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Scholz J, Holland G, Laue M, Banhart S, Heuer D. Chlamydia-containing spheres are a novel and predominant form of egress by the pathogen Chlamydia psittaci. mBio 2024:e0128824. [PMID: 39041785 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01288-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The egress of intracellular bacteria from host cells and cellular tissues is a critical process during the infection cycle. This process is essential for bacteria to spread inside the host and can influence the outcome of an infection. For the obligate intracellular Gram-negative zoonotic bacterium Chlamydia psittaci, little is known about the mechanisms resulting in bacterial egress from the infected epithelium. Here, we describe and characterize Chlamydia-containing spheres (CCSs), a novel and predominant type of non-lytic egress utilized by Chlamydia spp. CCSs are spherical, low-phase contrast structures surrounded by a phosphatidylserine-exposing membrane with specific barrier functions. They contain infectious progeny and morphologically impaired cellular organelles. CCS formation is a sequential process starting with the proteolytic cleavage of a DEVD tetrapeptide-containing substrate that can be detected inside the chlamydial inclusions, followed by an increase in the intracellular calcium concentration of the infected cell. Subsequently, blebbing of the plasma membrane begins, the inclusion membrane destabilizes, and the proteolytic cleavage of a DEVD-containing substrate increases rapidly within the whole infected cell. Finally, infected, blebbing cells detach and leave the monolayer, thereby forming CCS. This sequence of events is unique for chlamydial CCS formation and fundamentally different from previously described Chlamydia egress pathways. Thus, CCS formation represents a major, previously uncharacterized egress pathway for intracellular pathogens that could be linked to Chlamydia biology in general and might influence the infection outcome in vivo.IMPORTANCEHost cell egress is essential for intracellular pathogens to spread within an organism and for host-to-host transmission. Here, we characterize Chlamydia-containing sphere (CCS) formation as a novel and predominant non-lytic egress pathway of the intracellular pathogens Chlamydia psittaci and Chlamydia trachomatis. CCS formation is fundamentally different from extrusion formation, the previously described non-lytic egress pathway of C. trachomatis. CCS formation is a unique sequential process, including proteolytic activity, followed by an increase in intracellular calcium concentration, inclusion membrane destabilization, plasma membrane blebbing, and the final detachment of a whole phosphatidylserine-exposing former host cell. Thus, CCS formation represents an important and previously uncharacterized egress pathway for intracellular pathogens that could possibly be linked to Chlamydia biology, including host tropism, protection from host cell defense mechanisms, or bacterial pathogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Scholz
- Unit of Sexually Transmitted Bacterial Pathogens and HIV, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Gudrun Holland
- Unit of Advanced Light and Electron Microscopy, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Michael Laue
- Unit of Advanced Light and Electron Microscopy, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sebastian Banhart
- Unit of Sexually Transmitted Bacterial Pathogens and HIV, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Dagmar Heuer
- Unit of Sexually Transmitted Bacterial Pathogens and HIV, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
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2
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Zimmermann T, Feng J, de Campos LJ, Knight LA, Schlötzer J, Ramirez YA, Schwickert K, Zehe M, Adler TB, Schirmeister T, Kisker C, Sotriffer C, Conda-Sheridan M, Decker M. Structure-Based Design and Synthesis of Covalent Inhibitors for Deubiquitinase and Acetyltransferase ChlaDUB1 of Chlamydia trachomatis. J Med Chem 2024; 67:10710-10742. [PMID: 38897928 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c00230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Upon infection by an intracellular pathogen, host cells activate apoptotic pathways to limit pathogen replication. Consequently, efficient proliferation of the obligate intracellular pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis, a major cause of trachoma and sexually transmitted diseases, depends on the suppression of host cell apoptosis. C. trachomatis secretes deubiquitinase ChlaDUB1 into the host cell, leading among other interactions to the stabilization of antiapoptotic proteins and, thus, suppression of host cell apoptosis. Targeting the bacterial effector protein may, therefore, lead to new therapeutic possibilities. To explore the active site of ChlaDUB1, an iterative cycle of computational docking, synthesis, and enzymatic screening was applied with the aim of lead structure development. Hereby, covalent inhibitors were developed, which show enhanced inhibition with a 22-fold increase in IC50 values compared to previous work. Comprehensive insights into the binding prerequisites to ChlaDUB1 are provided, establishing the foundation for an additional specific antichlamydial therapy by small molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Zimmermann
- Pharmazeutische und Medizinische Chemie, Institut für Pharmazie und Lebensmittelchemie, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg (JMU), Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Jiachen Feng
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, United States
| | - Luana Janaína de Campos
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, United States
| | - Lindsey A Knight
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, United States
| | - Jan Schlötzer
- Rudolf Virchow Center for Integrative and Translational Bioimaging, Institute for Structural Biology, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg (JMU), 97080 Wurzburg, Germany
| | - Yesid A Ramirez
- Pharmazeutische und Medizinische Chemie, Institut für Pharmazie und Lebensmittelchemie, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg (JMU), Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Kevin Schwickert
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences (IPBS), Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Staudingerweg 5, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Markus Zehe
- Pharmazeutische und Medizinische Chemie, Institut für Pharmazie und Lebensmittelchemie, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg (JMU), Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Thomas B Adler
- Pharmazeutische und Medizinische Chemie, Institut für Pharmazie und Lebensmittelchemie, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg (JMU), Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Tanja Schirmeister
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences (IPBS), Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Staudingerweg 5, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Caroline Kisker
- Rudolf Virchow Center for Integrative and Translational Bioimaging, Institute for Structural Biology, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg (JMU), 97080 Wurzburg, Germany
| | - Christoph Sotriffer
- Pharmazeutische und Medizinische Chemie, Institut für Pharmazie und Lebensmittelchemie, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg (JMU), Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Martin Conda-Sheridan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, United States
| | - Michael Decker
- Pharmazeutische und Medizinische Chemie, Institut für Pharmazie und Lebensmittelchemie, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg (JMU), Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
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3
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Wang X, Wu H, Fang C, Li Z. Insights into innate immune cell evasion by Chlamydia trachomatis. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1289644. [PMID: 38333214 PMCID: PMC10850350 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1289644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis, is a kind of obligate intracellular pathogen. The removal of C. trachomatis relies primarily on specific cellular immunity. It is currently considered that CD4+ Th1 cytokine responses are the major protective immunity against C. trachomatis infection and reinfection rather than CD8+ T cells. The non-specific immunity (innate immunity) also plays an important role in the infection process. To survive inside the cells, the first process that C. trachomatis faces is the innate immune response. As the "sentry" of the body, mast cells attempt to engulf and remove C. trachomatis. Dendritic cells present antigen of C. trachomatis to the "commanders" (T cells) through MHC-I and MHC-II. IFN-γ produced by activated T cells and natural killer cells (NK) further activates macrophages. They form the body's "combat troops" and produce immunity against C. trachomatis in the tissues and blood. In addition, the role of eosinophils, basophils, innate lymphoid cells (ILCs), natural killer T (NKT) cells, γδT cells and B-1 cells should not be underestimated in the infection of C. trachomatis. The protective role of innate immunity is insufficient, and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) caused by C. trachomatis infections tend to be insidious and recalcitrant. As a consequence, C. trachomatis has developed a unique evasion mechanism that triggers inflammatory immunopathology and acts as a bridge to protective to pathological adaptive immunity. This review focuses on the recent advances in how C. trachomatis evades various innate immune cells, which contributes to vaccine development and our understanding of the pathophysiologic consequences of C. trachomatis infection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Zhongyu Li
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control, School of Nursing, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, China
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4
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Rodríguez-González J, Gutiérrez-Kobeh L. Apoptosis and its pathways as targets for intracellular pathogens to persist in cells. Parasitol Res 2023; 123:60. [PMID: 38112844 PMCID: PMC10730641 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-08031-x] [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: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Apoptosis is a finely programmed process of cell death in which cells silently dismantle and actively participate in several operations such as immune response, differentiation, and cell growth. It can be initiated by three main pathways: the extrinsic, the perforin granzyme, and the intrinsic that culminate in the activation of several proteins in charge of tearing down the cell. On the other hand, apoptosis represents an ordeal for pathogens that live inside cells and maintain a strong dependency with them; thus, they have evolved multiple strategies to manipulate host cell apoptosis on their behalf. It has been widely documented that diverse intracellular bacteria, fungi, and parasites can interfere with most steps of the host cell apoptotic machinery to inhibit or induce apoptosis. Indeed, the inhibition of apoptosis is considered a virulence property shared by many intracellular pathogens to ensure productive replication. Some pathogens intervene at an early stage by interfering with the sensing of extracellular signals or transduction pathways. Others sense cellular stress or target the apoptosis regulator proteins of the Bcl-2 family or caspases. In many cases, the exact molecular mechanisms leading to the interference with the host cell apoptotic cascade are still unknown. However, intense research has been conducted to elucidate the strategies employed by intracellular pathogens to modulate host cell death. In this review, we summarize the main routes of activation of apoptosis and present several processes used by different bacteria, fungi, and parasites to modulate the apoptosis of their host cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Rodríguez-González
- Unidad de Investigación UNAM-INC, División de Investigación, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México-Instituto Nacional de Cardiología "Ignacio Chávez,", Juan Badiano No. 1, Col. Belisario Domínguez, Sección XVI, Delegación Tlalpan, C.P. 14080, Ciudad de México, México
- Laboratorio de Estudios Epidemiológicos, Clínicos, Diseños Experimentales e Investigación, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma "Benito Juárez" de Oaxaca, Oaxaca, Mexico
| | - Laila Gutiérrez-Kobeh
- Unidad de Investigación UNAM-INC, División de Investigación, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México-Instituto Nacional de Cardiología "Ignacio Chávez,", Juan Badiano No. 1, Col. Belisario Domínguez, Sección XVI, Delegación Tlalpan, C.P. 14080, Ciudad de México, México.
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5
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Byerly CD, Patterson LL, Pittner NA, Solomon RN, Patel JG, Rogan MR, McBride JW. Ehrlichia Wnt SLiM ligand mimic deactivates the Hippo pathway to engage the anti-apoptotic Yap-GLUT1-BCL-xL axis. Infect Immun 2023; 91:e0008523. [PMID: 37530530 PMCID: PMC10501218 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00085-23] [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: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Ehrlichia chaffeensis TRP120 effector has evolved short linear motif (SLiM) ligand mimicry to repurpose multiple evolutionarily conserved cellular signaling pathways, including Wnt, Notch, and Hedgehog. In this investigation, we demonstrate that E. chaffeensis and recombinant TRP120 deactivate Hippo signaling, resulting in the activation of Hippo transcription coactivator Yes-associated protein (Yap). Moreover, a homologous 6 amino acid (QDVASH) SLiM shared by TRP120 and Wnt3a/5a ligands phenocopied Yap and β-catenin activation induced by E. chaffeensis, rTRP120, and Wnt5a. Similar Hippo gene expression profiles were also stimulated by E. chaffeensis, rTRP120, SLiM, and Wnt5a. Single siRNA knockdown of Hippo transcription co-activator/factors, Yap, and transcriptional enhanced associate domain (TEAD) significantly decreased E. chaffeensis infection. Yap activation was abolished in THP-1 Wnt Frizzled-5 (Fzd5) receptor knockout cells (KO), demonstrating Fzd5 receptor dependence. In addition, the TRP120-Wnt-SLiM antibody blocked Hippo deactivation (Yap activation). Expression of anti-apoptotic Hippo target gene SLC2A1 (encodes glucose transporter 1; GLUT1) was upregulated by E. chaffeensis and corresponded to increased levels of GLUT1. Conversely, siRNA knockdown of SLC2A1 significantly inhibited infection. Higher GLUT1 levels correlated with increased B cell lymphoma-extra large (BCL-xL) and decreased BCL2-associated X, apoptosis regulator (Bax) levels. Moreover, blocking Yap activation with the inhibitor Verteporfin induced apoptosis that corresponded to significant reductions in GLUT1 and BCL-xL levels and activation of Bax and Caspase-3 and -9. This study identifies a novel shared Wnt/Hippo SLiM ligand mimic and demonstrates that E. chaffeensis deactivates the Hippo pathway to engage the anti-apoptotic Yap-GLUT1-BCL-xL axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlan D. Byerly
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - LaNisha L. Patterson
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Nicholas A. Pittner
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Regina N. Solomon
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Jignesh G. Patel
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Madison R. Rogan
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Jere W. McBride
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
- Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
- Sealy Institute for Vaccine Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
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6
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Maurice NM, Sadikot RT. Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Bacterial Infections. Pathogens 2023; 12:1005. [PMID: 37623965 PMCID: PMC10458073 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12081005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 07/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Mitochondria are critical in numerous cellular processes, including energy generation. Bacterial pathogens target host cell mitochondria through various mechanisms to disturb the host response and improve bacterial survival. We review recent advances in the understanding of how bacteria cause mitochondrial dysfunction through perturbations in mitochondrial cell-death pathways, energy production, mitochondrial dynamics, mitochondrial quality control, DNA repair, and the mitochondrial unfolded protein response. We also briefly highlight possible therapeutic approaches aimed at restoring the host mitochondrial function as a novel strategy to enhance the host response to bacterial infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas M. Maurice
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Atlanta Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Decatur, GA 30033, USA
| | - Ruxana T. Sadikot
- VA Nebraska Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, NE 68105, USA
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
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7
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DeBoer AG, Lei L, Yang C, Martens CA, Anzick SL, Antonioli-Schmit S, Suchland RJ, McClarty G, Caldwell HD, Rockey DD. TargeTron Inactivation of Chlamydia trachomatis gseA Results in a Lipopolysaccharide 3-Deoxy-d-Manno-Oct-2-Ulosonic Acid-Deficient Strain That Is Cytotoxic for Cells. Infect Immun 2023; 91:e0009623. [PMID: 37255490 PMCID: PMC10353364 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00096-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
All members of the family Chlamydiaceae have lipopolysaccharides (LPS) that possess a shared carbohydrate trisaccharide antigen, 3-deoxy-d-manno-oct-2-ulosonic acid (Kdo) that is functionally uncharacterized. A single gene, genus-specific epitope (gseA), is responsible for attaching the tri-Kdo to lipid IVA. To investigate the function of Kdo in chlamydial host cell interactions, we made a gseA-null strain (L2ΔgseA) by using TargeTron mutagenesis. Immunofluorescence microscopy and immunoblotting with a Kdo-specific monoclonal antibody demonstrated that L2ΔgseA lacked Kdo. L2ΔgseA reacted by immunoblotting with a monoclonal antibody specific for a conserved LPS glucosamine-PO4 epitope, indicating that core lipid A was retained by the mutant. The mutant strain produced a similar number of inclusions as the parental strain but yielded lower numbers of infectious elementary bodies. Transmission electron microscopy of L2ΔgseA-infected cells showed atypical developmental forms and a reduction in the number of elementary bodies. Immunoblotting of dithiothreitol-treated L2ΔgseA-infected cells lysates revealed a marked reduction in outer membrane OmcB disulfide cross-linking, suggesting that the elementary body outer membrane structure was affected by the lack of Kdo. Notably, lactic acid dehydrogenase release by infected cells demonstrated that L2ΔgseA was significantly more cytotoxic to host cells than the wild type. The cytotoxic phenotype may result from an altered outer membrane biogenesis structure and/or function or, conversely, from a direct pathobiological effect of Kdo on an unknown host cell target. These findings implicate a previously unrecognized role for Kdo in host cell interactions that facilitates postinfection host cell survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Addison G. DeBoer
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Lei Lei
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Chunfu Yang
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Craig A. Martens
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, Rocky Mountain Laboratory, Hamilton, Montana, USA
| | - Sarah L. Anzick
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, Rocky Mountain Laboratory, Hamilton, Montana, USA
| | - Sophia Antonioli-Schmit
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, Rocky Mountain Laboratory, Hamilton, Montana, USA
| | - Robert J. Suchland
- Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Grant McClarty
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba Winnipeg, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Harlan D. Caldwell
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Daniel D. Rockey
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
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Cheong HC, Sulaiman S, Looi CY, Chang LY, Wong WF. Chlamydia Infection Remodels Host Cell Mitochondria to Alter Energy Metabolism and Subvert Apoptosis. Microorganisms 2023; 11:1382. [PMID: 37374883 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11061382] [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: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia infection represents an important cause for concern for public health worldwide. Chlamydial infection of the genital tract in females is mostly asymptomatic at the early stage, often manifesting as mucopurulent cervicitis, urethritis, and salpingitis at the later stage; it has been associated with female infertility, spontaneous abortion, ectopic pregnancy, and cervical cancer. As an obligate intracellular bacterium, Chlamydia depends heavily on host cells for nutrient acquisition, energy production, and cell propagation. The current review discusses various strategies utilized by Chlamydia in manipulating the cell metabolism to benefit bacterial propagation and survival through close interaction with the host cell mitochondrial and apoptotic pathway molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heng Choon Cheong
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
| | - Sofiah Sulaiman
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
| | - Chung Yeng Looi
- School of Biosciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Taylor's University, Subang Jaya 47500, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Li-Yen Chang
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
| | - Won Fen Wong
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
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9
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Byerly CD, Patterson LL, Pittner NA, Solomon RN, Patel JG, Rogan MR, McBride JW. Ehrlichia Wnt short linear motif ligand mimetic deactivates the Hippo pathway to engage the anti-apoptotic Yap-GLUT1-BCL-xL axis. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.06.531456. [PMID: 36945589 PMCID: PMC10028901 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.06.531456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/09/2023]
Abstract
Ehrlichia chaffeensis TRP120 effector has evolved short linear motif (SLiM) ligand mimicry to repurpose multiple evolutionarily conserved cellular signaling pathways including Wnt, Notch and Hedgehog. In this investigation, we demonstrate that E. chaffeensis and recombinant TRP120 deactivate Hippo signaling resulting in activation of Hippo transcription coactivator Yap and target gene expression. Moreover, a homologous 6 amino acid (QDVASH) SLiM shared by TRP120 and Wnt3a/5a ligands phenocopied Yap and β-catenin activation induced by E. chaffeensis, rTRP120 and Wnt5a. Similar Hippo gene expression profiles were also stimulated by E. chaffeensis, rTRP120, SLiM and Wnt5a. Single siRNA knockdown of Hippo transcription co-activator/factors (Yap and TEAD) significantly decreased E. chaffeensis infection. Yap activation was abolished in THP-1 Wnt Frizzled-5 (Fzd5) receptor knockout cells (KO), demonstrating Fzd5 receptor dependence. In addition, TRP120 Wnt-SLiM antibody blocked Hippo deactivation (Yap activation). Expression of anti-apoptotic Hippo target gene SLC2A1 (encodes glucose transporter 1; GLUT1) was upregulated by E. chaffeensis and corresponded to increased levels of GLUT1. Conversely, siRNA knockdown of SLC2A1 significantly inhibited infection. Higher GLUT1 levels correlated with increased BCL-xL and decreased Bax levels. Moreover, blocking Yap activation with the inhibitor Verteporfin induced apoptosis that corresponded to significant reductions in levels of GLUT1 and BCL-xL, and activation of Bax and Caspase-3 and -9. This study identifies a novel shared Wnt/Hippo SLiM ligand mimetic and demonstrates that E. chaffeensis deactivates the Hippo pathway to engage the anti-apoptotic Yap-GLUT1-BCL-xL axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlan D. Byerly
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - LaNisha L. Patterson
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Nicholas A. Pittner
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Regina N. Solomon
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Jignesh G. Patel
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Madison R. Rogan
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Jere W. McBride
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
- Department Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
- Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
- Sealy Institute for Vaccine Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
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10
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Waguia Kontchou C, Häcker G. Role of mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization during bacterial infection. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 374:83-127. [PMID: 36858657 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2022.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Beyond the initial 'powerhouse' view, mitochondria have numerous functions in their mammalian cell and contribute to many physiological processes, and many of these we understand only partially. The control of apoptosis by mitochondria is firmly established. Many questions remain however how this function is embedded into physiology, and how other signaling pathways regulate mitochondrial apoptosis; the interplay of bacteria with the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway is one such example. The outer mitochondrial membrane regulates both import into mitochondria and the release of intermembrane, and in some situations also matrix components from mitochondria, and these mitochondrial components can have signaling function in the cytosol. One function is the induction of apoptotic cell death. An exciting, more recently discovered function is the regulation of inflammation. Mitochondrial molecules, both proteins and nucleic acids, have inflammatory activity when released from mitochondria, an activity whose regulation is intertwined with the activation of apoptotic caspases. Bacterial infection can have more general effects on mitochondrial apoptosis-regulation, through effects on host transcription and other pathways, such as signals controlled by pattern recognition. Some specialized bacteria have products that more specifically regulate signaling to the outer mitochondrial membrane, and to apoptosis; both pro- and anti-apoptotic mechanisms have been reported. Among the intriguing recent findings in this area are signaling contributions of porins and the sub-lethal release of intermembrane constituents. We will here review the literature and place the new developments into the established context of mitochondrial signaling during the contact of bacterial pathogens with human cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Collins Waguia Kontchou
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Georg Häcker
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, Freiburg, Germany; BIOSS Centre for Biological Signalling Studies, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
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Intracellular lifestyle of Chlamydia trachomatis and host-pathogen interactions. Nat Rev Microbiol 2023:10.1038/s41579-023-00860-y. [PMID: 36788308 DOI: 10.1038/s41579-023-00860-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, substantial progress has been made in the understanding of the intracellular lifestyle of Chlamydia trachomatis and how the bacteria establish themselves in the human host. As an obligate intracellular pathogenic bacterium with a strongly reduced coding capacity, C. trachomatis depends on the provision of nutrients from the host cell. In this Review, we summarize the current understanding of how C. trachomatis establishes its intracellular replication niche, how its metabolism functions in the host cell, how it can defend itself against the cell autonomous and innate immune response and how it overcomes adverse situations through the transition to a persistent state. In particular, we focus on those processes for which a mechanistic understanding has been achieved.
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12
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Challagundla N, Chrisophe-Bourdon J, Agrawal-Rajput R. Chlamydia trachomatis infection co-operatively enhances HPV E6-E7 oncogenes mediated tumorigenesis and immunosuppression. Microb Pathog 2023; 175:105929. [PMID: 36565970 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2022.105929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis and human papilloma virus (HPV) are the two most common sexually transmitted infections among women. HPV infection can increase the risk of cervical cancer and infertility while C. trachomatis induces pelvic inflammatory disease. Here, we elucidate the molecular conundrum of the co-infection of HPV and C. trachomatis infection and their outcome with respect to cervical cancer. HPV infection was mimicked by overexpression of HPV 16 E6-E7 or using human cervical cell lines SiHa and C33a (with and without HPV 16 respectively). HPV transfected co-infection increased cell proliferation and resistance to H202 and TNFα-induced cell death compared to individual infections. These changes are brought by alteration in the cell cycle proteins (CDK2, CDK6 and Bcl2) and thus increasing the stemness of the epithelial cells as observed by increased colony forming units and CD133 expression. The co-infection also induces change in the mRNA levels of cells which are involved in mesenchymal phenotype. C. trachomatis in presence of E6-E7 overexpression caused cervical epithelial neoplasm in mice with increased Ki67 expression and decreased P53 levels. Stem cell marker, CD133 expression also increased in the cervical tissues of both infected and co-infected group of mice. The cells obtained from the cervix were able to grow continuously in ex vivo cultures. All these results indicate the co-existence of the C. trachomatis and HPV 16 might increase the risk of cervical cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naveen Challagundla
- Immunology Lab, Institute of Advanced Research, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, 382426, India
| | - Jean Chrisophe-Bourdon
- Department of Surgery and Molecular Oncology, University of Dundee/Inserm U858, European Associated Laboratory, Dundee, DD1 9SY, United Kingdom
| | - Reena Agrawal-Rajput
- Immunology Lab, Institute of Advanced Research, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, 382426, India.
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Scharbaai-Vázquez R, J. López Font F, A. Zayas Rodríguez F. Persistence in Chlamydia. Infect Dis (Lond) 2022. [DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.109299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia spp. are important causes of acute and persistent/chronic infections. All Chlamydia spp. display a unique biphasic developmental cycle alternating between an infectious elementary body (EB) and a replicative form, the reticulate body (RB), followed by the multiplication of RBs by binary fission and progressive differentiation back into EBs. During its intracellular life, Chlamydia employs multiple mechanisms to ensure its persistence inside the host. These include evasion of diverse innate immune responses, modulation of host cell structure and endocytosis, inhibition of apoptosis, activation of pro-signaling pathways, and conversion to enlarged, non-replicative but viable “aberrant bodies” (ABs). Early research described several systems for Chlamydial persistence with a significant number of variables that make a direct comparison of results difficult. Now, emerging tools for genetic manipulations in Chlamydia and advances in global microarray, transcriptomics, and proteomics have opened new and exciting opportunities to understand the persistent state of Chlamydia and link the immune and molecular events of persistence with the pathogenesis of recurrent and chronic Chlamydial infections. This chapter reviews our current understanding and advances in the molecular biology of Chlamydia persistence.
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14
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Schaefer J, Clow W, Bhandari R, Kimura M, Williams L, Pellegrini M. Killing in self-defense: proapoptotic drugs to eliminate intracellular pathogens. Curr Opin Immunol 2022; 79:102263. [PMID: 36375234 DOI: 10.1016/j.coi.2022.102263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Intracellular infections rely on host cell survival for replication and have evolved several mechanisms to prevent infected cells from dying. Drugs that promote apoptosis, a noninflammatory form of cell death, can dysregulate these survival mechanisms to kill infected cells via a mechanism that resists the evolution of drug resistance. Two such drug classes, known as SMAC mimetics and BH3 mimetics, have shown preclinical efficacy at mediating clearance of liver-stage malaria and chronic infections such as hepatitis-B virus and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Emerging toxicity and efficacy data have reinforced the broad applicability of these drugs and form the foundations for preclinical and clinical studies into their various usage cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Schaefer
- Walter & Eliza Hall Institute Infectious Disease and Immune Defence Division, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - William Clow
- Walter & Eliza Hall Institute Infectious Disease and Immune Defence Division, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Reet Bhandari
- Walter & Eliza Hall Institute Infectious Disease and Immune Defence Division, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Mari Kimura
- Walter & Eliza Hall Institute Infectious Disease and Immune Defence Division, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Lewis Williams
- Walter & Eliza Hall Institute Infectious Disease and Immune Defence Division, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Marc Pellegrini
- Walter & Eliza Hall Institute Infectious Disease and Immune Defence Division, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia.
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