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Liu Z, Zhang X, Xiong S, Huang S, Ding X, Xu M, Yao J, Liu S, Zhao F. Endothelial dysfunction of syphilis: Pathogenesis. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2024. [PMID: 38376088 DOI: 10.1111/jdv.19899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
Treponema pallidum is the causative factor of syphilis, a sexually transmitted disease (STD) characterized by perivascular infiltration of inflammatory cells, vascular leakage, swelling and proliferation of endothelial cells (ECs). The endothelium lining blood and lymphatic vessels is a key barrier separating body fluids from host tissues and is a major target of T. pallidum. In this review, we focus on how T. pallidum establish intimate interactions with ECs, triggering endothelial dysfunction such as endothelial inflammation, abnormal repairment and damage of ECs. In addition, we summarize that migration and invasion of T. pallidum across vascular ECs may occur through two pathways. These two mechanisms of transendothelial migration are paracellular and cholesterol-dependent, respectively. Herein, clarifying the relationship between T. pallidum and endothelial dysfunction is of great significance to provide novel strategies for diagnosis and prevention of syphilis, and has a great potential prospect of clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaoping Liu
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology and Key Laboratory of Special Pathogen Prevention and Control of Hunan Province, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, China
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Xiaohong Zhang
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology and Key Laboratory of Special Pathogen Prevention and Control of Hunan Province, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, China
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Shun Xiong
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology and Key Laboratory of Special Pathogen Prevention and Control of Hunan Province, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, China
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Shaobin Huang
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology and Key Laboratory of Special Pathogen Prevention and Control of Hunan Province, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, China
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Xuan Ding
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology and Key Laboratory of Special Pathogen Prevention and Control of Hunan Province, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, China
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Man Xu
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology and Key Laboratory of Special Pathogen Prevention and Control of Hunan Province, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, China
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Jiangchen Yao
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology and Key Laboratory of Special Pathogen Prevention and Control of Hunan Province, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, China
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Shuangquan Liu
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology and Key Laboratory of Special Pathogen Prevention and Control of Hunan Province, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, China
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Feijun Zhao
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology and Key Laboratory of Special Pathogen Prevention and Control of Hunan Province, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, China
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, China
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Li W, Li S, Wang J, Yu M, Yang H, He Z, Tang Y, Liu J, Guo N, Xie D, Liu Z, Zheng K, Xu M, Wu Y. The outer membrane protein Tp92 of Treponema pallidum delays human neutrophil apoptosis via the ERK, PI3K/Akt, and NF-κB pathways. Mol Microbiol 2023; 120:684-701. [PMID: 37718557 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.15164] [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: 04/16/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
Syphilis is a persistent sexually transmitted disease caused by infiltration of the elusive pathogen Treponema pallidum. Despite the prevalence of human polymorphonuclear neutrophils (hPMNs) within cutaneous lesions, which are characteristic of incipient syphilis, their role in T. pallidum infection remains unclear. Tp92 is the only T. pallidum helical outer membrane protein that exhibits structural features similar to those of outer membrane proteins in other gram-negative bacteria. However, the functional mechanism of this protein in immune cells remains unclear. Neutrophils are short-lived cells that undergo innate apoptosis in response to external stimuli that typically influence this process. In this study, we determined that Tp92 impedes the activation of procaspase-3 via the ERK MAPK, PI3K/Akt, and NF-κB signaling pathways, consequently suppressing caspase-3 activity within hPMNs, and thereby preventing hPMNs apoptosis. Furthermore, Tp92 could also modulate hPMNs apoptosis by enhancing the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Mcl-1, stimulating IL-8 secretion, and preserving the mitochondrial membrane potential. These findings provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying T. pallidum infection and suggest potential therapeutic targets for syphilis treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiwei Li
- Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Hengyang Medical College, Institution of Pathogenic Biology, University of South China, Hengyang, China
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second People's Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
| | - Sijia Li
- Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Hengyang Medical College, Institution of Pathogenic Biology, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Jianye Wang
- Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Hengyang Medical College, Institution of Pathogenic Biology, University of South China, Hengyang, China
- Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease of the Ministry of Education, Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Maoying Yu
- Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Hengyang Medical College, Institution of Pathogenic Biology, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Hongyu Yang
- Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Hengyang Medical College, Institution of Pathogenic Biology, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Zhangping He
- Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Hengyang Medical College, Institution of Pathogenic Biology, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Yuanyuan Tang
- Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Hengyang Medical College, Institution of Pathogenic Biology, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Jie Liu
- Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Hengyang Medical College, Institution of Pathogenic Biology, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Ningyuan Guo
- Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Hengyang Medical College, Institution of Pathogenic Biology, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Dongde Xie
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second People's Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
| | - Zhaoping Liu
- Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Hengyang Medical College, Institution of Pathogenic Biology, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Kang Zheng
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Hengyang Central Hospital, Hengyang, China
| | - Man Xu
- Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Hengyang Medical College, Institution of Pathogenic Biology, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Yimou Wu
- Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Hengyang Medical College, Institution of Pathogenic Biology, University of South China, Hengyang, China
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Jun T, Zhimin L, Xi D, Hua W, Huilong S, Jiaofeng P, Kang Z, Xie Q. Immunisation with the glycolytic enzyme enolase inhibits dissemination of Treponema pallidum in C57BL/6 mice. Microb Pathog 2023; 184:106374. [PMID: 37802159 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2023.106374] [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: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023]
Abstract
Treponema pallidum (T. pallidum), an obligate extracellular bacterium, is the causative agent of sexually transmitted bacterial diseases. In this study, the glycolytic enzyme enolase (Tp Eno) of T. pallidum were injected intramuscularly into C57BL/6 mice, resulting in higher levels of specific anti-Tp Eno antibodies and Tp Eno-specific splenocyte proliferation than those in the mice immunized with recombinant protein Tp Eno. Cytokine (IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IFN-γ, and TNF-α) analysis of splenocytes showed that the Tp Eno could slightly trigger the Th1-biased immune response. Furthermore, immunization of mice with Tp Eno elicited a significant production of IFN-γ by CD4+ T-cells in the spleen. Subsequently, mice were inoculated intradermally (between the scapulae), intraperitoneally, intrarectally and via the corpora cavernosa with 2.5 × 106 organisms per site (1 × 107 total organisms). The bacterial organ burden detected in the blood, spleen, liver, testes or brain of immunized mice suggested that Tp Eno enhances protective immunity to inhibit T. pallidum colonization in distal tissues. Therefore, Tp Eno vaccination enhances Tp Eno-specific immunogenicity and provides protection against T. pallidum dissemination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tang Jun
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Hunan People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410000, HuNan, China
| | - Liu Zhimin
- Clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Hengyang Hospital, Southern Medical University (Hengyang Central Hospital), 12# Yancheng Road, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, China
| | - Deng Xi
- Clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Hengyang Hospital, Southern Medical University (Hengyang Central Hospital), 12# Yancheng Road, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, China
| | - Wu Hua
- Clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Hengyang Hospital, Southern Medical University (Hengyang Central Hospital), 12# Yancheng Road, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, China
| | - Shen Huilong
- Clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Hengyang Hospital, Southern Medical University (Hengyang Central Hospital), 12# Yancheng Road, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, China
| | - Peng Jiaofeng
- Clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Hengyang Hospital, Southern Medical University (Hengyang Central Hospital), 12# Yancheng Road, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, China
| | - Zheng Kang
- Clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Hengyang Hospital, Southern Medical University (Hengyang Central Hospital), 12# Yancheng Road, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, China.
| | - Qinghua Xie
- The Affiliated Changsha Central Hospital, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Changsha, 410004, HuNan, China.
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Waugh S, Ranasinghe A, Gomez A, Houston S, Lithgow KV, Eshghi A, Fleetwood J, Conway KME, Reynolds LA, Cameron CE. Syphilis and the host: multi-omic analysis of host cellular responses to Treponema pallidum provides novel insight into syphilis pathogenesis. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1254342. [PMID: 37795301 PMCID: PMC10546344 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1254342] [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: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Syphilis is a chronic, multi-stage infection caused by the extracellular bacterium Treponema pallidum ssp. pallidum. Treponema pallidum widely disseminates through the vasculature, crosses endothelial, blood-brain and placental barriers, and establishes systemic infection. Although the capacity of T. pallidum to traverse the endothelium is well-described, the response of endothelial cells to T. pallidum exposure, and the contribution of this response to treponemal traversal, is poorly understood. Methods To address this knowledge gap, we used quantitative proteomics and cytokine profiling to characterize endothelial responses to T. pallidum. Results Proteomic analyses detected altered host pathways controlling extracellular matrix organization, necroptosis and cell death, and innate immune signaling. Cytokine analyses of endothelial cells exposed to T. pallidum revealed increased secretion of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and decreased secretion of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1). Discussion This study provides insight into the molecular basis of syphilis disease symptoms and the enhanced susceptibility of individuals infected with syphilis to HIV co-infection. These investigations also enhance understanding of the host response to T. pallidum exposure and the pathogenic strategies used by T. pallidum to disseminate and persist within the host. Furthermore, our findings highlight the critical need for inclusion of appropriate controls when conducting T. pallidum-host cell interactions using in vitro- and in vivo-grown T. pallidum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean Waugh
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Akash Ranasinghe
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Alloysius Gomez
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Simon Houston
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Karen V. Lithgow
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Azad Eshghi
- University of Victoria-Genome BC Proteomics Centre, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Jenna Fleetwood
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Kate M. E. Conway
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Lisa A. Reynolds
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Caroline E. Cameron
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
- Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
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Abstract
Neutrophils or polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) are an important component of innate host defense. These phagocytic leukocytes are recruited to infected tissues and kill invading microbes. There are several general characteristics of neutrophils that make them highly effective as antimicrobial cells. First, there is tremendous daily production and turnover of granulocytes in healthy adults-typically 1011 per day. The vast majority (~95%) of these cells are neutrophils. In addition, neutrophils are mobilized rapidly in response to chemotactic factors and are among the first leukocytes recruited to infected tissues. Most notably, neutrophils contain and/or produce an abundance of antimicrobial molecules. Many of these antimicrobial molecules are toxic to host cells and can destroy host tissues. Thus, neutrophil activation and turnover are highly regulated processes. To that end, aged neutrophils undergo apoptosis constitutively, a process that contains antimicrobial function and proinflammatory capacity. Importantly, apoptosis facilitates nonphlogistic turnover of neutrophils and removal by macrophages. This homeostatic process is altered by interaction with microbes and their products, as well as host proinflammatory molecules. Microbial pathogens can delay neutrophil apoptosis, accelerate apoptosis following phagocytosis, or cause neutrophil cytolysis. Here, we review these processes and provide perspective on recent studies that have potential to impact this paradigm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott D Kobayashi
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, USA
| | - Frank R DeLeo
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, USA
| | - Mark T Quinn
- Department of Microbiology & Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, USA
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