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Tikhomirova A, McNabb ER, Petterlin L, Bellamy GL, Lin KH, Santoso CA, Daye ES, Alhaddad FM, Lee KP, Roujeinikova A. Campylobacter jejuni virulence factors: update on emerging issues and trends. J Biomed Sci 2024; 31:45. [PMID: 38693534 PMCID: PMC11064354 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-024-01033-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Campylobacter jejuni is a very common cause of gastroenteritis, and is frequently transmitted to humans through contaminated food products or water. Importantly, C. jejuni infections have a range of short- and long-term sequelae such as irritable bowel syndrome and Guillain Barre syndrome. C. jejuni triggers disease by employing a range of molecular strategies which enable it to colonise the gut, invade the epithelium, persist intracellularly and avoid detection by the host immune response. The objective of this review is to explore and summarise recent advances in the understanding of the C. jejuni molecular factors involved in colonisation, invasion of cells, collective quorum sensing-mediated behaviours and persistence. Understanding the mechanisms that underpin the pathogenicity of C. jejuni will enable future development of effective preventative approaches and vaccines against this pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Tikhomirova
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Emmylee R McNabb
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Luca Petterlin
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Georgia L Bellamy
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Kyaw H Lin
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Christopher A Santoso
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Ella S Daye
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Fatimah M Alhaddad
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Kah Peng Lee
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Anna Roujeinikova
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia.
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Khan A, Sardar A, Tarafdar PK, Mallick AI. Heterogeneity and Compositional Diversities of Campylobacter jejuni Outer Membrane Vesicles (OMVs) Drive Multiple Cellular Uptake Processes. ACS Infect Dis 2023; 9:2325-2339. [PMID: 37802046 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.3c00422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/08/2023]
Abstract
Naturally secreted outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) from gut microbes carry diverse cargo, including proteins, nucleic acids, toxins, and many unidentified secretory factors. Bacterial OMVs can shuttle molecules across different cell types as a generalized secretion system, facilitating bacterial pathogenicity and self-survival. Numerous mucosal pathogens, including Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni), share a mechanism of harmonized secretion of major virulence factors. Intriguingly, as a common gut pathogen, C. jejuni lacks some classical virulence-associated secretion systems; alternatively, it often employs nanosized lipid-bound OMVs as an intensive strategy to deliver toxins, including secretory proteins, into the target cells. To better understand how the biophysical and compositional attributes of natural OMVs of C. jejuni regulate their cellular interactions to induce a biologically relevant host response, we conducted an in-depth morphological and compositional analysis of naturally secreted OMVs of C. jejuni. Next, we focused on understanding the mechanism of host cell-specific OMVs uptake from the extracellular milieu. We showed that intracellular perfusion of OMVs is mediated by cytosolic as well as multiple endocytic uptake processes due to the heterogenic nature, abundance of surface proteins, and membrane phospholipids acquired from the source bacteria. Furthermore, we used human and avian cells as two different host targets to provide evidence of target cell-specific preferential uptake of OMVs. Together, the present study provides insight into the unique functionality of natural OMVs of C. jejuni at the cellular interface, upholding their potential for multimodal use as prophylactic and therapeutic carriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afruja Khan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur, Nadia 741246, West Bengal, India
| | - Avijit Sardar
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur, Nadia 741246, West Bengal, India
| | - Pradip K Tarafdar
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur, Nadia 741246, West Bengal, India
| | - Amirul I Mallick
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur, Nadia 741246, West Bengal, India
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Katz A, Porte L, Weitzel T, Varela C, Muñoz-Rehbein C, Ugalde JA, Grim C, González-Escalona N, Blondel CJ, Bravo V. Whole-genome sequencing reveals changes in genomic diversity and distinctive repertoires of T3SS and T6SS effector candidates in Chilean clinical Campylobacter strains. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1208825. [PMID: 37520433 PMCID: PMC10374022 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1208825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Campylobacter is the leading cause of bacterial gastroenteritis worldwide and an emerging and neglected pathogen in South America. This zoonotic pathogen colonizes the gastrointestinal tract of a wide range of mammals and birds, with poultry as the most important reservoir for human infections. Apart from its high morbidity rates, the emergence of resistant strains is of global concern. The aims of this work were to determine genetic diversity, presence of antimicrobial resistance determinants and virulence potential of Campylobacter spp. isolated from patients with acute gastrointestinal disease at 'Clinica Alemana', Santiago de Chile. The study considered the isolation of Campylobacter spp., from stool samples during a 20-month period (January 2020 to September 2021). We sequenced (NextSeq, Illumina) and performed an in-depth analysis of the genome sequences of 88 Campylobacter jejuni and 2 Campylobacter coli strains isolated from clinical samples in Chile. We identified a high genetic diversity among C. jejuni strains and the emergence of prevalent clonal complexes, which were not identified in our previous reports. While ~40% of strains harbored a mutation in the gyrA gene associated with fluoroquinolone resistance, no macrolide-resistance determinants were detected. Interestingly, gene clusters encoding virulence factors such as the T6SS or genes associated with long-term sequelae such as Guillain-Barré syndrome showed lineage-relatedness. In addition, our analysis revealed a high degree of variability regarding the presence of fT3SS and T6SS effector proteins in comparison to type strains 81-176, F38011, and NCTC 11168 and 488. Our study provides important insights into the molecular epidemiology of this emerging foodborne pathogen. In addition, the differences observed regarding the repertoire of fT3SS and T6SS effector proteins could have an impact on the pathogenic potential and transmissibility of these Latin American isolates, posing another challenge in characterizing the infection dynamics of this emergent and neglected bacterial pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Assaf Katz
- Programa de Biología Celular y Molecular, ICBM, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Lorena Porte
- Laboratorio Clínico, Clínica Alemana de Santiago, Facultad de Medicina, Clínica Alemana, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Thomas Weitzel
- Laboratorio Clínico, Clínica Alemana de Santiago, Facultad de Medicina, Clínica Alemana, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
- Instituto de Ciencias e Innovación en Medicina (ICIM), Facultad de Medicina Clínica Alemana, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Carmen Varela
- Laboratorio Clínico, Clínica Alemana de Santiago, Facultad de Medicina, Clínica Alemana, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Cristina Muñoz-Rehbein
- Center for Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Juan A. Ugalde
- Center for Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Christopher Grim
- Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Food and Drug Administration, College Park, MD, United States
| | - Narjol González-Escalona
- Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Food and Drug Administration, College Park, MD, United States
| | - Carlos J. Blondel
- Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina y Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Verónica Bravo
- Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas y Aplicadas (CIBAP), Escuela de Medicina, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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Kemper L, Hensel A. Campylobacter jejuni: targeting host cells, adhesion, invasion, and survival. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2023; 107:2725-2754. [PMID: 36941439 PMCID: PMC10027602 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-023-12456-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
Campylobacter jejuni, causing strong enteritis, is an unusual bacterium with numerous peculiarities. Chemotactically controlled motility in viscous milieu allows targeted navigation to intestinal mucus and colonization. By phase variation, quorum sensing, extensive O-and N-glycosylation and use of the flagellum as type-3-secretion system C. jejuni adapts effectively to environmental conditions. C. jejuni utilizes proteases to open cell-cell junctions and subsequently transmigrates paracellularly. Fibronectin at the basolateral side of polarized epithelial cells serves as binding site for adhesins CadF and FlpA, leading to intracellular signaling, which again triggers membrane ruffling and reduced host cell migration by focal adhesion. Cell contacts of C. jejuni results in its secretion of invasion antigens, which induce membrane ruffling by paxillin-independent pathway. In addition to fibronectin-binding proteins, other adhesins with other target structures and lectins and their corresponding sugar structures are involved in host-pathogen interaction. Invasion into the intestinal epithelial cell depends on host cell structures. Fibronectin, clathrin, and dynein influence cytoskeletal restructuring, endocytosis, and vesicular transport, through different mechanisms. C. jejuni can persist over a 72-h period in the cell. Campylobacter-containing vacuoles, avoid fusion with lysosomes and enter the perinuclear space via dynein, inducing signaling pathways. Secretion of cytolethal distending toxin directs the cell into programmed cell death, including the pyroptotic release of proinflammatory substances from the destroyed cell compartments. The immune system reacts with an inflammatory cascade by participation of numerous immune cells. The development of autoantibodies, directed not only against lipooligosaccharides, but also against endogenous gangliosides, triggers autoimmune diseases. Lesions of the epithelium result in loss of electrolytes, water, and blood, leading to diarrhea, which flushes out mucus containing C. jejuni. Together with the response of the immune system, this limits infection time. Based on the structural interactions between host cell and bacterium, the numerous virulence mechanisms, signaling, and effects that characterize the infection process of C. jejuni, a wide variety of targets for attenuation of the pathogen can be characterized. The review summarizes strategies of C. jejuni for host-pathogen interaction and should stimulate innovative research towards improved definition of targets for future drug development. KEY POINTS: • Bacterial adhesion of Campylobacter to host cells and invasion into host cells are strictly coordinated processes, which can serve as targets to prevent infection. • Reaction and signalling of host cell depend on the cell type. • Campylobacter virulence factors can be used as targets for development of antivirulence drug compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leon Kemper
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology and Phytochemistry, University of Münster, Corrensstraße 48, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Andreas Hensel
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology and Phytochemistry, University of Münster, Corrensstraße 48, 48149, Münster, Germany.
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Ghielmetti G, Seth-Smith HMB, Roloff T, Cernela N, Biggel M, Stephan R, Egli A. Whole-genome-based characterization of Campylobacter jejuni from human patients with gastroenteritis collected over an 18 year period reveals increasing prevalence of antimicrobial resistance. Microb Genom 2023; 9:mgen000941. [PMID: 36809179 PMCID: PMC9997746 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.000941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Campylobacteriosis is the most common cause of acute gastrointestinal bacterial infection in Europe, with most infections linked to the consumption of contaminated food. While previous studies found an increasing rate of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Campylobacter spp. over the past decades, the investigation of additional clinical isolates is likely to provide novel insights into the population structure and mechanisms of virulence and drug resistance of this important human pathogen. Therefore, we combined whole-genome sequencing and antimicrobial-susceptibility testing of 340 randomly selected Campylobacter jejuni isolates from humans with gastroenteritis, collected in Switzerland over an 18 year period. In our collection, the most common multilocus sequence types (STs) were ST-257 (n=44), ST-21 (n=36) and ST-50 (n=35); the most common clonal complexes (CCs) were CC-21 (n=102), CC-257 (n=49) and CC-48 (n=33). High heterogeneity was observed among STs, with the most abundant STs recurring over the entire study period, while others were observed only sporadically. Source attribution based on ST assigned more than half of the strains to the 'generalist' category (n=188), 25 % as 'poultry specialist' (n=83), and only a few to 'ruminant specialist' (n=11) or 'wild bird' origin (n=9). The isolates displayed an increased frequency of AMR from 2003 to 2020, with the highest rates of resistance observed for ciprofloxacin and nalidixic acid (49.8 %), followed by tetracycline (36.9 %). Quinolone-resistant isolates carried chromosomal gyrA mutations T86I (99.4 %) and T86A (0.6 %), whereas tetracycline-resistant isolates carried tet(O) (79.8 %) or mosaic tetO/32/O (20.2 %) genes. A novel chromosomal cassette carrying several resistance genes, including aph(3')-III, satA and aad(6), and flanked by insertion sequence elements was detected in one isolate. Collectively, our data revealed an increasing prevalence of resistance to quinolones and tetracycline in C. jejuni isolates from Swiss patients over time, linked to clonal expansion of gyrA mutants and acquisition of the tet(O) gene. Investigation of source attribution suggests that infections are most likely related to isolates from poultry or generalist backgrounds. These findings are relevant to guide future infection prevention and control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Ghielmetti
- Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, Section of Veterinary Bacteriology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Applied Microbiology Research, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Helena M B Seth-Smith
- Applied Microbiology Research, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Clinical Bacteriology and Mycology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Swiss Institute for Bioinformatics, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Tim Roloff
- Applied Microbiology Research, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Clinical Bacteriology and Mycology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Swiss Institute for Bioinformatics, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Nicole Cernela
- Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Michael Biggel
- Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Roger Stephan
- Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Adrian Egli
- Applied Microbiology Research, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Clinical Bacteriology and Mycology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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Gabbert AD, Mydosh JL, Talukdar PK, Gloss LM, McDermott JE, Cooper KK, Clair GC, Konkel ME. The Missing Pieces: The Role of Secretion Systems in Campylobacter jejuni Virulence. Biomolecules 2023; 13:135. [PMID: 36671522 PMCID: PMC9856085 DOI: 10.3390/biom13010135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Campylobacter jejuni is likely the most common bacterial cause of gastroenteritis worldwide, responsible for millions of cases of inflammatory diarrhea characterized by severe abdominal cramps and blood in the stool. Further, C. jejuni infections are associated with post-infection sequelae in developed countries and malnutrition and growth-stunting in low- and middle-income countries. Despite the increasing prevalence of the disease, campylobacteriosis, and the recognition that this pathogen is a serious health threat, our understanding of C. jejuni pathogenesis remains incomplete. In this review, we focus on the Campylobacter secretion systems proposed to contribute to host-cell interactions and survival in the host. Moreover, we have applied a genomics approach to defining the structural and mechanistic features of C. jejuni type III, IV, and VI secretion systems. Special attention is focused on the flagellar type III secretion system and the prediction of putative effectors, given that the proteins exported via this system are essential for host cell invasion and the inflammatory response. We conclude that C. jejuni does not possess a type IV secretion system and relies on the type III and type VI secretion systems to establish a niche and potentiate disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amber D. Gabbert
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Jennifer L. Mydosh
- School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Prabhat K. Talukdar
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Lisa M. Gloss
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Jason E. McDermott
- Integrative Omics, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99354, USA
| | - Kerry K. Cooper
- School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Geremy C. Clair
- Integrative Omics, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99354, USA
| | - Michael E. Konkel
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
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Robinson LA, Collins ACZ, Murphy RA, Davies JC, Allsopp LP. Diversity and prevalence of type VI secretion system effectors in clinical Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates. Front Microbiol 2023; 13:1042505. [PMID: 36687572 PMCID: PMC9846239 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1042505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen and a major driver of morbidity and mortality in people with Cystic Fibrosis (CF). The Type VI secretion system (T6SS) is a molecular nanomachine that translocates effectors across the bacterial membrane into target cells or the extracellular environment enabling intermicrobial interaction. P. aeruginosa encodes three T6SS clusters, the H1-, H2- and H3-T6SS, and numerous orphan islands. Genetic diversity of T6SS-associated effectors in P. aeruginosa has been noted in reference strains but has yet to be explored in clinical isolates. Here, we perform a comprehensive bioinformatic analysis of the pangenome and T6SS effector genes in 52 high-quality clinical P. aeruginosa genomes isolated from CF patients and housed in the Personalised Approach to P. aeruginosa strain repository. We confirm that the clinical CF isolate pangenome is open and principally made up of accessory and unique genes that may provide strain-specific advantages. We observed genetic variability in some effector/immunity encoding genes and show that several well-characterised vgrG and PAAR islands are absent from numerous isolates. Our analysis shows clear evidence of disruption to T6SS genomic loci through transposon, prophage, and mobile genetic element insertions. We identified an orphan vgrG island in P. aeruginosa strain PAK and five clinical isolates using in silico analysis which we denote vgrG7, predicting a gene within this cluster to encode a Tle2 lipase family effector. Close comparison of T6SS loci in clinical isolates compared to reference P. aeruginosa strain PAO1 revealed the presence of genes encoding eight new T6SS effectors with the following putative functions: cytidine deaminase, lipase, metallopeptidase, NADase, and pyocin. Finally, the prevalence of characterised and putative T6SS effectors were assessed in 532 publicly available P. aeruginosa genomes, which suggests the existence of accessory effectors. Our in silico study of the P. aeruginosa T6SS exposes a level of genetic diversity at T6SS genomic loci not seen to date within P. aeruginosa, particularly in CF isolates. As understanding the effector repertoire is key to identifying the targets of T6SSs and its efficacy, this comprehensive analysis provides a path for future experimental characterisation of these mediators of intermicrobial competition and host manipulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca A. Robinson
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alice C. Z. Collins
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ronan A. Murphy
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jane C. Davies
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Paediatric Respiratory Medicine, Royal Brompton Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Luke P. Allsopp
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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Robinson L, Liaw J, Omole Z, Corcionivoschi N, Hachani A, Gundogdu O. In silico investigation of the genus Campylobacter type VI secretion system reveals genetic diversity in organization and putative effectors. Microb Genom 2022; 8:mgen000898. [PMID: 36314601 PMCID: PMC9676060 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.000898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacterial type VI secretion systems (T6SSs) are contractile nanomachines that deliver proteinic substrates into target prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells and the surrounding milieu. The genus Campylobacter encompasses 39 recognized species and 13 subspecies, with many belonging to a group known as ‘emerging Campylobacter pathogens’. Within Campylobacter , seven species have been identified to harbour a complete T6SS cluster but have yet to be comparatively assessed. In this study, using systematic bioinformatics approaches and the T6SS-positive Campylobacter jejuni 488 strain as a reference, we explored the genus-wide prevalence, similarity and make-up of the T6SS amongst 372 publicly available ‘complete’ Campylobacter genomes. Our analyses predict that approximately one-third of Campylobacter species possess a T6SS. We also putatively report the first identification of a T6SS in four species: Campylobacter cuniculorum, Campylobacter helveticus, Campylobacter armoricus and Campylobacter ornithocola . The Campylobacter T6SSs cluster into three distinct organizations (I–III), of which two break down into further variants. Thirty T6SS-containing genomes were found to harbour more than one vgrG gene, with Campylobacter lari strain NCTC 11845 possessing five. Analysis of the C. jejuni Pathogenicity Island-1 confirmed its conservation amongst T6SS-positive C. jejuni strains, as well as highlighting its diverse genetic composition, including additional putative effector–immunity pairs (e.g. PoNe and DUF1911 domains). Effector–immunity pairs were also observed neighbouring vgrG s in several other Campylobacter species, in addition to putative genes encoding nucleases, lysozymes, ATPases and a ferric ATP-binding cassette uptake system. These observations highlight the diverse genetic make-up of the T6SS within Campylobacter and provide further evidence of its role in pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Robinson
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Janie Liaw
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Zahra Omole
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Nicolae Corcionivoschi
- Bacteriology Branch, Veterinary Sciences Division, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Belfast, UK
- Bioengineering of Animal Resources, University of Life Sciences – King Mihai I of Romania from Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Abderrahman Hachani
- The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Ozan Gundogdu
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Nennig M, Clément A, Longueval E, Bernardi T, Ragimbeau C, Tresse O. Metaphenotypes associated with recurrent genomic lineages of Campylobacter jejuni responsible for human infections in Luxembourg. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:901192. [PMID: 36160185 PMCID: PMC9490421 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.901192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Campylobacter jejuni is a leading cause of foodborne illnesses worldwide. Although considered fragile, this microaerophilic bacterium is able to survive in various challenging environments, which subsequently constitutes multiple sources of transmission for human infection. To test the assumption of acquiring specific features for adaptation and survival, we established a workflow of phenotypic tests related to the survival and the persistence of recurrent and sporadic strains. A representative collection of 83 strains isolated over 13 years from human, mammal, poultry, and environmental sources in Luxembourg, representing different spreading patterns (endemic, epidemic, and sporadic), was screened for survival to oxidative stresses, for acclimating to aerobic conditions (AC), and for persistence on abiotic surfaces. Using the cgMLST Oxford typing scheme for WGS data, the collection was classified into genomic lineages corresponding to host-generalist strains (lineages A and D, CC ST-21), host-specific strains (lineage B, CC ST-257 and lineage C, CC ST-464) and sporadic strains. We established that when a strain survives concentrations beyond 0.25 mM superoxide stress, it is six times more likely to survive hyperoxide stress and that a highly adherent strain is 14 times more likely to develop a biofilm. Surprisingly, more than half of the strains could acclimate to AC but this capacity does not explain the difference between recurrent genomic lineages and sporadic strains and the survival to oxidative stresses, while recurrent strains have a significantly higher adhesion/biofilm formation capacity than sporadic ones. From this work, the genomic lineages with more stable genomes could be characterized by a specific combination of phenotypes, called metaphenotypes. From the functional genomic analyses, the presence of a potentially functional T6SS in the strains of lineage D might explain the propensity of these strains to be strong biofilm producers. Our findings support the hypothesis that phenotypical abilities contribute to the spatio-temporal adaptation and survival of stable genomic lineages. It suggests a selection of better-adapted and persistent strains in challenging stress environments, which could explain the prevalence of these lineages in human infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgane Nennig
- Epidemiology and Microbial Genomics, Laboratoire National de Santé, Dudelange, Luxembourg
- UMR-1280 PhAN, INRAE, Nantes, France
| | - Arnaud Clément
- BioFilm Control, Biopôle Clermont-Limagne, Saint-Beauzire, France
| | - Emmanuelle Longueval
- Epidemiology and Microbial Genomics, Laboratoire National de Santé, Dudelange, Luxembourg
| | - Thierry Bernardi
- BioFilm Control, Biopôle Clermont-Limagne, Saint-Beauzire, France
| | - Catherine Ragimbeau
- Epidemiology and Microbial Genomics, Laboratoire National de Santé, Dudelange, Luxembourg
- *Correspondence: Catherine Ragimbeau,
| | - Odile Tresse
- UMR-1280 PhAN, INRAE, Nantes, France
- Odile Tresse,
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Morgado S, Vicente AC. Diversity and distribution of Type VI Secretion System gene clusters in bacterial plasmids. Sci Rep 2022; 12:8249. [PMID: 35581398 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-12382-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Type VI Secretion System (T6SS) is a nanomolecular apparatus that allows the delivery of effector molecules through the cell envelope of a donor bacterium to prokaryotic and/or eukaryotic cells, playing a role in the bacterial competition, virulence, and host interaction. T6SS is patchily distributed in bacterial genomes, suggesting an association with horizontal gene transfer (HGT). In fact, T6SS gene loci are eventually found within genomic islands (GIs), and there are some reports in plasmids and integrative and conjugative elements (ICEs). The impact that T6SS may have on bacteria fitness and the lack of evidence on its spread mechanism led us to question whether plasmids could represent a key mechanism in the spread of T6SS in bacteria. Therefore, we performed an in-silico analysis to reveal the association between T6SS and plasmids. T6SS was mined on 30,660 plasmids from NCBI based on the presence of at least six T6SS core proteins. T6SS was identified in 330 plasmids, all belonging to the same type (T6SSi), mainly in Proteobacteria (328/330), particularly in Rhizobium and Ralstonia. Interestingly, most genomes carrying T6SS-harboring plasmids did not encode T6SS in their chromosomes, and, in general, chromosomal and plasmid T6SSs did not form separate clades.
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