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Schneemann M, Heils L, Moos V, Weiß F, Krug SM, Weiner J, Beule D, Gerhard R, Schulzke JD, Bücker R. A Colonic Organoid Model Challenged with the Large Toxins of Clostridioides difficile TcdA and TcdB Exhibit Deregulated Tight Junction Proteins. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:643. [PMID: 37999506 PMCID: PMC10674794 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15110643] [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: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Clostridioides difficile toxins TcdA and TcdB are responsible for diarrhea and colitis. Lack of functional studies in organoid models of the gut prompted us to elucidate the toxin's effects on epithelial barrier function and the molecular mechanisms for diarrhea and inflammation. METHODS Human adult colon organoids were cultured on membrane inserts. Tight junction (TJ) proteins and actin cytoskeleton were analyzed for expression via Western blotting and via confocal laser-scanning microscopy for subcellular localization. RESULTS Polarized intestinal organoid monolayers were established from stem cell-containing colon organoids to apply toxins from the apical side and to perform functional measurements in the organoid model. The toxins caused a reduction in transepithelial electrical resistance in human colonic organoid monolayers with sublethal concentrations. Concomitantly, we detected increased paracellular permeability fluorescein and FITC-dextran-4000. Human colonic organoid monolayers exposed to the toxins exhibited redistribution of barrier-forming TJ proteins claudin-1, -4 and tricellulin, whereas channel-forming claudin-2 expression was increased. Perijunctional F-actin cytoskeleton organization was affected. CONCLUSIONS Adult stem cell-derived human colonic organoid monolayers were applicable as a colon infection model for electrophysiological measurements. The TJ changes noted can explain the epithelial barrier dysfunction and diarrhea in patients, as well as increased entry of luminal antigens triggering inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Schneemann
- Clinical Physiology, Nutritional Medicine, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, 12203 Berlin, Germany
| | - Lucas Heils
- Clinical Physiology, Nutritional Medicine, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, 12203 Berlin, Germany
| | - Verena Moos
- Department of Gastroenterology, Infectious Diseases and Rheumatology, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, 12203 Berlin, Germany
| | - Franziska Weiß
- Clinical Physiology, Nutritional Medicine, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, 12203 Berlin, Germany
| | - Susanne M. Krug
- Clinical Physiology, Nutritional Medicine, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, 12203 Berlin, Germany
| | - January Weiner
- Core Unit Bioinformatics (CUBI), Berlin Institute of Health at Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Dieter Beule
- Core Unit Bioinformatics (CUBI), Berlin Institute of Health at Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Ralf Gerhard
- Institute of Toxicology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Jörg-Dieter Schulzke
- Clinical Physiology, Nutritional Medicine, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, 12203 Berlin, Germany
| | - Roland Bücker
- Clinical Physiology, Nutritional Medicine, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, 12203 Berlin, Germany
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2
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Naz F, Petri WA. Host Immunity and Immunization Strategies for Clostridioides difficile Infection. Clin Microbiol Rev 2023; 36:e0015722. [PMID: 37162338 PMCID: PMC10283484 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00157-22] [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: 05/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) represents a significant challenge to public health. C. difficile-associated mortality and morbidity have led the U.S. CDC to designate it as an urgent threat. Moreover, recurrence or relapses can occur in up to a third of CDI patients, due in part to antibiotics being the primary treatment for CDI and the major cause of the disease. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of innate immune responses, adaptive immune responses, and the link between innate and adaptive immune responses of the host against CDI. The other major determinants of CDI, such as C. difficile toxins, the host microbiota, and related treatments, are also described. Finally, we discuss the known therapeutic approaches and the current status of immunization strategies for CDI, which might help to bridge the knowledge gap in the generation of therapy against CDI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farha Naz
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - William A. Petri
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
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3
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Petersen L, Stroh S, Schöttelndreier D, Grassl GA, Rottner K, Brakebusch C, Fahrer J, Genth H. The Essential Role of Rac1 Glucosylation in Clostridioides difficile Toxin B-Induced Arrest of G1-S Transition. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:846215. [PMID: 35321078 PMCID: PMC8937036 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.846215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) in humans causes pseudomembranous colitis (PMC), which is a severe pathology characterized by a loss of epithelial barrier function and massive colonic inflammation. PMC has been attributed to the action of two large protein toxins, Toxin A (TcdA) and Toxin B (TcdB). TcdA and TcdB mono-O-glucosylate and thereby inactivate a broad spectrum of Rho GTPases and (in the case of TcdA) also some Ras GTPases. Rho/Ras GTPases promote G1-S transition through the activation of components of the ERK, AKT, and WNT signaling pathways. With regard to CDI pathology, TcdB is regarded of being capable of inhibiting colonic stem cell proliferation and colonic regeneration, which is likely causative for PMC. In particular, it is still unclear, the glucosylation of which substrate Rho-GTPase is critical for TcdB-induced arrest of G1-S transition. Exploiting SV40-immortalized mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) with deleted Rho subtype GTPases, evidence is provided that Rac1 (not Cdc42) positively regulates Cyclin D1, an essential factor of G1-S transition. TcdB-catalyzed Rac1 glucosylation results in Cyclin D1 suppression and arrested G1-S transition in MEFs and in human colonic epithelial cells (HCEC), Remarkably, Rac1−/− MEFs are insensitive to TcdB-induced arrest of G1-S transition, suggesting that TcdB arrests G1-S transition in a Rac1 glucosylation-dependent manner. Human intestinal organoids (HIOs) specifically expressed Cyclin D1 (neither Cyclin D2 nor Cyclin D3), which expression was suppressed upon TcdB treatment. In sum, Cyclin D1 expression in colonic cells seems to be regulated by Rho GTPases (most likely Rac1) and in turn seems to be susceptible to TcdB-induced suppression. With regard to PMC, toxin-catalyzed Rac1 glucosylation and subsequent G1-S arrest of colonic stem cells seems to be causative for decreased repair capacity of the colonic epithelium and delayed epithelial renewal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Petersen
- Institute for Toxicology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Svenja Stroh
- Department of Toxicology, University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | | | - Guntram A. Grassl
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology and DZIF partner site Hannover, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Klemens Rottner
- Division of Molecular Cell Biology, Zoological Institute, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
- Department of Cell Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Cord Brakebusch
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jörg Fahrer
- Department of Toxicology, University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany
- Rudolf-Buchheim-Institute of Pharmacology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Harald Genth
- Institute for Toxicology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- *Correspondence: Harald Genth,
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4
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Karg CA, Wang S, Al Danaf N, Pemberton RP, Bernard D, Kretschmer M, Schneider S, Zisis T, Vollmar AM, Lamb DC, Zahler S, Moser S. Tetrapyrrolische Pigmente aus dem Häm‐ und Chlorophyllabbau interagieren mit Aktin. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202107813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Cornelia A. Karg
- Pharmazeutische Biologie Department Pharmazie Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München Butenandtstraße 5–13 81377 München Deutschland
| | - Shuaijun Wang
- Pharmazeutische Biologie Department Pharmazie Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München Butenandtstraße 5–13 81377 München Deutschland
| | - Nader Al Danaf
- Center for Nanoscience (CeNS) und Nanosystems Initiative Munich (NIM) Department Chemie Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München Butenandtstraße 5–13 81377 München Deutschland
| | - Ryan P. Pemberton
- Atomwise Inc. 717 Market Street, Suite 800 San Francisco CA 94103 USA
| | - Denzil Bernard
- Atomwise Inc. 717 Market Street, Suite 800 San Francisco CA 94103 USA
| | - Maibritt Kretschmer
- Pharmazeutische Biologie Department Pharmazie Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München Butenandtstraße 5–13 81377 München Deutschland
| | - Sabine Schneider
- Department Chemie Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München Butenandtstraße 5–13 81377 München Deutschland
| | - Themistoklis Zisis
- Pharmazeutische Biologie Department Pharmazie Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München Butenandtstraße 5–13 81377 München Deutschland
| | - Angelika M. Vollmar
- Pharmazeutische Biologie Department Pharmazie Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München Butenandtstraße 5–13 81377 München Deutschland
| | - Don C. Lamb
- Center for Nanoscience (CeNS) und Nanosystems Initiative Munich (NIM) Department Chemie Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München Butenandtstraße 5–13 81377 München Deutschland
| | - Stefan Zahler
- Pharmazeutische Biologie Department Pharmazie Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München Butenandtstraße 5–13 81377 München Deutschland
| | - Simone Moser
- Pharmazeutische Biologie Department Pharmazie Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München Butenandtstraße 5–13 81377 München Deutschland
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5
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Karg CA, Wang S, Al Danaf N, Pemberton RP, Bernard D, Kretschmer M, Schneider S, Zisis T, Vollmar AM, Lamb DC, Zahler S, Moser S. Tetrapyrrolic Pigments from Heme- and Chlorophyll Breakdown are Actin-Targeting Compounds. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021; 60:22578-22584. [PMID: 34310831 PMCID: PMC8519017 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202107813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Chlorophyll and heme are among the "pigments of life", tetrapyrrolic structures, without which life on Earth would not be possible. Their catabolites, the phyllobilins and the bilins, respectively, share not only structural features, but also a similar story: Long considered waste products of detoxification processes, important bioactivities for both classes have now been demonstrated. For phyllobilins, however, research on physiological roles is sparse. Here, we introduce actin, the major component of the cytoskeleton, as the first discovered target of phyllobilins and as a novel target of bilins. We demonstrate the inhibition of actin dynamics in vitro and effects on actin and related processes in cancer cells. A direct interaction with G-actin is shown by in silico studies and confirmed by affinity chromatography. Our findings open a new chapter in bioactivities of tetrapyrroles-especially phyllobilins-for which they form the basis for broad implications in plant science, ecology, and physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cornelia A. Karg
- Pharmaceutical BiologyDepartment of PharmacyLudwig-Maximilians University of MunichButenandtstraße 5–1381377MunichGermany
| | - Shuaijun Wang
- Pharmaceutical BiologyDepartment of PharmacyLudwig-Maximilians University of MunichButenandtstraße 5–1381377MunichGermany
| | - Nader Al Danaf
- Center for Nanoscience (CeNS) and Nanosystems Initiative Munich (NIM)Department of ChemistryLudwig-Maximilians University of MunichButenandtstraße 5–1381377MunichGermany
| | | | - Denzil Bernard
- Atomwise Inc.717 Market Street, Suite 800San FranciscoCA94103USA
| | - Maibritt Kretschmer
- Pharmaceutical BiologyDepartment of PharmacyLudwig-Maximilians University of MunichButenandtstraße 5–1381377MunichGermany
| | - Sabine Schneider
- Department of ChemistryLudwig-Maximilians University MunichButenandtstrasse 5–1381377MunichGermany
| | - Themistoklis Zisis
- Pharmaceutical BiologyDepartment of PharmacyLudwig-Maximilians University of MunichButenandtstraße 5–1381377MunichGermany
| | - Angelika M. Vollmar
- Pharmaceutical BiologyDepartment of PharmacyLudwig-Maximilians University of MunichButenandtstraße 5–1381377MunichGermany
| | - Don C. Lamb
- Center for Nanoscience (CeNS) and Nanosystems Initiative Munich (NIM)Department of ChemistryLudwig-Maximilians University of MunichButenandtstraße 5–1381377MunichGermany
| | - Stefan Zahler
- Pharmaceutical BiologyDepartment of PharmacyLudwig-Maximilians University of MunichButenandtstraße 5–1381377MunichGermany
| | - Simone Moser
- Pharmaceutical BiologyDepartment of PharmacyLudwig-Maximilians University of MunichButenandtstraße 5–1381377MunichGermany
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6
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Song J, Shen X, Huang Z, Liu Y, Cui L, Cui X, Liu CY. Clostridium difficile toxin A and toxin B inhibit YAP in the colonic epithelial cells. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 2020; 35:e22652. [PMID: 33251692 DOI: 10.1002/jbt.22652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2019] [Revised: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Toxin A (TcdA) and toxin B (TcdB), the two exotoxins of Clostridium difficile, are main causal agents for the colonic epithelium damage in Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). The Hippo pathway is crucial for the control of tissue homeostasis and regeneration of intestines. However, the dysregulation of Hippo pathway in CDI is unclear. Here we show that YAP and TAZ, the transcriptional coactivators downstream of the Hippo pathway, are sequestered in the cytoplasm, degraded, and inactivated by treatment with TcdA and TcdB in colonic epithelial cells. The overexpression of YAP restores the messenger RNA expressions of YAP target genes, attenuates the disruption of cytoskeleton and cell rounding, and rescues the cell proliferation of colonic epithelial cells under exposure of the two toxins. Our results demonstrate that inhibition of YAP and TAZ is involved in the pathogenesis of CDI, implicating that increasing YAP activity could be a potential therapeutic strategy for the CDI treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinglue Song
- Department of Colorectal and Anal Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Colorectal Cancer Research Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Xia Shen
- Department of Colorectal and Anal Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Colorectal Cancer Research Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhenyu Huang
- Department of Colorectal and Anal Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Colorectal Cancer Research Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Yun Liu
- Department of Colorectal and Anal Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Colorectal Cancer Research Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Long Cui
- Department of Colorectal and Anal Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Colorectal Cancer Research Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Xuewei Cui
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Chen-Ying Liu
- Department of Colorectal and Anal Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Colorectal Cancer Research Center, Shanghai, China
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Schöttelndreier D, Langejürgen A, Lindner R, Genth H. Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor-Related Protein-1 (LRP1) Is Involved in the Uptake of Clostridioides difficile Toxin A and Serves as an Internalizing Receptor. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:565465. [PMID: 33194803 PMCID: PMC7604483 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.565465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxin producing Clostridioides difficile strains cause gastrointestinal infections with the large glucosylating protein toxins A (TcdA) and B (TcdB) being major virulence factors responsible for the onset of symptoms. TcdA and TcdB enter their target cells via receptor-mediated endocytosis. Inside the cell, the toxins glucosylate and thereby inactivate small GTPases of the Rho-/Ras subfamilies resulting in actin reorganization and cell death. The receptors of TcdA are still elusive, glycoprotein 96 (gp96), the low density lipoprotein receptor family (LDLR) and sulfated glycosaminoglycans (sGAGs) have most recently been suggested as receptors for TcdA. In this study, we provide evidence on rapid endocytosis of Low density lipoprotein Receptor-related Protein-1 (LRP1) into fibroblasts and Caco-2 cells by exploiting biotinylation of cell surface proteins. In contrast, gp96 was not endocytosed either in the presence or absence of TcdA. The kinetics of internalization of TfR and LRP1 were comparable in the presence and the absence of TcdA, excluding that TcdA facilitates its internalization by triggering internalization of its receptors. Exploiting fibroblasts with a genetic deletion of LRP1, TcdA was about one order of magnitude less potent in LRP1-deficient cells as compared to the corresponding control cells. In contrast, TcdB exhibited a comparable potency in LRP1-proficient and -deficient fibroblasts. These findings suggested a role of LRP1 in the cellular uptake of TcdA but not of TcdB. Correspondingly, binding of TcdA to the cell surface of LRP1-deficient fibroblasts was reduced as compared with LRP1-proficient fibroblasts. Finally, TcdA bound to LRP1 ligand binding type repeat cluster II (amino acid 786–1,165) and cluster IV (amino acid 3332-3779). In conclusion, LRP1 appears to serve as an endocytic receptor and gp96 as a non-endocytic receptor for TcdA.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anna Langejürgen
- Institutes for Toxicology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Robert Lindner
- Neuroanatomy and Cell Biology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Harald Genth
- Institutes for Toxicology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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Melittin from Apis florea Venom as a Promising Therapeutic Agent for Skin Cancer Treatment. Antibiotics (Basel) 2020; 9:antibiotics9080517. [PMID: 32823904 PMCID: PMC7460526 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics9080517] [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: 06/21/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Melittin, a major component found in bee venom, is produced by the Apis species of the honey bee. In this study, the effect of melittin derived from Apis florea (Mel-AF), which is a wild honey bee species that is indigenous to Thailand, was investigated against human malignant melanoma (A375) cells. In this study, Mel-AF exhibited considerable potential in the anti-proliferative action of A375 cells. Subsequently, the cellular mechanism of Mel-AF that induced cell death was investigated in terms of apoptosis. As a result, gene and protein expression levels, which indicated the activation of cytochrome-c release and caspase-9 expression, eventually triggered the release of the caspase-3 executioner upon Mel-AF. We then determined that apoptosis-mediated cell death was carried out through the intrinsic mitochondrial pathway. Moreover, advanced abilities, including cell motility and invasion, were significantly suppressed. Mel-AF manipulated the actin arrangement via the trapping of stress fibers that were found underneath the membrane, which resulted in the defective actin cytoskeleton organization. Consequently, the expression of EGFR, a binding protein to F-actin, was also found to be suppressed. This outcome strongly supports the effects of Mel-AF in the inhibition of progressive malignant activity through the disruption of actin cytoskeleton-EGFR interaction and the EGFR signaling system. Thus, the findings of our current study indicate the potential usefulness of Mel-AF in cancer treatments as an apoptosis inducer and a potential actin-targeting agent.
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Engevik MA, Danhof HA, Chang-Graham AL, Spinler JK, Engevik KA, Herrmann B, Endres BT, Garey KW, Hyser JM, Britton RA, Versalovic J. Human intestinal enteroids as a model of Clostridioides difficile-induced enteritis. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2020; 318:G870-G888. [PMID: 32223302 PMCID: PMC7272722 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00045.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Clostridioides difficile is an important nosocomial pathogen that produces toxins to cause life-threatening diarrhea and colitis. Toxins bind to epithelial receptors and promote the collapse of the actin cytoskeleton. C. difficile toxin activity is commonly studied in cancer-derived and immortalized cell lines. However, the biological relevance of these models is limited. Moreover, no model is available for examining C. difficile-induced enteritis, an understudied health problem. We hypothesized that human intestinal enteroids (HIEs) express toxin receptors and provide a new model to dissect C. difficile cytotoxicity in the small intestine. We generated biopsy-derived jejunal HIE and Vero cells, which stably express LifeAct-Ruby, a fluorescent label of F-actin, to monitor actin cytoskeleton rearrangement by live-cell microscopy. Imaging analysis revealed that toxins from pathogenic C. difficile strains elicited cell rounding in a strain-dependent manner, and HIEs were tenfold more sensitive to toxin A (TcdA) than toxin B (TcdB). By quantitative PCR, we paradoxically found that HIEs expressed greater quantities of toxin receptor mRNA and yet exhibited decreased sensitivity to toxins when compared with traditionally used cell lines. We reasoned that these differences may be explained by components, such as mucins, that are present in HIEs cultures, that are absent in immortalized cell lines. Addition of human-derived mucin 2 (MUC2) to Vero cells delayed cell rounding, indicating that mucus serves as a barrier to toxin-receptor binding. This work highlights that investigation of C. difficile infection in that HIEs can provide important insights into the intricate interactions between toxins and the human intestinal epithelium.NEW & NOTEWORTHY In this article, we developed a novel model of Clostridioides difficile-induced enteritis using jejunal-derived human intestinal enteroids (HIEs) transduced with fluorescently tagged F-actin. Using live-imaging, we identified that jejunal HIEs express high levels of TcdA and CDT receptors, are more sensitive to TcdA than TcdB, and secrete mucus, which delays toxin-epithelial interactions. This work also optimizes optically clear C. difficile-conditioned media suitable for live-cell imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melinda A. Engevik
- 1Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas,2Department of Pathology, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, Texas
| | - Heather A. Danhof
- 3Alkek Center for Metagenomic and Microbiome Research, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas,4Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | | | - Jennifer K. Spinler
- 1Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas,2Department of Pathology, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, Texas
| | - Kristen A. Engevik
- 3Alkek Center for Metagenomic and Microbiome Research, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas,4Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Beatrice Herrmann
- 1Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas,2Department of Pathology, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, Texas
| | - Bradley T. Endres
- 5Department of Pharmacy Practice and Translational Research, University of Houston College of Pharmacy, Houston, Texas
| | - Kevin W. Garey
- 5Department of Pharmacy Practice and Translational Research, University of Houston College of Pharmacy, Houston, Texas
| | - Joseph M. Hyser
- 1Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas,2Department of Pathology, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, Texas
| | - Robert A. Britton
- 3Alkek Center for Metagenomic and Microbiome Research, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas,4Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - James Versalovic
- 1Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas,2Department of Pathology, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, Texas
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10
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Status of vaccine research and development for Clostridium difficile. Vaccine 2019; 37:7300-7306. [PMID: 30902484 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2019.02.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2016] [Accepted: 02/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Clostridium difficile associated disease is fundamentally associated with dysbiosis of the gut microbiome as a consequence of antibiotic use. This is because this sporulating, obligate anaerobe germinates and proliferates rapidly in the dysbiotic gut, which is an indirect consequence of their use. During its growth, C. difficile produces two toxins, toxin A (TcdA) and toxin B (TcdB), which are responsible for the majority of clinical symptoms associated with the disease. Three parenterally delivered vaccines, based on detoxified or recombinant forms of these toxins, have undergone or are undergoing clinical trials. Each offers the opportunity to generate high titres of toxin neutralising antibodies. Whilst these data suggest these vaccines may reduce primary symptomatic disease, they do not in their current form reduce the capacity of the organism to persist and shed from the vaccinated host. The current progress of vaccine development is considered with advantages and limitations of each highlighted. In addition, several alternative approaches are described that seek to limit C. difficile germination, colonisation and persistence. It may yet prove that the most effective treatments to limit infection, disease and spread of the organism will require a combination of therapeutic approaches. The potential use and efficacy of these vaccines in low and middle income countries will be depend on the development of a cost effective vaccine and greater understanding of the distribution and extent of disease in these countries.
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11
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Genth H, Junemann J, Lämmerhirt CM, Lücke AC, Schelle I, Just I, Gerhard R, Pich A. Difference in Mono-O-Glucosylation of Ras Subtype GTPases Between Toxin A and Toxin B From Clostridioides difficile Strain 10463 and Lethal Toxin From Clostridium sordellii Strain 6018. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:3078. [PMID: 30622517 PMCID: PMC6308379 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.03078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2018] [Accepted: 11/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Clostridioides difficile toxin A (TcdA) and Toxin B (TcdB) trigger inflammasome activation with caspase-1 activation in cultured cells, which in turn induce the release of IL-6, IFN-γ, and IL-8. Release of these proinflammatory responses is positively regulated by Ras-GTPases, which leads to the hypothesis that Ras glucosylation by glucosylating toxins results in (at least) reduced proinflammatory responses. Against this background, data on toxin-catalyzed Ras glucosylation are required to estimate of pro-inflammatory effect of the glucosylating toxins. In this study, a quantitative evaluation of the GTPase substrate profiles glucosylated in human colonic (Caco-2) cells treated with either TcdA, TcdB, or the related Clostridium sordellii lethal toxin (TcsL) was performed using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mass spectrometry. (H/K/N)Ras are presented to be glucosylated by TcsL and TcdA but by neither TcdB isoform tested. Furthermore, the glucosylation of (H/K/N)Ras was detected in TcdA-(not TcdB)-treated cells, as analyzed exploiting immunoblot analysis using the Ras glucosylation-sensitive 27H5 antibody. Furthermore, [14C]glucosylation of substrate GTPase was found to be increased in a cell-free system complemented with Caco-2 lysates. Under these conditions, (H/K/N)Ras glucosylation by TcdA was detected. In contrast, TcdB-catalyzed (H/K/N)Ras glucosylation was detected by neither MRM analysis, immunoblot analysis nor [14C]glucosylation in a cell-free system. The observation that TcdA (not TcdB) glucosylates Ras subtype GTPases correlates with the fact that TcdB (not TcdA) is primarily responsible for inflammatory responses in CDI. Finally, TcsL more efficaciously glucosylated Ras subtype GTPase as compared with TcdA, reinforcing the paradigm that TcsL is the prototype of a Ras glucosylating toxin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harald Genth
- Institute of Toxicology, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Ilona Schelle
- Institute of Toxicology, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
| | - Ingo Just
- Institute of Toxicology, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
| | - Ralf Gerhard
- Institute of Toxicology, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
| | - Andreas Pich
- Institute of Toxicology, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
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12
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Coffing H, Priyamvada S, Anbazhagan AN, Salibay C, Engevik M, Versalovic J, Yacyshyn MB, Yacyshyn B, Tyagi S, Saksena S, Gill RK, Alrefai WA, Dudeja PK. Clostridium difficile toxins A and B decrease intestinal SLC26A3 protein expression. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2018; 315:G43-G52. [PMID: 29597352 PMCID: PMC6109705 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00307.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2017] [Revised: 03/06/2018] [Accepted: 03/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is the primary cause of nosocomial diarrhea in the United States. Although C. difficile toxins A and B are the primary mediators of CDI, the overall pathophysiology underlying C. difficile-associated diarrhea remains poorly understood. Studies have shown that a decrease in both NHE3 (Na+/H+ exchanger) and DRA (downregulated in adenoma, Cl-/[Formula: see text] exchanger), resulting in decreased electrolyte absorption, is implicated in infectious and inflammatory diarrhea. Furthermore, studies have shown that NHE3 is depleted at the apical surface of intestinal epithelial cells and downregulated in patients with CDI, but the role of DRA in CDI remains unknown. In the current studies, we examined the effects of C. difficile toxins TcdA and TcdB on DRA protein and mRNA levels in intestinal epithelial cells (IECs). Our data demonstrated that DRA protein levels were significantly reduced in response to TcdA and TcdB in IECs in culture. This effect was also specific to DRA, as NHE3 and PAT-1 (putative anion transporter 1) protein levels were unaffected by TcdA and TcdB. Additionally, purified TcdA and TcdA + TcdB, but not TcdB, resulted in a decrease in colonic DRA protein levels in a toxigenic mouse model of CDI. Finally, patients with recurrent CDI also exhibited significantly reduced expression of colonic DRA protein. Together, these findings indicate that C. difficile toxins markedly downregulate intestinal expression of DRA which may contribute to the diarrheal phenotype of CDI. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Our studies demonstrate, for the first time, that C. difficile toxins reduce DRA protein, but not mRNA, levels in intestinal epithelial cells. These findings suggest that a downregulation of DRA may be a critical factor in C. difficile infection-associated diarrhea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayley Coffing
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago , Chicago, Illinois
| | - Shubha Priyamvada
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago , Chicago, Illinois
| | - Arivarasu N Anbazhagan
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago , Chicago, Illinois
| | - Christine Salibay
- Department of Pathology, University of Illinois at Chicago , Chicago, Illinois
| | - Melinda Engevik
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine and Department of Pathology, Texas Children's Hospital , Houston, Texas
| | - James Versalovic
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine and Department of Pathology, Texas Children's Hospital , Houston, Texas
| | - Mary Beth Yacyshyn
- Division of Digestive Diseases, Department. of Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine , Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Bruce Yacyshyn
- Division of Digestive Diseases, Department. of Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine , Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Sangeeta Tyagi
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago , Chicago, Illinois
| | - Seema Saksena
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago , Chicago, Illinois
- Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical Center , Chicago, Illinois
| | - Ravinder K Gill
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago , Chicago, Illinois
| | - Waddah A Alrefai
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago , Chicago, Illinois
- Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical Center , Chicago, Illinois
| | - Pradeep K Dudeja
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago , Chicago, Illinois
- Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical Center , Chicago, Illinois
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13
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Chandrasekaran R, Lacy DB. The role of toxins in Clostridium difficile infection. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2017; 41:723-750. [PMID: 29048477 PMCID: PMC5812492 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fux048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 189] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2017] [Accepted: 10/10/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Clostridium difficile is a bacterial pathogen that is the leading cause of nosocomial antibiotic-associated diarrhea and pseudomembranous colitis worldwide. The incidence, severity, mortality and healthcare costs associated with C. difficile infection (CDI) are rising, making C. difficile a major threat to public health. Traditional treatments for CDI involve use of antibiotics such as metronidazole and vancomycin, but disease recurrence occurs in about 30% of patients, highlighting the need for new therapies. The pathogenesis of C. difficile is primarily mediated by the actions of two large clostridial glucosylating toxins, toxin A (TcdA) and toxin B (TcdB). Some strains produce a third toxin, the binary toxin C. difficile transferase, which can also contribute to C. difficile virulence and disease. These toxins act on the colonic epithelium and immune cells and induce a complex cascade of cellular events that result in fluid secretion, inflammation and tissue damage, which are the hallmark features of the disease. In this review, we summarize our current understanding of the structure and mechanism of action of the C. difficile toxins and their role in disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramyavardhanee Chandrasekaran
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - D. Borden Lacy
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- The Veterans Affairs Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
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14
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Wyche TP, Ramos Alvarenga RF, Piotrowski JS, Duster MN, Warrack SR, Cornilescu G, De Wolfe TJ, Hou Y, Braun DR, Ellis GA, Simpkins SW, Nelson J, Myers CL, Steele J, Mori H, Safdar N, Markley JL, Rajski SR, Bugni TS. Chemical Genomics, Structure Elucidation, and in Vivo Studies of the Marine-Derived Anticlostridial Ecteinamycin. ACS Chem Biol 2017; 12:2287-2295. [PMID: 28708379 PMCID: PMC5697710 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.7b00388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
A polyether antibiotic, ecteinamycin (1), was isolated from a marine Actinomadura sp., cultivated from the ascidian Ecteinascidia turbinata. 13C enrichment, high resolution NMR spectroscopy, and molecular modeling enabled elucidation of the structure of 1, which was validated on the basis of comparisons with its recently reported crystal structure. Importantly, ecteinamycin demonstrated potent activity against the toxigenic strain of Clostridium difficile NAP1/B1/027 (MIC = 59 ng/μL), as well as other toxigenic and nontoxigenic C. difficile isolates both in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, chemical genomics studies using Escherichia coli barcoded deletion mutants led to the identification of sensitive mutants such as trkA and kdpD involved in potassium cation transport and homeostasis supporting a mechanistic proposal that ecteinamycin acts as an ionophore antibiotic. This is the first antibacterial agent whose mechanism of action has been studied using E. coli chemical genomics. On the basis of these data, we propose ecteinamycin as an ionophore antibiotic that causes C. difficile detoxification and cell death via potassium transport dysregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas P. Wyche
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Division, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53705, United States
| | - René F. Ramos Alvarenga
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Division, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53705, United States
| | | | - Megan N. Duster
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53705, United States
| | - Simone R. Warrack
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53705, United States
| | - Gabriel Cornilescu
- National Magnetic Resonance Facility at Madison, Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Travis J. De Wolfe
- Department of Food Science, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Yanpeng Hou
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Division, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53705, United States
| | - Doug R. Braun
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Division, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53705, United States
| | - Gregory A. Ellis
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Division, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53705, United States
| | - Scott W. Simpkins
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Justin Nelson
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Chad L. Myers
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - James Steele
- Department of Food Science, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Hirotada Mori
- Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Ikoma, Nara 630-0101, Japan
| | - Nasia Safdar
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53705, United States
| | - John L. Markley
- National Magnetic Resonance Facility at Madison, Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Scott R. Rajski
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Division, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53705, United States
| | - Tim S. Bugni
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Division, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53705, United States
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15
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Fettucciari K, Ponsini P, Gioè D, Macchioni L, Palumbo C, Antonelli E, Coaccioli S, Villanacci V, Corazzi L, Marconi P, Bassotti G. Enteric glial cells are susceptible to Clostridium difficile toxin B. Cell Mol Life Sci 2017; 74:1527-1551. [PMID: 27891552 PMCID: PMC11107567 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-016-2426-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2016] [Revised: 10/27/2016] [Accepted: 11/21/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Clostridium difficile causes nosocomial/antibiotic-associated diarrhoea and pseudomembranous colitis. The major virulence factors are toxin A and toxin B (TcdB), which inactivate GTPases by monoglucosylation, leading to cytopathic (cytoskeleton alteration, cell rounding) and cytotoxic effects (cell-cycle arrest, apoptosis). C. difficile toxins breaching the intestinal epithelial barrier can act on underlying cells, enterocytes, colonocytes, and enteric neurons, as described in vitro and in vivo, but until now no data have been available on enteric glial cell (EGC) susceptibility. EGCs are crucial for regulating the enteric nervous system, gut homeostasis, the immune and inflammatory responses, and digestive and extradigestive diseases. Therefore, we evaluated the effects of C. difficile TcdB in EGCs. Rat-transformed EGCs were treated with TcdB at 0.1-10 ng/ml for 1.5-48 h, and several parameters were analysed. TcdB induces the following in EGCs: (1) early cell rounding with Rac1 glucosylation; (2) early G2/M cell-cycle arrest by cyclin B1/Cdc2 complex inactivation caused by p27 upregulation, the downregulation of cyclin B1 and Cdc2 phosphorylated at Thr161 and Tyr15; and (3) apoptosis by a caspase-dependent but mitochondria-independent pathway. Most importantly, the stimulation of EGCs with TNF-α plus IFN-γ before, concomitantly or after TcdB treatment strongly increased TcdB-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, EGCs that survived the cytotoxic effect of TcdB did not recover completely and showed not only persistent Rac1 glucosylation, cell-cycle arrest and low apoptosis but also increased production of glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor, suggesting self-rescuing mechanisms. In conclusion, the high susceptibility of EGCs to TcdB in vitro, the increased sensitivity to inflammatory cytokines related to apoptosis and the persistence of altered functions in surviving cells suggest an important in vivo role of EGCs in the pathogenesis of C. difficile infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katia Fettucciari
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Histology and Medical Embryology Section, Perugia University, Piazza Lucio Severi 1, Edificio B IV piano, Sant'Andrea delle Fratte, 06132, Perugia, Italy.
| | - Pamela Ponsini
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Histology and Medical Embryology Section, Perugia University, Piazza Lucio Severi 1, Edificio B IV piano, Sant'Andrea delle Fratte, 06132, Perugia, Italy
| | - Davide Gioè
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Histology and Medical Embryology Section, Perugia University, Piazza Lucio Severi 1, Edificio B IV piano, Sant'Andrea delle Fratte, 06132, Perugia, Italy
| | - Lara Macchioni
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Physiology and Biochemistry Section, Perugia University, Perugia, Italy
| | - Camilla Palumbo
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Stefano Coaccioli
- Department of Medicine, Internal Medicine, Rheumatology and Medical Therapy of Pain Section, Perugia University, District of Terni, Perugia, Italy
| | | | - Lanfranco Corazzi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Physiology and Biochemistry Section, Perugia University, Perugia, Italy
| | - Pierfrancesco Marconi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Histology and Medical Embryology Section, Perugia University, Piazza Lucio Severi 1, Edificio B IV piano, Sant'Andrea delle Fratte, 06132, Perugia, Italy
| | - Gabrio Bassotti
- Department of Medicine, Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Digestive Endoscopy Section, Perugia University, Perugia, Italy
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16
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Brooks J, Watson A, Korcsmaros T. Omics Approaches to Identify Potential Biomarkers of Inflammatory Diseases in the Focal Adhesion Complex. GENOMICS PROTEOMICS & BIOINFORMATICS 2017; 15:101-109. [PMID: 28373027 PMCID: PMC5414711 DOI: 10.1016/j.gpb.2016.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2016] [Revised: 12/13/2016] [Accepted: 12/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Inflammatory diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) require recurrent invasive tests, including blood tests, radiology, and endoscopic evaluation both to diagnose and assess disease activity, and to determine optimal therapeutic strategies. Simple ‘bedside’ biomarkers could be used in all phases of patient management to avoid unnecessary investigation and guide further management. The focal adhesion complex (FAC) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of multiple inflammatory diseases, including IBD, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis. Utilizing omics technologies has proven to be an efficient approach to identify biomarkers from within the FAC in the field of cancer medicine. Predictive biomarkers are paving the way for the success of precision medicine for cancer patients, but inflammatory diseases have lagged behind in this respect. This review explores the current status of biomarker prediction for inflammatory diseases from within the FAC using omics technologies and highlights the benefits of future potential biomarker identification approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanne Brooks
- Gut Health and Food Safety Institute Strategic Programme, Institute of Food Research, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UA, United Kingdom; Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7TJ, United Kingdom; Gastroenterology Department, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, Norwich NR4 7UY, United Kingdom
| | - Alastair Watson
- Gut Health and Food Safety Institute Strategic Programme, Institute of Food Research, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UA, United Kingdom; Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7TJ, United Kingdom; Gastroenterology Department, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, Norwich NR4 7UY, United Kingdom
| | - Tamas Korcsmaros
- Gut Health and Food Safety Institute Strategic Programme, Institute of Food Research, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UA, United Kingdom; Earlham Institute, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UZ, United Kingdom.
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17
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Role of p38 alpha/beta MAP Kinase in Cell Susceptibility to Clostridium sordellii Lethal Toxin and Clostridium difficile Toxin B. Toxins (Basel) 2016; 9:toxins9010002. [PMID: 28025502 PMCID: PMC5308236 DOI: 10.3390/toxins9010002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2016] [Revised: 12/16/2016] [Accepted: 12/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Lethal Toxin from Clostridium sordellii (TcsL), which is casually involved in the toxic shock syndrome and in gas gangrene, enters its target cells by receptor-mediated endocytosis. Inside the cell, TcsL mono-O-glucosylates and thereby inactivates Rac/Cdc42 and Ras subtype GTPases, resulting in actin reorganization and an activation of p38 MAP kinase. While a role of p38 MAP kinase in TcsL-induced cell death is well established, data on a role of p38 MAP kinase in TcsL-induced actin reorganization are not available. In this study, TcsL-induced Rac/Cdc42 glucosylation and actin reorganization are differentially analyzed in p38alpha−/− MSCV empty vector MEFs and the corresponding cell line with reconstituted p38alpha expression (p38alpha−/− MSCV p38alpha MEFs). Genetic deletion of p38alpha results in reduced susceptibility of cells to TcsL-induced Rac/Cdc42 glucosylation and actin reorganization. Furthermore, SB203580, a pyridinyl imidazole inhibitor of p38alpha/beta MAP kinase, also protects cells from TcsL-induced effects in both p38−/− MSCV empty vector MEFs and in p38alpha−/− MSCV p38alpha MEFs, suggesting that inhibition of p38beta contributes to the protective effect of SB203580. In contrast, the effects of the related C. difficile Toxin B are responsive neither to SB203580 treatment nor to p38alpha deletion. In conclusion, the protective effects of SB203580 and of p38alpha deletion are likely not based on inhibition of the toxins’ glucosyltransferase activity rather than on inhibited endocytic uptake of specifically TcsL into target cells.
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18
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Metal Ion Activation of Clostridium sordellii Lethal Toxin and Clostridium difficile Toxin B. Toxins (Basel) 2016; 8:109. [PMID: 27089365 PMCID: PMC4848635 DOI: 10.3390/toxins8040109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2016] [Revised: 04/05/2016] [Accepted: 04/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Lethal Toxin from Clostridium sordellii (TcsL) and Toxin B from Clostridium difficile (TcdB) belong to the family of the “Large clostridial glycosylating toxins.” These toxins mono-O-glucosylate low molecular weight GTPases of the Rho and Ras families by exploiting UDP-glucose as a hexose donor. TcsL is casually involved in the toxic shock syndrome and the gas gangrene. TcdB—together with Toxin A (TcdA)—is causative for the pseudomembranous colitis (PMC). Here, we present evidence for the in vitro metal ion activation of the glucosyltransferase and the UDP-glucose hydrolysis activity of TcsL and TcdB. The following rating is found for activation by divalent metal ions: Mn2+ > Co2+ > Mg2+ >> Ca2+, Cu2+, Zn2+. TcsL and TcdB thus require divalent metal ions providing an octahedral coordination sphere. The EC50 values for TcsL were estimated at about 28 µM for Mn2+ and 180 µM for Mg2+. TcsL and TcdB further require co-stimulation by monovalent K+ (not by Na+). Finally, prebound divalent metal ions were dispensible for the cytopathic effects of TcsL and TcdB, leading to the conclusion that TcsL and TcdB recruit intracellular metal ions for activation of the glucosyltransferase activity. With regard to the intracellular metal ion concentrations, TcsL and TcdB are most likely activated by K+ and Mg2+ (rather than Mn2+) in mammalian target cells.
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19
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López-Posadas R, Becker C, Günther C, Tenzer S, Amann K, Billmeier U, Atreya R, Fiorino G, Vetrano S, Danese S, Ekici AB, Wirtz S, Thonn V, Watson AJM, Brakebusch C, Bergö M, Neurath MF, Atreya I. Rho-A prenylation and signaling link epithelial homeostasis to intestinal inflammation. J Clin Invest 2016; 126:611-26. [PMID: 26752649 DOI: 10.1172/jci80997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2015] [Accepted: 11/18/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Although defects in intestinal barrier function are a key pathogenic factor in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), the molecular pathways driving disease-specific alterations of intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) are largely unknown. Here, we addressed this issue by characterizing the transcriptome of IECs from IBD patients using a genome-wide approach. We observed disease-specific alterations in IECs with markedly impaired Rho-A signaling in active IBD patients. Localization of epithelial Rho-A was shifted to the cytosol in IBDs, and inflammation was associated with suppressed Rho-A activation due to reduced expression of the Rho-A prenylation enzyme geranylgeranyltransferase-I (GGTase-I). Functionally, we found that mice with conditional loss of Rhoa or the gene encoding GGTase-I, Pggt1b, in IECs exhibit spontaneous chronic intestinal inflammation with accumulation of granulocytes and CD4+ T cells. This phenotype was associated with cytoskeleton rearrangement and aberrant cell shedding, ultimately leading to loss of epithelial integrity and subsequent inflammation. These findings uncover deficient prenylation of Rho-A as a key player in the pathogenesis of IBDs. As therapeutic triggering of Rho-A signaling suppressed intestinal inflammation in mice with GGTase-I-deficient IECs, our findings suggest new avenues for treatment of epithelial injury and mucosal inflammation in IBD patients.
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20
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Huang X, Pang Y, Liu Y, Zhou Y, Wang Z, Hu Q. Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles with high antimicrobial activity and low cytotoxicity using catechol-conjugated chitosan. RSC Adv 2016. [DOI: 10.1039/c6ra09035d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Catechol-conjugated chitosan was synthesized to act as a reducing and stabilizing agent in the preparation of silver nanoparticles. The resulting silver nanoparticles exhibit strong antibacterial activity and low cytotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofei Huang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering
- Zhejiang University
- Hangzhou 310027
- China
| | - Yichuan Pang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering
- Zhejiang University
- Hangzhou 310027
- China
| | - Yalan Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering
- Zhejiang University
- Hangzhou 310027
- China
| | - Yi Zhou
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering
- Zhejiang University
- Hangzhou 310027
- China
| | - Zhengke Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering
- Zhejiang University
- Hangzhou 310027
- China
| | - Qiaoling Hu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering
- Zhejiang University
- Hangzhou 310027
- China
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21
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Balletta A, Lorenz D, Rummel A, Gerhard R, Bigalke H, Wegner F. Clostridium difficile toxin B inhibits the secretory response of human mast cell line-1 (HMC-1) cells stimulated with high free-Ca²⁺ and GTPγS. Toxicology 2014; 328:48-56. [PMID: 25497110 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2014.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2014] [Revised: 11/19/2014] [Accepted: 12/09/2014] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Clostridium difficile toxins A and B (TcdA and TcdB) belong to the class of large clostridial cytotoxins and inactivate by glucosylation some low molecular mass GTPases of the Rho-family (predominantly Rho, Rac and Cdc42), known as regulators of the actin cytoskeleton. TcdA and B also represent the main virulence factors of the anaerobic gram-positive bacterium that is the causal agent of pseudomembranous colitis. In our study, TcdB was chosen instead of TcdA for the well-known higher cytotoxic potency. Inactivation of Rho-family GTPases by this toxin in our experimental conditions induced morphological changes and reduction of electron-dense mast cell-specific granules in human mast cell line-1 (HMC-1) cells, but not cell death or permeabilisation of plasma-membranes. Previously reported patch-clamp dialysis experiments revealed that high intracellular free-Ca(2+) and GTPγS concentrations are capable of inducing exocytosis as indicated by significant membrane capacitance (Cm) increases in HMC-1 cells. In this study, we investigated the direct effects of TcdB upon HMC-1 cell "stimulated" Cm increase, as well as on "constitutive" secretion of hexosaminidase and interleukin-16 (IL-16). Compared to untreated control cells, HMC-1 cells incubated with TcdB for 3-24h exhibited a significant reduction of the mean absolute and relative Cm increase in response to free-Ca(2+) and GTPγS suggesting an inhibition of secretory processes by TcdB. In conclusion, the HMC-1 cell line represents a suitable model for the study of direct effects of C. difficile toxins on human mast cell secretory activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Balletta
- Department of Toxicology, Hannover Medical School, Carl Neuberg Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany; Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Carl Neuberg Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany.
| | - Dorothea Lorenz
- Department of Cellular Imaging and Electron Microscopy, Leibniz Institute of Molecular Pharmacology, Robert Rössle Str. 10, 13125 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Andreas Rummel
- Department of Toxicology, Hannover Medical School, Carl Neuberg Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany.
| | - Ralf Gerhard
- Department of Toxicology, Hannover Medical School, Carl Neuberg Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany.
| | - Hans Bigalke
- Department of Toxicology, Hannover Medical School, Carl Neuberg Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany.
| | - Florian Wegner
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Carl Neuberg Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany.
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Genth H, Pauillac S, Schelle I, Bouvet P, Bouchier C, Varela-Chavez C, Just I, Popoff MR. Haemorrhagic toxin and lethal toxin from Clostridium sordellii strain vpi9048: molecular characterization and comparative analysis of substrate specificity of the large clostridial glucosylating toxins. Cell Microbiol 2014; 16:1706-21. [PMID: 24905543 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.12321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2014] [Revised: 05/12/2014] [Accepted: 05/29/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Large clostridial glucosylating toxins (LCGTs) are produced by toxigenic strains of Clostridium difficile, Clostridium perfringens, Clostridium novyi and Clostridium sordellii. While most C. sordellii strains solely produce lethal toxin (TcsL), C. sordellii strain VPI9048 co-produces both hemorrhagic toxin (TcsH) and TcsL. Here, the sequences of TcsH-9048 and TcsL-9048 are provided, showing that both toxins retain conserved LCGT features and that TcsL and TcsH are highly related to Toxin A (TcdA) and Toxin B (TcdB) from C. difficile strain VPI10463. The substrate profile of the toxins was investigated with recombinant LCGT transferase domains (rN) and a wide panel of small GTPases. rN-TcsH-9048 and rN-TcdA-10463 glucosylated preferably Rho-GTPases but also Ras-GTPases to some extent. In this respect, rN-TcsH-9048 and rN-TcdA-10463 differ from the respective full-length TcsH-9048 and TcdA-10463, which exclusively glucosylate Rho-GTPases. rN-TcsL-9048 and full length TcsL-9048 glucosylate both Rho- and Ras-GTPases, whereas rN-TcdB-10463 and full length TcdB-10463 exclusively glucosylate Rho-GTPases. Vero cells treated with full length TcsH-9048 or TcdA-10463 also showed glucosylation of Ras, albeit to a lower extent than of Rho-GTPases. Thus, in vitro analysis of substrate spectra using recombinant transferase domains corresponding to the auto-proteolytically cleaved domains, predicts more precisely the in vivo substrates than the full length toxins. Except for TcdB-1470, all LCGTs evoked increased expression of the small GTPase RhoB, which exhibited cytoprotective activity in cells treated with TcsL isoforms, but pro-apoptotic activity in cells treated with TcdA, TcdB, and TcsH. All LCGTs induced a rapid dephosphorylation of pY118-paxillin and of pS144/141-PAK1/2 prior to actin filament depolymerization indicating that disassembly of focal adhesions is an early event leading to the disorganization of the actin cytoskeleton.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harald Genth
- Institute of Toxicology, Medical School Hannover, Hannover, Germany
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