic Acid (ATRA), active metabolites of vitamin A, which have both anti-inflammatory and mucosal adjuvant properties. Pre-treatment of ATRA significantly reduced CPMVs induced TLR2 mediated pro-inflammatory responses in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, we also found ATRA pre-treatment significantly induced mucosal immune response and protective efficacy after two doses of oral immunization with CPMVs (75µg). This study can help to reduce OMV based vaccine toxicity and induce better protective immunity where children and men suffered from malnutrition mainly in developing countries.

Vibrio cholerae Porin OmpU Induces Caspase-independent Programmed Cell Death upon Translocation to the Host Cell Mitochondria

Porins, a major class of outer membrane proteins in Gram-negative bacteria, primarily act as transport channels. OmpU is one of the major porins of human pathogen, Vibrio cholerae. In the present study, we show that V. cholerae OmpU has the ability to induce target cell death. Although OmpU-mediated cell death shows some characteristics of apoptosis, such as flipping of phosphatidylserine in the membrane as well as cell size shrinkage and increased cell granularity, it does not show the caspase-3 activation and DNA laddering pattern typical of apoptotic cells. Increased release of lactate dehydrogenase in OmpU-treated cells indicates that the OmpU-mediated cell death also has characteristics of necrosis. Further, we show that the mechanism of OmpU-mediated cell death involves major mitochondrial changes in the target cells. We observe that OmpU treatment leads to the disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential, resulting in the release of cytochrome c and apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF). AIF translocates to the host cell nucleus, implying that it has a crucial role in OmpU-mediated cell death. Finally, we observe that OmpU translocates to the target cell mitochondria, where it directly initiates mitochondrial changes leading to mitochondrial membrane permeability transition and AIF release. Partial blocking of AIF release by cyclosporine A in OmpU-treated cells further suggests that OmpU may be inducing the opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore. All of these results lead us to the conclusion that OmpU induces cell death in target cells in a programmed manner in which mitochondria play a central role.

Vibrio cholerae porin OmpU induces LPS tolerance by attenuating TLR-mediated signaling

Porins can act as pathogen-associated molecular patterns, can be recognized by the host immune system and modulate immune responses. Vibrio choleraeporin OmpU aids in bacterial survival in the human gut by increasing resistance against bile acids and anti-microbial peptides. V. choleraeOmpU is pro-inflammatory in nature. However, interestingly, it can also down-regulate LPS-mediated pro-inflammatory responses. In this study, we have explored how OmpU-pretreatment affects LPS-mediated responses. Our study indicates that OmpU-pretreatment followed by LPS-activation does not induce M2-polarization of macrophages/monocytes. Further, OmpU attenuates LPS-mediated TLR2/TLR6 signaling by decreasing the association of TLRs along with recruitment of MyD88 and IRAKs to the receptor complex. This results in decreased translocation of NFκB in the nucleus. Additionally, OmpU-pretreatment up-regulates expression of IRAK-M, a negative regulator of TLR signaling, in RAW 264.7 mouse macrophage cells upon LPS-stimulation. Suppressor cytokine IL-10 is partially involved in OmpU-induced down-regulation of LPS-mediated TNFα production in human PBMCs. Furthermore, OmpU-pretreatment also affects macrophage function, by enhancing phagocytosis in LPS-treated RAW 264.7 cells, and down-regulates LPS-induced cell surface expression of co-stimulatory molecules. Altogether, OmpU causes suppression of LPS-mediated responses by attenuating the LPS-mediated TLR signaling pathway.

Vibrio cholerae porin OmpU mediates M1-polarization of macrophages/monocytes via TLR1/TLR2 activation

Polarization of the monocytes and macrophages toward the M1 and M2 states is important for hosts' defense against the pathogens. Moreover, it plays a crucial role to resolve the overwhelming inflammatory responses that can be harmful to the host. Polarization of macrophages/monocytes can be induced by pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). PAMP-mediated monocyte/macrophage polarization is important during the infection, as pathogen can suppress host immune system by altering the polarization status of the macrophages/monocytes. OmpU, an outer membrane porin protein of Vibrio cholerae, possesses the ability to induce pro-inflammatory responses in monocytes/macrophages. It is also able to down-regulate the LPS-mediated activation of the monocytes/macrophages. Such observation leads us to believe that OmpU may induce a state that can be called as M1/M2-intermediate state. In the present study, we evaluated a set of M1 and M2 markers in RAW 264.7 murine macrophage cell line, and THP-1 human monocytic cell line, in response to the purified OmpU protein. We observed that OmpU, as a PAMP, induced M1-polarization by activating the Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling pathway. OmpU induced formation of TLR1/TLR2-heterodimers. OmpU-mediated TLR-activation led to the MyD88 recruitment to the TLR1/TLR2 complex. MyD88, in turn, recruited IRAK1. Ultimately, OmpU-mediated signaling led to the activation and subsequent nuclear translocation of the NFκB p65 subunit. We also observed that blocking of the TLR1, TLR2, IRAK1, and NFκB affected OmpU-mediated production of M1-associated pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNFα and IL-6.

Mechanisms of inflammasome activation by Vibrio cholerae secreted toxins vary with strain biotype

Activation of inflammasomes is an important aspect of innate immune responses to bacterial infection. Recent studies have linked Vibrio cholerae secreted toxins to inflammasome activation by using murine macrophages. To increase relevance to human infection, studies of inflammasome-dependent cytokine secretion were conducted with the human THP-1 monocytic cell line and corroborated in primary human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Both El Tor and classical strains of V. cholerae activated ASC (apoptosis-associated speck-like protein-containing a CARD domain)-dependent release of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) when cultured with human THP-1 cells, but the pattern of induction was distinct, depending on the repertoire of toxins the strains produced. El Tor biotype strains induced release of IL-1β dependent on NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) and ASC due to the secreted pore-forming toxin hemolysin. Unlike in studies with mouse macrophages, the MARTX toxin did not contribute to IL-1β release from human monocytic cells. Classical biotype strains, which do not produce either hemolysin or the MARTX toxin, activated low-level IL-1β release that was induced by cholera toxin (CT) and dependent on ASC but independent of NLRP3 and pyroptosis. El Tor strains likewise showed increased IL-1β production dependent on CT when the hemolysin gene was deleted. In contrast to studies with murine macrophages, this phenotype was dependent on a catalytically active CT A subunit capable of inducing production of cyclic AMP and not on the B subunit. These studies demonstrate that the induction of the inflammasome in human THP-1 monocytes and in PBMCs by V. cholerae varies with the biotype and is mediated by both NLRP3-dependent and -independent pathways.

Transmembrane oligomeric form of Vibrio cholerae cytolysin triggers TLR2/TLR6–dependent proinflammatory responses in monocytes and macrophages

We show that the transmembrane oligomeric form of VCC evokes potent proinflammatory responses in the monocytes and macrophages of the innate immune system. VCC oligomer-induced proinflammatory responses depend critically on the TLR2/TLR6-dependent signalling pathways.

Flavonoid fraction of Bergamot juice reduces LPS-induced inflammatory response through SIRT1-mediated NF-κB inhibition in THP-1 monocytes

Plant polyphenols exert anti-inflammatory activity through both anti-oxidant effects and modulation of pivotal pro-inflammatory genes. Recently, Citrus bergamia has been studied as a natural source of bioactive molecules with antioxidant activity, but few studies have focused on molecular mechanisms underlying their potential beneficial effects. Several findings have suggested that polyphenols could influence cellular function by acting as activators of SIRT1, a nuclear histone deacetylase, involved in the inhibition of NF-κB signaling. On the basis of these observations we studied the anti-inflammatory effects produced by the flavonoid fraction of the bergamot juice (BJe) in a model of LPS-stimulated THP-1 cell line, focusing on SIRT1-mediated NF-κB inhibition. We demonstrated that BJe inhibited both gene expression and secretion of LPS-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α) by a mechanism involving the inhibition of NF-κB activation. In addition, we showed that BJe treatment reversed the LPS-enhanced acetylation of p65 in THP-1 cells. Interestingly, increasing concentrations of Sirtinol were able to suppress the inhibitory effect of BJe via p65 acetylation, underscoring that NF-κB-mediated inflammatory cytokine production may be directly linked to SIRT1 activity. These results suggest that BJe may be useful for the development of alternative pharmacological strategies aimed at reducing the inflammatory process.