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Velappan N, Biryukov SS, Rill NO, Klimko CP, Rosario-Acevedo R, Shoe JL, Hunter M, Dankmeyer JL, Fetterer DP, Bedinger D, Phipps ME, Watt AJ, Abergel RJ, Dichosa A, Kozimor SA, Cote CK, Lillo AM. Characterization of two affinity matured Anti-Yersinia pestis F1 human antibodies with medical countermeasure potential. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0305034. [PMID: 38954719 PMCID: PMC11218954 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0305034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of plague and a biological threat agent, presents an urgent need for novel medical countermeasures due to documented cases of naturally acquired antibiotic resistance and potential person-to-person spread during a pneumonic infection. Immunotherapy has been proposed as a way to circumvent current and future antibiotic resistance. Here, we describe the development and characterization of two affinity matured human antibodies (αF1Ig AM2 and αF1Ig AM8) that promote survival of mice after exposure to aerosolized Y. pestis. We share details of the error prone PCR and yeast display technology-based affinity maturation process that we used. The resultant matured antibodies have nanomolar affinity for Y. pestis F1 antigen, are produced in high yield, and are resilient to 37°C stress for up to 6 months. Importantly, in vitro assays using a murine macrophage cell line demonstrated that αF1Ig AM2 and αF1Ig AM8 are opsonic. Even more importantly, in vivo studies using pneumonic plague mouse models showed that 100% of the mice receiving 500 μg of IgGs αF1Ig AM2 and αF1Ig AM8 survived lethal challenge with aerosolized Y. pestis CO92. Combined, these results provide evidence of the quality and robustness of αF1Ig AM2 and αF1Ig AM8 and support their development as potential medical countermeasures against plague.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nileena Velappan
- Biosciences Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, United States of America
| | - Sergei S. Biryukov
- Bacteriology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, MD, United States of America
| | - Nathaniel O. Rill
- Bacteriology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, MD, United States of America
| | - Christopher P. Klimko
- Bacteriology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, MD, United States of America
| | - Raysa Rosario-Acevedo
- Bacteriology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, MD, United States of America
| | - Jennifer L. Shoe
- Bacteriology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, MD, United States of America
| | - Melissa Hunter
- Bacteriology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, MD, United States of America
| | - Jennifer L. Dankmeyer
- Bacteriology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, MD, United States of America
| | - David P. Fetterer
- Biostatisitics Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, MD, United States of America
| | | | - Mary E. Phipps
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Center Alamos for Integrated Nanotechnologies, Los Alamos, NM, United States of America
| | - Austin J. Watt
- Bacteriology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, MD, United States of America
| | - Rebecca J. Abergel
- Chemical Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, United States of America
- Department of Nuclear Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA, United States of America
| | - Armand Dichosa
- Biosciences Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, United States of America
| | - Stosh A. Kozimor
- Chemistry Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, United States of America
| | - Christopher K. Cote
- Bacteriology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, MD, United States of America
| | - Antonietta M. Lillo
- Biosciences Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, United States of America
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2
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Epidemiological Characteristics of Human and Animal Plague in Yunnan Province, China, 1950 to 2020. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0166222. [PMID: 36219109 PMCID: PMC9784778 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01662-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
This study analyzed the epidemiological characteristics of 3,464 human plague cases and the distribution pattern of 4,968 Yersinia pestis isolates from humans, hosts, and vector insects from 1950 to 2020 among two natural plague foci in Yunnan Province, China. These foci include the Rattus flavipectus plague focus of the Yunnan, Guangdong, and Fujian provinces and the Apodemus chevrieri-Eothenomys miletus plague focus of the highlands of northwestern Yunnan Province. The case fatality rate for plague in humans was 18.39% (637/3,464), and the total isolation rate of Y. pestis was 0.17% (4,968/2,975,288). Despite that the frequency of human cases declined rapidly, the animal plague fluctuated greatly, alternating between activity and inactivity in these foci. The tendency among human cases can be divided into 4 stages, 1950 to 1955, 1956 to 1989, 1990 to 2005, and 2006 to 2020. Bubonic plague accounted for the majority of cases in Yunnan, where pneumonic and septicemic plague rarely occurred. The natural plague foci have been in a relatively active state due to the stability of local ecology. Dense human population and frequent contact with host animals contribute to the high risk of human infection. This study systematically analyzed the epidemic pattern of human plague and the distribution characteristics of Y. pestis in the natural plague foci in Yunnan, providing a scientific basis for further development and adjustment of plague prevention and control strategies. IMPORTANCE Yunnan is the origin of the third plague pandemic. The analysis of human and animal plague characteristics of plague foci in Yunnan enlightens the prevention and control of the next plague pandemics. The plague characteristics of Yunnan show that human plague occurred when animal plague reached a certain scale, and strengthened surveillance of animal plague and reducing the density of host animals and transmission vectors contribute to the prevention and control of human plague outbreaks. The phenomenon of alternation between the resting period and active period of plague foci in Yunnan further proves the endogenous preservation mechanism of plague.
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Involvement of Bacterial Extracellular Membrane Nanovesicles in Infectious Diseases and Their Application in Medicine. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14122597. [PMID: 36559091 PMCID: PMC9784355 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14122597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial extracellular membrane nanovesicles (EMNs) are attracting the attention of scientists more and more every year. These formations are involved in the pathogenesis of numerous diseases, among which, of course, the leading role is occupied by infectious diseases, the causative agents of which are a range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. A separate field for the study of the role of EMN is cancer. Extracellular membrane nanovesicles nowadays have a practical application as vaccine carriers for immunization against many infectious diseases. At present, the most essential point is their role in stimulating immune response to bacterial infections and tumor cells. The possibility of nanovesicles' practical use in several disease treatments is being evaluated. In our review, we listed diseases, focusing on their multitude and diversity, for which EMNs are essential, and also considered in detail the possibilities of using EMNs in the therapy and prevention of various pathologies.
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Cao S, Jiao Y, Jiang W, Wu Y, Qin S, Ren Y, You Y, Tan Y, Guo X, Chen H, Zhang Y, Wu G, Wang T, Zhou Y, Song Y, Cui Y, Shao F, Yang R, Du Z. Subversion of GBP-mediated host defense by E3 ligases acquired during Yersinia pestis evolution. Nat Commun 2022; 13:4526. [PMID: 35927280 PMCID: PMC9352726 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32218-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Plague has caused three worldwide pandemics in history, including the Black Death in medieval ages. Yersinia pestis, the etiological agent of plague, has evolved a powerful arsenal to disrupt host immune defenses during evolution from enteropathogenic Y. pseudotuberculosis. Here, we find that two functionally redundant E3 ligase of Y. pestis, YspE1 and YspE2, can be delivered via type III secretion injectisome into host cytosol where they ubiquitinate multiple guanylate-binding proteins (GBPs) for proteasomal degradation. However, Y. pseudotuberculosis has no such capability due to lacking functional YspE1/2 homologs. YspE1/2-mediated GBP degradations significantly promote the survival of Y. pestis in macrophages and strongly inhibit inflammasome activation. By contrast, Gbpchr3−/−, chr5−/− macrophages exhibit much lowered inflammasome activation independent of YspE1/2, accompanied with an enhanced replication of Y. pestis. Accordingly, Gbpchr3−/−, chr5−/− mice are more susceptible to Y. pestis. We demonstrate that Y. pestis utilizes E3 ligases to subvert GBP-mediated host defense, which appears to be newly acquired by Y. pestis during evolution. Guanylate-binding proteins (GBPs) recognize pathogen containing vacuoles, leading to lysis of this intracellular niche and induction of inflammasomes. Here, Cao et al. show that Y. pestis, the causative agent of plague, secret two functionally redundant E3 ligase, YspE1 and YspE2, into the host’s cytosol to ubiquitinate multiple GBPs for proteasomal degradation to subvert host immune defense. This capability appears to be newly acquired by Y. pestis during evolution, since its closely related progenitor Y. pseudotuberculosis is unable to do so.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiyang Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, 100071, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Jiao
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, 100071, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Jiang
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Yarong Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, 100071, Beijing, China
| | - Si Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, 100071, Beijing, China
| | - Yifan Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, 100071, Beijing, China
| | - Yang You
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, 100071, Beijing, China
| | - Yafang Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, 100071, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, 100071, Beijing, China
| | - Hongyan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, 100071, Beijing, China
| | - Yuan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, 100071, Beijing, China
| | - Gengshan Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, 100071, Beijing, China
| | - Tong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, 100071, Beijing, China
| | - Yazhou Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, 100071, Beijing, China
| | - Yajun Song
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, 100071, Beijing, China
| | - Yujun Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, 100071, Beijing, China
| | - Feng Shao
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Ruifu Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, 100071, Beijing, China.
| | - Zongmin Du
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, 100071, Beijing, China.
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5
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Jiao Y, Cao S, Zhang Y, Tan Y, Zhou Y, Wang T, You Y, Chen H, Ren Y, Yang R, Du Z. Yersinia pestis-Induced Mitophagy That Balances Mitochondrial Homeostasis and mROS-Mediated Bactericidal Activity. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0071822. [PMID: 35768946 PMCID: PMC9241946 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00718-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Manipulating mitochondrial homeostasis is essential for host defense against infection and pathogen survival in cells. This study reports for the first time that Y. pestis infection caused mitochondria damage that subsequently leads to the activation of Pink1/Parkin-independent mitophagy in macrophage, and the effector YopH from the type III secretion system was required for these effects. The generation of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mROS) by damaged mitochondria enhances the antibacterial activity of macrophages against Y. pestis and promotes apoptosis of the infected cells. Therefore, Y. pestis-induced mitophagy was employed to eliminate dysfunctional mitochondria and relieve the mROS accumulation. This study reveals a novel role for YopH of Y. pestis in damaging host macrophage mitochondria during plague infection and underlines the vital role of mitophagy in maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis by clearing bacteria-damaged mitochondria. The results show that mitophagy or mitochondrial fission manipulation could be used as a new strategy to treat plague. IMPORTANCE Y. pestis, the pathogen of plague, also known as the "Black Death," has caused millions of deaths throughout history. This study reports that Y. pestis infection induces mitochondrial fragmentation and abnormal mROS accumulation, and releases mitochondrial contents into the cytoplasm in macrophages. mROS promotes the antibacterial activity of macrophages against Y. pestis and increases apoptosis of the infected cells. PINK-Parkin-independent mitophagy is activated to balance mitochondrial homeostasis and mROS-induced bactericidal activity in Y. pestis-infected macrophages. These findings deepen the understanding of Y. pestis pathogenesis on mitochondria damage to disturb the host cellular immune elimination. Manipulating mitophagic activity or mitochondrial fission may be a novel therapeutic approach to treat plague.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Jiao
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Shiyang Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Yuan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Yafang Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Yazhou Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Tong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Yang You
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Hongyan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Yifan Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Ruifu Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Zongmin Du
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
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Garcia-Vello P, Di Lorenzo F, Zucchetta D, Zamyatina A, De Castro C, Molinaro A. Lipopolysaccharide lipid A: A promising molecule for new immunity-based therapies and antibiotics. Pharmacol Ther 2022; 230:107970. [PMID: 34454000 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2021.107970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are the main components of the external leaflet of the Gram-negative outer membrane and consist of three different moieties: lipid A, core oligosaccharide, and O-polysaccharide. The lipid A is a glucosamine disaccharide with different levels of acylation and phosphorylation, beside carrying, in certain cases, additional substituents on the sugar backbone. It is also the main immunostimulatory part of the LPS, as its recognition by the host immune system represents a fundamental event for detection of perilous microorganisms. Moreover, an uncontrolled immune response caused by a large amount of circulating LPS can lead to dramatic outcomes for human health, such as septic shock. The immunostimulant properties of an LPS incredibly vary depending on lipid A chemical structure, and for this reason, natural and synthetic variants of the lipid A are under study to develop new drugs that mimic or antagonise its natural effects. Here, we review past and recent findings on the lipid A as an antibiotic target and immune-therapeutic molecule, with a special attention on the crucial role of the chemical structure and its exploitation for conceiving novel strategies for treatment of several immune-related pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pilar Garcia-Vello
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Napoli, Italy.
| | - Flaviana Di Lorenzo
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Daniele Zucchetta
- Department of Chemistry, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Alla Zamyatina
- Department of Chemistry, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Cristina De Castro
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Portici, Italy
| | - Antonio Molinaro
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Napoli, Italy.
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Rosario-Acevedo R, Biryukov SS, Bozue JA, Cote CK. Plague Prevention and Therapy: Perspectives on Current and Future Strategies. Biomedicines 2021; 9:1421. [PMID: 34680537 PMCID: PMC8533540 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9101421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Plague, caused by the bacterial pathogen Yersinia pestis, is a vector-borne disease that has caused millions of human deaths over several centuries. Presently, human plague infections continue throughout the world. Transmission from one host to another relies mainly on infected flea bites, which can cause enlarged lymph nodes called buboes, followed by septicemic dissemination of the pathogen. Additionally, droplet inhalation after close contact with infected mammals can result in primary pneumonic plague. Here, we review research advances in the areas of vaccines and therapeutics for plague in context of Y. pestis virulence factors and disease pathogenesis. Plague continues to be both a public health threat and a biodefense concern and we highlight research that is important for infection mitigation and disease treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Christopher K. Cote
- Bacteriology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), Fort Detrick, MD 21702, USA; (R.R.-A.); (S.S.B.); (J.A.B.)
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8
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Sheppe AEF, Santelices J, Czyz DM, Edelmann MJ. Yersinia pseudotuberculosis YopJ Limits Macrophage Response by Downregulating COX-2-Mediated Biosynthesis of PGE2 in a MAPK/ERK-Dependent Manner. Microbiol Spectr 2021; 9:e0049621. [PMID: 34319170 PMCID: PMC8552654 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00496-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is an essential immunomodulatory lipid released by cells in response to infection with many bacteria, yet its function in macrophage-mediated bacterial clearance is poorly understood. Yersinia overall inhibits the inflammatory circuit, but its effect on PGE2 production is unknown. We hypothesized that one of the Yersinia effector proteins is responsible for the inhibition of PGE2 biosynthesis. We identified that yopB-deficient Y. enterocolitica and Y. pseudotuberculosis deficient in the secretion of virulence proteins via a type 3 secretion system (T3SS) failed to inhibit PGE2 biosynthesis in macrophages. Consistently, COX-2-mediated PGE2 biosynthesis is upregulated in cells treated with heat-killed or T3SS-deficient Y. pseudotuberculosis but diminished in the presence of a MAPK/ERK inhibitor. Mutants expressing catalytically inactive YopJ induce similar levels of PGE2 as heat-killed or ΔyopB Y. pseudotuberculosis, reversed by YopJ complementation. Shotgun proteomics discovered host pathways regulated in a YopJ-mediated manner, including pathways regulating PGE2 synthesis and oxidative phosphorylation. Consequently, this study identified that YopJ-mediated inhibition of MAPK signal transduction serves as a mechanism targeting PGE2, an alternative means of inflammasome inhibition by Yersinia. Finally, we showed that EP4 signaling supports macrophage function in clearing intracellular bacteria. In summary, our unique contribution was to determine a bacterial virulence factor that targets COX-2 transcription, thereby enhancing the intracellular survival of yersiniae. Future studies should investigate whether PGE2 or its stable synthetic derivatives could serve as a potential therapeutic molecule to improve the outcomes of specific bacterial infections. Since other pathogens encode YopJ homologs, this mechanism is expected to be present in other infections. IMPORTANCE PGE2 is a critical immunomodulatory lipid, but its role in bacterial infection and pathogen clearance is poorly understood. We previously demonstrated that PGE2 leads to macrophage polarization toward the M1 phenotype and stimulates inflammasome activation in infected macrophages. Finally, we also discovered that PGE2 improved the clearance of Y. enterocolitica. The fact that Y. enterocolitica hampers PGE2 secretion in a type 3 secretion system (T3SS)-dependent manner and because PGE2 appears to assist macrophage in the clearance of this bacterium indicates that targeting of the eicosanoid pathway by Yersinia might be an adaption used to counteract host defenses. Our study identified a mechanism used by Yersinia that obstructs PGE2 biosynthesis in human macrophages. We showed that Y. pseudotuberculosis interferes with PGE2 biosynthesis by using one of its T3SS effectors, YopJ. Specifically, YopJ targets the host COX-2 enzyme responsible for PGE2 biosynthesis, which happens in a MAPK/ER-dependent manner. Moreover, in a shotgun proteomics study, we also discovered other pathways that catalytically active YopJ targets in the infected macrophages. YopJ was revealed to play a role in limiting host LPS responses, including repression of EGR1 and JUN proteins, which control transcriptional activation of proinflammatory cytokine production such as interleukin-1β. Since YopJ has homologs in other bacterial species, there are likely other pathogens that target and inhibit PGE2 biosynthesis. In summary, our study's unique contribution was to determine a bacterial virulence factor that targets COX-2 transcription. Future studies should investigate whether PGE2 or its stable synthetic derivatives could serve as a potential therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin E. F. Sheppe
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - John Santelices
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Daniel M. Czyz
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Mariola J. Edelmann
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
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9
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Russell RE, Walsh DP, Samuel MD, Grunnill MD, Rocke TE. Space matters: host spatial structure and the dynamics of plague transmission. Ecol Modell 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2021.109450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
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10
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Byvalov AA, Konyshev IV, Uversky VN, Dentovskaya SV, Anisimov AP. Yersinia Outer Membrane Vesicles as Potential Vaccine Candidates in Protecting against Plague. Biomolecules 2020; 10:E1694. [PMID: 33353123 PMCID: PMC7766529 DOI: 10.3390/biom10121694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2020] [Revised: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the relatively low incidence of plague, its etiological agent, Yersinia pestis, is an exceptional epidemic danger due to the high infectivity and mortality of this infectious disease. Reports on the isolation of drug-resistant Y. pestis strains indicate the advisability of using asymmetric responses, such as phage therapy and vaccine prophylaxis in the fight against this problem. The current relatively effective live plague vaccine is not approved for use in most countries because of its ability to cause heavy local and system reactions and even a generalized infectious process in people with a repressed immune status or metabolic disorders, as well as lethal infection in some species of nonhuman primates. Therefore, developing alternative vaccines is of high priority and importance. However, until now, work on the development of plague vaccines has mainly focused on screening for the potential immunogens. Several investigators have identified the protective potency of bacterial outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) as a promising basis for bacterial vaccine candidates. This review is aimed at presenting these candidates of plague vaccine and the results of their analysis in animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrey A. Byvalov
- Komi Research Center, Laboratory of Microbial Physiology, Institute of Physiology, Ural Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, 167982 Syktyvkar, Russia;
- Department of Biotechnology, Vyatka State University, 610000 Kirov, Russia
| | - Ilya V. Konyshev
- Komi Research Center, Laboratory of Microbial Physiology, Institute of Physiology, Ural Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, 167982 Syktyvkar, Russia;
- Department of Biotechnology, Vyatka State University, 610000 Kirov, Russia
| | - Vladimir N. Uversky
- Department of Molecular Medicine and USF Health Byrd Alzheimer’s Research Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
- Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, 141700 Dolgoprudny, Russia
| | - Svetlana V. Dentovskaya
- Laboratory for Plague Microbiology, Especially Dangerous Infections Department, State Research Center for Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 142279 Obolensk, Russia;
| | - Andrey P. Anisimov
- Laboratory for Plague Microbiology, Especially Dangerous Infections Department, State Research Center for Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 142279 Obolensk, Russia;
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11
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He WQ, Xiong YQ, Ge J, Chen YX, Chen XJ, Zhong XS, Ou ZJ, Gao YH, Cheng MJ, Mo Y, Wen YQ, Qiu M, Huo ST, Chen SW, Zheng XY, He H, Li YZ, You FF, Zhang MY, Chen Q. Composition of gut and oropharynx bacterial communities in Rattus norvegicus and Suncus murinus in China. BMC Vet Res 2020; 16:413. [PMID: 33129337 PMCID: PMC7603701 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-020-02619-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Rattus norvegicus and Suncus murinus are important reservoirs of zoonotic bacterial diseases. An understanding of the composition of gut and oropharynx bacteria in these animals is important for monitoring and preventing such diseases. We therefore examined gut and oropharynx bacterial composition in these animals in China. Results Proteobacteria, Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes were the most abundant phyla in faecal and throat swab samples of both animals. However, the composition of the bacterial community differed significantly between sample types and animal species. Firmicutes exhibited the highest relative abundance in throat swab samples of R. norvegicus, followed by Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes. In throat swab specimens of S. murinus, Proteobacteria was the predominant phylum, followed by Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes. Firmicutes showed the highest relative abundance in faecal specimens of R. norvegicus, followed by Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria. Firmicutes and Proteobacteria had almost equal abundance in faecal specimens of S. murinus, with Bacteroidetes accounting for only 3.07%. The family Streptococcaceae was most common in throat swab samples of R. norvegicus, while Prevotellaceae was most common in its faecal samples. Pseudomonadaceae was the predominant family in throat swab samples of S. murinus, while Enterobacteriaceae was most common in faecal samples. We annotated 33.28% sequences from faecal samples of S. murinus as potential human pathogenic bacteria, approximately 3.06-fold those in R. norvegicus. Potential pathogenic bacteria annotated in throat swab samples of S. murinus were 1.35-fold those in R. norvegicus. Conclusions Bacterial composition of throat swabs and faecal samples from R. norvegicus differed from those of S. murinus. Both species carried various pathogenic bacteria, therefore both should be closely monitored in the future, especially for S. murinus. Supplementary information Supplementary information accompanies this paper at 10.1186/s12917-020-02619-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Qiao He
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, Southern Medical University, 1838 Guangzhou North Road, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Yi-Quan Xiong
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, Southern Medical University, 1838 Guangzhou North Road, Guangzhou, 510515, China.,Chinese Evidence-based Medicine Center and CREAT Group, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610000, China
| | - Jing Ge
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, Southern Medical University, 1838 Guangzhou North Road, Guangzhou, 510515, China.,Medical Office of Wuxi People's Hospital, Wu Xi, 214000, China
| | - Yan-Xia Chen
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, Southern Medical University, 1838 Guangzhou North Road, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Xue-Jiao Chen
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, Southern Medical University, 1838 Guangzhou North Road, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Xue-Shan Zhong
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, Southern Medical University, 1838 Guangzhou North Road, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Ze-Jin Ou
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, Southern Medical University, 1838 Guangzhou North Road, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Yu-Han Gao
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, Southern Medical University, 1838 Guangzhou North Road, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Ming-Ji Cheng
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, Southern Medical University, 1838 Guangzhou North Road, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Yun Mo
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, Southern Medical University, 1838 Guangzhou North Road, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Yu-Qi Wen
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, Southern Medical University, 1838 Guangzhou North Road, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Min Qiu
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, Southern Medical University, 1838 Guangzhou North Road, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Shu-Ting Huo
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, Southern Medical University, 1838 Guangzhou North Road, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Shao-Wei Chen
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, Southern Medical University, 1838 Guangzhou North Road, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Xue-Yan Zheng
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, Southern Medical University, 1838 Guangzhou North Road, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Huan He
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, Southern Medical University, 1838 Guangzhou North Road, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Yong-Zhi Li
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, Southern Medical University, 1838 Guangzhou North Road, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Fang-Fei You
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, Southern Medical University, 1838 Guangzhou North Road, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Min-Yi Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, Southern Medical University, 1838 Guangzhou North Road, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Qing Chen
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, Southern Medical University, 1838 Guangzhou North Road, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
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12
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Zhou H, Chen Z, Limpanont Y, Hu Y, Ma Y, Huang P, Dekumyoy P, Zhou M, Cheng Y, Lv Z. Necroptosis and Caspase-2-Mediated Apoptosis of Astrocytes and Neurons, but Not Microglia, of Rat Hippocampus and Parenchyma Caused by Angiostrongylus cantonensis Infection. Front Microbiol 2020; 10:3126. [PMID: 32038563 PMCID: PMC6989440 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.03126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2019] [Accepted: 12/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Infection with the roundworm Angiostrongylus cantonensis is the main cause of eosinophilic meningitis worldwide. The underlying molecular basis of the various pathological outcomes in permissive and non-permissive hosts infected with A. cantonensis remains poorly defined. In the present study, the histology of neurological disorders in the central nervous system (CNS) of infected rats was assessed by using hematoxylin and eosin staining. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), western blot and immunofluorescence (IF) were used in evolutions of the transcription and translation levels of the apoptosis-, necroptosis-, autophagy-, and pyroptosis-related genes. The distribution of apoptotic and necroptotic cells in the rat hippocampus and parenchyma was further detected using flow cytometry, and the features of the ultrastructure of the cells were examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The inflammatory response upon CNS infection with A. cantonensis evolved, as characterized by the accumulation of a small number of inflammatory cells under the thickened meninges, which peaked at 21 days post-infection (dpi) and returned to normal by 35 dpi. The transcription levels and translation of caspase-2, caspase-8, RIP1 and RIP3 increased significantly at 21 and 28 dpi but decreased sharply at 35 dpi compared to those in the normal control group. However, the changes in the expression of caspase-1, caspase-3, caspase-11, Beclin-1 and LC3B were not obvious, suggesting that apoptosis and necroptosis but not autophagy or pyroptosis occurred in the brains of infected animals at 21 and 28 dpi. The results of RT-qPCR, western blot analysis, IF, flow cytometry and TEM further illustrated that necroptosis and caspase-2-mediated apoptosis occurred in astrocytes and neurons but not in microglia in the parenchyma and hippocampus of infected animals. This study provides the first evidence that neuronal and astrocytic necroptosis and caspase-2-mediated apoptosis are induced by A. cantonensis infection in the parenchymal and hippocampal regions of rats at 21 and 28 dpi but these processes are negligible at 35 dpi. These findings enhance our understanding of the pathogenesis of A. cantonensis infection and provide new insights into therapeutic approaches targeting the occurrence of cell death in astrocytes and neurons in infected patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongli Zhou
- Joint Program of Pathobiology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Sun Yat-sen University, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Zhe Chen
- Joint Program of Pathobiology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Sun Yat-sen University, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Yanin Limpanont
- Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Yue Hu
- Joint Program of Pathobiology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Sun Yat-sen University, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Yubin Ma
- Joint Program of Pathobiology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Sun Yat-sen University, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Ping Huang
- Joint Program of Pathobiology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Sun Yat-sen University, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Paron Dekumyoy
- Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Minyu Zhou
- Joint Program of Pathobiology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Sun Yat-sen University, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Yixin Cheng
- Joint Program of Pathobiology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Sun Yat-sen University, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Zhiyue Lv
- Joint Program of Pathobiology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Sun Yat-sen University, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
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13
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Di Lorenzo F, De Castro C, Silipo A, Molinaro A. Lipopolysaccharide structures of Gram-negative populations in the gut microbiota and effects on host interactions. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2019; 43:257-272. [DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuz002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2018] [Accepted: 01/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Flaviana Di Lorenzo
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Cinthia 4, 80126 Naples, Italy
- Task Force on Microbiome Studies, University of Naples Federico II, via Cinthia 4, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Cristina De Castro
- Task Force on Microbiome Studies, University of Naples Federico II, via Cinthia 4, 80126 Naples, Italy
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Università 100, 80055 Portici, Italy
| | - Alba Silipo
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Cinthia 4, 80126 Naples, Italy
- Task Force on Microbiome Studies, University of Naples Federico II, via Cinthia 4, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Molinaro
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Cinthia 4, 80126 Naples, Italy
- Task Force on Microbiome Studies, University of Naples Federico II, via Cinthia 4, 80126 Naples, Italy
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14
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Susceptibility of Virulent Yersinia pestis Bacteria to Predator Bacteria in the Lungs of Mice. Microorganisms 2018; 7:microorganisms7010002. [PMID: 30577606 PMCID: PMC6351954 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms7010002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2018] [Revised: 12/17/2018] [Accepted: 12/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Multi-drug resistant bacterial infections are a serious threat to global public health. Changes in treatment modalities and prudent use of antibiotics can assist in reducing the threat, but new approaches are also required for untreatable cases. The use of predatory bacteria, such as Bdellovibriobacteriovorus, is among the novel approaches being considered as possible therapeutics for antibiotic resistant and/or unidentified bacterial infections. Previous studies have examined the feasibility of using predatory bacteria to reduce colony-forming units (CFUs) in the lungs of rats exposed to lethal doses of Klebsiella pneumoniae; here we apply the approach to the Tier 1 select agent Yersinia pestis, and show that three doses of B. bacteriovorus introduced every six hours reduces the number of CFUs of Y. pestis in the lungs of inoculated mice by 86% after 24 h of infection. These experiments further demonstrate that predatory bacteria may serve to combat Gram negative bacterial infections, including those considered potential bioweapon agents, in the future.
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15
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Kang E, Crouse A, Chevallier L, Pontier SM, Alzahrani A, Silué N, Campbell-Valois FX, Montagutelli X, Gruenheid S, Malo D. Enterobacteria and host resistance to infection. Mamm Genome 2018; 29:558-576. [PMID: 29785663 DOI: 10.1007/s00335-018-9749-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2018] [Accepted: 05/14/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Enterobacteriaceae are a large family of Gram-negative, non-spore-forming bacteria. Although many species exist as part of the natural flora of animals including humans, some members are associated with both intestinal and extraintestinal diseases. In this review, we focus on members of this family that have important roles in human disease: Salmonella, Escherichia, Shigella, and Yersinia, providing a brief overview of the disease caused by these bacteria, highlighting the contribution of animal models to our understanding of their pathogenesis and of host genetic determinants involved in susceptibility or resistance to infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugene Kang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- McGill Research Center on Complex Traits, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Alanna Crouse
- McGill Research Center on Complex Traits, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Lucie Chevallier
- U955 - IMRB, Team 10 - Biology of the neuromuscular system, Inserm, École Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, UPEC, Maisons-Alfort, France
- Mouse Genetics Laboratory, Department of Genomes and Genetics, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Stéphanie M Pontier
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, Centre for Chemical and Synthetic Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Ashwag Alzahrani
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, Centre for Chemical and Synthetic Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Navoun Silué
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, Centre for Chemical and Synthetic Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - François-Xavier Campbell-Valois
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, Centre for Chemical and Synthetic Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Xavier Montagutelli
- U955 - IMRB, Team 10 - Biology of the neuromuscular system, Inserm, École Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, UPEC, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Samantha Gruenheid
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- McGill Research Center on Complex Traits, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Danielle Malo
- McGill Research Center on Complex Traits, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
- Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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