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Beare PA, Lack J, Anderson M, Cockrell DC, Heinzen RA, Long CM. Whole genome sequence of Coxiella burnetii Nine Mile II, clone 4, ∆ cbu0533 mutant strain, an alternative for safer laboratory use. Microbiol Resour Announc 2025; 14:e0073024. [PMID: 40062763 PMCID: PMC11984202 DOI: 10.1128/mra.00730-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2025] [Indexed: 04/11/2025] Open
Abstract
Here, we determined the genome sequence of the Coxiella burnetii Nine Mile II (NMII), RSA439, clone 4, ∆cbu0533 mutant strain. This strain was engineered as a potential laboratory replacement for the wild-type C. burnetii NMII, which can undergo lipopolysaccharide elongation in specific growth conditions due to cbu0533 mutation reversion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul A. Beare
- Genomics Section, Research Technologies Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, USA
| | - Justin Lack
- Integrated Data Sciences Section, Research Technologies Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Matthew Anderson
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, USA
| | - Diane C. Cockrell
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, USA
| | - Robert A. Heinzen
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, USA
| | - Carrie M. Long
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, USA
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2
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Palkovicová K, Flores-Ramírez G, Quevedo-Diaz M, Csicsay F, Skultety L. Innovative antigens for more accurate diagnosis of Q fever. J Microbiol Methods 2025; 232-234:107106. [PMID: 40089026 DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2025.107106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2024] [Revised: 02/21/2025] [Accepted: 03/04/2025] [Indexed: 03/17/2025]
Abstract
Coxiella burnetii, the causative agent of Q fever, poses a significant public health concern worldwide. Diagnosis primarily relies on serological tests. Traditional antigen production methods, typically involving embryonated hen eggs, are labor-intensive, costly, and require biosafety level 3 facilities. In this study, we tested inactivated whole-cell antigens (SAP9 and NMII/AP9) from C. burnetii strains grown in axenic media, offering a safer and more efficient alternative to egg-based production. These antigens were validated using an in-house ELISA method against human patient sera, demonstrating high sensitivity and specificity comparable to ELISA and to the Gold Standard, IFA commercial kits. Notably SAP9 and NMII/AP9 antigens showed no cross-reactivity with intracellular pathogens that cause illness with similar symptoms. This approach represents significant advancement in diagnostic antigen production for Q fever, facilitating cost-effective epidemiological studies and enhancing laboratory safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarína Palkovicová
- Institute of Virology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 845 05 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Gabriela Flores-Ramírez
- Institute of Virology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 845 05 Bratislava, Slovakia.
| | - Marco Quevedo-Diaz
- Institute of Virology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 845 05 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Frantisek Csicsay
- Institute of Virology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 845 05 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Ludovít Skultety
- Institute of Virology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 845 05 Bratislava, Slovakia; National Reference Centre for Surveillance and Laboratory Diagnosis of Rickettsioses, Regional Public Health Authority of the Slovak Republic, Cesta k nemocnici 1, 975 56 Banská Bystrica, Slovakia
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3
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Steiner S, Roy CR. CRISPR-Cas9-based approaches for genetic analysis and epistatic interaction studies in Coxiella burnetii. mSphere 2024; 9:e0052324. [PMID: 39560384 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00523-24] [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: 10/14/2024] [Accepted: 10/22/2024] [Indexed: 11/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Coxiella burnetii is an obligate intracellular bacterial pathogen that replicates to high numbers in an acidified lysosome-derived vacuole. Intracellular replication requires the Dot/Icm type IVB secretion system, which translocates over 100 different effector proteins into the host cell. Screens employing random transposon mutagenesis have identified several C. burnetii effectors that play an important role in intracellular replication; however, the difficulty in conducting directed mutagenesis has been a barrier to the systematic analysis of effector mutants and to the construction of double mutants to assess epistatic interactions between effectors. Here, two CRISPR-Cas9 technology-based approaches were developed to study C. burnetii phenotypes resulting from targeted gene disruptions. CRISPRi was used to silence gene expression and demonstrated that silencing of effectors or Dot/Icm system components resulted in phenotypes similar to those of transposon insertion mutants. A CRISPR-Cas9-mediated cytosine base editing protocol was developed to generate targeted loss-of-function mutants through the introduction of premature stop codons into C. burnetii genes. Cytosine base editing successfully generated double mutants in a single step. A double mutant deficient in both cig57 and cig2 had a robust and additive intracellular replication defect when compared to either single mutant, which is consistent with Cig57 and Cig2 functioning in independent pathways that both contribute to a vacuole that supports C. burnetii replication. Thus, CRISPR-Cas9-based technologies expand the genetic toolbox for C. burnetii and will facilitate genetic studies aimed at investigating the mechanisms this pathogen uses to replicate inside host cells. IMPORTANCE Understanding the genetic mechanisms that enable C. burnetii to replicate in mammalian host cells has been hampered by the difficulty in making directed mutations. Here, a reliable and efficient system for generating targeted loss-of-function mutations in C. burnetii using a CRISPR-Cas9-assisted base editing approach is described. This technology was applied to make double mutants in C. burnetii that enabled the genetic analysis of two genes that play independent roles in promoting the formation of vacuoles that support intracellular replication. This advance will accelerate the discovery of mechanisms important for C. burnetii host infection and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Steiner
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Craig R Roy
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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Bauer BU, Herms TL, Jahnke R, Ossowski N, Walter MC, Frangoulidis D, Runge M, Ganter M, Knittler MR. Control of Coxiella burnetii shedding in a dairy goat herd by annual offspring vaccination. Vaccine 2024; 42:126125. [PMID: 39025699 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.07.026] [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: 05/04/2024] [Revised: 06/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
A Coxiella burnetii vaccination program, targeting only doelings, was introduced on a German goat farm to curb bacterial shedding. In 2018, adults were vaccinated with a C. burnetii Phase I vaccine at three-weeks apart following pathogen diagnosis, with a booster administered six months later due to sustained high shedding. From 2018 to 2021, doelings received two vaccine doses without any further boosters. To assess the program's efficacy, vaginal swabs from up to 40 animals per age group were collected during kidding seasons from 2019 to 2022. Bulk tank milk (BTM) samples were gathered monthly from January 2018 to October 2022 to monitor herd-level shedding. Real-time PCR analysis determined genome equivalents in all three sample types. Serum samples were taken before the initial immunization and during the post-kidding season from up to 40 goats per age group annually from 2018 to 2022. Phase-specific ELISAs determined IgG Phase I and Phase II antibodies. Additionally, two serum samples per age group from 2022 were analyzed using a neutralization assay. A few goats continued shedding small quantities during subsequent kidding seasons. Although positive BTM samples decreased, they displayed an undulating trend. Most age groups exhibited robust IgG Phase I responses and lower IgG Phase II levels post immunization. Mean IgG levels remained elevated until the study ended compared to pre-vaccination levels in most age groups. Additionally, neutralizing antibodies were present regardless of IgG response. Overall, double vaccination induced lasting antibody levels, but did not entirely prevent C. burnetii shedding. The resilience of the observed humoral immune activity requires further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin U Bauer
- Clinic for Swine and Small Ruminants, Forensic Medicine and Ambulatory Service, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bischofsholer Damm 15, 30173 Hannover, Germany; Institute of Immunology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald - Isle of Riems, Germany.
| | - T Louise Herms
- Food and Veterinary Institute Braunschweig/Hannover, Lower Saxony State Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety (LAVES), Eintrachtweg 17, 30173 Hannover, Germany.
| | - Rico Jahnke
- Institute of Immunology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald - Isle of Riems, Germany.
| | - Nina Ossowski
- Clinic for Swine and Small Ruminants, Forensic Medicine and Ambulatory Service, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bischofsholer Damm 15, 30173 Hannover, Germany.
| | - Mathias C Walter
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Neuherbergstraße 11, 80937 Munich, Germany.
| | - Dimitrios Frangoulidis
- Bundeswehr Medical Service Headquarters VI-2, Medical Intelligence & Information (MI2), Dachauer Straße 128, 80637 Munich, Germany.
| | - Martin Runge
- Food and Veterinary Institute Braunschweig/Hannover, Lower Saxony State Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety (LAVES), Eintrachtweg 17, 30173 Hannover, Germany.
| | - Martin Ganter
- Clinic for Swine and Small Ruminants, Forensic Medicine and Ambulatory Service, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bischofsholer Damm 15, 30173 Hannover, Germany.
| | - Michael R Knittler
- Institute of Immunology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald - Isle of Riems, Germany.
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Ferrara G, Longobardi C, Pagnini U, Iovane G, D'Ausilio F, Montagnaro S. Evaluation of the phase-specific antibody response in water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) after two doses of an inactivated phase I Coxiella burnetii vaccine. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 2024; 277:110840. [PMID: 39405822 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2024.110840] [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: 07/02/2024] [Revised: 10/08/2024] [Accepted: 10/09/2024] [Indexed: 10/26/2024]
Abstract
The control and management of Q fever outbreaks in ruminants are currently based on vaccination. Although buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) are intensively farmed in several countries and represent a reservoir for Coxiellosis, no evidence has been described regarding the efficacy of vaccination in this species. This work aimed to evaluate the humoral response, using appropriate phase-specific ELISAs, and the effects on abortion rate in buffalo by a field study. A total of 15 seropositive and 20 seronegative animals were vaccinated twice, three weeks apart, with a commercial phase I vaccine, and phase-specific antibodies were determined in the course of vaccination. Although anti-phase II antibody reactivity predominated after vaccination compared to phase I, both anti-phase I- and -phase II-antibody-reactivity significantly increased after the first (p = 0.001) and again after the second vaccination (p = 0.05). Seroconversion did not significantly depend on age or natural infection status. Once the vaccination cycle was completed, the herd study observed a reduced rate of abortion and placenta retention. Our data demonstrated that the vaccine principally induced a similar antibody response as in goats and sheep. These preliminary data appeared to support vaccination in buffalo, even in seropositive animals, although further studies are needed to better define the dynamics concerning seroconversion in this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianmarco Ferrara
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples, "Federico II", Naples 80137, Italy.
| | - Consiglia Longobardi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples, "Federico II", Naples 80137, Italy
| | - Ugo Pagnini
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples, "Federico II", Naples 80137, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Iovane
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples, "Federico II", Naples 80137, Italy
| | - Francesco D'Ausilio
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples, "Federico II", Naples 80137, Italy
| | - Serena Montagnaro
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples, "Federico II", Naples 80137, Italy
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Meles DK, Khairullah AR, Mustofa I, Wurlina W, Akintunde AO, Suwasanti N, Mustofa RI, Putra SW, Moses IB, Kusala MKJ, Raissa R, Fauzia KA, Aryaloka S, Fauziah I, Yanestria SM, Wibowo S. Navigating Q fever: Current perspectives and challenges in outbreak preparedness. Open Vet J 2024; 14:2509-2524. [PMID: 39545195 PMCID: PMC11560256 DOI: 10.5455/ovj.2024.v14.i10.2] [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: 06/26/2024] [Accepted: 09/02/2024] [Indexed: 11/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Q fever, also known as query fever, is a zoonotic illness brought on by the Coxiella burnetii bacteria. This disease was first discovered in 1935 in Queensland, Australia. Worldwide, Q fever is a disease that requires notification, and certain nations classify it as a national health concern. A feature of C. burnetii is known as cell wall phase fluctuation. Serological testing is the main method used to diagnose Q fever illnesses. Inhalation is the primary method of C. burnetii transmission in both people and animals, with smaller amounts occurring through milk and milk product ingestion. The bacterial strain that is causing the infection determines how severe it is. Q fever is a significant zoonosis that can be dangerous for personnel working in veterinary laboratories, livestock breeding operations, and slaughterhouses due to its high human contagiousness. Coxiella burnetii is a biological weapon that can be sprayed on food, water, or even mail. It can also be employed as an aerosol. Antibiotics work well against this disease's acute form, but as the infection develops into a chronic form, treatment becomes more difficult and the illness frequently returns, which can result in a high death rate. Vaccination has been demonstrated to lower the incidence of animal infections, C. burnetii shedding, and abortion. Several hygienic precautions should be put in place during an outbreak to lessen the spread of disease to animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dewa Ketut Meles
- Division of Basic Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia
| | - Aswin Rafif Khairullah
- Research Center for Veterinary Science, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Bogor, Indonesia
| | - Imam Mustofa
- Division of Veterinary Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia
| | - Wurlina Wurlina
- Division of Veterinary Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia
| | - Adeyinka Oye Akintunde
- Department of Agriculture and Industrial Technology, Babcock University, Ilishan Remo, Nigeria
| | - Niluh Suwasanti
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Katolik Widya Mandala Surabaya, Surabaya, Indonesia
| | | | | | - Ikechukwu Benjamin Moses
- Department of Applied Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria
| | | | - Ricadonna Raissa
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang, Indonesia
| | - Kartika Afrida Fauzia
- Research Center for Preclinical and Clinical Medicine, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Bogor, Indonesia
- Department of Environmental and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Yufu, Japan
| | - Suhita Aryaloka
- Master Program of Veterinary Agribusiness, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia
| | - Ima Fauziah
- Research Center for Veterinary Science, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Bogor, Indonesia
| | | | - Syahputra Wibowo
- Eijkman Research Center for Molecular Biology, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Bogor, Indonesia
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7
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Grumov D, Kostarnoy A, Gancheva P, Kondratev A. A Simple and Rapid Microscale Method for Isolating Bacterial Lipopolysaccharides. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6345. [PMID: 38928052 PMCID: PMC11203638 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25126345] [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: 04/19/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Bacterial endotoxins (lipopolysaccharides (LPSs)) are important mediators of inflammatory processes induced by Gram-negative microorganisms. LPSs are the key inducers of septic shock due to a Gram-negative bacterial infection; thus, the structure and functions of LPSs are of specific interest. Often, highly purified bacterial endotoxins must be isolated from small amounts of biological material. Each of the currently available methods for LPS extraction has certain limitations. Herein, we describe a rapid and simple microscale method for extracting LPSs. The method consists of the following steps: ultrasonic destruction of the bacterial material, LPS extraction via heating, LPS purification with organic solvents, and treatment with proteinase K. LPSs that were extracted by using this method contained less than 2-3% protein and 1% total nucleic acid. We also demonstrated the structural integrity of the O-antigen and lipid A via the sodium dodecyl-sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) methods, respectively. We demonstrated the ability of the extracted LPSs to induce typical secretion of cytokines and chemokines by primary macrophages. Overall, this method may be used to isolate purified LPSs with preserved structures of both the O-antigen and lipid A and unchanged functional activity from small amounts of bacterial biomass.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniil Grumov
- Laboratory of Rickettsial Ecology, N. F. Gamaleya National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology, 123098 Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexey Kostarnoy
- Laboratory of Rickettsial Ecology, N. F. Gamaleya National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology, 123098 Moscow, Russia
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Deng L, Cheung S, Liu J, Chen J, Chen F, Zhang X, Liu H. Nanoplastics impair growth and nitrogen fixation of marine nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 350:123960. [PMID: 38608853 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
Nanoplastics pollution is a growing environmental problem worldwide. Recent research has demonstrated the toxic effects of nanoplastics on various marine organisms. However, the influences of nanoplastics on marine nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria, a critical nitrogen source in the ocean, remained unknown. Here, we report that nanoplastics exposure significantly reduced growth, photosynthetic, and nitrogen fixation rates of Crocosphaera watsonii (a major marine nitrogen-fixing cyanobacterium). Transcriptomic analysis revealed that nanoplastics might harm C. watsonii via downregulation of photosynthetic pathways and DNA damage repair genes, while genes for respiration, cell damage, nitrogen limitation, and iron (and phosphorus) scavenging were upregulated. The number and size of starch grains and electron-dense vacuoles increased significantly after nanoplastics exposure, suggesting that C. watsonii allocated more resources to storage instead of growth under stress. We propose that nanoplastics can damage the cell (e.g., DNA, cell membrane, and membrane-bound transporters), inhibit nitrogen and carbon fixation, and hence lead to nutrient limitation and impaired growth. Our findings suggest the possibility that nanoplastics pollution could reduce the new nitrogen input and hence affect the productivity in the ocean. The impact of nanoplastics on marine nitrogen fixation and productivity should be considered when predicting the ecosystem response and biogeochemical cycling in the changing ocean.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lixia Deng
- Department of Ocean Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, China
| | - Shunyan Cheung
- Institute of Marine Biology, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung, Taiwan; Center of Excellence for the Oceans, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung, Taiwan
| | - Jiaxing Liu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiawei Chen
- Department of Ocean Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, China
| | - Fengyuan Chen
- Department of Ocean Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, China; SZU-HKUST Joint PhD Program in Marine Environmental Science, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiaodong Zhang
- Department of Ocean Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, China
| | - Hongbin Liu
- Department of Ocean Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, China; Hong Kong Branch of Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, China.
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9
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van Schaik EJ, Fratzke AP, Gregory AE, Dumaine JE, Samuel JE. Vaccine development: obligate intracellular bacteria new tools, old pathogens: the current state of vaccines against obligate intracellular bacteria. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1282183. [PMID: 38567021 PMCID: PMC10985213 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1282183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Obligate intracellular bacteria have remained those for which effective vaccines are unavailable, mostly because protection does not solely rely on an antibody response. Effective antibody-based vaccines, however, have been developed against extracellular bacteria pathogens or toxins. Additionally, obligate intracellular bacteria have evolved many mechanisms to subvert the immune response, making vaccine development complex. Much of what we know about protective immunity for these pathogens has been determined using infection-resolved cases and animal models that mimic disease. These studies have laid the groundwork for antigen discovery, which, combined with recent advances in vaccinology, should allow for the development of safe and efficacious vaccines. Successful vaccines against obligate intracellular bacteria should elicit potent T cell memory responses, in addition to humoral responses. Furthermore, they ought to be designed to specifically induce strong cytotoxic CD8+ T cell responses for protective immunity. This review will describe what we know about the potentially protective immune responses to this group of bacteria. Additionally, we will argue that the novel delivery platforms used during the Sars-CoV-2 pandemic should be excellent candidates to produce protective immunity once antigens are discovered. We will then look more specifically into the vaccine development for Rickettsiaceae, Coxiella burnetti, and Anaplasmataceae from infancy until today. We have not included Chlamydia trachomatis in this review because of the many vaccine related reviews that have been written in recent years.
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Affiliation(s)
- E J van Schaik
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, School of Medicine, Texas A&M University, Medical Research and Education Building, Bryan, TX, United States
| | - A P Fratzke
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, School of Medicine, Texas A&M University, Medical Research and Education Building, Bryan, TX, United States
- Charles River Laboratories, Reno, NV, United States
| | - A E Gregory
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, School of Medicine, Texas A&M University, Medical Research and Education Building, Bryan, TX, United States
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Jennifer E Dumaine
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, School of Medicine, Texas A&M University, Medical Research and Education Building, Bryan, TX, United States
| | - J E Samuel
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, School of Medicine, Texas A&M University, Medical Research and Education Building, Bryan, TX, United States
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University (TAMU), College Station, TX, United States
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10
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Long CM, Beare PA, Cockrell D, Binette P, Tesfamariam M, Richards C, Anderson M, McCormick-Ell J, Brose M, Anderson R, Omsland A, Pearson T, Heinzen RA. Natural reversion promotes LPS elongation in an attenuated Coxiella burnetii strain. Nat Commun 2024; 15:697. [PMID: 38267444 PMCID: PMC10808227 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43972-y] [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: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) phase variation is a critical aspect of virulence in many Gram-negative bacteria. It is of particular importance to Coxiella burnetii, the biothreat pathogen that causes Q fever, as in vitro propagation of this organism leads to LPS truncation, which is associated with an attenuated and exempted from select agent status (Nine Mile II, NMII). Here, we demonstrate that NMII was recovered from the spleens of infected guinea pigs. Moreover, these strains exhibit a previously unrecognized form of elongated LPS and display increased virulence in comparison with the initial NMII strain. The reversion of a 3-bp mutation in the gene cbu0533 directly leads to LPS elongation. To address potential safety concerns, we introduce a modified NMII strain unable to produce elongated LPS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carrie M Long
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, 59840, USA.
| | - Paul A Beare
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, 59840, USA
| | - Diane Cockrell
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, 59840, USA
| | - Picabo Binette
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, 59840, USA
| | - Mahelat Tesfamariam
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, 59840, USA
| | - Crystal Richards
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, 59840, USA
| | - Matthew Anderson
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, 59840, USA
| | - Jessica McCormick-Ell
- Office of the Director, Office of Research Services, Division of Occupational Health and Safety, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Megan Brose
- Office of the Director, Office of Research Services, Division of Occupational Health and Safety, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, 59840, USA
| | - Rebecca Anderson
- Office of the Director, Office of Research Services, Division of Occupational Health and Safety, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, 59840, USA
| | - Anders Omsland
- Paul G. Allen School for Global Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164, USA
| | - Talima Pearson
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Microbial Genetics and Genomics, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, 86011, USA
| | - Robert A Heinzen
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, 59840, USA
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11
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Ebani VV. Coxiella burnetii Infection in Cats. Pathogens 2023; 12:1415. [PMID: 38133298 PMCID: PMC10747756 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12121415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Q fever is a zoonotic disease caused by Coxiella burnetii, with farm ruminants being considered the main sources of infection for humans. However, there have been several cases of the disease in people that have been related to domestic cats as well. Cats can become infected through various routes, including ingestion of raw milk, hunting and consuming infected rodents and birds, consumption of contaminated pet food, inhalation of contaminated aerosols and dust, and bites from hematophagous arthropods. Infected cats typically do not show symptoms, but pregnant queens may experience abortion or give birth to weak kittens. Accurate diagnosis using serological and molecular methods is crucial in detecting infected cats, allowing for prompt action with appropriate treatments and preventive measures. Breeders, cattery personnel, veterinarians, and owners should be informed about the risks of C. burnetii infections associated with cats experiencing reproductive disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Virginia Ebani
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy;
- Centre for Climate Change Impact, University of Pisa, Via del Borghetto 80, 56124 Pisa, Italy
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12
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Sam G, Stenos J, Graves SR, Rehm BHA. Q fever immunology: the quest for a safe and effective vaccine. NPJ Vaccines 2023; 8:133. [PMID: 37679410 PMCID: PMC10484952 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-023-00727-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Q fever is an infectious zoonotic disease, caused by the Gram-negative bacterium Coxiella burnetii. Transmission occurs from livestock to humans through inhalation of a survival form of the bacterium, the Small Cell Variant, often via handling of animal parturition products. Q fever manifests as an acute self-limiting febrile illness or as a chronic disease with complications such as vasculitis and endocarditis. The current preventative human Q fever vaccine Q-VAX poses limitations on its worldwide implementation due to reactogenic responses in pre-sensitized individuals. Many strategies have been undertaken to develop a universal Q fever vaccine but with little success to date. The mechanisms of the underlying reactogenic responses remain only partially understood and are important factors in the development of a safe Q fever vaccine. This review provides an overview of previous and current experimental vaccines developed for use against Q fever and proposes approaches to develop a vaccine that establishes immunological memory while eliminating harmful reactogenic responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gayathri Sam
- Centre for Cell Factories and Biopolymers, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD, 4111, Australia
| | - John Stenos
- Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory, University Hospital, Geelong, VIC, 3220, Australia
| | - Stephen R Graves
- Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory, University Hospital, Geelong, VIC, 3220, Australia
- Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute, NSW Department of Primary Industries, Menangle, NSW, 2567, Australia
| | - Bernd H A Rehm
- Centre for Cell Factories and Biopolymers, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD, 4111, Australia.
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, 4222, Australia.
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13
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Lan F, Saba J, Qian Y, Ross T, Landick R, Venturelli OS. Single-cell analysis of multiple invertible promoters reveals differential inversion rates as a strong determinant of bacterial population heterogeneity. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadg5476. [PMID: 37540747 PMCID: PMC10403206 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adg5476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023]
Abstract
Population heterogeneity can promote bacterial fitness in response to unpredictable environmental conditions. A major mechanism of phenotypic variability in the human gut symbiont Bacteroides spp. involves the inversion of promoters that drive the expression of capsular polysaccharides, which determine the architecture of the cell surface. High-throughput single-cell sequencing reveals substantial population heterogeneity generated through combinatorial promoter inversion regulated by a broadly conserved serine recombinase. Exploiting control over population diversification, we show that populations with different initial compositions converge to a similar composition over time. Combining our data with stochastic computational modeling, we demonstrate that the differential rates of promoter inversion are a major mechanism shaping population dynamics. More broadly, our approach could be used to interrogate single-cell combinatorial phase variable states of diverse microbes including bacterial pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Freeman Lan
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53726, USA
| | - Jason Saba
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53726, USA
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI 53726, USA
- Microbiology Doctoral Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Yili Qian
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53726, USA
| | - Tyler Ross
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53726, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Robert Landick
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53726, USA
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI 53726, USA
| | - Ophelia S. Venturelli
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53726, USA
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI 53726, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison 53706, WI, USA
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14
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Anderson MW, Binette P, Richards C, Beare PA, Heinzen RA, Long CM. A simple method for enrichment of phase I Coxiella burnetii. J Microbiol Methods 2023; 211:106787. [PMID: 37453478 PMCID: PMC10529119 DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2023.106787] [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: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Coxiella burnetii is the bacterial causative agent of the zoonosis Q fever. This bacterium undergoes lipopolysaccharide (LPS) phase transition similar to Enterobacteriaciae upon in vitro passage. Full-length, phase I C. burnetii LPS is a critical virulence factor and profoundly impacts vaccine-induced immunogenicity; thus, LPS phase is an important consideration in C. burnetii experimentation and Q fever vaccine design. Typically, phase I LPS-expressing organisms are obtained from the tissues of infected experimental animals. In this process, residual phase II LPS-expressing organisms are thought to be cleared by the host immune system. Here, we propose an efficient and non-animal-based method for the enrichment of C. burnetii phase I LPS-expressing bacteria in vitro. We utilize both Vero cell culture to selectively enrich solutions with phase I and intermediate phase LPS-expressing bacteria. This simple and quick method decreases reliance on experimental animals and is a sustainable solution for Q fever diagnostic and vaccine development hurdles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew W Anderson
- Coxiella Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Bacteriology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT 59840, USA
| | - Picabo Binette
- Coxiella Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Bacteriology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT 59840, USA
| | - Crystal Richards
- Coxiella Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Bacteriology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT 59840, USA
| | - Paul A Beare
- Coxiella Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Bacteriology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT 59840, USA
| | - Robert A Heinzen
- Coxiella Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Bacteriology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT 59840, USA
| | - Carrie M Long
- Coxiella Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Bacteriology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT 59840, USA.
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15
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França DAD, Mioni MDSR, Fornazari F, Rodrigues NJL, Polido LRF, Appolinario CM, Ribeiro BLD, Duré AÍDL, Silva MVF, Richini-Pereira VB, Langoni H, Megid J. Comparison of Three Serologic Tests for the Detection of Anti- Coxiella burnetii Antibodies in Patients with Q Fever. Pathogens 2023; 12:873. [PMID: 37513720 PMCID: PMC10386034 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12070873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The performance of a commercial immunofluorescence assay (IFA commercial), an in-house immunofluorescence assay (IFA in-house) and an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were evaluated in the detection of antibodies anti-C. burnetii in the serum of Q fever patients and persons without the disease. For the study, seropositive and seronegative samples for Q fever (n = 200) from a serum bank of the Instituto Adolfo Lutz in Brazil were used. Commercial IFA was considered in this study as the gold standard for diagnosing Q fever. The in-house IFA demonstrated good agreement with the commercial test, showing high sensitivity (91%) and specificity (97%) compared to the gold standard, with a Kappa coefficient of 0.8954. The indirect ELISA test showed lower agreement with the gold standard, showing low sensitivity (67%), although the specificity of the technique was high (97%) and the Kappa coefficient was moderate (0.6631). In-house IFA is an excellent alternative for diagnosing Q fever.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danilo Alves de França
- Department of Veterinary Hygiene and Public Health, São Paulo State University, Botucatu 05508-220, Brazil
| | | | - Felipe Fornazari
- Department of Veterinary Hygiene and Public Health, São Paulo State University, Botucatu 05508-220, Brazil
| | | | | | - Camila Michele Appolinario
- Department of Veterinary Hygiene and Public Health, São Paulo State University, Botucatu 05508-220, Brazil
| | | | - Ana Íris de Lima Duré
- Ezequiel Dias Foundation, Otávio Magalhães Institute, Belo Horizonte 30510-010, Brazil
| | | | | | - Helio Langoni
- Department of Veterinary Hygiene and Public Health, São Paulo State University, Botucatu 05508-220, Brazil
| | - Jane Megid
- Department of Veterinary Hygiene and Public Health, São Paulo State University, Botucatu 05508-220, Brazil
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16
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Fisher DJ, Beare PA. Recent advances in genetic systems in obligate intracellular human-pathogenic bacteria. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1202245. [PMID: 37404720 PMCID: PMC10315504 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1202245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The ability to genetically manipulate a pathogen is fundamental to discovering factors governing host-pathogen interactions at the molecular level and is critical for devising treatment and prevention strategies. While the genetic "toolbox" for many important bacterial pathogens is extensive, approaches for modifying obligate intracellular bacterial pathogens were classically limited due in part to the uniqueness of their obligatory lifestyles. Many researchers have confronted these challenges over the past two and a half decades leading to the development of multiple approaches to construct plasmid-bearing recombinant strains and chromosomal gene inactivation and deletion mutants, along with gene-silencing methods enabling the study of essential genes. This review will highlight seminal genetic achievements and recent developments (past 5 years) for Anaplasma spp., Rickettsia spp., Chlamydia spp., and Coxiella burnetii including progress being made for the still intractable Orientia tsutsugamushi. Alongside commentary of the strengths and weaknesses of the various approaches, future research directions will be discussed to include methods for C. burnetii that should have utility in the other obligate intracellular bacteria. Collectively, the future appears bright for unraveling the molecular pathogenic mechanisms of these significant pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derek J. Fisher
- School of Biological Sciences, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL, United States
| | - Paul A. Beare
- Rocky Mountain Laboratory, National Institute of Health, Hamilton, MT, United States
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17
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Kodori M, Amani J, Meshkat Z, Ahmadi A. Coxiella burnetii Pathogenesis: Emphasizing the Role of the Autophagic Pathway. ARCHIVES OF RAZI INSTITUTE 2023; 78:785-796. [PMID: 38028822 PMCID: PMC10657931 DOI: 10.22092/ari.2023.361161.2636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Coxiella burnetii (C. burnetii), the etiological agent of the Q fever disease, ranks among the most sporadic and persistent global public health concerns. Ruminants are the principal source of human infections and diseases present in both acute and chronic forms. This bacterium is an intracellular pathogen that can survive and reproduce under acidic (pH 4 to 5) and harsh circumstances that contain Coxiella-containing vacuoles. By undermining the autophagy defense system of the host cell, C. burnetii is able to take advantage of the autophagy pathway, which allows it to improve the movement of nutrients and the membrane, thereby extending the vacuole of the reproducing bacteria. For this method to work, it requires the participation of many bacterial effector proteins. In addition, the precise and prompt identification of the causative agent of an acute disease has the potential to delay the onset of its chronic form. Moreover, to make accurate and rapid diagnoses, it is necessary to create diagnostic devices. This review summarizes the most recent research on the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and diagnosis approaches of C. burnetii. This study also explored the complicated relationships between C. burnetii and the autophagic pathway, which are essential for intracellular reproduction and survival in host cells for the infection to be effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Kodori
- Molecular Biology Research Center, Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute, Baqiyatallah University, of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Non Communicable Diseases Research Center, Bam University of Medical Sciences, Bam, the Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - J Amani
- Applied Microbiology Research Center, Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute, Baqiyatallah University, of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Z Meshkat
- Department of Microbiology and Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - A Ahmadi
- Molecular Biology Research Center, Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute, Baqiyatallah University, of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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18
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Dold C, Zhu H, Silva-Reyes L, Blackwell L, Linder A, Bewley K, Godwin K, Fotheringham S, Charlton S, Kim YC, Pollard AJ, Rollier CS. Immunisation with purified Coxiella burnetii phase I lipopolysaccharide confers partial protection in mice independently of co-administered adenovirus vectored vaccines. Vaccine 2023; 41:3047-3057. [PMID: 37037709 PMCID: PMC10914673 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.04.012] [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: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2023]
Abstract
Q fever is a highly infectious zoonosis caused by the Gram-negative bacterium Coxiella burnetii. The worldwide distribution of Q fever suggests a need for vaccines that are more efficacious, affordable, and does not induce severe adverse reactions in vaccine recipients with pre-existing immunity against Q fever. Potential Q fever vaccine antigens include lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and several C. burnetii surface proteins. Antibodies elicited by purified C. burnetii lipopolysaccharide (LPS) correlate with protection against Q fever, while antigens encoded by adenoviral vectored vaccines can induce cellular immune responses which aid clearing of intracellular pathogens. In the present study, the immunogenicity and the protection induced by adenoviral vectored constructs formulated with the addition of LPS were assessed. Multiple vaccine constructs encoding single or fusion antigens from C. burnetii were synthesised. The adenoviral vectored vaccine constructs alone elicited strong cellular immunity, but this response was not correlative with protection in mice. However, vaccination with LPS was significantly associated with lower weight loss post-bacterial challenge independent of co-administration with adenoviral vaccine constructs, supporting further vaccine development based on LPS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Dold
- Oxford Vaccine Group, Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford, UK
| | - Henderson Zhu
- Oxford Vaccine Group, Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford, UK.
| | - Laura Silva-Reyes
- Oxford Vaccine Group, Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford, UK
| | - Luke Blackwell
- Oxford Vaccine Group, Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford, UK
| | - Aline Linder
- Oxford Vaccine Group, Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford, UK
| | - Kevin Bewley
- UKHSA Porton Down, Medical Interventions Group, Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK
| | - Kerry Godwin
- UKHSA Porton Down, Medical Interventions Group, Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK
| | - Susan Fotheringham
- UKHSA Porton Down, Medical Interventions Group, Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK
| | - Sue Charlton
- UKHSA Porton Down, Medical Interventions Group, Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK
| | - Young Chan Kim
- Oxford Vaccine Group, Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford, UK
| | - Andrew J Pollard
- Oxford Vaccine Group, Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford, UK
| | - Christine S Rollier
- Oxford Vaccine Group, Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford, UK; Section of Immunology, School of Biosciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
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19
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Wachter S, Larson CL, Virtaneva K, Kanakabandi K, Darwitz B, Crews B, Storrud K, Heinzen RA, Beare PA. A Survey of Two-Component Systems in Coxiella burnetii Reveals Redundant Regulatory Schemes and a Requirement for an Atypical PhoBR System in Mammalian Cell Infection. J Bacteriol 2023; 205:e0041622. [PMID: 36847507 PMCID: PMC10029714 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00416-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 03/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Coxiella burnetii is an obligate intracellular bacterium and the etiological agent of Q fever in humans. C. burnetii transitions between a replicative, metabolically active large-cell variant (LCV) and a spore-like, quiescent small-cell variant (SCV) as a likely mechanism to ensure survival between host cells and mammalian hosts. C. burnetii encodes three canonical two-component systems, four orphan hybrid histidine kinases, five orphan response regulators, and a histidine phosphotransfer protein, which have been speculated to play roles in the signaling required for C. burnetii morphogenesis and virulence. However, very few of these systems have been characterized. By employing a CRISPR interference system for genetic manipulation of C. burnetii, we created single- and multigene transcriptional knockdown strains targeting most of these signaling genes. Through this, we revealed a role for the C. burnetii PhoBR canonical two-component system in virulence, regulation of [Pi] maintenance, and Pi transport. We also outline a novel mechanism by which PhoBR function may be regulated by an atypical PhoU-like protein. We also determined that the GacA.2/GacA.3/GacA.4/GacS orphan response regulators coordinately and disparately regulate expression of SCV-associated genes in C. burnetii LCVs. These foundational results will inform future studies on the role of C. burnetii two-component systems in virulence and morphogenesis. IMPORTANCE C. burnetii is an obligate intracellular bacterium with a spore-like stability allowing it to survive long periods of time in the environment. This stability is likely due to its biphasic developmental cycle, whereby it can transition from an environmentally stable small-cell variant (SCV) to a metabolically active large-cell variant (LCV). Here, we define the role of two-component phosphorelay systems (TCS) in C. burnetii's ability to survive within the harsh environment contained in the phagolysosome of host cells. We show that the canonical PhoBR TCS has an important role in C. burnetii virulence and phosphate sensing. Further examination of the regulons controlled by orphan regulators indicated a role in modulating gene expression of SCV-associated genes, including genes essential for cell wall remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaun Wachter
- Coxiella Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Bacteriology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, USA
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Charles L. Larson
- Coxiella Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Bacteriology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, USA
| | - Kimmo Virtaneva
- Research Technologies Branch, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Hamilton, Montana, USA
| | - Kishore Kanakabandi
- Research Technologies Branch, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Hamilton, Montana, USA
| | - Benjamin Darwitz
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Ben Crews
- Research Technologies Branch, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Hamilton, Montana, USA
| | - Keelee Storrud
- Research Technologies Branch, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Hamilton, Montana, USA
| | - Robert A. Heinzen
- Coxiella Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Bacteriology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, USA
| | - Paul A. Beare
- Coxiella Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Bacteriology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, USA
- Research Technologies Branch, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Hamilton, Montana, USA
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Pires H, Cardoso L, Lopes AP, Fontes MDC, Matos M, Pintado C, Figueira L, Mesquita JR, Matos AC, Coelho AC. Seropositivity for Coxiella burnetii in Wild Boar ( Sus scrofa) and Red Deer ( Cervus elaphus) in Portugal. Pathogens 2023; 12:421. [PMID: 36986343 PMCID: PMC10057195 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12030421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Q fever is caused by the pathogen Coxiella burnetii and is a zoonosis that naturally infects goats, sheep, and cats, but can also infect humans, birds, reptiles, or arthropods. A survey was conducted for the detection of antibodies against C. burnetii in a sample of 617 free-ranging wild ruminants, 358 wild boar (Sus scrofa) and 259 red deer (Cervus elaphus), in east-central Portugal during the 2016-2022 hunting seasons. Only adult animals were sampled in this study. Antibodies specific to C. burnetii were detected using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA; IDVet®, Montpellier, France) according to the manufacturer's instructions. The seroprevalence of C. burnetii infection was 1.5% (n = 9; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.7-2.8%). Antibodies against C. burnetii were detected in 4/358 wild boar (1.1%; 95% CI: CI: 0.3-2.8%) and 5/259 red deer (1.9%; 0.6-4.5%). Results of the present study indicate that antibodies against C. burnetii were present in wild boar and red deer in Portugal. These findings can help local health authorities to focus on the problem of C. burnetii in wildlife and facilitate the application of a One Health approach to its prevention and control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Humberto Pires
- Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco, 5200-130 Castelo Branco, Portugal
| | - Luís Cardoso
- Animal and Veterinary Research Centre, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), 5000-801556 Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Ana Patrícia Lopes
- Animal and Veterinary Research Centre, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), 5000-801556 Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Maria da Conceição Fontes
- Animal and Veterinary Research Centre, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), 5000-801556 Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Manuela Matos
- Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), UTAD, 5000-556 Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Cristina Pintado
- Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco, 5200-130 Castelo Branco, Portugal
| | - Luís Figueira
- Research Center for Natural Resources, Environment and Society, Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco, 5200-130 Castelo Branco, Portugal
- Researcher at Q-RURAL—Quality of Life in the Rural World, Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco, 5200-130 Castelo Branco, Portugal
| | - João Rodrigo Mesquita
- ICBAS—School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Porto University, 4099-002 Porto, Portugal
- Epidemiology Research Unit (EPIUnit), Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do Porto, 4099-002 Porto, Portugal
- Laboratório para a Investigação Integrativa e Translacional em Saúde Populacional (ITR), 4099-002 Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana Cristina Matos
- Research Center for Natural Resources, Environment and Society, Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco, 5200-130 Castelo Branco, Portugal
- Researcher at Q-RURAL—Quality of Life in the Rural World, Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco, 5200-130 Castelo Branco, Portugal
| | - Ana Cláudia Coelho
- Animal and Veterinary Research Centre, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), 5000-801556 Vila Real, Portugal
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21
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Williams-Macdonald SE, Mitchell M, Frew D, Palarea-Albaladejo J, Ewing D, Golde WT, Longbottom D, Nisbet AJ, Livingstone M, Hamilton CM, Fitzgerald SF, Buus S, Bach E, Dinkla A, Roest HJ, Koets AP, McNeilly TN. Efficacy of Phase I and Phase II Coxiella burnetii Bacterin Vaccines in a Pregnant Ewe Challenge Model. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:vaccines11030511. [PMID: 36992095 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11030511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The bacterium Coxiella burnetii can cause the disease Q-fever in a wide range of animal hosts. Ruminants, including sheep, are thought to play a pivotal role in the transmission of C. burnetii to humans; however, the only existing livestock vaccine, namely, Coxevac® (Ceva Animal Health Ltd., Libourne, France), a killed bacterin vaccine based on phase I C. burnetii strain Nine-Mile, is only approved for use in goats and cattle. In this study, a pregnant ewe challenge model was used to determine the protective effects of Coxevac® and an experimental bacterin vaccine based on phase II C. burnetii against C. burnetii challenge. Prior to mating, ewes (n = 20 per group) were vaccinated subcutaneously with either Coxevac®, the phase II vaccine, or were unvaccinated. A subset of pregnant ewes (n = 6) from each group was then challenged 151 days later (~100 days of gestation) with 106 infectious mouse doses of C. burnetii, Nine-Mile strain RSA493. Both vaccines provided protection against C. burnetii challenge as measured by reductions in bacterial shedding in faeces, milk and vaginal mucus, and reduced abnormal pregnancies, compared to unvaccinated controls. This work highlights that the phase I vaccine Coxevac® can protect ewes against C. burnetii infection. Furthermore, the phase II vaccine provided comparable levels of protection and may offer a safer and cost-effective alternative to the currently licensed vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mairi Mitchell
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Midlothian EH26 0PZ, UK
| | - David Frew
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Midlothian EH26 0PZ, UK
| | - Javier Palarea-Albaladejo
- Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland, JCMB, The King's Buildings, Peter Guthrie Tait Road, Edinburgh EH9 3FD, UK
| | - David Ewing
- Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland, JCMB, The King's Buildings, Peter Guthrie Tait Road, Edinburgh EH9 3FD, UK
| | - William T Golde
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Midlothian EH26 0PZ, UK
| | - David Longbottom
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Midlothian EH26 0PZ, UK
| | - Alasdair J Nisbet
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Midlothian EH26 0PZ, UK
| | - Morag Livingstone
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Midlothian EH26 0PZ, UK
| | - Clare M Hamilton
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Midlothian EH26 0PZ, UK
| | - Stephen F Fitzgerald
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Midlothian EH26 0PZ, UK
| | - Søren Buus
- Department of Immunology & Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, DK 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Emil Bach
- Department of Immunology & Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, DK 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Annemieke Dinkla
- Department of Bacteriology, Host-Pathogen Interaction and Diagnostics, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Houtribweg 39, 8221 RA Lelystad, The Netherlands
| | - Hendrik-Jan Roest
- Department of Bacteriology, Host-Pathogen Interaction and Diagnostics, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Houtribweg 39, 8221 RA Lelystad, The Netherlands
| | - Ad P Koets
- Department of Bacteriology, Host-Pathogen Interaction and Diagnostics, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Houtribweg 39, 8221 RA Lelystad, The Netherlands
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 7, 3584 CL Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Tom N McNeilly
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Midlothian EH26 0PZ, UK
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22
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Tomaiuolo S, Jansen W, Soares Martins S, Devriendt B, Cox E, Mori M. QuilA® adjuvanted Coxevac® sustains Th1-CD8 +-type immunity and increases protection in Coxiella burnetii-challenged goats. NPJ Vaccines 2023; 8:17. [PMID: 36788233 PMCID: PMC9929268 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-023-00607-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Coxevac® is the EMA-approved veterinary vaccine for the protection of cattle and goats against Q fever, a zoonotic bacterial disease due to Coxiella burnetii. Since Coxevac® reduces bacterial shedding and clinical symptoms but does not prevent infection, novel, ready-to-use vaccine formulations are needed to increase its immunogenicity. Here, a goat vaccination-challenge model was used to evaluate the impact of the commercially available saponin-based QuilA® adjuvant on Coxevac® immunity. Upon challenge, the QuilA®-Coxevac® group showed a stronger immune response reflected in a higher magnitude of total IgG and an increase in circulating and splenic CD8+ T-cells compared to the Coxevac® and challenged-control groups. The QuilA®-Coxevac® group was characterized by a targeted Th1-type response (IFNγ, IP10) associated with increased transcripts of CD8+ and NK cells in spleens and γδ T cells in bronchial lymph nodes. Coxevac® vaccinated animals presented an intermediate expression of Th1-related genes, while the challenged-control group showed an immune response characterized by pro-inflammatory (IL1β, TNFα, IL12), Th2 (IL4 and IL13), Th17 (IL17A) and other immunoregulatory cytokines (IL6, IL10). An intriguing role was observed for γδ T cells, which were of TBX21- and SOX4-types in the QuilA®-Coxevac® and challenged control group, respectively. Overall, the addition of QuilA® resulted in a sustained Th1-type activation associated with an increased vaccine-induced bacterial clearance of 33.3% as compared to Coxevac® only. QuilA® could be proposed as a readily-applied veterinary solution to improve Coxevac® efficacy against C. burnetii infection in field settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Tomaiuolo
- grid.508031.fBacterial Zoonoses Unit, Veterinary Bacteriology, Infectious Diseases in Animals Scientific Directorate, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium ,National Reference Centre for Coxiella burnetii and Bartonella, Brussels, Belgium ,grid.5342.00000 0001 2069 7798Laboratory of Immunology, Department of Translational Physiology, Infectiology and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Wiebke Jansen
- grid.508031.fBacterial Zoonoses Unit, Veterinary Bacteriology, Infectious Diseases in Animals Scientific Directorate, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium ,National Reference Centre for Coxiella burnetii and Bartonella, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Susana Soares Martins
- grid.508031.fBacterial Zoonoses Unit, Veterinary Bacteriology, Infectious Diseases in Animals Scientific Directorate, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Bert Devriendt
- grid.5342.00000 0001 2069 7798Laboratory of Immunology, Department of Translational Physiology, Infectiology and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Eric Cox
- grid.5342.00000 0001 2069 7798Laboratory of Immunology, Department of Translational Physiology, Infectiology and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Marcella Mori
- Bacterial Zoonoses Unit, Veterinary Bacteriology, Infectious Diseases in Animals Scientific Directorate, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium. .,National Reference Centre for Coxiella burnetii and Bartonella, Brussels, Belgium.
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23
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Yadav A, Brewer MN, Elshahed MS, Shaw EI. Comparative Transcriptomics and Genomics from Continuous Axenic Media Growth Identifies Coxiella burnetii Intracellular Survival Strategies. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.06.527305. [PMID: 36798183 PMCID: PMC9934583 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.06.527305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
Coxiella burnetii (Cb) is an obligate intracellular pathogen in nature and the causative agent of acute Q fever as well as chronic diseases. In an effort to identify genes and proteins crucial to their normal intracellular growth lifestyle, we applied a "Reverse evolution" approach where the avirulent Nine Mile Phase II strain of Cb was grown for 67 passages in chemically defined ACCM-D media and gene expression patterns and genome integrity from various passages was compared to passage number one following intracellular growth. Transcriptomic analysis identified a marked downregulation of the structural components of the type 4B secretion system (T4BSS), the general secretory (sec) pathway, as well as 14 out of 118 previously identified genes encoding effector proteins. Additional downregulated pathogenicity determinants genes included several chaperones, LPS, and peptidoglycan biosynthesis. A general marked downregulation of central metabolic pathways was also observed, which was balanced by a marked upregulation of genes encoding transporters. This pattern reflected the richness of the media and diminishing anabolic and ATP-generation needs. Finally, genomic sequencing and comparative genomic analysis demonstrated an extremely low level of mutation across passages, despite the observed Cb gene expression changes following acclimation to axenic media.
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Affiliation(s)
- Archana Yadav
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics. Oklahoma State University. Stillwater, OK.USA
| | - Melissa N. Brewer
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics. Oklahoma State University. Stillwater, OK.USA
- Biological Sciences. Southeastern Oklahoma State University. Durant, OK. USA
| | - Mostafa S. Elshahed
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics. Oklahoma State University. Stillwater, OK.USA
| | - Edward I. Shaw
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics. Oklahoma State University. Stillwater, OK.USA
- Department of Biomedical Sciences. Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Moultrie, GA. USA
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24
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Yadav A, Brewer MN, Elshahed MS, Shaw EI. Comparative transcriptomics and genomics from continuous axenic media growth identifies Coxiella burnetii intracellular survival strategies. Pathog Dis 2023; 81:ftad009. [PMID: 37193663 PMCID: PMC10237335 DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftad009] [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: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Coxiella burnetii (Cb) is an obligate intracellular pathogen in nature and the causative agent of acute Q fever as well as chronic diseases. In an effort to identify genes and proteins crucial to their normal intracellular growth lifestyle, we applied a 'reverse evolution' approach where the avirulent Nine Mile Phase II strain of Cb was grown for 67 passages in chemically defined ACCM-D media and gene expression patterns and genome integrity from various passages was compared to passage number one following intracellular growth. Transcriptomic analysis identified a marked downregulation of the structural components of the type 4B secretion system (T4BSS), the general secretory (Sec) pathway, as well as 14 out of 118 previously identified genes encoding effector proteins. Additional downregulated pathogenicity determinants genes included several chaperones, LPS, and peptidoglycan biosynthesis. A general marked downregulation of central metabolic pathways was also observed, which was balanced by a marked upregulation of genes encoding transporters. This pattern reflected the richness of the media and diminishing anabolic, and ATP-generation needs. Finally, genomic sequencing and comparative genomic analysis demonstrated an extremely low level of mutation across passages, despite the observed Cb gene expression changes following acclimation to axenic media.
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Affiliation(s)
- Archana Yadav
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Oklahoma State University,, 74078 Stillwater, OK, United States
| | - Melissa N Brewer
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Oklahoma State University,, 74078 Stillwater, OK, United States
- Biological Sciences, Southeastern Oklahoma State University, 74078 Durant, OK, United States
| | - Mostafa S Elshahed
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Oklahoma State University,, 74078 Stillwater, OK, United States
| | - Edward I Shaw
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Oklahoma State University,, 74078 Stillwater, OK, United States
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, 74078 Moultrie, GA, United States
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25
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Kohl L, Siddique MNAA, Bodendorfer B, Berger R, Preikschat A, Daniel C, Ölke M, Liebler‐Tenorio E, Schulze‐Luehrmann J, Mauermeir M, Yang K, Hayek I, Szperlinski M, Andrack J, Schleicher U, Bozec A, Krönke G, Murray PJ, Wirtz S, Yamamoto M, Schatz V, Jantsch J, Oefner P, Degrandi D, Pfeffer K, Mertens‐Scholz K, Rauber S, Bogdan C, Dettmer K, Lührmann A, Lang R. Macrophages inhibit Coxiella burnetii by the ACOD1-itaconate pathway for containment of Q fever. EMBO Mol Med 2022; 15:e15931. [PMID: 36479617 PMCID: PMC9906395 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202215931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Infection with the intracellular bacterium Coxiella (C.) burnetii can cause chronic Q fever with severe complications and limited treatment options. Here, we identify the enzyme cis-aconitate decarboxylase 1 (ACOD1 or IRG1) and its product itaconate as protective host immune pathway in Q fever. Infection of mice with C. burnetii induced expression of several anti-microbial candidate genes, including Acod1. In macrophages, Acod1 was essential for restricting C. burnetii replication, while other antimicrobial pathways were dispensable. Intratracheal or intraperitoneal infection of Acod1-/- mice caused increased C. burnetii burden, weight loss and stronger inflammatory gene expression. Exogenously added itaconate restored pathogen control in Acod1-/- mouse macrophages and blocked replication in human macrophages. In axenic cultures, itaconate directly inhibited growth of C. burnetii. Finally, treatment of infected Acod1-/- mice with itaconate efficiently reduced the tissue pathogen load. Thus, ACOD1-derived itaconate is a key factor in the macrophage-mediated defense against C. burnetii and may be exploited for novel therapeutic approaches in chronic Q fever.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Kohl
- Mikrobiologisches Institut – Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und HygieneUniversitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich‐Alexander‐Universität (FAU) Erlangen‐NürnbergErlangenGermany
| | - Md Nur A Alam Siddique
- Mikrobiologisches Institut – Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und HygieneUniversitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich‐Alexander‐Universität (FAU) Erlangen‐NürnbergErlangenGermany
| | - Barbara Bodendorfer
- Mikrobiologisches Institut – Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und HygieneUniversitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich‐Alexander‐Universität (FAU) Erlangen‐NürnbergErlangenGermany
| | - Raffaela Berger
- Institute of Functional GenomicsUniversity of RegensburgRegensburgGermany
| | - Annica Preikschat
- Mikrobiologisches Institut – Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und HygieneUniversitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich‐Alexander‐Universität (FAU) Erlangen‐NürnbergErlangenGermany
| | - Christoph Daniel
- Department of NephropathologyUniversitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich‐Alexander‐Universität Erlangen‐NürnbergErlangenGermany
| | - Martha Ölke
- Mikrobiologisches Institut – Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und HygieneUniversitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich‐Alexander‐Universität (FAU) Erlangen‐NürnbergErlangenGermany
| | - Elisabeth Liebler‐Tenorio
- Institute of Molecular Pathogenesis, Friedrich‐Loeffler‐Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal HealthJenaGermany
| | - Jan Schulze‐Luehrmann
- Mikrobiologisches Institut – Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und HygieneUniversitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich‐Alexander‐Universität (FAU) Erlangen‐NürnbergErlangenGermany
| | - Michael Mauermeir
- Mikrobiologisches Institut – Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und HygieneUniversitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich‐Alexander‐Universität (FAU) Erlangen‐NürnbergErlangenGermany
| | - Kai‐Ting Yang
- Department of Medicine 3Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich‐Alexander‐Universität Erlangen‐NürnbergErlangenGermany,Deutsches Zentrum für Immuntherapie (DZI)Friedrich‐Alexander‐Universität Erlangen‐Nürnberg and Universitätsklinikum ErlangenErlangenGermany
| | - Inaya Hayek
- Mikrobiologisches Institut – Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und HygieneUniversitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich‐Alexander‐Universität (FAU) Erlangen‐NürnbergErlangenGermany
| | - Manuela Szperlinski
- Mikrobiologisches Institut – Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und HygieneUniversitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich‐Alexander‐Universität (FAU) Erlangen‐NürnbergErlangenGermany
| | - Jennifer Andrack
- Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Friedrich‐Loeffler‐Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal HealthJenaGermany
| | - Ulrike Schleicher
- Mikrobiologisches Institut – Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und HygieneUniversitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich‐Alexander‐Universität (FAU) Erlangen‐NürnbergErlangenGermany,Medical Immunology Campus ErlangenFAU Erlangen‐NürnbergErlangenGermany
| | - Aline Bozec
- Department of Medicine 3Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich‐Alexander‐Universität Erlangen‐NürnbergErlangenGermany,Medical Immunology Campus ErlangenFAU Erlangen‐NürnbergErlangenGermany
| | - Gerhard Krönke
- Department of Medicine 3Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich‐Alexander‐Universität Erlangen‐NürnbergErlangenGermany,Medical Immunology Campus ErlangenFAU Erlangen‐NürnbergErlangenGermany
| | | | - Stefan Wirtz
- Deutsches Zentrum für Immuntherapie (DZI)Friedrich‐Alexander‐Universität Erlangen‐Nürnberg and Universitätsklinikum ErlangenErlangenGermany,Medical Immunology Campus ErlangenFAU Erlangen‐NürnbergErlangenGermany,Department of Medicine 1Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich‐Alexander‐Universität Erlangen‐NürnbergErlangenGermany
| | | | - Valentin Schatz
- Institute of Clinical MicrobiologyUniversity Hospital RegensburgRegensburgGermany
| | - Jonathan Jantsch
- Institute of Clinical MicrobiologyUniversity Hospital RegensburgRegensburgGermany,Present address:
Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and HygieneUniversity Hospital Cologne and Faculty of Medicine, University of CologneCologneGermany
| | - Peter Oefner
- Institute of Functional GenomicsUniversity of RegensburgRegensburgGermany
| | - Daniel Degrandi
- Institute of Medical MicrobiologyHeinrich Heine University DüsseldorfDüsseldorfGermany
| | - Klaus Pfeffer
- Institute of Medical MicrobiologyHeinrich Heine University DüsseldorfDüsseldorfGermany
| | - Katja Mertens‐Scholz
- Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Friedrich‐Loeffler‐Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal HealthJenaGermany
| | - Simon Rauber
- Department of Medicine 3Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich‐Alexander‐Universität Erlangen‐NürnbergErlangenGermany,Deutsches Zentrum für Immuntherapie (DZI)Friedrich‐Alexander‐Universität Erlangen‐Nürnberg and Universitätsklinikum ErlangenErlangenGermany
| | - Christian Bogdan
- Mikrobiologisches Institut – Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und HygieneUniversitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich‐Alexander‐Universität (FAU) Erlangen‐NürnbergErlangenGermany,Medical Immunology Campus ErlangenFAU Erlangen‐NürnbergErlangenGermany
| | - Katja Dettmer
- Institute of Functional GenomicsUniversity of RegensburgRegensburgGermany
| | - Anja Lührmann
- Mikrobiologisches Institut – Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und HygieneUniversitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich‐Alexander‐Universität (FAU) Erlangen‐NürnbergErlangenGermany,Medical Immunology Campus ErlangenFAU Erlangen‐NürnbergErlangenGermany
| | - Roland Lang
- Mikrobiologisches Institut – Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und HygieneUniversitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich‐Alexander‐Universität (FAU) Erlangen‐NürnbergErlangenGermany,Medical Immunology Campus ErlangenFAU Erlangen‐NürnbergErlangenGermany
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26
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Tesfamariam M, Binette P, Cockrell D, Beare PA, Heinzen RA, Shaia C, Long CM. Characterization of Coxiella burnetii Dugway Strain Host-Pathogen Interactions In Vivo. Microorganisms 2022; 10:2261. [PMID: 36422331 PMCID: PMC9692954 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10112261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Coxiella burnetii is a Gram-negative, intracellular bacterium that causes the zoonosis Q fever. Among the many natural isolates of C. burnetii recovered from various sources, the Dugway group exhibits unique genetic characteristics, including the largest C. burnetii genomes. These strains were isolated during 1954-1958 from wild rodents from the Utah, USA desert. Despite retaining phase I lipopolysaccharide and the type 4B secretion system, two critical virulence factors, avirulence has been reported in a guinea pig infection model. Using guinea pig models, we evaluated the virulence, whole-cell vaccine (WCV) efficacy, and post-vaccination hypersensitivity (PVH) potential of a representative Dugway strain. Consistent with prior reports, Dugway appeared to be highly attenuated compared to a virulent strain. Indeed, Dugway-infected animals showed similarly low levels of fever, body weight loss, and splenomegaly like Nine Mile II-infected animals. When compared to a human Q fever vaccine, QVax®, Dugway WCV exhibited analogous protection against a heterologous Nine Mile I challenge. PVH was investigated in a skin-testing model which revealed significantly decreased maximum erythema in Dugway Δdot/icm WCV-skin-tested animals compared to that of QVax®. These data provide insight into this unique bacterial strain and implicate its potential use as a mutated WCV candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahelat Tesfamariam
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT 59840, USA
| | - Picabo Binette
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT 59840, USA
| | - Diane Cockrell
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT 59840, USA
| | - Paul A. Beare
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT 59840, USA
| | - Robert A. Heinzen
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT 59840, USA
| | - Carl Shaia
- Rocky Mountain Veterinary Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT 59840, USA
| | - Carrie Mae Long
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT 59840, USA
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27
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Böttcher J, Bauer BU, Ambros C, Alex M, Domes U, Roth S, Boll K, Korneli M, Bogner KH, Randt A, Janowetz B. Long-term control of Coxiellosis in sheep by annual primary vaccination of gimmers. Vaccine 2022; 40:5197-5206. [PMID: 35914960 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2022.07.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Coxiella (C.) burnetii, a Gram-negative intracellular bacterium, causes Q fever in humans and Coxiellosis in animals. Ruminants are a primary source of human infection with C.burnetii. In 2013, vaccination was implemented in a sheep flock with 650 ewes associated with two outbreaks of Q fever in humans in 2008 and 2012. Only gimmers (yearlings) received two doses of a commercial C.burnetii phase I whole cell vaccine three weeks apart (primary vaccination) without any revaccination. Vaginal and nasal swabs collected shortly after lambing were tested by qPCR. Additionally, a group of non-vaccinated sentinels was serologically monitored for phase I (PhI), II (PhII) antibodies and for Interferon γ (IFN-γ) after stimulation of whole blood cells with PhII-antigen with and without an IL-10-neutralizing monoclonal antibody. In 2021, 679 sera collected in 2014-2021 were retested retrospectively with three commercial ELISA kits and one batch of an in-house PhI/PhII-ELISA. A low-level shedding of C.burnetii (<103 mean C.burnetii/swab) was observed until 2014. In 2021 C.burnetii was detected in two animals (<103.1C.burnetii/swab), but vaginal swabs collected at two subsequent lambing seasons remained negative. Seroconversion of sentinels was detected until 2017. However, the retrospective analysis of sentinels in 2021 revealed additional single seropositive animals from 2018 to 2021. IFN-γ reactivity was observed during the whole study period; it peaked in 2014 and in 2018 and decreased thereafter. The sporadic detection of C.burnetii and the immune responses of sentinels suggested that a subliminal infection persisted despite vaccination. Nevertheless, vaccination of gimmers prevented the development of a major outbreak, it controlled the infection and reduced the risk of human infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens Böttcher
- Animal Health Service, Bavaria, Senator-Gerauer-Str. 23, 85586 Poing, Germany.
| | - Benjamin U Bauer
- Animal Health Service, Bavaria, Senator-Gerauer-Str. 23, 85586 Poing, Germany; Current address: University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Clinic for Swine and Small Ruminants, Forensic Medicine and Ambulatory Service, Bischofsholer Damm 15, 30173 Hannover, Germany
| | - Christina Ambros
- Animal Health Service, Bavaria, Senator-Gerauer-Str. 23, 85586 Poing, Germany
| | - Michaela Alex
- Animal Health Service, Bavaria, Senator-Gerauer-Str. 23, 85586 Poing, Germany
| | - Ursula Domes
- Animal Health Service, Bavaria, Senator-Gerauer-Str. 23, 85586 Poing, Germany
| | - Sabine Roth
- Staatl. Veterinäramt, Landratsamt Main-Spessart, Würzburger Str. 9 a, D-97753 Karlstadt
| | - Kerstin Boll
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Eggenreuther Weg 43, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Martin Korneli
- Staatl. Veterinäramt, Landratsamt Main-Spessart, Würzburger Str. 9 a, D-97753 Karlstadt
| | - Karl-Heinz Bogner
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Eggenreuther Weg 43, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Andreas Randt
- Animal Health Service, Bavaria, Senator-Gerauer-Str. 23, 85586 Poing, Germany
| | - Britta Janowetz
- Animal Health Service, Bavaria, Senator-Gerauer-Str. 23, 85586 Poing, Germany
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28
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Fu M, Liu Y, Wang G, Wang P, Zhang J, Chen C, Zhao M, Zhang S, Jiao J, Ouyang X, Yu Y, Wen B, He C, Wang J, Zhou D, Xiong X. A protein–protein interaction map reveals that the Coxiella burnetii effector CirB inhibits host proteasome activity. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010660. [PMID: 35816513 PMCID: PMC9273094 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Coxiella burnetii is the etiological agent of the zoonotic disease Q fever, which is featured by its ability to replicate in acid vacuoles resembling the lysosomal network. One key virulence determinant of C. burnetii is the Dot/Icm system that transfers more than 150 effector proteins into host cells. These effectors function to construct the lysosome-like compartment permissive for bacterial replication, but the functions of most of these effectors remain elusive. In this study, we used an affinity tag purification mass spectrometry (AP-MS) approach to generate a C. burnetii-human protein-protein interaction (PPI) map involving 53 C. burnetii effectors and 3480 host proteins. This PPI map revealed that the C. burnetii effector CBU0425 (designated CirB) interacts with most subunits of the 20S core proteasome. We found that ectopically expressed CirB inhibits hydrolytic activity of the proteasome. In addition, overexpression of CirB in C. burnetii caused dramatic inhibition of proteasome activity in host cells, while knocking down CirB expression alleviated such inhibitory effects. Moreover, we showed that a region of CirB that spans residues 91–120 binds to the proteasome subunit PSMB5 (beta 5). Finally, PSMB5 knockdown promotes C. burnetii virulence, highlighting the importance of proteasome activity modulation during the course of C. burnetii infection. As the causative agent of Q fever, C. burnetii colonizes host cells by transferring effector proteins into the host cytoplasm through its Dot/Icm secretion system to construct a replicative vacuole. The function of effectors remains largely unknown. Here, we performed a large-scale AP-MS screen to analyze the interactions among C. burnetii effectors and human proteins. These analyses found that CirB functions as an inhibitor of host proteasome activity, revealing that proteasome activity is important for intracellular survival of C. burnetii. Our data have laid the foundation for future exploring the molecular mechanisms underlying the roles of C. burnetii effectors in its virulence and for the identification of novel potential drug targets for the development of novel therapeutic treatment for C. burnetii infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengjiao Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medicine Sciences, Fengtai, Beijing,China
| | - Yuchen Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences, Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing, China
| | - Guannan Wang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Peng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medicine Sciences, Fengtai, Beijing,China
| | - Jianing Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medicine Sciences, Fengtai, Beijing,China
| | - Chen Chen
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| | - Mingliang Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medicine Sciences, Fengtai, Beijing,China
| | - Shan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medicine Sciences, Fengtai, Beijing,China
| | - Jun Jiao
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medicine Sciences, Fengtai, Beijing,China
| | - Xuan Ouyang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medicine Sciences, Fengtai, Beijing,China
| | - Yonghui Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medicine Sciences, Fengtai, Beijing,China
| | - Bohai Wen
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medicine Sciences, Fengtai, Beijing,China
| | - Chengzhi He
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Jian Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences, Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing, China
| | - Dongsheng Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medicine Sciences, Fengtai, Beijing,China
- * E-mail: , (DZ); (XX)
| | - Xiaolu Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medicine Sciences, Fengtai, Beijing,China
- * E-mail: , (DZ); (XX)
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Ölander M, Sixt BS. Bringing genetics to heretofore intractable obligate intracellular bacterial pathogens: Chlamydia and beyond. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010669. [PMID: 35901011 PMCID: PMC9333220 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Magnus Ölander
- Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- The Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS), Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR), Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Barbara S. Sixt
- Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- The Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS), Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR), Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
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Hayek I, Szperlinski M, Lührmann A. Coxiella burnetii Affects HIF1α Accumulation and HIF1α Target Gene Expression. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:867689. [PMID: 35755850 PMCID: PMC9218251 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.867689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
HIF1α is an important transcription factor regulating not only cellular responses to hypoxia, but also anti-infective defense responses. We recently showed that HIF1α hampers replication of the obligate intracellular pathogen Coxiella burnetii which causes the zoonotic disease Q fever. Prior to development of chronic Q fever, it is assumed that the bacteria enter a persistent state. As HIF1α and/or hypoxia might be involved in the induction of C. burnetii persistence, we analyzed the role of HIF1α and hypoxia in the interaction of macrophages with C. burnetii to understand how the bacteria manipulate HIF1α stability and activity. We demonstrate that a C. burnetii-infection initially induces HIF1α stabilization, which decreases then over the course of an infection. This reduction depends on bacterial viability and a functional type IV secretion system (T4SS). While neither the responsible T4SS effector protein(s) nor the molecular mechanism leading to this partial HIF1α destabilization have been identified, our results demonstrate that C. burnetii influences the expression of HIF1α target genes in multiple ways. Therefore, a C. burnetii infection promotes HIF1α-mediated upregulation of several metabolic target genes; affects apoptosis-regulators towards a more pro-apoptotic signature; and under hypoxic conditions, shifts the ratio of the inflammatory genes analyzed towards a pro-inflammatory profile. Taken together, C. burnetii modulates HIF1α in a still elusive manner and alters the expression of multiple HIF1α target genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inaya Hayek
- Mikrobiologisches Institut - Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie and Hygiene, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Manuela Szperlinski
- Mikrobiologisches Institut - Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie and Hygiene, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Anja Lührmann
- Mikrobiologisches Institut - Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie and Hygiene, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
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Raju Paul S, Scholzen A, Mukhtar G, Wilkinson S, Hobson P, Dzeng RK, Evans J, Robson J, Cobbold R, Graves S, Poznansky MC, Garritsen A, Sluder AE. Natural Exposure- and Vaccination-Induced Profiles of Ex Vivo Whole Blood Cytokine Responses to Coxiella burnetii. Front Immunol 2022; 13:886698. [PMID: 35812430 PMCID: PMC9259895 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.886698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Q fever is a zoonotic disease caused by the highly infectious Gram-negative coccobacillus, Coxiella burnetii (C. burnetii). The Q fever vaccine Q-VAX® is characterised by high reactogenicity, requiring individuals to be pre-screened for prior exposure before vaccination. To date it remains unclear whether vaccine side effects in pre-exposed individuals are associated with pre-existing adaptive immune responses to C. burnetii or are also a function of innate responses to Q-VAX®. In the current study, we measured innate and adaptive cytokine responses to C. burnetii and compared these among individuals with different pre-exposure status. Three groups were included: n=98 Dutch blood bank donors with unknown exposure status, n=95 Dutch village inhabitants with known natural exposure status to C. burnetii during the Dutch Q fever outbreak of 2007-2010, and n=96 Australian students receiving Q-VAX® vaccination in 2021. Whole blood cytokine responses following ex vivo stimulation with heat-killed C. burnetii were assessed for IFNγ, IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, TNFα, IL-1β, IP-10, MIP-1α and IL-8. Serological data were collected for all three cohorts, as well as data on skin test and self-reported vaccine side effects and clinical symptoms during past infection. IFNγ, IP-10 and IL-2 responses were strongly elevated in individuals with prior C. burnetii antigen exposure, whether through infection or vaccination, while IL-1β, IL-6 and TNFα responses were slightly increased in naturally exposed individuals only. High dimensional analysis of the cytokine data identified four clusters of individuals with distinct cytokine response signatures. The cluster with the highest levels of adaptive cytokines and antibodies comprised solely individuals with prior exposure to C. burnetii, while another cluster was characterized by high innate cytokine production and an absence of C. burnetii-induced IP-10 production paired with high baseline IP-10 levels. Prior exposure status was partially associated with these signatures, but could not be clearly assigned to a single cytokine response signature. Overall, Q-VAX® vaccination and natural C. burnetii infection were associated with comparable cytokine response signatures, largely driven by adaptive cytokine responses. Neither individual innate and adaptive cytokine responses nor response signatures were associated retrospectively with clinical symptoms during infection or prospectively with side effects post-vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan Raju Paul
- Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | | | - Ghazel Mukhtar
- Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | | | - Peter Hobson
- Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Richard K. Dzeng
- Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | | | | | - Rowland Cobbold
- School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD, Australia
| | - Stephen Graves
- Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Mark C. Poznansky
- Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
- *Correspondence: Ann E. Sluder, ; Anja Garritsen, ; Mark C. Poznansky,
| | - Anja Garritsen
- InnatOss Laboratories B.V., Oss, Netherlands
- *Correspondence: Ann E. Sluder, ; Anja Garritsen, ; Mark C. Poznansky,
| | - Ann E. Sluder
- Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
- *Correspondence: Ann E. Sluder, ; Anja Garritsen, ; Mark C. Poznansky,
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32
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Ferrara G, Colitti B, Pagnini U, Iovane G, Rosati S, Montagnaro S. Characterization of recombinant Ybgf protein for the detection of Coxiella antibodies in ruminants. J Vet Diagn Invest 2022; 34:646-653. [PMID: 35610946 DOI: 10.1177/10406387221093581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Q fever remains a One Health problem, posing a zoonotic threat and causing significant economic losses to the livestock industry. The advancement of detection tools is critical to the effective control of infection. In humans, laboratory investigations depend largely on the immunofluorescence assay, considered the gold standard. In contrast, serologic tools routinely used for veterinary screening have several gaps, resulting in interpretations that are frequently misleading. We investigated the potential application of recombinant Ybgf antigen (r-Ybgf), a periplasmic protein described as one of the most immunodominant antigens in humans, in an indirect ELISA. Following successful expression in the prokaryotic system and the preliminary evaluation of immunoreactivity in western blot, we used r-Ybgf to develop an in-house ELISA using serum samples from sheep, goats, and cattle, which were tested in parallel with an Idexx ELISA kit. The results obtained with the 2 tests were compared, and r-Ybgf performed favorably, with 81.8% sensitivity and 90.1% specificity and substantial agreement, as revealed by receiver operating characteristic analysis. Moreover, we evaluated the serologic response against phase I (PhI) and phase II (PhII) antigens, and r-Ybgf antigen induced by vaccination, using phase-specific ELISAs. The dynamics of antibody response showed a significant increase in reactivity against PhI and PhII, but not against r-Ybgf, antigens. This property may be very useful given the absence of a protocol for the differentiation of infected from vaccinated animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianmarco Ferrara
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples, "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Barbara Colitti
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Turin, Grugliasco, TO, Italy
| | - Ugo Pagnini
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples, "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Iovane
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples, "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Sergio Rosati
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Turin, Grugliasco, TO, Italy
| | - Serena Montagnaro
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples, "Federico II", Naples, Italy
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Coxiella burnetii Plasmid Effector B Promotes LC3-II Accumulation and Contributes To Bacterial Virulence in a SCID Mouse Model. Infect Immun 2022; 90:e0001622. [PMID: 35587202 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00016-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Coxiella burnetii, the causative agent of zoonotic Q fever, is characterized by replicating inside the lysosome-derived Coxiella-containing vacuole (CCV) in host cells. Some effector proteins secreted by C. burnetii have been reported to be involved in the manipulation of autophagy to facilitate the development of CCVs and bacterial replication. Here, we found that the Coxiella plasmid effector B (CpeB) localizes on vacuole membrane targeted by LC3 and LAMP1 and promotes LC3-II accumulation. Meanwhile, the C. burnetii strain lacking the QpH1 plasmid induced less LC3-II accumulation, which was accompanied by smaller CCVs and lower bacterial loads in THP-1 cells. Expression of CpeB in the strain lacking QpH1 led to restoration in LC3-II accumulation but had no effect on the smaller CCV phenotype. In the severe combined immune deficiency (SCID) mouse model, infections with the strain expressing CpeB led to significantly higher bacterial burdens in the spleen and liver than its parent strain devoid of QpH1. We also found that CpeB targets Rab11a to promote LC3-II accumulation. Intratracheally inoculated C. burnetii resulted in lower bacterial burdens and milder lung lesions in Rab11a conditional knockout (Rab11a-/- CKO) mice. Collectively, these results suggest that CpeB promotes C. burnetii virulence by inducing LC3-II accumulation via a pathway involving Rab11a.
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de França DA, Mioni MDSR, Fornazari F, Duré AÍDL, Silva MVF, Possebon FS, Richini-Pereira VB, Langoni H, Megid J. Seropositivity for Coxiella burnetii in suspected patients with dengue in São Paulo state, Brazil. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0010392. [PMID: 35536865 PMCID: PMC9122222 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Q fever and brucellosis are zoonoses that cause fever and other systemic clinical signs in humans; their occurrences are neglected and the differential diagnosis for some diseases is disregarded. This study aimed to investigate the seropositivity for Coxiella burnetii and Brucella spp. antibodies in patients suspected of dengue from 38 municipalities in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. The samples (n = 604) were obtained by convenience from the Adolfo Lutz Institute serum bank. Sera were subjected to an indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) using in-house and commercial diagnostic protocols to evaluate C. burnetii positivity. For Brucella spp., sera were subjected to rapid plate serum agglutination with buffered acidified antigen (AAT), slow tube serum agglutination (SAL), and 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME) techniques. Associations and statistical inferences of the results were performed by logistic regression according to the clinical and demographic variables collected from the patients. Statistical analyses were performed using Statistical Analysis Software (SAS) and associations were considered when p value was <0.05. In all, 129 patients showed positive results for Q fever, indicating a seropositivity of 21.4% (95% CI 18.15–24.85). Patients with 14–20 days of symptoms had 2.12 (95% CI 1.34–3.35) times more chances of being seropositive for Q fever than patients with 7–13 days, and patients with 21–27 days of fever had 2.62 (95% CI 1.27–5.41) times more chances of being seropositive for Q fever than patients with 7–13 days. For the other variables analyzed, there were no significant associations between the groups. No positivity for brucellosis was observed. This is the most comprehensive study of people seropositive for Q fever in São Paulo state and provides additional data for the medical community in Brazil. It is suggested that Q fever may be an important differential diagnosis of febrile illnesses in the region, demanding the government’s attention and investment in health. Brazil is a tropical country with a warm climate and large animal herds that favor many zoonotic agents that circulate in the territory. Due to the high prevalence of some tropical diseases, such as dengue, malaria, and chikungunya, important zoonoses have been neglected during the clinical evaluation of patients, resulting in misdiagnosis. Examples include Q fever and brucellosis, zoonoses that occur in animals in Brazil and are easily transmitted to humans through contaminated air and food products. There is not much data on these diseases in humans in the country representing their actual health situation. The current knowledge is supported by a few serological surveys developed by research groups and case reports. In this study, sera from patients with fever of unknown origin were positive for Q fever and brucellosis. The authors found that, contrary to brucellosis, Q fever has affected many people in São Paulo, the most populous state in the country. In addition, other findings regarding patient profile and disease behavior have been established. This research highlights the need for surveillance and control of Q fever in humans and animals to prevent acute cases and treat chronic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danilo Alves de França
- Department of Veterinary Hygiene and Public Health, Paulista State University “Júlio de Mesquita Filho”, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mateus de Souza Ribeiro Mioni
- Department of Veterinary Hygiene and Public Health, Paulista State University “Júlio de Mesquita Filho”, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
- * E-mail: (MM); (JM)
| | - Felipe Fornazari
- Department of Veterinary Hygiene and Public Health, Paulista State University “Júlio de Mesquita Filho”, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ana Íris de Lima Duré
- Octávio Magalhães Institute, Ezequiel Dias Foundation, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | - Fábio Sossai Possebon
- Department of Veterinary Hygiene and Public Health, Paulista State University “Júlio de Mesquita Filho”, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Helio Langoni
- Department of Veterinary Hygiene and Public Health, Paulista State University “Júlio de Mesquita Filho”, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jane Megid
- Department of Veterinary Hygiene and Public Health, Paulista State University “Júlio de Mesquita Filho”, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
- * E-mail: (MM); (JM)
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Cross AR, Roy S, Vivoli Vega M, Rejzek M, Nepogodiev SA, Cliff M, Salmon D, Isupov MN, Field RA, Prior JL, Harmer NJ. Spinning sugars in antigen biosynthesis: characterization of the Coxiella burnetii and Streptomyces griseus TDP-sugar epimerases. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:101903. [PMID: 35398092 PMCID: PMC9095892 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.101903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2021] [Revised: 04/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The sugars streptose and dihydrohydroxystreptose (DHHS) are unique to the bacteria Streptomyces griseus and Coxiella burnetii, respectively. Streptose forms the central moiety of the antibiotic streptomycin, while DHHS is found in the O-antigen of the zoonotic pathogen C. burnetii. Biosynthesis of these sugars has been proposed to follow a similar path to that of TDP-rhamnose, catalyzed by the enzymes RmlA, RmlB, RmlC, and RmlD, but the exact mechanism is unclear. Streptose and DHHS biosynthesis unusually requires a ring contraction step that could be performed by orthologs of RmlC or RmlD. Genome sequencing of S. griseus and C. burnetii has identified StrM and CBU1838 proteins as RmlC orthologs in these respective species. Here, we demonstrate that both enzymes can perform the RmlC 3'',5'' double epimerization activity necessary to support TDP-rhamnose biosynthesis in vivo. This is consistent with the ring contraction step being performed on a double epimerized substrate. We further demonstrate that proton exchange is faster at the 3''-position than the 5''-position, in contrast to a previously studied ortholog. We additionally solved the crystal structures of CBU1838 and StrM in complex with TDP and show that they form an active site highly similar to those of the previously characterized enzymes RmlC, EvaD, and ChmJ. These results support the hypothesis that streptose and DHHS are biosynthesized using the TDP pathway and that an RmlD paralog most likely performs ring contraction following double epimerization. This work will support the elucidation of the full pathways for biosynthesis of these unique sugars.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice R Cross
- Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom; Department of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Sumita Roy
- Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom; Department of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Mirella Vivoli Vega
- Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom; Department of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Martin Rejzek
- Department of Biological Chemistry, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Colney Lane, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Sergey A Nepogodiev
- Department of Biological Chemistry, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Colney Lane, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew Cliff
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Debbie Salmon
- Department of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Michail N Isupov
- Department of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Robert A Field
- Department of Biological Chemistry, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Colney Lane, Norwich, United Kingdom; Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Joann L Prior
- Dstl, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas J Harmer
- Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom; Department of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom.
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Regulator of Actin-Based Motility (RoaM) Downregulates Actin Tail Formation by Rickettsia rickettsii and Is Negatively Selected in Mammalian Cell Culture. mBio 2022; 13:e0035322. [PMID: 35285700 PMCID: PMC9040884 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00353-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The etiological agent of Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Rickettsia rickettsii, is an obligately intracellular pathogen that induces the polymerization of actin filaments to propel the bacterium through the cytoplasm and spread to new host cells. Cell-to-cell spread via actin-based motility is considered a key virulence determinant for spotted fever group rickettsiae, as interruption of sca2, the gene directly responsible for actin polymerization, has been shown to reduce fever in guinea pigs. However, little is known about how, or if, motility is regulated by the bacterium itself. We isolated a hyperspreading variant of R. rickettsii Sheila Smith that produces actin tails at an increased rate. A1G_06520 (roaM [regulator of actin-based motility]) was identified as a negative regulator of actin tail formation. Disruption of RoaM significantly increased the number of actin tails compared to the wild-type strain but did not increase virulence in guinea pigs; however, overexpression of RoaM dramatically decreased the presence of actin tails and moderated fever response. Localization experiments suggest that RoaM is not secreted, while reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) data show that various levels of RoaM do not significantly affect the expression of the known rickettsial actin-regulating proteins sca2, sca4, and rickA. Taken together, the data suggest a previously unrecognized level of regulation of actin-based motility in spotted fever group rickettsiae. Although this gene is intact in many isolates of spotted fever, transitional, and ancestral group Rickettsia spp., it is often ablated in highly passaged laboratory strains. Serial passage experiments revealed strong negative selection of roaM in Vero 76 cells.
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Cordsmeier A, Rinkel S, Jeninga M, Schulze-Luehrmann J, Ölke M, Schmid B, Hasler D, Meister G, Häcker G, Petter M, Beare PA, Lührmann A. The Coxiella burnetii T4SS effector protein AnkG hijacks the 7SK small nuclear ribonucleoprotein complex for reprogramming host cell transcription. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010266. [PMID: 35134097 PMCID: PMC8824381 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Inhibition of host cell apoptosis is crucial for survival and replication of several intracellular bacterial pathogens. To interfere with apoptotic pathways, some pathogens use specialized secretion systems to inject bacterial effector proteins into the host cell cytosol. One of these pathogens is the obligate intracellular bacterium Coxiella burnetii, the etiological agent of the zoonotic disease Q fever. In this study, we analyzed the molecular activity of the anti-apoptotic T4SS effector protein AnkG (CBU0781) to understand how C. burnetii manipulates host cell viability. We demonstrate by co- and RNA-immunoprecipitation that AnkG binds to the host cell DExD box RNA helicase 21 (DDX21) as well as to the host cell 7SK small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (7SK snRNP) complex, an important regulator of the positive transcription elongation factor b (P-TEFb). The co-immunoprecipitation of AnkG with DDX21 is probably mediated by salt bridges and is independent of AnkG-7SK snRNP binding, and vice versa. It is known that DDX21 facilitates the release of P-TEFb from the 7SK snRNP complex. Consistent with the documented function of released P-TEFb in RNA Pol II pause release, RNA sequencing experiments confirmed AnkG-mediated transcriptional reprogramming and showed that expression of genes involved in apoptosis, trafficking, and transcription are influenced by AnkG. Importantly, DDX21 and P-TEFb are both essential for AnkG-mediated inhibition of host cell apoptosis, emphasizing the significance of the interaction of AnkG with both, the DDX21 protein and the 7SK RNA. In line with a critical function of AnkG in pathogenesis, the AnkG deletion C. burnetii strain was severely affected in its ability to inhibit host cell apoptosis and to generate a replicative C. burnetii-containing vacuole. In conclusion, the interference with the activity of regulatory host cell RNAs mediated by a bacterial effector protein represent a novel mechanism through which C. burnetii modulates host cell transcription, thereby enhancing permissiveness to bacterial infection. For intracellular replication, Coxiella burnetii depends on a functional type IV secretion system, which is utilized to inject ~150 virulence factors, so called effector proteins, into the host cell cytosol. Activities have only been established for few of them. These effector proteins interfere with vesicular trafficking, autophagy, lipid metabolism, apoptosis, and transcription by binding and manipulating the activity of host cell proteins. Here, we report that the C. burnetii T4SS effector protein AnkG (CBU0781, Q83DF6) binds to the host cell DExD box helicase 21 (DDX21) as well as to several host cell RNAs, including the small regulatory 7SK RNA, which is an important regulator of the positive elongation factor b (pTEFb). AnkG interferes with the function of the 7SK small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (7SK snRNP) complex, leading to significant changes in host cell transcription and ensuring host cell survival. AnkG activity is essential for efficient intracellular replication of C. burnetii and its ability to inhibit apoptosis. In summary, we identified a novel process by which a bacterial effector protein manipulates the host cell for its own benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arne Cordsmeier
- Mikrobiologisches Institut, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Sven Rinkel
- Mikrobiologisches Institut, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Myriam Jeninga
- Mikrobiologisches Institut, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jan Schulze-Luehrmann
- Mikrobiologisches Institut, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Martha Ölke
- Mikrobiologisches Institut, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Benedikt Schmid
- Lehrstuhl für Biotechnik, Department Biologie, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Daniele Hasler
- Biochemistry Center Regensburg (BZR), Laboratory for RNA Biology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Gunter Meister
- Biochemistry Center Regensburg (BZR), Laboratory for RNA Biology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Georg Häcker
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Michaela Petter
- Mikrobiologisches Institut, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Paul A. Beare
- Coxiella Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Bacteriology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, United States of America
| | - Anja Lührmann
- Mikrobiologisches Institut, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- * E-mail:
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Wittwer M, Hammer P, Runge M, Valentin-Weigand P, Neubauer H, Henning K, Mertens-Scholz K. Inactivation Kinetics of Coxiella burnetii During High-Temperature Short-Time Pasteurization of Milk. Front Microbiol 2022; 12:753871. [PMID: 35069465 PMCID: PMC8770862 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.753871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The Gram-negative, obligate intracellular bacterium Coxiella burnetii is the causative organism of the zoonosis Q fever and is known for its resistance toward various intra- and extracellular stressors. Infected ruminants such as cattle, sheep, and goats can shed the pathogen in their milk. Pasteurization of raw milk was introduced for the inactivation of C. burnetii and other milk-borne pathogens. Legal regulations for the pasteurization of milk are mostly based on recommendations of the Codex Alimentarius. As described there, C. burnetii is considered as the most heat-resistant non-spore-forming bacterial pathogen in milk and has to be reduced by at least 5 log10-steps during the pasteurization process. However, the corresponding inactivation data for C. burnetii originate from experiments performed more than 60 years ago. Recent scientific findings and the technological progress of modern pasteurization equipment indicate that C. burnetii is potentially more effectively inactivated during pasteurization than demanded in the Codex Alimentarius. In the present study, ultra-high heat-treated milk was inoculated with different C. burnetii field isolates and subsequently heat-treated in a pilot-plant pasteurizer. Kinetic inactivation data in terms of D- and z-values were determined and used for the calculation of heat-dependent log reduction. With regard to the mandatory 5 log10-step reduction of the pathogen, the efficacy of the established heat treatment regime was confirmed, and, in addition, a reduction of the pasteurization temperature seems feasible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcel Wittwer
- Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Jena, Germany
| | - Philipp Hammer
- Federal Research Institute of Nutrition and Food, Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Max Rubner-Institut, Kiel, Germany
| | - Martin Runge
- Food and Veterinary Institute, Braunschweig/Hannover, Lower Saxony State Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety, Hanover, Germany
| | - Peter Valentin-Weigand
- Institute for Microbiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hanover, Germany
| | - Heinrich Neubauer
- Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Jena, Germany
| | - Klaus Henning
- Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Jena, Germany
| | - Katja Mertens-Scholz
- Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Jena, Germany
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Zhang Y, Fu J, Liu S, Wang L, Qiu J, van Schaik EJ, Samuel JE, Song L, Luo ZQ. Coxiella burnetii inhibits host immunity by a protein phosphatase adapted from glycolysis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2110877119. [PMID: 34930823 PMCID: PMC8740755 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2110877119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Coxiella burnetii is a bacterial pathogen that replicates within host cells by establishing a membrane-bound niche called the Coxiella-containing vacuole. Biogenesis of this compartment requires effectors of its Dot/Icm type IV secretion system. A large cohort of such effectors has been identified, but the function of most of them remain elusive. Here, by a cell-based functional screening, we identified the effector Cbu0513 (designated as CinF) as an inhibitor of NF-κB signaling. CinF is highly similar to a fructose-1,6-bisphosphate (FBP) aldolase/phosphatase present in diverse bacteria. Further study reveals that unlike its ortholog from Sulfolobus tokodaii, CinF does not exhibit FBP phosphatase activity. Instead, it functions as a protein phosphatase that specifically dephosphorylates and stabilizes IκBα. The IκBα phosphatase activity is essential for the role of CinF in C. burnetii virulence. Our results establish that C. burnetii utilizes a protein adapted from sugar metabolism to subvert host immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Zhang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Center for Pathogen Biology and Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Jiaqi Fu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907
| | - Shuxin Liu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Center for Pathogen Biology and Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Lidong Wang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Center for Pathogen Biology and Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Jiazhang Qiu
- State Key Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Erin J van Schaik
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, College of Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Texas A&M University, Bryan, TX 77807
| | - James E Samuel
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, College of Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Texas A&M University, Bryan, TX 77807
| | - Lei Song
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Center for Pathogen Biology and Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China;
| | - Zhao-Qing Luo
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907;
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Kumaresan V, Alam S, Zhang Y, Zhang G. The Feasibility of Using Coxiella burnetii Avirulent Nine Mile Phase II Viable Bacteria as a Live Attenuated Vaccine Against Q fever. Front Immunol 2021; 12:754690. [PMID: 34795669 PMCID: PMC8594375 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.754690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to explore if viable C. burnetii avirulent Nine Mile phase II (NMII) can elicit protective immunity against virulent NM phase I (NMI) infection. Interestingly, mice immunized with viable NMII elicited significant protection against NMI infection at different time points post-immunization. Viable NMII induced a dose-dependent NMI-specific IgG response in mice, but all doses of NMII-immunized mice conferred a similar level of protection. Comparing different routes of immunization indicated that intranasally immunized mice showed significantly higher levels of protection than other immunization routes. The observation that viable NMII induced a similar level of long-term protection against NMI challenge as the formalin-inactivated NMI vaccine (PIV) suggests that viable NMII bacteria can induce a similar level of long-term protection against virulent NMI challenge as the PIV. Viable NMII also induced significant protection against challenge with virulent Priscilla and Scurry strains, suggesting that viable NMII can elicit broad protection. Immune sera and splenocytes from viable NMII-immunized mice are protective against NMI infection, but immune serum-receiving mice did not control NMI replication. Additionally, viable NMII conferred a comparable level of protection in wild-type, CD4+ T cell-deficient, and CD8+ T cell-deficient mice, and partial protection in B cell-deficient mice. However, NMII-immunized T cell-deficient mice were unable to prevent C. burnetii replication. Thus, both B cells and T cells are required for viable NMII-induced protective immunity but T cells may play a critical role. Collectively, this study demonstrates the feasibility of using avirulent NMII as a live attenuated vaccine against human Q fever.
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Affiliation(s)
- Venkatesh Kumaresan
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Shawkat Alam
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Guoquan Zhang
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
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41
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Categorizing sequences of concern by function to better assess mechanisms of microbial pathogenesis. Infect Immun 2021; 90:e0033421. [PMID: 34780277 PMCID: PMC9119117 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00334-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
To identify sequences with a role in microbial pathogenesis, we assessed the adequacy of their annotation by existing controlled vocabularies and sequence databases. Our goal was to regularize descriptions of microbial pathogenesis for improved integration with bioinformatic applications. Here, we review the challenges of annotating sequences for pathogenic activity. We relate the categorization of more than 2,750 sequences of pathogenic microbes through a controlled vocabulary called Functions of Sequences of Concern (FunSoCs). These allow for an ease of description by both humans and machines. We provide a subset of 220 fully annotated sequences in the supplemental material as examples. The use of this compact (∼30 terms), controlled vocabulary has potential benefits for research in microbial genomics, public health, biosecurity, biosurveillance, and the characterization of new and emerging pathogens.
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Q Fever Vaccine Development: Current Strategies and Future Considerations. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10101223. [PMID: 34684172 PMCID: PMC8539696 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10101223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Q fever is a zoonotic disease caused by the intracellular pathogen Coxiella burnetii. This disease typically manifests as a self-limiting, febrile illness known as acute Q fever. Due to the aerosol transmissibility, environmental persistence, and infectivity of C. burnetii, this pathogen is a notable bioterrorism threat. Despite extensive efforts to develop next-generation human Q fever vaccines, only one vaccine, Q-Vax®, is commercially available. Q-Vax® is a phase I whole-cell vaccine, and its licensed use is limited to Australia, presumably due to the potential for a post-vaccination hypersensitivity response. Pre-clinical Q fever vaccine development is a major area of interest, and diverse approaches have been undertaken to develop an improved Q fever vaccine. Following a brief history of Q fever vaccine development, current approaches will be discussed along with future considerations for an improved Q fever vaccine.
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Scholzen A, de Vries M, Duerr HP, Roest HJ, Sluder AE, Poznansky MC, Kouwijzer MLCE, Garritsen A. Whole Blood Interferon γ Release Is a More Sensitive Marker of Prior Exposure to Coxiella burnetii Than Are Antibody Responses. Front Immunol 2021; 12:701811. [PMID: 34394097 PMCID: PMC8356048 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.701811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
For the zoonotic disease Q fever, serological analysis plays a dominant role in the diagnosis of Coxiella burnetii infection and in pre-screening for past exposure prior to vaccination. A number of studies suggest that assessment of C. burnetii-specific T-cell IFNγ responses may be a more sensitive tool to assess past exposure. In this study, we assessed the performance of a whole blood C. burnetii IFNγ release assay in comparison to serological detection in an area of high Q fever incidence in 2014, up to seven years after initial exposure during the Dutch Q fever outbreak 2007-2010. In a cohort of >1500 individuals from the Dutch outbreak village of Herpen, approximately 60% had mounted IFNγ responses to C. burnetii. This proportion was independent of the Coxiella strain used for stimulation and much higher than the proportion of individuals scored sero-positive using the serological gold standard immunofluorescence assay. Moreover, C. burnetii-specific IFNγ responses were found to be more durable than antibody responses in two sub-groups of individuals known to have sero-converted as of 2007 or previously reported to the municipality as notified Q fever cases. A novel ready-to-use version of the IFNγ release assay assessed in a subgroup of pre-exposed individuals in 2021 (10-14 years post exposure) proved again to be more sensitive than serology in detecting past exposure. These data demonstrate that C. burnetii-induced IFNγ release is indeed a more sensitive and durable marker of exposure to C. burnetii than are serological responses. In combination with a simplified assay version suitable for implementation in routine diagnostic settings, this makes the assessment of IFNγ responses a valuable tool for exposure screening to obtain epidemiological data, and to identify previously exposed individuals in pre-vaccination screens.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Hendrik-Jan Roest
- Department of Bacteriology and Epidemiology, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Lelystad, Netherlands
| | - Ann E Sluder
- Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Mark C Poznansky
- Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
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Kovacs-Simon A, Metters G, Norville I, Hemsley C, Titball RW. Coxiella burnetii replicates in Galleria mellonella hemocytes and transcriptome mapping reveals in vivo regulated genes. Virulence 2021; 11:1268-1278. [PMID: 32970966 PMCID: PMC7549970 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2020.1819111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Larvae of the greater wax moth (Galleria mellonella) are susceptible to infection with C. burnetii, an obligate intracellular bacterial pathogen. We show that bacteria are found in hemocytes after infection, and occupy vacuoles which are morphologically similar to Coxiella-containing vacuoles seen in infected mammalian phagocytes. We characterized the infection by transcriptome profiling of bacteria isolated from the hemocytes of infected larvae and identified 46 highly upregulated genes. The encoded proteins are predicted to be involved in translation, LPS biosynthesis, biotin synthesis, scavenging of reactive oxygen species, and included a T4SS effector and 30 hypothetical proteins. Some of these genes had previously been shown to be upregulated in buffalo green monkey (BGM) cells or in mice, whilst others appear to be regulated in a host-specific manner. Altogether, our results demonstrate the value of the G. mellonella model to study intracellular growth and identify potential virulence factors of C. burnetii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Kovacs-Simon
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences - Biosciences, University of Exeter , Exeter, UK
| | - Georgie Metters
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences - Biosciences, University of Exeter , Exeter, UK
| | - Isobel Norville
- CBR Division, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory , Porton Down,Salisbury, UK
| | - Claudia Hemsley
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences - Biosciences, University of Exeter , Exeter, UK
| | - Richard W Titball
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences - Biosciences, University of Exeter , Exeter, UK
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45
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Delaney MA, Hartigh AD, Carpentier SJ, Birkland TP, Knowles DP, Cookson BT, Frevert CW. Avoidance of the NLRP3 Inflammasome by the Stealth Pathogen, Coxiella burnetii. Vet Pathol 2021; 58:624-642. [PMID: 33357072 DOI: 10.1177/0300985820981369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Coxiella burnetii, a highly adapted obligate intracellular bacterial pathogen and the cause of the zoonosis Q fever, is a reemerging public health threat. C. burnetii employs a Type IV secretion system (T4SS) to establish and maintain its intracellular niche and modulate host immune responses including the inhibition of apoptosis. Interactions between C. burnetii and caspase-1-mediated inflammasomes are not fully elucidated. This study confirms that C. burnetii does not activate caspase-1 during infection of mouse macrophages in vitro. C. burnetii-infected cells did not develop NLRP3 and ASC foci indicating its ability to avoid cytosolic detection. C. burnetii is unable to inhibit the pyroptosis and IL-1β secretion that is induced by potent inflammasome stimuli but rather enhances these caspase-1-mediated effects. We found that C. burnetii upregulates pro-IL-1β and robustly primes NLRP3 inflammasomes via TLR2 and MyD88 signaling. As for wildtype C. burnetii, T4SS-deficient mutants primed and potentiated NLRP3 inflammasomes. An in vivo model of pulmonary infection in C57BL/6 mice was developed. Mice deficient in NLRP3 or caspase-1 were like wildtype mice in the development and resolution of splenomegaly due to red pulp hyperplasia, and histologic lesions and macrophage kinetics, but had slightly higher pulmonary bacterial burdens at the greatest measured time point. Together these findings indicate that C. burnetii primes but avoids cytosolic detection by NLRP3 inflammasomes, which are not required for the clinical resistance of C57BL/6 mice. Determining mechanisms employed by C. burnetii to avoid cytosolic detection via NLRP3 inflammasomes will be beneficial to the development of preventative and interventional therapies for Q fever.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martha A Delaney
- Departments of Comparative Medicine and Pathology, and the Comparative Pathology Program, 7284University of Washington, Seattle, WA
- Current address: Martha A. Delaney, Zoological Pathology Program, University of Illinois, Brookfield, IL, USA
| | - Andreas den Hartigh
- Departments of Microbiology and Lab Medicine, 7284University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Samuel J Carpentier
- Departments of Microbiology and Lab Medicine, 7284University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Timothy P Birkland
- Departments of Comparative Medicine and Pathology, and the Comparative Pathology Program, 7284University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Donald P Knowles
- Animal Disease Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Pullman, WA
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, 6760Washington State University, Pullman, WA
| | - Brad T Cookson
- Departments of Microbiology and Lab Medicine, 7284University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Charles W Frevert
- Departments of Comparative Medicine and Pathology, and the Comparative Pathology Program, 7284University of Washington, Seattle, WA
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Long CM, Beare PA, Cockrell DC, Fintzi J, Tesfamariam M, Shaia CI, Heinzen RA. Contributions of lipopolysaccharide and the type IVB secretion system to Coxiella burnetii vaccine efficacy and reactogenicity. NPJ Vaccines 2021; 6:38. [PMID: 33741986 PMCID: PMC7979919 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-021-00296-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Coxiella burnetii is the bacterial causative agent of the zoonosis Q fever. The current human Q fever vaccine, Q-VAX®, is a fixed, whole cell vaccine (WCV) licensed solely for use in Australia. C. burnetii WCV administration is associated with a dermal hypersensitivity reaction in people with pre-existing immunity to C. burnetii, limiting wider use. Consequently, a less reactogenic vaccine is needed. Here, we investigated contributions of the C. burnetii Dot/Icm type IVB secretion system (T4BSS) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in protection and reactogenicity of fixed WCVs. A 32.5 kb region containing 23 dot/icm genes was deleted in the virulent Nine Mile phase I (NMI) strain and the resulting mutant was evaluated in guinea pig models of C. burnetii infection, vaccination-challenge, and post-vaccination hypersensitivity. The NMI ∆dot/icm strain was avirulent, protective as a WCV against a robust C. burnetii challenge, and displayed potentially altered reactogenicity compared to NMI. Nine Mile phase II (NMII) strains of C. burnetii that produce rough LPS, were similarly tested. NMI was significantly more protective than NMII as a WCV; however, both vaccines exhibited similar reactogenicity. Collectively, our results indicate that, like phase I LPS, the T4BSS is required for full virulence by C. burnetii. Conversely, unlike phase I LPS, the T4BSS is not required for vaccine-induced protection. LPS length does not appear to contribute to reactogenicity while the T4BSS may contribute to this response. NMI ∆dot/icm represents an avirulent phase I strain with full vaccine efficacy, illustrating the potential of genetically modified C. burnetii as improved WCVs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carrie M Long
- Coxiella Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Bacteriology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA.
| | - Paul A Beare
- Coxiella Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Bacteriology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Diane C Cockrell
- Coxiella Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Bacteriology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Jonathan Fintzi
- Biostatistics Research Branch, Division of Clinical Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Mahelat Tesfamariam
- Coxiella Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Bacteriology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Carl I Shaia
- Rocky Mountain Veterinary Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Robert A Heinzen
- Coxiella Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Bacteriology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA
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Protein and DNA Biosynthesis Demonstrated in Host Cell-Free Phagosomes Containing Anaplasma phagocytophilum or Ehrlichia chaffeensis in Axenic Media. Infect Immun 2021; 89:IAI.00638-20. [PMID: 33431703 PMCID: PMC8090944 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00638-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Rickettsiae belong to the Anaplasmataceae family, which includes mostly tick-transmitted pathogens causing human, canine, and ruminant diseases. Biochemical characterization of the pathogens remains a major challenge because of their obligate parasitism. Rickettsiae belong to the Anaplasmataceae family, which includes mostly tick-transmitted pathogens causing human, canine, and ruminant diseases. Biochemical characterization of the pathogens remains a major challenge because of their obligate parasitism. We investigated the use of an axenic medium for growth of two important pathogens—Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Ehrlichia chaffeensis—in host cell-free phagosomes. We recently reported that the axenic medium promotes protein and DNA biosynthesis in host cell-free replicating form of E. chaffeensis, although the bacterial replication is limited. We now tested the hypothesis that growth on axenic medium can be improved if host cell-free rickettsia-containing phagosomes are used. Purification of phagosomes from A. phagocytophilum- and E. chaffeensis-infected host cells was accomplished by density gradient centrifugation combined with magnet-assisted cell sorting. Protein and DNA synthesis was observed for both organisms in cell-free phagosomes with glucose-6-phosphate and/or ATP. The levels of protein and DNA synthesis were the highest for a medium pH of 7. The data demonstrate bacterial DNA and protein synthesis for the first time in host cell-free phagosomes for two rickettsial pathogens. The host cell support-free axenic growth of obligate pathogenic rickettsiae will be critical in advancing research goals in many important tick-borne diseases impacting human and animal health.
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Friedrich A, Beare PA, Schulze-Luehrmann J, Cordsmeier A, Pazen T, Sonnewald S, Lührmann A. The Coxiella burnetii effector protein CaeB modulates endoplasmatic reticulum (ER) stress signalling and is required for efficient replication in Galleria mellonella. Cell Microbiol 2021; 23:e13305. [PMID: 33355405 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.13305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The obligate intracellular pathogen Coxiella burnetii is the causative agent of the zoonosis Q fever. C. burnetii infection can have severe outcomes due to the development of chronic infection. To establish and maintain an infection, C. burnetii depends on a functional type IVB secretion system (T4BSS) and, thus, on the translocation of effector proteins into the host cell. Here, we showed that the C. burnetii T4BSS effector protein CaeB targets the conserved endoplasmatic reticulum (ER) stress sensor IRE1 during ER stress in mammalian and plant cells. CaeB-induced upregulation of IRE1 RNase activity was essential for CaeB-mediated inhibition of ER stress-induced cell death. Our data reveal a novel role for CaeB in ER stress signalling modulation and demonstrate that CaeB is involved in pathogenicity in vivo. Furthermore, we provide evidence that C. burnetii infection leads to modulation of the ER stress sensors IRE1 and PERK, but not ATF6 during ER stress. While the upregulation of the RNase activity of IRE1 during ER stress depends on CaeB, modulation of PERK is CaeB independent, suggesting that C. burnetii encodes several factors influencing ER stress during infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Friedrich
- Mikrobiologisches Institut - Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und Hygiene, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.,Lehrstuhl für Biochemie, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Paul A Beare
- Coxiella Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Bacteriology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, USA
| | - Jan Schulze-Luehrmann
- Mikrobiologisches Institut - Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und Hygiene, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Arne Cordsmeier
- Mikrobiologisches Institut - Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und Hygiene, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Tobias Pazen
- Mikrobiologisches Institut - Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und Hygiene, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Sophia Sonnewald
- Lehrstuhl für Biochemie, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Anja Lührmann
- Mikrobiologisches Institut - Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und Hygiene, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
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Pechstein J, Schulze-Luehrmann J, Bisle S, Cantet F, Beare PA, Ölke M, Bonazzi M, Berens C, Lührmann A. The Coxiella burnetii T4SS Effector AnkF Is Important for Intracellular Replication. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:559915. [PMID: 33282747 PMCID: PMC7691251 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.559915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Coxiella burnetii is an obligate intracellular pathogen and the causative agent of the zoonotic disease Q fever. Following uptake by alveolar macrophages, the pathogen replicates in an acidic phagolysosomal vacuole, the C. burnetii-containing vacuole (CCV). Effector proteins translocated into the host cell by the type IV secretion system (T4SS) are important for the establishment of the CCV. Here we focus on the effector protein AnkF and its role in establishing the CCV. The C. burnetii AnkF knock out mutant invades host cells as efficiently as wild-type C. burnetii, but this mutant is hampered in its ability to replicate intracellularly, indicating that AnkF might be involved in the development of a replicative CCV. To unravel the underlying reason(s), we searched for AnkF interactors in host cells and identified vimentin through a yeast two-hybrid approach. While AnkF does not alter vimentin expression at the mRNA or protein levels, the presence of AnkF results in structural reorganization and vesicular co-localization with recombinant vimentin. Ectopically expressed AnkF partially accumulates around the established CCV and endogenous vimentin is recruited to the CCV in a time-dependent manner, suggesting that AnkF might attract vimentin to the CCV. However, knocking-down endogenous vimentin does not affect intracellular replication of C. burnetii. Other cytoskeletal components are recruited to the CCV and might compensate for the lack of vimentin. Taken together, AnkF is essential for the establishment of the replicative CCV, however, its mode of action is still elusive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian Pechstein
- Mikrobiologisches Institut-Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und Hygiene, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jan Schulze-Luehrmann
- Mikrobiologisches Institut-Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und Hygiene, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Stephanie Bisle
- Mikrobiologisches Institut-Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und Hygiene, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Franck Cantet
- Institut de Recherche en Infectiologie de Montpellier (IRIM), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Paul A Beare
- Coxiella Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Bacteriology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, United States
| | - Martha Ölke
- Mikrobiologisches Institut-Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und Hygiene, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Matteo Bonazzi
- Institut de Recherche en Infectiologie de Montpellier (IRIM), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Christian Berens
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institut für Molekulare Pathogenese, Jena, Germany
| | - Anja Lührmann
- Mikrobiologisches Institut-Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und Hygiene, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
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Schäfer W, Schmidt T, Cordsmeier A, Borges V, Beare PA, Pechstein J, Schulze-Luehrmann J, Holzinger J, Wagner N, Berens C, Heydel C, Gomes JP, Lührmann A. The anti-apoptotic Coxiella burnetii effector protein AnkG is a strain specific virulence factor. Sci Rep 2020; 10:15396. [PMID: 32958854 PMCID: PMC7506536 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-72340-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2019] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability to inhibit host cell apoptosis is important for the intracellular replication of the obligate intracellular pathogen Coxiella burnetii, as it allows the completion of the lengthy bacterial replication cycle. Effector proteins injected into the host cell by the C. burnetii type IVB secretion system (T4BSS) are required for the inhibition of host cell apoptosis. AnkG is one of these anti-apoptotic effector proteins. The inhibitory effect of AnkG requires its nuclear localization, which depends on p32-dependent intracellular trafficking and importin-α1-mediated nuclear entry of AnkG. Here, we compared the sequences of ankG from 37 C. burnetii isolates and classified them in three groups based on the predicted protein size. The comparison of the three different groups allowed us to identify the first 28 amino acids as essential and sufficient for the anti-apoptotic activity of AnkG. Importantly, only the full-length protein from the first group is a bona fide effector protein injected into host cells during infection and has anti-apoptotic activity. Finally, using the Galleria mellonella infection model, we observed that AnkG from the first group has the ability to attenuate pathology during in vivo infection, as it allows survival of the larvae despite bacterial replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walter Schäfer
- Mikrobiologisches Institut - Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und Hygiene, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Wasserturmstraße 3/5, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Teresa Schmidt
- Mikrobiologisches Institut - Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und Hygiene, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Wasserturmstraße 3/5, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Arne Cordsmeier
- Mikrobiologisches Institut - Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und Hygiene, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Wasserturmstraße 3/5, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Vítor Borges
- Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Paul A Beare
- Coxiella Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Bacteriology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Julian Pechstein
- Mikrobiologisches Institut - Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und Hygiene, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Wasserturmstraße 3/5, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jan Schulze-Luehrmann
- Mikrobiologisches Institut - Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und Hygiene, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Wasserturmstraße 3/5, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jonas Holzinger
- Mikrobiologisches Institut - Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und Hygiene, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Wasserturmstraße 3/5, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Nicole Wagner
- Institut für Molekulare Pathogenese, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Christian Berens
- Institut für Molekulare Pathogenese, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Carsten Heydel
- Institut für Hygiene und Infektionskrankheiten der Tiere, Justus Liebig Universität Gießen, Frankfurter Straße 85-89, 35392, Gießen, Germany
| | - João Paulo Gomes
- Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Anja Lührmann
- Mikrobiologisches Institut - Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und Hygiene, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Wasserturmstraße 3/5, 91054, Erlangen, Germany.
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