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Cassona CP, Ramalhete S, Amara K, Candela T, Kansau I, Denève-Larrazet C, Janoir-Jouveshomme C, Mota LJ, Dupuy B, Serrano M, Henriques AO. Spores of Clostridioides difficile are toxin delivery vehicles. Commun Biol 2024; 7:839. [PMID: 38987278 PMCID: PMC11237016 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06521-x] [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: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Clostridioides difficile causes a wide range of intestinal diseases through the action of two main cytotoxins, TcdA and TcdB. Ingested spores germinate in the intestine establishing a population of cells that produce toxins and spores. The pathogenicity locus, PaLoc, comprises several genes, including those coding for TcdA/B, for the holin-like TcdE protein, and for TcdR, an auto-regulatory RNA polymerase sigma factor essential for tcdA/B and tcdE expression. Here we show that tcdR, tcdA, tcdB and tcdE are expressed in a fraction of the sporulating cells, in either the whole sporangium or in the forespore. The whole sporangium pattern is due to protracted expression initiated in vegetative cells by σD, which primes the TcdR auto-regulatory loop. In contrast, the forespore-specific regulatory proteins σG and SpoVT control TcdR production and tcdA/tcdB and tcdE expression in this cell. We detected TcdA at the spore surface, and we show that wild type and ΔtcdA or ΔtcdB spores but not ΔtcdR or ΔtcdA/ΔtcdB spores are cytopathic against HT29 and Vero cells, indicating that spores may serve as toxin-delivery vehicles. Since the addition of TcdA and TcdB enhance binding of spores to epithelial cells, this effect may occur independently of toxin production by vegetative cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina P Cassona
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, NOVA University Lisbon, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Sara Ramalhete
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, NOVA University Lisbon, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Khira Amara
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, NOVA University Lisbon, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Thomas Candela
- Micalis Institute, Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Imad Kansau
- Micalis Institute, Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | | | | | - Luís Jaime Mota
- Associate Laboratory i4HB, Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, Caparica, Portugal
- UCIBIO, Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Department of Life Sciences, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, Caparica, Portugal
| | - Bruno Dupuy
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris-Cité, UMR-CNRS 6047, Laboratoire Pathogenèse des Bactéries Anaérobies, F-75015, Paris, France
| | - Mónica Serrano
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, NOVA University Lisbon, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Adriano O Henriques
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, NOVA University Lisbon, Oeiras, Portugal.
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2
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Zheng Y, Yang Q, Luo J, Zhang Y, Li X, He L, Ma C, Tao L. Identification of a hemorrhagic determinant in Clostridioides difficile TcdA and Paeniclostridium sordellii TcsH. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0035424. [PMID: 38709085 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00354-24] [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: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Paeniclostridium sordellii hemorrhagic toxin (TcsH) and Clostridioides difficile toxin A (TcdA) are two major members of the large clostridial toxin (LCT) family. These two toxins share ~87% similarity and are known to cause severe hemorrhagic pathology in animals. Yet, the pathogenesis of their hemorrhagic toxicity has been mysterious for decades. Here, we examined the liver injury after systemic exposure to different LCTs and found that only TcsH and TcdA induce overt hepatic hemorrhage. By investigating the chimeric and truncated toxins, we demonstrated that the enzymatic domain of TcsH alone is not sufficient to determine its potent hepatic hemorrhagic toxicity in mice. Likewise, the combined repetitive oligopeptide (CROP) domain of TcsH/TcdA alone also failed to explain their strong hemorrhagic activity in mice. Lastly, we showed that disrupting the first two short repeats of CROPs in TcsH and TcdA impaired hemorrhagic toxicity without causing overt changes in cytotoxicity and lethality. These findings lead to a deeper understanding of toxin-induced hemorrhage and the pathogenesis of LCTs and could be insightful in developing therapeutic avenues against clostridial infections. IMPORTANCE Paeniclostridium sordellii and Clostridioides difficile infections often cause hemorrhage in the affected tissues and organs, which is mainly attributed to their hemorrhagic toxins, TcsH and TcdA. In this study, we demonstrate that TcsH and TcdA, but not other related toxins. including Clostridioides difficile toxin B and TcsL, induce severe hepatic hemorrhage in mice. We further determine that a small region in TcsH and TcdA is critical for the hemorrhagic toxicity but not cytotoxicity or lethality of these toxins. Based on these results, we propose that the hemorrhagic toxicity of TcsH and TcdA is due to an uncharacterized mechanism, such as the presence of an unknown receptor, and future studies to identify the interactive host factors are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangling Zheng
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Research Center for Industries of the Future and Key Laboratory of Multi-omics in Infection and Immunity of Zhejiang Province, School of Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qi Yang
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Research Center for Industries of the Future and Key Laboratory of Multi-omics in Infection and Immunity of Zhejiang Province, School of Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jianhua Luo
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Research Center for Industries of the Future and Key Laboratory of Multi-omics in Infection and Immunity of Zhejiang Province, School of Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yuanyuan Zhang
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Research Center for Industries of the Future and Key Laboratory of Multi-omics in Infection and Immunity of Zhejiang Province, School of Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xingxing Li
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Research Center for Industries of the Future and Key Laboratory of Multi-omics in Infection and Immunity of Zhejiang Province, School of Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Liuqing He
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Research Center for Industries of the Future and Key Laboratory of Multi-omics in Infection and Immunity of Zhejiang Province, School of Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Chao Ma
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Research Center for Industries of the Future and Key Laboratory of Multi-omics in Infection and Immunity of Zhejiang Province, School of Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Liang Tao
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Research Center for Industries of the Future and Key Laboratory of Multi-omics in Infection and Immunity of Zhejiang Province, School of Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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3
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Guo XB, Deng X, Wang J, Qi Y, Zhao W, Guan S. HAX-1 interferes in assembly of NLRP3-ASC to block microglial pyroptosis in cerebral I/R injury. Cell Death Discov 2024; 10:264. [PMID: 38811533 PMCID: PMC11136987 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-024-02005-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Acute cerebral ischemia has a high rate of disability and death. Although timely recanalization therapy may rescue the ischemic brain tissue, cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury has been shown to limit the therapeutic effects of vascular recanalization. Protein HAX-1 has been reported as a pro-survival protein that plays an important role in various disorders, particularly in association with the nervous system. However, the effects and mechanisms of HAX-1 in cerebral IR injury have yet to be elucidated. So, we aimed to investigate the effect of HAX-1 on microglial pyroptosis and explore its potential neuroprotective effects in ischemia-reperfusion injury. Our results show that the expression of HAX-1 decreased after cerebral IR injury, accompanied by an increase in pyroptosis pathway activation. In addition, HAX-1 could inhibit microglial pyroptosis both in vivo and in vitro and reduce the release of inflammatory mediators. The above neuroprotective effects might be partially mediated by inhibiting of interaction of NLRP3 and ASC through competitive binding, followed by the attenuation of NLRP3 inflammasome formation. In conclusion, Our findings support that HAX-1 exhibits a protective role in cerebral I/R injury, and further study on HAX-1 expression regulation will contribute to cerebral infarction therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin-Bin Guo
- Department of Neuro-interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 1 Jianshe Road, 450052, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xin Deng
- Department of Neuro-interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 1 Jianshe Road, 450052, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jingjing Wang
- Department of Neuro-interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 1 Jianshe Road, 450052, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yuruo Qi
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Pharmaceutical Technology, Ministry of Education of China, Co-innovation Center of Henan Province for New Drug R & D and Preclinical Safety, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, 450001, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Wen Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Pharmaceutical Technology, Ministry of Education of China, Co-innovation Center of Henan Province for New Drug R & D and Preclinical Safety, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, 450001, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
| | - Sheng Guan
- Department of Neuro-interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 1 Jianshe Road, 450052, Zhengzhou, China.
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Alam MZ, Madan R. Clostridioides difficile Toxins: Host Cell Interactions and Their Role in Disease Pathogenesis. Toxins (Basel) 2024; 16:241. [PMID: 38922136 PMCID: PMC11209539 DOI: 10.3390/toxins16060241] [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: 04/17/2024] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Clostridioides difficile, a Gram-positive anaerobic bacterium, is the leading cause of hospital-acquired antibiotic-associated diarrhea worldwide. The severity of C. difficile infection (CDI) varies, ranging from mild diarrhea to life-threatening conditions such as pseudomembranous colitis and toxic megacolon. Central to the pathogenesis of the infection are toxins produced by C. difficile, with toxin A (TcdA) and toxin B (TcdB) as the main virulence factors. Additionally, some strains produce a third toxin known as C. difficile transferase (CDT). Toxins damage the colonic epithelium, initiating a cascade of cellular events that lead to inflammation, fluid secretion, and further tissue damage within the colon. Mechanistically, the toxins bind to cell surface receptors, internalize, and then inactivate GTPase proteins, disrupting the organization of the cytoskeleton and affecting various Rho-dependent cellular processes. This results in a loss of epithelial barrier functions and the induction of cell death. The third toxin, CDT, however, functions as a binary actin-ADP-ribosylating toxin, causing actin depolymerization and inducing the formation of microtubule-based protrusions. In this review, we summarize our current understanding of the interaction between C. difficile toxins and host cells, elucidating the functional consequences of their actions. Furthermore, we will outline how this knowledge forms the basis for developing innovative, toxin-based strategies for treating and preventing CDI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Zahidul Alam
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, 600 Moye Boulevard, Greenville, NC 27858, USA
| | - Rajat Madan
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA;
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45220, USA
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5
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Pourliotopoulou E, Karampatakis T, Kachrimanidou M. Exploring the Toxin-Mediated Mechanisms in Clostridioides difficile Infection. Microorganisms 2024; 12:1004. [PMID: 38792835 PMCID: PMC11124097 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12051004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2024] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is the leading cause of nosocomial antibiotic-associated diarrhea, and colitis, with increasing incidence and healthcare costs. Its pathogenesis is primarily driven by toxins produced by the bacterium C. difficile, Toxin A (TcdA) and Toxin B (TcdB). Certain strains produce an additional toxin, the C. difficile transferase (CDT), which further enhances the virulence and pathogenicity of C. difficile. These toxins disrupt colonic epithelial barrier integrity, and induce inflammation and cellular damage, leading to CDI symptoms. Significant progress has been made in the past decade in elucidating the molecular mechanisms of TcdA, TcdB, and CDT, which provide insights into the management of CDI and the future development of novel treatment strategies based on anti-toxin therapies. While antibiotics are common treatments, high recurrence rates necessitate alternative therapies. Bezlotoxumab, targeting TcdB, is the only available anti-toxin, yet limitations persist, prompting ongoing research. This review highlights the current knowledge of the structure and mechanism of action of C. difficile toxins and their role in disease. By comprehensively describing the toxin-mediated mechanisms, this review provides insights for the future development of novel treatment strategies and the management of CDI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evdokia Pourliotopoulou
- Department of Microbiology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece;
| | | | - Melania Kachrimanidou
- Department of Microbiology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece;
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Ma JK, Su LD, Feng LL, Li JL, Pan L, Danzeng Q, Li Y, Shang T, Zhan XL, Chen SY, Ying S, Hu JR, Chen XQ, Zhang Q, Liang T, Lu XJ. TFPI from erythroblasts drives heme production in central macrophages promoting erythropoiesis in polycythemia. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3976. [PMID: 38729948 PMCID: PMC11087540 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48328-8] [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: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Bleeding and thrombosis are known as common complications of polycythemia for a long time. However, the role of coagulation system in erythropoiesis is unclear. Here, we discover that an anticoagulant protein tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) plays an essential role in erythropoiesis via the control of heme biosynthesis in central macrophages. TFPI levels are elevated in erythroblasts of human erythroblastic islands with JAK2V617F mutation and hypoxia condition. Erythroid lineage-specific knockout TFPI results in impaired erythropoiesis through decreasing ferrochelatase expression and heme biosynthesis in central macrophages. Mechanistically, the TFPI interacts with thrombomodulin to promote the downstream ERK1/2-GATA1 signaling pathway to induce heme biosynthesis in central macrophages. Furthermore, TFPI blockade impairs human erythropoiesis in vitro, and normalizes the erythroid compartment in mice with polycythemia. These results show that erythroblast-derived TFPI plays an important role in the regulation of erythropoiesis and reveal an interplay between erythroblasts and central macrophages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun-Kai Ma
- Department of Physiology and Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Li-Da Su
- Neuroscience Care Unit, Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Lin-Lin Feng
- Department of Physiology and Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- State Key Laboratory for Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
| | - Jing-Lin Li
- Department of Physiology and Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Li Pan
- The General Hospital of Tibet Military Area Command, Lhasa, China
| | - Qupei Danzeng
- Department of Tibetan Medicine; University of Tibetan Medicine, Lhasa, 540100, China
| | - Yanwei Li
- Core Facilities, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Tongyao Shang
- Department of Physiology and Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Xiao-Lin Zhan
- Department of Physiology and Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- State Key Laboratory for Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
| | - Si-Ying Chen
- Department of Physiology and Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- State Key Laboratory for Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
| | - Shibo Ying
- School of Public Health, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310013, China
| | - Jian-Rao Hu
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 311121, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xue Qun Chen
- Zhejiang University, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
| | - Tingbo Liang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
| | - Xin-Jiang Lu
- Department of Physiology and Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
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7
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Doyle DA, DeAngelis PL, Ballard JD. CSPG4-dependent cytotoxicity for C. difficile TcdB is influenced by extracellular calcium and chondroitin sulfate. mSphere 2024; 9:e0009424. [PMID: 38470254 PMCID: PMC11036797 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00094-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
TcdB is an intracellular bacterial toxin indispensable to Clostridioides difficile infections. The ability to use chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4 (CSPG4) as a primary cell surface receptor is evolutionarily conserved by the two major variants of TcdB. As CSPG4 does not typically undergo receptor-mediated endocytosis, we sought to identify environmental factors that stabilize interactions between TcdB and CSPG4 to promote cell binding and entry into the cytosol. Using a series of TcdB receptor-binding mutants and cell lines with various receptor expression profiles, we discovered that extracellular Ca2+ promotes receptor-specific interactions with TcdB. Specifically, TcdB exhibits preferential binding to CSPG4 in the presence of Ca2+, with the absence of Ca2+ resulting in CSPG4-independent cell surface interactions. Furthermore, Ca2+ did not enhance TcdB binding to chondroitin sulfate (CS), the sole glycosaminoglycan of CSPG4. Instead, CS was found to impact the rate of cell entry by TcdB. Collectively, results from this study indicate that Ca2+ enhances cell binding by TcdB and CS interactions contribute to subsequent steps in cell entry. IMPORTANCE Clostridioides difficile is a leading cause of antibiotic-associated gastrointestinal illness, and many disease pathologies are caused by the toxin TcdB. TcdB engages multiple cell surface receptors, with receptor tropisms differing among the variants of the toxin. Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4 (CSPG4) is a critical receptor for multiple forms of TcdB, and insights into TcdB-CSPG4 interactions are applicable to many disease-causing strains of C. difficile. CSPG4 is modified by chondroitin sulfate (CS) and contains laminin-G repeats stabilized by Ca2+, yet the relative contributions of CS and Ca2+ to TcdB cytotoxicity have not been determined. This study demonstrates distinct roles in TcdB cell binding and cell entry for Ca2+ and CS, respectively. These effects are specific to CSPG4 and contribute to the activities of a prominent isoform of TcdB that utilizes this receptor. These findings advance an understanding of factors contributing to TcdB's mechanism of action and contribution to C. difficile disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- D. Annie Doyle
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Paul L. DeAngelis
- Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Jimmy D. Ballard
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
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Wan S, You P, Shi Q, Hu H, Zhang L, Chen L, Wu Z, Lin S, Song X, Luo Y, Wang Y, Ju F, Jin D, Chen Y. Gut microbiome changes in mouse, Mongolian gerbil, and hamster models following Clostridioides difficile challenge. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1368194. [PMID: 38638911 PMCID: PMC11024471 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1368194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI), as well as its etiology and pathogenesis, have been extensively investigated. However, the absence of suitable CDI animal models that reflect CDI symptoms and the associated gut microbiome changes in humans has limited research progress in this field. Thus, we aimed to investigate whether Mongolian gerbils, which present a range of human pathological conditions, can been used in studies on CDI. Methods: In this study, we infected Mongolian gerbils and two existing CDI model animals, mice and hamsters, with the hypervirulent ribotype 027 C. difficile strain, and comparatively analyzed changes in their gut microbiome composition via 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Methods In this study, we infected Mongolian gerbils and two existing CDI model animals, mice and hamsters, with the hypervirulent ribotype 027 C. difficile strain, and comparatively analyzed changes in their gut microbiome composition via 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Results The results obtained showed that C. difficile colonized the gastrointestinal tracts of the three rodents, and after the C. difficile challenge, C57BL/6J mice did not manifest CDI symptoms and their intestines showed no significant pathological changes. However, the hamsters showed explosive intestinal bleeding and inflammation and the Mongolian gerbils presented diarrhea as well as increased infiltration of inflammatory cells, mucus secretion, and epithelial cell shedding in their intestinal tissue. Further, intestinal microbiome analysis revealed significant differences with respect to intestinal flora abundance and diversity. Specifically, after C. difficile challenge, the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio decreased for C57BL/6J mice, but increased significantly for Mongolian gerbils and hamsters. Furthermore, the abundance of Proteobacteria increased in all three models, especially in hamsters, while that of Verrucomicrobia only increased significantly in C57BL/6J mice and Mongolian gerbils. Our results also indicated that differences in the relative abundances of Lactobacillaceae and Akkermansia were primarily responsible for the observed differences in response to C. difficile challenge. Conclusion Based on the observed responses to C. difficile challenge, we concluded for the first time that the Mongolian gerbil could be used as an animal model for CDI. Additionally, the taxa identified in this study may be used as biomarkers for further studies on CDI and to improve understanding regarding changes in gut microbiome in CDI-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuangshuang Wan
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Biomarkers and In Vitro Diagnosis Translation of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Peijun You
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qikai Shi
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hui Hu
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Biomarkers and In Vitro Diagnosis Translation of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lu Zhang
- Environmental Microbiome and Biotechnology Laboratory, School of Engineering, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Leyang Chen
- School of Clinical Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ziyi Wu
- School of Clinical Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shan Lin
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
- TEDA Institute of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaojun Song
- Laboratory Medicine Center, Department of Clinical Laboratory, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yongneng Luo
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Biomarkers and In Vitro Diagnosis Translation of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yaxuan Wang
- National Center for Clinical Laboratories, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing Hospital/National Center of Gerontology, Beijing, China
| | - Feng Ju
- Environmental Microbiome and Biotechnology Laboratory, School of Engineering, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Dazhi Jin
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Biomarkers and In Vitro Diagnosis Translation of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yu Chen
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Biomarkers and In Vitro Diagnosis Translation of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
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9
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Hu C, Garey KW. Microscopy methods for Clostridioides difficile. Anaerobe 2024; 86:102822. [PMID: 38341023 DOI: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2024.102822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Microscopic technologies including light and fluorescent, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and cryo-electron microscopy have been widely utilized to visualize Clostridioides difficile at the molecular, cellular, community, and structural biology level. This comprehensive review summarizes the microscopy tools (fluorescent and reporter system) in their use to study different aspects of C. difficile life cycle and virulence (sporulation, germination) or applications (detection of C. difficile or use of antimicrobials). With these developing techniques, microscopy tools will be able to find broader applications and address more challenging questions to study C. difficile and C. difficile infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenlin Hu
- University of Houston College of Pharmacy, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Kevin W Garey
- University of Houston College of Pharmacy, Houston, TX, USA.
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10
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Zhou R, He L, Zhang J, Zhang X, Li Y, Zhan X, Tao L. Molecular basis of TMPRSS2 recognition by Paeniclostridium sordellii hemorrhagic toxin. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1976. [PMID: 38438396 PMCID: PMC10912200 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46394-6] [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: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Hemorrhagic toxin (TcsH) is a major virulence factor produced by Paeniclostridium sordellii, which is a non-negligible threat to women undergoing childbirth or abortions. Recently, Transmembrane Serine Protease 2 (TMPRSS2) was identified as a host receptor of TcsH. Here, we show the cryo-EM structures of the TcsH-TMPRSS2 complex and uncover that TcsH binds to the serine protease domain (SPD) of TMPRSS2 through the CROP unit-VI. This receptor binding mode is unique among LCTs. Five top surface loops of TMPRSS2SPD, which also determine the protease substrate specificity, constitute the structural determinants recognized by TcsH. The binding of TcsH inhibits the proteolytic activity of TMPRSS2, whereas its implication in disease manifestations remains unclear. We further show that mutations selectively disrupting TMPRSS2-binding reduce TcsH toxicity in the intestinal epithelium of the female mice. These findings together shed light on the distinct molecular basis of TcsH-TMPRSS2 interactions, which expands our knowledge of host recognition mechanisms employed by LCTs and provides novel targets for developing therapeutics against P. sordellii infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruoyu Zhou
- College of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, 310024, China
- Key Laboratory of Structural Biology of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, 310024, China
- Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, 310024, China
| | - Liuqing He
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, 310024, China
- Key Laboratory of Structural Biology of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, 310024, China
- Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, 310024, China
- Research Center for Industries of the Future, Westlake University, Hangzhou, 310024, China
| | - Jiahao Zhang
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, 310024, China
- Key Laboratory of Structural Biology of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, 310024, China
- Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, 310024, China
| | - Xiaofeng Zhang
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, 310024, China
- Key Laboratory of Structural Biology of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, 310024, China
- Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, 310024, China
| | - Yanyan Li
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, 310024, China
- Key Laboratory of Structural Biology of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, 310024, China
- Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, 310024, China
| | - Xiechao Zhan
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, 310024, China.
- Key Laboratory of Structural Biology of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, 310024, China.
- Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, 310024, China.
| | - Liang Tao
- College of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China.
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, 310024, China.
- Key Laboratory of Structural Biology of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, 310024, China.
- Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, 310024, China.
- Research Center for Industries of the Future, Westlake University, Hangzhou, 310024, China.
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11
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Zeng J, Fang S, Guo J, Dong M, Tian G, Tao L. Fight or flee, a vital choice for Clostridioides difficile. MLIFE 2024; 3:14-20. [PMID: 38827507 PMCID: PMC11139204 DOI: 10.1002/mlf2.12102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 09/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
Clostridioides difficile is a leading cause of healthcare-associated infections, causing billions of economic losses every year. Its symptoms range from mild diarrhea to life-threatening damage to the colon. Transmission and recurrence of C. difficile infection (CDI) are mediated by the metabolically dormant spores, while the virulence of C. difficile is mainly due to the two large clostridial toxins, TcdA and TcdB. Producing toxins or forming spores are two different strategies for C. difficile to cope with harsh environmental conditions. It is of great significance to understand the molecular mechanisms for C. difficile to skew to either of the cellular processes. Here, we summarize the current understanding of the regulation and connections between toxin production and sporulation in C. difficile and further discuss the potential solutions for yet-to-be-answered questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Zeng
- School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical SciencesGuangdong University of TechnologyGuangzhouChina
| | - Shuying Fang
- School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical SciencesGuangdong University of TechnologyGuangzhouChina
| | - Jinquan Guo
- Department of Brest SurgeryPanyu Central HospitalGuangzhouChina
| | - Min Dong
- Department of MicrobiologyHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Department of Urology, Boston Children's HospitalHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Guo‐Bao Tian
- Department of MicrobiologyZhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
- Advanced Medical Technology Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhongshan School of MedicineSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Diseases Control (Sun Yat‐sen University), Ministry of EducationGuangzhouChina
- School of MedicineXizang Minzu UniversityXianyangChina
| | - Liang Tao
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and BiomedicineWestlake UniversityHangzhouChina
- Research Center for Industries of the Future, School of Life SciencesWestlake UniversityHangzhouChina
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12
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Kinsolving J, Bous J, Kozielewicz P, Košenina S, Shekhani R, Grätz L, Masuyer G, Wang Y, Stenmark P, Dong M, Schulte G. Structural and functional insight into the interaction of Clostridioides difficile toxin B and FZD 7. Cell Rep 2024; 43:113727. [PMID: 38308843 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.113727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024] Open
Abstract
The G protein-coupled receptors of the Frizzled (FZD) family, in particular FZD1,2,7, are receptors that are exploited by Clostridioides difficile toxin B (TcdB), the major virulence factor responsible for pathogenesis associated with Clostridioides difficile infection. We employ a live-cell assay examining the affinity between full-length FZDs and TcdB. Moreover, we present cryoelectron microscopy structures of TcdB alone and in complex with full-length FZD7, which reveal that large structural rearrangements of the combined repetitive polypeptide domain are required for interaction with FZDs and other TcdB receptors, constituting a first step for receptor recognition. Furthermore, we show that bezlotoxumab, an FDA-approved monoclonal antibody to treat Clostridioides difficile infection, favors the apo-TcdB structure and thus disrupts binding with FZD7. The dynamic transition between the two conformations of TcdB also governs the stability of the pore-forming region. Thus, our work provides structural and functional insight into how conformational dynamics of TcdB determine receptor binding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Kinsolving
- Karolinska Institutet, Department Physiology & Pharmacology, Sec. Receptor Biology & Signaling, Biomedicum, 17165 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Julien Bous
- Karolinska Institutet, Department Physiology & Pharmacology, Sec. Receptor Biology & Signaling, Biomedicum, 17165 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Pawel Kozielewicz
- Karolinska Institutet, Department Physiology & Pharmacology, Sec. Receptor Biology & Signaling, Biomedicum, 17165 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sara Košenina
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Rawan Shekhani
- Karolinska Institutet, Department Physiology & Pharmacology, Sec. Receptor Biology & Signaling, Biomedicum, 17165 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lukas Grätz
- Karolinska Institutet, Department Physiology & Pharmacology, Sec. Receptor Biology & Signaling, Biomedicum, 17165 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Geoffrey Masuyer
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Yuankai Wang
- Department of Urology, Boston Children's Hospital, Department of Surgery and Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Pål Stenmark
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Min Dong
- Department of Urology, Boston Children's Hospital, Department of Surgery and Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Gunnar Schulte
- Karolinska Institutet, Department Physiology & Pharmacology, Sec. Receptor Biology & Signaling, Biomedicum, 17165 Stockholm, Sweden.
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13
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Shen Y, Lin S, You P, Chen Y, Luo Y, Song X, Chen Y, Jin D. Rapid discrimination between clinical Clostridioides difficile infection and colonization by quantitative detection of TcdB toxin using a real-time cell analysis system. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1348892. [PMID: 38322317 PMCID: PMC10844495 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1348892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Objectives It is important to accurately discriminate between clinical Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) and colonization (CDC) for effective antimicrobial treatment. Methods In this study, 37 stool samples were collected from 17 CDC and 20 CDI cases, and each sample were tested in parallel through the real-time cell analysis (RTCA) system, real-time PCR assay (PCR), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results RTCA-measured functional and toxical C. difficile toxin B (TcdB) concentrations in the CDI group (302.58 ± 119.15 ng/mL) were significantly higher than those in the CDC group (18.15 ± 11.81 ng/mL) (p = 0.0008). Conversely, ELISA results revealed no significant disparities in TcdB concentrations between the CDC (26.21 ± 3.57 ng/mL) and the CDI group (17.07 ± 3.10 ng/mL) (p = 0.064). PCR results indicated no significant differences in tcdB gene copies between the CDC (774.54 ± 357.89 copies/μL) and the CDI group (4,667.69 ± 3,069.87 copies/μL) (p = 0.407). Additionally, the functional and toxical TcdB concentrations secreted from C. difficile isolates were measured by the RTCA. The results from the CDC (490.00 ± 133.29 ng/mL) and the CDI group (439.82 ± 114.66 ng/mL) showed no significant difference (p = 0.448). Notably, RTCA-measured functional and toxical TcdB concentration was significantly decreased when mixed with pooled CDC samples supernatant (p = 0.030). Conclusion This study explored the novel application of the RTCA assay in effectively discerning clinical CDI from CDC cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhang Shen
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Biomarkers and In Vitro Diagnosis Translation of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
- Institute of Ageing Research, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shan Lin
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Biomarkers and In Vitro Diagnosis Translation of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
- TEDA Institute of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Peijun You
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Biomarkers and In Vitro Diagnosis Translation of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yu Chen
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Biomarkers and In Vitro Diagnosis Translation of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yun Luo
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Xiaojun Song
- Laboratory Medicine Center, Department of Clinical Laboratory, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yunbo Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Dazhi Jin
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Biomarkers and In Vitro Diagnosis Translation of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
- Laboratory Medicine Center, Department of Clinical Laboratory, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
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14
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Sapa D, Brosse A, Coullon H, Péan de Ponfilly G, Candela T, Le Monnier A. A Streamlined Method to Obtain Biologically Active TcdA and TcdB Toxins from Clostridioides difficile. Toxins (Basel) 2024; 16:38. [PMID: 38251254 PMCID: PMC10821508 DOI: 10.3390/toxins16010038] [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: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The major virulence factors of Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) are enterotoxins A (TcdA) and B (TcdB). The study of toxins is a crucial step in exploring the virulence of this pathogen. Currently, the toxin purification process is either laborious and time-consuming in C. difficile or performed in heterologous hosts. Therefore, we propose a streamlined method to obtain functional toxins in C. difficile. Two C. difficile strains were generated, each harboring a sequence encoding a His-tag at the 3' end of C. difficile 630∆erm tcdA or tcdB genes. Each toxin gene is expressed using the Ptet promoter, which is inducible by anhydro-tetracycline. The obtained purification yields were 0.28 mg and 0.1 mg per liter for rTcdA and rTcdB, respectively. In this study, we successfully developed a simple routine method that allows the production and purification of biologically active rTcdA and rTcdB toxins with similar activities compared to native toxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diane Sapa
- Micalis Institute, Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, 78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France; (D.S.); (H.C.); (G.P.d.P.); (T.C.); (A.L.M.)
| | - Anaïs Brosse
- Micalis Institute, Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, 78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France; (D.S.); (H.C.); (G.P.d.P.); (T.C.); (A.L.M.)
| | - Héloïse Coullon
- Micalis Institute, Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, 78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France; (D.S.); (H.C.); (G.P.d.P.); (T.C.); (A.L.M.)
| | - Gauthier Péan de Ponfilly
- Micalis Institute, Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, 78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France; (D.S.); (H.C.); (G.P.d.P.); (T.C.); (A.L.M.)
- Service de Microbiologie Clinique, GH Paris Saint-Joseph, 75674 Paris, France
| | - Thomas Candela
- Micalis Institute, Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, 78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France; (D.S.); (H.C.); (G.P.d.P.); (T.C.); (A.L.M.)
| | - Alban Le Monnier
- Micalis Institute, Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, 78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France; (D.S.); (H.C.); (G.P.d.P.); (T.C.); (A.L.M.)
- Service de Microbiologie Clinique, GH Paris Saint-Joseph, 75674 Paris, France
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15
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Papatheodorou P, Minton NP, Aktories K, Barth H. An Updated View on the Cellular Uptake and Mode-of-Action of Clostridioides difficile Toxins. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2024; 1435:219-247. [PMID: 38175478 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-42108-2_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Research on the human gut pathogen Clostridioides (C.) difficile and its toxins continues to attract much attention as a consequence of the threat to human health posed by hypervirulent strains. Toxin A (TcdA) and Toxin B (TcdB) are the two major virulence determinants of C. difficile. Both are single-chain proteins with a similar multidomain architecture. Certain hypervirulent C. difficile strains also produce a third toxin, namely binary toxin CDT (C. difficile transferase). C. difficile toxins are the causative agents of C. difficile-associated diseases (CDADs), such as antibiotics-associated diarrhea and pseudomembranous colitis. For that reason, considerable efforts have been expended to unravel their molecular mode-of-action and the cellular mechanisms responsible for their uptake. Many of these studies have been conducted in European laboratories. Here, we provide an update on our previous review (Papatheodorou et al. Adv Exp Med Biol, 2018) on important advances in C. difficile toxins research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panagiotis Papatheodorou
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacology of Natural Products, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany.
| | - Nigel P Minton
- BBSRC/EPSRC Synthetic Biology Research Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Klaus Aktories
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Holger Barth
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacology of Natural Products, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
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16
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Zhou Y, Zhan X, Luo J, Li D, Zhou R, Zhang J, Pan Z, Zhang Y, Jia T, Zhang X, Li Y, Tao L. Structural dynamics of the CROPs domain control stability and toxicity of Paeniclostridium sordellii lethal toxin. Nat Commun 2023; 14:8426. [PMID: 38114525 PMCID: PMC10730571 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44169-z] [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: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Paeniclostridium sordellii lethal toxin (TcsL) is a potent exotoxin that causes lethal toxic shock syndrome associated with fulminant bacterial infections. TcsL belongs to the large clostridial toxin (LCT) family. Here, we report that TcsL with varied lengths of combined repetitive oligopeptides (CROPs) deleted show increased autoproteolysis as well as higher cytotoxicity. We next present cryo-EM structures of full-length TcsL, at neutral (pH 7.4) and acidic (pH 5.0) conditions. The TcsL at neutral pH exhibits in the open conformation, which resembles reported TcdB structures. Low pH induces the conformational change of partial TcsL to the closed form. Two intracellular interfaces are observed in the closed conformation, which possibly locks the cysteine protease domain and hinders the binding of the host receptor. Our findings provide insights into the structure and function of TcsL and reveal mechanisms for CROPs-mediated modulation of autoproteolysis and cytotoxicity, which could be common across the LCT family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Zhou
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310024, China
- Key Laboratory of Structural Biology of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310024, China
- Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310024, China
- Research Center for Industries of the Future, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310024, China
| | - Xiechao Zhan
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310024, China.
- Key Laboratory of Structural Biology of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310024, China.
- Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310024, China.
| | - Jianhua Luo
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310024, China
- Key Laboratory of Structural Biology of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310024, China
- Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310024, China
- Research Center for Industries of the Future, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310024, China
| | - Diyin Li
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310024, China
- Key Laboratory of Structural Biology of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310024, China
- Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310024, China
- Research Center for Industries of the Future, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310024, China
| | - Ruoyu Zhou
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310024, China
- Key Laboratory of Structural Biology of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310024, China
- Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310024, China
| | - Jiahao Zhang
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310024, China
- Key Laboratory of Structural Biology of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310024, China
- Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310024, China
| | - Zhenrui Pan
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310024, China
- Key Laboratory of Structural Biology of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310024, China
- Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310024, China
| | - Yuanyuan Zhang
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310024, China
- Key Laboratory of Structural Biology of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310024, China
- Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310024, China
| | - Tianhui Jia
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310024, China
- Key Laboratory of Structural Biology of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310024, China
- Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310024, China
- Research Center for Industries of the Future, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310024, China
| | - Xiaofeng Zhang
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310024, China
- Key Laboratory of Structural Biology of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310024, China
- Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310024, China
| | - Yanyan Li
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310024, China
- Key Laboratory of Structural Biology of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310024, China
- Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310024, China
| | - Liang Tao
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310024, China.
- Key Laboratory of Structural Biology of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310024, China.
- Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310024, China.
- Research Center for Industries of the Future, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310024, China.
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17
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Zhou L, Yang L, Feng Y, Chen S. Pooled screening with next-generation gene editing tools. CURRENT OPINION IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING 2023; 28:100479. [PMID: 38222973 PMCID: PMC10786633 DOI: 10.1016/j.cobme.2023.100479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Pooled screening creates a pool of cells with genetic variants, allowing for the simultaneous examination for changes in behavior or function. By selectively inducing mutations or perturbing expression, it enables scientists to systematically investigate the function of genes or genetic elements. Emerging gene editing tools, such as CRISPR, coupled with advances in sequencing and computational capabilities, provide growing opportunities to understand biological processes in humans, animals, and plants as well as to identify potential targets for therapeutic interventions and agricultural research. In this review, we highlight the recent advances of pooled screens using next-generation gene editing tools along with relevant challenges and describe potential future directions of this technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liqun Zhou
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- System Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Immunobiology Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Luojia Yang
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- System Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Molecular Cell Biology, Genetics, and Development Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Yanzhi Feng
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- System Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Immunobiology Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Sidi Chen
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- System Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Immunobiology Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Molecular Cell Biology, Genetics, and Development Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Stem Cell Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Biomedical Data Science, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
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18
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Buddle JE, Fagan RP. Pathogenicity and virulence of Clostridioides difficile. Virulence 2023; 14:2150452. [PMID: 36419222 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2022.2150452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Clostridioides difficile is the most common cause of nosocomial antibiotic-associated diarrhea, and is responsible for a spectrum of diseases characterized by high levels of recurrence, morbidity, and mortality. Treatment is complex, since antibiotics constitute both the main treatment and the major risk factor for infection. Worryingly, resistance to multiple antibiotics is becoming increasingly widespread, leading to the classification of this pathogen as an urgent threat to global health. As a consummate opportunist, C. difficile is well equipped for promoting disease, owing to its arsenal of virulence factors: transmission of this anaerobe is highly efficient due to the formation of robust endospores, and an array of adhesins promote gut colonization. C. difficile produces multiple toxins acting upon gut epithelia, resulting in manifestations typical of diarrheal disease, and severe inflammation in a subset of patients. This review focuses on such virulence factors, as well as the importance of antimicrobial resistance and genome plasticity in enabling pathogenesis and persistence of this important pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica E Buddle
- Molecular Microbiology, School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Robert P Fagan
- Molecular Microbiology, School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
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19
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Childress KO, Cencer CS, Tyska MJ, Lacy DB. Nectin-3 and shed forms of CSPG4 can serve as epithelial cell receptors for Clostridioides difficile TcdB. mBio 2023; 14:e0185723. [PMID: 37747247 PMCID: PMC10653914 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01857-23] [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: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Toxin B (TcdB) is a major virulence factor of Clostridioides difficile, a Gram-positive pathogen that is a leading cause of hospital-acquired diarrhea. While previous studies have established that TcdB can engage multiple cell surface receptors in vitro, little is known about how these interactions promote disease and where these receptors localize on colonic tissue. Here, we used immunofluorescence microscopy to visualize Nectin-3 and CSPG4 on tissue, revealing unexpected localization of both receptors on colonic epithelial cells. We show that Nectin-3, which was previously characterized as an adherens junction protein, is also localized to the brush border of colonocytes. Staining for CSPG4 revealed that it is present along epithelial cell junctions, suggesting that it is shed by fibroblasts along the crypt-surface axis. Collectively, our study provides new insights into how TcdB can gain access to the receptors Nectin-3 and CSPG4 to intoxicate colonic epithelial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin O. Childress
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Caroline S. Cencer
- Department of Cell and Development Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Matthew J. Tyska
- Department of Cell and Development Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - D. Borden Lacy
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Veterans Affairs Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
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20
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Manion J, Musser MA, Kuziel GA, Liu M, Shepherd A, Wang S, Lee PG, Zhao L, Zhang J, Marreddy RKR, Goldsmith JD, Yuan K, Hurdle JG, Gerhard R, Jin R, Rakoff-Nahoum S, Rao M, Dong M. C. difficile intoxicates neurons and pericytes to drive neurogenic inflammation. Nature 2023; 622:611-618. [PMID: 37699522 PMCID: PMC11188852 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06607-2] [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: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023]
Abstract
Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is a major cause of healthcare-associated gastrointestinal infections1,2. The exaggerated colonic inflammation caused by C. difficile toxins such as toxin B (TcdB) damages tissues and promotes C. difficile colonization3-6, but how TcdB causes inflammation is unclear. Here we report that TcdB induces neurogenic inflammation by targeting gut-innervating afferent neurons and pericytes through receptors, including the Frizzled receptors (FZD1, FZD2 and FZD7) in neurons and chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4 (CSPG4) in pericytes. TcdB stimulates the secretion of the neuropeptides substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) from neurons and pro-inflammatory cytokines from pericytes. Targeted delivery of the TcdB enzymatic domain, through fusion with a detoxified diphtheria toxin, into peptidergic sensory neurons that express exogeneous diphtheria toxin receptor (an approach we term toxogenetics) is sufficient to induce neurogenic inflammation and recapitulates major colonic histopathology associated with CDI. Conversely, mice lacking SP, CGRP or the SP receptor (neurokinin 1 receptor) show reduced pathology in both models of caecal TcdB injection and CDI. Blocking SP or CGRP signalling reduces tissue damage and C. difficile burden in mice infected with a standard C. difficile strain or with hypervirulent strains expressing the TcdB2 variant. Thus, targeting neurogenic inflammation provides a host-oriented therapeutic approach for treating CDI.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Manion
- Department of Urology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Melissa A Musser
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Gavin A Kuziel
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Min Liu
- Department of Urology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Amy Shepherd
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Siyu Wang
- Department of Urology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Pyung-Gang Lee
- Department of Urology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Leo Zhao
- Department of Urology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jie Zhang
- Department of Urology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ravi K R Marreddy
- Center for Infectious and Inflammatory Diseases, Institute of Biosciences and Technology, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Ke Yuan
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Julian G Hurdle
- Center for Infectious and Inflammatory Diseases, Institute of Biosciences and Technology, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ralf Gerhard
- Institute of Toxicology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Rongsheng Jin
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Seth Rakoff-Nahoum
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Meenakshi Rao
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Min Dong
- Department of Urology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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21
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Kordus SL, Kroh HK, Rodríguez RC, Shrem RA, Peritore-Galve FC, Shupe JA, Wadzinski BE, Lacy DB, Spiller BW. Nanobodies against C. difficile TcdA and TcdB reveal unexpected neutralizing epitopes and provide a toolkit for toxin quantitation in vivo. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011496. [PMID: 37871122 PMCID: PMC10621975 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011496] [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: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Clostridioides difficile is a leading cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea and nosocomial infection in the United States. The symptoms of C. difficile infection (CDI) are associated with the production of two homologous protein toxins, TcdA and TcdB. The toxins are considered bona fide targets for clinical diagnosis as well as the development of novel prevention and therapeutic strategies. While there are extensive studies that document these efforts, there are several gaps in knowledge that could benefit from the creation of new research tools. First, we now appreciate that while TcdA sequences are conserved, TcdB sequences can vary across the span of circulating clinical isolates. An understanding of the TcdA and TcdB epitopes that drive broadly neutralizing antibody responses could advance the effort to identify safe and effective toxin-protein chimeras and fragments for vaccine development. Further, an understanding of TcdA and TcdB concentration changes in vivo can guide research into how host and microbiome-focused interventions affect the virulence potential of C. difficile. We have developed a panel of alpaca-derived nanobodies that bind specific structural and functional domains of TcdA and TcdB. We note that many of the potent neutralizers of TcdA bind epitopes within the delivery domain, a finding that could reflect roles of the delivery domain in receptor binding and/or the conserved role of pore-formation in the delivery of the toxin enzyme domains to the cytosol. In contrast, neutralizing epitopes for TcdB were found in multiple domains. The nanobodies were also used for the creation of sandwich ELISA assays that allow for quantitation of TcdA and/or TcdB in vitro and in the cecal and fecal contents of infected mice. We anticipate these reagents and assays will allow researchers to monitor the dynamics of TcdA and TcdB production over time, and the impact of various experimental interventions on toxin production in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon L. Kordus
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Heather K. Kroh
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Rubén Cano Rodríguez
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Rebecca A. Shrem
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - F. Christopher Peritore-Galve
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - John A. Shupe
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Brian E. Wadzinski
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - D. Borden Lacy
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Benjamin W. Spiller
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
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22
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Tian S, Zhou N. Gaining New Insights into Fundamental Biological Pathways by Bacterial Toxin-Based Genetic Screens. Bioengineering (Basel) 2023; 10:884. [PMID: 37627769 PMCID: PMC10451959 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering10080884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetic screen technology has been applied to study the mechanism of action of bacterial toxins-a special class of virulence factors that contribute to the pathogenesis caused by bacterial infections. These screens aim to identify host factors that directly or indirectly facilitate toxin intoxication. Additionally, specific properties of certain toxins, such as membrane interaction, retrograde trafficking, and carbohydrate binding, provide robust probes to comprehensively investigate the lipid biosynthesis, membrane vesicle transport, and glycosylation pathways, respectively. This review specifically focuses on recent representative toxin-based genetic screens that have identified new players involved in and provided new insights into fundamental biological pathways, such as glycosphingolipid biosynthesis, protein glycosylation, and membrane vesicle trafficking pathways. Functionally characterizing these newly identified factors not only expands our current understanding of toxin biology but also enables a deeper comprehension of fundamental biological questions. Consequently, it stimulates the development of new therapeutic approaches targeting both bacterial infectious diseases and genetic disorders with defects in these factors and pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Songhai Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, 38 Xueyuan Road, Beijing 100191, China
- Department of Urology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA;
- Department of Microbiology and Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Nini Zhou
- Department of Urology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA;
- Department of Microbiology and Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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23
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Naz F, Petri WA. Host Immunity and Immunization Strategies for Clostridioides difficile Infection. Clin Microbiol Rev 2023; 36:e0015722. [PMID: 37162338 PMCID: PMC10283484 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00157-22] [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] [Indexed: 05/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) represents a significant challenge to public health. C. difficile-associated mortality and morbidity have led the U.S. CDC to designate it as an urgent threat. Moreover, recurrence or relapses can occur in up to a third of CDI patients, due in part to antibiotics being the primary treatment for CDI and the major cause of the disease. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of innate immune responses, adaptive immune responses, and the link between innate and adaptive immune responses of the host against CDI. The other major determinants of CDI, such as C. difficile toxins, the host microbiota, and related treatments, are also described. Finally, we discuss the known therapeutic approaches and the current status of immunization strategies for CDI, which might help to bridge the knowledge gap in the generation of therapy against CDI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farha Naz
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - William A. Petri
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
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24
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Larabee JL, Doyle DA, Ahmed UKB, Shadid TM, Sharp RR, Jones KL, Kim YM, Li S, Ballard JD. Discovery of Hippo signaling as a regulator of CSPG4 expression and as a therapeutic target for Clostridioides difficile disease. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011272. [PMID: 36972308 PMCID: PMC10079225 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011272] [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: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The signaling pathways and networks regulating expression of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4 (CSPG4), a cancer-related protein that serves as a receptor for Clostridiodes difficile TcdB, are poorly defined. In this study, TcdB-resistant/CSPG4-negative HeLa cells were generated by exposure to increasing concentrations of the toxin. The cells that emerged (HeLa R5) lost expression of CSPG4 mRNA and were resistant to binding by TcdB. mRNA expression profiles paired with integrated pathway analysis correlated changes in the Hippo and estrogen signaling pathways with a CSPG4 decrease in HeLa R5 cells. Both signaling pathways altered CSPG4 expression when modulated chemically or through CRISPR-mediated deletion of key transcriptional regulators in the Hippo pathway. Based on the in vitro findings, we predicted and experimentally confirmed that a Hippo pathway inactivating drug (XMU-MP-1) provides protection from C. difficile disease in a mouse model. These results provide insights into key regulators of CSPG4 expression and identify a therapeutic for C. difficile disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason L. Larabee
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - D. Annie Doyle
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - Ummey Khalecha Bintha Ahmed
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - Tyler M. Shadid
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - Rachel R. Sharp
- Laboratory for Molecular Biology and Cytometry Research, Harold Hamm Diabetes Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - Kenneth L. Jones
- Laboratory for Molecular Biology and Cytometry Research, Harold Hamm Diabetes Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States of America
- Department of Cell Biology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - Young Mi Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - Shibo Li
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - Jimmy D. Ballard
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States of America
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25
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Aktories K. From signal transduction to protein toxins-a narrative review about milestones on the research route of C. difficile toxins. NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERG'S ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY 2023; 396:173-190. [PMID: 36203094 PMCID: PMC9831965 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-022-02300-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Selected findings about Clostridioides difficile (formerly Clostridium difficile) toxins are presented in a narrative review. Starting with a personal view on research about G proteins, adenylyl cyclase, and ADP-ribosylating toxins in the laboratory of Günter Schultz in Heidelberg, milestones of C. difficile toxin research are presented with the focus on toxin B (TcdB), covering toxin structure, receptor binding, toxin up-take and refolding, the intracellular actions of TcdB, and the treatment of C. difficile infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klaus Aktories
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical Faculty, University of Freiburg, Albertstr. 25, 79104, Freiburg, Germany.
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26
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Yin C, Song Z, Wang X, Li H, Liu Y, Wang Q, Feng X, Song X. Development and clinical application of a rapid, visually interpretable polymerase spiral reaction for tcdB gene of Clostridioides difficile in fecal cultures. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2023; 370:fnad080. [PMID: 37537148 DOI: 10.1093/femsle/fnad080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
In the surveillance of outbreaks of Clostridioides difficile infection, the rapid detection and diagnosis of C. difficile remain a major challenge. Polymerase spiral reaction (PSR) is a nucleic acid amplification technique that uses mixed primers and the strand displacement activity of Bst DNA polymerase to achieve a pair of primers and a single enzyme in an isothermal environment. The primer design is simple, the reaction is efficient, and a color indicator can be used to visualize the result. In this study, we developed a rapid and visually interpretable PSR to detect C. difficile by analyzing artificially contaminated feces samples and clinical isolates from patient feces samples. We designed two pairs of primers for a PSR that specifically targeted the conserved tcdB gene of C. difficile. The amplification results were visualized with the chromogenic dye hydroxynaphthol blue. The entire process was accomplished in 50 min at 64°C, with high specificity. The limit of detection of C. difficile with PSR was 150 fg/μl genomic DNA or 2 × 10 CFU/ml in artificially contaminated feces samples. With this method, we analyzed four clinical isolates and also compared the PSR with an isolation-and-culture detection method, polymerase chain reaction, and the Sanger sequencing. The four clinical isolates were found positive for tcdB, which confirmed the high specificity of the primers. The positive rates of tcdB in toxigenic C. difficile detected with PSR, PCR, and Sanger sequencing were 100%. The proportions of toxin types in these clinical C. difficile strains were 50% tcdA+tcdB+CDT- and 50% tcdA+tcdB+CDT+. The assay described should extend our understanding of the incidence of C. difficile. This may allow the rapid diagnosis and screening of C. difficile-related disease outbreaks in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caihong Yin
- Department of Hygienic Inspection, School of Public Health, Jilin University, 1163 Xinmin Street, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Zhanyun Song
- Changchun Customs Technology Center, 4448 Freedom Road, Changchun, China
| | - Xianghui Wang
- Changchun Customs Technology Center, 4448 Freedom Road, Changchun, China
| | - Hui Li
- Changchun Customs Technology Center, 4448 Freedom Road, Changchun, China
| | - Yue Liu
- Department of Hygienic Inspection, School of Public Health, Jilin University, 1163 Xinmin Street, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Qiulin Wang
- Department of Hygienic Inspection, School of Public Health, Jilin University, 1163 Xinmin Street, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Xin Feng
- School of Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, 5333 Xi 'an Road, Changchun, China
| | - Xiuling Song
- Department of Hygienic Inspection, School of Public Health, Jilin University, 1163 Xinmin Street, Changchun 130021, China
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27
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Tian S, Xiong X, Zeng J, Wang S, Tremblay BJM, Chen P, Chen B, Liu M, Chen P, Sheng K, Zeve D, Qi W, Breault DT, Rodríguez C, Gerhard R, Jin R, Doxey AC, Dong M. Identification of TFPI as a receptor reveals recombination-driven receptor switching in Clostridioides difficile toxin B variants. Nat Commun 2022; 13:6786. [PMID: 36351897 PMCID: PMC9646764 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33964-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxin B (TcdB) is a major exotoxin responsible for diseases associated with Clostridioides difficile infection. Its sequence variations among clinical isolates may contribute to the difficulty in developing effective therapeutics. Here, we investigate receptor-binding specificity of major TcdB subtypes (TcdB1 to TcdB12). We find that representative members of subtypes 2, 4, 7, 10, 11, and 12 do not recognize the established host receptor, frizzled proteins (FZDs). Using a genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9-mediated screen, we identify tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) as a host receptor for TcdB4. TFPI is recognized by a region in TcdB4 that is homologous to the FZD-binding site in TcdB1. Analysis of 206 TcdB variant sequences reveals a set of six residues within this receptor-binding site that defines a TFPI binding-associated haplotype (designated B4/B7) that is present in all TcdB4 members, a subset of TcdB7, and one member of TcdB2. Intragenic micro-recombination (IR) events have occurred around this receptor-binding region in TcdB7 and TcdB2 members, resulting in either TFPI- or FZD-binding capabilities. Introduction of B4/B7-haplotype residues into TcdB1 enables dual recognition of TFPI and FZDs. Finally, TcdB10 also recognizes TFPI, although it does not belong to the B4/B7 haplotype, and shows species selectivity: it recognizes TFPI of chicken and to a lesser degree mouse, but not human, dog, or cattle versions. These findings identify TFPI as a TcdB receptor and reveal IR-driven changes on receptor-specificity among TcdB variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Songhai Tian
- Department of Urology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
- Department of Microbiology and Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
| | - Xiaozhe Xiong
- Department of Urology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Ji Zeng
- Department of Urology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Siyu Wang
- Department of Urology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, China
| | - Benjamin Jean-Marie Tremblay
- Department of Biology, Cheriton School of Computer Science, and Waterloo Centre for Microbial Research, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Peng Chen
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Baohua Chen
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Min Liu
- Department of Urology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Pengsheng Chen
- Department of Urology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Kuanwei Sheng
- Wyss Institute for Bioinspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Daniel Zeve
- Division of Endocrinology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Wanshu Qi
- Division of Endocrinology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - David T Breault
- Division of Endocrinology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, 7 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - César Rodríguez
- Faculty of Microbiology & CIET, University of Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Ralf Gerhard
- Institute of Toxicology, Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Rongsheng Jin
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Andrew C Doxey
- Department of Biology, Cheriton School of Computer Science, and Waterloo Centre for Microbial Research, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada.
| | - Min Dong
- Department of Urology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
- Department of Microbiology and Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
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LDLR, LRP1, and Megalin redundantly participate in the uptake of Clostridium novyi alpha-toxin. Commun Biol 2022; 5:906. [PMID: 36064583 PMCID: PMC9445046 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03873-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Clostridium novyi alpha-toxin (Tcnα) is a potent exotoxin that induces severe symptoms including gas gangrene, myositis, necrotic hepatitis, and sepsis. Tcnα binds to sulfated glycosaminoglycans (sGAG) for cell-surface attachment and utilizes low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) for rapid entry. However, it was also shown that Tcnα may use alternative entry receptors other than LDLR. Here, we define that LRP1 and Megalin can also facilitate the cellular entry of Tcnα by employing reconstitutive LDLR family proteins. LDLR, LRP1, and Megalin recognize Tcnα via their ligand-binding domains (also known as LDL receptor type A repeats). Notably, LDLR and LRP1 have contrasting expression levels in many different cells, thus the dominant entry receptor for Tcnα could be cell-type dependent. These findings together increase our knowledge of the Tcnα actions and further help to understand the pathogenesis of C. novyi infection-associated diseases. Clostridium novyi alpha-toxin (Tcnα) also uses LRP1 and Megalin as cellular entry receptors besides LDLR, and this might be a response to cell-type dependent receptor availability for the exotoxin.
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Yang Q, Zhou Y, He L, Zhang Y, Tao L. Protocol for genome-wide CRISPR knockout screens of bacterial cytotoxins in HeLa cells. STAR Protoc 2022; 3:101595. [PMID: 35928004 PMCID: PMC9344021 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2022.101595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
CRISPR screening is a powerful tool to identify host factors for pathogenic agents including viruses and bacterial toxins. Here, we present a protocol to conduct a genome-scale CRISPR screen on HeLa cells for host factors involved in the toxin action of Clostridioides difficile TcdB4. We describe in detail how to prepare the library, set up the screen, obtain the gene sequences, and analyze the results. This protocol can also be modified for other genome-scale libraries, cell lines, and cytotoxins. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Luo et al. (2022). A compatible protocol to perform genome-wide CRISPR knockout screens in HeLa cells Detailed steps for generating CRISPR knockout library in HeLa cells Estimation of appropriate toxin concentration for multi-round screening Sequencing using Illumine platform and CRISPR screen data processing
Publisher’s note: Undertaking any experimental protocol requires adherence to local institutional guidelines for laboratory safety and ethics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Yang
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China; Key Laboratory of Structural Biology of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310024, China; Center for Infectious Disease Research, Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310024, China
| | - Yao Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Structural Biology of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310024, China; Center for Infectious Disease Research, Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310024, China
| | - Liuqing He
- Key Laboratory of Structural Biology of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310024, China; Center for Infectious Disease Research, Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310024, China
| | - Yuanyuan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Structural Biology of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310024, China; Center for Infectious Disease Research, Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310024, China
| | - Liang Tao
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China; Key Laboratory of Structural Biology of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310024, China; Center for Infectious Disease Research, Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310024, China.
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30
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Mattana M, Tomasello R, Cammarata C, Di Carlo P, Fasciana T, Giordano G, Lucchesi A, Siragusa S, Napolitano M. Clostridium difficile Induced Inflammasome Activation and Coagulation Derangements. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10081624. [PMID: 36014040 PMCID: PMC9416296 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10081624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
C. difficile enterocolitis (CDAC) is the most common hospital infection, burdened by an increased incidence of coagulation-related complications such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) as well as a significant sepsis-related mortality. In this review, we analyzed the available data concerning the correlation between coagulation complications related to C. difficile infection (CDI) and inflammasome activation, in particular the pyrin-dependent one. The little but solid available preclinical and clinical evidence shows that inflammasome activation increases the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). As proof of this, it has been observed that in vitro inhibition of the molecules (e.g., tissue factor) mainly involved in coagulation activation could block the process. In vivo studies show that it could be possible to reduce the incidence of complications associated with C. difficile infection (CDI) and mortality due to a state of hypercoagulability. A personalized therapeutic approach to reduce the inflammatory activity and prevent thromboembolic complications could be preliminarily defined to reduce mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Mattana
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (ProMISE), University of Palermo, 90141 Palermo, Italy
| | - Riccardo Tomasello
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (ProMISE), University of Palermo, 90141 Palermo, Italy
| | - Claudia Cammarata
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (ProMISE), University of Palermo, 90141 Palermo, Italy
| | - Paola Di Carlo
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (ProMISE), University of Palermo, 90141 Palermo, Italy
| | - Teresa Fasciana
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (ProMISE), University of Palermo, 90141 Palermo, Italy
| | - Giulio Giordano
- Division of Internal Medicine, Hematology Service, Regional Hospital “A. Cardarelli”, 86100 Campobasso, Italy
| | - Alessandro Lucchesi
- Hematology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, 47014 Meldola, Italy
| | - Sergio Siragusa
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (ProMISE), University of Palermo, 90141 Palermo, Italy
| | - Mariasanta Napolitano
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (ProMISE), University of Palermo, 90141 Palermo, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0916554519; Fax: +39-0916554500
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Paeniclostridium sordellii hemorrhagic toxin targets TMPRSS2 to induce colonic epithelial lesions. Nat Commun 2022; 13:4331. [PMID: 35882856 PMCID: PMC9321280 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31994-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Hemorrhagic toxin (TcsH) is an important exotoxin produced by Paeniclostridium sordellii, but the exact role of TcsH in the pathogenesis remains unclear, partly due to the lack of knowledge of host receptor(s). Here, we carried out two genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 screens parallelly with TcsH and identified cell surface fucosylation and TMPRSS2 as host factors contributing to the binding and entry of TcsH. Genetic deletion of either fucosylation biosynthesis enzymes or TMPRSS2 in the cells confers resistance to TcsH intoxication. Interestingly, TMPRSS2 and fucosylated glycans can mediate the binding/entry of TcsH independently, thus serving as redundant receptors. Both TMPRSS2 and fucosylation recognize TcsH through its CROPs domain. By using Tmprss2‒/‒ mice, we show that Tmprss2 is important for TcsH-induced systematic toxicity and colonic epithelial lesions. These findings reveal the importance of TMPRSS2 and surface fucosylation in TcsH actions and further provide insights into host recognition mechanisms for large clostridial toxins. Paeniclostridium sordellii is an opportunistic pathogen that can occur and be fatal in women undergoing abortion or childbirth. The pathogenesis of a hemorrhagic toxin, TcsH, produced by this bacteria, remains unknown. Here, authors carry out genome-wide screens to identify pathologically relevant host factors of TcsH.
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32
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Aktories K. Another surprise in receptor-binding of C. difficile toxins. Innovation (N Y) 2022; 3:100261. [PMID: 35669079 PMCID: PMC9166414 DOI: 10.1016/j.xinn.2022.100261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 05/15/2022] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
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33
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Hofer U. Novel C. difficile toxin receptor. Nat Rev Microbiol 2022; 20:317. [PMID: 35332272 DOI: 10.1038/s41579-022-00730-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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