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De K, Belardinelli JM, Pandurangan AP, Ehianeta T, Lian E, Palčeková Z, Lam H, Gonzalez-Juarrero M, Bryant JM, Blundell TL, Parkhill J, Floto RA, Lowary TL, Wheat WH, Jackson M. Lipoarabinomannan modification as a source of phenotypic heterogeneity in host-adapted Mycobacterium abscessus isolates. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2403206121. [PMID: 38630725 PMCID: PMC11046677 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2403206121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Mycobacterium abscessus is increasingly recognized as the causative agent of chronic pulmonary infections in humans. One of the genes found to be under strong evolutionary pressure during adaptation of M. abscessus to the human lung is embC which encodes an arabinosyltransferase required for the biosynthesis of the cell envelope lipoglycan, lipoarabinomannan (LAM). To assess the impact of patient-derived embC mutations on the physiology and virulence of M. abscessus, mutations were introduced in the isogenic background of M. abscessus ATCC 19977 and the resulting strains probed for phenotypic changes in a variety of in vitro and host cell-based assays relevant to infection. We show that patient-derived mutational variations in EmbC result in an unexpectedly large number of changes in the physiology of M. abscessus, and its interactions with innate immune cells. Not only did the mutants produce previously unknown forms of LAM with a truncated arabinan domain and 3-linked oligomannoside chains, they also displayed significantly altered cording, sliding motility, and biofilm-forming capacities. The mutants further differed from wild-type M. abscessus in their ability to replicate and induce inflammatory responses in human monocyte-derived macrophages and epithelial cells. The fact that different embC mutations were associated with distinct physiologic and pathogenic outcomes indicates that structural alterations in LAM caused by nonsynonymous nucleotide polymorphisms in embC may be a rapid, one-step, way for M. abscessus to generate broad-spectrum diversity beneficial to survival within the heterogeneous and constantly evolving environment of the infected human airway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kavita De
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO80523-1682
| | - Juan M. Belardinelli
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO80523-1682
| | - Arun Prasad Pandurangan
- Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart and Lung Research Institute, Biomedical Campus, Trumpington, CambridgeCB2 OBB, United Kingdom
| | - Teddy Ehianeta
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Nangang, Taipei11529, Taiwan
| | - Elena Lian
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO80523-1682
| | - Zuzana Palčeková
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO80523-1682
| | - Ha Lam
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO80523-1682
| | - Mercedes Gonzalez-Juarrero
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO80523-1682
| | - Josephine M. Bryant
- Parasites and Microbes Programme, Wellcome Sanger Institute, HinxtonCB10 1SA, United Kingdom
| | - Tom L. Blundell
- Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart and Lung Research Institute, Biomedical Campus, Trumpington, CambridgeCB2 OBB, United Kingdom
| | - Julian Parkhill
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, CambridgeCB3 0ES, United Kingdom
| | - R. Andres Floto
- Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart and Lung Research Institute, Biomedical Campus, Trumpington, CambridgeCB2 OBB, United Kingdom
- Molecular Immunity Unit, Department of Medicine, Medical Research Council-Laboratory of Molecular Biology, University of Cambridge, Trumpington, CambridgeCB2 0QH, United Kingdom
- University of Cambridge Centre for AI in Medicine, Cambridge CB3 0WA, United Kingdom
- Cambridge Centre for Lung Infection, Royal Papworth Hospital, CambridgeCB2 0AY, United Kingdom
| | - Todd L. Lowary
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Nangang, Taipei11529, Taiwan
- Institute of Biochemical Sciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei106, Taiwan
| | - William H. Wheat
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO80523-1682
| | - Mary Jackson
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO80523-1682
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Kaiumov KA, Marchenko VV, Kokorev DA, Borodulina EA, Ismatullin DD, Lyamin AV. Construction of Composite Correlation Index Matrix and Analysis of Cultural Properties of Representatives of Mycobacterium abscessus Complex Isolated from Patients with Cystic Fibrosis. Int J Mycobacteriol 2024; 13:133-139. [PMID: 38916382 DOI: 10.4103/ijmy.ijmy_70_24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Microbiological diagnosis of mycobacteriosis is often difficult, as it is necessary to differentiate between transient colonization and active infection. METHODS We studied the cultural properties of Mycobacterium abscessus complex (MABSc) strains obtained from cystic fibrosis patients, and also analyzed composite correlation index (CCI) values in patients with repeated MABSc inoculation and their correlation with the presence of clinical and radiological manifestations of mycobacteriosis. RESULTS As a result, MABSc more often grew in S-form colonies in patients without clinical manifestations of chronic infection, while R-form colonies were characteristic of patients with chronic infection and clinical symptoms. At the same time, in patients examined once, no growth of colonies in the R-form was recorded, and all strains produced growth in the form of either S-colonies or in the S- and R-forms simultaneously. Statistically significant results were obtained for the relationship of the CCI with the clinical and radiological picture. In addition, a heterogeneous MABSc population with low CCI score values correlated with the development of mycobacteriosis in patients. In patients with high CCI score values (homogeneity of isolated strains), on the contrary, there were no radiological or clinical signs of the disease. CONCLUSION These data make it possible to build a strategy for monitoring patients depending on changes in CCI score values. The use of CCI matrix to evaluate microorganisms' identification results is a potentially new method that expands the use of matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karim Askerovich Kaiumov
- Professional Center for Education and Research in Genetic and Laboratory Technologies, Samara State Medical University, Samara, Russia
| | - Varvara Vyacheslavovna Marchenko
- Professional Center for Education and Research in Genetic and Laboratory Technologies, Samara State Medical University, Samara, Russia
| | - Daniil Andreevich Kokorev
- Professional Center for Education and Research in Genetic and Laboratory Technologies, Samara State Medical University, Samara, Russia
| | | | - Danir Damirovich Ismatullin
- Professional Center for Education and Research in Genetic and Laboratory Technologies, Samara State Medical University, Samara, Russia
| | - Artem Viktorovich Lyamin
- Professional Center for Education and Research in Genetic and Laboratory Technologies, Samara State Medical University, Samara, Russia
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Schmalstig AA, Wiggins A, Badillo D, Wetzel KS, Hatfull GF, Braunstein M. Bacteriophage infection and killing of intracellular Mycobacterium abscessus. mBio 2024; 15:e0292423. [PMID: 38059609 PMCID: PMC10790704 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02924-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE As we rapidly approach a post-antibiotic era, bacteriophage (phage) therapy may offer a solution for treating drug-resistant bacteria. Mycobacterium abscessus is an emerging, multidrug-resistant pathogen that causes disease in people with cystic fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and other underlying lung diseases. M. abscessus can survive inside host cells, a niche that can limit access to antibiotics. As current treatment options for M. abscessus infections often fail, there is an urgent need for alternative therapies. Phage therapy is being used to treat M. abscessus infections as an option of last resort. However, little is known about the ability of phages to kill bacteria in the host environment and specifically in an intracellular environment. Here, we demonstrate the ability of phages to enter mammalian cells and to infect and kill intracellular M. abscessus. These findings support the use of phages to treat intracellular bacterial pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan A. Schmalstig
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, UNC School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Andrew Wiggins
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, UNC School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Debbie Badillo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, UNC School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Katherine S. Wetzel
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Graham F. Hatfull
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Miriam Braunstein
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, UNC School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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Gill CP, Phan C, Platt V, Worrell D, Andl T, Roy H. The MprF homolog LysX synthesizes lysyl-diacylglycerol contributing to antibiotic resistance and virulence. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0142923. [PMID: 37768052 PMCID: PMC10580965 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01429-23] [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: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Lysyl-diacylglycerol (Lys-DAG) was identified three decades ago in Mycobacterium phlei, but the biosynthetic pathway and function of this aminoacylated lipid have since remained uncharacterized. Combining genetic methods, mass spectrometry, and biochemical approaches, we show that the multiple peptide resistance factor (MprF) homolog LysX from Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis and two mycobacterial species is responsible for Lys-DAG synthesis. LysX is conserved in most Actinobacteria and was previously implicated in the synthesis of another modified lipid, lysyl-phosphatidylglycerol (Lys-PG), in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Although we detected low levels of Lys-PG in the membrane of C. pseudotuberculosis, our data suggest that Lys-PG is not directly synthesized by LysX and may require an additional downstream pathway, which is as yet undefined. Our results show that LysX in C. pseudotuberculosis is a major factor of resistance against a variety of positively charged antibacterial agents, including cationic antimicrobial peptides (e.g., human peptide LL-37 and polymyxin B) and aminoglycosides (e.g., gentamycin and apramycin). Deletion of lysX caused an increase in cellular membrane permeability without dissipation of the membrane potential, suggesting that loss of the protein does not result in mechanical damage to the cell membrane. Furthermore, lysX-deficient cells exhibited an attenuated virulence phenotype in a Galleria mellonella infection model, supporting a role for LysX during infection. Altogether, Lys-DAG represents a novel molecular determinant for antimicrobial resistance and virulence that may be widespread in Actinobacteria and points to a richer landscape than previously realized of lipid components contributing to overall membrane physiology in this important bacterial phylum. IMPORTANCE In the past two decades, tRNA-dependent modification of membrane phosphatidylglycerol has been implicated in altering the biochemical properties of the cell surface, thereby enhancing the antimicrobial resistance and virulence of various bacterial pathogens. Here, we show that in several Actinobacteria, the multifunctional protein LysX attaches lysine to diacylglycerol instead of phosphatidylglycerol. We found that lysyl-diacylglycerol (Lys-DAG) confers high levels of resistance against various cationic antimicrobial peptides and aminoglycosides and also enhances virulence. Our data show that Lys-DAG is a lipid commonly found in important actinobacterial pathogens, including Mycobacterium and Corynebacterium species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cameron P. Gill
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - Christopher Phan
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - Vivien Platt
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - Danielle Worrell
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - Thomas Andl
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - Hervé Roy
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA
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Illouz M, Leclercq LD, Dessenne C, Hatfull G, Daher W, Kremer L, Guérardel Y. Multiple Mycobacterium abscessus O-acetyltransferases influence glycopeptidolipid structure and colony morphotype. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:104979. [PMID: 37390990 PMCID: PMC10400925 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.104979] [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: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Mycobacterium abscessus causes severe lung infections. Clinical isolates can have either smooth (S) or rough (R) colony morphotypes; of these, S but not R variants have abundant cell wall glycopeptidolipids (GPL) consisting of a peptidolipid core substituted by a 6-deoxy-α-L-talose (6-dTal) and rhamnose residues. Deletion of gtf1, encoding the 6-dTal transferase, results in the S-to-R transition, mycobacterial cord formation, and increased virulence, underscoring the importance of 6-dTal in infection outcomes. However, since 6-dTal is di-O-acetylated, it is unclear whether the gtf1 mutant phenotypes are related to the loss of the 6-dTal or the result of the absence of acetylation. Here, we addressed whether M. abscessus atf1 and atf2, encoding two putative O-acetyltransferases located within the gpl biosynthetic locus, transfer acetyl groups to 6-dTal. We found deletion of atf1 and/or atf2 did not drastically alter the GPL acetylation profile, suggesting there are additional enzymes with redundant functions. We subsequently identified two paralogs of atf1 and atf2, MAB_1725c and MAB_3448. While deletion of MAB_1725c and MAB_3448 had no effect on GPL acetylation, the triple atf1-atf2-MAB_1725c mutant did not synthetize fully acetylated GPL, and the quadruple mutant was totally devoid of acetylated GPL. Moreover, both triple and quadruple mutants accumulated hyper-methylated GPL. Finally, we show deletion of atf genes resulted in subtle changes in colony morphology but had no effect on M. abscessus internalization by macrophages. Overall, these findings reveal the existence of functionally redundant O-acetyltransferases and suggest that O-acetylation influences the glycan moiety of GPL by deflecting biosynthetic flux in M. abscessus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgane Illouz
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR 9004, Institut de Recherche en Infectiologie de Montpellier (IRIM), Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Louis-David Leclercq
- UMR 8576 - UGSF - Unité de Glycobiologie Structurale et Fonctionnelle, CNRS, Université de Lille, Lille, France
| | - Clara Dessenne
- UMR 8576 - UGSF - Unité de Glycobiologie Structurale et Fonctionnelle, CNRS, Université de Lille, Lille, France
| | - Graham Hatfull
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Wassim Daher
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR 9004, Institut de Recherche en Infectiologie de Montpellier (IRIM), Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France; INSERM, IRIM, Montpellier, France
| | - Laurent Kremer
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR 9004, Institut de Recherche en Infectiologie de Montpellier (IRIM), Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France; INSERM, IRIM, Montpellier, France.
| | - Yann Guérardel
- UMR 8576 - UGSF - Unité de Glycobiologie Structurale et Fonctionnelle, CNRS, Université de Lille, Lille, France; Institute for Glyco-Core Research (iGCORE), Gifu University, Gifu, Japan.
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Gorzynski M, De Ville K, Week T, Jaramillo T, Danelishvili L. Understanding the Phage-Host Interaction Mechanism toward Improving the Efficacy of Current Antibiotics in Mycobacterium abscessus. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11051379. [PMID: 37239050 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11051379] [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: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary infections caused by Mycobacterium abscessus (MAB) have been increasing in incidence in recent years, leading to chronic and many times fatal infections due to MAB's natural resistance to most available antimicrobials. The use of bacteriophages (phages) in clinics is emerging as a novel treatment strategy to save the lives of patients suffering from drug-resistant, chronic, and disseminated infections. The substantial research indicates that phage-antibiotic combination therapy can display synergy and be clinically more effective than phage therapy alone. However, there is limited knowledge in the understanding of the molecular mechanisms in phage-mycobacteria interaction and the synergism of phage-antibiotic combinations. We generated the lytic mycobacteriophage library and studied phage specificity and the host range in MAB clinical isolates and characterized the phage's ability to lyse the pathogen under various environmental and mammalian host stress conditions. Our results indicate that phage lytic efficiency is altered by environmental conditions, especially in conditions of biofilm and intracellular states of MAB. By utilizing the MAB gene knockout mutants of the MAB_0937c/MmpL10 drug efflux pump and MAB_0939/pks polyketide synthase enzyme, we discovered the surface glycolipid diacyltrehalose/polyacyltrehalose (DAT/PAT) as one of the major primary phage receptors in mycobacteria. We also established a set of phages that alter the MmpL10 multidrug efflux pump function in MAB through an evolutionary trade-off mechanism. The combination of these phages with antibiotics significantly decreases the number of viable bacteria when compared to phage or antibiotic-alone treatments. This study deepens our understanding of phage-mycobacteria interaction mechanisms and identifies therapeutic phages that can lower bacterial fitness by impairing an antibiotic efflux function and attenuating the MAB intrinsic resistance mechanism via targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mylene Gorzynski
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
- Department of Microbiology, College of Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Katalla De Ville
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, College of Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Tiana Week
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Tiana Jaramillo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
- Department of Animal Sciences, College of Agricultural Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Lia Danelishvili
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
- Department of Microbiology, College of Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
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Ratna S, Daniel J. Stress-induced non-replicating Mycobacterium smegmatis incorporates exogenous fatty acids into glycopeptidolipids. Microb Pathog 2023; 174:105943. [PMID: 36502992 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2022.105943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) such as Mycobacterium smegmatis accumulate high levels of glycopeptidolipids (GPLs) on their outer surface. The biosynthesis of GPLs is critically linked to biofilm formation by NTM which also includes opportunistic pathogens such as Mycobacterium abscessus. Although GPLs have been investigated in many earlier studies, the biosynthesis of GPLs using exogenous fatty acids in M. smegmatis subjected to stresses encountered by mycobacteria during infection of the human body has not been studied. Therefore, we subjected M. smegmatis to different combinations of the three stresses of hypoxia, acidic pH and nutrient starvation and report here that the metabolic incorporation of radiolabeled long-chain fatty acids into alkali-stable GPLs was significantly increased under these stress conditions. Endogenously synthesized fatty acids were not preferred for GPL biosynthesis by M. smegmatis subjected to the triple stress combination. Our observations indicate that GPLs may play important roles in cell surface modifications associated with the non-replicating state of M. smegmatis. Our experimental model reported here would be useful in the further study of GPL biosynthesis from exogenous fatty acid sources in M. smegmatis subjected to hypoxia, nutrient starvation and acidic stress conditions and help in the screening of candidate drugs that target this biochemical pathway in pathogenic NTM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sushanta Ratna
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University Fort Wayne, Fort Wayne, IN, 46805, USA
| | - Jaiyanth Daniel
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University Fort Wayne, Fort Wayne, IN, 46805, USA.
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Belardinelli JM, Li W, Martin KH, Zeiler MJ, Lian E, Avanzi C, Wiersma CJ, Nguyen TV, Angala B, de Moura VCN, Jones V, Borlee BR, Melander C, Jackson M. 2-Aminoimidazoles Inhibit Mycobacterium abscessus Biofilms in a Zinc-Dependent Manner. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23062950. [PMID: 35328372 PMCID: PMC8951752 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23062950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Biofilm growth is thought to be a significant obstacle to the successful treatment of Mycobacterium abscessus infections. A search for agents capable of inhibiting M. abscessus biofilms led to our interest in 2-aminoimidazoles and related scaffolds, which have proven to display antibiofilm properties against a number of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium smegmatis. The screening of a library of 30 compounds led to the identification of a compound, AB-2-29, which inhibits the formation of M. abscessus biofilms with an IC50 (the concentration required to inhibit 50% of biofilm formation) in the range of 12.5 to 25 μM. Interestingly, AB-2-29 appears to chelate zinc, and its antibiofilm activity is potentiated by the addition of zinc to the culture medium. Preliminary mechanistic studies indicate that AB-2-29 acts through a distinct mechanism from those reported to date for 2-aminoimidazole compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan M. Belardinelli
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA; (J.M.B.); (W.L.); (E.L.); (C.A.); (C.J.W.); (B.A.); (V.C.N.d.M.); (V.J.)
| | - Wei Li
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA; (J.M.B.); (W.L.); (E.L.); (C.A.); (C.J.W.); (B.A.); (V.C.N.d.M.); (V.J.)
| | - Kevin H. Martin
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA; (K.H.M.); (B.R.B.)
| | - Michael J. Zeiler
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA; (M.J.Z.); (C.M.)
| | - Elena Lian
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA; (J.M.B.); (W.L.); (E.L.); (C.A.); (C.J.W.); (B.A.); (V.C.N.d.M.); (V.J.)
| | - Charlotte Avanzi
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA; (J.M.B.); (W.L.); (E.L.); (C.A.); (C.J.W.); (B.A.); (V.C.N.d.M.); (V.J.)
| | - Crystal J. Wiersma
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA; (J.M.B.); (W.L.); (E.L.); (C.A.); (C.J.W.); (B.A.); (V.C.N.d.M.); (V.J.)
| | - Tuan Vu Nguyen
- Department of Chemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA;
| | - Bhanupriya Angala
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA; (J.M.B.); (W.L.); (E.L.); (C.A.); (C.J.W.); (B.A.); (V.C.N.d.M.); (V.J.)
| | - Vinicius C. N. de Moura
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA; (J.M.B.); (W.L.); (E.L.); (C.A.); (C.J.W.); (B.A.); (V.C.N.d.M.); (V.J.)
| | - Victoria Jones
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA; (J.M.B.); (W.L.); (E.L.); (C.A.); (C.J.W.); (B.A.); (V.C.N.d.M.); (V.J.)
| | - Bradley R. Borlee
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA; (K.H.M.); (B.R.B.)
| | - Christian Melander
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA; (M.J.Z.); (C.M.)
- Department of Chemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA;
| | - Mary Jackson
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA; (J.M.B.); (W.L.); (E.L.); (C.A.); (C.J.W.); (B.A.); (V.C.N.d.M.); (V.J.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-(970)-491-3582
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9
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Ferrell KC, Johansen MD, Triccas JA, Counoupas C. Virulence Mechanisms of Mycobacterium abscessus: Current Knowledge and Implications for Vaccine Design. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:842017. [PMID: 35308378 PMCID: PMC8928063 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.842017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Mycobacterium abscessus is a member of the non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) group, responsible for chronic infections in individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF) or those otherwise immunocompromised. While viewed traditionally as an opportunistic pathogen, increasing research into M. abscessus in recent years has highlighted its continued evolution into a true pathogen. This is demonstrated through an extensive collection of virulence factors (VFs) possessed by this organism which facilitate survival within the host, particularly in the harsh environment of the CF lung. These include VFs resembling those of other Mycobacteria, and non-mycobacterial VFs, both of which make a notable contribution in shaping M. abscessus interaction with the host. Mycobacterium abscessus continued acquisition of VFs is cause for concern and highlights the need for novel vaccination strategies to combat this pathogen. An effective M. abscessus vaccine must be suitably designed for target populations (i.e., individuals with CF) and incorporate current knowledge on immune correlates of protection against M. abscessus infection. Vaccination strategies must also build upon lessons learned from ongoing efforts to develop novel vaccines for other pathogens, particularly Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb); decades of research into M. tb has provided insight into unconventional and innovative vaccine approaches that may be applied to M. abscessus. Continued research into M. abscessus pathogenesis will be critical for the future development of safe and effective vaccines and therapeutics to reduce global incidence of this emerging pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kia C. Ferrell
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
- Tuberculosis Research Program, Centenary Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- *Correspondence: Kia C. Ferrell,
| | - Matt D. Johansen
- Centre for Inflammation, Centenary Institute, University of Technology, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Faculty of Science, School of Life Sciences, University of Technology, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - James A. Triccas
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
- Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases and the Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Claudio Counoupas
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
- Tuberculosis Research Program, Centenary Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases and the Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
- Claudio Counoupas,
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10
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Belardinelli JM, Verma D, Li W, Avanzi C, Wiersma CJ, Williams JT, Johnson BK, Zimmerman M, Whittel N, Angala B, Wang H, Jones V, Dartois V, de Moura VCN, Gonzalez-Juarrero M, Pearce C, Schenkel AR, Malcolm KC, Nick JA, Charman SA, Wells TNC, Podell BK, Vennerstrom JL, Ordway DJ, Abramovitch RB, Jackson M. Therapeutic efficacy of antimalarial drugs targeting DosRS signaling in Mycobacterium abscessus. Sci Transl Med 2022; 14:eabj3860. [PMID: 35196022 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abj3860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
A search for alternative Mycobacterium abscessus treatments led to our interest in the two-component regulator DosRS, which, in Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is required for the bacterium to establish a state of nonreplicating, drug-tolerant persistence in response to a variety of host stresses. We show here that the genetic disruption of dosRS impairs the adaptation of M. abscessus to hypoxia, resulting in decreased bacterial survival after oxygen depletion, reduced tolerance to a number of antibiotics in vitro and in vivo, and the inhibition of biofilm formation. We determined that three antimalarial drugs or drug candidates, artemisinin, OZ277, and OZ439, can target DosS-mediated hypoxic signaling in M. abscessus and recapitulate the phenotypic effects of genetically disrupting dosS. OZ439 displayed bactericidal activity comparable to standard-of-care antibiotics in chronically infected mice, in addition to potentiating the activity of antibiotics used in combination. The identification of antimalarial drugs as potent inhibitors and adjunct inhibitors of M. abscessus in vivo offers repurposing opportunities that could have an immediate impact in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Manuel Belardinelli
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Deepshikha Verma
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Wei Li
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Charlotte Avanzi
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Crystal J Wiersma
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - John T Williams
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | | | - Matthew Zimmerman
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack Meridian Health, Nutley, NJ, USA
| | - Nicholas Whittel
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Bhanupriya Angala
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Han Wang
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack Meridian Health, Nutley, NJ, USA
| | - Victoria Jones
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Véronique Dartois
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack Meridian Health, Nutley, NJ, USA
| | - Vinicius C N de Moura
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Mercedes Gonzalez-Juarrero
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Camron Pearce
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Alan R Schenkel
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Kenneth C Malcolm
- Department of Medicine, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Jerry A Nick
- Department of Medicine, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Susan A Charman
- Centre for Drug Candidate Optimisation, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Brendan K Podell
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | | | - Diane J Ordway
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Robert B Abramovitch
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Mary Jackson
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
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11
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Belardinelli JM, Li W, Avanzi C, Angala SK, Lian E, Wiersma CJ, Palčeková Z, Martin KH, Angala B, de Moura VCN, Kerns C, Jones V, Gonzalez-Juarrero M, Davidson RM, Nick JA, Borlee BR, Jackson M. Unique Features of Mycobacterium abscessus Biofilms Formed in Synthetic Cystic Fibrosis Medium. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:743126. [PMID: 34777289 PMCID: PMC8586431 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.743126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Characterizing Mycobacterium abscessus complex (MABSC) biofilms under host-relevant conditions is essential to the design of informed therapeutic strategies targeted to this persistent, drug-tolerant, population of extracellular bacilli. Using synthetic cystic fibrosis medium (SCFM) which we previously reported to closely mimic the conditions encountered by MABSC in actual cystic fibrosis (CF) sputum and a new model of biofilm formation, we show that MABSC biofilms formed under these conditions are substantially different from previously reported biofilms grown in standard laboratory media in terms of their composition, gene expression profile and stress response. Extracellular DNA (eDNA), mannose-and glucose-containing glycans and phospholipids, rather than proteins and mycolic acids, were revealed as key extracellular matrix (ECM) constituents holding clusters of bacilli together. None of the environmental cues previously reported to impact biofilm development had any significant effect on SCFM-grown biofilms, most likely reflecting the fact that SCFM is a nutrient-rich environment in which MABSC finds a variety of ways of coping with stresses. Finally, molecular determinants were identified that may represent attractive new targets for the development of adjunct therapeutics targeting MABSC biofilms in persons with CF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan M Belardinelli
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - Wei Li
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - Charlotte Avanzi
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - Shiva K Angala
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - Elena Lian
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - Crystal J Wiersma
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - Zuzana Palčeková
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - Kevin H Martin
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - Bhanupriya Angala
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - Vinicius C N de Moura
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - Callan Kerns
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - Victoria Jones
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - Mercedes Gonzalez-Juarrero
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - Rebecca M Davidson
- Center for Genes, Environment, and Health, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO, United States
| | - Jerry A Nick
- Department of Medicine, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO, United States.,Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Bradley R Borlee
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - Mary Jackson
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
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12
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Synthesis and recycling of the mycobacterial cell envelope. Curr Opin Microbiol 2021; 60:58-65. [PMID: 33610125 PMCID: PMC8035080 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2021.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Revised: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The unique mycobacterial cell wall is a layered structure of carbohydrates and lipids. The architecture and biosynthesis of the cell wall have largely been elucidated. Increasing evidence indicates that each cell wall layer is remodelled and recycled. There are opportunities to discover new essential enzymes in cell wall metabolism. Cell wall metabolism is a validated source of targets for tuberculosis drug discovery.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the causative agent of the disease tuberculosis, is a recognised global health concern. The efficacy of the current treatment regime is under threat due to the emergence of antibiotic resistance, directing an urgent requirement for the discovery of new anti-tubercular agents and drug targets. The mycobacterial cell wall is a well-validated drug target for Mtb and is composed of three adaptive macromolecular structures, peptidoglycan, arabinogalactan and mycolic acids, an array of complex lipids and carbohydrates. The majority of the enzymes involved in cell wall synthesis have been established, whilst studies directed towards the mechanisms of remodelling and recycling have been neglected. This review briefly describes mycobacterial cell wall synthesis, and focuses on aspects of remodelling and recycling, thus highlighting opportunities for future research.
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13
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Daher W, Leclercq LD, Viljoen A, Karam J, Dufrêne YF, Guérardel Y, Kremer L. O-Methylation of the Glycopeptidolipid Acyl Chain Defines Surface Hydrophobicity of Mycobacterium abscessus and Macrophage Invasion. ACS Infect Dis 2020; 6:2756-2770. [PMID: 32857488 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.0c00490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Mycobacterium abscessus, an emerging pathogen responsible for severe lung infections in cystic fibrosis patients, displays either smooth (S) or rough (R) morphotypes. The S-to-R transition is associated with reduced levels of glycopeptidolipid (GPL) production and is correlated with increased pathogenicity in animal and human hosts. While the structure of GPL is well established, its biosynthetic pathway is incomplete. In addition, the biological functions of the distinct structural parts of this complex lipid remain elusive. Herein, the fmt gene encoding a putative O-methyltransferase was deleted in the M. abscessus S variant. Subsequent biochemical and structural analyses demonstrated that methoxylation of the fatty acyl chain of GPL was abrogated in the Δfmt mutant, and this defect was rescued upon complementation with a functional fmt gene. In contrast, the introduction of fmt derivatives mutated at residues essential for methyltransferase activity failed to complement GPL defects, indicating that fmt encodes an O-methyltransferase. Unexpectedly, phenotypic analyses showed that Δfmt was more hydrophilic than its parental progenitor, as demonstrated by hexadecane-aqueous buffer partitioning and atomic force microscopy experiments with hydrophobic probes. Importantly, the invasion rate of THP-1 macrophages by Δfmt was reduced by 50% when compared to the wild-type strain. Together, these results indicate that Fmt O-methylates the lipid moiety of GPL and plays a substantial role in conditioning the surface hydrophobicity of M. abscessus as well as in the early steps of the interaction between the bacilli and macrophages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wassim Daher
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR 9004, Institut de Recherche en Infectiologie de Montpellier (IRIM), Université de Montpellier, 1919 route de Mende, 34293 Montpellier, France
- INSERM, IRIM, 34293 Montpellier, France
| | - Louis-David Leclercq
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, UMR 8576 - UGSF - Unité de Glycobiologie Structurale et Fonctionnelle, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Albertus Viljoen
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR 9004, Institut de Recherche en Infectiologie de Montpellier (IRIM), Université de Montpellier, 1919 route de Mende, 34293 Montpellier, France
- Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology, Université Catholique de Louvain, Croix du Sud, 4-5, bte L7.07.07, B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Jona Karam
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR 9004, Institut de Recherche en Infectiologie de Montpellier (IRIM), Université de Montpellier, 1919 route de Mende, 34293 Montpellier, France
| | - Yves F. Dufrêne
- Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology, Université Catholique de Louvain, Croix du Sud, 4-5, bte L7.07.07, B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Yann Guérardel
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, UMR 8576 - UGSF - Unité de Glycobiologie Structurale et Fonctionnelle, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Laurent Kremer
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR 9004, Institut de Recherche en Infectiologie de Montpellier (IRIM), Université de Montpellier, 1919 route de Mende, 34293 Montpellier, France
- INSERM, IRIM, 34293 Montpellier, France
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