Cell morphology as a virulence determinant: lessons from Helicobacter pylori

A review for non-antibiotic treatment of Helicobacter pylori: new insight

Gastric ulcers and gastric cancer are brought on by the Helicobacter pylori bacteria, which colonizes under the stomach mucous membrane. Different medication regimens are used to remove it, but the illness returns and becomes more resistant, which lowers the treatment rates. Additionally, this bacterium now exhibits a skyrocketing level of multi-drug resistance, necessitating recurrent therapeutic treatments. The negative effects of synthetic medications in comparison to conventional therapies are another significant factor in favor of non-pharmacological therapy. The most significant side effects of popular anti-gastric ulcer medications include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Stomach ulcers have previously been treated with herbal remedies and complementary treatments like probiotics. When probiotics are ingested, the host experiences several advantages that may be brought about by altering the bacterial flora in the digestive system. Additionally, stronger-acting chemical compounds and plant extracts can be employed to treat patients. In this article, we look at the substances and medications that are utilized in place of synthetic stomach ulcer-curing treatments.

Cas-based bacterial detection: recent advances and perspectives

Persistent bacterial infections pose a formidable threat to global health, contributing to widespread challenges in areas such as food safety, medical hygiene, and animal husbandry. Addressing this peril demands the urgent implementation of swift and highly sensitive detection methodologies suitable for point-of-care testing and large-scale screening. These methodologies play a pivotal role in the identification of pathogenic bacteria, discerning drug-resistant strains, and managing and treating diseases. Fortunately, new technology, the CRISPR/Cas system, has emerged. The clustered regularly interspaced short joint repeats (CRISPR) system, which is part of bacterial adaptive immunity, has already played a huge role in the field of gene editing. It has been employed as a diagnostic tool for virus detection, featuring high sensitivity, specificity, and single-nucleotide resolution. When applied to bacterial detection, it also surpasses expectations. In this review, we summarise recent advances in the detection of bacteria such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Escherichia coli (E. coli), Salmonella and Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) using the CRISPR/Cas system. We emphasize the significance and benefits of this methodology, showcasing the capability of diverse effector proteins to swiftly and precisely recognize bacterial pathogens. Furthermore, the CRISPR/Cas system exhibits promise in the identification of antibiotic-resistant strains. Nevertheless, this technology is not without challenges that need to be resolved. For example, CRISPR/Cas systems must overcome natural off-target effects and require high-quality nucleic acid samples to improve sensitivity and specificity. In addition, limited applicability due to the protospacer adjacent motif (PAM) needs to be addressed to increase its versatility. Despite the challenges, we are optimistic about the future of bacterial detection using CRISPR/Cas. We have already highlighted its potential in medical microbiology. As research progresses, this technology will revolutionize the detection of bacterial infections.

Investigating the effect of acidic and basic precipitation on the antibacterial activity of ZnO nanoparticles against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria

In the present work, acidic (direct) and basic precipitation (indirect) methods were used to demonstrate the influence of the mode of precipitation on the structural properties of ZnO nanoparticles (NPs). Four samples of ZnO nanoparticles were prepared, two samples via each mode of precipitation. DZOa and IZOa were the aged samples prepared via acidic and basic precipitation methods, and DZOwa and IZOwa were processed without aging. Both precipitation processes were carried out without using any surfactant reagents. Zinc hydroxide precipitate, which was formed during the basic precipitation method, could be critical in deciding the properties of ZnO NPs, unlike zinc hydroxide formed during acidic precipitation. Aging of zinc hydroxide, synthesised by basic precipitation method for 48 hours was found to be an added advantage in controlling the properties of ZnO NPs. The influence of the mode of precipitation on the structural properties and antibacterial activity of ZnO NPs against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains was tested. The antibacterial activity of all four ZnO NPs was analysed via zone of inhibition measurements at a concentration dose of 200 μg ml-1. IZOa nanoparticles prepared using the basic precipitation method showed a higher antibacterial activity against three Gram-negative and one Gram-positive strains, namely, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli. DZOa nanoparticles synthesized through acidic precipitation showed relatively high antibacterial activity against Salmonella typhimurium, a Gram-negative strain. ZnO NPs prepared without aging, IZOwa and DZOwa, showed a higher antibacterial activity against E. coli and Bacillus sp. strains, respectively. All ZnO NPs were characterized via UV-visible, FTIR, XRD, and HRSEM techniques.

The shapeshifting Helicobacter pylori: From a corkscrew to a ball

There is growing evidence that bacterial morphology is closely related to their lifestyle. The helical Helicobacter pylori relies on its unique shape for survival and efficient colonization of the human stomach. Yet, they have been observed to transform into another distinctive morphology, the spherical coccoid. Despite being hypothesized to be involved in the persistence and transmission of this species, years of effort in deciphering the roles of the coccoid form remain fruitless since contrasting observations regarding its lifestyle were reported. Here, we discuss the two forms of H. pylori with a focus on the coccoid form, the molecular mechanism behind its morphological transformation, and experimental approaches to further develop our understanding of this phenomenon. We also propose a putative mechanism of the coccoid formation in H. pylori through induction of a type-I toxin-antitoxin (TA) system recently shown to influence the morphology of this species.

A Mini-review on Helicobacter pylori with Gastric Cancer and Available Treatments

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is the most thoroughly researched etiological component for stomach inflammation and malignancies. Even though there are conventional recommendations and treatment regimens for eradicating H. pylori, failure rates continue to climb. Antibiotic resistance contributes significantly to misdiagnoses, false positive results, and clinical failures, all of which raise the chance of infection recurrence. This review aims to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying drug resistance in H. pylori and discuss novel approaches for detecting genotypic resistance. Modulation of drug uptake/ efflux, biofilm, and coccoid development. Newer genome sequencing approaches capable of detecting H. pylori genotypic resistance are presented. Prolonged infection in the stomach causes major problems such as gastric cancer. The review discusses how H. pylori causes stomach cancer, recent biomarkers such as miRNAs, molecular pathways in the development of gastric cancer, and diagnostic methods and clinical trials for the disease. Efforts have been made to summarize the recent advancements made toward early diagnosis and novel therapeutic approaches for H. pylori-induced gastric cancer.

Evidence of two differentially regulated elongasomes in Salmonella

Cell shape is genetically inherited by all forms of life. Some unicellular microbes increase niche adaptation altering shape whereas most show invariant morphology. A universal system of peptidoglycan synthases guided by cytoskeletal scaffolds defines bacterial shape. In rod-shaped bacteria, this system consists of two supramolecular complexes, the elongasome and divisome, which insert cell wall material along major and minor axes. Microbes with invariant shape are thought to use a single morphogenetic system irrespective of the occupied niche. Here, we provide evidence for two elongasomes that generate (rod) shape in the same bacterium. This phenomenon was unveiled in Salmonella, a pathogen that switches between extra- and intracellular lifestyles. The two elongasomes can be purified independently, respond to different environmental cues, and are directed by distinct peptidoglycan synthases: the canonical PBP2 and the pathogen-specific homologue PBP2SAL. The PBP2-elongasome responds to neutral pH whereas that directed by PBP2SAL assembles in acidic conditions. Moreover, the PBP2SAL-elongasome moves at a lower speed. Besides Salmonella, other human, animal, and plant pathogens encode alternative PBPs with predicted morphogenetic functions. Therefore, contrasting the view of morphological plasticity facilitating niche adaptation, some pathogens may have acquired alternative systems to preserve their shape in the host.

Roles of Lipopolysaccharide Glycosyltransferases in Maintenance of Helicobacter pylori Morphology, Cell Wall Permeability, and Antimicrobial Susceptibilities

Helicobacter pylori has a unique lipopolysaccharide structure that is essential in maintaining its cell envelope integrity and imbues the bacterium with natural resistance to cationic antimicrobial peptides (CAMPs). Our group has recently elucidated the complete set of LPS glycosyltransferase genes in H. pylori reference strain G27. Here, with a series of eight systematically constructed LPS glycosyltransferase gene mutants (G27ΔHP1578, G27ΔHP1283, G27ΔHP0159, G27ΔHP0479, G27ΔHP0102, G27ΔwecA, G27ΔHP1284 and G27ΔHP1191), we investigated the roles of H. pylori LPS glycosyltransferases in maintaining cell morphology, cell wall permeability, and antimicrobial susceptibilities. We demonstrated that deletion of these LPS glycosyltransferase genes did not interfere with bacterial cell wall permeability, but resulted in significant morphological changes (coccoid, coiled "c"-shape, and irregular shapes) after 48 h growth as compared to the rod-like cell shape of the wild-type strain. Moreover, as compared with the wild-type, none of the LPS mutants had altered susceptibility against clarithromycin, levofloxacin, amoxicillin, tetracycline, and metronidazole. However, the deletion of the conserved LPS glycosyltransferases, especially the O-antigen-initiating enzyme WecA, displayed a dramatic increase in susceptibility to the CAMP polymyxin B and rifampicin. Taken together, our findings suggest that the LPS glycosyltransferases play critical roles in the maintenance of the typical spiral morphology of H. pylori, as well as resistance to CAMPs and rifampicin. The LPS glycosyltransferases could be promising targets for developing novel anti-H. pylori drugs.

Morphologic design of nanostructures for enhanced antimicrobial activity

Despite significant progress in synthetic polymer chemistry and in control over tuning the structures and morphologies of nanoparticles, studies on morphologic design of nanomaterials for the purpose of optimizing antimicrobial activity have yielded mixed results. When designing antimicrobial materials, it is important to consider two distinctly different modes and mechanisms of activity-those that involve direct interactions with bacterial cells, and those that promote the entry of nanomaterials into infected host cells to gain access to intracellular pathogens. Antibacterial activity of nanoparticles may involve direct interactions with organisms and/or release of antibacterial cargo, and these activities depend on attractive interactions and contact areas between particles and bacterial or host cell surfaces, local curvature and dynamics of the particles, all of which are functions of nanoparticle shape. Bacteria may exist as spheres, rods, helices, or even in uncommon shapes (e.g., box- and star-shaped) and, furthermore, may transform into other morphologies along their lifespan. For bacteria that invade host cells, multivalent interactions are involved and are dependent upon bacterial size and shape. Therefore, mimicking bacterial shapes has been hypothesized to impact intracellular delivery of antimicrobial nanostructures. Indeed, designing complementarities between the shapes of microorganisms with nanoparticle platforms that are designed for antimicrobial delivery offers interesting new perspectives toward future nanomedicines. Some studies have reported improved antimicrobial activities with spherical shapes compared to non-spherical constructs, whereas other studies have reported higher activity for non-spherical structures (e.g., rod, discoid, cylinder, etc.). The shapes of nano- and microparticles have also been shown to impact their rates and extents of uptake by mammalian cells (macrophages, epithelial cells, and others). However, in most of these studies, nanoparticle morphology was not intentionally designed to mimic specific bacterial shape. Herein, the morphologic designs of nanoparticles that possess antimicrobial activities per se and those designed to deliver antimicrobial agent cargoes are reviewed. Furthermore, hypotheses beyond shape dependence and additional factors that help to explain apparent discrepancies among studies are highlighted.

Effect of microplastics on nasal and intestinal microbiota of the high-exposure population

Background

Microplastic has become a growing environmental problem. A balanced microbial environment is an important factor in human health. This study is the first observational cross-sectional study focusing on the effects of microplastics on the nasal and gut microbiota in a highly exposed population.

Methods

We recruited 20 subjects from a Plastic Factory (microplastics high-exposure area) and the other 20 from Huanhuaxi Park (microplastics low-exposure area) in Chengdu, China. We performed the microplastic analysis of soil, air, and intestinal secretions by laser infrared imaging, and microbiological analysis of nasal and intestinal secretions by 16S rDNA sequencing.

Results

The result shows that the detected points of microplastics in the environment of the high-exposure area were significantly more than in the low-exposure area. Polyurethane was the main microplastic component detected. The microplastic content of intestinal secretions in the high-exposure group was significantly higher than in the low-exposure group. Specifically, the contents of polyurethane, silicone resin, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, and polyethylene in the high-exposure group were significantly higher than in the low-exposure group. Moreover, high exposure may increase the abundance of nasal microbiotas, which are positively associated with respiratory tract diseases, such as Klebsiella and Helicobacter, and reduce the abundance of those beneficial ones, such as Bacteroides. Simultaneously, it may increase the abundance of intestinal microbiotas, which are positively associated with digestive tract diseases, such as Bifidobacterium, Streptococcus, and Sphingomonas, and reduce the abundance of intestinal microbiotas, which are beneficial for health, such as Ruminococcus Torquesgroup, Dorea, Fusobacterium, and Coprococcus. A combined analysis revealed that high exposure to microplastics may not only lead to alterations in dominant intestinal and nasal microbiotas but also change the symbiotic relationship between intestinal and nasal microbiotas.

Conclusion

The results innovatively revealed how microplastics can affect the intestinal and nasal microecosystems.

Clinical trial registration

ChiCTR2100049480 on August 2, 2021.

Insights Into the Helical Shape Complex of Helicobacter pylori

One important factor that promotes the colonization of the upper digestive system of the human pathogen Helicobacter pylori is its helical cell shape. The bacteria cell shape is predominantly defined by its peptidoglycan cell wall. In rod-shaped species, PG synthesis is mediated by two dynamic molecular machines that facilitate growth along the perpendicular axis and the septum, called the elongasome and the divisome, respectively. Furthermore, many bacteria evolved additional mechanisms to locally change PG synthesis patterns to generate diverse cell shapes. Recent work characterizing cell shape mutants of Helicobacter pylori revealed a novel mechanism for the generation of a twisted helix from a rod, including PG-modifying enzymes as well as additional proteins such as the bactofilin homolog CcmA or the membrane proteins Csd5 and Csd7. In this study, we investigate the localization and dynamics of CcmA and Csd7 using live-cell imaging. We also address the question of how these change in the presence or absence of the putative interaction partners.

Role of serine/threonine protein phosphatase PrpN in the life cycle of Bacillus anthracis

Reversible protein phosphorylation at serine/threonine residues is one of the most common protein modifications, widely observed in all kingdoms of life. The catalysts controlling this modification are specific serine/threonine kinases and phosphatases that modulate various cellular pathways ranging from growth to cellular death. Genome sequencing and various omics studies have led to the identification of numerous serine/threonine kinases and cognate phosphatases, yet the physiological relevance of many of these proteins remain enigmatic. In Bacillus anthracis, only one ser/thr phosphatase, PrpC, has been functionally characterized; it was reported to be non-essential for bacterial growth and survival. In the present study, we characterized another ser/thr phosphatase (PrpN) of B. anthracis by various structural and functional approaches. To examine its physiological relevance in B. anthracis, a null mutant strain of prpN was generated and shown to have defects in sporulation and reduced synthesis of toxins (PA and LF) and the toxin activator protein AtxA. We also identified CodY, a global transcriptional regulator, as a target of PrpN and ser/thr kinase PrkC. CodY phosphorylation strongly controlled its binding to the promoter region of atxA, as shown using phosphomimetic and phosphoablative mutants. In nutshell, the present study reports phosphorylation-mediated regulation of CodY activity in the context of anthrax toxin synthesis in B. anthracis by a previously uncharacterized ser/thr protein phosphatase–PrpN.

Reversible protein phosphorylation at specific ser/thr residues causes conformational changes in the protein structure, thereby modulating its cellular activity. In B. anthracis, though the role of ser/thr phosphorylation is implicated in various cellular pathways including pathogenesis, till date only one STP (PrpC) has been functionally characterized. This manuscript reports functional characterization of another STP (PrpN) in B. anthracis and with the aid of a null mutant strain (BAS ΔprpN) we provide important insight regarding the role of PrpN in the life cycle of B. anthracis. We have also identified the global transcriptional regulator, CodY as a target of PrpN and PrkC, and for the first time showed the physiological relevance of CodY phosphorylation status in the regulation of anthrax toxin synthesis.

The Potential Use of Antibiotics Against Helicobacter pylori Infection: Biopharmaceutical Implications

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a notorious, recalcitrant and silent germ, which can cause a variety of debilitating stomach diseases, including gastric and duodenal ulcers and gastric cancer. This microbe predominantly colonizes the mucosal layer of the human stomach and survives in the inhospitable gastric microenvironment, by adapting to this hostile milieu. In this review, we first discuss H. pylori colonization and invasion. Thereafter, we provide a survey of current curative options based on polypharmacy, looking at pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and pharmaceutical microbiology concepts, in the battle against H. pylori infection.

A Motile Doublet Form of Salmonella Typhimurium Diversifies Target Search Behaviour at the Epithelial Surface

The behaviors of infectious bacteria are commonly studied in bulk. This is effective to define the general properties of a given isolate, but insufficient to resolve subpopulations and unique single‐microbe behaviors within the bacterial pool. We here employ microscopy to study single‐bacterium characteristics among Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S.Tm), as they prepare for and launch invasion of epithelial host cells. We find that during the bacterial growth cycle, S.Tm populations switch gradually from fast planktonic growth to a host cell‐invasive phenotype, characterized by flagellar motility and expression of the Type‐three‐secretion‐system‐1. The indistinct nature of this shift leads to the establishment of a transient subpopulation of S.Tm “doublets”—waist‐bearing bacteria anticipating cell division—which simultaneously express host cell invasion machinery. In epithelial cell culture infections, these S.Tm doublets outperform their “singlet” brethren and represent a hyperinvasive subpopulation. Atop both glass and enteroid‐derived monolayers, doublets swim along markedly straighter trajectories than singlets, thereby diversifying search patterns and improving the surface exploration capacity of the total bacterial population. The straighter swimming, combined with an enhanced cell‐adhesion propensity, suffices to account for the hyperinvasive doublet phenotype. This work highlights bacterial cell length heterogeneity as a key determinant of target search patterns atop epithelia.

Helicobacter pylori: an up-to-date overview on the virulence and pathogenesis mechanisms

Helicobacter pylori is an organism associated with ulcer disease and gastric cancer. The latter is one of the most prevalent malignancies and currently the fourth major cause of cancer-related deaths globally. The pathogen infects about 50% of the world population, and currently, no treatment ensures its total elimination. There has been an increase in our understanding of the pathophysiology and pathogenesis mechanisms of H. pylori over the years. H. pylori can induce several genetic alterations, express numerous virulence factors, and trigger diverse adaptive mechanisms during its adherence and colonization. For successful colonization and infection establishment, several effector proteins/toxins are released by the organism. Evidence is also available reporting spiral to coccoid transition as a unique tactic H. pylori uses to survive in the host’s gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Thus, the virulence and pathogenicity of H. pylori are under the control of complex interplay between the virulence factors, host, and environmental factors. Expounding the role of the various virulence factors in H. pylori pathogenesis and clinical outcomes is crucial for vaccine development and in providing and developing a more effective therapeutic intervention. Here we critically reflect on H. pylori infection and delineate what is currently known about the virulence and pathogenesis mechanisms of H. pylori.

Under the Radar: Strategies Used by Helicobacter pylori to Evade Host Responses

The body depends on its physical barriers and innate and adaptive immune responses to defend against the constant assault of potentially harmful microbes. In turn, successful pathogens have evolved unique mechanisms to adapt to the host environment and manipulate host defenses. Helicobacter pylori (Hp), a human gastric pathogen that is acquired in childhood and persists throughout life, is an example of a bacterium that is very successful at remodeling the host-pathogen interface to promote a long-term persistent infection. Using a combination of secreted virulence factors, immune subversion, and manipulation of cellular mechanisms, Hp can colonize and persist in the hostile environment of the human stomach. Here, we review the most recent and relevant information regarding how this successful pathogen overcomes gastric epithelial host defense responses to facilitate its own survival and establish a chronic infection. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Physiology, Volume 84 is February 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

MicroRNA Modulation of Host Immune Response and Inflammation Triggered by Helicobacter pylori

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) remains the most-researched etiological factor for gastric inflammation and malignancies. Its evolution towards gastric complications is dependent upon host immune response. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) recognize surface and molecular patterns of the bacterium, especially the lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and act upon pathways, which will finally lead to activation of the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB), a transcription factor that stimulates release of inflammatory cytokines. MicroRNAs (MiRNAs) finely modulate TLR signaling, but their expression is also modulated by activation of NF-kB-dependent pathways. This review aims to focus upon several of the most researched miRNAs on this subject, with known implications in host immune responses caused by H. pylori, including let-7 family, miRNA-155, miRNA-146, miRNA-125, miRNA-21, and miRNA-221. TLR-LPS interactions and their afferent pathways are regulated by these miRNAs, which can be considered as a bridge, which connects gastric inflammation to pre-neoplastic and malignant lesions. Therefore, they could serve as potential non-invasive biomarkers, capable of discriminating H. pylori infection, as well as its associated complications. Given that data on this matter is limited in children, as well as for as significant number of miRNAs, future research has yet to clarify the exact involvement of these entities in the progression of H. pylori-associated gastric conditions.

Chemical Biology Tools for Examining the Bacterial Cell Wall

Bacteria surround themselves with cell walls to maintain cell rigidity and protect against environmental insults. Here we review chemical and biochemical techniques employed to study bacterial cell wall biogenesis. Recent advances including the ability to isolate critical intermediates, metabolic approaches for probe incorporation, and isotopic labeling techniques have provided critical insight into the biochemistry of cell walls. Fundamental manuscripts that have used these techniques to discover cell wall-interacting proteins, flippases, and cell wall stoichiometry are discussed in detail. The review highlights that these powerful methods and techniques have exciting potential to identify and characterize new targets for antibiotic development.