1
|
Guo Y, Kitamoto S, Caballero-Flores G, Kim Y, Watanabe D, Sugihara K, Núñez G, Alteri CJ, Inohara N, Kamada N. Oral pathobiont Klebsiella chaperon usher pili provide site-specific adaptation for the inflamed gut mucosa. Gut Microbes 2024; 16:2333463. [PMID: 38545880 PMCID: PMC10984132 DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2024.2333463] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The ectopic gut colonization by orally derived pathobionts has been implicated in the pathogenesis of various gastrointestinal diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). For example, gut colonization by orally derived Klebsiella spp. has been linked to IBD in mice and humans. However, the mechanisms whereby oral pathobionts colonize extra-oral niches, such as the gut mucosa, remain largely unknown. Here, we performed a high-density transposon (Tn) screening to identify genes required for the adaptation of an oral Klebsiella strain to different mucosal sites - the oral and gut mucosae - at the steady state and during inflammation. We find that K. aerogenes, an oral pathobiont associated with both oral and gut inflammation in mice, harbors a newly identified genomic locus named "locus of colonization in the inflamed gut (LIG)" that encodes genes related to iron acquisition (Sit and Chu) and host adhesion (chaperon usher pili [CUP] system). The LIG locus is highly conserved among K. aerogenes strains, and these genes are also present in several other Klebsiella species. The Tn screening revealed that the LIG locus is required for the adaptation of K. aerogenes in its ectopic niche. In particular, we determined K. aerogenes employs a CUP system (CUP1) present in the LIG locus for colonization in the inflamed gut, but not in the oral mucosa. Thus, oral pathobionts likely exploit distinct adaptation mechanisms in their ectopically colonized intestinal niche compared to their native niche.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yijie Guo
- Department of Psychiatry and Center for Brain Science, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Sho Kitamoto
- WPI Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Gustavo Caballero-Flores
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Yeji Kim
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Daisuke Watanabe
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Kohei Sugihara
- WPI Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Gabriel Núñez
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | | | - Naohiro Inohara
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Nobuhiko Kamada
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- WPI Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Alteri CJ, Rios-Sarabia N, De la Cruz MA, González-y-Merchand JA, Soria-Bustos J, Maldonado-Bernal C, Cedillo ML, Yáñez-Santos JA, Martínez-Laguna Y, Torres J, Friedman RL, Girón JA, Ares MA. The Flp type IV pilus operon of Mycobacterium tuberculosis is expressed upon interaction with macrophages and alveolar epithelial cells. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:916247. [PMID: 36204636 PMCID: PMC9531140 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.916247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The genome of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) harbors the genetic machinery for assembly of the Fimbrial low-molecular-weight protein (Flp) type IV pilus. Presumably, the Flp pilus is essential for pathogenesis. However, it remains unclear whether the pili genes are transcribed in culture or during infection of host cells. This study aimed to shed light on the expression of the Flp pili-assembly genes (tadZ, tadA, tadB, tadC, flp, tadE, and tadF) in Mtb growing under different growth conditions (exponential phase, stationary phase, and dormancy NRP1 and NRP2 phases induced by hypoxia), during biofilm formation, and in contact with macrophages and alveolar epithelial cells. We found that expression of tad/flp genes was significantly higher in the stationary phase than in exponential or NRP1 or NRP2 phases suggesting that the bacteria do not require type IV pili during dormancy. Elevated gene expression levels were recorded when the bacilli were in contact for 4 h with macrophages or epithelial cells, compared to mycobacteria propagated alone in the cultured medium. An antibody raised against a 12-mer peptide derived from the Flp pilin subunit detected the presence of Flp pili on intra- and extracellular bacteria infecting eukaryotic cells. Altogether, these are compelling data showing that the Flp pili genes are expressed during the interaction of Mtb with host cells and highlight a role for Flp pili in colonization and invasion of the host, subsequently promoting bacterial survival during dormancy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J. Alteri
- Department of Natural Sciences, University of Michigan-Dearborn, Dearborn, MI, United States
| | - Nora Rios-Sarabia
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Enfermedades Infecciosas y Parasitarias, Hospital de Pediatría, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Miguel A. De la Cruz
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Enfermedades Infecciosas y Parasitarias, Hospital de Pediatría, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Jorge A. González-y-Merchand
- Departamento de Microbiología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Jorge Soria-Bustos
- Instituto de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, Hidalgo, Mexico
| | - Carmen Maldonado-Bernal
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Inmunología y Proteómica, Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - María L. Cedillo
- Centro de Detección Biomolecular, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla, Mexico
| | - Jorge A. Yáñez-Santos
- Centro de Detección Biomolecular, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla, Mexico
| | - Ygnacio Martínez-Laguna
- Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Microbiológicas, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla, Mexico
| | - Javier Torres
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Enfermedades Infecciosas y Parasitarias, Hospital de Pediatría, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Richard L. Friedman
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Jorge A. Girón
- Centro de Detección Biomolecular, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla, Mexico
- *Correspondence: Miguel A. Ares, ; Jorge A. Girón,
| | - Miguel A. Ares
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Enfermedades Infecciosas y Parasitarias, Hospital de Pediatría, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City, Mexico
- Departamento de Microbiología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
- *Correspondence: Miguel A. Ares, ; Jorge A. Girón,
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Sugihara K, Kitamoto S, Saraithong P, Nagao-Kitamoto H, Hoostal M, McCarthy C, Rosevelt A, Muraleedharan CK, Gillilland MG, Imai J, Omi M, Bishu S, Kao JY, Alteri CJ, Barnich N, Schmidt TM, Nusrat A, Inohara N, Golob JL, Kamada N. Mucolytic bacteria license pathobionts to acquire host-derived nutrients during dietary nutrient restriction. Cell Rep 2022; 40:111093. [PMID: 35858565 PMCID: PMC10903618 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [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: 02/09/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Pathobionts employ unique metabolic adaptation mechanisms to maximize their growth in disease conditions. Adherent-invasive Escherichia coli (AIEC), a pathobiont enriched in the gut mucosa of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), utilizes diet-derived L-serine to adapt to the inflamed gut. Therefore, the restriction of dietary L-serine starves AIEC and limits its fitness advantage. Here, we find that AIEC can overcome this nutrient limitation by switching the nutrient source from the diet to the host cells in the presence of mucolytic bacteria. During diet-derived L-serine restriction, the mucolytic symbiont Akkermansia muciniphila promotes the encroachment of AIEC to the epithelial niche by degrading the mucus layer. In the epithelial niche, AIEC acquires L-serine from the colonic epithelium and thus proliferates. Our work suggests that the indirect metabolic network between pathobionts and commensal symbionts enables pathobionts to overcome nutritional restriction and thrive in the gut.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kohei Sugihara
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Sho Kitamoto
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Prakaimuk Saraithong
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Hiroko Nagao-Kitamoto
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Matthew Hoostal
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Caroline McCarthy
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Alexandra Rosevelt
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | | | - Merritt G Gillilland
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Jin Imai
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Maiko Omi
- Department of Biologic and Materials Sciences and Prosthodontics, University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Shrinivas Bishu
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - John Y Kao
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | | | - Nicolas Barnich
- M2iSH, UMR1071 Inserm/University Clermont Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Thomas M Schmidt
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Asma Nusrat
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Naohiro Inohara
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Jonathan L Golob
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Nobuhiko Kamada
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; WPI Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Niemiec MJ, Kapitan M, Himmel M, Döll K, Krüger T, Köllner TG, Auge I, Kage F, Alteri CJ, Mobley HL, Monsen T, Linde S, Nietzsche S, Kniemeyer O, Brakhage AA, Jacobsen ID. Augmented Enterocyte Damage During Candida albicans and Proteus mirabilis Coinfection. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:866416. [PMID: 35651758 PMCID: PMC9149288 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.866416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The human gut acts as the main reservoir of microbes and a relevant source of life-threatening infections, especially in immunocompromised patients. There, the opportunistic fungal pathogen Candida albicans adapts to the host environment and additionally interacts with residing bacteria. We investigated fungal-bacterial interactions by coinfecting enterocytes with the yeast Candida albicans and the Gram-negative bacterium Proteus mirabilis resulting in enhanced host cell damage. This synergistic effect was conserved across different P. mirabilis isolates and occurred also with non-albicans Candida species and C. albicans mutants defective in filamentation or candidalysin production. Using bacterial deletion mutants, we identified the P. mirabilis hemolysin HpmA to be the key effector for host cell destruction. Spatially separated coinfections demonstrated that synergism between Candida and Proteus is induced by contact, but also by soluble factors. Specifically, we identified Candida-mediated glucose consumption and farnesol production as potential triggers for Proteus virulence. In summary, our study demonstrates that coinfection of enterocytes with C. albicans and P. mirabilis can result in increased host cell damage which is mediated by bacterial virulence factors as a result of fungal niche modification via nutrient consumption and production of soluble factors. This supports the notion that certain fungal-bacterial combinations have the potential to result in enhanced virulence in niches such as the gut and might therefore promote translocation and dissemination.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Joanna Niemiec
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
- Center for Sepsis Control and Care, Jena, Germany
| | - Mario Kapitan
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
- Center for Sepsis Control and Care, Jena, Germany
| | - Maximilian Himmel
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Kristina Döll
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Thomas Krüger
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Tobias G. Köllner
- Department of Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany
| | - Isabel Auge
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Franziska Kage
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Christopher J. Alteri
- Department of Natural Sciences, University of Michigan-Dearborn, Dearborn, MI, United States
| | - Harry L.T. Mobley
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Tor Monsen
- Department Clinical Microbiology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Susanne Linde
- Center for Electron Microscopy, University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Sandor Nietzsche
- Center for Electron Microscopy, University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Olaf Kniemeyer
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Axel A. Brakhage
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
- Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Ilse D. Jacobsen
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
- Center for Sepsis Control and Care, Jena, Germany
- Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
- *Correspondence: Ilse D. Jacobsen,
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Ohno M, Hasegawa M, Hayashi A, Caballero-Flores G, Alteri CJ, Lawley TD, Kamada N, Núñez G, Inohara N. Lipopolysaccharide O structure of adherent and invasive Escherichia coli regulates intestinal inflammation via complement C3. PLoS Pathog 2020; 16:e1008928. [PMID: 33027280 PMCID: PMC7571687 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Revised: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Gut dysbiosis associated with intestinal inflammation is characterized by the blooming of particular bacteria such as adherent-invasive E. coli (AIEC). However, the precise mechanisms by which AIEC impact on colitis remain largely unknown. Here we show that antibiotic-induced dysbiosis worsened chemically-induced colitis in IL-22-deficient mice, but not in wild-type mice. The increase in intestinal inflammation was associated with the expansion of E. coli strains with genetic and functional features of AIEC. These E. coli isolates exhibited high ability to out compete related bacteria via colicins and resistance to the host complement system in vitro. Mutation of wzy, the lipopolysaccharide O polymerase gene, rendered AIEC more sensitive to the complement system and more susceptible to engulfment and killing by phagocytes while retaining its ability to outcompete related bacteria in vitro. The wzy AIEC mutant showed impaired fitness to colonize the intestine under colitic conditions, but protected mice from chemically-induced colitis. Importantly, the ability of the wzy mutant to protect from colitis was blocked by depletion of complement C3 which was associated with impaired intestinal eradication of AIEC in colitic mice. These studies link surface lipopolysaccharide O-antigen structure to the regulation of colitic activity in commensal AIEC via interactions with the complement system. Susceptibility to colitis is associated with abnormal changes in microbial populations of the gut in individuals with impaired immune systems. A common change is the increased abundance of adherent-invasive Escherichia coli (AIEC), a bacterial population that is associated with the development of inflammatory bowel disease. However, the precise mechanisms by which AIEC influences colitis remain poorly understood. Here we show that changes in the microbial population induced by administration of antibiotics include a bloom of Escherichia coli, which was associated with worsening chemically-induced colitis in IL-22-deficient mice. E. coli strains isolated from the gut of such mice exhibited AIEC features, high ability to outcompete related bacteria and resistance to the host complement system in vitro. Mutation of the gene required for the biosynthesis of lipopolysaccharide O side chains rendered AIEC sensitive to complement-mediated elimination in colitic mice. Upon oral inoculation, the mutant AIEC protected the mice from colitis. Our study provides new insights into the mechanisms by which gut microbes control colitis via the complement system and a possible strategy for the generation of probiotic strains resistant to host elimination.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Masashi Ohno
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, Shiga University of Medical Science, Otsu, Japan
| | - Mizuho Hasegawa
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Atsushi Hayashi
- Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
- Miyarisan Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Central Research Institute, Saitama, Japan
| | - Gustavo Caballero-Flores
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Christopher J. Alteri
- Department of Natural Sciences, University of Michigan-Dearborn, Dearborn, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Trevor D. Lawley
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, United Kingdom
| | - Nobuhiko Kamada
- Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Gabriel Núñez
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Naohiro Inohara
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Forsyth VS, Himpsl SD, Smith SN, Sarkissian CA, Mike LA, Stocki JA, Sintsova A, Alteri CJ, Mobley HLT. Optimization of an Experimental Vaccine To Prevent Escherichia coli Urinary Tract Infection. mBio 2020; 11:e00555-20. [PMID: 32345645 PMCID: PMC7188996 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00555-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Urinary tract infections (UTI) affect half of all women at least once during their lifetime. The rise in the numbers of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing strains and the potential for carbapenem resistance within uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC), the most common causative agent of UTI, create an urgent need for vaccine development. Intranasal immunization of mice with UPEC outer membrane iron receptors FyuA, Hma, IreA, and IutA, conjugated to cholera toxin, provides protection in the bladder or kidneys under conditions of challenge with UPEC strain CFT073 or strain 536. On the basis of these data, we sought to optimize the vaccination route (intramuscular, intranasal, or subcutaneous) in combination with adjuvants suitable for human use, including aluminum hydroxide gel (alum), monophosphoryl lipid A (MPLA), unmethylated CpG synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG), polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (polyIC), and mutated heat-labile E. coli enterotoxin (dmLT). Mice intranasally vaccinated with dmLT-IutA and dmLT-Hma displayed significant reductions in bladder colonization (86-fold and 32-fold, respectively), with 40% to 42% of mice having no detectable CFU. Intranasal vaccination of mice with CpG-IutA and polyIC-IutA significantly reduced kidney colonization (131-fold) and urine CFU (22-fold), respectively. dmLT generated the most consistently robust antibody response in intranasally immunized mice, while MPLA and alum produced greater concentrations of antigen-specific serum IgG with intramuscular immunization. On the basis of these results, we conclude that intranasal administration of Hma or IutA formulated with dmLT adjuvant provides the greatest protection from UPEC UTI. This report advances our progress toward a vaccine against uncomplicated UTI, which will significantly improve the quality of life for women burdened by recurrent UTI and enable better antibiotic stewardship.IMPORTANCE Urinary tract infections (UTI) are among the most common bacterial infection in humans, affecting half of all women at least once during their lifetimes. The rise in antibiotic resistance and health care costs emphasizes the need to develop a vaccine against the most common UTI pathogen, Escherichia coli Vaccinating mice intranasally with a detoxified heat-labile enterotoxin and two surface-exposed receptors, Hma or IutA, significantly reduced bacterial burden in the bladder. This work highlights progress in the development of a UTI vaccine formulated with adjuvants suitable for human use and antigens that encode outer membrane iron receptors required for infection in the iron-limited urinary tract.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valerie S Forsyth
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Stephanie D Himpsl
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Sara N Smith
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Christina A Sarkissian
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Laura A Mike
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Jolie A Stocki
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Anna Sintsova
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Christopher J Alteri
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Department of Natural Sciences, University of Michigan-Dearborn, Dearborn, Michigan, USA
| | - Harry L T Mobley
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Himpsl SD, Shea AE, Zora J, Stocki JA, Foreman D, Alteri CJ, Mobley HLT. The oxidative fumarase FumC is a key contributor for E. coli fitness under iron-limitation and during UTI. PLoS Pathog 2020; 16:e1008382. [PMID: 32106241 PMCID: PMC7064253 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Revised: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The energy required for a bacterium to grow and colonize the host is generated by metabolic and respiratory functions of the cell. Proton motive force, produced by these processes, drives cellular mechanisms including redox balance, membrane potential, motility, acid resistance, and the import and export of substrates. Previously, disruption of succinate dehydrogenase (sdhB) and fumarate reductase (frdA) within the oxidative and reductive tricarboxylic acid (TCA) pathways in uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) CFT073 indicated that the oxidative, but not the reductive TCA pathway, is required for fitness in the urinary tract. Those findings led to the hypothesis that fumA and fumC encoding fumarase enzymes of the oxidative TCA cycle would be required for UPEC colonization, while fumB of the reductive TCA pathway would be dispensable. However, only UPEC strains lacking fumC had a fitness defect during experimental urinary tract infection (UTI). To further characterize the role of respiration in UPEC during UTI, additional mutants disrupting both the oxidative and reductive TCA pathways were constructed. We found that knock-out of frdA in the sdhB mutant strain background ameliorated the fitness defect observed in the bladder and kidneys for the sdhB mutant strain and results in a fitness advantage in the bladder during experimental UTI. The fitness defect was restored in the sdhBfrdA double mutant by complementation with frdABCD. Taken together, we demonstrate that it is not the oxidative or reductive pathway that is important for UPEC fitness per se, but rather only the oxidative TCA enzyme FumC. This fumarase lacks an iron-sulfur cluster and is required for UPEC fitness during UTI, most likely acting as a counter measure against exogenous stressors, especially in the iron-limited bladder niche.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie D. Himpsl
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Allyson E. Shea
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Jonathan Zora
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Jolie A. Stocki
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Dannielle Foreman
- Department of Natural Sciences, University of Michigan Dearborn, Dearborn, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Christopher J. Alteri
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
- Department of Natural Sciences, University of Michigan Dearborn, Dearborn, Michigan, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Harry L. T. Mobley
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Kitamoto S, Alteri CJ, Rodrigues M, Nagao-Kitamoto H, Sugihara K, Himpsl SD, Bazzi M, Miyoshi M, Nishioka T, Hayashi A, Morhardt TL, Kuffa P, Grasberger H, El-Zaatari M, Bishu S, Ishii C, Hirayama A, Eaton KA, Dogan B, Simpson KW, Inohara N, Mobley HLT, Kao JY, Fukuda S, Barnich N, Kamada N. Dietary L-serine confers a competitive fitness advantage to Enterobacteriaceae in the inflamed gut. Nat Microbiol 2019; 5:116-125. [PMID: 31686025 PMCID: PMC6925351 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-019-0591-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2018] [Accepted: 09/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Metabolic reprogramming is associated with the adaptation of host cells to the disease environment, such as inflammation and cancer. However, little is known about microbial metabolic reprogramming or the role it plays in regulating the fitness of commensal and pathogenic bacteria in the gut. Here, we report that intestinal inflammation reprograms the metabolic pathways of Enterobacteriaceae, such as Escherichia coli LF82, in the gut to adapt to the inflammatory environment. We found that E. coli LF82 shifts its metabolism to catabolize L-serine in the inflamed gut in order to maximize its growth potential. However, L-serine catabolism has a minimal effect on its fitness in the healthy gut. In fact, the absence of genes involved in L-serine utilization reduces the competitive fitness of E. coli LF82 and Citrobacter rodentium only during inflammation. The concentration of luminal L-serine is largely dependent on dietary intake. Accordingly, withholding amino acids from the diet markedly reduces their availability in the gut lumen. Hence, inflammation-induced blooms of E. coli LF82 are significantly blunted when amino acids-particularly L-serine-are removed from the diet. Thus, the ability to catabolize L-serine increases bacterial fitness and provides Enterobacteriaceae with a growth advantage against competitors in the inflamed gut.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sho Kitamoto
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | | | - Michael Rodrigues
- M2iSH, UMR1071 Inserm/University Clermont Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Hiroko Nagao-Kitamoto
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Kohei Sugihara
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Stephanie D Himpsl
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Malak Bazzi
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Mao Miyoshi
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Tatsuki Nishioka
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Atsushi Hayashi
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.,Research Laboratory, Miyarisan Pharmaceutical, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tina L Morhardt
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.,Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Peter Kuffa
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Helmut Grasberger
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Mohamad El-Zaatari
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Shrinivas Bishu
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Chiharu Ishii
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Keio University, Tsuruoka, Japan
| | - Akiyoshi Hirayama
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Keio University, Tsuruoka, Japan
| | - Kathryn A Eaton
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Belgin Dogan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | | | - Naohiro Inohara
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Harry L T Mobley
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - John Y Kao
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Shinji Fukuda
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Keio University, Tsuruoka, Japan.,Intestinal Microbiota Project, Kanagawa Institute of Industrial Science and Technology, Ebina, Japan.,Transborder Medical Research Center, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan.,PRESTO, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Kawaguchi, Japan
| | - Nicolas Barnich
- M2iSH, UMR1071 Inserm/University Clermont Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Nobuhiko Kamada
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Abstract
Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a rare genetic disorder that causes phenylalanine toxicity in the brain. Two studies, Crook et al. (2019), in this issue of Cell Host & Microbe, and Isabella et al. (2018), employ synthetic biology to develop a live bacterial therapeutic to treat PKU and potentially other metabolic diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Alteri
- Department of Natural Sciences, University of Michigan Dearborn, Dearborn, MI 48128, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Sarkissian CA, Alteri CJ, Mobley HLT. UTI patients have pre-existing antigen-specific antibody titers against UTI vaccine antigens. Vaccine 2019; 37:4937-4946. [PMID: 31320216 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2019.07.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [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: 12/19/2018] [Revised: 06/16/2019] [Accepted: 07/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Urinary tract infection (UTI) is most frequently caused by uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC). Our laboratory has been developing an experimental vaccine targeting four UPEC outer membrane receptors involved in iron acquisition - IreA, FyuA, IutA, and Hma - to elicit protection against UTI. These vaccine targets are all expressed in humans during UTI. In the murine model, high titers of antigen-specific serum IgG or bladder IgA correlate with protection against transurethral challenge with UPEC. Our aim was to measure levels of pre-existing serum antibodies to UTI vaccine antigens in our target population. To accomplish this, we obtained sera from 64 consenting female patients attending a clinic for symptoms of cystitis. As a control, we also collected sera from 20 healthy adult male donors with no history of UTI. Total IgG and antigen-specific IgG titers were measured by ELISA. Of the 64 female patients, 29 had significant bacteriuria (>104 cfu/ml urine) and uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC). Thirty-five patients had non-significant bacteriuria (<104 cfu/ml). Antigen-specific IgG titers did not correlate with the presence or absence of the gene encoding the antigen in the infecting strain (when present), but rather titers were proportional to prevalence of genes encoding antigens among representative collections of UPEC isolates. Surprisingly, we obtained similar results when sera from healthy male patients without history of UTI were tested. Thus, unvaccinated adults have non-protective levels of pre-existing antibodies to UTI vaccine antigens, establishing an important baseline for our target population. This suggests that a UTI vaccine would need to boost pre-existing humoral responses beyond these background levels to protect from infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christina A Sarkissian
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Christopher J Alteri
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Harry L T Mobley
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Alteri CJ, Himpsl SD, Zhu K, Hershey HL, Musili N, Miller JE, Mobley HLT. Subtle variation within conserved effector operon gene products contributes to T6SS-mediated killing and immunity. PLoS Pathog 2017; 13:e1006729. [PMID: 29155899 PMCID: PMC5714391 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2017] [Revised: 12/04/2017] [Accepted: 11/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Type VI secretion systems (T6SS) function to deliver lethal payloads into target cells. Many studies have shown that protection against a single, lethal T6SS effector protein requires a cognate antidote immunity protein, both of which are often encoded together in a two-gene operon. The T6SS and an effector-immunity pair is sufficient for both killing and immunity. HereIn this paper we describe a T6SS effector operon that differs from conventional effector-immunity pairs in that eight genes are necessary for lethal effector function, yet can be countered by a single immunity protein. In this study, we investigated the role that the PefE T6SS immunity protein plays in recognition between two strains harboring nearly identical effector operons. Interestingly, despite containing seven of eight identical effector proteins, the less conserved immunity proteins only provided protection against their native effectors, suggesting that specificity and recognition could be dependent on variation within an immunity protein and one effector gene product. The variable effector gene product, PefD, is encoded upstream from pefE, and displays toxic activity that can be countered by PefE independent of T6SS-activity. Interestingly, while the entire pef operon was necessary to exert toxic activity via the T6SS in P. mirabilis, production of PefD and PefE alone was unable to exert this effector activity. Chimeric PefE proteins constructed from two P. mirabilis strains were used to localize immunity function to three amino acids. A promiscuous immunity protein was created using site-directed mutagenesis to change these residues from one variant to another. These findings support the notion that subtle differences between conserved effectors are sufficient for T6SS-mediated kin discrimination and that PefD requires additional factors to function as a T6SS-dependent effector. Bacterial type VI secretion systems (T6SS) function as contractile nanomachines to puncture target cells and deliver lethal effectors. Little is known about the lifestyle or physiology dictating when bacteria normally express their T6SS. Previously, we have reported that discrimination of self during the multicellular swarming behavior of Proteus mirabilis requires the lethal action of the T6SS, T6SS-dependent effectors, and immunity proteins. Bacteria that share common immunity proteins are protected against T6SS killing and recognize each other as self. Here we introduce a new group of T6SS immunity effectors that require eight genes for killing and a single immunity gene that differs from the classical effector-immunity pairs. Variation within an effector operon drives specificity and recognition between strains. We propose that subtle sequence variation in the effector operons contribute to self and non-self recognition in these bacteria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J. Alteri
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Stephanie D. Himpsl
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Kevin Zhu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Haley L. Hershey
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Ninette Musili
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Jessa E. Miller
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Harry L. T. Mobley
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Abstract
Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) are strains of E. coli that express Shiga toxins (Stx) and cause hemorrhagic colitis. In some cases, disease can progress to hemolytic uremic syndrome, a potentially fatal form of kidney disease. Both enteric and renal disease are associated with the expression of stx genes, which are often carried on lysogenic phage. Toxin is expressed following induction and conversion of the phage to lytic growth. The authors previously used a germ-free mouse model to demonstrate that toxin gene expression is enhanced during growth in vivo and that renal disease is dependent on both prophage induction and expression of Stx2. In the current study, the authors document and quantify necrotizing colitis, examine the progression of enteric and renal disease, and determine the role of Stx2, phage genes, and the type 3 secretion system (T3SS) in bacterial colonization and colitis and systemic disease. By 1 day after inoculation, EHEC-monocolonized mice developed colitis, which decreased in severity thereafter. Systemic disease developed subsequently. Infection with EHEC mutant strains revealed that renal failure and splenic necrosis were absolutely dependent on the expression of Stx2 but that T3SS function and prophage excision were not necessary for systemic disease. In contrast, colitis was only partly dependent on Stx2. This study demonstrates that in germ-free mice, like in human patients, EHEC causes early colitis followed by renal failure and that systemic disease but not colitis is Stx2 dependent.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- K A Eaton
- 1 University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - C Fontaine
- 1 University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - D I Friedman
- 1 University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - N Conti
- 1 University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - C J Alteri
- 1 University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Mobley HLT, Alteri CJ. Development of a Vaccine against Escherichia coli Urinary Tract Infections. Pathogens 2015; 5:pathogens5010001. [PMID: 26729174 PMCID: PMC4810122 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens5010001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2015] [Revised: 12/02/2015] [Accepted: 12/29/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the second most common infection in humans after those involving the respiratory tract. This results not only in huge annual economic costs, but in decreased workforce productivity and high patient morbidity. Most infections are caused by uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC). Antibiotic treatment is generally effective for eradication of the infecting strain; however, documentation of increasing antibiotic resistance, allergic reaction to certain pharmaceuticals, alteration of normal gut flora, and failure to prevent recurrent infections represent significant barriers to treatment. As a result, approaches to prevent UTI such as vaccination represent a gap that must be addressed. Our laboratory has made progress toward development of a preventive vaccine against UPEC. The long-term research goal is to prevent UTIs in women with recurrent UTIs. Our objective has been to identify the optimal combination of protective antigens for inclusion in an effective UTI vaccine, optimal adjuvant, optimal dose, and optimal route of delivery. We hypothesized that a multi-subunit vaccine elicits antibody that protects against experimental challenge with UPEC strains. We have systematically identified four antigens that can individually protect experimentally infected mice from colonization of the bladder and/or kidneys by UPEC when administered intranasally with cholera toxin (CT) as an adjuvant. To advance the vaccine for utility in humans, we will group the individual antigens, all associated with iron acquisition (IreA, Hma, IutA, FyuA), into an effective combination to establish a multi-subunit vaccine. We demonstrated for all four vaccine antigens that antigen-specific serum IgG represents a strong correlate of protection in vaccinated mice. High antibody titers correlate with low colony forming units (CFUs) of UPEC following transurethral challenge of vaccinated mice. However, the contribution of cell-mediated immunity cannot be ruled out and must be investigated experimentally. We have demonstrated that antibodies bind to the surface of UPEC expressing the antigens. Sera from women with and without histories of UTI have been tested for antibody levels to vaccine antigens. Our results validate iron acquisition as a target for vaccination against UTI.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Harry L T Mobley
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
| | - Christopher J Alteri
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Alteri CJ, Himpsl SD, Mobley HLT. Preferential use of central metabolism in vivo reveals a nutritional basis for polymicrobial infection. PLoS Pathog 2015; 11:e1004601. [PMID: 25568946 PMCID: PMC4287612 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1004601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2014] [Accepted: 12/04/2014] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The human genitourinary tract is a common anatomical niche for polymicrobial infection and a leading site for the development of bacteremia and sepsis. Most uncomplicated, community-acquired urinary tract infections (UTI) are caused by Escherichia coli, while another bacterium, Proteus mirabilis, is more often associated with complicated UTI. Here, we report that uropathogenic E. coli and P. mirabilis have divergent requirements for specific central pathways in vivo despite colonizing and occupying the same host environment. Using mutants of specific central metabolism enzymes, we determined glycolysis mutants lacking pgi, tpiA, pfkA, or pykA all have fitness defects in vivo for P. mirabilis but do not affect colonization of E. coli during UTI. Similarly, the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway is required only for P. mirabilis in vivo. In contrast, gluconeogenesis is required only for E. coli fitness in vivo. The remarkable difference in central pathway utilization between E. coli and P. mirabilis during experimental UTI was also observed for TCA cycle mutants in sdhB, fumC, and frdA. The distinct in vivo requirements between these pathogens suggest E. coli and P. mirabilis are not direct competitors within host urinary tract nutritional niche. In support of this, we found that co-infection with E. coli and P. mirabilis wild-type strains enhanced bacterial colonization and persistence of both pathogens during UTI. Our results reveal that complementary utilization of central carbon metabolism facilitates polymicrobial disease and suggests microbial activity in vivo alters the host urinary tract nutritional niche. The human urinary tract is a leading source for polymicrobial infections and for the development of bacteremia and sepsis. Treating these potentially dangerous infections have recently become more challenging due to the appearance of uropathogenic strains that are resistant to the many of the most commonly prescribed antibiotics. The majority of urinary tract infections (UTI) are caused by Escherichia coli, while another bacterium, Proteus mirabilis, is more likely to cause catheter-associated UTI. Here, we report that uropathogenic E. coli and P. mirabilis have divergent nutritional requirements despite growing in the same host environment. This result indicates that E. coli and P. mirabilis do not directly compete for nutrients during UTI. Indeed, we found that persistence of both pathogens is enhanced when they co-colonize the host. This work represents an important step toward understanding the basic nutritional requirements for two major pathogens that cause UTI and shows how mixed infections can change these requirements. Understanding how bacteria grow during infections is fundamental to ultimately uncover new ways to combat increasingly drug-resistant bacterial infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J. Alteri
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Stephanie D. Himpsl
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Harry L. T. Mobley
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Armbruster CE, Hodges SA, Smith SN, Alteri CJ, Mobley HLT. Arginine promotes Proteus mirabilis motility and fitness by contributing to conservation of the proton gradient and proton motive force. Microbiologyopen 2014; 3:630-41. [PMID: 25100003 PMCID: PMC4234256 DOI: 10.1002/mbo3.194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2014] [Revised: 06/04/2014] [Accepted: 06/16/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Swarming contributes to Proteus mirabilis pathogenicity by facilitating access to the catheterized urinary tract. We previously demonstrated that 0.1–20 mmol/L arginine promotes swarming on normally nonpermissive media and that putrescine biosynthesis is required for arginine-induced swarming. We also previously determined that arginine-induced swarming is pH dependent, indicating that the external proton concentration is critical for arginine-dependent effects on swarming. In this study, we utilized survival at pH 5 and motility as surrogates for measuring changes in the proton gradient (ΔpH) and proton motive force (μH+) in response to arginine. We determined that arginine primarily contributes to ΔpH (and therefore μH+) through the action of arginine decarboxylase (speA), independent of the role of this enzyme in putrescine biosynthesis. In addition to being required for motility, speA also contributed to fitness during infection. In conclusion, consumption of intracellular protons via arginine decarboxylase is one mechanism used by P. mirabilis to conserve ΔpH and μH+ for motility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chelsie E Armbruster
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48104
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Nesta B, Valeri M, Spagnuolo A, Rosini R, Mora M, Donato P, Alteri CJ, Del Vecchio M, Buccato S, Pezzicoli A, Bertoldi I, Buzzigoli L, Tuscano G, Falduto M, Rippa V, Ashhab Y, Bensi G, Fontana MR, Seib KL, Mobley HLT, Pizza M, Soriani M, Serino L. SslE elicits functional antibodies that impair in vitro mucinase activity and in vivo colonization by both intestinal and extraintestinal Escherichia coli strains. PLoS Pathog 2014; 10:e1004124. [PMID: 24809621 PMCID: PMC4014459 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1004124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2013] [Accepted: 03/31/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
SslE, the Secreted and surface-associated lipoprotein from Escherichia coli, has recently been associated to the M60-like extracellular zinc-metalloprotease sub-family which is implicated in glycan recognition and processing. SslE can be divided into two main variants and we recently proposed it as a potential vaccine candidate. By applying a number of in vitro bioassays and comparing wild type, knockout mutant and complemented strains, we have now demonstrated that SslE specifically contributes to degradation of mucin substrates, typically present in the intestine and bladder. Mutation of the zinc metallopeptidase motif of SslE dramatically impaired E. coli mucinase activity, confirming the specificity of the phenotype observed. Moreover, antibodies raised against variant I SslE, cloned from strain IHE3034 (SslEIHE3034), are able to inhibit translocation of E. coli strains expressing different variants through a mucin-based matrix, suggesting that SslE induces cross-reactive functional antibodies that affect the metallopeptidase activity. To test this hypothesis, we used well-established animal models and demonstrated that immunization with SslEIHE3034 significantly reduced gut, kidney and spleen colonization by strains producing variant II SslE and belonging to different pathotypes. Taken together, these data strongly support the importance of SslE in E. coli colonization of mucosal surfaces and reinforce the use of this antigen as a component of a broadly protective vaccine against pathogenic E. coli species. Escherichia coli are the predominant facultative anaerobe of the human colonic flora. Although intestinal and extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli are phylogenetically and epidemiologically distinct, we recently proposed a number of protective antigens conserved in most E. coli pathotypes. In this study, we have elucidated the function of the most promising of these antigens, SslE, which is characterized by the presence of a M60-like domain representative of a new extracellular zinc-metalloprotease sub-family. In particular, in vitro analysis of the ability of an sslE knockout mutant strain to transverse an agar-based mucin matrix revealed that SslE is essential to E. coli mucinase activity. Evidence showing that SslE induces functional antibodies, preventing both in vitro mucin degradation but also in vivo gut, kidney and spleen colonization, further support the hypothesis that SslE may facilitate E. coli colonization by favoring the penetration of the sterile inner mucus layer leading to interaction with host cells. Finally, the ability of SslE to also induce protective immunity against sepsis, linked to its presence among different pathotypes, supports the use of such an antigen as a broadly protective E. coli vaccine candidate.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Maria Valeri
- Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics Srl, Siena, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Paolo Donato
- Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics Srl, Siena, Italy
| | - Christopher J. Alteri
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Yaqoub Ashhab
- Biotechnology Research Center, Palestine Polytechnic University, Hebron, Palestine
| | | | | | - Kate L. Seib
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Queensland, Australia
| | - Harry L. T. Mobley
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | | | - Marco Soriani
- Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics Srl, Siena, Italy
- * E-mail:
| | - Laura Serino
- Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics Srl, Siena, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Tyler JS, Beeri K, Reynolds JL, Alteri CJ, Skinner KG, Friedman JH, Eaton KA, Friedman DI. Prophage induction is enhanced and required for renal disease and lethality in an EHEC mouse model. PLoS Pathog 2013; 9:e1003236. [PMID: 23555250 PMCID: PMC3610611 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1003236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2012] [Accepted: 01/22/2013] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC), particularly serotype O157:H7, causes hemorrhagic colitis, hemolytic uremic syndrome, and even death. In vitro studies showed that Shiga toxin 2 (Stx2), the primary virulence factor expressed by EDL933 (an O157:H7 strain), is encoded by the 933W prophage. And the bacterial subpopulation in which the 933W prophage is induced is the producer of Stx2. Using the germ-free mouse, we show the essential role 933W induction plays in the virulence of EDL933 infection. An EDL933 derivative with a single mutation in its 933W prophage, resulting specifically in that phage being uninducible, colonizes the intestines, but fails to cause any of the pathological changes seen with the parent strain. Hence, induction of the 933W prophage is the primary event leading to disease from EDL933 infection. We constructed a derivative of EDL933, SIVET, with a biosensor that specifically measures induction of the 933W prophage. Using this biosensor to measure 933W induction in germ-free mice, we found an increase three logs greater than was expected from in vitro results. Since the induced population produces and releases Stx2, this result indicates that an activity in the intestine increases Stx2 production.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica S. Tyler
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Karen Beeri
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Jared L. Reynolds
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Christopher J. Alteri
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Katherine G. Skinner
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Jonathan H. Friedman
- Department of Mathwork, Mathworks, Natick, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Kathryn A. Eaton
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - David I. Friedman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Alteri CJ, Mobley HLT. Escherichia coli physiology and metabolism dictates adaptation to diverse host microenvironments. Curr Opin Microbiol 2011; 15:3-9. [PMID: 22204808 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2011.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2011] [Revised: 12/08/2011] [Accepted: 12/12/2011] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Bacterial growth in the host is required for pathogenesis. To successfully grow in vivo, pathogens have adapted their metabolism to replicate in specific host microenvironments. These adaptations reflect the nutritional composition of their host niches, inter-bacterial competition for carbon and energy sources, and survival in the face of bactericidal defense mechanisms. A subgroup of Escherichia coli, which cause urinary tract infection, bacteremia, sepsis, and meningitis, have adapted to grow as a harmless commensal in the nutrient-replete, carbon-rich human intestine but rapidly transition to pathogenic lifestyle in the nutritionally poorer, nitrogen-rich urinary tract. We discuss bacterial adaptations that allow extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli to establish both commensal associations and virulence as the bacterium transits between disparate microenvironments within the same individual.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Alteri
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States.
| | | |
Collapse
|
19
|
Alteri CJ, Lindner JR, Reiss DJ, Smith SN, Mobley HLT. The broadly conserved regulator PhoP links pathogen virulence and membrane potential in Escherichia coli. Mol Microbiol 2011; 82:145-63. [PMID: 21854465 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2958.2011.07804.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
PhoP is considered a virulence regulator despite being conserved in both pathogenic and non-pathogenic Enterobacteriaceae. While Escherichia coli strains represent non-pathogenic commensal isolates and numerous virulent pathotypes, the PhoP virulence regulator has only been studied in commensal E. coli. To better understand how conserved transcription factors contribute to virulence, we characterized PhoP in pathogenic E. coli. Deletion of phoP significantly attenuated E. coli during extraintestinal infection. This was not surprising since we demonstrated that PhoP differentially regulated the transcription of > 600 genes. In addition to survival at acidic pH and resistance to polymyxin, PhoP was required for repression of motility and oxygen-independent changes in the expression of primary dehydrogenase and terminal reductase respiratory chain components. All phenotypes have in common a reliance on an energized membrane. Thus, we hypothesized that PhoP mediates these effects by regulating genes encoding proteins that generate proton motive force. Indeed, bacteria lacking PhoP exhibited a hyperpolarized membrane and dissipation of the transmembrane electrochemical gradient increased susceptibility of the phoP mutant to acidic pH, while inhibiting respiratory generation of the proton gradient restored resistance to antimicrobial peptides independent of lipopolysaccharide modification. These findings demonstrate a connection between PhoP, virulence and the energized state of the membrane.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Alteri
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, 5641 West Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
20
|
Alteri CJ, Hagan EC, Sivick KE, Smith SN, Mobley HLT. Mucosal immunization with iron receptor antigens protects against urinary tract infection. PLoS Pathog 2009; 5:e1000586. [PMID: 19806177 PMCID: PMC2736566 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1000586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 130] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2009] [Accepted: 08/24/2009] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Uncomplicated infections of the urinary tract, caused by uropathogenic Escherichia coli, are among the most common diseases requiring medical intervention. A preventive vaccine to reduce the morbidity and fiscal burden these infections have upon the healthcare system would be beneficial. Here, we describe the results of a large-scale selection process that incorporates bioinformatic, genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic screens to identify six vaccine candidates from the 5379 predicted proteins encoded by uropathogenic E. coli strain CFT073. The vaccine candidates, ChuA, Hma, Iha, IreA, IroN, and IutA, all belong to a functional class of molecules that is involved in iron acquisition, a process critical for pathogenesis in all microbes. Intranasal immunization of CBA/J mice with these outer membrane iron receptors elicited a systemic and mucosal immune response that included the production of antigen-specific IgM, IgG, and IgA antibodies. The cellular response to vaccination was characterized by the induction and secretion of IFN-gamma and IL-17. Of the six potential vaccine candidates, IreA, Hma, and IutA provided significant protection from experimental infection. In immunized animals, class-switching from IgM to IgG and production of antigen-specific IgA in the urine represent immunological correlates of protection from E. coli bladder colonization. These findings are an important first step toward the development of a subunit vaccine to prevent urinary tract infections and demonstrate how targeting an entire class of molecules that are collectively required for pathogenesis may represent a fundamental strategy to combat infections.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Administration, Intranasal
- Animals
- Antibodies, Bacterial/blood
- Antibodies, Bacterial/immunology
- Antigens, Bacterial/genetics
- Antigens, Bacterial/immunology
- Antigens, Bacterial/metabolism
- Cells, Cultured
- Escherichia coli/immunology
- Escherichia coli Infections/immunology
- Escherichia coli Infections/prevention & control
- Escherichia coli Proteins/genetics
- Escherichia coli Proteins/immunology
- Escherichia coli Proteins/metabolism
- Escherichia coli Vaccines/administration & dosage
- Escherichia coli Vaccines/immunology
- Female
- Immunoglobulin A, Secretory/metabolism
- Immunoglobulin A, Secretory/urine
- Immunoglobulin Class Switching/immunology
- Interferon-gamma/metabolism
- Interleukin-17/metabolism
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred CBA
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins/genetics
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins/immunology
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins/metabolism
- Spleen/cytology
- Spleen/immunology
- Spleen/metabolism
- Statistics, Nonparametric
- Urinary Tract Infections/immunology
- Urinary Tract Infections/prevention & control
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J. Alteri
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Erin C. Hagan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Kelsey E. Sivick
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Sara N. Smith
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Harry L. T. Mobley
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Abstract
Outer membrane proteins (OMPs) of microbial pathogens are critical components that mediate direct interactions between microbes and their surrounding environment. Consequently, the study of OMPs is integral to furthering the understanding of host-pathogen interactions and to identifying key targets for development of improved antimicrobial agents and vaccines. In this study, we used two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D-PAGE) and tandem mass spectrometry to characterize the uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) outer membrane subproteome; 30 individual OMPs present on the bacterial surface during growth in human urine were identified. Fluorescence difference gel electrophoresis was used to identify quantitative changes in levels of UPEC strain CFT073 OMPs during growth in urine; six known receptors for iron compounds were induced in this environment, i.e., ChuA, IutA, FhuA, IroN, IreA, and Iha. A seventh putative iron compound receptor, encoded by CFT073 open reading frame (ORF) c2482, was also identified and found to be induced in urine. Further, the induction of these seven iron receptors in human urine and during defined iron limitation was verified by using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). An eighth iron receptor, fepA, displayed similar induction levels under these conditions as measured by qPCR but was not identified by 2D-PAGE. Addition of 10 microM FeCl(2) to human urine repressed the transcription of all eight iron receptor genes. A number of fecal-commensal, intestinal pathogenic, and uropathogenic E. coli strains all displayed similar growth rates in human urine, showing that the ability to grow in urine per se is not a urovirulence trait. Thus, human urine is an iron-limiting environment and UPEC enriches its outer membrane with iron receptors to contend with this iron limitation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Alteri
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, 5641 Medical Science Building II, 1150 West Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
22
|
Alteri CJ, Xicohténcatl-Cortes J, Hess S, Caballero-Olín G, Girón JA, Friedman RL. Mycobacterium tuberculosis produces pili during human infection. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2007; 104:5145-50. [PMID: 17360408 PMCID: PMC1817835 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0602304104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 139] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Mycobacterium tuberculosis is responsible for nearly 3 million human deaths worldwide every year. Understanding the mechanisms and bacterial factors responsible for the ability of M. tuberculosis to cause disease in humans is critical for the development of improved treatment strategies. Many bacterial pathogens use pili as adherence factors to colonize the host. We discovered that M. tuberculosis produces fine (2- to 3-nm-wide), aggregative, flexible pili that are recognized by IgG antibodies contained in sera obtained from patients with active tuberculosis, indicating that the bacilli produce pili or pili-associated antigen during human infection. Purified M. tuberculosis pili (MTP) are composed of low-molecular-weight protein subunits encoded by the predicted M. tuberculosis H37Rv ORF, designated Rv3312A. MTP bind to the extracellular matrix protein laminin in vitro, suggesting that MTP possess adhesive properties. Isogenic mtp mutants lost the ability to produce Mtp in vitro and demonstrated decreased laminin-binding capabilities. MTP shares morphological, biochemical, and functional properties attributed to bacterial pili, especially with curli amyloid fibers. Thus, we propose that MTP are previously unidentified host-colonization factors of M. tuberculosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Alteri
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Arizona, 1501 North Campbell Avenue, LSN 649, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|