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Huang WC, Dwija IBNP, Hashimoto M, Wu JJ, Wang MC, Kao CY, Lin WH, Wang S, Teng CH. Peptidoglycan endopeptidase MepM of uropathogenic Escherichia coli contributes to competitive fitness during urinary tract infections. BMC Microbiol 2024; 24:190. [PMID: 38816687 PMCID: PMC11137974 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-024-03290-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common bacterial infections, primarily caused by uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC), leading to significant health issues and economic burden. Although antibiotics have been effective in treating UPEC infections, the rise of antibiotic-resistant strains hinders their efficacy. Hence, identifying novel bacterial targets for new antimicrobial approaches is crucial. Bacterial factors required for maintaining the full virulence of UPEC are the potential target. MepM, an endopeptidase in E. coli, is involved in the biogenesis of peptidoglycan, a major structure of bacterial envelope. Given that the bacterial envelope confronts the hostile host environment during infections, MepM's function could be crucial for UPEC's virulence. This study aims to explore the role of MepM in UPEC pathogenesis. RESULTS MepM deficiency significantly impacted UPEC's survival in urine and within macrophages. Moreover, the deficiency hindered the bacillary-to-filamentous shape switch which is known for aiding UPEC in evading phagocytosis during infections. Additionally, UPEC motility was downregulated due to MepM deficiency. As a result, the mepM mutant displayed notably reduced fitness in causing UTIs in the mouse model compared to wild-type UPEC. CONCLUSIONS This study provides the first evidence of the vital role of peptidoglycan endopeptidase MepM in UPEC's full virulence for causing UTIs. MepM's contribution to UPEC pathogenesis may stem from its critical role in maintaining the ability to resist urine- and immune cell-mediated killing, facilitating the morphological switch, and sustaining motility. Thus, MepM is a promising candidate target for novel antimicrobial strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Chun Huang
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Ida Bagus Nyoman Putra Dwija
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Udayana University, Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Masayuki Hashimoto
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Jiunn-Jong Wu
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Cheng Wang
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Yen Kao
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Life Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Hung Lin
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Shuying Wang
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
| | - Ching-Hao Teng
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
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Hashimoto M, Mao BH, Chiou CS, Huang WC, Nyoman Putra Dwija IB, Jeng SL, Wu JJ, Wang MC, Lin WH, Tseng CC, Teng CH. Association between Escherichia coli with NotI-restriction resistance and urinary tract infections. JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY, IMMUNOLOGY, AND INFECTION = WEI MIAN YU GAN RAN ZA ZHI 2022; 55:686-694. [PMID: 34963576 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmii.2021.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Escherichia coli is the most common cause of urinary tract infections (UTIs). It is widely accepted that uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) mainly emerge from the distal gut microbiota. Identification of bacterial characteristics that are able to differentiate UPEC from fecal commensal strains will facilitate the development of novel strategies to detect and monitor the spread of UPEC. METHODS Fifty fecal commensal, 83 UTI-associated and 40 biliary tract infection (BTI)-associated E. coli isolates were analyzed. The NotI restriction patterns of chromosomal DNA in the isolates were determined by pulse-field gel electrophoresis. The phylogenetic types and the presence of 9 known virulence genes of each isolate were determined by PCR analyses. Additionally, the susceptibilities of the isolates to antibiotics were revealed. Then the associations of NotI resistance with UTI-associated isolates, phylotypes, and antibiotic resistance were assessed. RESULTS NotI resistance was correlated with UTI-associated isolates, compared to the fecal isolates. Consistently, NotI-resistant isolates harbored a greater number of virulence factors and mainly belonged to phylotype B2. Additionally NotI resistance was correlated with chloramphenicol resistance among the bacteria. Among the fecal, UTI-associated and BTI-associated groups, the distribution of NotI-resistant group B2 isolates was correlated with UTI-associated bacteria. CONCLUSION NotI resistance alone is a potential marker for distinguishing fecal strains and UPEC, while the combination of NotI resistance and B2 phylogeny is a candidate marker to differentiate UPEC from fecal and other extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli. Additionally, NotI resistance may be valuable for assessing the potential of chloramphenicol resistance of E. coli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masayuki Hashimoto
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Center of Infectious Disease and Signaling Research, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Bin-Hsu Mao
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan City, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Shun Chiou
- The Central Region Laboratory, Center of Research and Diagnostics, Centers for Disease Control, Taichung City, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Chun Huang
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Ida Bagus Nyoman Putra Dwija
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Microbiology Clinic Department, Faculty of Medicine, Udayana University, Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia
| | - Shuen-Lin Jeng
- Department of Statistics, Institute of Data Science, and Center for Innovative FinTech Business Models, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Jiunn-Jong Wu
- Department of Biotechnology and Laboratory Science in Medicine, School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Cheng Wang
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan City, Taiwan; Institute of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan City, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Hung Lin
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan City, Taiwan
| | - Chin-Chung Tseng
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan City, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Hao Teng
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Center of Infectious Disease and Signaling Research, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
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YbdO Promotes the Pathogenicity of Escherichia coli K1 by Regulating Capsule Synthesis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23105543. [PMID: 35628353 PMCID: PMC9141747 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23105543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Escherichia coli K1 is the most popular neonatal meningitis-causing Gram-negative bacterium. As a key virulence determinant, the K1 capsule enhances the survival of E. coli K1 in human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMECs) upon crossing the blood–brain barrier; however, the regulatory mechanisms of capsule synthesis during E. coli K1 invasion of HBMECs remain unclear. Here, we identified YbdO as a transcriptional regulator that promotes E. coli K1 invasion of HBMECs by directly activating K1 capsule gene expression to increase K1 capsule synthesis. We found that ybdO deletion significantly reduced HBMEC invasion by E. coli K1 and meningitis occurrence in mice. Additionally, electrophoretic mobility shift assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation–quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis indicated that YbdO directly activates kpsMT and neuDBACES expression, which encode products involved in K1 capsule transport and synthesis by directly binding to the kpsM promoter. Furthermore, ybdO transcription was directly repressed by histone-like nucleoid structuring protein (H-NS), and we observed that acidic pH similar to that of early and late endosomes relieves this transcriptional repression. These findings demonstrated the regulatory mechanism of YbdO on K1 capsule synthesis, providing further insights into the evolution of E. coli K1 pathogenesis and host–pathogen interaction.
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Song X, Qiu M, Jiang H, Xue M, Hu J, Liu H, Zhou X, Tu J, Qi K. ybjX mutation regulated avian pathogenic Escherichia coli pathogenicity though stress-resistance pathway. Avian Pathol 2019; 49:144-152. [PMID: 31670582 DOI: 10.1080/03079457.2019.1687844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
ybjX gene mutation decreased the pathogenicity of the avian pathogenic Escherichia coli strain, AE17. However, the associated regulatory mechanism of ybjX remains unknown. In this study, we examined the bactericidal activity of chicken serum and blood, as well as bacterial survival in HD11 macrophages. We compared the transcriptome of ybjX mutations with those of the wild strain and studied the effects of ybjX on miRNA expression in the spleen. Our findings revealed that the mutant strain, ΔybjX, had a lower resistance to chicken serum and blood, as well as lower bacterial survival in HD11 macrophages than AE17. RNA sequencing analyses showed that the ybjX mutation reduced stress resistance by down-regulating mRNAs in metabolic pathways. Infection with the ybjX mutant strain caused changes in the splenic miRNA profile. We verified Kelch repeat and BTB domain-containing protein 11 to be the target of miR-133b. Together, these findings suggest that the ybjX mutation reduces serum, blood, and environmental stress resistance by down-regulating the mRNA in metabolic pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangjun Song
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pathobiology and Disease Control, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, People's Republic of China
| | - Mingyu Qiu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pathobiology and Disease Control, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, People's Republic of China
| | - Huyan Jiang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pathobiology and Disease Control, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, People's Republic of China
| | - Mei Xue
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pathobiology and Disease Control, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiangan Hu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pathobiology and Disease Control, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongmei Liu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pathobiology and Disease Control, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiuhong Zhou
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pathobiology and Disease Control, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, People's Republic of China
| | - Jian Tu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pathobiology and Disease Control, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, People's Republic of China
| | - Kezong Qi
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pathobiology and Disease Control, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, People's Republic of China
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Role of outer membrane protein T in pathogenicity of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli. Res Vet Sci 2017; 115:109-116. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2017.01.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2016] [Revised: 01/18/2017] [Accepted: 01/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Abstract
Escherichia coli is the most common Gram-negative bacillary organism causing meningitis, and E. coli meningitis continues to be an important cause of mortality and morbidity throughout the world. Our incomplete knowledge of its pathogenesis contributes to such mortality and morbidity. Recent reports of E. coli strains producing CTX-M-type or TEM-type extended-spectrum β-lactamases create a challenge. Studies using in vitro and in vivo models of the blood-brain barrier have shown that E. coli meningitis follows a high degree of bacteremia and invasion of the blood-brain barrier. E. coli invasion of the blood-brain barrier, the essential step in the development of E. coli meningitis, requires specific microbial and host factors as well as microbe- and host-specific signaling molecules. Blockade of such microbial and host factors contributing to E. coli invasion of the blood-brain barrier is shown to be efficient in preventing E. coli penetration into the brain. The basis for requiring a high degree of bacteremia for E. coli penetration of the blood-brain barrier, however, remains unclear. Continued investigation on the microbial and host factors contributing to a high degree of bacteremia and E. coli invasion of the blood-brain barrier is likely to identify new targets for prevention and therapy of E. coli meningitis.
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Van Goor A, Stromberg ZR, Mellata M. A recombinant multi-antigen vaccine with broad protection potential against avian pathogenic Escherichia coli. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0183929. [PMID: 28837660 PMCID: PMC5570496 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0183929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2017] [Accepted: 08/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Chickens are a major source of protein worldwide, yet infectious diseases continue to threaten the poultry industry. Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC), a subgroup of extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC), causes colibacillosis in chickens resulting in economic loss because of treatment, condemnation of products, and death. In this study, we evaluated a recombinant antigens (rAg) vaccine combining common ExPEC surface proteins EtsC, OmpA, OmpT, and TraT for broad protective potential against APEC infections in chickens. The specific objectives were to evaluate antibody (serum) and cytokines (lymphoid organs) responses to vaccination; in vitro bactericidal ability of serum and splenocytes against multiple APEC serotypes; and in vivo protection against APEC challenge in chickens. Groups of four-day old chickens (N = 10) were vaccinated twice (two-week interval) subcutaneously with rAgs alone or in combination and CpG adjuvant or PBS (control). IgY antibody in the serum and mRNA expression of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18, IFN-γ, IL-4, IFN-β, and IL-8 in bursa, spleen, and thymus were measured using ELISA and RT-qPCR, respectively. Serum and splenocytes were tested for their bactericidal ability in vitro against multiple APEC isolates. Vaccinated and non-vaccinated chickens were challenged with 108 CFU of APEC-O2 via air sac at 31 days post first vaccination. Vaccine protection was determined by the decrease of bacterial loads in blood and organs (lung, heart, spleen, and liver), as well as gross colibacillosis lesion scores in air sac, heart, and liver. Vaccination significantly (P < 0.05) elicited IgY against specific antigens, induced immune related mRNA expression in the spleen and bursa, reduced in vitro growth of multiple APEC serotypes, and decreased bacterial loads in the heart and spleen, and gross lesion scores of the air sac, heart and liver in chickens. The vaccine reported may be used to provide broad protection against APEC strains, increasing animal welfare and food production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelica Van Goor
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Zachary R. Stromberg
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Melha Mellata
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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The role of the bacterial flagellum in adhesion and virulence. BIOLOGY 2013; 2:1242-67. [PMID: 24833223 PMCID: PMC4009794 DOI: 10.3390/biology2041242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 341] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2013] [Revised: 09/27/2013] [Accepted: 09/30/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The bacterial flagellum is a complex apparatus assembled of more than 20 different proteins. The flagellar basal body traverses the cell wall, whereas the curved hook connects the basal body to the whip-like flagellar filament that protrudes several µm from the bacterial cell. The flagellum has traditionally been regarded only as a motility organelle, but more recently it has become evident that flagella have a number of other biological functions. The major subunit, flagellin or FliC, of the flagellum plays a well-documented role in innate immunity and as a dominant antigen of the adaptive immune response. Importantly, flagella have also been reported to function as adhesins. Whole flagella have been indicated as significant in bacterial adhesion to and invasion into host cells. In various pathogens, e.g., Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Clostridium difficile, flagellin and/or the distally located flagellar cap protein have been reported to function as adhesins. Recently, FliC of Shiga-toxigenic E. coli was shown to be involved in cellular invasion via lipid rafts. Here, we examine the latest or most important findings regarding flagellar adhesive and invasive properties, especially focusing on the flagellum as a potential virulence factor.
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Proteome response of an extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli strain with zoonotic potential to human and chicken sera. J Proteomics 2012; 75:4853-62. [PMID: 22677113 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2012.05.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2012] [Revised: 05/20/2012] [Accepted: 05/29/2012] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
A subset of extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli is zoonotic and has developed strategies to adapt to different host-specific environments. However, the underlying mechanisms of these adaptive strategies have yet to be discerned. Here, the proteomic response of an avian pathogenic E. coli strain, which appears indistinguishable from neonatal meningitis E. coli, was compared following growth in human and avian sera to determine whether it uses the same mechanisms to overcome the antibacterial effects of sera from different host species. Proteins involved in biosynthesis of iron receptors were up-regulated under both sera, suggesting that serum, regardless of the host of origin, is an iron-limited environment. However, several proteins involved in synthesis of nucleic acids, sulfur-containing amino acids and fatty acids, were differentially expressed in response to the sera from different hosts. Mutational analysis showed that this APEC strain required nucleotide biosynthesis during incubation in human, but not avian serum, and deletion of genes involved in the biosynthesis of sulfur-containing amino acids increased its resistance to human serum. Continued investigation of the proteome of 'zoonotic' ExPEC strains, grown under other 'dual' host conditions, will contribute to our understanding of ExPEC pathogenesis and host specificity and development of effective therapies and control strategies.
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