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Yang S, Zeng J, Yu J, Sun R, Tuo Y, Bai H. Insights into Chlamydia Development and Host Cells Response. Microorganisms 2024; 12:1302. [PMID: 39065071 PMCID: PMC11279054 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12071302] [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: 05/29/2024] [Revised: 06/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/23/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia infections commonly afflict both humans and animals, resulting in significant morbidity and imposing a substantial socioeconomic burden worldwide. As an obligate intracellular pathogen, Chlamydia interacts with other cell organelles to obtain necessary nutrients and establishes an intracellular niche for the development of a biphasic intracellular cycle. Eventually, the host cells undergo lysis or extrusion, releasing infectious elementary bodies and facilitating the spread of infection. This review provides insights into Chlamydia development and host cell responses, summarizing the latest research on the biphasic developmental cycle, nutrient acquisition, intracellular metabolism, host cell fates following Chlamydia invasion, prevalent diseases associated with Chlamydia infection, treatment options, and vaccine prevention strategies. A comprehensive understanding of these mechanisms will contribute to a deeper comprehension of the intricate equilibrium between Chlamydia within host cells and the progression of human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Hong Bai
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology (The Educational Ministry of China), Tianjin Institute of Immunology, Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China; (S.Y.); (J.Z.); (J.Y.); (R.S.); (Y.T.)
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2
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Silver LW, Cheng Y, Quigley BL, Robbins A, Timms P, Hogg CJ, Belov K. A targeted approach to investigating immune genes of an iconic Australian marsupial. Mol Ecol 2022; 31:3286-3303. [PMID: 35510793 PMCID: PMC9325493 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2021] [Revised: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Disease is a contributing factor to the decline of wildlife populations across the globe. Koalas, iconic yet declining Australian marsupials, are predominantly impacted by two pathogens, Chlamydia and koala retrovirus. Chlamydia is an obligate intracellular bacterium and one of the most widespread sexually transmitted infections in humans worldwide. In koalas, Chlamydia infections can present as asymptomatic or can cause a range of ocular and urogenital disease signs, such as conjunctivitis, cystitis and infertility. In this study, we looked at differences in response to Chlamydia in two northern populations of koalas using a targeted gene sequencing of 1209 immune genes in addition to genome‐wide reduced representation data. We identified two MHC Class I genes associated with Chlamydia disease progression as well as 25 single nucleotide polymorphisms across 17 genes that were associated with resolution of Chlamydia infection. These genes are involved in the innate immune response (TLR5) and defence (TLR5, IFNγ, SERPINE1, STAT2 and STX4). This study deepens our understanding of the role that genetics plays in disease progression in koalas and leads into future work that will use whole genome resequencing of a larger sample set to investigate in greater detail regions identified in this study. Elucidation of the role of host genetics in disease progression and resolution in koalas will directly contribute to better design of Chlamydia vaccines and management of koala populations which have recently been listed as “endangered.”
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke W Silver
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, 2006, Australia
| | - Yuanyuan Cheng
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, 2006, Australia
| | - Bonnie L Quigley
- Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs, Queensland, 4556, Australia.,Provectus Algae Pty Ltd, 5 Bartlett Road, Noosaville, Queensland, 4566, Australia
| | - Amy Robbins
- Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs, Queensland, 4556, Australia.,Endeavour Veterinary Ecology Pty Ltd, 1695 Pumicestone Road, Toorbul, Queensland, 4510, Australia
| | - Peter Timms
- Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs, Queensland, 4556, Australia
| | - Carolyn J Hogg
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, 2006, Australia
| | - Katherine Belov
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, 2006, Australia
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3
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Vorimore F, Hölzer M, Liebler-Tenorio EM, Barf LM, Delannoy S, Vittecoq M, Wedlarski R, Lécu A, Scharf S, Blanchard Y, Fach P, Hsia RC, Bavoil PM, Rosselló-Móra R, Laroucau K, Sachse K. Evidence for the existence of a new genus Chlamydiifrater gen. nov. inside the family Chlamydiaceae with two new species isolated from flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus): Chlamydiifrater phoenicopteri sp. nov. and Chlamydiifrater volucris sp. nov. Syst Appl Microbiol 2021; 44:126200. [PMID: 34298369 DOI: 10.1016/j.syapm.2021.126200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The family Chlamydiaceae currently comprises a single genus Chlamydia, with 11 validly published species and seven more taxa. It includes the human pathogens Chlamydia (C.) trachomatis, C. pneumoniae and C. psittaci, a zoonotic agent causing avian chlamydiosis and human psittacosis, as well as other proven or potential pathogens in ruminants, birds, snakes, reptiles and turtles. During routine testing of 15 apparently healthy captive flamingos in a zoo in 2011, an atypical strain of Chlamydiaceae was detected by real-time PCR of cloacal swab samples. Sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA gene revealed high similarity to the uncultured Chlamydiales bacterium clone 122, which previously had been found in gulls. As more samples were collected during annual campaigns of the flamingo ringing program in southern France from 2012 to 2015, Chlamydiaceae-specific DNA was detected by PCR in 30.9% of wild birds. From these samples, three strains were successfully grown in cell culture. Ultrastructural analysis, comparison of 16S and 23S rRNA gene sequences, whole-genome analysis based on de novo hybrid-assembled sequences of the new strains as well as subsequent calculation of taxonomic parameters revealed that the relatedness of the flamingo isolates to established members of the family Chlamydiaceae was sufficiently distant to indicate that the three strains belong to two distinct species within a new genus. Based on these data, we propose the introduction of Chlamydiifrater gen. nov., as a new genus, and Chlamydiifrater phoenicopteri sp. nov. and Chlamydiifrater volucris sp. nov., as two new species of the genus.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Vorimore
- University Paris-Est, Anses, Animal Health Laboratory, Bacterial Zoonoses Unit, Maisons-Alfort, France.
| | - M Hölzer
- Robert Koch Institute, MF1 Bioinformatics, Berlin, Germany
| | - E M Liebler-Tenorio
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (Federal Research Institute for Animal Health), Institute of Molecular Pathogenesis, Germany
| | - L-M Barf
- Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, RNA Bioinformatics and High-Throughput Analysis, Jena, Germany
| | - S Delannoy
- University Paris-Est, Anses, Food Research Laboratory, IdentyPath Platform, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - M Vittecoq
- Tour du Valat, Centre de recherche pour la conservation des zones humides méditerranéennes, Le Sambuc, Arles, France
| | - R Wedlarski
- Bioparc - Zoo de Doué la fontaine, 103 rue de Cholet, 49700 Doué la Fontaine, France
| | - A Lécu
- Parc Zoologique de Paris, avenue de Daumesnil, 75012 Paris, France
| | - S Scharf
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (Federal Research Institute for Animal Health), Institute of Molecular Pathogenesis, Germany
| | - Y Blanchard
- Unit of Viral Genetics and Biosafety, ANSES, Laboratory of Ploufragan, Ploufragan, France
| | - P Fach
- University Paris-Est, Anses, Food Research Laboratory, IdentyPath Platform, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - R C Hsia
- University of Maryland, Electron Microscopy Core Imaging Facility, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - P M Bavoil
- University of Maryland, Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - R Rosselló-Móra
- Marine Microbiology Group, Department of Animal and Microbial Biodiversity, Mediterranean Institute for Advanced Studies, 07190 Esporles, Spain
| | - K Laroucau
- University Paris-Est, Anses, Animal Health Laboratory, Bacterial Zoonoses Unit, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - K Sachse
- Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, RNA Bioinformatics and High-Throughput Analysis, Jena, Germany
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Chlamydiaceae: Diseases in Primary Hosts and Zoonosis. Microorganisms 2019; 7:microorganisms7050146. [PMID: 31137741 PMCID: PMC6560403 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms7050146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2019] [Revised: 05/19/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteria of the Chlamydiaceae family are a type of Gram-negative microorganism typified by their obligate intracellular lifestyle. The majority of the members in the Chlamydiaceae family are known pathogenic organisms that primarily infect the host mucosal surfaces in both humans and animals. For instance, Chlamydia trachomatis is a well-known etiological agent for ocular and genital sexually transmitted diseases, while C. pneumoniae has been implicated in community-acquired pneumonia in humans. Other chlamydial species such as C. abortus, C. caviae, C. felis, C. muridarum, C. pecorum, and C. psittaci are important pathogens that are associated with high morbidities in animals. Importantly, some of these animal pathogens have been recognized as zoonotic agents that pose a significant infectious threat to human health through cross-over transmission. The current review provides a succinct recapitulation of the characteristics as well as transmission for the previously established members of the Chlamydiaceae family and a number of other recently described chlamydial organisms.
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5
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In vitro analysis of genetically distinct Chlamydia pecorum isolates reveals key growth differences in mammalian epithelial and immune cells. Vet Microbiol 2019; 232:22-29. [PMID: 31030841 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2019.03.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Revised: 02/21/2019] [Accepted: 03/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Chlamydia (C.) pecorum is an obligate intracellular bacterium that infects and causes disease in a broad range of animal hosts. Molecular studies have revealed that this pathogen is genetically diverse with certain isolates linked to different disease outcomes. Limited in vitro or in vivo data exist to support these observations, further hampering efforts to improve our understanding of C. pecorum pathogenesis. In this study, we evaluated whether genetically distinct C. pecorum isolates (IPA, E58, 1710S, W73, JP-1-751) display different in vitro growth phenotypes in different mammalian epithelial and immune cells. In McCoy cells, shorter lag phases were observed for W73 and JP-1-751 isolates. Significantly smaller inclusions were observed for the naturally plasmid-free E58 isolate. C. pecorum isolates of bovine (E58) and ovine origin (IPA, W73, JP-1-751) grew faster in bovine cells compared to a porcine isolate (1710S). C. pecorum isolates could infect but appear not able to complete their developmental cycle in bovine peripheral neutrophil granulocytes. All isolates, except 1710S, could multiply in bovine monocyte-derived macrophages. These results reveal potentially important phenotypic differences that will help to understand the pathogenesis of C. pecorum in vivo and to identify C. pecorum virulence factors.
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6
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Borel N, Polkinghorne A, Pospischil A. A Review on Chlamydial Diseases in Animals: Still a Challenge for Pathologists? Vet Pathol 2018; 55:374-390. [PMID: 29310550 DOI: 10.1177/0300985817751218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Chlamydiae have a worldwide distribution causing a wide range of diseases in human hosts, livestock, and companion animals as well as in wildlife and exotic species. Moreover, they can persist in their hosts as asymptomatic infections for extended periods of time. The introduction of molecular techniques has revolutionized the Chlamydia field by expanding the host range of known chlamydial species but also by discovering new species and even new families of bacteria in the broader order Chlamydiales. The wide range of hosts, diseases, and tissues affected by chlamydiae complicate the diagnosis such that standard diagnostic approaches for these bacteria are rare. Bacteria of the Chlamydiales order are small and their inclusions are difficult to detect by standard microscopy. With the exception of avian and ovine chlamydiosis, macroscopic and/or histologic changes might not be pathognomic or indicative for a chlamydial infection or even not present at all. Moreover, detection of chlamydial DNA in specimens in the absence of other methods or related pathological lesions questions the significance of such findings. The pathogenic potential of the majority of recently identified Chlamydia-related bacteria remains largely unknown and awaits investigation through experimental or natural infection models including histomorphological characterization of associated lesions. This review aims to summarize the historical background and the most important developments in the field of animal chlamydial research in the past 5 years with a special focus on pathology. It will summarize the current nomenclature, present critical thoughts about diagnostics, and give an update on chlamydial infections in domesticated animals such as livestock, companion animals and birds, as well as free-ranging and captive wild animals such as reptiles, fish, and marsupials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Borel
- 1 Department of Pathobiology, Institute of Veterinary Pathology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Adam Polkinghorne
- 2 Centre for Animal Health Innovation, Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Australia
| | - Andreas Pospischil
- 1 Department of Pathobiology, Institute of Veterinary Pathology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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7
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Bayramova F, Jacquier N, Greub G. Insight in the biology of Chlamydia-related bacteria. Microbes Infect 2017; 20:432-440. [PMID: 29269129 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2017.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2017] [Revised: 11/14/2017] [Accepted: 11/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The Chlamydiales order is composed of obligate intracellular bacteria and includes the Chlamydiaceae family and several family-level lineages called Chlamydia-related bacteria. In this review we will highlight the conserved and distinct biological features between these two groups. We will show how a better characterization of Chlamydia-related bacteria may increase our understanding on the Chlamydiales order evolution, and may help identifying new therapeutic targets to treat chlamydial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Firuza Bayramova
- Centre for Research on Intracellular Bacteria, Institute of Microbiology, University Hospital Centre and University of Lausanne, Bugnon 48, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Jacquier
- Centre for Research on Intracellular Bacteria, Institute of Microbiology, University Hospital Centre and University of Lausanne, Bugnon 48, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Gilbert Greub
- Centre for Research on Intracellular Bacteria, Institute of Microbiology, University Hospital Centre and University of Lausanne, Bugnon 48, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland.
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8
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Lawrence A, Fraser T, Gillett A, Tyndall JDA, Timms P, Polkinghorne A, Huston WM. Chlamydia Serine Protease Inhibitor, targeting HtrA, as a New Treatment for Koala Chlamydia infection. Sci Rep 2016; 6:31466. [PMID: 27530689 PMCID: PMC4987629 DOI: 10.1038/srep31466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2016] [Accepted: 07/20/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The koala, an iconic marsupial native to Australia, is a threatened species in many parts of the country. One major factor in the decline is disease caused by infection with Chlamydia. Current therapeutic strategies to treat chlamydiosis in the koala are limited. This study examines the effectiveness of an inhibitor, JO146, which targets the HtrA serine protease for treatment of C. pecorum and C. pneumoniae in vitro and ex vivo with the aim of developing a novel therapeutic for koala Chlamydia infections. Clinical isolates from koalas were examined for their susceptibility to JO146. In vitro studies demonstrated that treatment with JO146 during the mid-replicative phase of C. pecorum or C. pneumoniae infections resulted in a significant loss of infectious progeny. Ex vivo primary koala tissue cultures were used to demonstrate the efficacy of JO146 and the non-toxic nature of this compound on peripheral blood mononuclear cells and primary cell lines established from koala tissues collected at necropsy. Our results suggest that inhibition of the serine protease HtrA could be a novel treatment strategy for chlamydiosis in koalas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amba Lawrence
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, QLD, 4059, Australia
| | - Tamieka Fraser
- Centre for Animal Health Innovation, Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydoore, QLD, 4558, Australia
| | - Amber Gillett
- Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital, Beerwah, QLD, 4519, Australia
| | - Joel D A Tyndall
- New Zealand's National School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054 New Zealand
| | - Peter Timms
- Centre for Animal Health Innovation, Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydoore, QLD, 4558, Australia
| | - Adam Polkinghorne
- Centre for Animal Health Innovation, Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydoore, QLD, 4558, Australia
| | - Wilhelmina M Huston
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, QLD, 4059, Australia.,School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, NSW, 2007, Australia
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9
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Mangar C, Armitage CW, Timms P, Corcoran LM, Beagley KW. Characterisation of CD4 T cells in healthy and diseased koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) using cell-type-specific monoclonal antibodies. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2016; 60:80-90. [PMID: 26905635 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2016.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2015] [Revised: 02/16/2016] [Accepted: 02/16/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) is an arboreal herbivorous marsupial that is an Australian icon. Koalas in many parts of Australia are under multiple threats including habitat destruction, dog attacks, vehicular accidents, and infectious diseases such as Chlamydia spp. and the koala retrovirus (KoRV), which may contribute to the incidence of lymphoma and leukaemia in this species. Due to a lack of koala-specific immune reagents and assays there is currently no way to adequately analyse the immune response in healthy, diseased or vaccinated animals. This paper reports the production and characterisation of the first anti-koala CD4 monoclonal antibody (mAb). The koala CD4 gene was identified and used to develop recombinant proteins for mAb production. Fluorochrome-conjugated anti-CD4 mAb was used to measure the levels of CD4(+) lymphocytes collected from koala spleens (41.1%, range 20-45.1%) lymph nodes (36.3%, range 19-55.9%) and peripheral blood (23.8%, range 17.3-35%) by flow cytometry. Biotin-conjugated anti-CD4 mAb was used for western blot to determine an approximate size of 52 kDa for the koala CD4 molecule and used in immunohistochemistry to identify CD4(+) cells in the paracortical region and germinal centres of spleen and lymph nodes. Using the anti-CD4 mab we showed that CD4 cells from vaccinated, but not control, koalas proliferated following in vitro stimulation with UV-inactivated Chlamydia pecorum and recombinant chlamydial antigens. Since CD4(+) T cells have been shown to play a pivotal role in clearing chlamydial infection in both human and mouse infections, using this novel antibody will help determine the role CD4(+) T cells play in protection against chlamydial infection in koalas and also enhance our knowledge of how KoRV affects the koala immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chandan Mangar
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI), Queensland University of Technology (QUT), P.O Box 4059, Kelvin Grove, Queensland, Australia
| | - Charles W Armitage
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI), Queensland University of Technology (QUT), P.O Box 4059, Kelvin Grove, Queensland, Australia
| | - Peter Timms
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI), Queensland University of Technology (QUT), P.O Box 4059, Kelvin Grove, Queensland, Australia; Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering, University of Sunshine Coast (USC), P.O Box, 4556, Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia
| | - Lynn M Corcoran
- The Walter Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, 3052, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kenneth W Beagley
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI), Queensland University of Technology (QUT), P.O Box 4059, Kelvin Grove, Queensland, Australia.
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Roulis E, Bachmann N, Humphrys M, Myers G, Huston W, Polkinghorne A, Timms P. Phylogenetic analysis of human Chlamydia pneumoniae strains reveals a distinct Australian indigenous clade that predates European exploration of the continent. BMC Genomics 2015; 16:1094. [PMID: 26694618 PMCID: PMC4687280 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-015-2281-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2015] [Accepted: 12/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The obligate intracellular bacterium Chlamydia pneumoniae is a common respiratory pathogen, which has been found in a range of hosts including humans, marsupials and amphibians. Whole genome comparisons of human C. pneumoniae have previously highlighted a highly conserved nucleotide sequence, with minor but key polymorphisms and additional coding capacity when human and animal strains are compared. Results In this study, we sequenced three Australian human C. pneumoniae strains, two of which were isolated from patients in remote indigenous communities, and compared them to all available C. pneumoniae genomes. Our study demonstrated a phylogenetically distinct human C. pneumoniae clade containing the two indigenous Australian strains, with estimates that the most recent common ancestor of these strains predates the arrival of European settlers to Australia. We describe several polymorphisms characteristic to these strains, some of which are similar in sequence to animal C. pneumoniae strains, as well as evidence to suggest that several recombination events have shaped these distinct strains. Conclusions Our study reveals a greater sequence diversity amongst both human and animal C. pneumoniae strains, and suggests that a wider range of strains may be circulating in the human population than current sampling indicates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eileen Roulis
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, QLD, Australia.
| | - Nathan Bachmann
- Centre for Animal Health Innovation, Faculty of Science, Health, Education & Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD, Australia.
| | - Michael Humphrys
- Institute for Genomic Sciences, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Garry Myers
- i3 Institute, University of Technology, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - Wilhelmina Huston
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, QLD, Australia. .,i3 Institute, University of Technology, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - Adam Polkinghorne
- Centre for Animal Health Innovation, Faculty of Science, Health, Education & Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD, Australia.
| | - Peter Timms
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, QLD, Australia. .,Centre for Animal Health Innovation, Faculty of Science, Health, Education & Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD, Australia.
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11
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Comparative genomic analysis of human Chlamydia pneumoniae isolates from respiratory, brain and cardiac tissues. Genomics 2015; 106:373-83. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2015.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2015] [Revised: 08/14/2015] [Accepted: 09/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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12
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Chacko A, Beagley KW, Timms P, Huston WM. Human Chlamydia pneumoniae isolates demonstrate ability to recover infectivity following penicillin treatment whereas animal isolates do not. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2015; 362:fnv015. [PMID: 25663156 DOI: 10.1093/femsle/fnv015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia pneumoniae strains have recently been demonstrated to have substantially different capacities to enter and recover from IFN-γ-induced persistence, depending on whether they are from human or animal host sources. Here, we examined the ability of two human and two animal strains to enter and be rescued from penicillin-induced persistence. The ability to form inclusions after the addition of penicillin was much reduced in the two animal isolates (koala LPCoLN, bandicoot B21) compared to the two human isolates (respiratory AR39 and heart A03). The penicillin treatment resulted in a dose-dependent loss of infectious progeny for all isolates, with the human strains failing to produce infectious progeny at lower doses of penicillin than the animal strains. The most remarkable finding however was the contrasting ability of the isolates to recover infectious progeny production after rescue by removal of the penicillin (at 72 h) and continued culture. The animal isolates both showed virtually no recovery from the penicillin treatment conditions. In contrast, the human isolates showed a significant ability to recovery infectivity, with the heart isolate (A03) showing the most marked recovery. Combined, these data further support the hypothesis that the ability to establish and recover from persistence appears to be enhanced in human C. pneumoniae strains compared to animal strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anu Chacko
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Q block, 60 Musk Ave, Kelvin Grove, QLD 4059, Australia
| | - Kenneth W Beagley
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Q block, 60 Musk Ave, Kelvin Grove, QLD 4059, Australia
| | - Peter Timms
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Q block, 60 Musk Ave, Kelvin Grove, QLD 4059, Australia Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, QLD 4558, Australia
| | - Wilhelmina M Huston
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Q block, 60 Musk Ave, Kelvin Grove, QLD 4059, Australia
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13
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Evolution to a chronic disease niche correlates with increased sensitivity to tryptophan availability for the obligate intracellular bacterium Chlamydia pneumoniae. J Bacteriol 2014; 196:1915-24. [PMID: 24682324 DOI: 10.1128/jb.01476-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The chlamydiae are obligate intracellular parasites that have evolved specific interactions with their various hosts and host cell types to ensure their successful survival and consequential pathogenesis. The species Chlamydia pneumoniae is ubiquitous, with serological studies showing that most humans are infected at some stage in their lifetime. While most human infections are asymptomatic, C. pneumoniae can cause more-severe respiratory disease and pneumonia and has been linked to chronic diseases such as asthma, atherosclerosis, and even Alzheimer's disease. The widely dispersed animal-adapted C. pneumoniae strains cause an equally wide range of diseases in their hosts. It is emerging that the ability of C. pneumoniae to survive inside its target cells, including evasion of the host's immune attack mechanisms, is linked to the acquisition of key metabolites. Tryptophan and arginine are key checkpoint compounds in this host-parasite battle. Interestingly, the animal strains of C. pneumoniae have a slightly larger genome, enabling them to cope better with metabolite restrictions. It therefore appears that as the evolutionarily more ancient animal strains have evolved to infect humans, they have selectively become more "susceptible" to the levels of key metabolites, such as tryptophan. While this might initially appear to be a weakness, it allows these human C. pneumoniae strains to exquisitely sense host immune attack and respond by rapidly reverting to a persistent phase. During persistence, they reduce their metabolic levels, halting progression of their developmental cycle, waiting until the hostile external conditions have passed before they reemerge.
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Crescent and star shapes of members of the Chlamydiales order: impact of fixative methods. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 2013; 104:521-32. [DOI: 10.1007/s10482-013-9999-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2013] [Accepted: 08/07/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Roulis E, Polkinghorne A, Timms P. Chlamydia pneumoniae: modern insights into an ancient pathogen. Trends Microbiol 2012; 21:120-8. [PMID: 23218799 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2012.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2012] [Revised: 10/28/2012] [Accepted: 10/31/2012] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Chlamydia pneumoniae is an enigmatic human and animal pathogen. Originally discovered in association with acute human respiratory disease, it is now associated with a remarkably wide range of chronic diseases as well as having a cosmopolitan distribution within the animal kingdom. Molecular typing studies suggest that animal strains are ancestral to human strains and that C. pneumoniae crossed from animals to humans as the result of at least one relatively recent zoonotic event. Whole genome analyses appear to support this concept - the human strains are highly conserved whereas the single animal strain that has been fully sequenced has a larger genome with several notable differences. When compared to the other, better known chlamydial species that is implicated in human infection, Chlamydia trachomatis, C. pneumoniae demonstrates pertinent differences in its cell biology, development, and genome structure. Here, we examine the characteristic facets of C. pneumoniae biology, offering insights into the diversity and evolution of this silent and ancient pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eileen Roulis
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane 4059, Australia
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Adams-Hosking C, Grantham HS, Rhodes JR, McAlpine C, Moss PT. Modelling climate-change-induced shifts in the distribution of the koala. WILDLIFE RESEARCH 2011. [DOI: 10.1071/wr10156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Context
The impacts of climate change on the climate envelopes, and hence, distributions of species, are of ongoing concern for biodiversity worldwide. Knowing where climate refuge habitats will occur in the future is essential to conservation planning. The koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) is recognised by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as a species highly vulnerable to climate change. However, the impact of climate change on its distribution is poorly understood.
Aims
We aimed to predict the likely shifts in the climate envelope of the koala throughout its natural distribution under various climate change scenarios and identify potential future climate refugia.
Methods
To predict possible future koala climate envelopes we developed bioclimatic models using Maxent, based on a substantial database of locality records and several climate change scenarios.
Key results
The predicted current koala climate envelope was concentrated in south-east Queensland, eastern New South Wales and eastern Victoria, which generally showed congruency with their current known distribution. Under realistic projected future climate change, with the climate becoming increasingly drier and warmer, the models showed a significant progressive eastward and southward contraction in the koala’s climate envelope limit in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. The models also indicated novel potentially suitable climate habitat in Tasmania and south-western Australia.
Conclusions
Under a future hotter and drier climate, current koala distributions, based on their climate envelope, will likely contract eastwards and southwards to many regions where koala populations are declining due to additional threats of high human population densities and ongoing pressures from habitat loss, dog attacks and vehicle collisions. In arid and semi-arid regions such as the Mulgalands of south-western Queensland, climate change is likely to compound the impacts of habitat loss, resulting in significant contractions in the distribution of this species.
Implications
Climate change pressures will likely change priorities for allocating conservation efforts for many species. Conservation planning needs to identify areas that will provide climatically suitable habitat for a species in a changing climate. In the case of the koala, inland habitats are likely to become climatically unsuitable, increasing the need to protect and restore the more mesic habitats, which are under threat from urbanisation. National and regional koala conservation policies need to anticipate these changes and synergistic threats. Therefore, a proactive approach to conservation planning is necessary to protect the koala and other species that depend on eucalypt forests.
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Mitchell CM, Hovis KM, Bavoil PM, Myers GSA, Carrasco JA, Timms P. Comparison of koala LPCoLN and human strains of Chlamydia pneumoniae highlights extended genetic diversity in the species. BMC Genomics 2010; 11:442. [PMID: 20646324 PMCID: PMC3091639 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-11-442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2009] [Accepted: 07/21/2010] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Chlamydia pneumoniae is a widespread pathogen causing upper and lower respiratory tract infections in addition to a range of other diseases in humans and animals. Previous whole genome analyses have focused on four essentially clonal (> 99% identity) C. pneumoniae human genomes (AR39, CWL029, J138 and TW183), providing relatively little insight into strain diversity and evolution of this species. Results We performed individual gene-by-gene comparisons of the recently sequenced C. pneumoniae koala genome and four C. pneumoniae human genomes to identify species-specific genes, and more importantly, to gain an insight into the genetic diversity and evolution of the species. We selected genes dispersed throughout the chromosome, representing genes that were specific to C. pneumoniae, genes with a demonstrated role in chlamydial biology and/or pathogenicity (n = 49), genes encoding nucleotide salvage or amino acid biosynthesis proteins (n = 6), and extrachromosomal elements (9 plasmid and 2 bacteriophage genes). Conclusions We have identified strain-specific differences and targets for detection of C. pneumoniae isolates from both human and animal origin. Such characterisation is necessary for an improved understanding of disease transmission and intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Candice M Mitchell
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Queensland 4059, Australia
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Carey AJ, Timms P, Rawlinson G, Brumm J, Nilsson K, Harris JM, Beagley KW. ORIGINAL ARTICLE: A Multi-Subunit Chlamydial Vaccine Induces Antibody and Cell-Mediated Immunity in Immunized Koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus): Comparison of Three Different Adjuvants. Am J Reprod Immunol 2010; 63:161-72. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0897.2009.00776.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
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Abstract
Zoonotic infections are a growing threat to global health. Chlamydia pneumoniae is a major human pathogen that is widespread in human populations, causing acute respiratory disease, and has been associated with chronic disease. C. pneumoniae was first identified solely in human populations; however, its host range now includes other mammals, marsupials, amphibians, and reptiles. Australian koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) are widely infected with two species of Chlamydia, C. pecorum and C. pneumoniae. Transmission of C. pneumoniae between animals and humans has not been reported; however, two other chlamydial species, C. psittaci and C. abortus, are known zoonotic pathogens. We have sequenced the 1,241,024-bp chromosome and a 7.5-kb cryptic chlamydial plasmid of the koala strain of C. pneumoniae (LPCoLN) using the whole-genome shotgun method. Comparative genomic analysis, including pseudogene and single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) distribution, and phylogenetic analysis of conserved genes and SNPs against the human isolates of C. pneumoniae show that the LPCoLN isolate is basal to human isolates. Thus, we propose based on compelling genomic and phylogenetic evidence that humans were originally infected zoonotically by an animal isolate(s) of C. pneumoniae which adapted to humans primarily through the processes of gene decay and plasmid loss, to the point where the animal reservoir is no longer required for transmission.
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