gp96 expression in neutrophils is critical for the onset of Escherichia coli K1 (RS218) meningitis

DH5α Outer Membrane-Coated Biomimetic Nanocapsules Deliver Drugs to Brain Metastases but not Normal Brain Cells via Targeting GRP94

Receptor-mediated vesicular transport has been extensively developed to penetrate the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and has emerged as a class of powerful brain-targeting delivery technologies. However, commonly used BBB receptors such as transferrin receptor and low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1, are also expressed in normal brain parenchymal cells and can cause drug distribution in normal brain tissues and subsequent neuroinflammation and cognitive impairment. Here, the endoplasmic reticulum residing protein GRP94 is found upregulated and relocated to the cell membrane of both BBB endothelial cells and brain metastatic breast cancer cells (BMBCCs) by preclinical and clinical investigations. Inspired by that Escherichia coli penetrates the BBB via the binding of its outer membrane proteins with GRP94, avirulent DH5α outer membrane protein-coated nanocapsules (Omp@NCs) are developed to cross the BBB, avert normal brain cells, and target BMBCCs via recognizing GRP94. Embelin (EMB)-loaded Omp@EMB specifically reduce neuroserpin in BMBCCs, which inhibits vascular cooption growth and induces apoptosis of BMBCCs by restoring plasmin. Omp@EMB plus anti-angiogenic therapy prolongs the survival of mice with brain metastases. This platform holds the translational potential to maximize therapeutic effects on GRP94-positive brain diseases.

Inactive Trojan Bacteria as Safe Drug Delivery Vehicles Crossing the Blood-Brain Barrier

Escherichia coli K1 (EC-K1) can bypass the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and cause meningitis. Excitingly, we find the "dead EC-K1" can safely penetrate the BBB because they retain the intact structure and chemotaxis of the live EC-K1, while losing their pathogenicity. Based on this, we develop a safe "dead EC-K1"-based drug delivery system, in which EC-K1 engulf the maltodextrin (MD)-modified therapeutics through the bacteria-specific MD transporter pathway, followed by the inactivation via UV irradiation. We demonstrate that the dead bacteria could carry therapeutics (e.g., indocyanine green (ICG)) and together bypass the BBB after intravenous injection into the mice, delivering ∼3.0-fold higher doses into the brain than free ICG under the same conditions. What is more, all mice remain healthy even after 14 days of intravenous injection of ∼10⁹ CFU of inactive bacteria. As a proof of concept, we demonstrate the developed strategy enables the therapy of bacterial meningitis and glioblastoma in mice.

Lpp of Escherichia coli K1 inhibits host ROS production to counteract neutrophil-mediated elimination

Escherichia coli (E. coli) is the most common Gram-negative bacterial organism causing neonatal meningitis. The pathogenesis of E. coli meningitis, especially how E. coli escape the host immune defenses, remains to be clarified. Here we show that deletion of bacterial Lpp encoding lipoprotein significantly reduces the pathogenicity of E. coli K1 to induce high-degree of bacteremia necessary for meningitis. The Lpp-deleted E. coli K1 is found to be susceptible to the intracellular bactericidal activity of neutrophils, without affecting the release of neutrophil extracellular traps. The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), representing the primary antimicrobial mechanism in neutrophils, is significantly increased in response to Lpp-deleted E. coli. We find this enhanced ROS response is associated with the membrane translocation of NADPH oxidase p47^phox and p67^phox in neutrophils. Then we constructed p47^phox knockout mice and we found the incidence of bacteremia and meningitis in neonatal mice induced by Lpp-deleted E. coli is significantly recovered by p47^phox knockout. Proteomic profile analysis show that Lpp deficiency induces upregulation of flagellar protein FliC in E. coli. We further demonstrate that FliC is required for the ROS induction in neutrophils by Lpp-deleted E. coli. Taken together, these data uncover the novel role of Lpp in facilitating intracellular survival of E. coli K1 within neutrophils. It can be inferred that Lpp of E. coli K1 is able to suppress FliC expression to restrain the activation of NADPH oxidase in neutrophils resulting in diminished bactericidal activity, thus protecting E. coli K1 from the elimination by neutrophils.

From Materials to Devices: Graphene toward Practical Applications

Graphene, as an emerging 2D material, has been playing an important role in flexible electronics since its discovery in 2004. The representative fabrication methods of graphene include mechanical exfoliation, liquid-phase exfoliation, chemical vapor deposition, redox reaction, etc. Based on its excellent mechanical, electrical, thermo-acoustical, optical, and other properties, graphene has made a great progress in the development of mechanical sensors, microphone, sound source, electrophysiological detection, solar cells, synaptic transistors, light-emitting devices, and so on. In different application fields, large-scale, low-cost, high-quality, and excellent performance are important factors that limit the industrialization development of graphene. Therefore, laser scribing technology, roll-to-roll technology is used to reduce the cost. High-quality graphene can be obtained through chemical vapor deposition processes. The performance can be improved through the design of structure of the devices, and the homogeneity and stability of devices can be achieved by mechanized machining means. In total, graphene devices show promising prospect for the practical fields of sports monitoring, health detection, voice recognition, energy, etc. There is a hot issue for industry to create and maintain the market competitiveness of graphene products through increasing its versatility and killer application fields.

Hcp Proteins of the Type VI Secretion System Promote Avian Pathogenic E. coli DE205B (O2:K1) to Induce Meningitis in Rats

Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) is an important extra-intestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC), which often causes systemic infection in poultry and causes great economic loss to the breeding industry. In addition, as a major source of human ExPEC infection, the potential zoonotic risk of APEC has been an ongoing concern. Previous studies have pointed out that APEC is a potential zoonotic pathogen, which has high homology with human pathogenic E. coli such as uro-pathogenic E. coli (UPEC) and neonatal meningitis E. coli (NMEC), shares multiple virulence factors and can cause mammalian diseases. Previous studies have reported that O18 and O78 could cause different degrees of meningitis in neonatal rats, and different serotypes had different degrees of zoonotic risk. Here, we compared APEC DE205B (O2:K1) with NMEC RS218 (O18:K1:H7) by phylogenetic analysis and virulence gene identification to analyze the potential risk of DE205B in zoonotic diseases. We found that DE205B possessed a variety of virulence factors associated with meningitis and, through phylogenetic analysis, had high homology with RS218. DE205B could colonize the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of rats, and cause meningitis and nerve damage. Symptoms and pathological changes in the brain were similar to RS218. In addition, we found that DE205B had a complete T6SS, of which Hcp protein was its important structural protein. Hcp1 induced cytoskeleton rearrangement in human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMECs), and Hcp2 was mainly involved in the invasion of DE205B in vitro. In the meningitis model of rats, deletion of hcp2 gene reduced survival in the blood and the brain invasiveness of DE205B. Compared with WT group, Δhcp2 group induced lower inflammation and neutrophils infiltration in brain tissue, alleviating the process of meningitis. Together, these results suggested that APEC DE205B had close genetic similarities to NMEC RS218, and a similar mechanism in causing meningitis and being a risk for zoonosis. This APEC serotype provided a basis for zoonotic research.

Blood-brain barrier: emerging trends on transport models and new-age strategies for therapeutics intervention against neurological disorders

The integrity of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) is essential for normal central nervous system (CNS) functioning. Considering the significance of BBB in maintaining homeostasis and the neural environment, we aim to provide an overview of significant aspects of BBB. Worldwide, the treatment of neurological diseases caused by BBB disruption has been a major challenge. BBB also restricts entry of neuro-therapeutic drugs and hinders treatment modalities. Hence, currently nanotechnology-based approaches are being explored on large scale as alternatives to conventional methodologies. It is necessary to investigate the in-depth characteristic features of BBB to facilitate the discovery of novel drugs that can successfully cross the barrier and target the disease effectively. It is imperative to discover novel strategies to treat life-threatening CNS diseases in humans. Therefore, insights regarding building blocks of BBB, activation of immune response on breach of this barrier, and various autoimmune neurological disorders caused due to BBB dysfunction are discussed. Further, special emphasis is given on delineating BBB disruption leading to CNS disorders. Moreover, various mechanisms of transport pathways across BBB, several novel strategies, and alternative routes by which drugs can be properly delivered into CNS are also discussed.

Biomimetic Lipopolysaccharide-Free Bacterial Outer Membrane-Functionalized Nanoparticles for Brain-Targeted Drug Delivery

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) severely blocks the intracranial accumulation of most systemic drugs. Inspired by the contribution of the bacterial outer membrane to Escherichia coli K1 (EC-K1) binding to and invasion of BBB endothelial cells in bacterial meningitis, utilization of the BBB invasion ability of the EC-K1 outer membrane for brain-targeted drug delivery and construction of a biomimetic self-assembled nanoparticle with a surface featuring a lipopolysaccharide-free EC-K1 outer membrane are proposed. BBB penetration of biomimetic nanoparticles is demonstrated to occur through the transcellular vesicle transport pathway, which is at least partially dependent on internalization, endosomal escape, and transcytosis mediated by the interactions between outer membrane protein A and gp96 on BBB endothelial cells. This biomimetic nanoengineering strategy endows the loaded drugs with prolonged circulation, intracranial interstitial distribution, and extremely high biocompatibility. Based on the critical roles of gp96 in cancer biology, this strategy reveals enormous potential for delivering therapeutics to treat gp96-overexpressing intracranial malignancies.

Extraintestinal Pathogenic Escherichia coli Utilizes Surface-Located Elongation Factor G to Acquire Iron from Holo-Transferrin

Extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) can cause systemic infections in both humans and animals. As an essential nutrient, iron is strictly sequestered by the host. Circumventing iron sequestration is a determinant factor for ExPEC infection. However, the ExPEC iron acquisition mechanism, particularly the mechanism of transferrin (TF) acquisition, remains unclear. This study reports that iron-saturated holo-TF can be utilized by ExPEC to promote its growth in culture medium and survival in macrophages. ExPEC specifically bound to holo-TF instead of iron-free apo-TF via the surface located elongation factor G (EFG) in both culture medium and macrophages. As a moonlighting protein, EFG specifically bound holo-TF and also released iron in TF. These two functions were performed by different domains of EFG, in which the N-terminal domains were responsible for holo-TF binding and the C-terminal domains were responsible for iron release. The functions of EFG and its domains have also been further confirmed by surface-display vectors. The surface overexpression of EFG bound significantly more holo-TF in macrophages and significantly improved bacterial intracellular survival ability. Our findings reveal a novel iron acquisition mechanism involving EFG, which suggests novel research avenues into the molecular mechanism of ExPEC resistance to nutritional immunity. IMPORTANCE Extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) is an important pathogen causing systemic infections in humans and animals. The competition for iron between ExPEC and the host is a determinant for ExPEC to establish a successful infection. Here, we sought to elucidate the role of transferrin (TF) in the interaction between ExPEC and the host. Our results revealed that holo-TF could be utilized by ExPEC to enhance its growth in culture medium and survival in macrophages. Furthermore, the role of elongation factor G (EFG), a novel holo-TF-binding and TF-iron release protein, was confirmed in this study. Our work provides insights into the iron acquisition mechanism of ExPEC, deepens understanding of the interaction between holo-TF and pathogens, and broadens further researches into the molecular mechanism of ExPEC pathogenicity.

Extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli utilizes the surface-expressed elongation factor Tu to bind and acquire iron from holo-transferrin

Extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) is a common anthropozoonotic pathogen that causes systemic infections. To establish infection, ExPEC must utilize essential nutrients including iron from the host. Transferrin is an important iron source for multiple bacteria. However, the mechanism by which ExPEC utilizes transferrin remains unclear. In this study, we found that iron-saturated holo-transferrin rather than iron-free apo-transferrin promoted the vitality of ExPEC in heat-inactivated human serum. The multifunctional protein Elongation factor Tu (EFTu) worked as a holo-transferrin binding protein. EFTu not only bound holo-transferrin rather than apo-transferrin but also released transferrin-related iron, with all domains of EFTu involved in holo-transferrin binding and iron release events. We also identified the surface location of EFTu on ExPEC. Overexpression of EFTu on the surface of nonpathogenic E. coli not only promoted the binding of bacteria to holo-transferrin but also facilitated the uptake of transferrin-related iron. More importantly, it significantly enhanced the survival of E. coli in heat-inactivated human serum, which was positively correlated with holo-transferrin but not apo-transferrin. Our research revealed a novel function of EFTu in binding holo-transferrin to promote iron uptake by bacteria, suggesting that EFTu was a potential virulence factor of ExPEC. In addition, our study provided research avenues into the iron acquisition and pathogenicity mechanisms of ExPEC.

Molecular Chaperone GRP94/GP96 in Cancers: Oncogenesis and Therapeutic Target

During tumor development and progression, intrinsic and extrinsic factors trigger endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and the unfolded protein response, resulting in the increased expression of molecular chaperones to cope with the stress and maintain tumor cell survival. Heat shock protein (HSP) GRP94, also known as GP96, is an ER paralog of HSP90 and has been shown to promote survival signaling during tumor-induced stress and modulate the immune response through its multiple clients, including TLRs, integrins, LRP6, GARP, IGF, and HER2. Clinically, elevated expression of GRP94 correlates with an aggressive phenotype and poor clinical outcome in a variety of cancers. Thus, GRP94 is a potential molecular marker and therapeutic target in malignancies. In this review, we will undergo deep molecular profiling of GRP94 in tumor development and summarize the individual roles of GRP94 in common cancers, including breast cancer, colon cancer, lung cancer, liver cancer, multiple myeloma, and others. Finally, we will briefly review the therapeutic potential of selectively targeting GRP94 for the treatment of cancers.

Development of a chitosan-modified PLGA nanoparticle vaccine for protection against Escherichia coli K1 caused meningitis in mice

Background

Escherichia coli K1 (E. coli K1) caused neonatal meningitis remains a problem, which rises the urgent need for an effective vaccine. Previously, we rationally designed and produced the recombinant protein OmpAVac (Vo), which elicited protective immunity against E. coli K1 infection. However, Vo has limited stability, which hinders its future industrial application.

Method

Chitosan-modified poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles were prepared and used as carried for the recombinant Vo. And the safety, stability and immunogenicity of Vo delivered by chitosan-modified PLGA nanoparticles were tested in vitro and in a mouse model of bacteremia.

Results

We successfully generated chitosan-modified PLGA nanoparticles for the delivery of recombinant Vo (VoNP). In addition, we found that a freeze-drying procedure increases the stability of the VoNPs without changing the shape, size distribution and encapsulation of the Vo protein. Unlike aluminum adjuvant, the nanoparticles that delivered Vo were immunoprotective in mice even after storage for as long as 180 days.

Conclusions

We identified an effective strategy to improve the stability of Vo to maintain its immunogenicity, which will contribute to the future development of vaccines against E. coli K1.

Factor H Is Bound by Outer Membrane-Displayed Carbohydrate Metabolism Enzymes of Extraintestinal Pathogenic Escherichia coli and Contributes to Opsonophagocytosis Resistance in Bacteria

Extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) causes bloodstream infections in humans and animals. Complement escape is a prerequisite for bacteria to survive in the bloodstream. Factor H (FH) is an important regulatory protein of the complement system. In this study, ExPEC was found to bind FH from serum. However, the mechanisms of ExPEC binding to FH and then resistance to complement-mediated attacks remain unclear. Here, a method that combined desthiobiotin pull-down and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was used to identify the FH-binding membrane proteins of ExPEC. Seven identified proteins, which all were carbohydrate metabolic enzymes (CMEs), including acetate kinase, fructose-bisphosphate aldolase, fumarate reductase flavoprotein subunit, L-lactate dehydrogenase, dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase, phosphoenolpyruvate synthase, and pyruvate dehydrogenase, were verified to recruit FH from serum using GST pull-down and ELISA plate binding assay. The ELISA plate binding assay determined that these seven proteins bind to FH in a dose-dependent manner. Magnetic beads coupled with any one of seven proteins significantly reduced the FH recruitment of ExPEC (p < 0.05) Subsequently, immunofluorescence, colony blotting, and Western blotting targeting outer membrane proteins determined that these seven CMEs were located on the outer membrane of ExPEC. Furthermore, the FH recruitment levels and C3b deposition levels on bacteria were significantly increased and decreased in an FH-concentration-dependent manner, respectively (p < 0.05). The FH recruitment significantly enhanced the ability of ExPEC to resist the opsonophagocytosis of human macrophage THP-1 in an FH-concentration-dependent manner (p < 0.05), which revealed a new mechanism for ExPEC to escape complement-mediated killing. The identification of novel outer membrane-displayed CMEs which played a role in the FH recruitment contributes to the elucidation of the molecular mechanism of ExPEC pathogenicity.

Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor-Related Protein-1 (LRP1) Is Involved in the Uptake of Clostridioides difficile Toxin A and Serves as an Internalizing Receptor

Toxin producing Clostridioides difficile strains cause gastrointestinal infections with the large glucosylating protein toxins A (TcdA) and B (TcdB) being major virulence factors responsible for the onset of symptoms. TcdA and TcdB enter their target cells via receptor-mediated endocytosis. Inside the cell, the toxins glucosylate and thereby inactivate small GTPases of the Rho-/Ras subfamilies resulting in actin reorganization and cell death. The receptors of TcdA are still elusive, glycoprotein 96 (gp96), the low density lipoprotein receptor family (LDLR) and sulfated glycosaminoglycans (sGAGs) have most recently been suggested as receptors for TcdA. In this study, we provide evidence on rapid endocytosis of Low density lipoprotein Receptor-related Protein-1 (LRP1) into fibroblasts and Caco-2 cells by exploiting biotinylation of cell surface proteins. In contrast, gp96 was not endocytosed either in the presence or absence of TcdA. The kinetics of internalization of TfR and LRP1 were comparable in the presence and the absence of TcdA, excluding that TcdA facilitates its internalization by triggering internalization of its receptors. Exploiting fibroblasts with a genetic deletion of LRP1, TcdA was about one order of magnitude less potent in LRP1-deficient cells as compared to the corresponding control cells. In contrast, TcdB exhibited a comparable potency in LRP1-proficient and -deficient fibroblasts. These findings suggested a role of LRP1 in the cellular uptake of TcdA but not of TcdB. Correspondingly, binding of TcdA to the cell surface of LRP1-deficient fibroblasts was reduced as compared with LRP1-proficient fibroblasts. Finally, TcdA bound to LRP1 ligand binding type repeat cluster II (amino acid 786–1,165) and cluster IV (amino acid 3332-3779). In conclusion, LRP1 appears to serve as an endocytic receptor and gp96 as a non-endocytic receptor for TcdA.

gp96 Is Critical for both Human Herpesvirus 6A (HHV-6A) and HHV-6B Infections

Human herpesviruses 6A and 6B (HHV-6A and HHV-6B, respectively) are two virus species in the betaherpesvirus subfamily that exhibit T cell tropism. CD46 and CD134 are the cellular receptors for HHV-6A and HHV-6B, respectively. Interestingly, the efficiency of HHV-6A/6B entry is different among different types of target cells despite similar receptor expression levels on these cells. Here, we found that the cellular factor gp96 (also known as glucose-regulated protein 94 [GRP94]) is expressed on the cell surface and interacts with viral glycoprotein Q1 (gQ1) during virus entry. gp96 cell surface expression levels are associated with the efficiency of HHV-6A and HHV-6B entry into target cells. Both loss-of-function and gain-of-function experiments indicated that gp96 plays an important role in HHV-6 infection. Our findings provide new insight into the HHV-6 entry process and might suggest novel therapeutic targets for HHV-6 infection.IMPORTANCE Although new clinical importance has been revealed for human herpesviruses 6A (HHV-6A) and 6B, much is still unknown about the life cycles of these viruses in target cells. We identified a novel cellular factor, gp96, that is critical for both HHV-6A and -6B entry into host cells. As gp96 can function as an adjuvant in vaccine development for both infectious agents and cancers, it can be a potential therapeutic target for infection by these two viruses.

Membrane-Associated Heat Shock Proteins in Oncology: From Basic Research to New Theranostic Targets

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) constitute a large family of conserved proteins acting as molecular chaperones that play a key role in intracellular protein homeostasis, regulation of apoptosis, and protection from various stress factors (including hypoxia, thermal stress, oxidative stress). Apart from their intracellular localization, members of different HSP families such as small HSPs, HSP40, HSP60, HSP70 and HSP90 have been found to be localized on the plasma membrane of malignantly transformed cells. In the current article, the role of membrane-associated molecular chaperones in normal and tumor cells is comprehensively reviewed with implications of these proteins as plausible targets for cancer therapy and diagnostics.

Genomics and Experimental Analysis Reveal a Novel Factor Contributing to the Virulence of Cronobacter sakazakii Strains Associated With Neonate Infection

BACKGROUND

Cronobacter sakazakii causes meningitis and necrotizing enterocolitis in premature infants. However, its virulence determinants, especially those specific for strains associated with neonate infections, remain largely unknown.

METHODS

In this study, we performed a comparative genomic analysis of 209 C. sakazakii genomes, and 8 clonal groups (CGs) were revealed.

RESULTS

CG1 and CG2 were found to be significantly associated with neonate infections, and significantly prevalent genes in these 2 CGs were identified. Of these, a gene encoding the LysR-type regulator, CklR, was shown to contribute to bacterial pathogenicity based on animal experiments. We found that CklR directly binds and activates the suf Fe-S cluster biosynthesis operon, and high expression of the suf operon increases bacterial resistance to oxidative stress, which increases survival within the host. This leads to a high degree of bacteremia, which contributes to the development of meningitis.

CONCLUSIONS

Our work revealed a novel virulence factor specific to predominant pathogenic C. sakazakii strains.

Strategies used by bacterial pathogens to cross the blood-brain barrier

The skull, spine, meninges, and cellular barriers at the blood-brain and the blood-cerebrospinal fluid interfaces well protect the brain and meningeal spaces against microbial invasion. However, once in the bloodstream, a range of pathogenic bacteria is able to reach the brain and cause meningitis. Despite advances in antibacterial therapy, bacterial meningitis remains one of the most important infectious diseases worldwide. The most common causative bacteria in children and adults are Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitidis associated with high morbidity and mortality, while among neonates, most cases of bacterial meningitis are due to group B Streptococcus and Escherichia coli. Here we summarise our current knowledge on the strategies used by these bacterial pathogens to survive in the bloodstream, to colonise the brain vasculature and to cross the blood-brain barrier.

Antigenic epitopes on the outer membrane protein A of Escherichia coli identified with single-chain variable fragment (scFv) antibodies

Bacterial meningitis is a severe disease that is fatal to one-third of patients. The major cause of meningitis in neonates is Escherichia coli (E. coli) K1. This bacterium synthesizes an outer membrane protein A (OmpA) that is responsible for the adhesion to (and invasion of) endothelial cells. Thus, the OmpA protein represents a potential target for developing diagnostic and therapeutic agents for meningitis. In this study, we expressed recombinant OmpA proteins with various molecular weights in E. coli. The sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) was performed to check the molecular size of OmpA's full length (FL) and truncated proteins. OmpA-FL protein was purified for immunizing chickens to produce immunoglobulin yolk (IgY) antibodies. We applied phage display technology to construct antibody libraries (OmpA-FL scFv-S 1.1 × 10⁷ and OmpA-FL scFv-L 5.01 × 10⁶) to select specific anti-OmpA-FL scFv antibodies; these were characterized by their binding ability to recombinant or endogenous OmpA using ELISA, immunofluorescent staining, and confirmed with immunoblotting. We found 12 monoclonal antibodies that react to OmpA fragments; seven scFvs recognize fragments spanning amino acid (aa) residues 1-346, aa 1-287, aa 1-167, and aa 60-192, while five scFvs recognize fragments spanning aa 1-346 and aa 1-287 only. Two fragments (aa 246-346 and aa 287-346) were not recognized with any of the 12 scFvs. Together, the data suggest three antigenic epitopes (60 aa-160 aa, 161 aa-167 aa, 193 aa-245 aa) recognized by monoclonal antibodies. These scFv antibodies show strong reactivity against OmpA proteins. We believe that antibodies show promising diagnostic agents for E. coli K1 meningitis.

A Novel PhoP/PhoQ Regulation Pathway Modulates the Survival of Extraintestinal Pathogenic Escherichia coli in Macrophages

The extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) is a typical facultative intracellular bacterial pathogen. Sensing the environmental stimuli and undertaking adaptive change are crucial for ExPEC to successfully colonize in specific extraintestinal niches. The previous studies show that pathogens exploit two-component systems (TCSs) in response to the host environments during its infection. The PhoP/PhoQ is a typical TCS which is ubiquitous in Gram-negative bacteria. However, there is an incompletely understanding about critical regulatory roles of PhoP/PhoQ in ExPEC pathogenesis. Conjugative ColV-related plasmids are responsible for ExPEC virulence, which is associated with ExPEC zoonotic risk. In this study, the molecular characteristics of HlyF, Mig-14 ortholog (Mig-14p), and OmpT variant (OmpTp) encoded by ColV plasmids were identified. Mig-14p and OmpTp played important roles in conferring ExPEC resistance to cationic antimicrobial peptides (CAMPs) during the infection. Moreover, HlyF and Mig-14p acted as intracellular survival factors to promote ExPEC resistance to macrophages killing. The hlyF and Mig-14p formed an operon in ExPEC ColV plasmid, and PhoP acted as a transcriptional activator of hlyF operon by directly binding to the P _hlyF promoter. The acidic pH and CAMPs could additively stimulate ExPEC PhoQ/PhoP activities to upregulate the expression of HlyF and Mig-14p. Our studies revealed that the novel PhoP/PhoQ-HlyF signaling pathway directly upregulates the production of ExPEC outer membrane vesicles. Furthermore, our study first clarified that this PhoP/PhoQ-HlyF pathway was essential for ExPEC intracellular survival in macrophages. It was required to prevent the fusion of ExPEC-containing phagosomes with lysosomes. Moreover, PhoP/PhoQ-HlyF pathway facilitated the inhibition of the phagolysosomal acidification and disruption of the phagolysosomal membranes. In addition, this pathway might promote the formation of ExPEC-containing autophagosome during ExPEC replication in macrophages. Collectively, our studies suggested that PhoP/PhoQ system and CloV plasmids could facilitate ExPEC survival and replication within macrophages.

Endoplasmic reticulum chaperone Gp96 controls actomyosin dynamics and protects against pore-forming toxins

During infection, plasma membrane (PM) blebs protect host cells against bacterial pore-forming toxins (PFTs), but were also proposed to promote pathogen dissemination. However, the details and impact of blebbing regulation during infection remained unclear. Here, we identify the endoplasmic reticulum chaperone Gp96 as a novel regulator of PFT-induced blebbing. Gp96 interacts with non-muscle myosin heavy chain IIA (NMHCIIA) and controls its activity and remodelling, which is required for appropriate coordination of bleb formation and retraction. This mechanism involves NMHCIIA-Gp96 interaction and their recruitment to PM blebs and strongly resembles retraction of uropod-like structures from polarized migrating cells, a process that also promotes NMHCIIA-Gp96 association. Consistently, Gp96 and NMHCIIA not only protect the PM integrity from listeriolysin O (LLO) during infection by Listeria monocytogenes but also affect cytoskeletal organization and cell migration. Finally, we validate the association between Gp96 and NMHCIIA in vivo and show that Gp96 is required to protect hosts from LLO-dependent killing.

Role of OmpA2 surface regions of Porphyromonas gingivalis in host-pathogen interactions with oral epithelial cells

Outer membrane protein A (OmpA) is a key outer membrane protein found in Gram‐negative bacteria that contributes to several crucial processes in bacterial virulence. In Porphyromonas gingivalis, OmpA is predicted as a heterotrimer of OmpA1 and OmpA2 subunits encoded by adjacent genes. Here we describe the role of OmpA and its individual subunits in the interaction of P. gingivalis with oral cells. Using knockout mutagenesis, we show that OmpA2 plays a significant role in biofilm formation and interaction with human epithelial cells. We used protein structure prediction software to identify extracellular loops of OmpA2, and determined these are involved in interactions with epithelial cells as evidenced by inhibition of adherence and invasion of P. gingivalis by synthetic extracellular loop peptides and the ability of the peptides to mediate interaction of latex beads with human cells. In particular, we observe that OmpA2‐loop 4 plays an important role in the interaction with host cells. These data demonstrate for the first time the important role of P. gingivalis OmpA2 extracellular loops in interaction with epithelial cells, which may help design novel peptide‐based antimicrobial therapies for periodontal disease.

Inactivated pepsin inhibits neutrophil activation by Fcgamma-receptor-dependent and independent stimuli

Pepsin is widely used to produce F(ab')2 fragments of immunoglobulin G (IgG). In many cases, at least part of the pepsin will remain present in the F(ab')2 preparation, albeit in (irreversibly) inactivated form. Here we report on a potent immunomodulatory effect of irreversibly inactivated pepsin on activated human neutrophils. Degranulation, induced by coated IgG or via cytochalasin B/N-formyl-Met-Leu-Phe, was measured by quantifying elastase release, and was found to be inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by inactivated pepsin. Since a number of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) products are also treated by limited digestion with pepsin, we investigated if pepsin would be present in quantities large enough to inhibit neutrophil activation. The amounts of pepsin detected in three different pepsin-treated IVIg products were found to be too low to induce an effect, at least in an in vitro setting.

The effects of cytotoxic necrotizing factor 1 expression in the uptake of Escherichia coli K1 by macrophages and the onset of meningitis in newborn mice

Macrophages are a permissive niche for E. coli K1 multiplication for which the interaction of the bacterial outer membrane protein A and its cognate receptor CD64 are critical. Using in vitro immunofluorescence and live microscopy with ex vivo macrophage cultures from RFP-Lifeact mice, we show that cytotoxic necrotizing factor 1 (CNF1) secreted by E. coli K1 sequesters cellular actin toward microspike formation, thereby limiting actin availability for OmpA-mediated bacterial invasion. Surprisingly, the observed effects of CNF1 occur despite the absence of 67-kDa laminin receptor in macrophages. Concomitantly, the CNF1 deletion mutant of E. coli K1 (Δcnf1) invades macrophages and the brains of newborn mice in greater numbers compared to wild-type. However, the Δcnf1 strain induces less severe pathology in the brain. These results suggest a novel role for CNF1 in limiting E. coli K1 entry into macrophages while exacerbating disease severity in the brains of newborn mice.

Host-pathogen interactions in bacterial meningitis

Bacterial meningitis is a devastating disease occurring worldwide with up to half of the survivors left with permanent neurological sequelae. Due to intrinsic properties of the meningeal pathogens and the host responses they induce, infection can cause relatively specific lesions and clinical syndromes that result from interference with the function of the affected nervous system tissue. Pathogenesis is based on complex host–pathogen interactions, some of which are specific for certain bacteria, whereas others are shared among different pathogens. In this review, we summarize the recent progress made in understanding the molecular and cellular events involved in these interactions. We focus on selected major pathogens, Streptococcus pneumonia, S. agalactiae (Group B Streptococcus), Neisseria meningitidis, and Escherichia coli K1, and also include a neglected zoonotic pathogen, Streptococcus suis. These neuroinvasive pathogens represent common themes of host–pathogen interactions, such as colonization and invasion of mucosal barriers, survival in the blood stream, entry into the central nervous system by translocation of the blood–brain and blood–cerebrospinal fluid barrier, and induction of meningeal inflammation, affecting pia mater, the arachnoid and subarachnoid spaces.

Serotype O18 avian pathogenic and neonatal meningitis Escherichia coli strains employ similar pathogenic strategies for the onset of meningitis

Neonatal meningitis Escherichia coli K1 (NMEC) are thought to be transmitted from mothers to newborns during delivery or by nosocomial infections. However, the source of E. coli K1 causing these infections is not clear. Avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC) have the potential to cause infection in humans while human E. coli have potential to cause colibacillosis in poultry, suggesting that these strains may lack host specificity. APEC strains are capable of causing meningitis in newborn rats; however, it is unclear whether these bacteria use similar mechanisms to that of NMEC to establish disease. Using four representative APEC and NMEC strains that belong to serotype O18, we demonstrate that these strains survive in human serum similar to that of the prototypic NMEC strain E44, a derivative of RS218. These bacteria also bind and enter both macrophages and human cerebral microvascular endothelial cells (HCMEC/D3) with similar frequency as that of E44. The amino acid sequences of the outer membrane protein A (OmpA), an important virulence factor in the pathogenesis of meningitis, are identical within these representative APEC and NMEC strains. Further, these strains also require FcγRI-α chain (CD64) and Ecgp96 as receptors for OmpA in macrophages and HCMEC/D3, respectively, to bind and enter these cells. APEC and NMEC strains induce meningitis in newborn mice with varying degree of pathology in the brains as assessed by neutrophil recruitment and neuronal apoptosis. Together, these results suggest that serotype O18 APEC strains utilize similar pathogenic mechanisms as those of NMEC strains in causing meningitis.

Chlamydia-infected cells shed Gp96 to prevent chlamydial re-infection

Chlamydia trachomatis is an obligate intracellular human pathogen with a biphasic developmental life cycle. The infectious elementary bodies (EBs) enter a host cell where they transform into reticulate bodies (RBs) that use cellular metabolites to multiply. Re-infection of an infected cell during the replicative phase of chlamydial development may prevent formation of infectious EBs, interrupting the infectious cycle. Here, we report that Glucose Regulated Protein 96 (Gp96), a chaperone for cell surface receptors, binds to and facilitates adherence and entry of C. trachomatis. Gp96 expression was increased early in infection in a MAP kinase-dependent way, thereby increasing chlamydial adherence and invasion. Gp96 co-precipitated with Protein Disulphide Isomerase (PDI), known to be involved in chlamydial host cell entry. During the replicative phase, Gp96 was depleted from infected cells and shed into the supernatant by activation of metalloproteinase TACE (ADAM17). Loss of Gp96 also reduced the activity of PDI on the cell surface. Reduced surface display of Gp96 prevented chlamydial re-infection in a TACE-dependent manner in cell lines but also in primary cells derived from human fimbriae, the natural site of chlamydial infection. Our data suggest a role of infection-induced Gp96 shedding in the protection of the chlamydial replicative niche.

Plasma membrane gp96 enhances invasion and metastatic potential of liver cancer via regulation of uPAR

Targeted therapy is currently under intensive investigation due to the resistance of liver cancer to cytotoxic chemotherapies. Dissecting the molecular events that drive the progression of liver cancer and defining specific targets are urgently needed to develop efficient tailored therapies. Cell membrane gp96 (mgp96) has been implicated in tumor growth and malignancy. Here, we explored the functional and clinical relevance of mgp96 in liver cancer. We found that elevated mgp96 abundance was associated with tumor metastasis and recurrence in patients with primary liver tumors. Decreased KDELR1 levels in hepatoma cells contribute to cell membrane translocation of the normally ER-resident gp96. Urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) was identified as a mgp96 client protein, and mgp96 stabilized uPAR protein. Our clinical results proved that elevated mgp96 abundance is positively correlated with uPAR expression levels in liver tumors. We further provided evidence that targeting mgp96 with siRNA or a specific mAb that blocked the mgp96-uPAR interaction led to inhibited cell growth, survival, and invasion in vitro, as well as the suppression of liver tumor growth and metastasis in vivo. mgp96 promotes liver cancer progression through increasing the protein stability and signaling of uPAR, and may be a new promising target for suppressing uPAR-mediated tumor growth and metastasis in liver cancer.

Cell membrane gp96 facilitates HER2 dimerization and serves as a novel target in breast cancer

HER2 receptor dimerization is a critical step in the HER2 activation process. Here, we demonstrated that heat shock protein gp96 on cell membrane interacts with HER2, facilitates HER2 dimerization and promotes cell proliferation. Cell membrane gp96 levels were observed to correlate with HER2 phosphorylation in primary breast tumors. Finally, we provide evidence that targeting gp96 with a specific monoclonal antibody led to decreased cell growth and increased apoptosis in vitro, and suppression of tumor growth in vivo. Our work represents a new therapeutic strategy for inhibiting HER2 signaling in cancer.

Pathogens penetrating the central nervous system: infection pathways and the cellular and molecular mechanisms of invasion

The brain is well protected against microbial invasion by cellular barriers, such as the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier (BCSFB). In addition, cells within the central nervous system (CNS) are capable of producing an immune response against invading pathogens. Nonetheless, a range of pathogenic microbes make their way to the CNS, and the resulting infections can cause significant morbidity and mortality. Bacteria, amoebae, fungi, and viruses are capable of CNS invasion, with the latter using axonal transport as a common route of infection. In this review, we compare the mechanisms by which bacterial pathogens reach the CNS and infect the brain. In particular, we focus on recent data regarding mechanisms of bacterial translocation from the nasal mucosa to the brain, which represents a little explored pathway of bacterial invasion but has been proposed as being particularly important in explaining how infection with Burkholderia pseudomallei can result in melioidosis encephalomyelitis.

Anaplasma phagocytophilum outer membrane protein A interacts with sialylated glycoproteins to promote infection of mammalian host cells

Anaplasma phagocytophilum is the tick-transmitted obligate intracellular bacterium that causes human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA). A. phagocytophilum binding to sialyl Lewis x (sLe(x)) and other sialylated glycans that decorate P selectin glycoprotein 1 (PSGL-1) and other glycoproteins is critical for infection of mammalian host cells. Here, we demonstrate the importance of A. phagocytophilum outer membrane protein A (OmpA) APH_0338 in infection of mammalian host cells. OmpA is transcriptionally induced during transmission feeding of A. phagocytophilum-infected ticks on mice and is upregulated during invasion of HL-60 cells. OmpA is presented on the pathogen's surface. Sera from HGA patients and experimentally infected mice recognize recombinant OmpA. Pretreatment of A. phagocytophilum organisms with OmpA antiserum reduces their abilities to infect HL-60 cells. The OmpA N-terminal region is predicted to contain the protein's extracellular domain. Glutathione S-transferase (GST)-tagged versions of OmpA and OmpA amino acids 19 to 74 (OmpA(19-74)) but not OmpA(75-205) bind to, and competitively inhibit A. phagocytophilum infection of, host cells. Pretreatment of host cells with sialidase or trypsin reduces or nearly eliminates, respectively, GST-OmpA adhesion. Therefore, OmpA interacts with sialylated glycoproteins. This study identifies the first A. phagocytophilum adhesin-receptor pair and delineates the region of OmpA that is critical for infection.

Listeria monocytogenes triggers the cell surface expression of Gp96 protein and interacts with its N terminus to support cellular infection

Listeria monocytogenes is an intracellular food-borne pathogen causing listeriosis in humans. This bacterium deploys an arsenal of virulence factors that act in concert to promote cellular infection. Bacterial surface proteins are of primary importance in the process of host cell invasion. They interact with host cellular receptors, inducing/modulating specific cellular responses. We previously identified Vip, a Listeria surface protein covalently attached to the bacterial cell wall acting as a key virulence factor. We have shown that Vip interacts with Gp96 localized at the surface of host cells during invasion and that this interaction is critical for a successful infection in vivo. To better understand the importance of Vip-Gp96 interaction during infection, we aimed to characterize this interaction at the molecular level. Here we demonstrate that, during infection, L. monocytogenes triggers the cellular redistribution of Gp96, inducing its exposure at the cell surface. Upon infection, Gp96 N-terminal domain is exposed to the extracellular milieu in L2071 fibroblasts and interacts with Vip expressed by Listeria. We identified Gp96 (Asp(1)-Leu(170)) as sufficient to interact with Vip; however, we also showed that the region Tyr(179)-Leu(390) of Gp96 is important for the interaction. Our findings unravel the Listeria-induced surface expression of Gp96 and the topology of its insertion on the plasma membrane and improve our knowledge on the Vip-Gp96 interaction during Listeria infection.

Defense at the border: the blood-brain barrier versus bacterial foreigners

Bacterial meningitis is among the top ten causes of infectious disease-related deaths worldwide, with up to half of the survivors left with permanent neurological sequelae. The blood-brain barrier (BBB), composed mainly of specialized brain microvascular endothelial cells, maintains biochemical homeostasis in the CNS by regulating the passage of nutrients, molecules and cells from the blood to the brain. Despite its highly restrictive nature, certain bacterial pathogens are able to gain entry into the CNS resulting in serious disease. In recent years, important advances have been made in understanding the molecular and cellular events that are involved in the development of bacterial meningitis. In this review, we summarize the progress made in elucidating the molecular mechanisms of bacterial BBB-crossing, highlighting common themes of host-pathogen interaction, and the potential role of the BBB in innate defense during infection.