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Winstel V, Abt ER, Le TM, Radu CG. Targeting host deoxycytidine kinase mitigates Staphylococcus aureus abscess formation. eLife 2024; 12:RP91157. [PMID: 38512723 PMCID: PMC10957174 DOI: 10.7554/elife.91157] [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] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Host-directed therapy (HDT) is an emerging approach to overcome antimicrobial resistance in pathogenic microorganisms. Specifically, HDT targets host-encoded factors required for pathogen replication and survival without interfering with microbial growth or metabolism, thereby eliminating the risk of resistance development. By applying HDT and a drug repurposing approach, we demonstrate that (R)-DI-87, a clinical-stage anticancer drug and potent inhibitor of mammalian deoxycytidine kinase (dCK), mitigates Staphylococcus aureus abscess formation in organ tissues upon invasive bloodstream infection. Mechanistically, (R)-DI-87 shields phagocytes from staphylococcal death-effector deoxyribonucleosides that target dCK and the mammalian purine salvage pathway-apoptosis axis. In this manner, (R)-DI-87-mediated protection of immune cells amplifies macrophage infiltration into deep-seated abscesses, a phenomenon coupled with enhanced pathogen control, ameliorated immunopathology, and reduced disease severity. Thus, pharmaceutical blockade of dCK represents an advanced anti-infective intervention strategy against which staphylococci cannot develop resistance and may help to fight fatal infectious diseases in hospitalized patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Volker Winstel
- Research Group Pathogenesis of Bacterial Infections; TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a joint venture between the Hannover Medical School and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection ResearchHannoverGermany
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Hannover Medical SchoolHannoverGermany
| | - Evan R Abt
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLALos AngelesUnited States
| | - Thuc M Le
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLALos AngelesUnited States
| | - Caius G Radu
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLALos AngelesUnited States
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Jiang JH, Cameron DR, Nethercott C, Aires-de-Sousa M, Peleg AY. Virulence attributes of successful methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus lineages. Clin Microbiol Rev 2023; 36:e0014822. [PMID: 37982596 PMCID: PMC10732075 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00148-22] [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] [Indexed: 11/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a leading cause of severe and often fatal infections. MRSA epidemics have occurred in waves, whereby a previously successful lineage has been replaced by a more fit and better adapted lineage. Selection pressures in both hospital and community settings are not uniform across the globe, which has resulted in geographically distinct epidemiology. This review focuses on the mechanisms that trigger the establishment and maintenance of current, dominant MRSA lineages across the globe. While the important role of antibiotic resistance will be mentioned throughout, factors which influence the capacity of S. aureus to colonize and cause disease within a host will be the primary focus of this review. We show that while MRSA possesses a diverse arsenal of toxins including alpha-toxin, the success of a lineage involves more than just producing toxins that damage the host. Success is often attributed to the acquisition or loss of genetic elements involved in colonization and niche adaptation such as the arginine catabolic mobile element, as well as the activity of regulatory systems, and shift metabolism accordingly (e.g., the accessory genome regulator, agr). Understanding exactly how specific MRSA clones cause prolonged epidemics may reveal targets for therapies, whereby both core (e.g., the alpha toxin) and acquired virulence factors (e.g., the Panton-Valentine leukocidin) may be nullified using anti-virulence strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jhih-Hang Jiang
- Department of Microbiology, Infection Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred Hospital and Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - David R. Cameron
- Department of Biomedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Cara Nethercott
- Department of Microbiology, Infection Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Marta Aires-de-Sousa
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Institutode Tecnologia Químicae Biológica António Xavier (ITQB-NOVA), Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
- Escola Superior de Saúde da Cruz Vermelha Portuguesa-Lisboa (ESSCVP-Lisboa), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Anton Y. Peleg
- Department of Microbiology, Infection Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred Hospital and Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Centre to Impact Antimicrobial Resistance, Monash University, Clayton, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Winstel V, Abt ER, Le TM, Radu CG. Targeting host deoxycytidine kinase mitigates Staphylococcus aureus abscess formation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.18.553822. [PMID: 37645972 PMCID: PMC10462150 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.18.553822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Host-directed therapy (HDT) is an emerging approach to overcome antimicrobial resistance in pathogenic microorganisms. Specifically, HDT targets host-encoded factors required for pathogen replication and survival without interfering with microbial growth or metabolism, thereby eliminating the risk of resistance development. By applying HDT and a drug repurposing approach, we demonstrate that (R)-DI-87, a clinical-stage anti-cancer drug and potent inhibitor of mammalian deoxycytidine kinase (dCK), mitigates Staphylococcus aureus abscess formation in organ tissues upon invasive bloodstream infection. Mechanistically, (R)-DI-87 shields phagocytes from staphylococcal death-effector deoxyribonucleosides that target dCK and the mammalian purine salvage pathway-apoptosis axis. In this manner, (R)-DI-87-mediated protection of immune cells amplifies macrophage infiltration into deep-seated abscesses, a phenomenon coupled with enhanced pathogen control, ameliorated immunopathology, and reduced disease severity. Thus, pharmaceutical blockade of dCK represents an advanced anti-infective intervention strategy against which staphylococci cannot develop resistance and may help to fight fatal infectious diseases in hospitalized patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Volker Winstel
- Research Group Pathogenesis of Bacterial Infections; TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a joint venture between the Hannover Medical School and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Evan R. Abt
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, United States of America
| | - Thuc M. Le
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, United States of America
| | - Caius G. Radu
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, United States of America
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Schwermann N, Haller R, Koch S, Grassl GA, Winstel V. Pathogen-driven nucleotide overload triggers mitochondria-centered cell death in phagocytes. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011892. [PMID: 38157331 PMCID: PMC10756532 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is a dangerous pathogen that evolved refined immuno-evasive strategies to antagonize host immune responses. This involves the biogenesis of death-effector deoxyribonucleosides, which kill infectious foci-penetrating macrophages. However, the exact mechanisms whereby staphylococcal death-effector deoxyribonucleosides and coupled imbalances of intracellular deoxyribonucleotide species provoke immune cell death remain elusive. Here, we report that S. aureus systematically promotes an overload of deoxyribonucleotides to trigger mitochondrial rupture in macrophages, a fatal event that induces assembly of the caspase-9-processing apoptosome and subsequent activation of the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis. Remarkably, genetic disruption of this cascade not only helps macrophages coping with death-effector deoxyribonucleoside-mediated cytotoxicity but also enhances their infiltration into abscesses thereby ameliorating pathogen control and infectious disease outcomes in laboratory animals. Combined with the discovery of protective alleles in human CASP9, these data highlight the role of mitochondria-centered apoptosis during S. aureus infection and suggest that gene polymorphisms may shape human susceptibility toward a predominant pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicoletta Schwermann
- Research Group Pathogenesis of Bacterial Infections; TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a joint venture between the Hannover Medical School and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Rita Haller
- Research Group Pathogenesis of Bacterial Infections; TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a joint venture between the Hannover Medical School and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Sebastian Koch
- Research Group Pathogenesis of Bacterial Infections; TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a joint venture between the Hannover Medical School and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Guntram A. Grassl
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Hannover-Braunschweig, Hannover, Germany
| | - Volker Winstel
- Research Group Pathogenesis of Bacterial Infections; TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a joint venture between the Hannover Medical School and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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Schwermann N, Winstel V. Functional diversity of staphylococcal surface proteins at the host-microbe interface. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1196957. [PMID: 37275142 PMCID: PMC10232760 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1196957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Surface proteins of Gram-positive pathogens are key determinants of virulence that substantially shape host-microbe interactions. Specifically, these proteins mediate host invasion and pathogen transmission, drive the acquisition of heme-iron from hemoproteins, and subvert innate and adaptive immune cell responses to push bacterial survival and pathogenesis in a hostile environment. Herein, we briefly review and highlight the multi-facetted roles of cell wall-anchored proteins of multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, a common etiological agent of purulent skin and soft tissue infections as well as severe systemic diseases in humans. In particular, we focus on the functional diversity of staphylococcal surface proteins and discuss their impact on the variety of clinical manifestations of S. aureus infections. We also describe mechanistic and underlying principles of staphylococcal surface protein-mediated immune evasion and coupled strategies S. aureus utilizes to paralyze patrolling neutrophils, macrophages, and other immune cells. Ultimately, we provide a systematic overview of novel therapeutic concepts and anti-infective strategies that aim at neutralizing S. aureus surface proteins or sortases, the molecular catalysts of protein anchoring in Gram-positive bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicoletta Schwermann
- Research Group Pathogenesis of Bacterial Infections, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a Joint Venture Between the Hannover Medical School and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Volker Winstel
- Research Group Pathogenesis of Bacterial Infections, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a Joint Venture Between the Hannover Medical School and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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Zhang Y, Chen R, Zhang D, Qi S, Liu Y. Metabolite interactions between host and microbiota during health and disease: Which feeds the other? Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 160:114295. [PMID: 36709600 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Metabolites produced by the host and microbiota play a crucial role in how human bodies develop and remain healthy. Most of these metabolites are produced by microbiota and hosts in the digestive tract. Metabolites in the gut have important roles in energy metabolism, cellular communication, and host immunity, among other physiological activities. Although numerous host metabolites, such as free fatty acids, amino acids, and vitamins, are found in the intestine, metabolites generated by gut microbiota are equally vital for intestinal homeostasis. Furthermore, microbiota in the gut is the sole source of some metabolites, including short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Metabolites produced by microbiota, such as neurotransmitters and hormones, may modulate and significantly affect host metabolism. The gut microbiota is becoming recognized as a second endocrine system. A variety of chronic inflammatory disorders have been linked to aberrant host-microbiota interplays, but the precise mechanisms underpinning these disturbances and how they might lead to diseases remain to be fully elucidated. Microbiome-modulated metabolites are promising targets for new drug discovery due to their endocrine function in various complex disorders. In humans, metabolotherapy for the prevention or treatment of various disorders will be possible if we better understand the metabolic preferences of bacteria and the host in specific tissues and organs. Better disease treatments may be possible with the help of novel complementary therapies that target host or bacterial metabolism. The metabolites, their physiological consequences, and functional mechanisms of the host-microbiota interplays will be highlighted, summarized, and discussed in this overview.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zhang
- Department of Anethesiology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130033, People's Republic of China.
| | - Rui Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130033, People's Republic of China.
| | - DuoDuo Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province 130021, People's Republic of China.
| | - Shuang Qi
- Department of Anethesiology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130033, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yan Liu
- Department of Hand and Foot Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130033, People's Republic of China.
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Urso A, Prince A. Anti-Inflammatory Metabolites in the Pathogenesis of Bacterial Infection. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:925746. [PMID: 35782110 PMCID: PMC9240774 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.925746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Host and pathogen metabolism have a major impact on the outcome of infection. The microenvironment consisting of immune and stromal cells drives bacterial proliferation and adaptation, while also shaping the activity of the immune system. The abundant metabolites itaconate and adenosine are classified as anti-inflammatory, as they help to contain the local damage associated with inflammation, oxidants and proteases. A growing literature details the many roles of these immunometabolites in the pathogenesis of infection and their diverse functions in specific tissues. Some bacteria, notably P. aeruginosa, actively metabolize these compounds, others, such as S. aureus respond by altering their own metabolic programs selecting for optimal fitness. For most of the model systems studied to date, these immunometabolites promote a milieu of tolerance, limiting local immune clearance mechanisms, along with promoting bacterial adaptation. The generation of metabolites such as adenosine and itaconate can be host protective. In the setting of acute inflammation, these compounds also represent potential therapeutic targets to prevent infection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alice Prince
- *Correspondence: Alice Prince, ; Andreacarola Urso,
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