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Darbandi A, Abdi M, Dashtbin S, Yaghoubi S, Sholeh M, Kouhsari E, Darbandi T, Ghanavati R, Taheri B. Antibody-Antibiotic Conjugates: A Comprehensive Review on Their Therapeutic Potentials Against BacterialInfections. J Clin Lab Anal 2024; 38:e25071. [PMID: 38867639 PMCID: PMC11211676 DOI: 10.1002/jcla.25071] [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: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Antibodies are significant agents in the immune system and have proven to be effective in treating bacterial infections. With the advancement of antibody engineering in recent decades, antibody therapy has evolved widely. AIM This review aimed to investigate a new method as a therapeutic platform for the treatment of bacterial infections and explore the novel features of this method in conferring pathogen specificity to broad-spectrum antibiotics. MATERIAL AND METHODS A literature review was conducted addressing the following topics about antibody-antibiotic conjugates (AACs): (1) structure and mechanism of action; (2) clinical effectiveness; (3) advantages and disadvantages. RESULT Antibody conjugates are designed to build upon the progress made in the development of monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of diseases. Despite the growing emergence of antibiotic resistance among pathogenic bacteria worldwide, novel antimicrobials have not been sufficiently expanded to combat the global crisis of antibiotic resistance. A recently developed strategy for the treatment of infectious diseases is the use of AACs, which are specifically activated only in host cells. CONCLUSION A novel therapeutic AAC employs an antibody to deliver the antibiotic to the bacteria. The AACs can release potent antibacterial components that unconjugated forms may not exhibit with an appropriate therapeutic index. This review highlights how this science has guided the design principles of an impressive AAC and discusses how the AAC model promises to enhance the antibiotic effect against bacterial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atieh Darbandi
- Molecular Microbiology Research CenterShahed UniversityTehranIran
| | - Milad Abdi
- Research Center of Tropical and Infectious DiseasesKerman University of Medical SciencesKermanIran
| | - Shirin Dashtbin
- Department of Microbiology, School of MedicineIran University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
| | - Sajad Yaghoubi
- Basic Sciences DepartmentNeyshabur University of Medical SciencesNeyshaburIran
| | - Mohammad Sholeh
- Department of BacteriologyPasteur Institute of IranTehranIran
| | - Ebrahim Kouhsari
- Laboratory Sciences Research CenterGolestan University of Medical SciencesGorganIran
| | - Talieh Darbandi
- Pharmaceutical Sciences BranchIslamic Azad University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
| | | | - Behrouz Taheri
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of MedicineAhvaz Jundishapur University of Medical SciencesAhvazIran
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Beck C, Krusche J, Notaro A, Walter A, Kränkel L, Vollert A, Stemmler R, Wittmann J, Schaller M, Slavetinsky C, Mayer C, De Castro C, Peschel A. Wall teichoic acid substitution with glucose governs phage susceptibility of Staphylococcus epidermidis. mBio 2024; 15:e0199023. [PMID: 38470054 PMCID: PMC11005348 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01990-23] [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: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
The species- and clone-specific susceptibility of Staphylococcus cells for bacteriophages is governed by the structures and glycosylation patterns of wall teichoic acid (WTA) glycopolymers. The glycosylation-dependent phage-WTA interactions in the opportunistic pathogen Staphylococcus epidermidis and in other coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) have remained unknown. We report a new S. epidermidis WTA glycosyltransferase TagE whose deletion confers resistance to siphoviruses such as ΦE72 but enables binding of otherwise unbound podoviruses. S. epidermidis glycerolphosphate WTA was found to be modified with glucose in a tagE-dependent manner. TagE is encoded together with the enzymes PgcA and GtaB providing uridine diphosphate-activated glucose. ΦE72 transduced several other CoNS species encoding TagE homologs, suggesting that WTA glycosylation via TagE is a frequent trait among CoNS that permits interspecies horizontal gene transfer. Our study unravels a crucial mechanism of phage-Staphylococcus interaction and horizontal gene transfer, and it will help in the design of anti-staphylococcal phage therapies.IMPORTANCEPhages are highly specific for certain bacterial hosts, and some can transduce DNA even across species boundaries. How phages recognize cognate host cells remains incompletely understood. Phages infecting members of the genus Staphylococcus bind to wall teichoic acid (WTA) glycopolymers with highly variable structures and glycosylation patterns. How WTA is glycosylated in the opportunistic pathogen Staphylococcus epidermidis and in other coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) species has remained unknown. We describe that S. epidermidis glycosylates its WTA backbone with glucose, and we identify a cluster of three genes responsible for glucose activation and transfer to WTA. Their inactivation strongly alters phage susceptibility patterns, yielding resistance to siphoviruses but susceptibility to podoviruses. Many different CoNS species with related glycosylation genes can exchange DNA via siphovirus ΦE72, suggesting that glucose-modified WTA is crucial for interspecies horizontal gene transfer. Our finding will help to develop antibacterial phage therapies and unravel routes of genetic exchange.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Beck
- Cluster of Excellence “Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections (CMFI)”, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Infection Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Janes Krusche
- Cluster of Excellence “Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections (CMFI)”, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Infection Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Anna Notaro
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Axel Walter
- Cluster of Excellence “Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections (CMFI)”, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Organismic Interactions/Glycobiology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Lara Kränkel
- Cluster of Excellence “Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections (CMFI)”, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Infection Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Anneli Vollert
- Electron-Microscopy, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Regine Stemmler
- Cluster of Excellence “Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections (CMFI)”, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Infection Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Johannes Wittmann
- Leibniz Institute, DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Martin Schaller
- Electron-Microscopy, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Christoph Slavetinsky
- Cluster of Excellence “Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections (CMFI)”, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Infection Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Pediatric Surgery and Urology, University Children's Hospital Tübingen, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Christoph Mayer
- Cluster of Excellence “Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections (CMFI)”, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Organismic Interactions/Glycobiology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | | | - Andreas Peschel
- Cluster of Excellence “Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections (CMFI)”, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Infection Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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3
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He Y, Cheng C, Liu Y, Chen FM, Chen Y, Yang C, Zhao Z, Dawulieti J, Shen Z, Zhang Y, Du JZ, Guan S, Shao D. Intravenous Senescent Erythrocyte Vaccination Modulates Adaptive Immunity and Splenic Complement Production. ACS NANO 2024; 18:470-482. [PMID: 38146673 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c07943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2023]
Abstract
Targeted delivery of vaccines to the spleen remains a challenge. Inspired by the erythrophagocytotic process in the spleen, we herein report that intravenous administration of senescent erythrocyte-based vaccines profoundly alters their tropism toward splenic antigen-presenting cells (APCs) for imprinting adaptive immune responses. Compared with subcutaneous inoculation, intravenous vaccination significantly upregulated splenic complement expression in vivo and demonstrated synergistic antibody killing in vitro. Consequently, intravenous senescent erythrocyte vaccination produces potent SARS-CoV-2 antibody-neutralizing effects, with potential protective immune responses. Moreover, the proposed senescent erythrocyte can deliver antigens from resected tumors and adjuvants to splenic APCs, thereby inducing a personalized immune reaction against tumor recurrence after surgery. Hence, our findings suggest that senescent erythrocyte-based vaccines can specifically target splenic APCs and evoke adaptive immunity and complement production, broadening the tools for modulating immunity, helping to understand adaptive response mechanisms to senescent erythrocytes better, and developing improved vaccines against cancer and infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan He
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong 511442, China
| | - Chuanxu Cheng
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong 511442, China
| | - Yuheng Liu
- National Engineering Research Center of Immunological Products, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Fang-Man Chen
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong 511442, China
| | - Yinglu Chen
- School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou International Campus, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, China
| | - Chao Yang
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong 511442, China
- Department of Orthopedics, Academy of Orthopedics-Guangdong Province, Orthopedic Hospital of Guangdong Province, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bone and Joint Degenerative Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510665, China
| | - Zhibin Zhao
- Medical Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Jianati Dawulieti
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong 511442, China
| | - Zikun Shen
- School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou International Campus, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, China
| | - Yunjiao Zhang
- School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou International Campus, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, China
| | - Jin-Zhi Du
- School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou International Campus, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, China
| | - Shan Guan
- National Engineering Research Center of Immunological Products, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Dan Shao
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong 511442, China
- School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou International Campus, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, China
- National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, China
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Guo Y, Du X, Krusche J, Beck C, Ali S, Walter A, Winstel V, Mayer C, Codée JD, Peschel A, Stehle T. Invasive Staphylococcus epidermidis uses a unique processive wall teichoic acid glycosyltransferase to evade immune recognition. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadj2641. [PMID: 38000019 PMCID: PMC10672168 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adj2641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
Staphylococcus epidermidis expresses glycerol phosphate wall teichoic acid (WTA), but some health care-associated methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis (HA-MRSE) clones produce a second, ribitol phosphate (RboP) WTA, resembling that of the aggressive pathogen Staphylococcus aureus. RboP-WTA promotes HA-MRSE persistence and virulence in bloodstream infections. We report here that the TarM enzyme of HA-MRSE [TarM(Se)] glycosylates RboP-WTA with glucose, instead of N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) by TarM(Sa) in S. aureus. Replacement of GlcNAc with glucose in RboP-WTA impairs HA-MRSE detection by human immunoglobulin G, which may contribute to the immune-evasion capacities of many invasive S. epidermidis. Crystal structures of complexes with uridine diphosphate glucose (UDP-glucose), and with UDP and glycosylated poly(RboP), reveal the binding mode and glycosylation mechanism of this enzyme and explain why TarM(Se) and TarM(Sa) link different sugars to poly(RboP). These structural data provide evidence that TarM(Se) is a processive WTA glycosyltransferase. Our study will support the targeted inhibition of TarM enzymes, and the development of RboP-WTA targeting vaccines and phage therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinglan Guo
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence “Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections (CMFI)”, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Xin Du
- Cluster of Excellence “Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections (CMFI)”, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Infection Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Janes Krusche
- Cluster of Excellence “Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections (CMFI)”, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Infection Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Christian Beck
- Cluster of Excellence “Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections (CMFI)”, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Infection Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Sara Ali
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Axel Walter
- Cluster of Excellence “Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections (CMFI)”, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Organismic Interactions/Glycobiology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Volker Winstel
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Infection Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Christoph Mayer
- Cluster of Excellence “Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections (CMFI)”, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Organismic Interactions/Glycobiology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | | | - Andreas Peschel
- Cluster of Excellence “Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections (CMFI)”, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Infection Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Thilo Stehle
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence “Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections (CMFI)”, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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5
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Slavetinsky J, Lehmann E, Slavetinsky C, Gritsch L, van Dalen R, Kretschmer D, Bleul L, Wolz C, Weidenmaier C, Peschel A. Wall Teichoic Acid Mediates Staphylococcus aureus Binding to Endothelial Cells via the Scavenger Receptor LOX-1. ACS Infect Dis 2023; 9:2133-2140. [PMID: 37910786 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.3c00252] [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] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
The success of Staphylococcus aureus as a major cause for endovascular infections depends on effective interactions with blood-vessel walls. We have previously shown that S. aureus uses its wall teichoic acid (WTA), a surface glycopolymer, to attach to endothelial cells. However, the endothelial WTA receptor remained unknown. We show here that the endothelial oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor 1 (LOX-1) interacts with S. aureus WTA and permits effective binding of S. aureus to human endothelial cells. Purified LOX-1 bound to isolated S. aureus WTA. Ectopic LOX-1 expression led to increased binding of S. aureus wild type but not of a WTA-deficient mutant to a cell line, and LOX-1 blockage prevented S. aureus binding to endothelial cells. Moreover, WTA and LOX-1 expression levels correlated with the efficacy of the S. aureus-endothelial interaction. Thus, LOX-1 is an endothelial ligand for S. aureus, whose blockage may help to prevent or treat severe endovascular infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Slavetinsky
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen72076, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence EXC 2124 "Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections", University of Tübingen, Tübingen 72076, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen 72076 , Germany
| | - Esther Lehmann
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen72076, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence EXC 2124 "Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections", University of Tübingen, Tübingen 72076, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen 72076 , Germany
| | - Christoph Slavetinsky
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen72076, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence EXC 2124 "Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections", University of Tübingen, Tübingen 72076, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen 72076 , Germany
- Pediatric Surgery and Urology, University Children's Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen 72076, Germany
| | - Lisa Gritsch
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen72076, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence EXC 2124 "Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections", University of Tübingen, Tübingen 72076, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen 72076 , Germany
| | - Rob van Dalen
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen72076, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence EXC 2124 "Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections", University of Tübingen, Tübingen 72076, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen 72076 , Germany
| | - Dorothee Kretschmer
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen72076, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence EXC 2124 "Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections", University of Tübingen, Tübingen 72076, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen 72076 , Germany
| | - Lisa Bleul
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen72076, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence EXC 2124 "Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections", University of Tübingen, Tübingen 72076, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen 72076 , Germany
| | - Christiane Wolz
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen72076, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence EXC 2124 "Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections", University of Tübingen, Tübingen 72076, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen 72076 , Germany
| | - Christopher Weidenmaier
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen72076, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence EXC 2124 "Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections", University of Tübingen, Tübingen 72076, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen 72076 , Germany
| | - Andreas Peschel
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen72076, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence EXC 2124 "Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections", University of Tübingen, Tübingen 72076, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen 72076 , Germany
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6
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Yin R, Wang T, Dai H, Han J, Sun J, Liu N, Dong W, Zhong J, Liu H. Immunogenic molecules associated with gut bacterial cell walls: chemical structures, immune-modulating functions, and mechanisms. Protein Cell 2023; 14:776-785. [PMID: 37013853 PMCID: PMC10599643 DOI: 10.1093/procel/pwad016] [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: 02/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Interactions between gut microbiome and host immune system are fundamental to maintaining the intestinal mucosal barrier and homeostasis. At the host-gut microbiome interface, cell wall-derived molecules from gut commensal bacteria have been reported to play a pivotal role in training and remodeling host immune responses. In this article, we review gut bacterial cell wall-derived molecules with characterized chemical structures, including peptidoglycan and lipid-related molecules that impact host health and disease processes via regulating innate and adaptive immunity. Also, we aim to discuss the structures, immune responses, and underlying mechanisms of these immunogenic molecules. Based on current advances, we propose cell wall-derived components as important sources of medicinal agents for the treatment of infection and immune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruopeng Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Tao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Huanqin Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Junjie Han
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jingzu Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Ningning Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Wang Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jin Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101 Beijing, China
| | - Hongwei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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7
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Douglas EJA, Palk N, Brignoli T, Altwiley D, Boura M, Laabei M, Recker M, Cheung GYC, Liu R, Hsieh RC, Otto M, O'Brien E, McLoughlin RM, Massey RC. Extensive remodelling of the cell wall during the development of Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia. eLife 2023; 12:RP87026. [PMID: 37401629 PMCID: PMC10328498 DOI: 10.7554/elife.87026] [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] [Indexed: 07/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The bloodstream represents a hostile environment that bacteria must overcome to cause bacteraemia. To understand how the major human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus manages this we have utilised a functional genomics approach to identify a number of new loci that affect the ability of the bacteria to survive exposure to serum, the critical first step in the development of bacteraemia. The expression of one of these genes, tcaA, was found to be induced upon exposure to serum, and we show that it is involved in the elaboration of a critical virulence factor, the wall teichoic acids (WTA), within the cell envelope. The activity of the TcaA protein alters the sensitivity of the bacteria to cell wall attacking agents, including antimicrobial peptides, human defence fatty acids, and several antibiotics. This protein also affects the autolytic activity and lysostaphin sensitivity of the bacteria, suggesting that in addition to changing WTA abundance in the cell envelope, it also plays a role in peptidoglycan crosslinking. With TcaA rendering the bacteria more susceptible to serum killing, while simultaneously increasing the abundance of WTA in the cell envelope, it was unclear what effect this protein may have during infection. To explore this, we examined human data and performed murine experimental infections. Collectively, our data suggests that whilst mutations in tcaA are selected for during bacteraemia, this protein positively contributes to the virulence of S. aureus through its involvement in altering the cell wall architecture of the bacteria, a process that appears to play a key role in the development of bacteraemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward JA Douglas
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of BristolBristolUnited Kingdom
- Department of Life Sciences, University of BathBathUnited Kingdom
| | - Nathanael Palk
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of BristolBristolUnited Kingdom
| | - Tarcisio Brignoli
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of BristolBristolUnited Kingdom
- Department of Biosciences, Università degli Studi di MilanoMilanItaly
| | - Dina Altwiley
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of BristolBristolUnited Kingdom
| | - Marcia Boura
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of BristolBristolUnited Kingdom
| | - Maisem Laabei
- Department of Life Sciences, University of BathBathUnited Kingdom
| | - Mario Recker
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of TübingenTübingenGermany
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn CampusExeterUnited Kingdom
| | - Gordon YC Cheung
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), US National Institutes of Health (NIH)BethesdaUnited States
| | - Ryan Liu
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), US National Institutes of Health (NIH)BethesdaUnited States
| | - Roger C Hsieh
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), US National Institutes of Health (NIH)BethesdaUnited States
| | - Michael Otto
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), US National Institutes of Health (NIH)BethesdaUnited States
| | - Eoin O'Brien
- Host Pathogen Interactions Group, School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity College DublinDublinIreland
| | - Rachel M McLoughlin
- Host Pathogen Interactions Group, School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity College DublinDublinIreland
| | - Ruth C Massey
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of BristolBristolUnited Kingdom
- Schools of Microbiology and Medicine, University College Cork, and APC Microbiome IrelandCorkIreland
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8
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Douglas EJA, Palk N, Brignoli T, Altwiley D, Boura M, Laabei M, Recker M, Cheung GYC, Liu R, Hsieh RC, Otto M, Oâ Brien E, McLoughlin RM, Massey RC. Extensive re-modelling of the cell wall during the development of Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.23.529713. [PMID: 36865143 PMCID: PMC9980097 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.23.529713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
The bloodstream represents a hostile environment that bacteria must overcome to cause bacteraemia. To understand how the major human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus manages this we have utilised a functional genomics approach to identify a number of new loci that affect the ability of the bacteria to survive exposure to serum, the critical first step in the development of bacteraemia. The expression of one of these genes, tcaA , was found to be induced upon exposure to serum, and we show that it is involved in the elaboration of a critical virulence factor, the wall teichoic acids (WTA), within the cell envelope. The activity of this protein alters the sensitivity of the bacteria to cell wall attacking agents, including antimicrobial peptides, human defence fatty acids, and several antibiotics. This protein also affects the autolytic activity and lysostaphin sensitivity of the bacteria, suggesting that in addition to changing WTA abundance in the cell envelope, it also plays a role in peptidoglycan crosslinking. With TcaA rendering the bacteria more susceptible to serum killing, while simultaneously increasing the abundance of WTA in the cell envelope, it was unclear what effect this protein may have during infection. To explore this, we examined human data and performed murine experimental infections. Collectively, our data suggests that whilst mutations in tcaA are selected for during bacteraemia, this protein positively contributes to the virulence of S. aureus through its involvement in altering the cell wall architecture of the bacteria, a process that appears to play a key role in the development of bacteraemia.
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9
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Brown M, Hall A, Zahn H, Eisenberg M, Erickson S. Bacteriophage-Based Detection of Staphylococcus aureus in Human Serum. Viruses 2022; 14:v14081748. [PMID: 36016370 PMCID: PMC9416288 DOI: 10.3390/v14081748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophages have been investigated for clinical utility, both as diagnostic tools and as therapeutic interventions. In order to be applied successfully, a detailed understanding of the influence of the human matrix on the interaction between bacteriophage and the host bacterium is required. In this study, a cocktail of luciferase bacteriophage reporters was assessed for functionality in a matrix containing human serum and spiked with Staphylococcus aureus. The inhibition of signal and loss of sensitivity was evident with minimal amounts of serum. This phenotype was independent of bacterial growth and bacteriophage viability. Serum-mediated loss of signal was common, albeit not universal, among S. aureus strains. Immunoglobulin G was identified as an inhibitory component and partial inhibition was observed with both the f(ab’)2 and Fc region. A modified bacteriophage cocktail containing recombinant protein A was developed, which substantially improved signal without the need for additional sample purification. This study highlights the importance of assessing bacteriophage activity in relevant host matrices. Furthermore, it identifies an effective solution, recombinant protein A, for promoting bacteriophage-based detection of S. aureus in matrices containing human serum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Brown
- Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings, Burlington, NC 27215, USA
| | - Alex Hall
- Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings, Burlington, NC 27215, USA
| | - Henriett Zahn
- Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings, New Brighton, MN 55112, USA
| | - Marcia Eisenberg
- Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings, Burlington, NC 27215, USA
| | - Stephen Erickson
- Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings, New Brighton, MN 55112, USA
- Correspondence:
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10
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Shen P, Lin H, Bao Y, Hong H, Wu Z. Synthesis and immunological study of a glycosylated wall teichoic acid-based vaccine against Staphylococcus aureus. CHINESE CHEM LETT 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cclet.2022.07.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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11
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The Influence of Antibiotic Resistance on Innate Immune Responses to Staphylococcus aureus Infection. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:antibiotics11050542. [PMID: 35625186 PMCID: PMC9138074 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11050542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) causes a broad range of infections and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. S. aureus produces a diverse range of cellular and extracellular factors responsible for its invasiveness and ability to resist immune attack. In recent years, increasing resistance to last-line anti-staphylococcal antibiotics daptomycin and vancomycin has been observed. Resistant strains of S. aureus are highly efficient in invading a variety of professional and nonprofessional phagocytes and are able to survive inside host cells. Eliciting immune protection against antibiotic-resistant S. aureus infection is a global challenge, requiring both innate and adaptive immune effector mechanisms. Dendritic cells (DC), which sit at the interface between innate and adaptive immune responses, are central to the induction of immune protection against S. aureus. However, it has been observed that S. aureus has the capacity to develop further antibiotic resistance and acquire increased resistance to immunological recognition by the innate immune system. In this article, we review the strategies utilised by S. aureus to circumvent antibiotic and innate immune responses, especially the interaction between S. aureus and DC, focusing on how this relationship is perturbed with the development of antibiotic resistance.
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12
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Shinde P, Stamatos N, Doub JB. Human Plasma Significantly Reduces Bacteriophage Infectivity Against Staphylococcus aureus Clinical Isolates. Cureus 2022; 14:e23777. [PMID: 35509731 PMCID: PMC9063457 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.23777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophage therapy has been regaining interest as a potential therapeutic in treating a wide range of infections. However, there is a paucity of knowledge regarding numerous aspects of bacteriophage therapy, thereby hindering the development of proper treatment protocols and effective clinical trials. In this report, the activities of three bacteriophages are evaluated against clinical bacterial isolates in the presence and absence of human plasma (HP). The bacteriophages used in this experiment were residual therapeutic doses from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved compassionate use cases to treat recalcitrant prosthetic joint infections (PJIs). Herein we demonstrate that in the presence of HP, the infectivity of these Staphylococcal bacteriophages was significantly reduced compared to the infectivity in the absence of HP. Inhibition of infectivity ranged from 48% to 81% for two methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) clinical isolates independently infected with the same bacteriophage and 98% for a third MRSA clinical isolate infected with a different bacteriophage. In contrast, bacteriophage infectivity of an Enterococcus faecalis clinical isolate was not affected by the presence of HP. We hypothesize that the inhibition is correlated with plasma proteins binding to Staphylococcal surface proteins masking the receptors associated with bacteriophage attachment, thereby reducing infectivity. This has clinical ramifications for bacteriophage therapy use in treating Staphylococcal bacteremia and periprosthetic joint infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prajakta Shinde
- Infectious Diseases, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Nicholas Stamatos
- Infectious Diseases, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - James B Doub
- Infectious Diseases, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
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13
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Kim CJ, Si Z, Reghu S, Guo Z, Zhang K, Li J, Chan-Park MB. DNA-derived nanostructures selectively capture gram-positive bacteria. Drug Deliv Transl Res 2021; 11:1438-1450. [PMID: 33880733 DOI: 10.1007/s13346-021-00975-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
We report the first demonstration of the efficient bacteria targeting properties of DNA-based polymeric micelles with high-density DNA corona. Nanoscale polymer micelles derived from DNA-b-polystyrene (DNA-b-PS) efficiently selected most tested Gram-positive strains over Gram-negative strains; single-strand DNAs were 20-fold less selective. We demonstrate that these targeting properties were derived from the interaction between densely packed DNA strands of the micelle corona and the peptidoglycan layers of Gram-positive bacteria. DNA-b-PS micelles incorporating magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) can efficiently capture and concentrate Gram-positive bacteria suggesting the simple applications of these DNA block copolymer micelles for concentrating bacteria. Adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C), and guanine (G)-rich nanostructures were fabricated, respectively, for investigating the effect of sequence on Gram-selective bacteria targeting. T-rich micelles showed the most efficient targeting properties. The targeting properties of these DNA nanostructures toward Gram-positive bacteria may have applications as a targeted therapeutic delivery system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chan-Jin Kim
- Centre for Antimicrobial Bioengineering, School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 62 Nanyang Drive, Nanyang, 637459, Singapore
| | - Zhangyong Si
- Centre for Antimicrobial Bioengineering, School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 62 Nanyang Drive, Nanyang, 637459, Singapore
| | - Sheethal Reghu
- Centre for Antimicrobial Bioengineering, School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 62 Nanyang Drive, Nanyang, 637459, Singapore
| | - Zhong Guo
- Centre for Antimicrobial Bioengineering, School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 62 Nanyang Drive, Nanyang, 637459, Singapore
| | - Kaixi Zhang
- Centre for Antimicrobial Bioengineering, School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 62 Nanyang Drive, Nanyang, 637459, Singapore
| | - Jianghua Li
- Centre for Antimicrobial Bioengineering, School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 62 Nanyang Drive, Nanyang, 637459, Singapore
| | - Mary B Chan-Park
- Centre for Antimicrobial Bioengineering, School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 62 Nanyang Drive, Nanyang, 637459, Singapore. .,Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Nanyang, 636921, Singapore. .,School of Physical & Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Nanyang, 637371, Singapore.
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14
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Fisher JF, Mobashery S. β-Lactams against the Fortress of the Gram-Positive Staphylococcus aureus Bacterium. Chem Rev 2021; 121:3412-3463. [PMID: 33373523 PMCID: PMC8653850 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.0c01010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The biological diversity of the unicellular bacteria-whether assessed by shape, food, metabolism, or ecological niche-surely rivals (if not exceeds) that of the multicellular eukaryotes. The relationship between bacteria whose ecological niche is the eukaryote, and the eukaryote, is often symbiosis or stasis. Some bacteria, however, seek advantage in this relationship. One of the most successful-to the disadvantage of the eukaryote-is the small (less than 1 μm diameter) and nearly spherical Staphylococcus aureus bacterium. For decades, successful clinical control of its infection has been accomplished using β-lactam antibiotics such as the penicillins and the cephalosporins. Over these same decades S. aureus has perfected resistance mechanisms against these antibiotics, which are then countered by new generations of β-lactam structure. This review addresses the current breadth of biochemical and microbiological efforts to preserve the future of the β-lactam antibiotics through a better understanding of how S. aureus protects the enzyme targets of the β-lactams, the penicillin-binding proteins. The penicillin-binding proteins are essential enzyme catalysts for the biosynthesis of the cell wall, and understanding how this cell wall is integrated into the protective cell envelope of the bacterium may identify new antibacterials and new adjuvants that preserve the efficacy of the β-lactams.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jed F Fisher
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, McCourtney Hall, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame Indiana 46556, United States
| | - Shahriar Mobashery
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, McCourtney Hall, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame Indiana 46556, United States
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15
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Berni F, Wang L, Kalfopoulou E, Nguyen DL, van der Es D, Huebner J, Overkleeft HS, Hokke CH, van der Marel GA, van Diepen A, Codée JDC. Generation of glucosylated sn-1-glycerolphosphate teichoic acids: glycerol stereochemistry affects synthesis and antibody interaction. RSC Chem Biol 2021; 2:187-191. [PMID: 34458781 PMCID: PMC8341164 DOI: 10.1039/d0cb00206b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Lipoteichoic acids (LTAs) have been addressed as possible antigen candidates for vaccine development against several opportunistic Gram-positive pathogens. The study of structure-immunogenicity relationship represents a challenge due to the heterogenicity of LTA extracted from native sources. LTAs are built up from glycerol phosphate (GroP) repeating units and they can be substituted at the C-2-OH with carbohydrate appendages or d-alanine residues. The substitution pattern, but also the absolute chirality of the GroP residues can impact the interaction with chiral biomolecules including antibodies and biosynthesis enzymes. We have generated a set of diastereomeric GroP hexamers bearing a glucosyl modification at one of the residues. The chirality of the glycerol building block had an important impact on the stereoselectivity of the glycosylation reaction between the glycosyl donor and the glycerol C-2-OH acceptor. The GroP C-2-chirality also played an important role in the interaction with TA recognizing antibodies. These findings have important implications for the design and synthesis of synthetic TA fragments for diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Berni
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University Einsteinweg 55 2333 CC Leiden The Netherlands
| | - Liming Wang
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University Einsteinweg 55 2333 CC Leiden The Netherlands
| | - Ermioni Kalfopoulou
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Dr von Hauner Children's Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich Germany
| | - D Linh Nguyen
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center Albinusdreef 2 2333 ZA Leiden The Netherlands
| | - Daan van der Es
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University Einsteinweg 55 2333 CC Leiden The Netherlands
| | - Johannes Huebner
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Dr von Hauner Children's Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich Germany
| | - Herman S Overkleeft
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University Einsteinweg 55 2333 CC Leiden The Netherlands
| | - Cornelis H Hokke
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center Albinusdreef 2 2333 ZA Leiden The Netherlands
| | | | - Angela van Diepen
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center Albinusdreef 2 2333 ZA Leiden The Netherlands
| | - Jeroen D C Codée
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University Einsteinweg 55 2333 CC Leiden The Netherlands
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16
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Guo Y, Pfahler NM, Völpel SL, Stehle T. Cell wall glycosylation in Staphylococcus aureus: targeting the tar glycosyltransferases. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2021; 68:166-174. [PMID: 33540375 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2021.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Peptidoglycan (PG) is the major structural polymer of the bacterial cell wall. The PG layer of gram-positive bacterial pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is permeated with anionic glycopolymers known as wall teichoic acids (WTAs) and lipoteichoic acids (LTAs). In S. aureus, the WTA backbone typically consists of repeating ribitol-5-phosphate units, which are modified by enzymes that introduce glycosylation as well as amino acids at different locations. These modifications are key determinants of phage adhesion, bacterial biofilm formation and virulence of S. aureus. In this review, we examine differences in WTA structures in gram-positive bacteria, focusing in particular on three enzymes, TarM, TarS, and TarP that glycosylate the WTA of S. aureus at different locations. Infections with S. aureus pose an increasing threat to human health, particularly through the emergence of multidrug-resistant strains. Recently obtained structural information on TarM, TarS and TarP has helped to better understand the strategies used by S. aureus to establish resistance and to evade host defense mechanisms. Moreover, structures of complexes with poly-RboP and its analogs can serve as a platform for the development of new inhibitors that could form a basis for the development of antibiotic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinglan Guo
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, University of Tübingen, Germany
| | - Nina M Pfahler
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, University of Tübingen, Germany
| | - Simon L Völpel
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, University of Tübingen, Germany
| | - Thilo Stehle
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, University of Tübingen, Germany; Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, USA.
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17
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Wu X, Han J, Gong G, Koffas MAG, Zha J. Wall teichoic acids: physiology and applications. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2020; 45:6019871. [DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuaa064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Wall teichoic acids (WTAs) are charged glycopolymers containing phosphodiester-linked polyol units and represent one of the major components of Gram-positive cell envelope. WTAs have important physiological functions in cell division, gene transfer, surface adhesion, drug resistance and biofilm formation, and are critical virulence factors and vital determinants in mediating cell interaction with and tolerance to environmental factors. Here, we first briefly introduce WTA structure, biosynthesis and its regulation, and then summarize in detail four major physiological roles played by WTAs, i.e. WTA-mediated resistance to antimicrobials, virulence to mammalian cells, interaction with bacteriolytic enzymes and regulation of cell metabolism. We also review the applications of WTAs in these fields that are closely related to the human society, including antibacterial drug discovery targeting WTA biosynthesis, development of vaccines and antibodies regarding WTA-mediated pathogenicity, specific and sensitive detection of pathogens in food using WTAs as a surface epitope and regulation of WTA-related pathways for efficient microbial production of useful compounds. We also point out major problems remaining in these fields, and discuss some possible directions in the future exploration of WTA physiology and applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Wu
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710021, China
| | - Jing Han
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710021, China
| | - Guoli Gong
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710021, China
| | - Mattheos A G Koffas
- Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180, USA
| | - Jian Zha
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710021, China
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18
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Wall Teichoic Acid in Staphylococcus aureus Host Interaction. Trends Microbiol 2020; 28:985-998. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2020.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Revised: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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19
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In Staphylococcus aureus, the Particulate State of the Cell Envelope Is Required for the Efficient Induction of Host Defense Responses. Infect Immun 2019; 87:IAI.00674-19. [PMID: 31548327 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00674-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Upon microbial infection, host immune cells recognize bacterial cell envelope components through cognate receptors. Although bacterial cell envelope components function as innate immune molecules, the role of the physical state of the bacterial cell envelope (i.e., particulate versus soluble) in host immune activation has not been clearly defined. Here, using two different forms of the staphylococcal cell envelope of Staphylococcus aureus RN4220 and USA300 LAC strains, we provide biochemical and immunological evidence that the particulate state is required for the effective activation of host innate immune responses. In a murine model of peritoneal infection, the particulate form of the staphylococcal cell envelope (PCE) induced the production of chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 1 (CXCL1) and CC chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2), the chemotactic cytokines for neutrophils and monocytes, respectively, resulting in a strong influx of the phagocytes into the peritoneal cavity. In contrast, compared with PCE, the soluble form of cell envelope (SCE), which was derived from PCE by treatment with cell wall-hydrolyzing enzymes, showed minimal activity. PCE also induced the secretion of calprotectin (myeloid-related protein 8/14 [MRP8/14] complex), a phagocyte-derived antimicrobial protein, into the peritoneal cavity at a much higher level than did SCE. The injected PCE particles were phagocytosed by the infiltrated neutrophils and monocytes and then delivered to mediastinal draining lymph nodes. More importantly, intraperitoneally (i.p.) injected PCE efficiently protected mice from S. aureus infection, which was abolished by the depletion of either monocytes/macrophages or neutrophils. This study demonstrated that the physical state of bacterial cells is a critical factor for efficient host immune activation and the protection of hosts from staphylococcal infections.
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20
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Peng C, Hanawa T, Azam AH, LeBlanc C, Ung P, Matsuda T, Onishi H, Miyanaga K, Tanji Y. Silviavirus phage ɸMR003 displays a broad host range against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus of human origin. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2019; 103:7751-7765. [PMID: 31388727 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-019-10039-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2019] [Revised: 07/05/2019] [Accepted: 07/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The emergence of life-threatening methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has led to increased interest in the use of bacteriophages as an alternative therapy to antibiotics. The success of phage therapy is greatly dependent on the selected phage possessing a wide host range. This study describes phage ɸMR003 isolated from sewage influent at a municipal wastewater treatment plant in Tokyo, Japan. ɸMR003 could infect 97% of 104 healthcare- and community-associated MRSA strains tested, compared with 73% for phage ɸSA012, which has a broad host range against bovine mastitis S. aureus. Genome analysis revealed that ɸMR003 belongs to the genus Silviavirus which has not been studied extensively. ɸMR003 recognizes and binds to wall teichoic acid (WTA) of S. aureus during infection. In silico comparisons of the genomes of ɸMR003 and ɸSA012 revealed that ORF117 and ORF119 of ɸMR003 are homologous to the putative receptor-binding proteins ORF103 and ORF105 of ɸSA012, with amino acid similarities of 75% and 72%, respectively. ORF104, which is an N-acetylglucosaminidase found in the ɸMR003 tail, may facilitate phage's infection onto the WTA-null S. aureus RN4220. The differences in tail and baseplate proteins may be key contributing factors to the different host specificities of ɸMR003 and ɸSA012. ɸMR003 showed strong adsorptivity, but not infectivity, against S. aureus SA003, which may be influenced by the bacterium's restriction modification system. This study expands our knowledge of the genomic diversity and host specificity of Silviavirus, which is a potential phage therapy candidate for MRSA infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chanthol Peng
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259J2-15 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, 226-8501, Japan
- Faculty of Chemical and Food Engineering, Institute of Technology of Cambodia, Russian Federation Blvd., P.O. Box 86, Phnom Penh, 12156, Cambodia
| | - Tomoko Hanawa
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Kyorin University School of Medicine, 6-20-2 Shinkawa, Mitaka-shi, Tokyo, 181-8611, Japan
| | - Aa Haeruman Azam
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259J2-15 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, 226-8501, Japan
| | - Cierra LeBlanc
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Porsry Ung
- Faculty of Chemical and Food Engineering, Institute of Technology of Cambodia, Russian Federation Blvd., P.O. Box 86, Phnom Penh, 12156, Cambodia
| | - Takeaki Matsuda
- Department of Traumatology and Critical Care Medicine, Kyorin University School of Medicine, 6-20-2 Shinkawa, Mitaka-shi, Tokyo, 181-8611, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Onishi
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Kyorin University School of Medicine, 6-20-2 Shinkawa, Mitaka-shi, Tokyo, 181-8611, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Miyanaga
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259J2-15 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, 226-8501, Japan
| | - Yasunori Tanji
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259J2-15 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, 226-8501, Japan.
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21
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Do not discard Staphylococcus aureus WTA as a vaccine antigen. Nature 2019; 572:E1-E2. [DOI: 10.1038/s41586-019-1416-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 05/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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22
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Mnich ME, van Dalen R, Gerlach D, Hendriks A, Xia G, Peschel A, van Strijp JAG, van Sorge NM. The C-type lectin receptor MGL senses N-acetylgalactosamine on the unique Staphylococcus aureus ST395 wall teichoic acid. Cell Microbiol 2019; 21:e13072. [PMID: 31219660 PMCID: PMC6771913 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.13072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Revised: 05/24/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is a common skin commensal but is also associated with various skin and soft tissue pathologies. Upon invasion, S. aureus is detected by resident innate immune cells through pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs), although a comprehensive understanding of the specific molecular interactions is lacking. Recently, we demonstrated that the PRR langerin (CD207) on epidermal Langerhans cells senses the conserved β-1,4-linked N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) modification on S. aureus wall teichoic acid (WTA), thereby increasing skin inflammation. Interestingly, the S. aureus ST395 lineage as well as certain species of coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) produce a structurally different WTA molecule, consisting of poly-glycerolphosphate with α-O-N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) residues, which are attached by the glycosyltransferase TagN. Here, we demonstrate that S. aureus ST395 strains interact with the human Macrophage galactose-type lectin (MGL; CD301) receptor, which is expressed by dendritic cells and macrophages in the dermis. MGL bound S. aureus ST395 in a tagN- and GalNAc-dependent manner but did not interact with different tagN-positive CoNS species. However, heterologous expression of Staphylococcus lugdunensis tagN in S. aureus conferred phage infection and MGL binding, confirming the role of this CoNS enzyme as GalNAc-transferase. Functionally, the detection of GalNAc on S. aureus ST395 WTA by human monocyte-derived dendritic cells significantly enhanced cytokine production. Together, our findings highlight differential recognition of S. aureus glycoprofiles by specific human innate receptors, which may affect downstream adaptive immune responses and pathogen clearance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malgorzata E Mnich
- Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Glaxo-Smith Kline, Siena, Italy
| | - Rob van Dalen
- Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - David Gerlach
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Tübingen, Germany
| | - Astrid Hendriks
- Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Glaxo-Smith Kline, Siena, Italy
| | - Guoqing Xia
- Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Division of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - Andreas Peschel
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jos A G van Strijp
- Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Nina M van Sorge
- Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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23
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Azam AH, Kadoi K, Miyanaga K, Usui M, Tamura Y, Cui L, Tanji Y. Analysis host-recognition mechanism of staphylococcal kayvirus ɸSA039 reveals a novel strategy that protects Staphylococcus aureus against infection by Staphylococcus pseudintermedius Siphoviridae phages. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2019; 103:6809-6823. [PMID: 31236618 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-019-09940-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2019] [Revised: 05/13/2019] [Accepted: 05/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Following the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP), phage therapy has attracted significant attention as an alternative to antibiotic treatment. Bacteriophages belonging to kayvirus (previously known as Twort-like phages) have broad host range and are strictly lytic in Staphylococcus spp. Previous work revealed that kayvirus ɸSA039 has a host-recognition mechanism distinct from those of other known kayviruses: most of kayviruses use the backbone of wall teichoic acid (WTA) as their receptor; by contrast, ɸSA039 uses the β-N-acetylglucosamine (β-GlcNAc) residue in WTA. In this study, we found that ɸSA039 could switch its receptor to be able to infect S. aureus lacking the β-GlcNAc residue by acquiring a spontaneous mutation in open reading frame (ORF) 100 and ORF102. Moreover, ɸSA039 could infect S. pseudintermedius, which has a different WTA structure than S. aureus. By comparison, with newly isolated S. pseudintermedius-specific phage (SP phages), we determined that glycosylation in WTA of S. pseudintermedius is essential for adsorption of SP phages, but not ɸSA039. Finally, we describe a novel strategy of S. aureus which protects the bacteria from infection of SP phages. Notably, glycosylation of ribitol phosphate (RboP) WTA by TarM or/and TarS prevents infection of S. aureus by SP phages. These findings could help to establish a new strategy for the treatment of S. aureus and S. pseudintermedius infection, as well as provide valuable insights into the biology of phage-host interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aa Haeruman Azam
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 J2-15 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, 226-8501, Japan.,Division of Bacteriology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Faculty of Medicine, Jichi Medical University, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke-shi, Tochigi, 329-0498, Japan
| | - Kenji Kadoi
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 J2-15 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, 226-8501, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Miyanaga
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 J2-15 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, 226-8501, Japan
| | - Masaru Usui
- Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Rakuno Gakuen University, 582 Bunkyoudaimidorimachi, Ebetsu-shi, Hokkaido, 069-0836, Japan
| | - Yutaka Tamura
- Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Rakuno Gakuen University, 582 Bunkyoudaimidorimachi, Ebetsu-shi, Hokkaido, 069-0836, Japan
| | - Longzhu Cui
- Division of Bacteriology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Faculty of Medicine, Jichi Medical University, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke-shi, Tochigi, 329-0498, Japan
| | - Yasunori Tanji
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 J2-15 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, 226-8501, Japan.
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24
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Langerhans Cells Sense Staphylococcus aureus Wall Teichoic Acid through Langerin To Induce Inflammatory Responses. mBio 2019; 10:mBio.00330-19. [PMID: 31088921 PMCID: PMC6520447 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00330-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The bacterium Staphylococcus aureus is an important cause of skin infections and is also associated with the occurrence and severity of eczema. Langerhans cells (LCs), a specific subset of skin immune cells, participate in the immune response to S. aureus, but it is yet unclear how LCs recognize S. aureus. Therefore, we investigated the molecular mechanism underlying the interaction between LCs and S. aureus. We identified that wall teichoic acid, an abundant polymer on the S. aureus surface, is recognized by langerin, a receptor unique to LCs. This interaction allows LCs to discriminate S. aureus from other related staphylococcal species and initiates a proinflammatory response similar to that observed in patients with eczema. Our data therefore provide important new insights into the relationship between S. aureus, LCs, and eczema. Staphylococcus aureus is a major cause of skin and soft tissue infections and aggravator of the inflammatory skin disease atopic dermatitis (AD [eczema]). Epicutaneous exposure to S. aureus induces Th17 responses through skin Langerhans cells (LCs), which paradoxically contribute to host defense but also to AD pathogenesis. The molecular mechanisms underlying the interaction between S. aureus and LCs are poorly understood. Here we demonstrate that human LCs directly interact with S. aureus through the pattern recognition receptor langerin (CD207). Human, but not mouse, langerin interacts with S. aureus through the conserved β-N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) modifications on wall teichoic acid (WTA), thereby discriminating S. aureus from other staphylococcal species. Importantly, the specific S. aureus WTA glycoprofile strongly influences the level of proinflammatory cytokines that are produced by in vitro-generated LCs. Finally, in a murine epicutaneous infection model, S. aureus strongly upregulated transcripts of Cxcl1, Il6, and Il17, which required the presence of both human langerin and WTA β-GlcNAc. Our findings provide molecular insight into the unique proinflammatory capacities of S. aureus in relation to skin inflammation.
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25
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Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus infection elicits antibodies against wall teichoic acid (WTA). Several glycosyltransferases modify WTA to generate anomeric heterogeneity. In recent work, Gerlach et al. (2018) show that modification by prophage-encoded TarP diminishes WTA immunogenicity, allowing staphylococci to evade host adaptive immune responses, and propose to exploit these insights for vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominique Missiakas
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Chicago, 920 East 58(th) Street, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
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26
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Glycosylation of Staphylococcus aureus cell wall teichoic acid is influenced by environmental conditions. Sci Rep 2019; 9:3212. [PMID: 30824758 PMCID: PMC6397182 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-39929-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2018] [Accepted: 01/31/2019] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Wall teichoic acid (WTA) are major constituents of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) cell envelopes with important roles in the bacteria’s physiology, resistance to antimicrobial molecules, host interaction, virulence and biofilm formation. They consist of ribitol phosphate repeat units in which the ribitol residue is substituted with D-alanine (D-Ala) and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (GlcNAc). The complete S. aureus WTA biosynthesis pathways was recently revealed with the identification of the two glycosyltransferases, TarM and TarS, respectively responsible for the α- and β-GlcNAc anomeric substitutions. We performed structural analyses to characterize WTAs from a panel of 24 S. aureus strains responsible for invasive infections. A majority of the S. aureus strains produced the β-GlcNAc WTA form in accordance with the presence of the tarS gene in all strains assessed. The β-GlcNAc anomer was preferentially expressed at the expense of the α-GlcNAc anomer when grown on stress-inducing culture medium containing high NaCl concentration. Furthermore, WTA glycosylation of the prototype S. aureus Newman strain was characterized in vivo in two different animal models, namely peritonitis and deep wound infection. While the inoculum used to infect animals produced almost exclusively α-GlcNAc WTA, a complete switch to β-glycosylation was observed in infected kidneys, livers and muscles. Overall, our data demonstrate that S. aureus WTA glycosylation is strongly influenced by environmental conditions and suggest that β-GlcNAc WTA may bring competitive advantage in vivo.
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27
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Passalacqua KD, O'Riordan MX. MRSA in Stealth Mode Evades Antibody Recognition. Trends Immunol 2019; 40:85-87. [PMID: 30609966 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2018.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2018] [Revised: 12/14/2018] [Accepted: 12/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
In Nature, Gerlach et al. (Nature 2018;563:705-709) report that methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus camouflages its surface by displaying a 'stealth' wall teichoic acid (WTA) isomer. WTA can act as a cloak to limit exposure of surface antigens to the immune system, but this report indicates that even the cloak can become immunologically silent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karla D Passalacqua
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48103, USA
| | - Mary X O'Riordan
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48103, USA.
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28
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Mirouze N, Ferret C, Cornilleau C, Carballido-López R. Antibiotic sensitivity reveals that wall teichoic acids mediate DNA binding during competence in Bacillus subtilis. Nat Commun 2018; 9:5072. [PMID: 30498236 PMCID: PMC6265299 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-07553-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2018] [Accepted: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite decades of investigation of genetic transformation in the model Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis, the factors responsible for exogenous DNA binding at the surface of competent cells remain to be identified. Here, we report that wall teichoic acids (WTAs), cell wall-anchored anionic glycopolymers associated to numerous critical functions in Gram-positive bacteria, are involved in this initial step of transformation. Using a combination of cell wall-targeting antibiotics and fluorescence microscopy, we show that competence-specific WTAs are produced and specifically localized in the competent cells to mediate DNA binding at the proximity of the transformation apparatus. Furthermore, we propose that TuaH, a putative glycosyl transferase induced during competence, modifies competence-induced WTAs in order to promote (directly or indirectly) DNA binding. On the basis of our results and previous knowledge in the field, we propose a model for DNA binding and transport during genetic transformation in B. subtilis. Natural genetic transformation in bacteria requires DNA binding at the surface of competent cells. Here, Mirouze et al. show that wall teichoic acids are specifically produced or modified during competence in Bacillus subtilis and promote (directly or indirectly) DNA binding at the cell surface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Mirouze
- MICALIS, INRA, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, 78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France. .,Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), INSERM, CEA, CNRS, Université Paris-Sud, Orsay, 91190, Gif sur Yvette, France.
| | - Cécile Ferret
- MICALIS, INRA, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, 78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Charlène Cornilleau
- MICALIS, INRA, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, 78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France.,Inovarion, 75013, Paris, France
| | - Rut Carballido-López
- MICALIS, INRA, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, 78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France
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29
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Gerlach D, Guo Y, De Castro C, Kim SH, Schlatterer K, Xu FF, Pereira C, Seeberger PH, Ali S, Codée J, Sirisarn W, Schulte B, Wolz C, Larsen J, Molinaro A, Lee BL, Xia G, Stehle T, Peschel A. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus alters cell wall glycosylation to evade immunity. Nature 2018; 563:705-709. [PMID: 30464342 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-018-0730-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2018] [Accepted: 10/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a frequent cause of difficult-to-treat, often fatal infections in humans1,2. Most humans have antibodies against S. aureus, but these are highly variable and often not protective in immunocompromised patients3. Previous vaccine development programs have not been successful4. A large percentage of human antibodies against S. aureus target wall teichoic acid (WTA), a ribitol-phosphate (RboP) surface polymer modified with N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc)5,6. It is currently unknown whether the immune evasion capacities of MRSA are due to variation of dominant surface epitopes such as those associated with WTA. Here we show that a considerable proportion of the prominent healthcare-associated and livestock-associated MRSA clones CC5 and CC398, respectively, contain prophages that encode an alternative WTA glycosyltransferase. This enzyme, TarP, transfers GlcNAc to a different hydroxyl group of the WTA RboP than the standard enzyme TarS7, with important consequences for immune recognition. TarP-glycosylated WTA elicits 7.5-40-fold lower levels of immunoglobulin G in mice than TarS-modified WTA. Consistent with this, human sera contained only low levels of antibodies against TarP-modified WTA. Notably, mice immunized with TarS-modified WTA were not protected against infection with tarP-expressing MRSA, indicating that TarP is crucial for the capacity of S. aureus to evade host defences. High-resolution structural analyses of TarP bound to WTA components and uridine diphosphate GlcNAc (UDP-GlcNAc) explain the mechanism of altered RboP glycosylation and form a template for targeted inhibition of TarP. Our study reveals an immune evasion strategy of S. aureus based on averting the immunogenicity of its dominant glycoantigen WTA. These results will help with the identification of invariant S. aureus vaccine antigens and may enable the development of TarP inhibitors as a new strategy for rendering MRSA susceptible to human host defences.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Gerlach
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, Infection Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Yinglan Guo
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Cristina De Castro
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Sun-Hwa Kim
- National Research Laboratory of Defense Proteins, College of Pharmacy, Pusan National University, Pusan, South Korea
| | - Katja Schlatterer
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, Infection Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Fei-Fei Xu
- Max-Planck-Institute for Colloids and Interfaces, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Claney Pereira
- Max-Planck-Institute for Colloids and Interfaces, Potsdam, Germany
| | | | - Sara Ali
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jeroen Codée
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Wanchat Sirisarn
- Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Division of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - Berit Schulte
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, Medical Microbiology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Christiane Wolz
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, Medical Microbiology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jesper Larsen
- Bacteria, Parasites and Fungi, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Antonio Molinaro
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Bok Luel Lee
- National Research Laboratory of Defense Proteins, College of Pharmacy, Pusan National University, Pusan, South Korea
| | - Guoqing Xia
- Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Division of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - Thilo Stehle
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany. .,Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA.
| | - Andreas Peschel
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, Infection Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany. .,German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
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30
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Grunert T, Jovanovic D, Sirisarn W, Johler S, Weidenmaier C, Ehling-Schulz M, Xia G. Analysis of Staphylococcus aureus wall teichoic acid glycoepitopes by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy provides novel insights into the staphylococcal glycocode. Sci Rep 2018; 8:1889. [PMID: 29382892 PMCID: PMC5789974 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-20222-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2017] [Accepted: 01/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Surface carbohydrate moieties are essential for bacterial communication, phage-bacteria and host-pathogen interaction. Most Staphylococcus aureus produce polyribitolphosphate type Wall teichoic acids (WTAs) substituted with α- and/or β-O-linked N-acetyl-glucosamine (α-/β-O-GlcNAc) residues. GlcNAc modifications have attracted particular interest, as they were shown to govern staphylococcal adhesion to host cells, to promote phage susceptibility conferring beta-lactam resistance and are an important target for antimicrobial agents and vaccines. However, there is a lack of rapid, reliable, and convenient methods to detect and quantify these sugar residues. Whole cell Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy could meet these demands and was employed to analyse WTAs and WTA glycosylation in S. aureus. Using S. aureus mutants, we found that a complete loss of WTA expression resulted in strong FTIR spectral perturbations mainly related to carbohydrates and phosphorus-containing molecules. We could demonstrate that α- or β-O-GlcNAc WTA substituents can be clearly differentiated by chemometrically assisted FTIR spectroscopy. Our results suggest that whole cell FTIR spectroscopy represents a powerful and reliable method for large scale analysis of WTA glycosylation, thus opening up a complete new range of options for deciphering the staphylococcal pathogenesis related glycocode.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Grunert
- Functional Microbiology, Institute of Microbiology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Dijana Jovanovic
- Functional Microbiology, Institute of Microbiology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Wanchat Sirisarn
- Division of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, School of Biological Sciences Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PT, United Kingdom
| | - Sophia Johler
- Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, Vetsuisse Faculty University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Christopher Weidenmaier
- Interfaculty Institute for Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, University of Tübingen and German Center for Infection Research, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Monika Ehling-Schulz
- Functional Microbiology, Institute of Microbiology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Guoqing Xia
- Division of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, School of Biological Sciences Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PT, United Kingdom
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31
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Misra N, Wines TF, Knopp CL, McGuire MA, Tinker JK. Expression, immunogenicity and variation of iron-regulated surface protein A from bovine isolates of Staphylococcus aureus. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2017; 364:3739792. [PMID: 28430959 DOI: 10.1093/femsle/fnx082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2016] [Accepted: 04/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus iron-regulated surface protein A (IsdA) is a fibrinogen and fibronectin adhesin that also contributes to iron sequestration and resistance to innate immunity. IsdA is conserved in human isolates and has been investigated as a human vaccine candidate. Here we report the expression of isdA, the efficacy of anti-IsdA responses and the existence of IsdA sequence variants from bovine Staphylococcus. Clinical staphylococci were obtained from US dairy farms and assayed by PCR for the presence and expression of isdA. isdA-positive species from bovines included S. aureus, S. haemolyticus and S. chromogenes. Immunoassays on bovine milk and serum confirmed the induction and opsonophagocytic activity of anti-IsdA humoral responses. The variable region of isdA was sequenced and protein alignments predicted the presence of two main variants consistent with those from human S. aureus. Mouse antibodies against one IsdA variant reduced staphylococcal binding to fibronectin in vitro in an isotype-dependent manner. Purified IsdA variants bound distinctly to fibronectin and fibrinogen. Our findings demonstrate that variability within the C-terminus of this adhesin affects immune reactivity and binding specificity, but are consistent with the significance of IsdA in bovine disease and relevant for vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neha Misra
- Biomolecular Ph.D. Program, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725, USA
| | - Tyler F Wines
- Department of Biological Sciences, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725, USA
| | - Colton L Knopp
- Department of Biological Sciences, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725, USA
| | - Mark A McGuire
- Department of Animal and Veterinary Science, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844, USA
| | - Juliette K Tinker
- Biomolecular Ph.D. Program, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725, USA.,Department of Biological Sciences, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725, USA
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32
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Uchiyama J, Taniguchi M, Kurokawa K, Takemura-Uchiyama I, Ujihara T, Shimakura H, Sakaguchi Y, Murakami H, Sakaguchi M, Matsuzaki S. Adsorption of Staphylococcus viruses S13′ and S24-1 on Staphylococcus aureus strains with different glycosidic linkage patterns of wall teichoic acids. J Gen Virol 2017; 98:2171-2180. [DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.000865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jumpei Uchiyama
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Maya Taniguchi
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Kenji Kurokawa
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagasaki International University, Nagasaki, Japan
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33
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Mariathasan S, Tan MW. Antibody-Antibiotic Conjugates: A Novel Therapeutic Platform against Bacterial Infections. Trends Mol Med 2017; 23:135-149. [PMID: 28126271 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2016.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2016] [Revised: 12/15/2016] [Accepted: 12/16/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Antibodies are potent components of the immune repertoire and have been successfully exploited to treat bacterial infections. Recently an antibody-antibiotic conjugate (AAC) that combines key attributes of an antibody and antibiotic has been shown to be efficacious against Staphylococcus aureus infection. An AAC has three components: an antibiotic payload to kill bacteria, an antibody to target delivery of the payload to bacteria, and a linker attaching the payload to the antibody. With increasing understanding of the biology and pathophysiology of S. aureus, this article highlights how this knowledge has led to the design principles of an efficacious AAC, and discusses how the AAC platform could be translationally applied to treat other perilous infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjeev Mariathasan
- Department of Late-Stage Oncology Biomarkers Development, Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA.
| | - Man-Wah Tan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA.
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34
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Sobhanifar S, Worrall LJ, King DT, Wasney GA, Baumann L, Gale RT, Nosella M, Brown ED, Withers SG, Strynadka NCJ. Structure and Mechanism of Staphylococcus aureus TarS, the Wall Teichoic Acid β-glycosyltransferase Involved in Methicillin Resistance. PLoS Pathog 2016; 12:e1006067. [PMID: 27973583 PMCID: PMC5156392 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2016] [Accepted: 11/15/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, there has been a growing interest in teichoic acids as targets for antibiotic drug design against major clinical pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus, reflecting the disquieting increase in antibiotic resistance and the historical success of bacterial cell wall components as drug targets. It is now becoming clear that β-O-GlcNAcylation of S. aureus wall teichoic acids plays a major role in both pathogenicity and antibiotic resistance. Here we present the first structure of S. aureus TarS, the enzyme responsible for polyribitol phosphate β-O-GlcNAcylation. Using a divide and conquer strategy, we obtained crystal structures of various TarS constructs, mapping high resolution overlapping N-terminal and C-terminal structures onto a lower resolution full-length structure that resulted in a high resolution view of the entire enzyme. Using the N-terminal structure that encapsulates the catalytic domain, we furthermore captured several snapshots of TarS, including the native structure, the UDP-GlcNAc donor complex, and the UDP product complex. These structures along with structure-guided mutants allowed us to elucidate various catalytic features and identify key active site residues and catalytic loop rearrangements that provide a valuable platform for anti-MRSA drug design. We furthermore observed for the first time the presence of a trimerization domain composed of stacked carbohydrate binding modules, commonly observed in starch active enzymes, but adapted here for a poly sugar-phosphate glycosyltransferase. Historically, β-lactam class antibiotics such as methicillin have been very successful in the treatment of bacterial infections, effectively destroying bacteria by rupturing their cell walls while posing little harm to the human organism. In recent years, however, the alarming emergence of Methicillin Resistant S. aureus or MRSA has resulted in a world-wide health crisis, calling on new strategies to combat pathogenesis and antibiotic resistance. As such, understanding the pathways and players that orchestrate resistance is important for overcoming these mechanisms and restoring our powerful β-lactam antibiotic arsenal. In this article we describe the crystal structure of TarS, an enzyme responsible for the glycosylation of wall teichoic acid polymers of the S. aureus cell wall, a process that has been shown to be specifically responsible for methicillin resistance in MRSA. TarS is therefore a promising drug target whose inhibition in combinational therapies would result in MRSA re-sensitization to β-lactam antibiotics. Here we present the first structure of TarS together with several snap-shots of its substrate/product complexes, and elucidate important catalytic features that are valuable for rational drug design efforts to combat resistance in MRSA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Solmaz Sobhanifar
- Department of Biochemistry and Center for Blood Research, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Liam J. Worrall
- Department of Biochemistry and Center for Blood Research, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Dustin T. King
- Department of Biochemistry and Center for Blood Research, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Gregory A. Wasney
- Department of Biochemistry and Center for Blood Research, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Lars Baumann
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Robert T. Gale
- Department of Chemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michael Nosella
- Department of Biochemistry and Center for Blood Research, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Eric D. Brown
- Department of Chemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Stephen G. Withers
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Natalie C. J. Strynadka
- Department of Biochemistry and Center for Blood Research, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- * E-mail:
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Hong SJ, Kim SK, Ko EB, Yun CH, Han SH. Wall teichoic acid is an essential component of Staphylococcus aureus for the induction of human dendritic cell maturation. Mol Immunol 2016; 81:135-142. [PMID: 27978487 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2016.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2016] [Revised: 11/08/2016] [Accepted: 12/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive pathogen that can cause chronic skin inflammation, pneumonia, and septic shock. The immunomodulatory functions of wall teichoic acid (WTA), a glycopolymer abundantly expressed on the Gram-positive bacterial cell wall, are poorly understood. Here, we investigated the role of WTA in the phenotypic and functional activation of human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DCs) treated with ethanol-killed S. aureus. WTA-deficient S. aureus mutant (ΔtagO) exhibited attenuated binding and internalization to DCs compared to the wild-type. ΔtagO induced lower expression of maturation markers on and cytokines in DCs than the wild-type S. aureus. Furthermore, autologous human peripheral blood mononuclear cells cocultured with ΔtagO-treated DCs exhibited a marked reduction in T cell proliferative activity, the expression of activation markers, and the production of cytokines compared to the wild-type S. aureus-stimulated DCs. Collectively, these results suggest that WTA is an important cell wall component of S. aureus for the induction of DC maturation and activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung Jun Hong
- Department of Oral Microbiology and Immunology, DRI, and BK21 Plus Program, School of Dentistry, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Sun Kyung Kim
- Department of Oral Microbiology and Immunology, DRI, and BK21 Plus Program, School of Dentistry, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Byeol Ko
- Department of Oral Microbiology and Immunology, DRI, and BK21 Plus Program, School of Dentistry, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Cheol-Heui Yun
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology and Research Institute for Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea; Institute of Green Bio Science Technology, Seoul National University, Pyeongchang 25354, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Hyun Han
- Department of Oral Microbiology and Immunology, DRI, and BK21 Plus Program, School of Dentistry, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea.
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The staphylococcal surface-glycopolymer wall teichoic acid (WTA) is crucial for complement activation and immunological defense against Staphylococcus aureus infection. Immunobiology 2016; 221:1091-101. [PMID: 27424796 DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2016.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2016] [Revised: 06/08/2016] [Accepted: 06/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive bacterial pathogen that is decorated by glycopolymers, including wall teichoic acid (WTA), peptidoglycan, lipoteichoic acid, and capsular polysaccharides. These bacterial surface glycopolymers are recognized by serum antibodies and a variety of pattern recognition molecules, including mannose-binding lectin (MBL). Recently, we demonstrated that human serum MBL senses staphylococcal WTA. Whereas MBL in infants who have not yet fully developed adaptive immunity binds to S. aureus WTA and activates complement serum, MBL in adults who have fully developed adaptive immunity cannot bind to WTA because of an inhibitory effect of serum anti-WTA IgG. Furthermore, we showed that human anti-WTA IgGs purified from pooled adult serum IgGs triggered activation of classical complement-dependent opsonophagocytosis against S. aureus. Because the epitopes of WTA that are recognized by anti-WTA IgG and MBL have not been determined, we constructed several S. aureus mutants with altered WTA glycosylation. Our intensive biochemical studies provide evidence that the β-GlcNAc residues of WTA are required for the induction of anti-WTA IgG-mediated opsonophagocytosis and that both β- and α-GlcNAc residues are required for MBL-mediated complement activation. The molecular interactions of other S. aureus cell wall components and host recognition proteins are also discussed. In summary, in this review, we discuss the biological importance of S. aureus cell surface glycopolymers in complement activation and host defense responses.
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Bicart-See A, Rottman M, Cartwright M, Seiler B, Gamini N, Rodas M, Penary M, Giordano G, Oswald E, Super M, Ingber DE. Rapid Isolation of Staphylococcus aureus Pathogens from Infected Clinical Samples Using Magnetic Beads Coated with Fc-Mannose Binding Lectin. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0156287. [PMID: 27275840 PMCID: PMC4898724 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0156287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2016] [Accepted: 05/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Here we describe how Staphylococcus aureus bacteria can be rapidly isolated from clinical samples of articular fluid and synovial tissue using magnetic beads coated with the engineered chimeric human opsonin protein, Fc-mannose-binding lectin (FcMBL). The FcMBL-beads were used to capture and magnetically remove bacteria from purified cultures of 12 S. aureus strains, and from 8 articular fluid samples and 4 synovial tissue samples collected from patients with osteoarthritis or periprosthetic infections previously documented by positive S. aureus cultures. While the capture efficiency was high (85%) with purified S. aureus strains grown in vitro, direct FcMBL-bead capture from the clinical samples was initially disappointing (< 5% efficiency). Further analysis revealed that inhibition of FcMBL binding was due to coating of the bacteria by immunoglobulins and immune cells that masked FcMBL binding sites, and to the high viscosity of these complex biological samples. Importantly, capture of pathogens using the FcMBL-beads was increased to 76% efficiency by pretreating clinical specimens with hypotonic washes, hyaluronidase and a protease cocktail. Using this approach, S. aureus bacteria could be isolated from infected osteoarthritic tissues within 2 hours after sample collection. This FcMBL-enabled magnetic method for rapid capture and concentration of pathogens from clinical samples could be integrated upstream of current processes used in clinical microbiology laboratories to identify pathogens and perform antibiotic sensitivity testing when bacterial culture is not possible or before colonies can be detected.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Bicart-See
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Hospital Joseph-Ducuing, Toulouse, France
| | - M. Rottman
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Universite de Versailles, St Quentin, France
| | - M. Cartwright
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - B. Seiler
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - N. Gamini
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - M. Rodas
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | | | | | | | - M. Super
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - D. E. Ingber
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Harvard Medical School and Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Li X, Koç C, Kühner P, Stierhof YD, Krismer B, Enright MC, Penadés JR, Wolz C, Stehle T, Cambillau C, Peschel A, Xia G. An essential role for the baseplate protein Gp45 in phage adsorption to Staphylococcus aureus. Sci Rep 2016; 6:26455. [PMID: 27212064 PMCID: PMC4876445 DOI: 10.1038/srep26455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2015] [Accepted: 04/28/2016] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the importance of phages in driving horizontal gene transfer (HGT) among pathogenic bacteria, the underlying molecular mechanisms mediating phage adsorption to S. aureus are still unclear. Phage ϕ11 is a siphovirus with a high transducing efficiency. Here, we show that the tail protein Gp45 localized within the ϕ11 baseplate. Phage ϕ11 was efficiently neutralized by anti-Gp45 serum, and its adsorption to host cells was inhibited by recombinant Gp45 in a dose-dependent manner. Flow cytometry analysis demonstrated that biotin-labelled Gp45 efficiently stained the wild-type S. aureus cell but not the double knockout mutant ΔtarM/S, which lacks both α- and β-O-GlcNAc residues on its wall teichoic acids (WTAs). Additionally, adsorption assays indicate that GlcNAc residues on WTAs and O-acetyl groups at the 6-position of muramic acid residues in peptidoglycan are essential components of the ϕ11 receptor. The elucidation of Gp45-involved molecular interactions not only broadens our understanding of siphovirus-mediated HGT, but also lays the groundwork for the development of sensitive affinity-based diagnostics and therapeutics for S. aureus infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuehua Li
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Cengiz Koç
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, University of Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Petra Kühner
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - York-Dieter Stierhof
- Center for Plant Molecular Biology, University of Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Bernhard Krismer
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Mark C Enright
- School of Healthcare Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Chester Street, Manchester, M1 5GD, United Kingdom
| | - José R Penadés
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Christiane Wolz
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Thilo Stehle
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, University of Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.,Vanderbilt University, School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Tübingen, Germany
| | - Christian Cambillau
- Architecture et Fonction des Macromolécules Biologiques, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR 6098, Campus de Luminy, Case 932, 13288 Marseille Cedex 09, France
| | - Andreas Peschel
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Tübingen, Germany
| | - Guoqing Xia
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Tübingen, Germany.,Institute of Inflammation &Repair, Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, United Kingdom
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Li X, Gerlach D, Du X, Larsen J, Stegger M, Kühner P, Peschel A, Xia G, Winstel V. An accessory wall teichoic acid glycosyltransferase protects Staphylococcus aureus from the lytic activity of Podoviridae. Sci Rep 2015; 5:17219. [PMID: 26596631 PMCID: PMC4667565 DOI: 10.1038/srep17219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2015] [Accepted: 10/27/2015] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Many Staphylococcus aureus have lost a major genetic barrier against phage infection, termed clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats (CRISPR/cas). Hence, S. aureus strains frequently exchange genetic material via phage-mediated horizontal gene transfer events, but, in turn, are vulnerable in particular to lytic phages. Here, a novel strategy of S. aureus is described, which protects S. aureus against the lytic activity of Podoviridae, a unique family of staphylococcal lytic phages with short, non-contractile tails. Unlike most staphylococcal phages, Podoviridae require a precise wall teichoic acid (WTA) glycosylation pattern for infection. Notably, TarM-mediated WTA α-O-GlcNAcylation prevents infection of Podoviridae while TarS-mediated WTA β-O-GlcNAcylation is required for S. aureus susceptibility to podoviruses. Tracking the evolution of TarM revealed an ancient origin in other staphylococci and vertical inheritance during S. aureus evolution. However, certain phylogenetic branches have lost tarM during evolution, which rendered them podovirus-susceptible. Accordingly, lack of tarM correlates with podovirus susceptibility and can be converted into a podovirus-resistant phenotype upon ectopic expression of tarM indicating that a "glyco-switch" of WTA O-GlcNAcylation can prevent the infection by certain staphylococcal phages. Since lytic staphylococcal phages are considered as anti-S. aureus agents, these data may help to establish valuable strategies for treatment of infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuehua Li
- Infection Biology, Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 28, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - David Gerlach
- Infection Biology, Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 28, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Xin Du
- Infection Biology, Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 28, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jesper Larsen
- Microbiology and Infection Control, Statens Serum Institut, Artillerivej 5, 2300 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Marc Stegger
- Microbiology and Infection Control, Statens Serum Institut, Artillerivej 5, 2300 Copenhagen, Denmark.,Pathogen Genomics Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute, 3051 W Shamrell Blvd, Flagstaff, 86001 Arizona, USA
| | - Petra Kühner
- Infection Biology, Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 28, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Andreas Peschel
- Infection Biology, Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 28, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Guoqing Xia
- Infection Biology, Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 28, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.,Institute of Inflammation &Repair, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Volker Winstel
- Infection Biology, Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 28, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
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Surface Glycopolymers Are Crucial for In Vitro Anti-Wall Teichoic Acid IgG-Mediated Complement Activation and Opsonophagocytosis of Staphylococcus aureus. Infect Immun 2015; 83:4247-55. [PMID: 26283333 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00767-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2015] [Accepted: 08/10/2015] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The cell envelopes of many Gram-positive bacteria contain wall teichoic acids (WTAs). Staphylococcus aureus WTAs are composed of ribitol phosphate (RboP) or glycerol phosphate (GroP) backbones substituted with D-alanine and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (GlcNAc) or N-acetyl-D-galactosamine (GalNAc). Two WTA glycosyltransferases, TarM and TarS, are responsible for modifying the RboP WTA with α-GlcNAc and β-GlcNAc, respectively. We recently reported that purified human serum anti-WTA IgG specifically recognizes β-GlcNAc of the staphylococcal RboP WTA and then facilitates complement C3 deposition and opsonophagocytosis of S. aureus laboratory strains. This prompted us to examine whether anti-WTA IgG can induce C3 deposition on a diverse set of clinical S. aureus isolates. To this end, we compared anti-WTA IgG-mediated C3 deposition and opsonophagocytosis abilities using 13 different staphylococcal strains. Of note, the majority of S. aureus strains tested was recognized by anti-WTA IgG, resulting in C3 deposition and opsonophagocytosis. A minority of strains was not recognized by anti-WTA IgG, which correlated with either extensive capsule production or an alteration in the WTA glycosylation pattern. Our results demonstrate that the presence of WTAs with TarS-mediated glycosylation with β-GlcNAc in clinically isolated S. aureus strains is an important factor for induction of anti-WTA IgG-mediated C3 deposition and opsonophagocytosis.
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Abstract
Nasal colonization by the human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus is a major risk factor for hospital- and community-acquired infections. A key factor required for nasal colonization is a cell surface-exposed zwitterionic glycopolymer, termed wall teichoic acid (WTA). However, the precise mechanisms that govern WTA-mediated nasal colonization have remained elusive. Here, we report that WTA GlcNAcylation is a pivotal requirement for WTA-dependent attachment of community-acquired methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and emerging livestock-associated MRSA to human nasal epithelial cells, even under conditions simulating the nutrient composition and dynamic flow of nasal secretions. Depending on the S. aureus strain, WTA O-GlcNAcylation occurs in either α or β configuration, which have similar capacities to mediate attachment to human nasal epithelial cells, suggesting that many S. aureus strains maintain redundant pathways to ensure appropriate WTA glycosylation. Strikingly, a lack of WTA glycosylation significantly abrogated the ability of MRSA to colonize cotton rat nares in vivo. These results indicate that WTA glycosylation modulates S. aureus nasal colonization and may help to develop new strategies for eradicating S. aureus nasal colonization in the future. Nasal colonization by the major human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus is a risk factor for severe endogenous infections and contributes to the spread of this microbe in hospitals and the community. Here, we show that wall teichoic acid (WTA) O-GlcNAcylation is a key factor required for S. aureus nasal colonization. These data provide a mechanistic explanation for the capacity of WTA to modulate S. aureus nasal colonization and may stimulate research activities to establish valuable strategies to eradicate S. aureus nasal colonization in high-risk hospitalized patients and in the general community.
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Koç C, Gerlach D, Beck S, Peschel A, Xia G, Stehle T. Structural and enzymatic analysis of TarM glycosyltransferase from Staphylococcus aureus reveals an oligomeric protein specific for the glycosylation of wall teichoic acid. J Biol Chem 2015; 290:9874-85. [PMID: 25697358 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m114.619924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2014] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Anionic glycopolymers known as wall teichoic acids (WTAs) functionalize the peptidoglycan layers of many Gram-positive bacteria. WTAs play central roles in many fundamental aspects of bacterial physiology, and they are important determinants of pathogenesis and antibiotic resistance. A number of enzymes that glycosylate WTA in Staphylococcus aureus have recently been identified. Among these is the glycosyltransferase TarM, a component of the WTA de novo biosynthesis pathway. TarM performs the synthesis of α-O-N-acetylglycosylated poly-5'-phosphoribitol in the WTA structure. We have solved the crystal structure of TarM at 2.4 Å resolution, and we have also determined a structure of the enzyme in complex with its substrate UDP-GlcNAc at 2.8 Å resolution. The protein assembles into a propeller-like homotrimer in which each blade contains a GT-B-type glycosyltransferase domain with a typical Rossmann fold. The enzymatic reaction retains the stereochemistry of the anomeric center of the transferred GlcNAc-moiety on the polyribitol backbone. TarM assembles into a trimer using a novel trimerization domain, here termed the HUB domain. Structure-guided mutagenesis experiments of TarM identify residues critical for enzyme activity, assign a putative role for the HUB in TarM function, and allow us to propose a likely reaction mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cengiz Koç
- From the Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - David Gerlach
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, Cellular and Molecular Microbiology Section, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Sebastian Beck
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, Cellular and Molecular Microbiology Section, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Andreas Peschel
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, Cellular and Molecular Microbiology Section, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany, German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner site Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Guoqing Xia
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, Cellular and Molecular Microbiology Section, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany, Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences, Stopford Building, Institute of Inflammation and Repair, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, United Kingdom, and
| | - Thilo Stehle
- From the Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany, German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner site Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany, Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennesse 37232
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43
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Structure and mechanism of Staphylococcus aureus TarM, the wall teichoic acid α-glycosyltransferase. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2015; 112:E576-85. [PMID: 25624472 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1418084112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Unique to Gram-positive bacteria, wall teichoic acids are anionic glycopolymers cross-stitched to a thick layer of peptidoglycan. The polyol phosphate subunits of these glycopolymers are decorated with GlcNAc sugars that are involved in phage binding, genetic exchange, host antibody response, resistance, and virulence. The search for the enzymes responsible for GlcNAcylation in Staphylococcus aureus has recently identified TarM and TarS with respective α- and β-(1-4) glycosyltransferase activities. The stereochemistry of the GlcNAc attachment is important in balancing biological processes, such that the interplay of TarM and TarS is likely important for bacterial pathogenicity and survival. Here we present the crystal structure of TarM in an unusual ternary-like complex consisting of a polymeric acceptor substrate analog, UDP from a hydrolyzed donor, and an α-glyceryl-GlcNAc product formed in situ. These structures support an internal nucleophilic substitution-like mechanism, lend new mechanistic insight into the glycosylation of glycopolymers, and reveal a trimerization domain with a likely role in acceptor substrate scaffolding.
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44
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Weidenmaier C, Lee JC. Structure and Function of Surface Polysaccharides of Staphylococcus aureus. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 2015; 409:57-93. [PMID: 26728067 DOI: 10.1007/82_2015_5018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The major surface polysaccharides of Staphylococcus aureus include the capsular polysaccharide (CP), cell wall teichoic acid (WTA), and polysaccharide intercellular adhesin/poly-β(1-6)-N-acetylglucosamine (PIA/PNAG). These glycopolymers are important components of the staphylococcal cell envelope, but none of them is essential to S. aureus viability and growth in vitro. The overall biosynthetic pathways of CP, WTA, and PIA/PNAG have been elucidated, and the functions of most of the biosynthetic enzymes have been demonstrated. Because S. aureus CP and WTA (but not PIA/PNAG) utilize a common cell membrane lipid carrier (undecaprenyl-phosphate) that is shared by the peptidoglycan biosynthesis pathway, there is evidence that these processes are highly integrated and temporally regulated. Regulatory elements that control glycopolymer biosynthesis have been described, but the cross talk that orchestrates the biosynthetic pathways of these three polysaccharides remains largely elusive. CP, WTA, and PIA/PNAG each play distinct roles in S. aureus colonization and the pathogenesis of staphylococcal infection. However, they each promote bacterial evasion of the host immune defences, and WTA is being explored as a target for antimicrobial therapeutics. All the three glycopolymers are viable targets for immunotherapy, and each (conjugated to a carrier protein) is under evaluation for inclusion in a multivalent S. aureus vaccine. Future research findings that increase our understanding of these surface polysaccharides, how the bacterial cell regulates their expression, and their biological functions will likely reveal new approaches to controlling this important bacterial pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Weidenmaier
- Interfaculty Institute for Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, University of Tübingen and German Center for Infection Research, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jean C Lee
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
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van Kessel KPM, Bestebroer J, van Strijp JAG. Neutrophil-Mediated Phagocytosis of Staphylococcus aureus. Front Immunol 2014; 5:467. [PMID: 25309547 PMCID: PMC4176147 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2014.00467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2014] [Accepted: 09/12/2014] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Initial elimination of invading Staphylococcus aureus from the body is mediated by professional phagocytes. The neutrophil is the major phagocyte of the innate immunity and plays a key role in the host defense against staphylococcal infections. Opsonization of the bacteria with immunoglobulins and complement factors enables efficient recognition by the neutrophil that subsequently leads to intracellular compartmentalization and killing. Here, we provide a review of the key processes evolved in neutrophil-mediated phagocytosis of S. aureus and briefly describe killing. As S. aureus is not helpless against the professional phagocytes, we will also highlight its immune evasion arsenal related to phagocytosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kok P M van Kessel
- Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht , Utrecht , Netherlands
| | - Jovanka Bestebroer
- Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht , Utrecht , Netherlands
| | - Jos A G van Strijp
- Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht , Utrecht , Netherlands
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Abstract
The major clonal lineages of the human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus produce cell wall-anchored anionic poly-ribitol-phosphate (RboP) wall teichoic acids (WTA) substituted with d-Alanine and N-acetyl-d-glucosamine. The phylogenetically isolated S. aureus ST395 lineage has recently been found to produce a unique poly-glycerol-phosphate (GroP) WTA glycosylated with N-acetyl-d-galactosamine (GalNAc). ST395 clones bear putative WTA biosynthesis genes on a novel genetic element probably acquired from coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS). We elucidated the ST395 WTA biosynthesis pathway and identified three novel WTA biosynthetic genes, including those encoding an α-O-GalNAc transferase TagN, a nucleotide sugar epimerase TagV probably required for generation of the activated sugar donor substrate for TagN, and an unusually short GroP WTA polymerase TagF. By using a panel of mutants derived from ST395, the GalNAc residues carried by GroP WTA were found to be required for infection by the ST395-specific bacteriophage Φ187 and to play a crucial role in horizontal gene transfer of S. aureus pathogenicity islands (SaPIs). Notably, ectopic expression of ST395 WTA biosynthesis genes rendered normal S. aureus susceptible to Φ187 and enabled Φ187-mediated SaPI transfer from ST395 to regular S. aureus. We provide evidence that exchange of WTA genes and their combination in variable, mosaic-like gene clusters have shaped the evolution of staphylococci and their capacities to undergo horizontal gene transfer events. The structural highly diverse wall teichoic acids (WTA) are cell wall-anchored glycopolymers produced by most Gram-positive bacteria. While most of the dominant Staphylococcus aureus lineages produce poly-ribitol-phosphate WTA, the recently described ST395 lineage produces a distinct poly-glycerol-phosphate WTA type resembling the WTA backbone of coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS). Here, we analyzed the ST395 WTA biosynthesis pathway and found new types of WTA biosynthesis genes along with an evolutionary link between ST395 and CoNS, from which the ST395 WTA genes probably originate. The elucidation of ST395 WTA biosynthesis will help to understand how Gram-positive bacteria produce highly variable WTA types and elucidate functional consequences of WTA variation.
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Winstel V, Xia G, Peschel A. Pathways and roles of wall teichoic acid glycosylation in Staphylococcus aureus. Int J Med Microbiol 2013; 304:215-21. [PMID: 24365646 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmm.2013.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2013] [Revised: 10/21/2013] [Accepted: 10/27/2013] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The thick peptidoglycan layers of Gram-positive bacteria are connected to polyanionic glycopolymers called wall teichoic acids (WTA). Pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, or Enterococcus faecalis produce WTA with diverse, usually strain-specific structure. Extensive studies on S. aureus WTA mutants revealed important functions of WTA in cell division, growth, morphogenesis, resistance to antimicrobials, and interaction with host or phages. While most of the S. aureus WTA-biosynthetic genes have been identified it remained unclear for long how and why S. aureus glycosylates WTA with α- or β-linked N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc). Only recently the discovery of two WTA glycosyltransferases, TarM and TarS, yielded fundamental insights into the roles of S. aureus WTA glycosylation. Mutants lacking WTA GlcNAc are resistant towards most of the S. aureus phages and, surprisingly, TarS-mediated WTA β-O-GlcNAc modification is essential for β-lactam resistance in methicillin-resistant S. aureus. Notably, S. aureus WTA GlcNAc residues are major antigens and activate the complement system contributing to opsonophagocytosis. WTA glycosylation with a variety of sugars and corresponding glycosyltransferases were also identified in other Gram-positive bacteria, which paves the way for detailed investigations on the diverse roles of WTA modification with sugar residues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Volker Winstel
- Cellular and Molecular Microbiology Division, Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Straße 6, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Tübingen, Germany
| | - Guoqing Xia
- Cellular and Molecular Microbiology Division, Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Straße 6, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Andreas Peschel
- Cellular and Molecular Microbiology Division, Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Straße 6, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Tübingen, Germany
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