Multifaceted activity of listeriolysin O, the cholesterol-dependent cytolysin of Listeria monocytogenes

The septin cytoskeleton is required for plasma membrane repair

Plasma membrane repair is a fundamental homeostatic process of eukaryotic cells. Here, we report a new function for the conserved cytoskeletal proteins known as septins in the repair of cells perforated by pore-forming toxins or mechanical disruption. Using a silencing RNA screen, we identified known repair factors (e.g. annexin A2, ANXA2) and novel factors such as septin 7 (SEPT7) that is essential for septin assembly. Upon plasma membrane injury, the septin cytoskeleton is extensively redistributed to form submembranous domains arranged as knob and loop structures containing F-actin, myosin IIA, S100A11, and ANXA2. Formation of these domains is Ca2+-dependent and correlates with plasma membrane repair efficiency. Super-resolution microscopy revealed that septins and F-actin form intertwined filaments associated with ANXA2. Depletion of SEPT7 prevented ANXA2 recruitment and formation of submembranous actomyosin domains. However, ANXA2 depletion had no effect on domain formation. Collectively, our data support a novel septin-based mechanism for resealing damaged cells, in which the septin cytoskeleton plays a key structural role in remodeling the plasma membrane by promoting the formation of SEPT/F-actin/myosin IIA/ANXA2/S100A11 repair domains.

Bacterial cholesterol-dependent cytolysins and their interaction with the human immune response

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Many cholesterol-dependent cytolysin (CDC)-producing pathogens pose a significant threat to human health. Herein, we review the pore-dependent and -independent properties CDCs possess to assist pathogens in evading the host immune response.

RECENT FINDINGS

Within the last 5 years, exciting new research suggests CDCs can act to inhibit important immune functions, disrupt critical cell signaling pathways, and have tissue-specific effects. Additionally, recent studies have identified a key region of CDCs that generates robust immunity, providing resources for the development of CDC-based vaccines.

SUMMARY

This review provides new information on how CDCs alter host immune responses to aid bacteria in pathogenesis. These studies can assist in the design of more efficient vaccines and therapeutics against CDCs that will enhance the immune response to CDC-producing pathogens while mitigating the dampening effects CDCs have on the host immune response.

The Septin Cytoskeleton is Required for Plasma Membrane Repair

Mammalian cells are frequently exposed to mechanical and biochemical stressors resulting in plasma membrane injuries. Repair mechanisms reseal the plasma membrane to restore homeostasis and prevent cell death. In the present work, a silencing RNA screen was performed to uncover plasma membrane repair mechanisms of cells exposed to a pore-forming toxin (listeriolysin O). This screen identified molecules previously known to repair the injured plasma membrane such as annexin A2 (ANXA2) as well as novel plasma membrane repair candidate proteins. Of the novel candidates, we focused on septin 7 (SEPT7) because the septins are an important family of conserved eukaryotic cytoskeletal proteins. Using diverse experimental approaches, we established for the first time that SEPT7 plays a general role in plasma membrane repair of cells perforated by pore-forming toxins and mechanical wounding. Remarkably, upon cell injury, the septin cytoskeleton is extensively redistributed in a Ca 2+ -dependent fashion, a hallmark of plasma membrane repair machineries. The septins reorganize into subplasmalemmal domains arranged as knob and loop (or ring) structures containing F-actin, myosin II, and annexin A2 (ANXA2) and protrude from the cell surface. Importantly, the formation of these domains correlates with the plasma membrane repair efficiency. Super-resolution microscopy shows that septins and actin are arranged in intertwined filaments associated with ANXA2. Silencing SEPT7 expression prevented the formation of the F-actin/myosin II/ANXA2 domains, however, silencing expression of ANXA2 had no observable effect on their formation. These results highlight the key structural role of the septins in remodeling the plasma membrane and in the recruitment of the repair molecule ANXA2. Collectively, our data support a novel model in which the septin cytoskeleton acts as a scaffold to promote the formation of plasma membrane repair domains containing contractile F-actin and annexin A2.

Polarization- and Chaos-Game-Based Fingerprinting of Molecular Targets of Listeria Monocytogenes Vaccine and Fully Virulent Strains

Two approaches to the synthesis of 2D binary identifiers ("fingerprints") of DNA-associated symbol sequences are considered in this paper. One of these approaches is based on the simulation of polarization-dependent diffraction patterns formed by reading the modeled DNA-associated 2D phase-modulating structures with a coherent light beam. In this case, 2D binarized distributions of close-to-circular extreme polarization states are applied as fingerprints of analyzed nucleotide sequences. The second approach is based on the transformation of the DNA-associated chaos game representation (CGR) maps into finite-dimensional binary matrices. In both cases, the differences between the structures of the analyzed and reference symbol sequences are quantified by calculating the correlation coefficient of the synthesized binary matrices. A comparison of the approaches under consideration is carried out using symbol sequences corresponding to nucleotide sequences of the hly gene from the vaccine and wild-type strains of Listeria monocytogenes as the analyzed objects. These strains differ in terms of the number of substituted nucleotides in relation to the vaccine strain selected as a reference. The results of the performed analysis allow us to conclude that the identification of structural differences in the DNA-associated symbolic sequences is significantly more efficient when using the binary distributions of close-to-circular extreme polarization states. The approach given can be applicable for genetic differentiation immunized from vaccinated animals (DIVA).

Natural Isoforms of Listeria monocytogenes Virulence Factor Inlb Differ in c-Met Binding Efficiency and Differently Affect Uptake and Survival Listeria in Macrophage

Listeria monocytogenes virulence factor InlB specifically interacts with the receptors c-Met and gC1q-R. Both receptors are present in non-professional and professional phagocytes, including macrophages. Phylogenetically defined InlB isoforms differently support invasion into non-professional phagocytes. This work deals with the effects of InlB isoforms on L. monocytogenes uptake and intracellular proliferation in human macrophages. Three isoforms of the receptor binding domain (idInlB) were derived from phylogenetically distinct L. monocytogenes strains belonging to the highly virulent CC1 (idInlB_CC1), medium-virulence CC7 (idInlB_CC7), and low-virulence CC9 (idInlB_CC9) clonal complexes. The constant dissociation increased in the order idInlB_CC1 << idInlB_CC7 < idInlB_CC9 for interactions with c-Met, and idInlB_CC1 ≈ idInlB_CC7 < idInlB_CC9 for interactions with gC1q-R. The comparison of uptake and intracellular proliferation of isogenic recombinant strains which expressed full-length InlBs revealed that the strain expressing idInlB_CC1 proliferated in macrophages twice as efficiently as other strains. Macrophage pretreatment with idInlB_CC1 followed by recombinant L. monocytogenes infection disturbed macrophage functions decreasing pathogen uptake and improving its intracellular multiplication. Similar pretreatment with idInlB_CC7 decreased bacterial uptake but also impaired intracellular multiplication. The obtained results demonstrated that InlB impaired macrophage functions in an idInlB isoform-dependent manner. These data suggest a novel InlB function in L. monocytogenes virulence.

Single-molecule tracking of perfringolysin O assembly and membrane insertion uncoupling

We exploit single-molecule tracking and optical single channel recording in droplet interface bilayers to resolve the assembly pathway and pore formation of the archetypical cholesterol-dependent cytolysin nanopore, Perfringolysin O. We follow the stoichiometry and diffusion of Perfringolysin O complexes during assembly with 60 ms temporal resolution and 20 nm spatial precision. Our results suggest individual nascent complexes can insert into the lipid membrane where they continue active assembly. Overall, these data support a model of stepwise irreversible assembly dominated by monomer addition, but with infrequent assembly from larger partial complexes.

Transcriptome responses of intestinal epithelial cells induced by membrane vesicles of Listeria

Membrane vesicles (MVs) serve as an essential virulence factor in several pathogenic bacteria. The release of MVs by Listeria monocytogenes is only recently recognized; still, the enigmatic role of MVs in pathogenesis is yet to be established. We report the transcriptome response of Caco-2 cells upon exposure to MVs and the L. monocytogenes that leads to observe the up-regulation of autophagy-related genes in the early phase of exposure to MVs. Transcription of inflammatory cytokines is to the peak at the fourth hour of exposure. An array of differentially expressed genes was associated with actin cytoskeleton rearrangement, autophagy, cell cycle arrest, and induction of oxidative stress. At a later time point, transcriptional programs are generated upon interaction with MVs to evade innate immune signals, by modulating the expression of anti-inflammatory genes. KEGG pathway analysis is palpably confirming that MVs appear principally responsible for the induction of immune signaling pathways. Besides, MVs induced the expression of cell cycle regulatory genes, likely responsible for the ability to prolong host cell survival, thus protecting the replicative niche for L. monocytogenes. Notably, we identified several non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), possibly involved in the regulation of early manipulation of the host gene expression, essential for the persistence of L. monocytogenes.

Pathogenicity and virulence of Rickettsia

Rickettsiae include diverse Gram-negative microbial species that exhibit obligatory intracellular lifecycles between mammalian hosts and arthropod vectors. Human infections with arthropod-borne Rickettsia continue to cause significant morbidity and mortality as recent environmental changes foster the proliferation of arthropod vectors and increased exposure to humans. However, the technical difficulties in working with Rickettsia have delayed our progress in understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in rickettsial pathogenesis and disease transmission. Recent advances in developing genetic tools for Rickettsia have enabled investigators to identify virulence genes, uncover molecular functions, and characterize host responses to rickettsial determinants. Therefore, continued efforts to determine virulence genes and their biological functions will help us understand the underlying mechanisms associated with arthropod-borne rickettsioses.

Kaempferol-Driven Inhibition of Listeriolysin O Pore Formation and Inflammation Suppresses Listeria monocytogenes Infection

Listeria monocytogenes remains a nonnegligible cause of foodborne infection, posing a critical threat to public health. Under the global antibiotic crisis, novel alternative approaches are urgently needed. The indispensable role of listeriolysin O (LLO) in the intracellular life cycle, barrier penetration, colonization, and systemic dissemination of L. monocytogenes renders it a potent drug target, which means curbing L. monocytogenes via interfering with LLO-associated pathogenic mechanisms. Here, we identified kaempferol, a natural small molecule compound, as an effective LLO inhibitor that engaged the residues Glu437, Ile468, and Tyr469 of LLO, thereby suppressing LLO-mediated membrane perforation and barrier disruption. Moreover, we found that kaempferol also suppressed host-derived inflammation in a distinct way independent of LLO inhibition. The in vivo study revealed that kaempferol treatment significantly reduced bacterial burden and cytokine burst in target organs, thereby effectively protecting mice from systemic L. monocytogenes infection. Our findings present kaempferol as a potential therapeutic application for L. monocytogenes infection, which is less likely to induce drug resistance than antibiotics because of its superiority of interfering with the pathogenesis process rather than exerting pressure on bacterial viability.

IMPORTANCE Currently, we are facing a global crisis of antibiotic resistance, and novel alternative approaches are urgently needed to curb L. monocytogenes infection. Our study demonstrated that kaempferol alleviated L. monocytogenes infection via suppressing LLO pore formation and inflammation response, which might represent a novel antimicrobial-independent strategy to curb listeriosis.

LAPped in Proof: LC3-Associated Phagocytosis and the Arms Race Against Bacterial Pathogens

Cells of the innate immune system continuously patrol the extracellular environment for potential microbial threats that are to be neutralized by phagocytosis and delivery to lysosomes. In addition, phagocytes employ autophagy as an innate immune mechanism against pathogens that succeed to escape the phagolysosomal pathway and invade the cytosol. In recent years, LC3-associated phagocytosis (LAP) has emerged as an intermediate between phagocytosis and autophagy. During LAP, phagocytes target extracellular microbes while using parts of the autophagic machinery to label the cargo-containing phagosomes for lysosomal degradation. LAP contributes greatly to host immunity against a multitude of bacterial pathogens. In the pursuit of survival, bacteria have developed elaborate strategies to disarm or circumvent the LAP process. In this review, we will outline the nature of the LAP mechanism and discuss recent insights into its interplay with bacterial pathogens.

Anti-infective activity of Cratylia argentea lectin (CFL) against experimental infection with virulent Listeria monocytogenes in Swiss mice

BACKGROUND

The lectin from Cratylia argentea (CFL) is able to modulate the immune system response and is thus a potential phytotherapeutic substance.

HYPOTHESIS/PURPOSE

In this study, we investigated the role of CFL on control of bacterial infection caused by Listeria monocytogenes, the causative agent of human listeriosis.

STUDY DESIGN

Swiss mice were infected with L. monocytogenes and then treated with CFL.

METHODS

Adult Swiss mice weighing with 30-40 g were infected intraperitoneally with a bacterial suspension (0.2 ml; 1 × 10⁷ CFU/ml). After 30 min, the mice were treated with CFL intravenously at concentrations of 0.1 or 10 mg/kg. Control mice received phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). The animals were euthanized 24 h after infection.

RESULTS

We observed that i.v. administration of CFL to Swiss mice did not cause acute toxicity, and reduced the leukocyte counts in the bloodstream 24 h after infection with virulent L. monocytogenes. There was a reduction in the bacterial burden within peritoneal macrophages after infection in CFL-treated mice. Accordingly, the bacterial counts in the bloodstream, spleen and liver also decreased in comparison with the PBS group. Histological damage in the spleen and liver was lower in mice that received CFL treatment. In vitro antimicrobial assays demonstrated that CFL does not inhibit the growth of L. monocytogenes. The mRNA expression of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 was enhanced with CFL treatment after infection.

CONCLUSION

The lectin from C. argentea (CFL) has immunomodulatory and anti-infective properties of pharmacological interest for control of infectious diseases.

Clostridial Neurotoxins: Structure, Function and Implications to Other Bacterial Toxins

Gram-positive bacteria are ancient organisms. Many bacteria, including Gram-positive bacteria, produce toxins to manipulate the host, leading to various diseases. While the targets of Gram-positive bacterial toxins are diverse, many of those toxins use a similar mechanism to invade host cells and exert their functions. Clostridial neurotoxins produced by Clostridial tetani and Clostridial botulinum provide a classical example to illustrate the structure-function relationship of bacterial toxins. Here, we critically review the recent progress of the structure-function relationship of clostridial neurotoxins, including the diversity of the clostridial neurotoxins, the mode of actions, and the flexible structures required for the activation of toxins. The mechanism clostridial neurotoxins use for triggering their activity is shared with many other Gram-positive bacterial toxins, especially molten globule-type structures. This review also summarizes the implications of the molten globule-type flexible structures to other Gram-positive bacterial toxins. Understanding these highly dynamic flexible structures in solution and their role in the function of bacterial toxins not only fills in the missing link of the high-resolution structures from X-ray crystallography but also provides vital information for better designing antidotes against those toxins.

Cytotoxic Activity of LLO Y406A Is Targeted to the Plasma Membrane of Cancer Urothelial Cells

Identification of novel agents for bladder cancer treatment is highly desirable due to the high incidence of tumor recurrence and the risk of progression to muscle-invasive disease. The key feature of the cholesterol-dependent toxin listeriolysin O mutant (LLO Y406A) is its preferential activity at pH 5.7, which could be exploited either directly for selective targeting of cancer cells or the release of accumulated therapeutics from acidic endosomes. Therefore, our goal was to compare the cytotoxic effect of LLO Y406A on cancer cells (RT4) and normal urothelial cells (NPU), and to identify which cell membranes are the primary target of LLO Y406A by viability assays, life-cell imaging, fluorescence, and electron microscopy. LLO Y406A decreased viability, altered cell morphology, provoked membrane blebbing, and induced apoptosis in RT4 cells, while it did not affect NPU cells. LLO Y406A did not cause endosomal escape in RT4 cells, while the plasma membrane of RT4 cells was revealed as the primary target of LLO Y406A. It has been concluded that LLO Y406A has the ability to selectively eliminate cancer urothelial cells through pore-forming activity at the plasma membrane, without cytotoxic effects on normal urothelial cells. This promising selective activity merits further testing as an anti-cancer agent.

Listeria monocytogenes upregulates mitochondrial calcium signalling to inhibit LC3-associated phagocytosis as a survival strategy

Mitochondria are believed to have originated ~2.5 billion years ago. As well as energy generation in cells, mitochondria have a role in defence against bacterial pathogens. Despite profound changes in mitochondrial morphology and functions following bacterial challenge, whether intracellular bacteria can hijack mitochondria to promote their survival remains elusive. We report that Listeria monocytogenes-an intracellular bacterial pathogen-suppresses LC3-associated phagocytosis (LAP) by modulation of mitochondrial Ca²⁺ (mtCa²⁺) signalling in order to survive inside cells. Invasion of macrophages by L. monocytogenes induced mtCa²⁺ uptake through the mtCa²⁺ uniporter (MCU), which in turn increased acetyl-coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) production by pyruvate dehydrogenase. Acetylation of the LAP effector Rubicon with acetyl-CoA decreased LAP formation. Genetic ablation of MCU attenuated intracellular bacterial growth due to increased LAP formation. Our data show that modulation of mtCa²⁺ signalling can increase bacterial survival inside cells, and highlight the importance of mitochondrial metabolism in host-microbial interactions.

A listeriolysin O subunit vaccine is protective against Listeria monocytogenes

Listeria monocytogenes is a facultative intracellular pathogen responsible for the life-threatening disease listeriosis. The pore-forming toxin listeriolysin O (LLO) is a critical virulence factor that plays a major role in the L. monocytogenes intracellular lifecycle and is indispensable for pathogenesis. LLO is also a dominant antigen for T cells involved in sterilizing immunity and it was proposed that LLO acts as a T cell adjuvant. In this work, we generated a novel full-length LLO toxoid (LLO^T) in which the cholesterol-recognition motif, a threonine-leucine pair located at the tip of the LLO C-terminal domain, was substituted with two glycine residues. We showed that LLO^T lost its ability to bind cholesterol and to form pores. Importantly, LLO^T retained binding to the surface of epithelial cells and macrophages, suggesting that it could efficiently be captured by antigen-presenting cells. We then determined if LLO^T can be used as an antigen and adjuvant to protect mice from L. monocytogenes infection. Mice were immunized with LLO^T alone or together with cholera toxin or Alum as adjuvants. We found that mice immunized with LLO^T alone or in combination with the Th2-inducing adjuvant Alum were not protected against L. monocytogenes. On the other hand, mice immunized with LLO^T along with the experimental adjuvant cholera toxin, were protected against L. monocytogenes, as evidenced by a significant decrease in bacterial burden in the liver and spleen three days post-infection. This immunization regimen elicited mixed Th1, Th2, and Th17 responses, as well as the generation of LLO-neutralizing antibodies. Further, we identified T cells as being required for immunization-induced reductions in bacterial burden, whereas B cells were dispensable in our model of non-pregnant young mice. Overall, this work establishes that LLO^T is a promising vaccine antigen for the induction of protective immunity against L. monocytogenes by subunit vaccines containing Th1-driving adjuvants.

Listeriolysin O Pore-Forming Activity Is Required for ERK1/2 Phosphorylation During Listeria monocytogenes Infection

Listeriolysin O (LLO) is a cholesterol-dependent cytolysin that mediates escape of L. monocytogenes from phagosomes and enables the bacteria to grow within the host. LLO is a versatile tool allowing Listeria to trigger several cellular responses. In this study, rapid phosphorylation of ERK1/2 on Caco-2 cells caused by Listeria infection was demonstrated to be highly dependent on LLO activity. The effect could be strongly induced by adding purified recombinant LLO alone and could be inhibited by exogenous cholesterol. Lack of the PEST sequence, known to tightly control cytotoxicity of LLO, did not affect ERK1/2 activation. However, the recombinant non-cytolytic LLO_T515AL516A, with mutations in the cholesterol-binding motif, was unable to trigger this response. Recombinant LLO_N478AV479A, which lacks most of the cytolytic activity, also failed to activate ERK1/2 phosphorylation, and this effect could be rescued when the protein concentration reached a cytolytic level. Infection with an LLO-deficient mutant (Δhly) or the mutant complementing LLO_T515AL516A abrogated the capacity of the bacteria to activate ERK1/2. However, infection with the Δhly mutant complementing LLO_N478AV479A, which retained partial pore-forming ability and could grow intracellularly, was capable of triggering ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Collectively, these data suggest that ERK1/2 activation by L. monocytogenes depends on the permeabilization activity of LLO and more importantly correlates with the cholesterol-binding motif of LLO.

The Beneficial Effect of Eco-Friendly Green Nanoparticles Using Garcinia mangostana Peel Extract against Pathogenicity of Listeria monocytogenes in Female BALB/c Mice

Listeria monocytogenes is a psychrophilic bacterium, which causes widespread zoonosis in the natural environment, and mainly affects goat, sheep, and cattle herds. Recently, we predicted that it can be transmitted through food. It causes listeriosis, a severe infectious disease, which occurs with food contaminated with the pathogenic bacterium. Anti-inflammatory factors are important to treat the dangers of chronic inflammation associated with chronic diseases. Natural foodstuffs have made and are continuing to make vital contributions to the search for new antilisterial agents. The use of natural products in association with silver nanoparticles has drawn attention because of its easy, nonpathogenic, eco-friendly, and economical protocol. Hence, we aimed to biosynthesize silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) using Garcinia mangostana peel extract, which was found to be a good source for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles, their formation being confirmed by color change and stability in solution, and investigated the antilisterial activity of these nanoparticles in a murine model of L. monocytogenes infection. A total of 28 mice were divided into four groups-healthy control, infected, infected mice treated with green Ag-NPs biosynthesized with G. mangostana (5 mg/mL), and infected mice pretreated with Ag-NPs. From our results, oral treatment with Ag-NPs biosynthesized with G. mangostana peel extract resulted in a significant reduction in malondialdehyde (MDA), enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities, and increased the levels of the antiapoptotic protein, compared with the untreated mice. These results indicate that G. mangostana may provide therapeutic value against L. monocytogenes-induced oxidative stress and histopathological alterations, and that these effects may be related to antiapoptotic and antioxidant activities.

Functional analysis of membrane vesicles of Listeria monocytogenes suggests a possible role in virulence and physiological stress response

Membrane vesicles (MVs) are naturally secreted by many pathogenic organisms and have various functions that include the release of microbial virulence factors that contributes to pathogenesis. However, very little is known regarding the function of Gram-positive bacteria membrane vesicles. Here, we investigated the functional role of membrane vesicles of Listeria monocytogenes. We found that L. monocytogenes secreted MVs are spherical and diameter size around 192.3 nm. Here, we investigated the role of L. monocytogenes membrane vesicles in interbacterial communication to cope with antibiotic stress. We found that MVs are protecting the bacteria against the antibiotics trimethoprim and streptomycin. These MVs enabled streptomycin-susceptible L. monocytogenes 1143 to survive in the presence of streptomycin. The zeta potential, dynamic light scattering (DLS) and 1-Nphenylnapthylamine (NPN)-uptake assay reveals that MVs protect the bacterium from active antibiotics by different strategies. Exposure to environmental stressors was shown to increase the level of MV production in L. monocytogenes. The biological activity of MV-associated listeriolysin O, internalin B, and phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC) was investigated using epithelial cell cytotoxicity. The reduced cytotoxicity was observed in Δhly MVs on Caco-2 cells suggesting that MVs are biologically active. It is shown that a potent toxin LLO contributes to the MV mediated pathogenesis of L. monocytogenes.

Critical Role of Lipid Scramblase TMEM16F in Phosphatidylserine Exposure and Repair of Plasma Membrane after Pore Formation

Plasma membrane damage and cell death during processes such as necroptosis and apoptosis result from cues originating intracellularly. However, death caused by pore-forming agents, like bacterial toxins or complement, is due to direct external injury to the plasma membrane. To prevent death, the plasma membrane has an intrinsic repair ability. Here, we found that repair triggered by pore-forming agents involved TMEM16F, a calcium-activated lipid scramblase also mutated in Scott's syndrome. Upon pore formation and the subsequent influx of intracellular calcium, TMEM16F induced rapid "lipid scrambling" in the plasma membrane. This response was accompanied by membrane blebbing, extracellular vesicle release, preserved membrane integrity, and increased cell viability. TMEM16F-deficient mice exhibited compromised control of infection by Listeria monocytogenes associated with a greater sensitivity of neutrophils to the pore-forming Listeria toxin listeriolysin O (LLO). Thus, the lipid scramblase TMEM16F is critical for plasma membrane repair after injury by pore-forming agents.

Experimental Listeria-Tetrahymena-Amoeba food chain functioning depends on bacterial virulence traits

Background

Some pathogenic bacteria have been developing as a part of terrestrial and aquatic microbial ecosystems. Bacteria are consumed by bacteriovorous protists which are readily consumed by larger organisms. Being natural predators, protozoa are also an instrument for selection of virulence traits in bacteria. Moreover, protozoa serve as a “Trojan horse” that deliver pathogens to the human body. Here, we suggested that carnivorous amoebas feeding on smaller bacteriovorous protists might serve as “Troy” themselves when pathogens are delivered to them with their preys. A dual role might be suggested for protozoa in the development of traits required for bacterial passage along the food chain.

Results

A model food chain was developed. Pathogenic bacteria L. monocytogenes or related saprophytic bacteria L. innocua constituted the base of the food chain, bacteriovorous ciliate Tetrahymena pyriformis was an intermediate consumer, and carnivorous amoeba Amoeba proteus was a consumer of the highest order. The population of A. proteus demonstrated variations in behaviour depending on whether saprophytic or virulent Listeria was used to feed the intermediate consumer, T. pyriformis. Feeding of A. proteus with T. pyriformis that grazed on saprophytic bacteria caused prevalence of pseudopodia-possessing hungry amoebas. Statistically significant prevalence of amoebas with spherical morphology typical for fed amoebas was observed when pathogenic L. monocytogenes were included in the food chain. Moreover, consumption of tetrahymenas fed with saprophytic L. innocua improved growth of A. proteus population while L. monocytogenes-filled tetrahymenas provided negative effect. Both pathogenic and saprophytic bacteria were delivered to A. proteus alive but only L. monocytogenes multiplied within amoebas. Observed differences in A. proteus population behaviour suggested that virulent L. monocytogenes might slow down restoration of A. proteus ability to hunt again and thus restrict the size of A. proteus population. Comparison of isogenic bacterial pairs that did or did not produce the haemolysin listeriolysin O (LLO) suggested a role for LLO in passing L. monocytogenes along the food chain.

Conclusions

Our results support the idea of protozoa as a means of pathogen delivery to consumers of a higher order and demonstrated a dual role of protozoa as both a “Trojan horse” and “Troy.”

Inhibitory Effect of Thymoquinone on Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 19115 Biofilm Formation and Virulence Attributes Critical for Human Infection

This study aimed to determine the antimicrobial activity of thymoquinone (TQ) against Listeria monocytogenes, and to examine its inhibitory effects on biofilm formation, motility, hemolysin production, and attachment-invasion of host cells. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of TQ against eight different L. monocytogenes strains ranged from 6.25-12.50 μg/mL. Crystal violet staining showed that TQ clearly reduced biofilm biomass at sub-MICs in a dose-dependent manner. Scanning electron microscopy suggested that TQ inhibited biofilm formation on glass slides and induced an apparent collapse of biofilm architecture. At sub-MICs, TQ effectively inhibited the motility of L. monocytogenes ATCC 19115, and significantly impacted adhesion to and invasion of human colon adenocarcinoma cells as well as the secretion of listeriolysin O. Supporting these findings, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that TQ down-regulated the transcription of genes associated with motility, biofilm formation, hemolysin secretion, and attachment-invasion in host cells. Overall, these findings confirm that TQ has the potential to be used to combat L. monocytogenes infection.

Luteolin Inhibits Listeriolysin O Translation by Directly Targeting the Coding Region of the hly mRNA

Listeriolysin O (LLO) is necessary for bacterial escape from the phagosome into the cytoplasm, which suggests that targeting LLO may be an alternative strategy to combat Listeria monocytogenes-mediated infection. Here, luteolin, a natural compound without anti-bacterial activity, as indentified as effective inhibitor of LLO by translationally inhibiting the production of LLO. Additionally, luteolin-treated L. monocytogenes displayed reductions in cytoplasmic growth, cytotoxicity and phagosome escape within macrophages. Molecular modeling and mutational analysis revealed a direct interaction between luteolin and the 5′ coding region (A818, U819, G820, and U830 located in nt 814–849) of the mRNA of hly, the gene encoding LLO, which interfered with its translation. Together, our data demonstrate that luteolin may be used as a novel therapeutic and lead compound for treating L. monocytogenes infection.

Comprehensive proteomic analysis and pathogenic role of membrane vesicles of Listeria monocytogenes serotype 4b reveals proteins associated with virulence and their possible interaction with host

Membrane vesicles (MVs) are produced by various Gram positive and Gram negative pathogenic bacteria and play an important role in virulence. In this study, the membrane vesicles (MVs) of L. monocytogenes were isolated from the culture supernatant. High-resolution electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering analysis revealed that L. monocytogenes MVs are spherical with a diameter of 200 to 300 nm in size. Further, comprehensive proteomic analyses of MVs and whole cells of L. monocytogenes were performed using LC/MS/MS. A total of 1355 and 312 proteins were identified in the L. monocytogenes cells and MVs, respectively. We identified that 296 proteins are found in both whole cells, and MV proteome and 16 proteins were identified only in the MVs. Also, we have identified the virulence factors such as listeriolysin O (LLO), internalin B (InlB), autolysin, p60, NLP/P60 family protein, UPF0356 protein, and PLC-A in MVs. Computational prediction of host-MV interactions revealed a total of 1841 possible interactions with the host involving 99 MV proteins and 1513 host proteins. We elucidated the possible pathway that mediates internalization of L. monocytogenes MV to host cells and the subsequent pathogenesis mechanisms. The in vitro infection assays showed that the purified MVs could induce cytotoxicity in Caco-2 cells. Using endocytosis inhibitors, we demonstrated that MVs are internalized via actin-mediated endocytosis. These results suggest that L. monocytogenes MVs can interact with host cell and contribute to the pathogenesis of L. monocytogenes during infection.

Listeriolysin O: A phagosome-specific cytolysin revisited

Listeriolysin O (LLO) is an essential determinant of Listeria monocytogenes pathogenesis that mediates the escape of L. monocytogenes from host cell vacuoles, thereby allowing replication in the cytosol without causing appreciable cell death. As a member of the cholesterol-dependent cytolysin (CDC) family of pore-forming toxins, LLO is unique in that it is secreted by a facultative intracellular pathogen, whereas all other CDCs are produced by pathogens that are largely extracellular. Replacement of LLO with other CDCs results in strains that are extremely cytotoxic and 10,000-fold less virulent in mice. LLO has structural and regulatory features that allow it to function intracellularly without causing cell death, most of which map to a unique N-terminal region of LLO referred to as the proline, glutamic acid, serine, threonine (PEST)-like sequence. Yet, while LLO has unique properties required for its intracellular site of action, extracellular LLO, like other CDCs, affects cells in a myriad of ways. Because all CDCs form pores in cholesterol-containing membranes that lead to rapid Ca²⁺ influx and K⁺ efflux, they consequently trigger a wide range of host cell responses, including mitogen-activated protein kinase activation, histone modification, and caspase-1 activation. There is no debate that extracellular LLO, like all other CDCs, can stimulate multiple cellular activities, but the primary question we wish to address in this perspective is whether these activities contribute to L. monocytogenes pathogenesis.

High-throughput Measurement of Plasma Membrane Resealing Efficiency in Mammalian Cells

In their physiological environment, mammalian cells are often subjected to mechanical and biochemical stresses that result in plasma membrane damage. In response to these damages, complex molecular machineries rapidly reseal the plasma membrane to restore its barrier function and maintain cell survival. Despite 60 years of research in this field, we still lack a thorough understanding of the cell resealing machinery. With the goal of identifying cellular components that control plasma membrane resealing or drugs that can improve resealing, we have developed a fluorescence-based high-throughput assay that measures the plasma membrane resealing efficiency in mammalian cells cultured in microplates. As a model system for plasma membrane damage, cells are exposed to the bacterial pore-forming toxin listeriolysin O (LLO), which forms large 30-50 nm diameter proteinaceous pores in cholesterol-containing membranes. The use of a temperature-controlled multi-mode microplate reader allows for rapid and sensitive spectrofluorometric measurements in combination with brightfield and fluorescence microscopy imaging of living cells. Kinetic analysis of the fluorescence intensity emitted by a membrane impermeant nucleic acid-binding fluorochrome reflects the extent of membrane wounding and resealing at the cell population level, allowing for the calculation of the cell resealing efficiency. Fluorescence microscopy imaging allows for the enumeration of cells, which constitutively express a fluorescent chimera of the nuclear protein histone 2B, in each well of the microplate to account for potential variations in their number and allows for eventual identification of distinct cell populations. This high-throughput assay is a powerful tool expected to expand our understanding of membrane repair mechanisms via screening for host genes or exogenously added compounds that control plasma membrane resealing.

Missing elimination via membrane vesicle shedding contributes to the diminished calcium sensitivity of listeriolysin O

The lytic capacity of cholesterol-dependent cytolysins is enhanced in the extracellular calcium-free environment through a combination of limited membrane repair and diminished membrane toxin removal. For a typical neurotoxin of the group, pneumolysin, this effect has already been observed at reduced (1 mM) calcium conditions, which are pathophysiologically relevant. Here, we tested another neurotoxin of the group, listeriolysin O from L. monocytogenes, active in the primary vacuole after bacterium phagocytosis in host cells. Reduced calcium did not increase the lytic capacity of listeriolysin (in contrast to pneumolysin), while calcium-free conditions elevated it 2.5 times compared to 10 times for pneumolysin (at equivalent hemolytic capacities). To clarify these differences, we analyzed membrane vesicle shedding, known to be a calcium-dependent process for toxin removal from eukaryotic cell membranes. Both pneumolysin and listeriolysin initiated vesicle shedding, which was completely blocked by the lack of extracellular calcium. Lack of calcium, however, elevated the toxin load per a cell only for pneumolysin and not for listeriolysin. This result indicates that vesicle shedding does not play a role in the membrane removal of listeriolysin and outlines a major difference between it and other members of the CDC group. Furthermore, it provides new tools for studying membrane vesicle shedding.

Pathways of host cell exit by intracellular pathogens

Host cell exit is a critical step in the life-cycle of intracellular pathogens, intimately linked to barrier penetration, tissue dissemination, inflammation, and pathogen transmission. Like cell invasion and intracellular survival, host cell exit represents a well-regulated program that has evolved during host-pathogen co-evolution and that relies on the dynamic and intricate interplay between multiple host and microbial factors. Three distinct pathways of host cell exit have been identified that are employed by three different taxa of intracellular pathogens, bacteria, fungi and protozoa, namely (i) the initiation of programmed cell death, (ii) the active breaching of host cellderived membranes, and (iii) the induced membrane-dependent exit without host cell lysis. Strikingly, an increasing number of studies show that the majority of intracellular pathogens utilize more than one of these strategies, dependent on life-cycle stage, environmental factors and/or host cell type. This review summarizes the diverse exit strategies of intracellular-living bacterial, fungal and protozoan pathogens and discusses the convergently evolved commonalities as well as system-specific variations thereof. Key microbial molecules involved in host cell exit are highlighted and discussed as potential targets for future interventional approaches.

Relative Roles of Listeriolysin O, InlA, and InlB in Listeria monocytogenes Uptake by Host Cells

Listeria monocytogenes is a facultative intracellular pathogen that infects a wide variety of cells, causing the life-threatening disease listeriosis. L. monocytogenes virulence factors include two surface invasins, InlA and InlB, known to promote bacterial uptake by host cells, and the secreted pore-forming toxin listeriolysin O (LLO), which disrupts the phagosome to allow bacterial proliferation in the cytosol.

Listeria monocytogenes is a facultative intracellular pathogen that infects a wide variety of cells, causing the life-threatening disease listeriosis. L. monocytogenes virulence factors include two surface invasins, InlA and InlB, known to promote bacterial uptake by host cells, and the secreted pore-forming toxin listeriolysin O (LLO), which disrupts the phagosome to allow bacterial proliferation in the cytosol. In addition, plasma membrane perforation by LLO has been shown to facilitate L. monocytogenes internalization into epithelial cells. In this work, we tested the host cell range and importance of LLO-mediated L. monocytogenes internalization relative to the canonical invasins, InlA and InlB. We measured the efficiencies of L. monocytogenes association with and internalization into several human cell types (hepatocytes, cytotrophoblasts, and endothelial cells) using wild-type bacteria and isogenic single, double, and triple deletion mutants for the genes encoding InlA, InlB and LLO. No role for InlB was detected in any tested cells unless the InlB expression level was substantially enhanced, which was achieved by introducing a mutation (prfA*) in the gene encoding the transcription factor PrfA. In contrast, InlA and LLO were the most critical invasion factors, although they act in a different manner and in a cell-type-dependent fashion. As expected, InlA facilitates both bacterial attachment and internalization in cells that express its receptor, E-cadherin. LLO promotes L. monocytogenes internalization into hepatocytes, but not into cytotrophoblasts and endothelial cells. Finally, LLO and InlA cooperate to increase the efficiency of host cell invasion by L. monocytogenes.

Campylobacteriosis, Salmonellosis, Yersiniosis, and Listeriosis as Zoonotic Foodborne Diseases: A Review

Zoonoses are diseases transmitted from animals to humans, posing a great threat to the health and life of people all over the world. According to WHO estimations, 600 million cases of diseases caused by contaminated food were noted in 2010, including almost 350 million caused by pathogenic bacteria. Campylobacter, Salmonella, as well as Yersinia enterocolitica and Listeria monocytogenes may dwell in livestock (poultry, cattle, and swine) but are also found in wild animals, pets, fish, and rodents. Animals, often being asymptomatic carriers of pathogens, excrete them with faeces, thus delivering them to the environment. Therefore, pathogens may invade new individuals, as well as reside on vegetables and fruits. Pathogenic bacteria also penetrate food production areas and may remain there in the form of a biofilm covering the surfaces of machines and equipment. A common occurrence of microbes in food products, as well as their improper or careless processing, leads to common poisonings. Symptoms of foodborne infections may be mild, sometimes flu-like, but they also may be accompanied by severe complications, some even fatal. The aim of the paper is to summarize and provide information on campylobacteriosis, salmonellosis, yersiniosis, and listeriosis and the aetiological factors of those diseases, along with the general characteristics of pathogens, virulence factors, and reservoirs.

Host-bacteria interaction and adhesin study for development of therapeutics

Host-pathogen interaction is one of the most important areas of study to understand the adhesion of the pathogen to the host organisms. To adhere on the host cell surface, bacteria assemble the diverse adhesive structures on its surface, which play a foremost role in targeting to the host cell. We have highlighted different bacterial adhesins which are either protein mediated or glycan mediated. The present article listed examples of different bacterial adhesin proteins involved in the interactions with their host, types and subtypes of the fimbriae and non-fimbriae bacterial adhesins. Different bacterial surface adhesin subunits interact with host via different host surface biomolecules. We have also discussed the interactome of some of the pathogens with their host. Therefore, the present study will help researchers to have a detailed understanding of different interacting bacterial adhesins and henceforth, develop new therapies, adhesin specific antibodies and vaccines, which can effectively control pathogenicity of the pathogens.

Listeria monocytogenes: The Impact of Cell Death on Infection and Immunity

Listeria monocytogenes has evolved exquisite mechanisms for invading host cells and spreading from cell-to-cell to ensure maintenance of its intracellular lifecycle. As such, it is not surprising that loss of the intracellular replication niche through induction of host cell death has significant implications on the development of disease and the subsequent immune response. Although L. monocytogenes can activate multiple pathways of host cell death, including necrosis, apoptosis, and pyroptosis, like most intracellular pathogens L. monocytogenes has evolved a series of adaptations that minimize host cell death to promote its virulence. Understanding how L. monocytogenes modulates cell death during infection could lead to novel therapeutic approaches. In addition, as L. monocytogenes is currently being developed as a tumor immunotherapy platform, understanding how cell death pathways influence the priming and quality of cell-mediated immunity is critical. This review will focus on the mechanisms by which L. monocytogenes modulates cell death, as well as the implications of cell death on acute infection and the generation of adaptive immunity.

Macrophage-Microbe Interactions: Lessons from the Zebrafish Model

Macrophages provide front line defense against infections. The study of macrophage-microbe interplay is thus crucial for understanding pathogenesis and infection control. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae provide a unique platform to study macrophage-microbe interactions in vivo, from the level of the single cell to the whole organism. Studies using zebrafish allow non-invasive, real-time visualization of macrophage recruitment and phagocytosis. Furthermore, the chemical and genetic tractability of zebrafish has been central to decipher the complex role of macrophages during infection. Here, we discuss the latest developments using zebrafish models of bacterial and fungal infection. We also review novel aspects of macrophage biology revealed by zebrafish, which can potentiate development of new therapeutic strategies for humans.

Listeria monocytogenes switches from dissemination to persistence by adopting a vacuolar lifestyle in epithelial cells

Listeria monocytogenes causes listeriosis, a foodborne disease that poses serious risks to fetuses, newborns and immunocompromised adults. This intracellular bacterial pathogen proliferates in the host cytosol and exploits the host actin polymerization machinery to spread from cell-to-cell and disseminate in the host. Here, we report that during several days of infection in human hepatocytes or trophoblast cells, L. monocytogenes switches from this active motile lifestyle to a stage of persistence in vacuoles. Upon intercellular spread, bacteria gradually stopped producing the actin-nucleating protein ActA and became trapped in lysosome-like vacuoles termed Listeria-Containing Vacuoles (LisCVs). Subpopulations of bacteria resisted degradation in LisCVs and entered a slow/non-replicative state. During the subculture of host cells harboring LisCVs, bacteria showed a capacity to cycle between the vacuolar and the actin-based motility stages. When ActA was absent, such as in ΔactA mutants, vacuolar bacteria parasitized host cells in the so-called “viable but non-culturable” state (VBNC), preventing their detection by conventional colony counting methods. The exposure of infected cells to high doses of gentamicin did not trigger the formation of LisCVs, but selected for vacuolar and VBNC bacteria. Together, these results reveal the ability of L. monocytogenes to enter a persistent state in a subset of epithelial cells, which may favor the asymptomatic carriage of this pathogen, lengthen the incubation period of listeriosis, and promote bacterial survival during antibiotic therapy.

L. monocytogenes is a model intracellular pathogen that replicates in the cytoplasm of mammalian cells and disseminate in the host using actin-based motility. Here, we reveal that L. monocytogenes changes its lifestyle and persists in lysosomal vacuoles during long-term infection of human hepatocytes and trophoblast cells. When the virulence factor ActA is not expressed, subpopulations of vacuolar bacteria enter a dormant viable but non-culturable (VBNC) state. This novel facet of the L. monocytogenes intracellular life could contribute to the asymptomatic carriage of this pathogen in epithelial tissues and render it tolerant to antibiotic therapy and undetectable by routine culture techniques.

Host cell perforation by listeriolysin O (LLO) activates a Ca2+-dependent cPKC/Rac1/Arp2/3 signaling pathway that promotes Listeria monocytogenes internalization independently of membrane resealing

Host cell invasion is an indispensable step for a successful infection by intracellular pathogens. Recent studies identified pathogen-induced host cell plasma membrane perforation as a novel mechanism used by diverse pathogens (Trypanosoma cruzi, Listeria monocytogenes, and adenovirus) to promote their internalization into target cells. It was concluded that T. cruzi and adenovirus damage the host cell plasma membrane to hijack the endocytic-dependent membrane resealing machinery, thereby invading the host cell. We studied L. monocytogenes and its secreted pore-forming toxin listeriolysin O (LLO) to identify key signaling events activated upon plasma membrane perforation that lead to bacterial internalization. Using various approaches, including fluorescence resonance energy transfer imaging, we found that the influx of extracellular Ca²⁺ subsequent to LLO-mediated plasma membrane perforation is required for the activation of a conventional protein kinase C (cPKC). cPKC is positioned upstream of Rac1 and the Arp2/3 complex, which activation leads to F-actin--dependent bacterial internalization. Inhibition of this pathway did not prevent membrane resealing, revealing that perforation-dependent L. monocytogenes endocytosis is distinct from the resealing machinery. These studies identified the LLO-dependent endocytic pathway of L. monocytogenes and support a novel model for pathogen uptake promoted by plasma membrane injury that is independent of membrane resealing.

Listeria monocytogenes and Shigella flexneri Activate the NLRP1B Inflammasome

Activation of the innate immune receptor NLRP1B leads to the formation of an inflammasome, which induces autoproteolytic processing of pro-caspase-1, and ultimately to the release of inflammatory cytokines and to the execution of pyroptosis. One of the signals to which NLRP1B responds is metabolic stress that occurs in cells deprived of glucose or treated with metabolic inhibitors. NLRP1B might therefore sense microbial infection, as intracellular pathogens such as Listeria monocytogenes and Shigella flexneri cause metabolic stress as a result of nutrient scavenging and host cell damage. Here we addressed whether these pathogens activate the NLRP1B inflammasome. We found that Listeria infection activated the NLRP1B inflammasome in a reconstituted fibroblast model. Activation of NLRP1B by Listeria was diminished in an NLRP1B mutant shown previously to be defective at detecting energy stress and was dependent on the expression of listeriolysin O (LLO), a protein required for vacuolar escape. Infections of either Listeria or Shigella activated NLRP1B in the RAW264.7 murine macrophage line, which expresses endogenous NLRP1B. We conclude that NLRP1B senses cellular infection by distinct invasive pathogens.

Targeting and inactivation of bacterial toxins by human defensins

Defensins, as a prominent family of antimicrobial peptides (AMP), are major effectors of the innate immunity with a broad range of immune modulatory and antimicrobial activities. In particular, defensins are the only recognized fast-response molecules that can neutralize a broad range of bacterial toxins, many of which are among the deadliest compounds on the planet. For a decade, the mystery of how a small and structurally conserved group of peptides can neutralize a heterogeneous group of toxins with little to no sequential and structural similarity remained unresolved. Recently, it was found that defensins recognize and target structural plasticity/thermodynamic instability, fundamental physicochemical properties that unite many bacterial toxins and distinguish them from the majority of host proteins. Binding of human defensins promotes local unfolding of the affected toxins, destabilizes their secondary and tertiary structures, increases susceptibility to proteolysis, and leads to their precipitation. While the details of toxin destabilization by defensins remain obscure, here we briefly review properties and activities of bacterial toxins known to be affected by or resilient to defensins, and discuss how recognized features of defensins correlate with the observed inactivation.

Bacterial toxins: Offensive, defensive, or something else altogether?

The secretion of proteins that damage host tissue is well established as integral to the infectious processes of many bacterial pathogens. However, recent advances in our understanding of the activity of toxins suggest that the attributes we have assigned to them from early in vitro experimentation have misled us into thinking of them as merely destructive tools. Here, we will discuss the multifarious ways in which toxins contribute to the lifestyle of bacteria and, by considering their activity from an evolutionary perspective, demonstrate how this extends far beyond their ability to destroy host tissue.

Degradation of nuclear Ubc9 induced by listeriolysin O is dependent on K+ efflux

Listeriolysin O (LLO) is a pore-forming toxin produced by L. monocytogenes, and is belonged to a protein family of cholesterol-dependent cytolysins (CDCs). Previous studies have demonstrated that LLO triggers Ubc9 degradation and disrupts host SUMOylation to facilitate bacterial infection. However, the underlying mechanism of Ubc9 degradation is unclear. Here we show that LLO-induced down-regulation of Ubc9 is independent of Ubc9-SUMO interaction, however, it may involve phosphorylation signaling. Additionally, LLO exerts its effects primarily on nuclear Ubc9 and this process is mediated by K⁺ efflux. Interestingly, for intracellular CDCs such as pneumolysin and suilysin, blockage of K⁺ efflux enhances degradation of nuclear Ubc9, suggesting that extracellular and intracellular pathogens may exploit different mechanisms to modulate host SUMOylation system. Furthermore, up-regulation of SUMOylation by stable expression of SUMO-1 or SUMO-2 shows a delay in membrane perforation by LLO, indicating that SUMO modification of host proteins may act at the frontline for the defense response against LLO. Taken together, our study provides insights to the understanding of host-pathogen interactions.

High-Throughput Microplate-Based Assay to Monitor Plasma Membrane Wounding and Repair

The plasma membrane of mammalian cells is susceptible to disruption by mechanical and biochemical damages that frequently occur within tissues. Therefore, efficient and rapid repair of the plasma membrane is essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis and survival. Excessive damage of the plasma membrane and defects in its repair are associated with pathological conditions such as infections, muscular dystrophy, heart failure, diabetes, and lung and neurodegenerative diseases. The molecular events that remodel the plasma membrane during its repair remain poorly understood. In the present work, we report the development of a quantitative high-throughput assay that monitors the efficiency of the plasma membrane repair in real time using a sensitive microplate reader. In this assay, the plasma membrane of living cells is perforated by the bacterial pore-forming toxin listeriolysin O and the integrity and recovery of the membrane are monitored at 37°C by measuring the fluorescence intensity of the membrane impermeant dye propidium iodide. We demonstrate that listeriolysin O causes dose-dependent plasma membrane wounding and activation of the cell repair machinery. This assay was successfully applied to cell types from different origins including epithelial and muscle cells. In conclusion, this high-throughput assay provides a novel opportunity for the discovery of membrane repair effectors and the development of new therapeutic compounds that could target membrane repair in various pathological processes, from degenerative to infectious diseases.

A Novel Role of Listeria monocytogenes Membrane Vesicles in Inhibition of Autophagy and Cell Death

Bacterial membrane vesicle (MV) production has been mainly studied in Gram-negative species. In this study, we show that Listeria monocytogenes, a Gram-positive pathogen that causes the food-borne illness listeriosis, produces MVs both in vitro and in vivo. We found that a major virulence factor, the pore-forming hemolysin listeriolysin O (LLO), is tightly associated with the MVs, where it resides in an oxidized, inactive state. Previous studies have shown that LLO may induce cell death and autophagy. To monitor possible effects of LLO and MVs on autophagy, we performed assays for LC3 lipidation and LDH sequestration as well as analysis by confocal microscopy of HEK293 cells expressing GFP-LC3. The results revealed that MVs alone did not affect autophagy whereas they effectively abrogated autophagy induced by pure LLO or by another pore-forming toxin from Vibrio cholerae, VCC. Moreover, Listeria monocytogenes MVs significantly decreased Torin1-stimulated macroautophagy. In addition, MVs protected against necrosis of HEK293 cells caused by the lytic action of LLO. We explored the mechanisms of LLO-induced autophagy and cell death and demonstrated that the protective effect of MVs involves an inhibition of LLO-induced pore formation resulting in inhibition of autophagy and the lytic action on eukaryotic cells. Further, we determined that these MVs help bacteria to survive inside eukaryotic cells (mouse embryonic fibroblasts). Taken together, these findings suggest that intracellular release of MVs from L. monocytogenes may represent a bacterial strategy to survive inside host cells, by its control of LLO activity and by avoidance of destruction from the autophagy system during infection.

Engineering a pH responsive pore forming protein

Listeriolysin O (LLO) is a cytolysin capable of forming pores in cholesterol-rich lipid membranes of host cells. It is conveniently suited for engineering a pH-governed responsiveness, due to a pH sensor identified in its structure that was shown before to affect its stability. Here we introduced a new level of control of its hemolytic activity by making a variant with hemolytic activity that was pH-dependent. Based on detailed structural analysis coupled with molecular dynamics and mutational analysis, we found that the bulky side chain of Tyr406 allosterically affects the pH sensor. Molecular dynamics simulation further suggested which other amino acid residues may also allosterically influence the pH-sensor. LLO was engineered to the point where it can, in a pH-regulated manner, perforate artificial and cellular membranes. The single mutant Tyr406Ala bound to membranes and oligomerized similarly to the wild-type LLO, however, the final membrane insertion step was pH-affected by the introduced mutation. We show that the mutant toxin can be activated at the surface of artificial membranes or living cells by a single wash with slightly acidic pH buffer. Y406A mutant has a high potential in development of novel nanobiotechnological applications such as controlled release of substances or as a sensor of environmental pH.

Distinct Neurotoxicity Profile of Listeriolysin O from Listeria monocytogenes

Cholesterol-dependent cytolysins (CDCs) are protein toxins that originate from Gram-positive bacteria and contribute substantially to their pathogenicity. CDCs bind membrane cholesterol and build prepores and lytic pores. Some effects of the toxins are observed in non-lytic concentrations. Two pathogens, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Listeria monocytogenes, cause fatal bacterial meningitis, and both produce toxins of the CDC family-pneumolysin and listeriolysin O, respectively. It has been demonstrated that pneumolysin produces dendritic varicosities (dendrite swellings) and dendritic spine collapse in the mouse neocortex, followed by synaptic loss and astrocyte cell shape remodeling without elevated cell death. We utilized primary glial cultures and acute mouse brain slices to examine the neuropathological effects of listeriolysin O and to compare it to pneumolysin with identical hemolytic activity. In cultures, listeriolysin O permeabilized cells slower than pneumolysin did but still initiated non-lytic astrocytic cell shape changes, just as pneumolysin did. In an acute brain slice culture system, listeriolysin O produced dendritic varicosities in an NMDA-dependent manner but failed to cause dendritic spine collapse and cortical astrocyte reorganization. Thus, listeriolysin O demonstrated slower cell permeabilization and milder glial cell remodeling ability than did pneumolysin and lacked dendritic spine collapse capacity but exhibited equivalent dendritic pathology.

Interferon Control of the Sterol Metabolic Network: Bidirectional Molecular Circuitry-Mediating Host Protection

The sterol metabolic network is emerging center stage in inflammation and immunity. Historically, observational clinical studies show that hypocholesterolemia is a common side effect of interferon (IFN) treatment. More recently, comprehensive systems-wide investigations of the macrophage IFN response reveal a direct molecular link between cholesterol metabolism and infection. Upon infection, flux through the sterol metabolic network is acutely moderated by the IFN response at multiple regulatory levels. The precise mechanisms by which IFN regulates the mevalonate-sterol pathway—the spine of the network—are beginning to be unraveled. In this review, we discuss our current understanding of the multifactorial mechanisms by which IFN regulates the sterol pathway. We also consider bidirectional communications resulting in sterol metabolism regulation of immunity. Finally, we deliberate on how this fundamental interaction functions as an integral element of host protective responses to infection and harmful inflammation.

Inhibition of listeriolysin O oligomerization by lutein prevents Listeria monocytogenes infection

The foodborne pathogenic bacterial species Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) has caused incalculable damages to public health, and its successful infection requires various virulence factors, including Listeriolysin O (LLO). By forming pores in phagosomal membranes and even in some organelles, LLO plays an indispensable role in the ability of L. monocytogenes to escape from host immune attacks. Because of its critical role, LLO offers an appropriate therapeutic target against L. monocytogenes infection. Here, lutein, a natural small molecule existing widely in fruits and vegetables, is demonstrated as an effective inhibitor of LLO that works by blocking its oligomerization during invasion without showing significant bacteriostatic activity. Further assays applying lutein in cell culture models of invasion and in animal models showed that lutein could effectively inhibit L. monocytogenes infection. Overall, our results indicate that lutein may represent a promising and novel therapeutic agent against L. monocytogenes infection.

Induced systemic listeriosis in Alectoris chukar chicks: clinical, histopathological and microbiological findings

1. Systemic listeriosis was induced in 14-d-old Chukar partridge chicks, Alectoris chukar, by intravenous injection of a suspension containing 10(6) cfu/ml of viable Listeria monocytogenes organisms to study the course of infection. 2. Septicaemic and encephalitic forms of listeriosis were observed in all birds. Infection resulted in a fever response 8-h post-inoculation. Disease rapidly developed over a 24-h period with decreased activity, lethargy, ruffled feathers, huddling, listlessness, inability to stand, wing droop, decreased feed and water consumption, growth depression, neural disturbances and finally death. Gross and histopathological changes were observed in the myocardium, proventriculus, gizzard, intestine, pancreas, kidney, liver, spleen, lung, meninges and joints. 3. The diversity of these clinical signs and lesions suggests a high susceptibility of Chukar partridge chicks to systemic listeriosis.

Augmenting the Efficacy of Immunotoxins and Other Targeted Protein Toxins by Endosomal Escape Enhancers

The toxic moiety of almost all protein-based targeted toxins must enter the cytosol of the target cell to mediate its fatal effect. Although more than 500 targeted toxins have been investigated in the past decades, no antibody-targeted protein toxin has been approved for tumor therapeutic applications by the authorities to date. Missing efficacy can be attributed in many cases to insufficient endosomal escape and therefore subsequent lysosomal degradation of the endocytosed toxins. To overcome this drawback, many strategies have been described to weaken the membrane integrity of endosomes. This comprises the use of lysosomotropic amines, carboxylic ionophores, calcium channel antagonists, various cell-penetrating peptides of viral, bacterial, plant, animal, human and synthetic origin, other organic molecules and light-induced techniques. Although the efficacy of the targeted toxins was typically augmented in cell culture hundred or thousand fold, in exceptional cases more than million fold, the combination of several substances harbors new problems including additional side effects, loss of target specificity, difficulties to determine the therapeutic window and cell type-dependent variations. This review critically scrutinizes the chances and challenges of endosomal escape enhancers and their potential role in future developments.

Recombinant broad-range phospholipase C from Listeria monocytogenes exhibits optimal activity at acidic pH

The broad-range phospholipase C (PLC) from Listeria monocytogenes has been expressed using an intein expression system and characterized. This zinc metalloenzyme, similar to the homologous enzyme from Bacillus cereus, targets a wide range of lipid substrates. With monomeric substrates, the length of the hydrophobic acyl chain has significant impact on enzyme efficiency by affecting substrate affinity (Km). Based on a homology model of the enzyme to the B. cereus protein, several active site residue mutations were generated. While this PLC shares many of the mechanistic characteristics of the B. cereus PLC, a major difference is that the L. monocytogenes enzyme displays an acidic pH optimum regardless of substrate status (monomer, micelle, or vesicle). This unusual behavior might be advantageous for its role in the pathogenicity of L. monocytogenes.

The membrane attack complex, perforin and cholesterol-dependent cytolysin superfamily of pore-forming proteins

The membrane attack complex and perforin proteins (MACPFs) and bacterial cholesterol-dependent cytolysins (CDCs) are two branches of a large and diverse superfamily of pore-forming proteins that function in immunity and pathogenesis. During pore formation, soluble monomers assemble into large transmembrane pores through conformational transitions that involve extrusion and refolding of two α-helical regions into transmembrane β-hairpins. These transitions entail a dramatic refolding of the protein structure, and the resulting assemblies create large holes in cellular membranes, but they do not use any external source of energy. Structures of the membrane-bound assemblies are required to mechanistically understand and modulate these processes. In this Commentary, we discuss recent advances in the understanding of assembly mechanisms and molecular details of the conformational changes that occur during MACPF and CDC pore formation.