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du Pré S, Konings M, Schoorl DJA, Fahal AH, Arentshorst M, Ram AFJ, van de Sande WWJ. Protoplast-mediated transformation of Madurella mycetomatis using hygromycin resistance as a selection marker. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2024; 18:e0012092. [PMID: 38578808 PMCID: PMC11108199 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0012092] [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: 02/06/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Madurella mycetomatis is the main cause of mycetoma, a chronic granulomatous infection for which currently no adequate therapy is available. To improve therapy, more knowledge on a molecular level is required to understand how M. mycetomatis is able to cause this disease. However, the genetic toolbox for M. mycetomatis is limited. To date, no method is available to genetically modify M. mycetomatis. In this paper, a protoplast-mediated transformation protocol was successfully developed for this fungal species, using hygromycin as a selection marker. Furthermore, using this method, a cytoplasmic-GFP-expressing M. mycetomatis strain was created. The reported methodology will be invaluable to explore the pathogenicity of M. mycetomatis and to develop reporter strains which can be useful in drug discovery as well as in genetic studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saskia du Pré
- Erasmus MC, Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Mickey Konings
- Erasmus MC, Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Dorenda J. A. Schoorl
- Erasmus MC, Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Mark Arentshorst
- Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Institute of Biology Leiden, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Arthur F. J. Ram
- Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Institute of Biology Leiden, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Wendy W. J. van de Sande
- Erasmus MC, Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Teng J, Cui MY, Zhao Y, Chen HJ, Du WJ, Xue LY, Ji XS. Expression changes of non-specific cytotoxic cell receptor (NCCRP1) and proliferation and migration of NCCs post-Nocardia seriolae infection in Northern Snakehead. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2023; 139:104576. [PMID: 36240859 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2022.104576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Non-specific cytotoxic cells (NCCs) are essential to the cytotoxic cell-mediated immune response in teleost. The fish non-specific cytotoxic cell receptor protein 1 (NCCRP1) plays an important role as a membrane protein in the recognition of target cells and the activation of NCC. However, the roles of fish NCCs during pathogen infection require comprehensive studies. In this study, the coding sequence of northern snakehead (Channa argus) nccrp1 (Canccrp1) was cloned. Canccrp1 contains an open reading frame of 690 bp, encoding a peptide of 229 amino acids with a conserved F-box-associated domain (FBA) and proline-rich motifs (PRMs). Transcriptional expression analysis revealed that the constitutive expression of Canccrp1 was higher in the immune-related organs, such as liver, kidneys, and spleen. Moreover, mRNA and protein expression of Canccrp1 gradually increased in the spleen at 1-6 days post infection (dpi) with Nocardia seriolae, in addition to reaching peak expression in both the kidneys and liver at 2 dpi. A polyclonal antibody prepared against recombinant CaNCCRP1 effectively labeled NCCs in peripheral blood and different tissues. Then, immunofluorescence (IF) staining showed that the number of NCCs was significantly increased and showed a scattered distribution in the early stages of N. seriolae infection (2 and 4 dpi) before the forming of granulomas. At the late stages of N. seriolae infection (6 dpi), more NCCs migrated to preexisting granulomas, showing significant coaccumulation with N. seriolae. All these results clearly indicate the expression changes of CaNCCRP1, and the number and localization changes of NCCs post-N. seriolae infection, implying potential roles for fish NCCs in the antimicrobial infection process in fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Teng
- College of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China; Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Non-grain Feed Resources (Co-construction by Ministry and Province) of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, China
| | - Meng Yao Cui
- Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Non-grain Feed Resources (Co-construction by Ministry and Province) of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, China
| | - Yan Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Non-grain Feed Resources (Co-construction by Ministry and Province) of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, China
| | - Hong Ju Chen
- Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Non-grain Feed Resources (Co-construction by Ministry and Province) of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, China
| | - Wen Jing Du
- Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Non-grain Feed Resources (Co-construction by Ministry and Province) of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, China
| | - Liang Yi Xue
- College of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China.
| | - Xiang Shan Ji
- Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Non-grain Feed Resources (Co-construction by Ministry and Province) of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, China.
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Chen N, Qin Q, Sun KD, Luo D, Cheng QH. An unusual successful treatment with non-sulfonamides: primary cutaneous nocardiosis caused by Nocardia brasiliensis. Ther Clin Risk Manag 2018; 14:1661-1664. [PMID: 30237721 PMCID: PMC6136398 DOI: 10.2147/tcrm.s169239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Primary cutaneous nocardiosis is a rare suppurative or granulomatous inflammation disease caused by Nocardia infection. Because of nonspecific clinical findings, it is always misdiagnosed as common pyogenic infection. Sulfonamides have been the standard treatment for nocardiosis, but the outcome is always poor due to the high rates of misdiagnosis and refractoriness of the disease. Cases presentations The presented cases are patients of acute suppurative cutaneous infection without involvement of other organs. We report four cases, of which two cases were localized cutaneous nocardiosis and the other two were lymphocutaneous type of nocardiosis. All cases were diagnosed with pus culture which turned out to be Nocardia brasiliensis. We report an improvement of primary cutaneous nocardiosis symptoms in the four patients treated with non-sulfonamides. All patients were cured and recovered without recurrence during follow-up. Conclusion Our results suggest that non-sulfonamides are effective treatment for the patients with primary cutaneous nocardiosis who are resistant or intolerant to sulfonamides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nian Chen
- Department of Dermatology, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400042, China,
| | - Qin Qin
- Department of Dermatology, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400042, China,
| | - Ke-Dai Sun
- Department of Dermatology, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400042, China,
| | - Dan Luo
- Department of Dermatology, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400042, China,
| | - Qiong-Hui Cheng
- Department of Dermatology, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400042, China,
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Transparent Tiger barb Puntius tetrazona, a fish model for in vivo analysis of nocardial infection. Vet Microbiol 2017; 211:67-73. [PMID: 29102124 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2017.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2017] [Revised: 10/02/2017] [Accepted: 10/03/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Nocardiosis afflicts multiple species of cultured fish, resulting in substantial economic losses to the aquaculture industry, however, lack of detailed knowledge on disease pathogenesis has hampered the development of effective prevention and control strategies. In this study, we injected a green fluorescent protein (GFP)-labeled Nocardia seriolae strain into a transparent mutant strain of Tiger barb (Puntius tetrazona) to monitor tissue pathogen accumulation and tissue damage in vivo, and to clarify the relationship between pathogenic processes and overt symptoms. GFP-labeled bacteria were phagocytized by leukocytes and could proliferate within these cells, which in turn led to leukocyte aggregation, leukocyte death, and granuloma formation. In addition, intracellular bacteria could permanently colonize various tissues via leukocyte circulation, causing multi-organ infection as revealed by changes of tissue transparency. Histology revealed granulomatous lesions in organs such as muscle, kidney, and spleen that was corresponded to the tissue opacities in vivo. Confocal microscopy confirmed massive accumulations of GFP-labeled bacteria within these granulomas, which often contained a necrotic core. Tiger barb transparency allows for real-time observation of in vivo pathological changes within the same animal, and the pathogenic process can be evaluated based on the shape and size of body opacities. Thus, transparent Tiger barb is a promising model to study the pathogenesis of nocardiosis.
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Mifuji Lira RM, Limón Flores AY, Salinas Carmona MC, Ortiz Stern A. Experimental Granulomatous Pulmonary Nocardiosis in BALB/C Mice. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0157475. [PMID: 27303806 PMCID: PMC4909231 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0157475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2015] [Accepted: 05/31/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary nocardiosis is a granulomatous disease with high mortality that affects both immunosuppressed and immunocompetent patients. The mechanisms leading to the establishment and progression of the infection are currently unknown. An animal model to study these mechanisms is sorely needed. We report the first in vivo model of granulomatous pulmonary nocardiosis that closely resembles human pathology. BALB/c mice infected intranasally with two different doses of GFP-expressing Nocardia brasiliensis ATCC700358 (NbGFP), develop weight loss and pulmonary granulomas. Mice infected with 109 CFUs progressed towards death within a week while mice infected with 108 CFUs died after five to six months. Histological examination of the lungs revealed that both the higher and lower doses of NbGFP induced granulomas with NbGFP clearly identifiable at the center of the lesions. Mice exposed to 108 CFUs and subsequently to 109 CFUs were not protected against disease severity but had less granulomas suggesting some degree of protection. Attempts to identify a cellular target for the infection were unsuccessful but we found that bacterial microcolonies in the suspension used to infect mice were responsible for the establishment of the disease. Small microcolonies of NbGFP, incompatible with nocardial doubling times starting from unicellular organisms, were identified in the lung as early as six hours after infection. Mice infected with highly purified unicellular preparations of NbGFP did not develop granulomas despite showing weight loss. Finally, intranasal delivery of nocardial microcolonies was enough for mice to develop granulomas with minimal weight loss. Taken together these results show that Nocardia brasiliensis microcolonies are both necessary and sufficient for the development of granulomatous pulmonary nocardiosis in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roque M. Mifuji Lira
- Departamento de Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey, Nuevo León, México
| | - Alberto Yairh Limón Flores
- Departamento de Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey, Nuevo León, México
| | - Mario César Salinas Carmona
- Departamento de Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey, Nuevo León, México
| | - Alejandro Ortiz Stern
- Departamento de Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey, Nuevo León, México
- * E-mail:
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Abstract
In Mexico, actinomycetoma is mainly caused by Nocardia brasiliensis, which is a soil inhabitant actinobacterium. Here, we report for the first time the draft genome of a strain isolated from a human case that has largely been found in in vitro and experimental models of actinomycetoma, N. brasiliensis HUJEG-1.
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In vitro activities of the new antitubercular agents PA-824 and BTZ043 against Nocardia brasiliensis. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2012; 56:3984-5. [PMID: 22526312 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00115-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The in vitro activity of PA-824 and BTZ043 against 30 Nocardia brasiliensis isolates was tested. The MIC(50) and MIC(90) values for PA-824 were both >64 μg/ml. The same values for BTZ043 were 0.125 and 0.250 μg/ml. Given the MIC values for benzothiazinone (BTZ) compounds, we consider them good candidates to be tested in vivo against N. brasiliensis.
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