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Antoine C, Laforêt F, Fall A, Blasdel B, Delcenserie V, Thiry D. K1 Capsule-dependent phage-driven evolution in Escherichia coli leading to phage resistance and biofilm production. J Appl Microbiol 2024:lxae109. [PMID: 38688866 DOI: 10.1093/jambio/lxae109] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
AIMS Understanding bacterial phage resistance mechanisms has implications for developing phage-based therapies. This study aimed to explore the development of phage resistance in Escherichia coli K1 isolates' to K1-ULINTec4, a K1-dependent bacteriophage. METHODS AND RESULTS Resistant colonies were isolated from two different strains (APEC 45 and C5), both previously exposed to K1-ULINTec4. Genome analysis and several parameters were assessed, including growth capacity, phage adsorption, phenotypic impact at capsular level, biofilm production and virulence in the in-vivo Galleria mellonella larvae model. One out of the 6 resistant isolates exhibited a significantly slower growth rate suggesting the presence of a resistance mechanism altering its fitness. Comparative genomic analysis revealed insertion sequences in the region 2 of the kps gene cluster involved in the capsule biosynthesis. In addition, an immunoassay targeting the K1 capsule showed a very low positive reaction compared to the control. Nevertheless, microscopic images of resistant strains revealed the presence of capsules with a clustered organization of bacterial cells and biofilm assessment showed an increased biofilm production compared to the sensitive strains. In the G. mellonella model, larvae infected with phage-resistant isolates showed better survival rates than larvae infected with phage-sensitive strains. CONCLUSIONS A phage resistance mechanism was identified at the genomic level and had a negative impact on the K1 capsule production. The resistant isolates showed an increased biofilm production, and a decreased virulence in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Céline Antoine
- Veterinary bacteriology, Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, FARAH and Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, ULiège, 4000 Liège, Belgium
- Food Science Department, FARAH and Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, ULiège, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Fanny Laforêt
- Veterinary bacteriology, Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, FARAH and Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, ULiège, 4000 Liège, Belgium
- Food Science Department, FARAH and Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, ULiège, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | | | - Bob Blasdel
- Vésale Bioscience, Vésale Pharmaceutica, Noville-sur-Mehaigne, Belgium
| | - Véronique Delcenserie
- Food Science Department, FARAH and Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, ULiège, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Damien Thiry
- Veterinary bacteriology, Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, FARAH and Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, ULiège, 4000 Liège, Belgium
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Zhong Q, Liao B, Liu J, Shen W, Wang J, Wei L, Ma Y, Dong PT, Bor B, McLean JS, Chang Y, Shi W, Cen L, Wu M, Liu J, Li Y, He X, Le S. Episymbiotic Saccharibacteria TM7x modulates the susceptibility of its host bacteria to phage infection and promotes their coexistence. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2319790121. [PMID: 38593079 PMCID: PMC11032452 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2319790121] [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: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophages (phages) play critical roles in modulating microbial ecology. Within the human microbiome, the factors influencing the long-term coexistence of phages and bacteria remain poorly investigated. Saccharibacteria (formerly TM7) are ubiquitous members of the human oral microbiome. These ultrasmall bacteria form episymbiotic relationships with their host bacteria and impact their physiology. Here, we showed that during surface-associated growth, a human oral Saccharibacteria isolate (named TM7x) protects its host bacterium, a Schaalia odontolytica strain (named XH001) against lytic phage LC001 predation. RNA-Sequencing analysis identified in XH001 a gene cluster with predicted functions involved in the biogenesis of cell wall polysaccharides (CWP), whose expression is significantly down-regulated when forming a symbiosis with TM7x. Through genetic work, we experimentally demonstrated the impact of the expression of this CWP gene cluster on bacterial-phage interaction by affecting phage binding. In vitro coevolution experiments further showed that the heterogeneous populations of TM7x-associated and TM7x-free XH001, which display differential susceptibility to LC001 predation, promote bacteria and phage coexistence. Our study highlights the tripartite interaction between the bacterium, episymbiont, and phage. More importantly, we present a mechanism, i.e., episymbiont-mediated modulation of gene expression in host bacteria, which impacts their susceptibility to phage predation and contributes to the formation of "source-sink" dynamics between phage and bacteria in biofilm, promoting their long-term coexistence within the human microbiome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiu Zhong
- Department of Microbiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Microbial Engineering Under the Educational Committee in Chongqing, Army Medical University, Chongqing400038, China
| | - Binyou Liao
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Center for Stomatology, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan610041, China
| | - Jiazhen Liu
- Department of Microbiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Microbial Engineering Under the Educational Committee in Chongqing, Army Medical University, Chongqing400038, China
| | - Wei Shen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute for Viral Hepatitis, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Education, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing401336, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Microbiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Microbial Engineering Under the Educational Committee in Chongqing, Army Medical University, Chongqing400038, China
| | - Leilei Wei
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing400038, China
| | - Yansong Ma
- Department of Orthodontics, Capital Medical University, Beijing100050, China
| | - Pu-Ting Dong
- Department of Microbiology, The American Dental Association Forsyth Institute, Cambridge, MA02142
| | - Batbileg Bor
- Department of Microbiology, The American Dental Association Forsyth Institute, Cambridge, MA02142
- Department of Oral Medicine, Infection and Immunity, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA02115
| | - Jeffrey S. McLean
- Department of Periodontics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA98119
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA98195
| | - Yunjie Chang
- Department of Cell Biology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang310058, China
- Department of Infectious Disease of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang310058, China
| | - Wenyuan Shi
- Department of Microbiology, The American Dental Association Forsyth Institute, Cambridge, MA02142
| | - Lujia Cen
- Department of Microbiology, The American Dental Association Forsyth Institute, Cambridge, MA02142
| | - Miaomiao Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Center for Stomatology, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan610041, China
| | - Jun Liu
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT06536
| | - Yan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Center for Stomatology, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan610041, China
| | - Xuesong He
- Department of Microbiology, The American Dental Association Forsyth Institute, Cambridge, MA02142
- Department of Oral Medicine, Infection and Immunity, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA02115
| | - Shuai Le
- Department of Microbiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Microbial Engineering Under the Educational Committee in Chongqing, Army Medical University, Chongqing400038, China
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Wang J, Wang X, Yang K, Lu C, Fields B, Xu Y, Shen Q, Wei Z, Friman VP. Phage selection drives resistance-virulence trade-offs in Ralstonia solanacearum plant-pathogenic bacterium irrespective of the growth temperature. Evol Lett 2024; 8:253-266. [PMID: 38525025 PMCID: PMC10959482 DOI: 10.1093/evlett/qrad056] [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: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
While temperature has been shown to affect the survival and growth of bacteria and their phage parasites, it is unclear if trade-offs between phage resistance and other bacterial traits depend on the temperature. Here, we experimentally compared the evolution of phage resistance-virulence trade-offs and underlying molecular mechanisms in phytopathogenic Ralstonia solanacearum bacterium at 25 °C and 35 °C temperature environments. We found that while phages reduced R. solanacearum densities relatively more at 25 °C, no difference in the final level of phage resistance was observed between temperature treatments. Instead, small colony variants (SCVs) with increased growth rate and mutations in the quorum-sensing (QS) signaling receptor gene, phcS, evolved in both temperature treatments. Interestingly, SCVs were also phage-resistant and reached higher frequencies in the presence of phages. Evolving phage resistance was costly, resulting in reduced carrying capacity, biofilm formation, and virulence in planta, possibly due to loss of QS-mediated expression of key virulence genes. We also observed mucoid phage-resistant colonies that showed loss of virulence and reduced twitching motility likely due to parallel mutations in prepilin peptidase gene, pilD. Moreover, phage-resistant SCVs from 35 °C-phage treatment had parallel mutations in type II secretion system (T2SS) genes (gspE and gspF). Adsorption assays confirmed the role of pilD as a phage receptor, while no loss of adsorption was found with phcS or T2SS mutants, indicative of other downstream phage resistance mechanisms. Additional transcriptomic analysis revealed upregulation of CBASS and type I restriction-modification phage defense systems in response to phage exposure, which coincided with reduced expression of motility and virulence-associated genes, including pilD and type II and III secretion systems. Together, these results suggest that while phage resistance-virulence trade-offs are not affected by the growth temperature, they could be mediated through both pre- and postinfection phage resistance mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianing Wang
- Key Lab of Organic-Based Fertilizers of China and Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab for Solid Organic Waste Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, P.R. China
| | - Xiaofang Wang
- Key Lab of Organic-Based Fertilizers of China and Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab for Solid Organic Waste Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, P.R. China
| | - Keming Yang
- Key Lab of Organic-Based Fertilizers of China and Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab for Solid Organic Waste Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, P.R. China
| | - Chunxia Lu
- Key Lab of Organic-Based Fertilizers of China and Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab for Solid Organic Waste Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, P.R. China
| | - Bryden Fields
- Department of Microbiology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Yangchun Xu
- Key Lab of Organic-Based Fertilizers of China and Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab for Solid Organic Waste Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, P.R. China
| | - Qirong Shen
- Key Lab of Organic-Based Fertilizers of China and Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab for Solid Organic Waste Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, P.R. China
| | - Zhong Wei
- Key Lab of Organic-Based Fertilizers of China and Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab for Solid Organic Waste Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, P.R. China
| | - Ville-Petri Friman
- Key Lab of Organic-Based Fertilizers of China and Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab for Solid Organic Waste Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, P.R. China
- Department of Microbiology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Biology, University of York, Wentworth Way, York , United Kingdom
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Martinez-Soto CE, McClelland M, Kropinski AM, Lin JT, Khursigara CM, Anany H. Multireceptor phage cocktail against Salmonella enterica to circumvent phage resistance. Microlife 2024; 5:uqae003. [PMID: 38545601 PMCID: PMC10972627 DOI: 10.1093/femsml/uqae003] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
Non-Typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) is one of the most common food-borne pathogens worldwide, with poultry products being the major vehicle for pathogenesis in humans. The use of bacteriophage (phage) cocktails has recently emerged as a novel approach to enhancing food safety. Here, a multireceptor Salmonella phage cocktail of five phages was developed and characterized. The cocktail targets four receptors: O-antigen, BtuB, OmpC, and rough Salmonella strains. Structural analysis indicated that all five phages belong to unique families or subfamilies. Genome analysis of four of the phages showed they were devoid of known virulence or antimicrobial resistance factors, indicating enhanced safety. The phage cocktail broad antimicrobial spectrum against Salmonella, significantly inhibiting the growth of all 66 strains from 20 serovars tested in vitro. The average bacteriophage insensitive mutant (BIM) frequency against the cocktail was 6.22 × 10-6 in S. Enteritidis, significantly lower than that of each of the individual phages. The phage cocktail reduced the load of Salmonella in inoculated chicken skin by 3.5 log10 CFU/cm2 after 48 h at 25°C and 15°C, and 2.5 log10 CFU/cm2 at 4°C. A genome-wide transduction assay was used to investigate the transduction efficiency of the selected phage in the cocktail. Only one of the four phages tested could transduce the kanamycin resistance cassette at a low frequency comparable to that of phage P22. Overall, the results support the potential of cocktails of phage that each target different host receptors to achieve complementary infection and reduce the emergence of phage resistance during biocontrol applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos E Martinez-Soto
- Guelph Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 93 Stone Rd W, N1G 5C9, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Biological Science, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd E, N1G 2W1, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michael McClelland
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, 811 Health Sciences Road, CA 92614, United States
| | - Andrew M Kropinski
- Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, 419 Gordon St, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Janet T Lin
- Guelph Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 93 Stone Rd W, N1G 5C9, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Cezar M Khursigara
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Biological Science, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd E, N1G 2W1, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Hany Anany
- Guelph Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 93 Stone Rd W, N1G 5C9, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Biological Science, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd E, N1G 2W1, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
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Erratum: Resistance against two lytic phage variants attenuates virulence and antibiotic resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1391783. [PMID: 38510956 PMCID: PMC10951994 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1391783] [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] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1280265.].
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6
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Han P, Lin W, Fan H, Tong Y. Characterization of phage evolution and phage resistance in drug-resistant Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. J Virol 2024; 98:e0124923. [PMID: 38189285 PMCID: PMC10878236 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01249-23] [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: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Phage therapy has become a viable antimicrobial treatment as an alternative to antibiotic treatment, with an increase in antibiotic resistance. Phage resistance is a major limitation in the therapeutic application of phages, and the lack of understanding of the dynamic changes between bacteria and phages constrains our response strategies to phage resistance. In this study, we investigated the changing trends of mutual resistance between Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (S. maltophilia) and its lytic phage, BUCT603. Our results revealed that S. maltophilia resisted phage infection through mutations in the cell membrane proteins, while the evolved phage re-infected the resistant strain primarily through mutations in structure-related proteins. Compared with the wild-type strain (SMA118), the evolved phage-resistant strain (R118-2) showed reduced virulence, weakened biofilm formation ability, and reduced resistance to aminoglycosides. In addition, the evolved phage BUCT603B1 in combination with kanamycin could inhibit the development of phage-resistant S. maltophilia in vitro and significantly improve the survival rate of S. maltophilia-infected mice. Altogether, these results suggest that in vitro characterization of bacteria-phage co-evolutionary relationships is a useful research tool to optimize phages for the treatment of drug-resistant bacterial infections.IMPORTANCEPhage therapy is a promising approach to treat infections caused by drug-resistant Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (S. maltophilia). However, the rapid development of phage resistance has hindered the therapeutic application of phages. In vitro evolutionary studies of bacteria-phage co-cultures can elucidate the mechanism of resistance development between phage and its host. In this study, we investigated the resistance trends between S. maltophilia and its phage and found that inhibition of phage adsorption is the primary strategy by which bacteria resist phage infection in vitro, while phages can re-infect bacterial cells by identifying other adsorption receptors. Although the final bacterial mutants were no longer infected by phages, they incurred a fitness cost that resulted in a significant reduction in virulence. In addition, the combination treatment with phage and aminoglycoside antibiotics could prevent the development of phage resistance in S. maltophilia in vitro. These findings contribute to increasing the understanding of the co-evolutionary relationships between phages and S. maltophilia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengjun Han
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Lin
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Huahao Fan
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Yigang Tong
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
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He P, Cao F, Qu Q, Geng H, Yang X, Xu T, Wang R, Jia X, Lu M, Zeng P, Luan G. Host range expansion of Acinetobacter phage vB_Ab4_Hep4 driven by a spontaneous tail tubular mutation. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1301089. [PMID: 38435308 PMCID: PMC10904470 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1301089] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophages (phages) represent promising alternative treatments against multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MDRAB) infections. The application of phages as antibacterial agents is limited by their generally narrow host ranges, so changing or expanding the host ranges of phages is beneficial for phage therapy. Multiple studies have identified that phage tail fiber protein mediates the recognition and binding to the host as receptor binding protein in phage infection. However, the tail tubular-dependent host specificity of phages has not been studied well. In this study, we isolated and characterized a novel lytic phage, vB_Ab4_Hep4, specifically infecting MDRAB strains. Meanwhile, we identified a spontaneous mutant of the phage, vB_Ab4_Hep4-M, which revealed an expanded host range compared to the wild-type phage. A single mutation of G to C was detected in the gene encoding the phage tail tubular protein B and thus resulted in an aspartate to histidine change. We further demonstrated that the host range expansion of the phage mutant is driven by the spontaneous mutation of guanine to cytosine using expressed tail tubular protein B. Moreover, we established that the bacterial capsule is the receptor for phage Abp4 and Abp4-M by identifying mutant genes in phage-resistant strains. In conclusion, our study provided a detailed description of phage vB_Ab4_Hep4 and revealed the tail tubular-dependent host specificity in A. baumannii phages, which may provide new insights into extending the host ranges of phages by gene-modifying tail tubular proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Penggang He
- West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Feng Cao
- Chengdu Phagetimes Biotech Co. Ltd, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Qianyu Qu
- West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Huaixin Geng
- Non-coding RNA and Drug Discovery Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xin Yang
- Non-coding RNA and Drug Discovery Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Tong Xu
- Chengdu Phagetimes Biotech Co. Ltd, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Rui Wang
- Non-coding RNA and Drug Discovery Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xu Jia
- Non-coding RNA and Drug Discovery Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Mao Lu
- Department of Dermatovenereology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Peibin Zeng
- West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Guangxin Luan
- Non-coding RNA and Drug Discovery Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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Ostenfeld LJ, Sørensen AN, Neve H, Vitt A, Klumpp J, Sørensen MCH. A hybrid receptor binding protein enables phage F341 infection of Campylobacter by binding to flagella and lipooligosaccharides. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1358909. [PMID: 38380094 PMCID: PMC10877375 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1358909] [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] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Flagellotropic bacteriophages are interesting candidates as therapeutics against pathogenic bacteria dependent on flagellar motility for colonization and causing disease. Yet, phage resistance other than loss of motility has been scarcely studied. Here we developed a soft agar assay to study flagellotropic phage F341 resistance in motile Campylobacter jejuni. We found that phage adsorption was prevented by diverse genetic mutations in the lipooligosaccharides forming the secondary receptor of phage F341. Genome sequencing showed phage F341 belongs to the Fletchervirus genus otherwise comprising capsular-dependent C. jejuni phages. Interestingly, phage F341 encodes a hybrid receptor binding protein (RBP) predicted as a short tail fiber showing partial similarity to RBP1 encoded by capsular-dependent Fletchervirus, but with a receptor binding domain similar to tail fiber protein H of C. jejuni CJIE1 prophages. Thus, C. jejuni prophages may represent a genetic pool from where lytic Fletchervirus phages can acquire new traits like recognition of new receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Line Jensen Ostenfeld
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | | | - Horst Neve
- Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Max-Rubner Institut, Kiel, Germany
| | - Amira Vitt
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Jochen Klumpp
- Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Burke KA, Urick CD, Mzhavia N, Nikolich MP, Filippov AA. Correlation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Phage Resistance with the Numbers and Types of Antiphage Systems. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1424. [PMID: 38338703 PMCID: PMC10855318 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031424] [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: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Phage therapeutics offer a potentially powerful approach for combating multidrug-resistant bacterial infections. However, to be effective, phage therapy must overcome existing and developing phage resistance. While phage cocktails can reduce this risk by targeting multiple receptors in a single therapeutic, bacteria have mechanisms of resistance beyond receptor modification. A rapidly growing body of knowledge describes a broad and varied arsenal of antiphage systems encoded by bacteria to counter phage infection. We sought to understand the types and frequencies of antiphage systems present in a highly diverse panel of Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolates utilized to characterize novel antibacterials. Using the web-server tool PADLOC (prokaryotic antiviral defense locator), putative antiphage systems were identified in these P. aeruginosa clinical isolates based on sequence homology to a validated and curated catalog of known defense systems. Coupling this host bacterium sequence analysis with host range data for 70 phages, we observed a correlation between existing phage resistance and the presence of higher numbers of antiphage systems in bacterial genomes. We were also able to identify antiphage systems that were more prevalent in highly phage-resistant P. aeruginosa strains, suggesting their importance in conferring resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Andrey A. Filippov
- Wound Infections Department, Bacterial Diseases Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA; (K.A.B.); (C.D.U.); (N.M.); (M.P.N.)
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10
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García-Cruz JC, Rebollar-Juarez X, Limones-Martinez A, Santos-Lopez CS, Toya S, Maeda T, Ceapă CD, Blasco L, Tomás M, Díaz-Velásquez CE, Vaca-Paniagua F, Díaz-Guerrero M, Cazares D, Cazares A, Hernández-Durán M, López-Jácome LE, Franco-Cendejas R, Husain FM, Khan A, Arshad M, Morales-Espinosa R, Fernández-Presas AM, Cadet F, Wood TK, García-Contreras R. Resistance against two lytic phage variants attenuates virulence and antibiotic resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 13:1280265. [PMID: 38298921 PMCID: PMC10828002 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1280265] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Bacteriophage therapy is becoming part of mainstream Western medicine since antibiotics of clinical use tend to fail. It involves applying lytic bacteriophages that self-replicate and induce cell lysis, thus killing their hosts. Nevertheless, bacterial killing promotes the selection of resistant clones which sometimes may exhibit a decrease in bacterial virulence or antibiotic resistance. Methods In this work, we studied the Pseudomonas aeruginosa lytic phage φDCL-PA6 and its variant φDCL-PA6α. Additionally, we characterized and evaluated the production of virulence factors and the virulence in a Galleria mellonella model of resistant mutants against each phage for PA14 and two clinical strains. Results Phage φDCL-PA6α differs from the original by only two amino acids: one in the baseplate wedge subunit and another in the tail fiber protein. According to genomic data and cross-resistance experiments, these changes may promote the change of the phage receptor from the O-antigen to the core lipopolysaccharide. Interestingly, the host range of the two phages differs as determined against the Pseudomonas aeruginosa reference strains PA14 and PAO1 and against nine multidrug-resistant isolates from ventilator associated pneumonia. Conclusions We show as well that phage resistance impacts virulence factor production. Specifically, phage resistance led to decreased biofilm formation, swarming, and type III secretion; therefore, the virulence towards Galleria mellonella was dramatically attenuated. Furthermore, antibiotic resistance decreased for one clinical strain. Our study highlights important potential advantages of phage therapy's evolutionary impact that may be exploited to generate robust therapy schemes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Carlos García-Cruz
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Xareni Rebollar-Juarez
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Aldo Limones-Martinez
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Cristian Sadalis Santos-Lopez
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Mexico City, Mexico
- Universidad Univer Milenium, Toluca de Lerdo, Mexico
| | - Shotaro Toya
- Department of Biological Functions Engineering, Graduate School of Life Science and Systems Engineering, Kyushu Institute of Technology, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - Toshinari Maeda
- Department of Biological Functions Engineering, Graduate School of Life Science and Systems Engineering, Kyushu Institute of Technology, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - Corina Diana Ceapă
- Microbiology Laboratory, Chemistry Institute, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Lucia Blasco
- Microbiología Traslacional y Multidisciplinar (MicroTM), Instituto de Investigación Biomédica (INIBIC), Universidad de A Coruña (UDC), A Coruña, Spain
- Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital A Coruña (CHUAC), Universidad de A Coruña (UDC), A Coruña, Spain
| | - María Tomás
- Microbiología Traslacional y Multidisciplinar (MicroTM), Instituto de Investigación Biomédica (INIBIC), Universidad de A Coruña (UDC), A Coruña, Spain
- Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital A Coruña (CHUAC), Universidad de A Coruña (UDC), A Coruña, Spain
| | - Clara Estela Díaz-Velásquez
- Laboratorio Nacional en Salud, Diagnóstico Molecular y Efecto Ambiental en Enfermedades Crónico-Degenerativas, Facultad de Estudios Superiores (FES) Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tlalnepantla de Baz, Estado de México, Mexico
| | - Felipe Vaca-Paniagua
- Laboratorio Nacional en Salud, Diagnóstico Molecular y Efecto Ambiental en Enfermedades Crónico-Degenerativas, Facultad de Estudios Superiores (FES) Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tlalnepantla de Baz, Estado de México, Mexico
- Subdirección de Investigación Básica, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Miguel Díaz-Guerrero
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Daniel Cazares
- Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Adrián Cazares
- Parasites and Microbes Programme, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, United Kingdom
| | - Melisa Hernández-Durán
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Clínica, División de Infectología, Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación, Luis Guillermo Ibarra Ibarra, Mexico, Mexico
| | - Luis Esaú López-Jácome
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Clínica, División de Infectología, Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación, Luis Guillermo Ibarra Ibarra, Mexico, Mexico
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Rafael Franco-Cendejas
- Subdirección de Investigación Biomédica, Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación Luis Guillermo Ibarra Ibarra, Mexico, Mexico
| | - Fohad Mabood Husain
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Altaf Khan
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed Arshad
- Dental Health Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rosario Morales-Espinosa
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Ana María Fernández-Presas
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Frederic Cadet
- PEACCEL, Artificial Intelligence Department, AI for Biologics, Paris, France
| | - Thomas K. Wood
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Rodolfo García-Contreras
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Mexico City, Mexico
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11
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Yoo S, Lee KM, Kim N, Vu TN, Abadie R, Yong D. Designing phage cocktails to combat the emergence of bacteriophage-resistant mutants in multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0125823. [PMID: 38018985 PMCID: PMC10783003 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01258-23] [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: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE In this study, we aimed to design a novel and effective bacteriophage cocktail that can target both wild-type bacteria and phage-resistant mutants. To achieve this goal, we isolated four phages (U2874, phi_KPN_H2, phi_KPN_S3, and phi_KPN_HS3) that recognized different bacterial surface molecules using phage-resistant bacteria. We constructed three phage cocktails and tested their phage resistance-suppressing ability against multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae. We argue that the phage cocktail that induces resensitization of phage susceptibility exhibited superior phage resistance-suppressing ability. Moreover, we observed trade-off effects that manifested progressively in phage-resistant bacteria. We hypothesize that such trade-off effects can augment therapeutic efficacy. We also recommend collating phage host range data against phage-resistant mutants in addition to wild-type bacteria when establishing phage banks to improve the efficiency of phage therapy. Our study underscores the importance of phage host range data in constructing effective phage cocktails for clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seongjun Yoo
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Research Institute of Bacterial Resistance, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Brain Korea 21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | | | - Nayoung Kim
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Research Institute of Bacterial Resistance, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Thao Nguyen Vu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Research Institute of Bacterial Resistance, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Brain Korea 21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Ricardo Abadie
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Research Institute of Bacterial Resistance, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Brain Korea 21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Dongeun Yong
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Research Institute of Bacterial Resistance, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
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12
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Dion MB, Shah SA, Deng L, Thorsen J, Stokholm J, Krogfelt KA, Schjørring S, Horvath P, Allard A, Nielsen DS, Petit MA, Moineau S. Escherichia coli CRISPR arrays from early life fecal samples preferentially target prophages. ISME J 2024; 18:wrae005. [PMID: 38366192 PMCID: PMC10910852 DOI: 10.1093/ismejo/wrae005] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas systems are defense mechanisms against phages and other nucleic acids that invade bacteria and archaea. In Escherichia coli, it is generally accepted that CRISPR-Cas systems are inactive in laboratory conditions due to a transcriptional repressor. In natural isolates, it has been shown that CRISPR arrays remain stable over the years and that most spacer targets (protospacers) remain unknown. Here, we re-examine CRISPR arrays in natural E. coli isolates and investigate viral and bacterial genomes for spacer targets using a bioinformatics approach coupled to a unique biological dataset. We first sequenced the CRISPR1 array of 1769 E. coli isolates from the fecal samples of 639 children obtained during their first year of life. We built a network with edges between isolates that reflect the number of shared spacers. The isolates grouped into 34 modules. A search for matching spacers in bacterial genomes showed that E. coli spacers almost exclusively target prophages. While we found instances of self-targeting spacers, those involving a prophage and a spacer within the same bacterial genome were rare. The extensive search for matching spacers also expanded the library of known E. coli protospacers to 60%. Altogether, these results favor the concept that E. coli's CRISPR-Cas is an antiprophage system and highlight the importance of reconsidering the criteria use to deem CRISPR-Cas systems active.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moïra B Dion
- Département de biochimie, de microbiologie, et de bio-informatique, Faculté des sciences et de génie, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
- Groupe de recherche en écologie buccale, Faculté de médecine dentaire, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Shiraz A Shah
- Copenhagen Prospective Studies on Asthma in Childhood, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Ledreborg Alle 34, 2820 Gentofte, Denmark
| | - Ling Deng
- Food Science, University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 26, 1958 Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Jonathan Thorsen
- Copenhagen Prospective Studies on Asthma in Childhood, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Ledreborg Alle 34, 2820 Gentofte, Denmark
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jakob Stokholm
- Copenhagen Prospective Studies on Asthma in Childhood, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Ledreborg Alle 34, 2820 Gentofte, Denmark
- Food Science, University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 26, 1958 Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Karen A Krogfelt
- Department of Bacteria, Parasites and Fungi, Statens Serum Institut, Artillerivej 5, 2300S Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Science and Environment, Roskilde University, Universitetsvej 1, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Susanne Schjørring
- Department of Bacteria, Parasites and Fungi, Statens Serum Institut, Artillerivej 5, 2300S Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Philippe Horvath
- IFF Danisco, Health & Biosciences, Dangé-Saint-Romain 86220, France
| | - Antoine Allard
- Département de physique, de génie physique et d’optique, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
- Centre interdisciplinaire en modélisation mathématique, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Dennis S Nielsen
- Food Science, University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 26, 1958 Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Marie-Agnès Petit
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Institut Micalis, Jouy-en-Josas 78350, France
| | - Sylvain Moineau
- Département de biochimie, de microbiologie, et de bio-informatique, Faculté des sciences et de génie, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
- Groupe de recherche en écologie buccale, Faculté de médecine dentaire, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
- Félix d’Hérelle Reference Center for Bacterial Viruses, Faculté de médecine dentaire, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
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13
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Zhao Y, Shu M, Zhang L, Zhong C, Liao N, Wu G. Phage-driven coevolution reveals trade-off between antibiotic and phage resistance in Salmonella anatum. ISME Commun 2024; 4:ycae039. [PMID: 38616926 PMCID: PMC11014889 DOI: 10.1093/ismeco/ycae039] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Phage therapy faces challenges against multidrug-resistant (MDR) Salmonella due to rapid phage-resistant mutant emergence. Understanding the intricate interplay between antibiotics and phages is essential for shaping Salmonella evolution and advancing phage therapy. In this study, MDR Salmonella anatum (S. anatum) 2089b coevolved with phage JNwz02 for 30 passages (60 days), then the effect of coevolution on the trade-off between phage and antibiotic resistance in bacteria was investigated. Our results demonstrated antagonistic coevolution between bacteria and phages, transitioning from arms race dynamics (ARD) to fluctuating selection dynamics (FSD). The fitness cost of phage resistance, manifested as reduced competitiveness, was observed. Bacteria evolved phage resistance while simultaneously regaining sensitivity to amoxicillin, ampicillin, and gentamicin, influenced by phage selection pressure and bacterial competitiveness. Moreover, the impact of phage selection pressure on the trade-off between antibiotic and phage resistance was more pronounced in the ARD stage than in the FSD stage. Whole genome analysis revealed mutations in the btuB gene in evolved S. anatum strains, with a notably higher mutation frequency in the ARD stage compared to the FSD stage. Subsequent knockout experiments confirmed BtuB as a receptor for phage JNwz02, and the deletion of btuB resulted in reduced bacterial competitiveness. Additionally, the mutations identified in the phage-resistant strains were linked to multiple single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with membrane components. This correlation implies a potential role of these SNPs in reinstating antibiotic susceptibility. These findings significantly advance our understanding of phage-host interactions and the impact of bacterial adaptations on antibiotic resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyang Zhao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, Jiangxi, PR China
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, Jiangxi, PR China
| | - Mei Shu
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, Jiangxi, PR China
| | - Ling Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, Jiangxi, PR China
| | - Chan Zhong
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, Jiangxi, PR China
| | - Ningbo Liao
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, Jiangxi, PR China
| | - Guoping Wu
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, Jiangxi, PR China
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14
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McFarlane JA, Hansen EG, Ortega EC, Iskender I, Noireaux V, Bowden SD. A ToxIN homolog from Salmonella enterica serotype Enteritidis impairs bacteriophage infection. J Appl Microbiol 2023; 134:lxad299. [PMID: 38059866 DOI: 10.1093/jambio/lxad299] [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: 09/23/2023] [Revised: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
AIMS To determine if the bacteriophage abortive infection system ToxIN is present in foodborne Salmonella and if it protects against infection by bacteriophages specific to enteric bacteria. METHODS AND RESULTS A set of foodborne Salmonella enteritidis isolates from a 2010 eggshell outbreak was identified via BLASTN (basic local alignment search tool nucleotide) queries as harboring a close homolog of ToxIN, carried on a plasmid with putative mobilization proteins. This homolog was cloned into a plasmid vector and transformed into the laboratory strain Salmonella typhimurium LT2 and tested against a set of Salmonella-specific phages (FelixO1, S16, Sp6, LPST153, and P22 HT105/1 int-201). ToxIN reduced infection by FelixO1, S16, and LPST153 by ∼1-4 log PFU ml-1 while reducing the plaque size of Sp6. When present in LT2 and Escherichia coli MG1655, ToxIN conferred cross-genus protection against phage isolates, which infect both bacteria. Finally, the putative ToxIN plasmid was found in whole-genome sequence contigs of several Salmonella serovars, pathogenic E. coli, and other pathogenic enterobacteria. CONCLUSIONS Salmonella and E. coli can resist infection by several phages via ToxIN under laboratory conditions; ToxIN is present in foodborne pathogens including Salmonella and Shiga-toxigenic E. coli.
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Affiliation(s)
- John A McFarlane
- BioTechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN 55108, USA
| | - Eleanore G Hansen
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN 55108, USA
| | - Estephany C Ortega
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN 55108, USA
| | - Irem Iskender
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN 55108, USA
| | - Vincent Noireaux
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Steven D Bowden
- BioTechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN 55108, USA
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN 55108, USA
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15
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El Ghali A, Stamper K, Kunz Coyne AJ, Holger D, Kebriaei R, Alexander J, Lehman SM, Rybak MJ. Ciprofloxacin in combination with bacteriophage cocktails against multi-drug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa in ex vivo simulated endocardial vegetation models. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2023; 67:e0072823. [PMID: 37877697 PMCID: PMC10649104 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00728-23] [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: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa-associated infective endocarditis represents difficult-to-treat, deep-seated infections. Phage-antibiotic combinations have shown to eradicate multi-drug resistant (MDR) P. aeruginosa, limit the development of phage resistance, and restore antibiotic sensitivity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the activity of phage-ciprofloxacin (CIP) combinations in 4-day ex vivo simulated endocardial vegetation (SEV) models against drug-resistant P. aeruginosa isolates. Two P. aeruginosa isolates, extensively drug-resistant AR351 and MDR I0003-1, were selected for their drug resistance and sensitivity to phage. Three phages [LL-5504721-AH (LL), E2005-C (EC), and 109] and CIP were evaluated alone and in combination for their activity and influence on drug and phage resistance using 24-h time-kill analysis. The three-phage cocktail (q24h) in combination with CIP (400 mg q12h) was then tested in dynamic 4-day ex vivo SEV models, with reduction of log10 CFU/mL compared using ANOVA with Bonferroni analysis. Compared to other combinations, CIP-LL-EC-109 demonstrated synergistic and bactericidal activity from starting CFU/g against AR351 and I0003-1 (-Δ5.65 and 6.60 log10 CFU/g, respectively; P < 0.001). Additionally, CIP-LL-EC-109 mitigated phage resistance, while all other therapies had a high degree of resistance to >1 phages, and all phage-containing regimens prevented CIP mean inhibitory concentration increases compared to CIP alone for both AR351 and I0003-1 at 96 h.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amer El Ghali
- Anti-Infective Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy Practice, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Kyle Stamper
- Anti-Infective Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy Practice, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Ashlan J. Kunz Coyne
- Anti-Infective Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy Practice, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Dana Holger
- Anti-Infective Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy Practice, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Razieh Kebriaei
- Anti-Infective Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy Practice, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Jose Alexander
- Department of Microbiology, Virology and Immunology, AdventHealth Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - Susan M. Lehman
- Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Michael J. Rybak
- Anti-Infective Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy Practice, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
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16
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Forrest S, Ton S, Sholes SL, Harrison S, Plaut RD, Verratti K, Wittekind M, Ettehadieh E, Necciai B, Sozhamannan S, Grady SL. Genetic evidence for the interaction between Bacillus anthracis-encoded phage receptors and their cognate phage-encoded receptor binding proteins. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1278791. [PMID: 38029077 PMCID: PMC10644760 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1278791] [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] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophages such as γ and AP50c have been shown to infect strains of Bacillus anthracis with high specificity, and this feature has been exploited in the development of bacterial detection assays. To better understand the emergence of phage resistance, and thus the potential failure of such assays, it is important to identify the host and phage receptors necessary for attachment and entry. Using genetic approaches, the bacterial receptors of AP50c and γ have been identified as sap and GamR, respectively. A second AP50c-like phage, Wip1, also appears to use sap as a receptor. In parallel with this work, the cognate phage-encoded receptor binding proteins (RBPs) have also been identified (Gp14 for γ, P28 for AP50c, and P23 for Wip1); however, the strength of evidence supporting these protein-protein interactions varies, necessitating additional investigation. Here, we present genetic evidence further supporting the interaction between sap and the RBPs of AP50c and Wip1 using fluorescently tagged proteins and a panel of B. anthracis mutants. These results showed that the deletion of the sap gene, as well as the deletion of csaB, whose encoded protein anchors sap to the bacterial S-layer, resulted in the loss of RBP binding. Binding could then be rescued by expressing these genes in trans. We also found that the RBP of the γ-like prophage λBa03 relied on csaB activity for binding, possibly by a different mechanism. RBPλBa03 binding to B. anthracis cells was also unique in that it was not ablated by heat inactivation of vegetative cells, suggesting that its receptor is still functional following incubation at 98°C. These results extend our understanding of the diverse attachment and entry strategies used by B. anthracis phages, enabling future assay development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Forrest
- Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD, United States
| | - Sarah Ton
- Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD, United States
| | - Samantha L. Sholes
- Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD, United States
| | - Sarah Harrison
- Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD, United States
| | - Roger D. Plaut
- Division of Bacterial, Parasitic, and Allergenic Products, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, United States
| | - Kathleen Verratti
- Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD, United States
| | | | | | - Bryan Necciai
- Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense (JPEO-CBRND), Joint Project Lead for CBRND Enabling Biotechnologies, Frederick, MD, United States
| | - Shanmuga Sozhamannan
- Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense (JPEO-CBRND), Joint Project Lead for CBRND Enabling Biotechnologies, Frederick, MD, United States
- Joint Research and Development, Inc., Stafford, VA, United States
| | - Sarah L. Grady
- Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD, United States
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17
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Mi Y, He Y, Mi J, Huang Y, Fan H, Song L, An X, Xu S, Li M, Tong Y. Genetic and Phenotypic Analysis of Phage-Resistant Mutant Fitness Triggered by Phage-Host Interactions. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15594. [PMID: 37958578 PMCID: PMC10648725 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242115594] [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: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The emergence of phage-resistant bacterial strains is one of the biggest challenges for phage therapy. However, the emerging phage-resistant bacteria are often accompanied by adaptive trade-offs, which supports a therapeutic strategy called "phage steering". The key to phage steering is to guide the bacterial population toward an evolutionary direction that is favorable for treatment. Thus, it is important to systematically investigate the impacts of phages targeting different bacterial receptors on the fitness of the bacterial population. Herein, we employed 20 different phages to impose strong evolutionary pressure on the host Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 and examined the genetic and phenotypic responses of their phage-resistant mutants. Among these strains with impaired adsorptions, four types of mutations associated with bacterial receptors were identified, namely, lipopolysaccharides (LPSs), type IV pili (T4Ps), outer membrane proteins (OMPs), and exopolysaccharides (EPSs). PAO1, responding to LPS- and EPS-dependent phage infections, mostly showed significant growth impairment and virulence attenuation. Most mutants with T4P-related mutations exhibited a significant decrease in motility and biofilm formation ability, while the mutants with OMP-related mutations required the lowest fitness cost out of the bacterial populations. Apart from fitness costs, PAO1 strains might lose their resistance to antibiotics when counteracting with phages, such as the presence of large-fragment mutants in this study, which may inspire the usage of phage-antibiotic combination strategies. This work provides methods that leverage the merits of phage resistance relative to obtaining therapeutically beneficial outcomes with respect to phage-steering strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanze Mi
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China; (Y.M.); (Y.H.); (J.M.); (Y.H.); (H.F.); (L.S.); (X.A.); (S.X.)
| | - Yile He
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China; (Y.M.); (Y.H.); (J.M.); (Y.H.); (H.F.); (L.S.); (X.A.); (S.X.)
| | - Jinhui Mi
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China; (Y.M.); (Y.H.); (J.M.); (Y.H.); (H.F.); (L.S.); (X.A.); (S.X.)
| | - Yunfei Huang
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China; (Y.M.); (Y.H.); (J.M.); (Y.H.); (H.F.); (L.S.); (X.A.); (S.X.)
| | - Huahao Fan
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China; (Y.M.); (Y.H.); (J.M.); (Y.H.); (H.F.); (L.S.); (X.A.); (S.X.)
| | - Lihua Song
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China; (Y.M.); (Y.H.); (J.M.); (Y.H.); (H.F.); (L.S.); (X.A.); (S.X.)
| | - Xiaoping An
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China; (Y.M.); (Y.H.); (J.M.); (Y.H.); (H.F.); (L.S.); (X.A.); (S.X.)
| | - Shan Xu
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China; (Y.M.); (Y.H.); (J.M.); (Y.H.); (H.F.); (L.S.); (X.A.); (S.X.)
| | - Mengzhe Li
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China; (Y.M.); (Y.H.); (J.M.); (Y.H.); (H.F.); (L.S.); (X.A.); (S.X.)
| | - Yigang Tong
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China; (Y.M.); (Y.H.); (J.M.); (Y.H.); (H.F.); (L.S.); (X.A.); (S.X.)
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering (BAIC-SM), Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
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Pacios O, Blasco L, Ortiz Cartagena C, Bleriot I, Fernández-García L, López M, Barrio-Pujante A, Cuenca FF, Aracil B, Oteo-Iglesias J, Tomás M. Molecular studies of phages- Klebsiella pneumoniae in mucoid environment: innovative use of mucolytic agents prior to the administration of lytic phages. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1286046. [PMID: 37886069 PMCID: PMC10598653 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1286046] [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] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Mucins are important glycoproteins that form a protective layer throughout the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts. There is scientific evidence of increase in phage-resistance in the presence of mucin for some bacterial pathogens. Manipulation in mucin composition may ultimately influence the effectiveness of phage therapy. In this work, two clinical strains of K. pneumoniae (K3574 and K3325), were exposed to the lytic bacteriophage vB_KpnS-VAC35 in the presence and absence of mucin on a long-term co-evolution assay, in an attempt to mimic in vitro the exposure to mucins that bacteria and their phages face in vivo. Enumerations of the bacterial and phage counts at regular time intervals were conducted, and extraction of the genomic DNA of co-evolved bacteria to the phage, the mucin and both was performed. We determined the frequency of phage-resistant mutants in the presence and absence of mucin and including a mucolytic agent (N-acetyl L-cysteine, NAC), and sequenced them using Nanopore. We phenotypically demonstrated that the presence of mucin induces the emergence of bacterial resistance against lytic phages, effectively decreased in the presence of NAC. In addition, the genomic analysis revealed some of the genes relevant to the development of phage resistance in long-term co-evolution, with a special focus on the mucoid environment. Genes involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates were mutated in the presence of mucin. In conclusion, the use of mucolytic agents prior to the administration of lytic phages could be an interesting therapeutic option when addressing K. pneumoniae infections in environments where mucin is overproduced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Pacios
- Grupo de Microbiología Traslacional y Multidisciplinar (MicroTM)-Servicio de Microbiología Instituto de Investigación Biomédica A Coruña (INIBIC), Hospital A Coruña (CHUAC), Universidad de A Coruña (UDC), A Coruña, Spain
- Grupo de Estudio de los Mecanismos de Resistencia Antimicrobiana (GEMARA) formando parte de la Sociedad Española de Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiología Clínica (SEIMC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Lucía Blasco
- Grupo de Microbiología Traslacional y Multidisciplinar (MicroTM)-Servicio de Microbiología Instituto de Investigación Biomédica A Coruña (INIBIC), Hospital A Coruña (CHUAC), Universidad de A Coruña (UDC), A Coruña, Spain
- Grupo de Estudio de los Mecanismos de Resistencia Antimicrobiana (GEMARA) formando parte de la Sociedad Española de Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiología Clínica (SEIMC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Concha Ortiz Cartagena
- Grupo de Microbiología Traslacional y Multidisciplinar (MicroTM)-Servicio de Microbiología Instituto de Investigación Biomédica A Coruña (INIBIC), Hospital A Coruña (CHUAC), Universidad de A Coruña (UDC), A Coruña, Spain
- Grupo de Estudio de los Mecanismos de Resistencia Antimicrobiana (GEMARA) formando parte de la Sociedad Española de Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiología Clínica (SEIMC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Inés Bleriot
- Grupo de Microbiología Traslacional y Multidisciplinar (MicroTM)-Servicio de Microbiología Instituto de Investigación Biomédica A Coruña (INIBIC), Hospital A Coruña (CHUAC), Universidad de A Coruña (UDC), A Coruña, Spain
- Grupo de Estudio de los Mecanismos de Resistencia Antimicrobiana (GEMARA) formando parte de la Sociedad Española de Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiología Clínica (SEIMC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Fernández-García
- Grupo de Microbiología Traslacional y Multidisciplinar (MicroTM)-Servicio de Microbiología Instituto de Investigación Biomédica A Coruña (INIBIC), Hospital A Coruña (CHUAC), Universidad de A Coruña (UDC), A Coruña, Spain
- Grupo de Estudio de los Mecanismos de Resistencia Antimicrobiana (GEMARA) formando parte de la Sociedad Española de Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiología Clínica (SEIMC), Madrid, Spain
| | - María López
- Grupo de Microbiología Traslacional y Multidisciplinar (MicroTM)-Servicio de Microbiología Instituto de Investigación Biomédica A Coruña (INIBIC), Hospital A Coruña (CHUAC), Universidad de A Coruña (UDC), A Coruña, Spain
- Grupo de Estudio de los Mecanismos de Resistencia Antimicrobiana (GEMARA) formando parte de la Sociedad Española de Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiología Clínica (SEIMC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio Barrio-Pujante
- Grupo de Microbiología Traslacional y Multidisciplinar (MicroTM)-Servicio de Microbiología Instituto de Investigación Biomédica A Coruña (INIBIC), Hospital A Coruña (CHUAC), Universidad de A Coruña (UDC), A Coruña, Spain
- Grupo de Estudio de los Mecanismos de Resistencia Antimicrobiana (GEMARA) formando parte de la Sociedad Española de Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiología Clínica (SEIMC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Felipe Fernández Cuenca
- Grupo de Estudio de los Mecanismos de Resistencia Antimicrobiana (GEMARA) formando parte de la Sociedad Española de Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiología Clínica (SEIMC), Madrid, Spain
- Unidad Clínica de Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiología Clínica, Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla), Sevilla, Spain
- MePRAM, Proyecto de Medicina de Precisión contra las resistencias Antimicrobianas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Belén Aracil
- MePRAM, Proyecto de Medicina de Precisión contra las resistencias Antimicrobianas, Madrid, Spain
- Laboratorio de Referencia e Investigación de Resistencias a Antibióticos e Infecciones Sanitarias, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jesús Oteo-Iglesias
- Grupo de Estudio de los Mecanismos de Resistencia Antimicrobiana (GEMARA) formando parte de la Sociedad Española de Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiología Clínica (SEIMC), Madrid, Spain
- MePRAM, Proyecto de Medicina de Precisión contra las resistencias Antimicrobianas, Madrid, Spain
- Laboratorio de Referencia e Investigación de Resistencias a Antibióticos e Infecciones Sanitarias, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - María Tomás
- Grupo de Microbiología Traslacional y Multidisciplinar (MicroTM)-Servicio de Microbiología Instituto de Investigación Biomédica A Coruña (INIBIC), Hospital A Coruña (CHUAC), Universidad de A Coruña (UDC), A Coruña, Spain
- Grupo de Estudio de los Mecanismos de Resistencia Antimicrobiana (GEMARA) formando parte de la Sociedad Española de Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiología Clínica (SEIMC), Madrid, Spain
- MePRAM, Proyecto de Medicina de Precisión contra las resistencias Antimicrobianas, Madrid, Spain
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López-Pérez J, Otero J, Sánchez-Osuna M, Erill I, Cortés P, Llagostera M. Impact of mutagenesis and lateral gene transfer processes in bacterial susceptibility to phage in food biocontrol and phage therapy. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1266685. [PMID: 37842006 PMCID: PMC10569123 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1266685] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The emergence of resistance and interference mechanisms to phage infection can hinder the success of bacteriophage-based applications, but the significance of these mechanisms in phage therapy has not been determined. This work studies the emergence of Salmonella isolates with reduced susceptibility to a cocktail of three phages under three scenarios: i) Salmonella cultures (LAB), ii) biocontrol of cooked ham slices as a model of food safety (FOOD), and iii) oral phage therapy in broilers (PT). Methods S. Typhimurium ATCC 14028 RifR variants with reduced phage susceptibility were isolated from the three scenarios and conventional and molecular microbiology techniques were applied to study them. Results and discussion In LAB, 92% of Salmonella isolates lost susceptibility to all three phages 24 h after phage infection. This percentage was lower in FOOD, with 4.3% of isolates not susceptible to at least two of the three phages after seven days at 4°C following phage treatment. In PT, 9.7% and 3.3 % of isolates from untreated and treated broilers, respectively, displayed some mechanism of interference with the life cycle of some of the phages. In LAB and FOOD scenarios, resistant variants carrying mutations in rfc and rfaJ genes involved in lipopolysaccharide synthesis (phage receptor) were identified. However, in PT, the significant decrease of EOP, ECOI, and burst size observed in isolates was prompted by lateral gene transfer of large IncI1 plasmids, which may encode phage defense mechanisms. These data indicate that the acquisition of specific conjugative plasmids has a stronger impact than mutagenesis on the emergence of reduced phage-susceptibility bacteria in certain environments. In spite of this, neither mechanism seems to significantly impair the success of Salmonella biocontrol and oral phage therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Júlia López-Pérez
- Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Jennifer Otero
- Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
- SK8 Biotech, Parc Científic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Miquel Sánchez-Osuna
- Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Ivan Erill
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Departament Enginyeria de la Informació i de les Comunicacions, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Pilar Cortés
- Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Montserrat Llagostera
- Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
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Skliros D, Droubogiannis S, Kalloniati C, Katharios P, Flemetakis E. Perturbation of Quorum Sensing after the Acquisition of Bacterio phage Resistance Could Contribute to Novel Traits in Vibrio alginolyticus. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2273. [PMID: 37764117 PMCID: PMC10535087 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11092273] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteria employ a wide range of molecular mechanisms to confer resistance to bacteriophages, and these mechanisms are continuously being discovered and characterized. However, there are instances where certain bacterial species, despite lacking these known mechanisms, can still develop bacteriophage resistance through intricate metabolic adaptation strategies, potentially involving mutations in transcriptional regulators or phage receptors. Vibrio species have been particularly useful for studying the orchestrated metabolic responses of Gram-negative marine bacteria in various challenges. In a previous study, we demonstrated that Vibrio alginolyticus downregulates the expression of specific receptors and transporters in its membrane, which may enable the bacterium to evade infection by lytic bacteriophages. In our current study, our objective was to explore how the development of bacteriophage resistance in Vibrio species disrupts the quorum-sensing cascade, subsequently affecting bacterial physiology and metabolic capacity. Using a real-time quantitative PCR (rt-QPCR) platform, we examined the expression pattern of quorum-sensing genes, auto-inducer biosynthesis genes, and cell density regulatory proteins in phage-resistant strains. Our results revealed that bacteriophage-resistant bacteria downregulate the expression of quorum-sensing regulatory proteins, such as LuxM, LuxN, and LuxP. This downregulation attenuates the normal perception of quorum-sensing peptides and subsequently diminishes the expression of cell density regulatory proteins, including LuxU, aphA, and LuxR. These findings align with the diverse phenotypic traits observed in the phage-resistant strains, such as altered biofilm formation, reduced planktonic growth, and reduced virulence. Moreover, the transcriptional depletion of aphA, the master regulator associated with low cell density, was linked to the downregulation of genes related to virulence. This phenomenon appears to be phage-specific, suggesting a finely tuned metabolic adaptation driven by phage-host interaction. These findings contribute to our understanding of the role of Vibrio species in microbial marine ecology and highlight the complex interplay between phage resistance, quorum sensing, and bacterial physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios Skliros
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece; (D.S.); (C.K.)
| | - Stavros Droubogiannis
- Institute of Marine Biology, Biotechnology and Aquaculture, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, 71500 Heraklion, Greece; (S.D.); (P.K.)
| | - Chrysanthi Kalloniati
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece; (D.S.); (C.K.)
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of the Aegean, 81100 Mytilene, Greece
| | - Pantelis Katharios
- Institute of Marine Biology, Biotechnology and Aquaculture, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, 71500 Heraklion, Greece; (S.D.); (P.K.)
| | - Emmanouil Flemetakis
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece; (D.S.); (C.K.)
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21
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Jiang S, Chen K, Wang Y, Zhang Y, Tang Y, Huang W, Xiong X, Chen S, Chen C, Wang L. A DNA phosphorothioation-based Dnd defense system provides resistance against various phages and is compatible with the Ssp defense system. mBio 2023; 14:e0093323. [PMID: 37260233 PMCID: PMC10470545 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00933-23] [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: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
DndABCDE-catalyzed DNA phosphorothioation (PT), in which the nonbridging oxygen is swapped with a sulfur atom, was first identified in the bacterial genome. Usually, this modification gene cluster is paired with a restriction module consisting of DndF, DndG, and DndH. Although the mechanisms for the antiphage activity conferred by this Dnd-related restriction and modification (R-M) system have been well characterized, several features remain unclear, including the antiphage spectrum and potential interference with DNA methylation. Recently, a novel PT-related R-M system, composed of the modification module SspABCD paired with a single restriction enzyme, SspE, was revealed to be widespread in the bacterial kingdom, which aroused our interest in the interaction between Dnd- and Ssp-based R-M systems. In this study, we discussed the action of Dnd-related R-M systems against phages and demonstrated that the host could benefit from the protection provided by Dnd-related R-M systems against infection by various lytic phages as well as temperate phages. However, this defense barrier would fail against lysogenic phages. Interestingly, DNA methylation, even in the consensus sequence recognized by the Dnd system, could not weaken the restriction efficiency. Finally, we explored the interaction between Dnd- and Ssp-based R-M systems and found that these two systems were compatible. This study not only expands our knowledge of Dnd-associated R-M systems but also reveals a complex interaction between different defense barriers that coexist in the cell. IMPORTANCE Recently, we decoded the mechanism of Dnd-related R-M systems against genetic parasites. In the presence of exogenous DNA that lacks PT, the macromolecular machine consisting of DndF, DndG, and DndH undergoes conformational changes to perform DNA binding, translocation, and DNA nicking activities and scavenge the foreign DNA. However, several questions remain unanswered, including questions regarding the antiphage spectrum, potential interference by DNA methylation, and interplay with other PT-dependent R-M systems. Here, we revealed that the host could benefit from Dnd-related R-M systems for a broad range of antiphage activities, regardless of the presence of DNA methylation. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the convergence of Dnd- and Ssp-related R-M systems could confer to the host a stronger antiphage ability through the additive suppression of phage replication. This study not only deepens our understanding of PT-related defense barriers but also expands our knowledge of the arms race between bacteria and their predators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susu Jiang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery, Hubei Clinical Center and Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Disease, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Department of Respiratory Diseases, The Research and Application Center of Precision Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Ke Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery, Hubei Clinical Center and Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Disease, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Department of Respiratory Diseases, The Research and Application Center of Precision Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Yingying Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery, Hubei Clinical Center and Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Disease, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yueying Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery, Hubei Clinical Center and Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Disease, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yaru Tang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery, Hubei Clinical Center and Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Disease, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Wanqiu Huang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery, Hubei Clinical Center and Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Disease, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine, Health Science Center, Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaolin Xiong
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery, Hubei Clinical Center and Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Disease, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Shi Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery, Hubei Clinical Center and Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Disease, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine, Health Science Center, Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Chao Chen
- Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine, Health Science Center, Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Lianrong Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery, Hubei Clinical Center and Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Disease, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Department of Respiratory Diseases, The Research and Application Center of Precision Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
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Lourenço M, Osbelt L, Passet V, Gravey F, Megrian D, Strowig T, Rodrigues C, Brisse S. Phages against Noncapsulated Klebsiella pneumoniae: Broader Host range, Slower Resistance. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0481222. [PMID: 37338376 PMCID: PMC10433977 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.04812-22] [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: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Klebsiella pneumoniae (Kp), a human gut colonizer and opportunistic pathogen, is a major contributor to the global burden of antimicrobial resistance. Virulent bacteriophages represent promising agents for decolonization and therapy. However, the majority of anti-Kp phages that have been isolated thus far are highly specific to unique capsular types (anti-K phages), which is a major limitation to phage therapy prospects due to the highly polymorphic capsule of Kp. Here, we report on an original anti-Kp phage isolation strategy, using capsule-deficient Kp mutants as hosts (anti-Kd phages). We show that anti-Kd phages have a broad host range, as the majority are able to infect noncapsulated mutants of multiple genetic sublineages and O-types. Additionally, anti-Kd phages induce a lower rate of resistance emergence in vitro and provide increased killing efficiency when in combination with anti-K phages. In vivo, anti-Kd phages are able to replicate in mouse guts colonized with a capsulated Kp strain, suggesting the presence of noncapsulated Kp subpopulations. The original strategy proposed here represents a promising avenue that circumvents the Kp capsule host restriction barrier, offering promise for therapeutic development. IMPORTANCE Klebsiella pneumoniae (Kp) is an ecologically generalist bacterium as well as an opportunistic pathogen that is responsible for hospital-acquired infections and a major contributor to the global burden of antimicrobial resistance. In the last decades, limited advances have been made in the use of virulent phages as alternatives or complements to antibiotics that are used to treat Kp infections. This work demonstrates the potential value of an anti-Klebsiella phage isolation strategy that addresses the issue of the narrow host range of anti-K phages. Anti-Kd phages may be active in infection sites in which capsule expression is intermittent or repressed or in combination with anti-K phages, which often induce the loss of capsule in escape mutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Lourenço
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Biodiversity and Epidemiology of Bacterial Pathogens, Paris, France
| | - Lisa Osbelt
- Department of Microbial Immune Regulation, Helmholtz Center for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Hannover-Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Virginie Passet
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Biodiversity and Epidemiology of Bacterial Pathogens, Paris, France
| | - François Gravey
- Dynamycure Inserm UM1311 Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, UNIROUEN, Caen, France
| | - Daniela Megrian
- Unité de Microbiologie Structurale, Institut Pasteur, CNRS UMR 3528, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Till Strowig
- Department of Microbial Immune Regulation, Helmholtz Center for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Hannover-Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Carla Rodrigues
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Biodiversity and Epidemiology of Bacterial Pathogens, Paris, France
| | - Sylvain Brisse
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Biodiversity and Epidemiology of Bacterial Pathogens, Paris, France
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23
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Tang M, Huang Z, Zhang X, Kong J, Zhou B, Han Y, Zhang Y, Chen L, Zhou T. Phage resistance formation and fitness costs of hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae mediated by K2 capsule-specific phage and the corresponding mechanisms. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1156292. [PMID: 37538841 PMCID: PMC10394836 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1156292] [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] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Phage is promising for the treatment of hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae (hvKP) infections. Although phage resistance seems inevitable, we found that there still was optimization space in phage therapy for hvKP infection. Methods The clinical isolate K. pneumoniae FK1979 was used to recover the lysis phage ΦFK1979 from hospital sewage. Phage-resistant bacteria were obtained on LB agar and used to isolate phages from sewage. The plaque assay, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), multiplicity of infection test, one-step growth curve assay, and genome analysis were performed to characterize the phages. Colony morphology, precipitation test and scanning electron microscope were used to characterize the bacteria. The absorption test, spot test and efficiency of plating (EOP) assay were used to identify the sensitivity of bacteria to phages. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) was used to identify gene mutations of phage-resistant bacteria. The gene expression levels were detected by RT-qPCR. Genes knockout and complementation of the mutant genes were performed. The change of capsules was detected by capsule quantification and TEM. The growth kinetics, serum resistance, biofilm formation, adhesion and invasion to A549 and RAW 264.7 cells, as well as G. mellonella and mice infection models, were used to evaluate the fitness and virulence of bacteria. Results and discussion Here, we demonstrated that K2 capsule type sequence type 86 hvKP FK1979, one of the main pandemic lineages of hvKP with thick capsule, rapidly developed resistance to a K2-specific lysis phage ΦFK1979 which was well-studied in this work to possess polysaccharide depolymerase. The phage-resistant mutants showed a marked decrease in capsule expression. WGS revealed single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in genes encoding RfaH, galU, sugar glycosyltransferase, and polysaccharide deacetylase family protein in the mutants. RfaH and galU were further identified as being required for capsule production and phage sensitivity. Expressions of genes involved in the biosynthesis or regulation of capsule and/or lipopolysaccharide significantly decreased in the mutants. Despite the rapid and frequent development of phage resistance being a disadvantage, the attenuation of virulence and fitness in vitro and in vivo indicated that phage-resistant mutants of hvKP were more susceptible to the immunity system. Interestingly, the newly isolated phages targeting mutants changed significantly in their plaque and virus particle morphology. Their genomes were much larger than and significantly different from that of ΦFK1979. They possessed much more functional proteins and strikingly broader host spectrums than ΦFK1979. Our study suggests that K2-specific phage has the potential to function as an antivirulence agent, or a part of phage cocktails combined with phages targeting phage-resistant bacteria, against hvKP-relevant infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miran Tang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University and Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zeyu Huang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University and Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaodong Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University and Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jingchun Kong
- Department of Medical Lab Science, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Beibei Zhou
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University and Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yijia Han
- Department of Medical Lab Science, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Medical Lab Science, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Lijiang Chen
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University and Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Tieli Zhou
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University and Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
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24
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Mariano G, Blower TR. Conserved domains can be found across distinct phage defence systems. Mol Microbiol 2023; 120:45-53. [PMID: 36840376 PMCID: PMC10952713 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.15047] [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: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023]
Abstract
Bacteria are continuously exposed to predation from bacteriophages (phages) and, in response, have evolved a broad range of defence systems. These systems can prevent the replication of phages and other mobile genetic elements (MGE). Defence systems are often encoded together in genomic loci defined as "defence islands", a tendency that has been extensively exploited to identify novel antiphage systems. In the last few years, >100 new antiphage systems have been discovered, and some display homology to components of the immune systems of plants and animals. In many instances, prediction tools have found domains with similar predicted functions present as different combinations within distinct antiphage systems. In this Perspective Article, we review recent reports describing the discovery and the predicted domain composition of several novel antiphage systems. We discuss several examples of similar protein domains adopted by different antiphage systems, including domains of unknown function (DUFs), domains involved in nucleic acid recognition and degradation, and domains involved in NAD+ depletion. We further discuss the potential evolutionary advantages that could have driven the independent acquisition of these domains by different antiphage systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppina Mariano
- Microbes in Health and Disease Theme, Newcastle University Biosciences InstituteNewcastle UniversityNewcastle upon TyneUK
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25
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Geng H, Song L, Yang X, Xing S, Wang R, Xu Y, Jia X, Luan G. Resistance of Klebsiella pneumoniae to Phage hvKpP3 Due to High-Molecular Weight Lipopolysaccharide Synthesis Failure. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0438422. [PMID: 37022197 PMCID: PMC10269817 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.04384-22] [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: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The spread of multidrug resistant and hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae has recently increased. Phages have been considered alternatives for treating infections caused by tenacious pathogens. Our study describes a novel lytic Klebsiella phage, hvKpP3, and we obtained spontaneous mutants, hvKpP3R and hvKpP3R15, of hvKpLS8 strain that showing strong resistance to the lytic phage hvKpP3. Sequencing analysis showed that nucleotide-deletion mutations of the glycosyltransferase gene (GT) and wcaJ genes, located in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) gene cluster and the capsular polysaccharide (CPS) gene cluster, respectively, led to phage resistance. The wcaJ mutation confers the inhibition of phage adsorption by affecting the synthesis of hvKpP3R15 capsular polysaccharide, indicating that the capsule is the main adsorption receptor for bacteriophage hvKpP3. Interestingly, the phage-resistant mutant hvKpP3R has a loss-of-function mutation in GT, which is responsible for lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis. This results in the loss of high-molecular weight lipopolysaccharide (HMW-LPS), and alteration of the lipopolysaccharide structure of the bacterial cell wall confers resistance to phages. In conclusion, our study provides a detailed description of phage hvKpP3 and provides new insights into phage resistance in K. pneumoniae. IMPORTANCE Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Klebsiella pneumoniae strains pose a particular threat to human health. Therefore, it is very important for us to isolate phage and overcome phage resistance. In this study, we isolated a novel phage belonging to the Myoviridae family, hvKpP3, that exhibited high lytic activity against K2 hypervirulent K. pneumoniae. We demonstrated the excellent stability of phage hvKpP3 through in vitro and in vivo experiments, indicating its potential as a candidate for future clinical phage therapy. Furthermore, we identified that loss of function in the glycotransferase gene (GT) caused the failure of HMW-LPS synthesis, leading to phage resistance, which provides new insights into phage resistance in K. pneumoniae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huaixin Geng
- Non-coding RNA and Drug Discovery Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Lingjie Song
- Non-coding RNA and Drug Discovery Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xianggui Yang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Medical College and the First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Siyu Xing
- Non-coding RNA and Drug Discovery Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Rui Wang
- Non-coding RNA and Drug Discovery Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Ying Xu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Medical College and the First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xu Jia
- Non-coding RNA and Drug Discovery Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Guangxin Luan
- Non-coding RNA and Drug Discovery Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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26
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Xiao L, Qi Z, Song K, Lv R, Chen R, Zhao H, Wu H, Li C, Xin Y, Jin Y, Li X, Xu X, Tan Y, Du Z, Cui Y, Zhang X, Yang R, Zhao X, Song Y. Interplays of mutations in waaA, cmk, and ail contribute to phage resistance in Yersinia pestis. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1174510. [PMID: 37305418 PMCID: PMC10254400 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1174510] [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] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Plague caused by Yersinia pestis remains a public health threat worldwide. Because multidrug-resistant Y. pestis strains have been found in both humans and animals, phage therapy has attracted increasing attention as an alternative strategy against plague. However, phage resistance is a potential drawback of phage therapies, and the mechanism of phage resistance in Y. pestis is yet to be investigated. In this study, we obtained a bacteriophage-resistant strain of Y. pestis (S56) by continuously challenging Y. pestis 614F with the bacteriophage Yep-phi. Genome analysis identified three mutations in strain S56: waaA* (9-bp in-frame deletion 249GTCATCGTG257), cmk* (10-bp frameshift deletion 15CCGGTGATAA24), and ail* (1-bp frameshift deletion A538). WaaA (3-deoxy-D-manno-octulosonic acid transferase) is a key enzyme in lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis. The waaA* mutation leads to decreased phage adsorption because of the failure to synthesize the lipopolysaccharide core. The mutation in cmk (encoding cytidine monophosphate kinase) increased phage resistance, independent of phage adsorption, and caused in vitro growth defects in Y. pestis. The mutation in ail inhibited phage adsorption while restoring the growth of the waaA null mutant and accelerating the growth of the cmk null mutant. Our results confirmed that mutations in the WaaA-Cmk-Ail cascade in Y. pestis contribute to resistance against bacteriophage. Our findings help in understanding the interactions between Y. pestis and its phages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisheng Xiao
- Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- School of Basic Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences (AMMS), Beijing, China
| | - Zhizhen Qi
- Qinghai Institute for Endemic Disease Prevention and Control, Xining, China
- National Health Commission - Qinghai Co-construction Key Laboratory for Plague Control, Xining, China
| | - Kai Song
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences (AMMS), Beijing, China
| | - Ruichen Lv
- Hua Dong Research Institute for Medicine and Biotechniques, Nanjing, China
| | - Rong Chen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, First Medical Center of Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Haihong Zhao
- Qinghai Institute for Endemic Disease Prevention and Control, Xining, China
- National Health Commission - Qinghai Co-construction Key Laboratory for Plague Control, Xining, China
| | - Hailian Wu
- Qinghai Institute for Endemic Disease Prevention and Control, Xining, China
- National Health Commission - Qinghai Co-construction Key Laboratory for Plague Control, Xining, China
| | - Cunxiang Li
- Qinghai Institute for Endemic Disease Prevention and Control, Xining, China
- National Health Commission - Qinghai Co-construction Key Laboratory for Plague Control, Xining, China
| | - Youquan Xin
- Qinghai Institute for Endemic Disease Prevention and Control, Xining, China
- National Health Commission - Qinghai Co-construction Key Laboratory for Plague Control, Xining, China
| | - Yong Jin
- Qinghai Institute for Endemic Disease Prevention and Control, Xining, China
- National Health Commission - Qinghai Co-construction Key Laboratory for Plague Control, Xining, China
| | - Xiang Li
- Qinghai Institute for Endemic Disease Prevention and Control, Xining, China
- National Health Commission - Qinghai Co-construction Key Laboratory for Plague Control, Xining, China
| | - Xiaoqing Xu
- Qinghai Institute for Endemic Disease Prevention and Control, Xining, China
- National Health Commission - Qinghai Co-construction Key Laboratory for Plague Control, Xining, China
| | - Yafang Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences (AMMS), Beijing, China
| | - Zongmin Du
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences (AMMS), Beijing, China
| | - Yujun Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences (AMMS), Beijing, China
| | - Xuefei Zhang
- Qinghai Institute for Endemic Disease Prevention and Control, Xining, China
- National Health Commission - Qinghai Co-construction Key Laboratory for Plague Control, Xining, China
| | - Ruifu Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences (AMMS), Beijing, China
- National Health Commission - Qinghai Co-construction Key Laboratory for Plague Control, Xining, China
| | - Xilin Zhao
- Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Yajun Song
- School of Basic Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences (AMMS), Beijing, China
- National Health Commission - Qinghai Co-construction Key Laboratory for Plague Control, Xining, China
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Racenis K, Lacis J, Rezevska D, Mukane L, Vilde A, Putnins I, Djebara S, Merabishvili M, Pirnay JP, Kalnina M, Petersons A, Stradins P, Maurins S, Kroica J. Successful Bacteriophage-Antibiotic Combination Therapy against Multidrug-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa Left Ventricular Assist Device Driveline Infection. Viruses 2023; 15:v15051210. [PMID: 37243293 DOI: 10.3390/v15051210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [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: 03/26/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
There is considerable interest in the use of bacteriophages (phages) to treat Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections associated with left ventricular assist devices (LVADs). These infections are often challenging to manage due to high rates of multidrug resistance and biofilm formation, which could potentially be overcome with the use of phages. We report a case of a 54-year-old man with relapsing multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa LVAD driveline infection, who was treated with a combination of two lytic antipseudomonal phages administered intravenously and locally. Treatment was combined with LVAD driveline repositioning and systemic antibiotic administration, resulting in a successful outcome with clinical cure and eradication of the targeted bacteria. However, laboratory in vitro models showed that phages alone could not eradicate biofilms but could prevent biofilm formation. Phage-resistant bacterial strains evolved in biofilm models and showed decreased susceptibility to the phages used. Further studies are needed to understand the complexity of phage resistance and the interaction of phages and antibiotics. Our results indicate that the combination of phages, antibiotics, and surgical intervention can have great potential in treating LVAD-associated infections. More than 21 months post-treatment, our patient remains cured of the infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karlis Racenis
- Department of Biology and Microbiology, Riga Stradins University, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia
- Department of Internal Diseases, Riga Stradins University, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia
- Center of Nephrology, Pauls Stradins Clinical University Hospital, LV-1002 Riga, Latvia
| | - Janis Lacis
- Department of Surgery, Riga Stradins University, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia
- Centre of Cardiac Surgery, Pauls Stradins Clinical University Hospital, LV-1002 Riga, Latvia
| | - Dace Rezevska
- Department of Biology and Microbiology, Riga Stradins University, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia
- Joint Laboratory, Pauls Stradins Clinical University Hospital, LV-1002 Riga, Latvia
| | - Laima Mukane
- Department of Biology and Microbiology, Riga Stradins University, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia
| | - Aija Vilde
- Department of Infection Prevention and Control, Pauls Stradins Clinical University Hospital, LV-1002 Riga, Latvia
| | - Ints Putnins
- Centre of Cardiac Surgery, Pauls Stradins Clinical University Hospital, LV-1002 Riga, Latvia
| | - Sarah Djebara
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Queen Astrid Military Hospital, B-1120 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Maya Merabishvili
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Technology, Queen Astrid Military Hospital, B-1120 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jean-Paul Pirnay
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Technology, Queen Astrid Military Hospital, B-1120 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Marika Kalnina
- Institute of Radiology, Pauls Stradins Clinical University Hospital, LV-1002 Riga, Latvia
| | - Aivars Petersons
- Department of Internal Diseases, Riga Stradins University, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia
- Center of Nephrology, Pauls Stradins Clinical University Hospital, LV-1002 Riga, Latvia
| | - Peteris Stradins
- Department of Surgery, Riga Stradins University, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia
- Centre of Cardiac Surgery, Pauls Stradins Clinical University Hospital, LV-1002 Riga, Latvia
| | - Sandis Maurins
- Department of Biology and Microbiology, Riga Stradins University, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia
| | - Juta Kroica
- Department of Biology and Microbiology, Riga Stradins University, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia
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28
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Wang Y, Xuan G, Lin H, Fei Z, Wang J. Phage resistance of Salmonella enterica obtained by transposon Tn5-mediated SefR gene silent mutation. J Basic Microbiol 2023; 63:530-541. [PMID: 37032321 DOI: 10.1002/jobm.202200532] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Revised: 02/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023]
Abstract
Salmonella enterica contamination is a primary cause of global food poisoning. Using phages as bactericidal alternatives to antibiotics could confront the issue of drug resistance. However, the problem of phage resistance, especially mutant strains with multiple phage resistance, is a critical barrier to the practical application of phages. In this study, a library of EZ-Tn5 transposable mutants of susceptible host S. enterica B3-6 was constructed. After the infestation pressure of a broad-spectrum phage TP1, a mutant strain with resistance to eight phages was obtained. Analysis of the genome resequencing results revealed that the SefR gene was disrupted in the mutant strain. The mutant strain displayed a reduced adsorption rate of 42% and a significant decrease in swimming and swarming motility, as well as a significantly reduced expression of the flagellar-related FliL and FliO genes to 17% and 36%, respectively. An uninterrupted form of the SefR gene was cloned into vector pET-21a (+) and used for complementation of the mutant strain. The complemented mutant exhibited similar adsorption and motility as the wild-type control. These results suggest that the disrupted flagellar-mediated SefR gene causes an adsorption inhibition, which is responsible for the phage-resistant phenotype of the S. enterica transposition mutant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinfeng Wang
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Guanhua Xuan
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Hong Lin
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Zhenhong Fei
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Jingxue Wang
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong, China
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29
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Stokar-Avihail A, Fedorenko T, Hör J, Garb J, Leavitt A, Millman A, Shulman G, Wojtania N, Melamed S, Amitai G, Sorek R. Discovery of phage determinants that confer sensitivity to bacterial immune systems. Cell 2023; 186:1863-1876.e16. [PMID: 37030292 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2023.02.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [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: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/10/2023]
Abstract
Over the past few years, numerous anti-phage defense systems have been discovered in bacteria. Although the mechanism of defense for some of these systems is understood, a major unanswered question is how these systems sense phage infection. To systematically address this question, we isolated 177 phage mutants that escape 15 different defense systems. In many cases, these escaper phages were mutated in the gene sensed by the defense system, enabling us to map the phage determinants that confer sensitivity to bacterial immunity. Our data identify specificity determinants of diverse retron systems and reveal phage-encoded triggers for multiple abortive infection systems. We find general themes in phage sensing and demonstrate that mechanistically diverse systems have converged to sense either the core replication machinery of the phage, phage structural components, or host takeover mechanisms. Combining our data with previous findings, we formulate key principles on how bacterial immune systems sense phage invaders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avigail Stokar-Avihail
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Taya Fedorenko
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Jens Hör
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Jeremy Garb
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Azita Leavitt
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Adi Millman
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Gabriela Shulman
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Nicole Wojtania
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Sarah Melamed
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Gil Amitai
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Rotem Sorek
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel.
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30
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Fortuna KJ, Holtappels D, Venneman J, Baeyen S, Vallino M, Verwilt P, Rediers H, De Coninck B, Maes M, Van Vaerenbergh J, Lavigne R, Wagemans J. Back to the Roots: Agrobacterium-Specific Phages Show Potential to Disinfect Nutrient Solution from Hydroponic Greenhouses. Appl Environ Microbiol 2023; 89:e0021523. [PMID: 37010433 PMCID: PMC10132094 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00215-23] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Agrobacterium biovar 1 is a soilborne plant pathogen with the ability to colonize the irrigation system of greenhouses, causing hairy root disease (HRD). Currently, management focuses on using hydrogen peroxide to disinfect the nutrient solution, but due to the emergence of resistant strains, its efficacy and sustainability are questioned. Using a relevant collection of pathogenic Agrobacterium biovar 1 strains, OLIVR1 to 6, six phages specific to this pathogen and belonging to three different genera were isolated from Agrobacterium biovar 1-infected greenhouses. All phages were named OLIVR, referring to their location of isolation, Onze-Lieve-Vrouwe-Waver, and were characterized by whole-genome analysis, confirming their strictly lytic lifestyle. They remained stable under greenhouse-relevant conditions. To assess the efficacy of the phages, their ability to disinfect greenhouse nutrient solution inoculated with agrobacteria was tested. Each of the phages infected their host, but their ability to decrease the bacterial concentration differed. For instance, OLIVR1 reduced the bacterial concentration with 4 log units without phage resistance emerging. While OLIVR4 and OLIVR5 were also infectious in nutrient solution, they did not always decrease the bacterial load below the limit of detection, and phage resistance emerged. Finally, the mutations causing phage resistance by receptor modification were identified. For OLIVR4-resistant Agrobacterium isolates, but not for OLIVR5-resistant isolates, motility decreased. Together, these data show the potential of some of these phages as disinfectant of nutrient solution, and they might be a valuable tool to tackle HRD. IMPORTANCE Hairy root disease, caused by rhizogenic Agrobacterium biovar 1 is a rapidly emerging bacterial disease worldwide. It affects tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplant, and bell pepper, causing high yield losses in hydroponic greenhouses. Recent findings suggest that the current management practices, mainly focusing on UV-C and hydrogen peroxide to disinfect contaminated water, have a questionable efficacy. Hence, we investigate the potential of phages as a biological means of preventing this disease. Using a diverse collection of Agrobacterium biovar 1, we isolated three different phage species that together infect 75% of the collection. Since these phages are strictly lytic, while remaining both stable and infectious under greenhouse-relevant conditions, they might be suitable candidates for biological control.
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Affiliation(s)
- K J Fortuna
- Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Plant Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - D Holtappels
- Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - J Venneman
- Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (ILVO), Ghent, Belgium
| | - S Baeyen
- Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (ILVO), Ghent, Belgium
| | - M Vallino
- Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection, National Research Council of Italy, Turin, Italy
| | - P Verwilt
- Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Plant Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - H Rediers
- Leuven Plant Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory for Process Microbial Ecology & Bioinspirational Management (PME&BIM), Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics (CMPG), Leuven, Belgium
| | - B De Coninck
- Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Plant Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - J Van Vaerenbergh
- Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (ILVO), Ghent, Belgium
| | - R Lavigne
- Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Plant Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - J Wagemans
- Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Plant Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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31
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Teklemariam AD, Al Hindi R, Qadri I, Alharbi MG, Hashem AM, Alrefaei AA, Basamad NA, Haque S, Alamri T, Harakeh S. Phage cocktails - an emerging approach for the control of bacterial infection with major emphasis on foodborne pathogens. Biotechnol Genet Eng Rev 2023:1-29. [PMID: 36927397 DOI: 10.1080/02648725.2023.2178870] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
Phage therapy has recently attracted a great deal of attention to counteract the rapid emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. In comparison to monophage therapy, phage cocktails are typically used to treat individual and/or multi-bacterial infections since the bacterial agents are unlikely to become resistant as a result of exposure to multiple phages simultaneously. The bacteriolytic effect of phage cocktails may produce efficient killing effect in comparison to individual phage. However, multiple use of phages (complex cocktails) may lead to undesirable side effects such as dysbiosis, horizontal gene transfer, phage resistance, cross resistance, and/or higher cost of production. Cocktail formulation, therefore, representa compromise between limiting the complexity of the cocktail and achieving substantial bacterial load reduction towards the targeted host organisms. Despite some constraints, the applications of monophage therapy have been well documented in the literature. However, phage cocktails-based approaches and their role for the control of pathogens have not been well investigated. In this review, we discuss the principle of phage cocktail formulations, their optimization strategies, major phage cocktail preparations, and their efficacy in inactivating various food borne bacterial pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Addisu D Teklemariam
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rashad Al Hindi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ishtiaq Qadri
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mona G Alharbi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Anwar M Hashem
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.,Vaccine and Immunotherapy Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdullah A Alrefaei
- Molecular Virology Department, King Fahad General Hospital, Ministry of Health, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Najlaa A Basamad
- Parasitology Department, King Fahad General Hospital, Ministry of Health, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shafiul Haque
- Research and Scientific Studies Unit, College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan-45142, Saudi Arabia.,Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, Lebanese, American University, Beirut, Lebanon.,Centre of Medical and Bio-Allied Health Sciences Research, Ajman University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
| | - Turki Alamri
- Family and community Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine in Rabigh, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Steve Harakeh
- King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.,Yousef Abdullatif Jameel Chair of Prophetic Medicine Application, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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Oyejobi GK, Zhang X, Xiong D, Ogolla F, Xue H, Wei H. Phage-bacterial evolutionary interactions: experimental models and complications. Crit Rev Microbiol 2023; 49:283-296. [PMID: 35358006 DOI: 10.1080/1040841x.2022.2052793] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Phage treatment of bacterial infections has offered some hope even as the crisis of antimicrobial resistance continues to be on the rise. However, bacterial resistance to phage is another looming challenge capable of undermining the effectiveness of phage therapy. Moreover, the consideration of including phage therapy in modern medicine calls for more careful research around every aspect of phage study. In an attempt to adequately prepare for the events of phage resistance, many studies have attempted to experimentally evolve phage resistance in different bacterial strains, as well as train phages to evolve counter-infectivity of resistant bacterial mutants, in view of answering such questions as coevolutionary dynamics between phage and bacteria, mechanisms of phage resistance, fitness costs of phage resistance on bacteria, etc. In this review, we summarised many such studies and by careful examination, highlighted critical issues to the outcome of phage therapy. We also discuss the insufficiency of many of these in vitro studies to represent actual disease conditions during phage application, alongside other complications that exist in phage-bacterial evolutionary interactions. Conclusively, we present the exploitation of phage-bacterial interactions for successful infection managements, as well as some future perspectives to direct phage research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greater Kayode Oyejobi
- Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China.,International College, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Department of Microbiology, Osun State University, Osogbo, Nigeria.,Organization of African Academic Doctors, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Xiaoxu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China.,International College, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Dongyan Xiong
- Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China.,International College, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Faith Ogolla
- Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China.,International College, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Organization of African Academic Doctors, Nairobi, Kenya.,Sino-Africa Joint Research Center, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Heng Xue
- Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China.,International College, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hongping Wei
- Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China.,Sino-Africa Joint Research Center, Nairobi, Kenya
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Teklemariam AD, Al-Hindi RR, Qadri I, Alharbi MG, Ramadan WS, Ayubu J, Al-Hejin AM, Hakim RF, Hakim FF, Hakim RF, Alseraihi LI, Alamri T, Harakeh S. The Battle between Bacteria and Bacteriophages: A Conundrum to Their Immune System. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:381. [PMID: 36830292 PMCID: PMC9952470 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12020381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteria and their predators, bacteriophages, or phages are continuously engaged in an arms race for their survival using various defense strategies. Several studies indicated that the bacterial immune arsenal towards phage is quite diverse and uses different components of the host machinery. Most studied antiphage systems are associated with phages, whose genomic matter is double-stranded-DNA. These defense mechanisms are mainly related to either the host or phage-derived proteins and other associated structures and biomolecules. Some of these strategies include DNA restriction-modification (R-M), spontaneous mutations, blocking of phage receptors, production of competitive inhibitors and extracellular matrix which prevent the entry of phage DNA into the host cytoplasm, assembly interference, abortive infection, toxin-antitoxin systems, bacterial retrons, and secondary metabolite-based replication interference. On the contrary, phages develop anti-phage resistance defense mechanisms in consortium with each of these bacterial phage resistance strategies with small fitness cost. These mechanisms allow phages to undergo their replication safely inside their bacterial host's cytoplasm and be able to produce viable, competent, and immunologically endured progeny virions for the next generation. In this review, we highlight the major bacterial defense systems developed against their predators and some of the phage counterstrategies and suggest potential research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Addisu D. Teklemariam
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rashad R. Al-Hindi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ishtiaq Qadri
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mona G. Alharbi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Wafaa S. Ramadan
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine (FM), King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo 11566, Egypt
| | - Jumaa Ayubu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed M. Al-Hejin
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
- Microbiology Level 2 Laboratory, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80216, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Fanar F. Hakim
- Department of Internal Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rahad F. Hakim
- Ibn Sina National College for Medical Studies, Jeddah 21418, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Turki Alamri
- Family and Community Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine in Rabigh, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Steve Harakeh
- King Fahd Medical Research Center, Yousef Abdullatif Jameel Chair of Prophetic Medicine Application, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
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Kuntová L, Mašlaňová I, Obořilová R, Šimečková H, Finstrlová A, Bárdy P, Šiborová M, Troianovska L, Botka T, Gintar P, Šedo O, Farka Z, Doškař J, Pantůček R. Staphylococcus aureus Prophage-Encoded Protein Causes Abortive Infection and Provides Population Immunity against Kayviruses. mBio 2023;:e0249022. [PMID: 36779718 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02490-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Both temperate and obligately lytic phages have crucial roles in the biology of staphylococci. While superinfection exclusion among closely related temperate phages is a well-characterized phenomenon, the interactions between temperate and lytic phages in staphylococci are not understood. Here, we present a resistance mechanism toward lytic phages of the genus Kayvirus, mediated by the membrane-anchored protein designated PdpSau encoded by Staphylococcus aureus prophages, mostly of the Sa2 integrase type. The prophage accessory gene pdpSau is strongly linked to the lytic genes for holin and ami2-type amidase and typically replaces genes for the toxin Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL). The predicted PdpSau protein structure shows the presence of a membrane-binding α-helix in its N-terminal part and a cytoplasmic positively charged C terminus. We demonstrated that the mechanism of action of PdpSau does not prevent the infecting kayvirus from adsorbing onto the host cell and delivering its genome into the cell, but phage DNA replication is halted. Changes in the cell membrane polarity and permeability were observed from 10 min after the infection, which led to prophage-activated cell death. Furthermore, we describe a mechanism of overcoming this resistance in a host-range Kayvirus mutant, which was selected on an S. aureus strain harboring prophage 53 encoding PdpSau, and in which a chimeric gene product emerged via adaptive laboratory evolution. This first case of staphylococcal interfamily phage-phage competition is analogous to some other abortive infection defense systems and to systems based on membrane-destructive proteins. IMPORTANCE Prophages play an important role in virulence, pathogenesis, and host preference, as well as in horizontal gene transfer in staphylococci. In contrast, broad-host-range lytic staphylococcal kayviruses lyse most S. aureus strains, and scientists worldwide have come to believe that the use of such phages will be successful for treating and preventing bacterial diseases. The effectiveness of phage therapy is complicated by bacterial resistance, whose mechanisms related to therapeutic staphylococcal phages are not understood in detail. In this work, we describe a resistance mechanism targeting kayviruses that is encoded by a prophage. We conclude that the defense mechanism belongs to a broader group of abortive infections, which is characterized by suicidal behavior of infected cells that are unable to produce phage progeny, thus ensuring the survival of the host population. Since the majority of staphylococcal strains are lysogenic, our findings are relevant for the advancement of phage therapy.
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Yin X, Fang Q, Zong Z. Interruption of Capsular Polysaccharide Biosynthesis Gene wbaZ by Insertion Sequence IS903B Mediates Resistance to a Lytic Phage against ST11 K64 Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae. mSphere 2022; 7:e0051822. [PMID: 36377881 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00518-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) is a major challenge for clinical management worldwide with limited antimicrobial options. Phages are considered an alternative option. Here, we isolated and identified a phage able to lyse ST11-K64 CRKP, the major type in China. This phage has a narrow host range, only lysing ST11-K64 CRKP, and inhibits the growth of host strains for 3 h forming large clear plaques (3.0 to 6.0 mm in diameter) with a surrounding halo. This phage exhibited excellent stability in different temperatures and pH and did not contain any virulence, lysogenic, antimicrobial resistance genes nor tRNA, meeting the criteria for phage therapy. Genomic analysis revealed that it represents a novel species of the Przondovirus genus according to ICTV standards. However, phage-resistant bacterial mutants emerged after 4-h exposure. Compared to the parental strain, phage-resistant mutants showed nonmucoid appearance and exhibited significantly reduced virulence for Galleria mellonella larva. Three randomly selected phage-resistant mutants were genome sequenced. Interruption of capsular polysaccharide biosynthesis-associated gene wcaJ or wbaZ by IS903B alone or an IS903-formed composite transposon was identified. Interruption of wcaJ is a known phage resistant mechanism, while that of wbaZ is not. By complementing the intact wbaZ, the phage susceptibility was restored, confirming the role of wbaZ interruption in phage resistance. This highlights that alteration in the capsular polysaccharide biosynthesis gene cluster, which could be due to transposable elements, is a major mechanism for resistance to Przondovirus phages in CRKP. Noncapsule-targeting phages may be combined for improving phage therapy against CRKP. IMPORTANCE Phage therapy is an alternative approach against multidrug resistant microorganisms such as carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP), which represents a major challenge for treatment due to very limited options of antimicrobial agents. For optimizing phage therapy, more new lytic phages are needed. Here, we isolated and characterized a phage of a novel species able to rapidly lyse a major type of CRKP without carrying any virulence, lysogenic, antimicrobial resistance genes. This phage is therefore suitable for clinical treatment. However, phage-resistant mutants of CRKP strains were observed after exposure. We found a new mechanism, i.e., interruption of a capsular polysaccharide biosynthesis gene wbaZ by an insertion sequence-formed composite transposon. Our study demonstrates the capsular polysaccharide biosynthesis gene cluster as a major source of resistance to certain lytic phages in CRKP. This requires more studies to counter phage resistance. Our studies also highlight the critical role of insertion sequences in phage resistance.
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Xavier ADS, de Melo AG, Hendrich CG, Tremblay DM, Rousseau GM, Plante PL, Forest KT, Alfenas-Zerbini P, Allen C, Moineau S. In through the Out Door: A Functional Virulence Factor Secretion System Is Necessary for Phage Infection in Ralstonia solanacearum. mBio 2022; 13:e0147522. [PMID: 36314808 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01475-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophages put intense selective pressure on microbes, which must evolve diverse resistance mechanisms to survive continuous phage attacks. We used a library of spontaneous Bacteriophage Insensitive Mutants (BIMs) to learn how the plant pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum resists the virulent lytic podophage phiAP1. Phenotypic and genetic characterization of many BIMs suggested that the R. solanacearum Type II Secretion System (T2SS) plays a key role in phiAP1 infection. Using precision engineered mutations that permit T2SS assembly but either inactivate the T2SS GspE ATPase or sterically block the secretion portal, we demonstrated that phiAP1 needs a functional T2SS to infect R. solanacearum. This distinction between the static presence of T2SS components, which is necessary but not sufficient for phage sensitivity, and the energized and functional T2SS, which is sufficient, implies that binding interactions alone cannot explain the role of the T2SS in phiAP1 infection. Rather, our results imply that some aspect of the resetting of the T2SS, such as disassembly of the pseudopilus, is required. Because R. solanacearum secretes multiple virulence factors via the T2SS, acquiring resistance to phiAP1 also dramatically reduced R. solanacearum virulence on tomato plants. This acute fitness trade-off suggests this group of phages may be a sustainable control strategy for an important crop disease. IMPORTANCE Ralstonia solanacearum is a destructive plant pathogen that causes lethal bacterial wilt disease in hundreds of diverse plant hosts, including many economically important crops. Phages that kill R. solanacearum could offer effective and environmentally friendly wilt disease control, but only if the bacterium cannot easily evolve resistance. Encouragingly, most R. solanacearum mutants resistant to the virulent lytic phage phiAP1 no longer secreted multiple virulence factors and had much reduced fitness and virulence on tomato plants. Further analysis revealed that phage phiAP1 needs a functional type II secretion system to infect R. solanacearum, suggesting this podophage uses a novel infection mechanism.
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Dong Y, Liu J, Nie M, Zhao D, Huang H, Geng J, Wan X, Lu C, Liu Y. Comparative transcriptome combined with morphophysiological analyses revealed the molecular mechanism underlying Tetrahymena thermophila predation-induced antiphage defense in Aeromonas hydrophila. Virulence 2022; 13:1650-1665. [PMID: 36152028 PMCID: PMC9518995 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2022.2127186] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Protozoan predation has been demonstrated to be a strong driving force for bacterial defence strategies in the environment. Our previous study demonstrated that Aeromonas hydrophila NJ-35, which evolved small-colony variants (SCVs), displayed various adaptive traits in response to Tetrahymena thermophila predation, such as enhanced phage resistance. However, the evolutionary mechanisms are largely unknown. In this study, we performed a genome- and transcriptome-wide analysis of the SCV1, representing one strain of the SCVs, for identification of the genes of mutation and altered expression underlying this phage resistance phenotype. Our study demonstrated that phage resistance caused by T. thermophila predation was due to the downregulation of a flagellar biosynthesis regulator, flhF, in SCV1. Interestingly, we confirmed that phage resistance in SCV1 was not straightforwardly attributable to the absence of flagella but to FlhF-mediated secretion of extracellular protein that hinders phage adsorption. This finding improves our understanding of the mechanisms by which A. hydrophila lowers the susceptibility to phage infection under predation pressure, and highlights an important contribution of bacterium–protozoan interactions in driving the adaptive evolution of pathogens in complex environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhao Dong
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jin Liu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan, China
| | - Meng Nie
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Dan Zhao
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hao Huang
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jinzhu Geng
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xihe Wan
- Institute of Oceanology and Marine Fisheries, Nantong, China
| | - Chengping Lu
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yongjie Liu
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
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Li N, Zeng Y, Wang M, Bao R, Chen Y, Li X, Pan J, Zhu T, Hu B, Tan D. Characterization of Phage Resistance and Their Impacts on Bacterial Fitness in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0207222. [PMID: 36129287 PMCID: PMC9603268 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02072-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [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: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance pose serious environmental and health challenges. Attention has been drawn to phage therapy as an alternative approach to combat antibiotic resistance with immense potential. However, one of the obstacles to phage therapy is phage resistance, and it can be acquired through genetic mutations, followed by consequences of phenotypic variations. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms underlying phage-host interactions will provide us with greater detail on how to optimize phage therapy. In this study, three lytic phages (phipa2, phipa4, and phipa10) were isolated to investigate phage resistance and the potential fitness trade-offs in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Specifically, in phage-resistant mutants phipa2-R and phipa4-R, mutations in conferring resistance occurred in genes pilT and pilB, both essential for type IV pili (T4P) biosynthesis. In the phage-resistant mutant phipa10-R, a large chromosomal deletion of ~294 kb, including the hmgA (homogentisate 1,2-dioxygenase) and galU (UTP-glucose-1-phosphate uridylyltransferase) genes, was observed and conferred phage phipa10 resistance. Further, we show examples of associated trade-offs in these phage-resistant mutations, e.g., impaired motility, reduced biofilm formation, and increased antibiotic susceptibility. Collectively, our study sheds light on resistance-mediated genetic mutations and their pleiotropic phenotypes, further emphasizing the impressive complexity and diversity of phage-host interactions and the challenges they pose when controlling bacterial diseases in this important pathogen. IMPORTANCE Battling phage resistance is one of the main challenges faced by phage therapy. To overcome this challenge, detailed information about the mechanisms of phage-host interactions is required to understand the bacterial evolutionary processes. In this study, we identified mutations in key steps of type IV pili (T4P) and O-antigen biosynthesis leading to phage resistance and provided new evidence on how phage predation contributed toward host phenotypes and fitness variations. Together, our results add further fundamental knowledge on phage-host interactions and how they regulate different aspects of Pseudomonas cell behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yigang Zeng
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mengran Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Rong Bao
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Chen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoyu Li
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
| | - Jue Pan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tongyu Zhu
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bijie Hu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Demeng Tan
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Schumann AR, Sue AD, Roach DR. Hypoxia Increases the Tempo of Phage Resistance and Mutational Bottlenecking of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:905343. [PMID: 35979493 PMCID: PMC9376454 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.905343] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Viruses that infect bacteria (i.e., phages) are abundant and widespread in the human body, and new anti-infective approaches such as phage therapy are essential for the future of effective medicine. Our understanding of microenvironmental factors such as tissue oxygen availability at the site of phage-bacteria interaction remains limited, and it is unknown whether evolved resistance is sculpted differentially under normoxia vs. hypoxia. We, therefore, analyzed the phage-bacteria interaction landscape via adsorption, one-step, time-kill dynamics, and genetic evolution under both normoxia and hypoxia. This revealed that adsorption of phages to Pseudomonas aeruginosa decreased under 14% environmental oxygen (i.e., hypoxia), but phage time-kill and one-step growth kinetics were not further influenced. Tracking the adaptation of P. aeruginosa to phages uncovered a higher frequency of phage resistance and constrained types of spontaneous mutation under hypoxia. Given the interest in developing phage therapies, developing our understanding of the phage-pathogen interaction under microenvironmental conditions resembling those in the body offers insight into possible strategies to overcome multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley R. Schumann
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Andrew D. Sue
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Dwayne R. Roach
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, United States
- Viral Information Institute, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, United States
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40
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Liu J, Zhu Y, Li Y, Lu Y, Xiong K, Zhong Q, Wang J. Bacteriophage-Resistant Mutant of Enterococcus faecalis Is Impaired in Biofilm Formation. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:913023. [PMID: 35756031 PMCID: PMC9218719 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.913023] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Enterococcus faecalis is a common gram-positive non-spore-forming bacterium in nature and is found in the upper respiratory tract, intestine, and mouth of healthy people. E. faecalis is also one of the common pathogens causing nosocomial infections and is resistant to several antibiotics commonly used in practice. Thus, treating drug-resistant E. faecalis with antibiotics is challenging, and new approaches are needed. In this study, we isolated a bacteriophage named EFap02 that targets E. faecalis strain EFa02 from sewage at Southwest Hospital. Phage EFap02 belongs to the Siphoviridae family with a long tail of approximately 210 nm, and EFap02 can tolerate a strong acid and alkali environment and high temperature. Its receptor was identified as the capsular polysaccharide. Phage-resistant mutants had loss-of-function mutations in glycosyltransferase (gtr2), which is responsible for capsular polysaccharide biosynthesis, and this caused the loss of capsular polysaccharide and interruption of phage adsorption. Although phage-resistant mutants against EFap02 can be selected, such mutants are impaired in biofilm formation due to the loss of capsular polysaccharide, which compromises its virulence. Therefore, this study provided a detailed description of the E. faecalis EFap02 phage with the potential for treating E. faecalis infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiazhen Liu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yanpeng Zhu
- Department of Microbiology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yang Li
- Medical Center of Trauma and War Injury, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yuwen Lu
- Medical Center of Trauma and War Injury, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Kun Xiong
- Department of Frigidzone Medicine, College of High Altitude Military Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Qiu Zhong
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Microbiology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
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41
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Zhang M, Qian J, Xu X, Ahmed T, Yang Y, Yan C, Elsharkawy MM, Hassan MM, Alorabi JA, Chen J, Li B. Resistance of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae to Lytic Phage X2 by Spontaneous Mutation of Lipopolysaccharide Synthesis-Related Glycosyltransferase. Viruses 2022; 14:1088. [PMID: 35632829 PMCID: PMC9143033 DOI: 10.3390/v14051088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 04/17/2022] [Revised: 05/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Phage therapy is a promising biocontrol management on plant diseases caused by bacterial pathogens due to its specificity, efficiency and environmental friendliness. The emergence of natural phage-resistant bacteria hinders the application of phage therapy. Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) is the causal agent of the devastating bacterial leaf blight disease of rice. Here, we obtained a spontaneous mutant C2R of an Xoo strain C2 showing strong resistance to the lytic phage X2. Analysis of the C2R genome found that the CDS2289 gene encoding glycosyltransferase acquired a frameshift mutation at the 180th nucleotide site, which also leads to a premature stop mutation at the 142nd amino acid. This mutation confers the inhibition of phage adsorption through the changes in lipopolysaccharide production and structure and bacterial surface morphology. Interestingly, glycosyltransferase-deficient C2R and an insertional mutant k2289 also showed reduced virulence, suggesting the trade-off costs of phage resistance. In summary, this study highlights the role of glycosyltransferase in interactions among pathogenic bacteria, phages and plant hosts, which provide insights into balanced coevolution from environmental perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muchen Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (M.Z.); (J.Q.); (X.X.); (T.A.)
| | - Jiahui Qian
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (M.Z.); (J.Q.); (X.X.); (T.A.)
| | - Xinyan Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (M.Z.); (J.Q.); (X.X.); (T.A.)
| | - Temoor Ahmed
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (M.Z.); (J.Q.); (X.X.); (T.A.)
| | - Yong Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Institute of Virology and Biotechnology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China; (Y.Y.); (C.Y.)
| | - Chenqi Yan
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Institute of Virology and Biotechnology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China; (Y.Y.); (C.Y.)
- Institute of Biotechnology, Ningbo Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Ningbo 315040, China
| | - Mohsen Mohamed Elsharkawy
- Agricultural Botany Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafr El-Sheikh 33516, Egypt;
| | - Mohamed M. Hassan
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Taif University, Taif P.O. Box 21974, Saudi Arabia; (M.M.H.); (J.A.A.)
| | - Jamal A. Alorabi
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Taif University, Taif P.O. Box 21974, Saudi Arabia; (M.M.H.); (J.A.A.)
| | - Jianping Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Institute of Virology and Biotechnology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China; (Y.Y.); (C.Y.)
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Institute of Plant Virology, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
| | - Bin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (M.Z.); (J.Q.); (X.X.); (T.A.)
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Parcey M, Gayder S, Castle AJ, Svircev AM. Function and Application of the CRISPR-Cas System in the Plant Pathogen Erwinia amylovora. Appl Environ Microbiol 2022;:e0251321. [PMID: 35285707 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02513-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Phage-based biocontrol is an emerging method for managing the plant pathogen Erwinia amylovora. Control of E. amylovora in North America is achieved chiefly through the application of streptomycin and has led to the development of streptomycin resistance. Resistant E. amylovora can be tracked through the analysis of CRISPR spacer sequences. An alternative to antibiotics are bacterial viruses, known as phages, which lyse their hosts during replication to control the bacterial population. Endogenous CRISPR-Cas systems act as phage resistance mechanisms however, preliminary genomic analysis suggests this activity is limited in E. amylovora. This leaves the functionality of the CRISPR-Cas system, any clade-based differences, and the impact which this system may have on phage-based biocontrol in question. In this study, the CRISPR arrays from 127 newly available genomic sequences of E. amylovora were analyzed through a novel bioinformatic pipeline. Through this, the Eastern and Western North American clades were shown to be incompatible with the current PCR-based approaches for tracking E. amylovora given the size and composition of their CRISPR arrays. Two artificial CRISPR arrays were designed to investigate the functionality of the CRISPR-Cas system in E. amylovora. This system was capable of curing a targeted plasmid and providing phage resistance but was not the source of phage resistance observed within the controls. This suggests that while the CRISPR-Cas system is an important defense mechanism for invasive plasmids, an as yet unidentified mechanism is the primary source of phage resistance in E. amylovora. IMPORTANCE Erwinia amylovora is an economically significant agricultural pathogen found throughout the world. In North America, E. amylovora has developed streptomycin resistance and therefore alternative treatments using phages have received increased attention. In this study, we analyzed recently published genomes to determine that two significant groups of E. amylovora are poorly identified using the current, CRISPR-based tracking methods. We also showed that the CRISPR-Cas system and an unidentified mechanism work together to provide a significant degree of resistance against one of the phages proposed for phage-based biocontrol.
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Abstract
We isolated and characterized a novel phage from hospital sewage, P13, able to lyse ST11 K47 carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP), a major CRKP lineage. P13 formed a large lytic plaque (3.0 to 6.0 mm in diameter) in double-layer LB agar after overnight coculture with its host bacterial strain. A translucent halo formed when the culture was prolonged to 48 h. P13 showed a narrow host range only lysing ST11 K47 CRKP with a burst size of around 167 PFU/cell and exhibited broad pH and thermal stability. Genome sequencing showed that P13 contains no virulence, lysogenic or antimicrobial resistance genes, making this lytic phage a potential agent for phage therapy. Transmission electron microscopy showed that P13 exhibited typical morphology of the family Podoviridae with an isometric head and a short noncontracted tail. Genomic analysis showed that P13 belongs to a novel species of the genus Przondovirus, subfamily Studiervirinae, family Autographiviridae. P13-resistant mutants of bacteria emerged after 4 h exposure to the phage. Interruptions of wbaP (encoding capsule polysaccharide synthesis) by insertion sequence IS903B mediated P13 resistance. The rapid emergence of resistant mutants represents a disadvantage for P13 as a therapeutic phage and highlights the need for recovery of a range of phages binding to different surface receptors of host bacteria to further extend their utility as a potential tool against CRKP. IMPORTANCE Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) is a major challenge for infection control and clinical management. Alternative therapies to antimicrobial agents are urgently needed and bacteriophages (phages) are an attractive option. However, more novel lytic phages and more studies to reveal phage-resistant mechanisms are needed to overcome phage resistance. In this study, we isolated and characterized a novel species of lytic phage active against CRKP. We found this phage exhibited delayed formation of halo, which is atypical compared to other characterized similar phages, and we provide an explanation for this phenotype based on genomic analysis. We also identified mechanisms mediating resistance to the phage.
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Moller AG, Petit RA 3rd, Read TD. Species-Scale Genomic Analysis of Staphylococcus aureus Genes Influencing Phage Host Range and Their Relationships to Virulence and Antibiotic Resistance Genes. mSystems 2022;:e0108321. [PMID: 35040700 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.01083-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Phage therapy has been proposed as a possible alternative treatment for infections caused by the ubiquitous bacterial pathogen Staphylococcus aureus. However, successful therapy requires understanding the genetic basis of host range—the subset of strains in a species that could be killed by a particular phage. We searched diverse sets of S. aureus public genome sequences against a database of genes suggested from prior studies to influence host range to look for patterns of variation across the species. We found that genes encoding biosynthesis of molecules that were targets of S. aureus phage adsorption to the outer surface of the cell were the most conserved in the pangenome. Putative phage resistance genes that were core components of the pangenome genes had similar nucleotide diversity, ratio of nonsynonymous to synonymous substitutions, and functionality (measured by delta-bitscore) to other core genes. However, phage resistance genes that were not part of the core genome were significantly less consistent with the core genome phylogeny than all noncore genes in this set, suggesting more frequent movement between strains by horizontal gene transfer. Only superinfection immunity genes encoded by temperate phages inserted in the genome correlated with experimentally determined temperate phage resistance. Taken together, these results suggested that, while phage adsorption genes are heavily conserved in the S. aureus species, HGT may play a significant role in strain-specific evolution of host range patterns. IMPORTANCEStaphylococcus aureus is a widespread, hospital- and community-acquired pathogen that is commonly antibiotic resistant. It causes diverse diseases affecting both the skin and internal organs. Its ubiquity, antibiotic resistance, and disease burden make new therapies urgent, such as phage therapy, in which viruses specific to infecting bacteria clear infection. S. aureus phage host range not only determines whether phage therapy will be successful by killing bacteria but also horizontal gene transfer through transduction of host genetic material by phages. In this work, we comprehensively reviewed existing literature to build a list of S. aureus phage resistance genes and searched our database of almost 43,000 S. aureus genomes for these genes to understand their patterns of evolution, finding that prophages’ superinfection immunity correlates best with phage resistance and HGT. These findings improved our understanding of the relationship between known phage resistance genes and phage host range in the species.
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45
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Sørensen MCH, Gencay YE, Fanger F, Chichkova MAT, Mazúrová M, Klumpp J, Nielsen EM, Brøndsted L. Identification of Novel Phage Resistance Mechanisms in Campylobacter jejuni by Comparative Genomics. Front Microbiol 2022; 12:780559. [PMID: 34970240 PMCID: PMC8713573 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.780559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Phages infecting Campylobacter jejuni are considered a promising intervention strategy at broiler farms, yet phage sensitivity of naturally occurring poultry isolates is not well studied. Here, we investigated phage sensitivity and identified resistance mechanisms of C. jejuni strains originating from Danish broilers belonging to the most prevalent MLST (ST) types. Determining plaque formation of 51 phages belonging to Fletchervirus or Firehammervirus showed that 21 out of 31 C. jejuni strains were susceptible to at least one phage. While C. jejuni ST-21 strains encoded the common phase variable O-methyl phosphoramidate (MeOPN) receptor of the Fletchervirus and were only infected by these phages, ST-45 strains did not encode this receptor and were exclusively infected by Firehammervirus phages. To identify internal phage resistance mechanism in ST-21 strains, we performed comparative genomics of two strains, CAMSA2002 sensitive to almost all Fletchervirus phages and CAMSA2038, resistant to all 51 phages. The strains encoded diverse clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) spacers but none matched the tested phages. Sequence divergence was also observed in a predicted SspE homolog and putative restriction modification systems including a methyl-specific McrBC endonuclease. Furthermore, when mcrB was deleted, CAMSA2038 became sensitive to 17 out of 43 phages, three being Firehammervirus phages that otherwise did not infect any ST-21 strains. Yet, 16 phages demonstrated significantly lower efficiencies of plating on the mcrB mutant suggesting additional resistance mechanism still restricting phage propagation in CAMSA2038. Thus, our work demonstrates that C. jejuni isolates originating from broilers may have acquired several resistance mechanisms to successfully prevent phage infection in their natural habitat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martine C H Sørensen
- Food Safety and Zoonoses, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Yilmaz Emre Gencay
- Food Safety and Zoonoses, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Florian Fanger
- Food Safety and Zoonoses, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Mariana A T Chichkova
- Food Safety and Zoonoses, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Mária Mazúrová
- Food Safety and Zoonoses, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Jochen Klumpp
- Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Eva M Nielsen
- Foodborne Infections, Department of Bacteria, Parasites & Fungi, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lone Brøndsted
- Food Safety and Zoonoses, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
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46
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Sørensen PE, Baig S, Stegger M, Ingmer H, Garmyn A, Butaye P. Spontaneous Phage Resistance in Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:782757. [PMID: 34966369 PMCID: PMC8711792 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.782757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [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: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) is one of the most important bacterial pathogens affecting poultry worldwide. The emergence of multidrug-resistant pathogens has renewed the interest in the therapeutic use of bacteriophages (phages). However, a major concern for the successful implementation of phage therapy is the emergence of phage-resistant mutants. The understanding of the phage-host interactions, as well as underlying mechanisms of resistance, have shown to be essential for the development of a successful phage therapy. Here, we demonstrate that the strictly lytic Escherichia phage vB_EcoM-P10 rapidly selected for resistance in the APEC ST95 O1 strain AM621. Whole-genome sequence analysis of 109 spontaneous phage-resistant mutant strains revealed 41 mutants with single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in their core genome. In 32 of these, a single SNP was detected while two SNPs were identified in a total of nine strains. In total, 34 unique SNPs were detected. In 42 strains, including 18 strains with SNP(s), gene losses spanning 17 different genes were detected. Affected by genetic changes were genes known to be involved in phage resistance (outer membrane protein A, lipopolysaccharide-, O- antigen-, or cell wall-related genes) as well as genes not previously linked to phage resistance, including two hypothetical genes. In several strains, we did not detect any genetic changes. Infecting phages were not able to overcome the phage resistance in host strains. However, interestingly the initial infection was shown to have a great fitness cost for several mutant strains, with up to ∼65% decrease in overall growth. In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into the phage-host interaction and phage resistance in APEC. Although acquired resistance to phages is frequently observed in pathogenic E. coli, it may be associated with loss of fitness, which could be exploited in phage therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia E. Sørensen
- Department of Pathobiology, Pharmacology and Zoological Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis
| | - Sharmin Baig
- Department of Bacteria, Parasites and Fungi, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Marc Stegger
- Department of Bacteria, Parasites and Fungi, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Hanne Ingmer
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - An Garmyn
- Department of Pathobiology, Pharmacology and Zoological Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Patrick Butaye
- Department of Pathobiology, Pharmacology and Zoological Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis
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47
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Koderi Valappil S, Shetty P, Deim Z, Terhes G, Urbán E, Váczi S, Patai R, Polgár T, Pertics BZ, Schneider G, Kovács T, Rákhely G. Survival Comes at a Cost: A Coevolution of Phage and Its Host Leads to Phage Resistance and Antibiotic Sensitivity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Multidrug Resistant Strains. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:783722. [PMID: 34925289 PMCID: PMC8678094 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.783722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 09/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The increasing ineffectiveness of traditional antibiotics and the rise of multidrug resistant (MDR) bacteria have necessitated the revival of bacteriophage (phage) therapy. However, bacteria might also evolve resistance against phages. Phages and their bacterial hosts coexist in nature, resulting in a continuous coevolutionary competition for survival. We have isolated several clinical strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and phages that infect them. Among these, the PIAS (Phage Induced Antibiotic Sensitivity) phage belonging to the Myoviridae family can induce multistep genomic deletion in drug-resistant clinical strains of P. aeruginosa, producing a compromised drug efflux system in the bacterial host. We identified two types of mutant lines in the process: green mutants with SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) and smaller deletions and brown mutants with large (∼250 kbp) genomic deletion. We demonstrated that PIAS used the MexXY-OprM system to initiate the infection. P. aeruginosa clogged PIAS phage infection by either modifying or deleting these receptors. The green mutant gaining phage resistance by SNPs could be overcome by evolved PIASs (E-PIASs) with a mutation in its tail-fiber protein. Characterization of the mutant phages will provide a deeper understanding of phage-host interaction. The coevolutionary process continued with large deletions in the same regions of the bacterial genomes to block the (E-)PIAS infection. These mutants gained phage resistance via either complete loss or substantial modifications of the phage receptor, MexXY-OprM, negating its essential role in antibiotic resistance. In vitro and in vivo studies indicated that combined use of PIAS and antibiotics could effectively inhibit P. aeruginosa growth. The phage can either eradicate bacteria or induce antibiotic sensitivity in MDR-resistant clinical strains. We have explored the potential use of combination therapy as an alternative approach against MDR P. aeruginosa infection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Prateek Shetty
- Institute of Plant Biology, Biological Research Center, Szeged, Hungary
- Doctoral School of Biology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Zoltán Deim
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Gabriella Terhes
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Edit Urbán
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Sándor Váczi
- Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Roland Patai
- Institute of Biophysics, Biological Research Center, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Tamás Polgár
- Institute of Biophysics, Biological Research Center, Szeged, Hungary
- Doctoral School of Theoretical Medicine, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | | | - György Schneider
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Tamás Kovács
- Department of Biotechnology, Nanophagetherapy Center, Enviroinvest Corp., Pécs, Hungary
- Biopesticide Ltd., Pécs, Hungary
| | - Gábor Rákhely
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- Institute of Biophysics, Biological Research Center, Szeged, Hungary
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48
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Rahimi-Midani A, Kim MJ, Choi TJ. Identification of a Cupin Protein Gene Responsible for Pathogenicity, Phage Susceptibility and LPS Synthesis of Acidovorax citrulli. Plant Pathol J 2021; 37:555-565. [PMID: 34897248 PMCID: PMC8666233 DOI: 10.5423/ppj.oa.08.2021.0134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Bacteriophages infecting Acidovorax citrulli, the causal agent of bacterial fruit blotch, have been proven to be effective for the prevention and control of this disease. However, the occurrence of bacteriophage-resistant bacteria is one of hurdles in phage biocontrol and the understanding of phage resistance in this bacterium is an essential step. In this study, we aim to investigate possible phage resistance of A. citrulli and relationship between phage resistance and pathogenicity, and to isolate and characterize the genes involved in these phenomena. A phage-resistant and less-virulent mutant named as AC-17-G1 was isolated among 3,264 A. citrulli Tn5 mutants through serial spot assays and plaque assays followed by pathogenicity test using seed coating method. The mutant has the integrated Tn5 in the middle of a cupin protein gene. This mutant recovered its pathogenicity and phage sensitivity by complementation with corresponding wild-type gene. Site-directed mutation of this gene from wild-type by CRISPR/Cas9 system resulted in the loss of pathogenicity and acquisition of phage resistance. The growth of AC-17-G1 in King's B medium was much less than the wild-type, but the growth turned into normal in the medium supplemented with D-mannose 6-phosphate or D-fructose 6-phosphate indicating the cupin protein functions as a phosphomannos isomerase. Sodium dodecyl sulfa analysis of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) extracted from the mutant was smaller than that from wild-type. All these data suggest that the cupin protein is a phosphomannos isomerase involved in LPS synthesis, and LPS is an important determinant of pathogenicity and phage susceptibility of A. citrulli.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Min-Jung Kim
- Department of Microbiology, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513,
Korea
| | - Tae-Jin Choi
- Department of Microbiology, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513,
Korea
- Division of Marine Biosciences, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513,
Korea
- Corresponding author: Phone) +82-51-620-6367, FAX) +82-51-611-6358, E-mail)
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49
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Owen SV, Wenner N, Dulberger CL, Rodwell EV, Bowers-Barnard A, Quinones-Olvera N, Rigden DJ, Rubin EJ, Garner EC, Baym M, Hinton JCD. Prophages encode phage-defense systems with cognate self-immunity. Cell Host Microbe 2021; 29:1620-1633.e8. [PMID: 34597593 PMCID: PMC8585504 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2021.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Temperate phages are pervasive in bacterial genomes, existing as vertically inherited islands termed prophages. Prophages are vulnerable to predation of their host bacterium by exogenous phages. Here, we identify BstA, a family of prophage-encoded phage-defense proteins in diverse Gram-negative bacteria. BstA localizes to sites of exogenous phage DNA replication and mediates abortive infection, suppressing the competing phage epidemic. During lytic replication, the BstA-encoding prophage is not itself inhibited by BstA due to self-immunity conferred by the anti-BstA (aba) element, a short stretch of DNA within the bstA locus. Inhibition of phage replication by distinct BstA proteins from Salmonella, Klebsiella, and Escherichia prophages is generally interchangeable, but each possesses a cognate aba element. The specificity of the aba element ensures that immunity is exclusive to the replicating prophage, preventing exploitation by variant BstA-encoding phages. The BstA protein allows prophages to defend host cells against exogenous phage attack without sacrificing the ability to replicate lytically. BstA is an abortive infection protein found in prophages of Gram-negative bacteria aba, a short DNA sequence within the bstA locus, acts as a self-immunity element aba gives BstA-encoding prophages immunity to BstA-driven abortive infection Variant BstA proteins have distinct and cognate aba elements
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Affiliation(s)
- Siân V Owen
- Department of Biomedical Informatics and Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Nicolas Wenner
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary & Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK; Biozentrum, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Charles L Dulberger
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ella V Rodwell
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary & Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Arthur Bowers-Barnard
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary & Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Natalia Quinones-Olvera
- Department of Biomedical Informatics and Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Daniel J Rigden
- Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Eric J Rubin
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ethan C Garner
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michael Baym
- Department of Biomedical Informatics and Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Jay C D Hinton
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary & Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
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50
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Egido JE, Costa AR, Aparicio-Maldonado C, Haas PJ, Brouns SJJ. Mechanisms and clinical importance of bacterio phage resistance. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2021; 46:6374866. [PMID: 34558600 PMCID: PMC8829019 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuab048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.7] [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: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
We are in the midst of a golden age of uncovering defense systems against bacteriophages. Apart from the fundamental interest in these defense systems, and revolutionary applications that have been derived from them (e.g. CRISPR-Cas9 and restriction endonucleases), it is unknown how defense systems contribute to resistance formation against bacteriophages in clinical settings. Bacteriophages are now being reconsidered as therapeutic agents against bacterial infections due the emergence of multidrug resistance. However, bacteriophage resistance through defense systems and other means could hinder the development of successful phage-based therapies. Here, we review the current state of the field of bacteriophage defense, highlight the relevance of bacteriophage defense for potential clinical use of bacteriophages as therapeutic agents and suggest new directions of research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia E Egido
- Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Ana Rita Costa
- Department of Bionanoscience, Delft University of Technology, van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ Delft, Netherlands.,Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft, Netherlands.,Fagenbank, Delft, Netherlands
| | - Cristian Aparicio-Maldonado
- Department of Bionanoscience, Delft University of Technology, van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ Delft, Netherlands.,Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft, Netherlands
| | - Pieter-Jan Haas
- Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Stan J J Brouns
- Department of Bionanoscience, Delft University of Technology, van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ Delft, Netherlands.,Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft, Netherlands.,Fagenbank, Delft, Netherlands
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