1
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Vilhena C, Du S, Battista M, Westermann M, Kohler T, Hammerschmidt S, Zipfel PF. The choline-binding proteins PspA, PspC, and LytA of Streptococcus pneumoniae and their interaction with human endothelial and red blood cells. Infect Immun 2023; 91:e0015423. [PMID: 37551971 PMCID: PMC10501214 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00154-23] [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: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus pneumoniae is a Gram-positive opportunistic pathogen that can colonize the upper respiratory tract. It is a leading cause of a wide range of infectious diseases, including community-acquired pneumonia and meningitis. Pneumococcal infections cause 1-2 million deaths per year, most of which occur in developing countries. Here, we focused on three choline-binding proteins (CBPs), i.e., PspC, PspA, and LytA. These pneumococcal proteins have different surface-exposed regions but share related choline-binding anchors. These surface-exposed pneumococcal proteins are in direct contact with host cells and have diverse functions. We explored the role of the three CBPs on adhesion and pathogenicity in a human host by performing relevant imaging and functional analyses, such as electron microscopy, confocal laser scanning microscopy, and functional quantitative assays, targeting biofilm formation and the hemolytic capacity of S. pneumoniae. In vitro biofilm formation assays and electron microscopy experiments were used to examine the ability of knockout mutant strains lacking the lytA, pspC, or pspA genes to adhere to surfaces. We found that LytA plays an important role in robust synthesis of the biofilm matrix. PspA and PspC appeared crucial for the hemolytic effects of S. pneumoniae on human red blood cells. Furthermore, all knockout mutants caused less damage to endothelial cells than wild-type bacteria, highlighting the significance of each CPB for the overall pathogenicity of S. pneumoniae. Hence, in addition to their structural function within the cell wall of S. pneumoniae, each of these three surface-exposed CBPs controls or mediates multiple steps during bacterial pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cláudia Vilhena
- Department of Infection Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Jena, Germany
| | - Shanshan Du
- Department of Infection Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Jena, Germany
| | - Miriana Battista
- Department of Infection Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Jena, Germany
| | - Martin Westermann
- Centre for Electron Microscopy, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich-Schiller-University of Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Thomas Kohler
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Infection Biology, Center for Functional Genomics of Microbes, Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Sven Hammerschmidt
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Infection Biology, Center for Functional Genomics of Microbes, Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Peter F. Zipfel
- Department of Infection Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Jena, Germany
- Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich-Schiller-University, Jena, Germany
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2
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The long and the short of Periscope Proteins. Biochem Soc Trans 2022; 50:1293-1302. [PMID: 36196877 DOI: 10.1042/bst20220194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 09/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Bacteria sense, interact with, and modify their environmental niche by deploying a molecular ensemble at the cell surface. The changeability of this exposed interface, combined with extreme changes in the functional repertoire associated with lifestyle switches from planktonic to adherent and biofilm states necessitate dynamic variability. Dynamic surface changes include chemical modifications to the cell wall; export of diverse extracellular biofilm components; and modulation of expression of cell surface proteins for adhesion, co-aggregation and virulence. Local enrichment for highly repetitive proteins with high tandem repeat identity has been an enigmatic phenomenon observed in diverse bacterial species. Preliminary observations over decades of research suggested these repeat regions were hypervariable, as highly related strains appeared to express homologues with diverse molecular mass. Long-read sequencing data have been interrogated to reveal variation in repeat number; in combination with structural, biophysical and molecular dynamics approaches, the Periscope Protein class has been defined for cell surface attached proteins that dynamically expand and contract tandem repeat tracts at the population level. Here, I review the diverse high-stability protein folds and coherent interdomain linkages culminating in the formation of highly anisotropic linear repeat arrays, so-called rod-like protein 'stalks', supporting roles in bacterial adhesion, biofilm formation, cell surface spatial competition, and immune system modulation. An understanding of the functional impacts of dynamic changes in repeat arrays and broader characterisation of the unusual protein folds underpinning this variability will help with the design of immunisation strategies, and contribute to synthetic biology approaches including protein engineering and microbial consortia construction.
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3
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Tabary M, Gheware A, Peñaloza HF, Lee JS. The matricellular protein thrombospondin-1 in lung inflammation and injury. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2022; 323:C857-C865. [PMID: 35912991 PMCID: PMC9467471 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00182.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Matricellular proteins comprise a diverse group of molecular entities secreted into the extracellular space. They interact with the extracellular matrix (ECM), integrins, and other cell-surface receptors, and can alter matrix strength, cell attachment to the matrix, and cell-cell adhesion. A founding member of this group is thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), a high molecular-mass homotrimeric glycoprotein. Given the importance of the matrix and ECM remodeling in the lung following injury, TSP-1 has been implicated in a number of lung pathologies. This review examines the role of TSP-1 as a damage controller in the context of lung inflammation, injury resolution, and repair in noninfectious and infectious models. This review also discusses the potential role of TSP-1 in human diseases as it relates to lung inflammation and injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammadreza Tabary
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Acute Lung Injury Center of Excellence, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Atish Gheware
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Acute Lung Injury Center of Excellence, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Hernán F Peñaloza
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Acute Lung Injury Center of Excellence, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Santiago, Chile
- Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Janet S Lee
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Acute Lung Injury Center of Excellence, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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4
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Jahn K, Handtke S, Palankar R, Kohler TP, Wesche J, Wolff M, Bayer J, Wolz C, Greinacher A, Hammerschmidt S. α-hemolysin of Staphylococcus aureus impairs thrombus formation. J Thromb Haemost 2022; 20:1464-1475. [PMID: 35303391 DOI: 10.1111/jth.15703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxins are key virulence determinants of pathogens and can impair the function of host immune cells, including platelets. Insights into pathogen toxin interference with platelets will be pivotal to improve treatment of patients with bacterial bloodstream infections. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this study, we deciphered the effects of Staphylococcus aureus toxins α-hemolysin, LukAB, LukDE, and LukSF on human platelets and compared the effects with the pore forming toxin pneumolysin of Streptococcus pneumoniae. Activation of platelets and loss of platelet function were investigated by flow cytometry, aggregometry, platelet viability, fluorescence microscopy, and intracellular calcium release. Thrombus formation was assessed in whole blood. RESULTS α-hemolysin (Hla) is known to be a pore-forming toxin. Hla-induced calcium influx initially activates platelets as indicated by CD62P and αIIbβ3 integrin activation, but also induces finally alterations in the phenotype of platelets. In contrast to Hla and pneumolysin, S. aureus bicomponent pore-forming leukocidins LukAB, LukED, and LukSF do not bind to platelets and had no significant effect on platelet activation and viability. The presence of small amounts of Hla (0.2 µg/ml) in whole blood abrogates thrombus formation indicating that in systemic infections with S. aureus the stability of formed thrombi is impaired. Damage of platelets by Hla was not neutralized by intravenous immune globulins. CONCLUSION Our findings might be of clinical relevance for S. aureus induced endocarditis. Stabilizing the aortic-valve thrombi by inhibiting Hla-induced impairment of platelets might reduce the risk for septic (micro-)embolization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin Jahn
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Infection Biology, Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, Center for Functional Genomics of Microbes, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Stefan Handtke
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, Institute of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Raghavendra Palankar
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, Institute of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Thomas P Kohler
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Infection Biology, Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, Center for Functional Genomics of Microbes, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Jan Wesche
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, Institute of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Martina Wolff
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, Institute of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Janina Bayer
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Christiane Wolz
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence EXC 2124 "Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections", Tübingen, Germany
| | - Andreas Greinacher
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, Institute of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Sven Hammerschmidt
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Infection Biology, Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, Center for Functional Genomics of Microbes, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
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5
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De Gaetano GV, Coppolino F, Lentini G, Famà A, Cullotta C, Raffaele I, Motta C, Teti G, Speziale P, Pietrocola G, Beninati C. Streptococcus pneumoniae
binds collagens and C1q
via
the SSURE repeats of the PfbB adhesin. Mol Microbiol 2022; 117:1479-1492. [PMID: 35570359 PMCID: PMC9328315 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 04/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The binding of Streptococcus pneumoniae to collagen is likely an important step in the pathogenesis of pneumococcal infections, but little is known of the underlying molecular mechanisms. Streptococcal surface repeats (SSURE) are highly conserved protein domains present in cell wall adhesins from different Streptococcus species. We find here that SSURE repeats of the pneumococcal adhesin plasminogen and fibronectin binding protein B (PfbB) bind to various types of collagen. Moreover, deletion of the pfbB gene resulted in a significant impairment of the ability of encapsulated or unencapsulated pneumococci to bind collagen. Notably, a PfbB SSURE domain is also bound to the complement component C1q that bears a collagen‐like domain and promotes adherence of pneumococci to host cells by acting as a bridge between bacteria and epithelial cells. Accordingly, deletion of PfbB or pre‐treatment with anti‐SSURE antibodies markedly decreased pneumococcal binding to C1q as well as C1q‐dependent adherence to epithelial and endothelial cells. Further data indicated that C1q promotes pneumococcal adherence by binding to integrin α2β1. In conclusion, our results indicate that the SSURE domains of the PfbB protein promote interactions of pneumococci with various types of collagen and with C1q. These repeats may be useful targets in strategies to control S. pneumoniae infections.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Francesco Coppolino
- Department of BiomedicalDental and Imaging SciencesUniversity of MessinaMessinaItaly
| | - Germana Lentini
- Department of Human PathologyUniversity of MessinaMessinaItaly
| | - Agata Famà
- Department of Human PathologyUniversity of MessinaMessinaItaly
| | - Chiara Cullotta
- Department of Human PathologyUniversity of MessinaMessinaItaly
| | - Ivana Raffaele
- Department of Human PathologyUniversity of MessinaMessinaItaly
| | - Chiara Motta
- Department of Molecular MedicineUniversity of PaviaPaviaItaly
| | | | - Pietro Speziale
- Department of Molecular MedicineUniversity of PaviaPaviaItaly
| | | | - Concetta Beninati
- Department of Human PathologyUniversity of MessinaMessinaItaly
- Scylla Biotech SrlMessinaItaly
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6
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Jahn K, Kohler TP, Swiatek LS, Wiebe S, Hammerschmidt S. Platelets, Bacterial Adhesins and the Pneumococcus. Cells 2022; 11:cells11071121. [PMID: 35406684 PMCID: PMC8997422 DOI: 10.3390/cells11071121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Systemic infections with pathogenic or facultative pathogenic bacteria are associated with activation and aggregation of platelets leading to thrombocytopenia and activation of the clotting system. Bacterial proteins leading to platelet activation and aggregation have been identified, and while platelet receptors are recognized, induced signal transduction cascades are still often unknown. In addition to proteinaceous adhesins, pathogenic bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae also produce toxins such as pneumolysin and alpha-hemolysin. They bind to cellular receptors or form pores, which can result in disturbance of physiological functions of platelets. Here, we discuss the bacteria-platelet interplay in the context of adhesin–receptor interactions and platelet-activating bacterial proteins, with a main emphasis on S. aureus and S. pneumoniae. More importantly, we summarize recent findings of how S. aureus toxins and the pore-forming toxin pneumolysin of S. pneumoniae interfere with platelet function. Finally, the relevance of platelet dysfunction due to killing by toxins and potential treatment interventions protecting platelets against cell death are summarized.
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7
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Ali MQ, Kohler TP, Schulig L, Burchhardt G, Hammerschmidt S. Pneumococcal Extracellular Serine Proteases: Molecular Analysis and Impact on Colonization and Disease. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:763152. [PMID: 34790590 PMCID: PMC8592123 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.763152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The pathobiont Streptococcus pneumoniae causes life-threatening diseases, including pneumonia, sepsis, meningitis, or non-invasive infections such as otitis media. Serine proteases are enzymes that have been emerged during evolution as one of the most abundant and functionally diverse group of proteins in eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms. S. pneumoniae expresses up to four extracellular serine proteases belonging to the category of trypsin-like or subtilisin-like family proteins: HtrA, SFP, PrtA, and CbpG. These serine proteases have recently received increasing attention because of their immunogenicity and pivotal role in the interaction with host proteins. This review is summarizing and focusing on the molecular and functional analysis of pneumococcal serine proteases, thereby discussing their contribution to pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Murtadha Q Ali
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Infection Biology, Interfaculty Institute of Genetics and Functional Genomics, Center for Functional Genomics of Microbes, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Thomas P Kohler
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Infection Biology, Interfaculty Institute of Genetics and Functional Genomics, Center for Functional Genomics of Microbes, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Lukas Schulig
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Gerhard Burchhardt
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Infection Biology, Interfaculty Institute of Genetics and Functional Genomics, Center for Functional Genomics of Microbes, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Sven Hammerschmidt
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Infection Biology, Interfaculty Institute of Genetics and Functional Genomics, Center for Functional Genomics of Microbes, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
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8
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Syndecan-1 Promotes Streptococcus pneumoniae Corneal Infection by Facilitating the Assembly of Adhesive Fibronectin Fibrils. mBio 2020; 11:mBio.01907-20. [PMID: 33293379 PMCID: PMC7733941 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01907-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Subversion of heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) is thought to be a common virulence mechanism shared by many microbial pathogens. The prevailing assumption is that pathogens co-opt HSPGs as cell surface attachment receptors or as inhibitors of innate host defense. However, there are few data that clearly support this idea in vivo We found that deletion of syndecan-1 (Sdc1), a major cell surface HSPG of epithelial cells, causes a gain of function in a mouse model of scarified corneal infection, where Sdc1-/- corneas were significantly less susceptible to Streptococcus pneumoniae infection. Administration of excess Sdc1 ectodomains significantly inhibited S. pneumoniae corneal infection, suggesting that Sdc1 promotes infection as a cell surface attachment receptor. However, S. pneumoniae did not interact with Sdc1 and Sdc1 was shed upon S. pneumoniae infection, indicating that Sdc1 does not directly support S. pneumoniae adhesion. Instead, Sdc1 promoted S. pneumoniae adhesion by driving the assembly of fibronectin (FN) fibrils in the corneal basement membrane to which S. pneumoniae attaches when infecting injured corneas. S. pneumoniae specifically bound to corneal FN via PavA, and PavA deletion significantly attenuated S. pneumoniae virulence in the cornea. Excess Sdc1 ectodomains inhibited S. pneumoniae corneal infection by binding to the Hep II domain and interfering with S. pneumoniae PavA binding to FN. These findings reveal a previously unknown virulence mechanism of S. pneumoniae where key extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions and structures that are essential for host cell homeostasis are exploited for bacterial pathogenesis.IMPORTANCE Bacterial pathogens have evolved several ingenious mechanisms to subvert host cell biology for their pathogenesis. Bacterial attachment to the host ECM establishes a niche to grow and is considered one of the critical steps of infection. This pathogenic mechanism entails coordinated assembly of the ECM by the host to form the ECM structure and organization that are specifically recognized by bacteria for their adhesion. We serendipitously discovered that epithelial Sdc1 facilitates the assembly of FN fibrils in the corneal basement membrane and that this normal biological function of Sdc1 has detrimental consequences for the host in S. pneumoniae corneal infection. Our studies suggest that bacterial subversion of the host ECM is more complex than previously appreciated.
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9
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Feldman C, Anderson R. Platelets and Their Role in the Pathogenesis of Cardiovascular Events in Patients With Community-Acquired Pneumonia. Front Immunol 2020; 11:577303. [PMID: 33042161 PMCID: PMC7527494 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.577303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality throughout the world with much recent and ongoing research focused on the occurrence of cardiovascular events (CVEs) during the infection, which are associated with adverse short-term and long-term survival. Much of the research directed at unraveling the pathogenesis of these events has been undertaken in the settings of experimental and clinical CAP caused by the dangerous, bacterial respiratory pathogen, Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus), which remains the most common bacterial cause of CAP. Studies of this type have revealed that although platelets play an important role in host defense against infection, there is also increasing recognition that hyperactivation of these cells contributes to a pro-inflammatory, prothrombotic systemic milieu that contributes to the etiology of CVEs. In the case of the pneumococcus, platelet-driven myocardial damage and dysfunction is exacerbated by the direct cardiotoxic actions of pneumolysin, a major pore-forming toxin of this pathogen, which also acts as potent activator of platelets. This review is focused on the role of platelets in host defense against infection, including pneumococcal infection in particular, and reviews the current literature describing the potential mechanisms by which platelet activation contributes to cardiovascular complications in CAP. This is preceded by an evaluation of the burden of pneumococcal infection in CAP, the clinical features and putative pathogenic mechanisms of the CVE, and concludes with an evaluation of the potential utility of the anti-platelet activity of macrolides and various adjunctive therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles Feldman
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Ronald Anderson
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
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10
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Page MJ, Pretorius E. A Champion of Host Defense: A Generic Large-Scale Cause for Platelet Dysfunction and Depletion in Infection. Semin Thromb Hemost 2020; 46:302-319. [PMID: 32279287 PMCID: PMC7339151 DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1708827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Thrombocytopenia is commonly associated with sepsis and infections, which in turn are characterized by a profound immune reaction to the invading pathogen. Platelets are one of the cellular entities that exert considerable immune, antibacterial, and antiviral actions, and are therefore active participants in the host response. Platelets are sensitive to surrounding inflammatory stimuli and contribute to the immune response by multiple mechanisms, including endowing the endothelium with a proinflammatory phenotype, enhancing and amplifying leukocyte recruitment and inflammation, promoting the effector functions of immune cells, and ensuring an optimal adaptive immune response. During infection, pathogens and their products influence the platelet response and can even be toxic. However, platelets are able to sense and engage bacteria and viruses to assist in their removal and destruction. Platelets greatly contribute to host defense by multiple mechanisms, including forming immune complexes and aggregates, shedding their granular content, and internalizing pathogens and subsequently being marked for removal. These processes, and the nature of platelet function in general, cause the platelet to be irreversibly consumed in the execution of its duty. An exaggerated systemic inflammatory response to infection can drive platelet dysfunction, where platelets are inappropriately activated and face immunological destruction. While thrombocytopenia may arise by condition-specific mechanisms that cause an imbalance between platelet production and removal, this review evaluates a generic large-scale mechanism for platelet depletion as a repercussion of its involvement at the nexus of responses to infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin J Page
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Etheresia Pretorius
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
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11
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Banerji R, Kanojiya P, Saroj SD. Role of interspecies bacterial communication in the virulence of pathogenic bacteria. Crit Rev Microbiol 2020; 46:136-146. [DOI: 10.1080/1040841x.2020.1735991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rajashri Banerji
- Symbiosis School of Biological Sciences, Symbiosis International (Deemed University), Pune, India
| | - Poonam Kanojiya
- Symbiosis School of Biological Sciences, Symbiosis International (Deemed University), Pune, India
| | - Sunil D. Saroj
- Symbiosis School of Biological Sciences, Symbiosis International (Deemed University), Pune, India
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12
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Fibronectin and Its Role in Human Infective Diseases. Cells 2019; 8:cells8121516. [PMID: 31779172 PMCID: PMC6952806 DOI: 10.3390/cells8121516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2019] [Revised: 11/19/2019] [Accepted: 11/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibronectin is a multidomain glycoprotein ubiquitously detected in extracellular fluids and matrices of a variety of animal and human tissues where it functions as a key link between matrices and cells. Fibronectin has also emerged as the target for a large number of microorganisms, particularly bacteria. There are clear indications that the binding of microorganism’ receptors to fibronectin promotes attachment to and infection of host cells. Each bacterium may use different receptors which recognize specific fibronectin domains, mostly the N-terminal domain and the central cell-binding domain. In many cases, fibronectin receptors have actions over and above that of simple adhesion: In fact, adhesion is often the prerequisite for invasion and internalization of microorganisms in the cells of colonized tissues. This review updates the current understanding of fibronectin receptors of several microorganisms with emphasis on their biochemical and structural properties and the role they can play in the onset and progression of host infection diseases. Furthermore, we describe the antigenic profile and discuss the possibility of designing adhesion inhibitors based on the structure of the fibronectin-binding site in the receptor or the receptor-binding site in fibronectin.
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13
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Abstract
The main strategies used by pathogenic bacteria to infect eukaryotic tissue include their adherence to cells and the extracellular matrix (ECM), the subsequent colonization and invasion as well as the evasion of immune defences. A variety of structurally and functionally characterized adhesins and binding proteins of gram-positive bacteria facilitate these processes by specifically recognizing and interacting with various components of the host ECM, including different collagens, fibronectin and other macromolecules. The ECM affects the cellular physiology of our body and is critical for adhesion, migration, proliferation, and differentiation of many host cell types, but also provides the support for infiltrating pathogens, particularly under conditions of injury and trauma. Moreover, microbial binding to a variety of adhesive components in host tissue fluids leads to structural and/or functional alterations of host proteins and to the activation of cellular mechanisms that influence tissue and cell invasion of pathogens. Since the diverse interactions of gram-positive bacteria with the ECM represent important pathogenicity mechanisms, their characterization not only allows a better understanding of microbial invasion but also provides clues for the design of novel therapeutic strategies to manage infectious diseases.
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14
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Meinel C, Spartà G, Dahse HM, Hörhold F, König R, Westermann M, Coldewey SM, Cseresnyés Z, Figge MT, Hammerschmidt S, Skerka C, Zipfel PF. Streptococcus pneumoniae From Patients With Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome Binds Human Plasminogen via the Surface Protein PspC and Uses Plasmin to Damage Human Endothelial Cells. J Infect Dis 2019; 217:358-370. [PMID: 28968817 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jix305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Pneumococcal hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) in children is caused by infections with Streptococcus pneumoniae. Because endothelial cell damage is a hallmark of HUS, we studied how HUS-inducing pneumococci derived from infant HUS patients during the acute phase disrupt the endothelial layer. HUS pneumococci efficiently bound human plasminogen. These clinical isolates of HUS pneumococci efficiently bound human plasminogen via the bacterial surface proteins Tuf and PspC. When activated to plasmin at the bacterial surface, the active protease degraded fibrinogen and cleaved C3b. Here, we show that PspC is a pneumococcal plasminogen receptor and that plasmin generated on the surface of HUS pneumococci damages endothelial cells, causing endothelial retraction and exposure of the underlying matrix. Thus, HUS pneumococci damage endothelial cells in the blood vessels and disturb local complement homeostasis. Thereby, HUS pneumococci promote a thrombogenic state that drives HUS pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Meinel
- Department of Infection Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Giuseppina Spartà
- Klinik für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, Kantonsspital Winterthur, Switzerland
| | - Hans-Martin Dahse
- Department of Infection Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Franziska Hörhold
- Department of Infection Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany.,Associated Group of Network Modeling, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knoell Institute.,Center for Sepsis Control and Care
| | - Rainer König
- Associated Group of Network Modeling, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knoell Institute.,Center for Sepsis Control and Care
| | | | - Sina M Coldewey
- Center for Sepsis Control and Care.,Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine.,Septomics Research Center.,Applied Systems Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knoell Institute, Jena
| | - Zoltán Cseresnyés
- Applied Systems Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knoell Institute, Jena.,Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Marc Thilo Figge
- Applied Systems Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knoell Institute, Jena.,Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Sven Hammerschmidt
- Department Genetics of Microorganisms, Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, Ernst Moritz Arndt University, Greifswald
| | - Christine Skerka
- Department of Infection Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Peter F Zipfel
- Department of Infection Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany.,Center for Sepsis Control and Care.,Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
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15
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Binsker U, Kohler TP, Hammerschmidt S. Contribution of Human Thrombospondin-1 to the Pathogenesis of Gram-Positive Bacteria. J Innate Immun 2019; 11:303-315. [PMID: 30814475 PMCID: PMC6738282 DOI: 10.1159/000496033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Accepted: 12/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
A successful colonization of different compartments of the human host requires multifactorial contacts between bacterial surface proteins and host factors. Extracellular matrix proteins and matricellular proteins such as thrombospondin-1 play a pivotal role as adhesive substrates to ensure a strong interaction with pathobionts like the Gram-positive Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus. The human glycoprotein thrombospondin-1 is a component of the extracellular matrix and is highly abundant in the bloodstream during bacteremia. Human platelets secrete thrombospondin-1, which is then acquired by invading pathogens to facilitate colonization and immune evasion. Gram-positive bacteria express a broad spectrum of surface-exposed proteins, some of which also recognize thrombospondin-1. This review highlights the importance of thrombospondin-1 as an adhesion substrate to facilitate colonization, and we summarize the variety of thrombospondin-1-binding proteins of S. pneumoniae and S. aureus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrike Binsker
- Center for Functional Genomics of Microbes, Department of Molecular Genetics and Infection Biology, Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, Greifswald University, Greifswald, Germany
- Department of Microbiology, NYU Langone Health, Alexandria Center for the Life Sciences, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Thomas P Kohler
- Center for Functional Genomics of Microbes, Department of Molecular Genetics and Infection Biology, Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, Greifswald University, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Sven Hammerschmidt
- Center for Functional Genomics of Microbes, Department of Molecular Genetics and Infection Biology, Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, Greifswald University, Greifswald, Germany,
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16
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The Pneumococcal Surface Proteins PspA and PspC Sequester Host C4-Binding Protein To Inactivate Complement C4b on the Bacterial Surface. Infect Immun 2018; 87:IAI.00742-18. [PMID: 30323030 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00742-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2018] [Accepted: 10/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Complement is a critical component of antimicrobial immunity. Various complement regulatory proteins prevent host cells from being attacked. Many pathogens have acquired the ability to sequester complement regulators from host plasma to evade complement attack. We describe here how Streptococcus pneumoniae adopts a strategy to prevent the formation of the C3 convertase C4bC2a by the rapid conversion of surface bound C4b and iC4b into C4dg, which remains bound to the bacterial surface but no longer forms a convertase complex. Noncapsular virulence factors on the pneumococcus are thought to facilitate this process by sequestering C4b-binding protein (C4BP) from host plasma. When S. pneumoniae D39 was opsonized with human serum, the larger C4 activation products C4b and iC4b were undetectable, but the bacteria were liberally decorated with C4dg and C4BP. With targeted deletions of either PspA or PspC, C4BP deposition was markedly reduced, and there was a corresponding reduction in C4dg and an increase in the deposition of C4b and iC4b. The effect was greatest when PspA and PspC were both knocked out. Infection experiments in mice indicated that the deletion of PspA and/or PspC resulted in the loss of bacterial pathogenicity. Recombinant PspA and PspC both bound serum C4BP, and both led to increased C4b and reduced C4dg deposition on S. pneumoniae D39. We conclude that PspA and PspC help the pneumococcus to evade complement attack by binding C4BP and so inactivating C4b.
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17
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Leonard A, Lalk M. Infection and metabolism – Streptococcus pneumoniae metabolism facing the host environment. Cytokine 2018; 112:75-86. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2018.07.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2018] [Revised: 07/15/2018] [Accepted: 07/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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18
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De Gaetano GV, Pietrocola G, Romeo L, Galbo R, Lentini G, Giardina M, Biondo C, Midiri A, Mancuso G, Venza M, Venza I, Firon A, Trieu-Cuot P, Teti G, Speziale P, Beninati C. The Streptococcus agalactiae cell wall-anchored protein PbsP mediates adhesion to and invasion of epithelial cells by exploiting the host vitronectin/α v integrin axis. Mol Microbiol 2018; 110:82-94. [PMID: 30030946 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Binding of microbial pathogens to host vitronectin (Vtn) is a common theme in the pathogenesis of invasive infections. In this study, we characterized the role of Vtn in the invasion of mucosal epithelial cells by Streptococcus agalactiae (i.e. group B streptococcus or GBS), a frequent human pathogen. Moreover, we identified PbsP, a previously described plasminogen-binding protein of GBS, as a dual adhesin that can also interact with human Vtn through its streptococcal surface repeat (SSURE) domains. Deletion of the pbsP gene decreases both bacterial adhesion to Vtn-coated inert surfaces and the ability of GBS to interact with epithelial cells. Bacterial adherence to and invasion of epithelial cells were either inhibited or enhanced by cell pretreatment with, respectively, anti-Vtn antibodies or Vtn, confirming the role of Vtn as a GBS ligand on host cells. Finally, antibodies directed against the integrin αv subunit inhibited Vtn-dependent cell invasion by GBS. Collectively, these results indicate that Vtn acts as a bridge between the SSURE domains of PbsP on the GBS surface and host integrins to promote bacterial invasion of epithelial cells. Therefore, inhibition of interactions between PbsP and extracellular matrix components could represent a viable strategy to prevent colonization and invasive disease by GBS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Valerio De Gaetano
- Metchnikoff Laboratory, Departments of Human Pathology, Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Chemical Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Giampiero Pietrocola
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Unit of Biochemistry, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Letizia Romeo
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino Pulejo, Messina, Italy
| | - Roberta Galbo
- Metchnikoff Laboratory, Departments of Human Pathology, Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Chemical Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Germana Lentini
- Metchnikoff Laboratory, Departments of Human Pathology, Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Chemical Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Miriam Giardina
- Metchnikoff Laboratory, Departments of Human Pathology, Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Chemical Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Carmelo Biondo
- Metchnikoff Laboratory, Departments of Human Pathology, Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Chemical Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Angelina Midiri
- Metchnikoff Laboratory, Departments of Human Pathology, Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Chemical Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Mancuso
- Metchnikoff Laboratory, Departments of Human Pathology, Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Chemical Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Mario Venza
- Metchnikoff Laboratory, Departments of Human Pathology, Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Chemical Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Isabella Venza
- Metchnikoff Laboratory, Departments of Human Pathology, Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Chemical Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Arnaud Firon
- Institut Pasteur, Unite de Biologie des Bacteriés Pathogènes a Gram positif, CNRS ERL6002, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Patrick Trieu-Cuot
- Institut Pasteur, Unite de Biologie des Bacteriés Pathogènes a Gram positif, CNRS ERL6002, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Giuseppe Teti
- Metchnikoff Laboratory, Departments of Human Pathology, Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Chemical Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Pietro Speziale
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Unit of Biochemistry, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.,Department of Industrial and Information Engineering, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Concetta Beninati
- Metchnikoff Laboratory, Departments of Human Pathology, Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Chemical Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.,Scylla Biotech Srl, Messina, Italy
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19
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John J, Kasudhan KS, Kanungo R, Sharma S, Dohe V, Prashanth K. Distribution of different genes responsible for invasive characteristics, detection of point mutations in capsular gene wchA and biofilm production among the invasive and non-invasive isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae. Indian J Med Microbiol 2018; 35:511-517. [PMID: 29405142 DOI: 10.4103/ijmm.ijmm_17_183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Streptococcus pneumoniae continues to cause morbidity and mortality across the globe, with developing countries bearing the brunt of the disease. It is mainly responsible for meningitis, pneumonia and septicaemia primarily in children, elderly and immunocompromised persons. Colonisation and persistence in the human nasopharynx occur during early childhood, and it appears to be prerequisite for invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD). Factors that help in persistent colonisation and subsequent invasion are ill understood. Several virulence factors have been incriminated for nasopharyngeal carriage (NC) as well as for the manifestation of the pathogenesis of IPD. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study attempts to characterise the S. pneumoniae isolates through analysing the distribution of different virulence markers such as lytA, ply, pbpA, eno, psaA, amiA, ciaR and wchA among the isolates obtained from disease and NC. A total of 37 isolates which include 14 invasive and 23 non-invasive isolates were investigated by polymerase chain reaction to detect the genes. Eight representative isolates were investigated for mutations in wchA by DNA sequencing that may responsible for capsular variation. RESULTS Ply, pbpA, amiA and eno were observed in a greater percentage of invasive isolates than non-invasive isolates though these differences are not statistically significant. Other two genes ciaH and psaA did not show any significant difference between two groups of isolates. Biofilm production was significantly higher in than non-invasive isolates when compared to invasive isolates. Sequence analysis of wchA revealed three significant point mutations or single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) among the isolates of one particular cluster (cluster III). These SNPs are responsible for a non-synonymous mutation in wchA bringing in an amino acid change in WchA protein, which is a part of the capsule of S. pneumoniae. Notably, all the three isolates present in cluster III had these SNPs and all of them were isolated from ocular infections. CONCLUSION The results of our study implies a possible capsular variations among the isolates and this may have an impact on capsular typing.
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Affiliation(s)
- James John
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Pondicherry University, Puducherry, India
| | - Kripa Shanker Kasudhan
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Pondicherry University, Puducherry; Department of Pharmacology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Reba Kanungo
- Department of Microbiology, Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences, Puducherry, India
| | - Savitri Sharma
- Jhaveri Microbiology Centre, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Vaishali Dohe
- Department of Microbiology, Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Government Medical College, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - K Prashanth
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Pondicherry University, Puducherry, India
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20
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Anderson R, Feldman C. Review manuscript: Mechanisms of platelet activation by the pneumococcus and the role of platelets in community-acquired pneumonia. J Infect 2017; 75:473-485. [PMID: 28943342 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2017.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2017] [Revised: 09/13/2017] [Accepted: 09/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
There is increasing recognition of the involvement of platelets in orchestrating inflammatory responses, driving the activation of neutrophils, monocytes and vascular endothelium, which, if poorly controlled, may lead to microvascular dysfunction. Importantly, hyperreactivity of platelets has been implicated in the pathogenesis of myocardial injury and the associated particularly high prevalence of acute cardiovascular events in patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), of which Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) is the most commonly encountered aetiologic agent. In this context, it is noteworthy that a number of studies have documented various mechanisms by which the pneumococcus may directly promote platelet aggregation and activation. The major contributors to platelet activation include several different types of pneumococcal adhesin, the pore-forming toxin, pneumolysin, and possibly pathogen-derived hydrogen peroxide, which collectively represent a major focus of the current review. This is followed by an overview of the limited experimental studies together with a larger series of clinical studies mainly focused on all-cause CAP, which have provided evidence in support of associations between alterations in circulating platelet counts, most commonly thrombocytopenia, and a poor clinical outcome. The final section of the review covers, albeit briefly, systemic biomarkers of platelet activation which may have prognostic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronald Anderson
- Department of Immunology and Institute for Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.
| | - Charles Feldman
- Division of Pulmonology, Department of Internal Medicine, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital and Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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21
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Kanwal S, Jensch I, Palm GJ, Brönstrup M, Rohde M, Kohler TP, Somplatzki D, Tegge W, Jenkinson HF, Hammerschmidt S. Mapping the recognition domains of pneumococcal fibronectin-binding proteins PavA and PavB demonstrates a common pattern of molecular interactions with fibronectin type III repeats. Mol Microbiol 2017; 105:839-859. [PMID: 28657670 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.13740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Colonization of mucosal respiratory surfaces is a prerequisite for the human pathobiont Streptococcus pneumoniae (the pneumococcus) to cause severe invasive infections. The arsenal of pneumococcal adhesins interacts with a multitude of extracellular matrix proteins. A paradigm for pneumococci is their interaction with the adhesive glycoprotein fibronectin, which facilitates bacterial adherence to host cells. Here, we deciphered the molecular interaction between fibronectin and pneumococcal fibronectin-binding proteins (FnBPs) PavA and PavB respectively. We show in adherence and binding studies that the pneumococcal interaction with fibronectin is a non-human specific trait. PavA and PavB target at least 13 out of 15 type III fibronectin domains as demonstrated in ligand overlay assays, surface plasmon resonance studies and SPOT peptide arrays. Strikingly, both pneumococcal FnBPs recognize similar peptides in targeted type III repeats. Structural comparisons revealed that the targeted type III repeat epitopes cluster on the inner strands of both β-sheets forming the fibronectin domains. Importantly, synthetic peptides of FnIII1 , FnIII5 or FnIII15 bind directly to FnBPs PavA and PavB respectively. In conclusion, our study suggests a common pattern of molecular interactions between pneumococcal FnBPs and fibronectin. The specific epitopes recognized in this study can potentially be tested as antimicrobial targets in further scientific endeavours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sajida Kanwal
- Department Genetics of Microorganisms, Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, D-17487, Germany
| | - Inga Jensch
- Department Genetics of Microorganisms, Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, D-17487, Germany
| | - Gottfried J Palm
- Department of Structural Biology, Institute for Biochemistry, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, D-17487, Germany
| | - Mark Brönstrup
- Department of Chemical Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research and German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Braunschweig, D-38124, Germany
| | - Manfred Rohde
- Central Facility for Microscopy, ZEIM, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, D-38124, Germany
| | - Thomas P Kohler
- Department Genetics of Microorganisms, Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, D-17487, Germany
| | - Daniela Somplatzki
- Research Center for Infectious Diseases, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, D-97070, Germany
| | - Werner Tegge
- Department of Chemical Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research and German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Braunschweig, D-38124, Germany
| | - Howard F Jenkinson
- Department of Oral and Dental Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Sven Hammerschmidt
- Department Genetics of Microorganisms, Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, D-17487, Germany.,Research Center for Infectious Diseases, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, D-97070, Germany
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22
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Andre GO, Converso TR, Politano WR, Ferraz LFC, Ribeiro ML, Leite LCC, Darrieux M. Role of Streptococcus pneumoniae Proteins in Evasion of Complement-Mediated Immunity. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:224. [PMID: 28265264 PMCID: PMC5316553 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.00224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2016] [Accepted: 01/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The complement system plays a central role in immune defense against Streptococcus pneumoniae. In order to evade complement attack, pneumococci have evolved a number of mechanisms that limit complement mediated opsonization and subsequent phagocytosis. This review focuses on the strategies employed by pneumococci to circumvent complement mediated immunity, both in vitro and in vivo. At last, since many of the proteins involved in interactions with complement components are vaccine candidates in different stages of validation, we explore the use of these antigens alone or in combination, as potential vaccine approaches that aim at elimination or drastic reduction in the ability of this bacterium to evade complement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greiciely O Andre
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular e Molecular de Microrganismos, Universidade São Francisco Bragança Paulista, Brazil
| | - Thiago R Converso
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Instituto ButantanSão Paulo, Brazil; Programa de Pós-graduação Interunidades em Biotecnologia, Universidade de São PauloSão Paulo, Brazil
| | - Walter R Politano
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular e Molecular de Microrganismos, Universidade São Francisco Bragança Paulista, Brazil
| | - Lucio F C Ferraz
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular e Molecular de Microrganismos, Universidade São Francisco Bragança Paulista, Brazil
| | - Marcelo L Ribeiro
- Laboratório de Farmacologia, Universidade São Francisco Bragança Paulista, Brazil
| | | | - Michelle Darrieux
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular e Molecular de Microrganismos, Universidade São Francisco Bragança Paulista, Brazil
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23
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Binsker U, Kohler TP, Krauel K, Kohler S, Habermeyer J, Schwertz H, Hammerschmidt S. Serotype 3 pneumococci sequester platelet-derived human thrombospondin-1 via the adhesin and immune evasion protein Hic. J Biol Chem 2017; 292:5770-5783. [PMID: 28209711 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m116.760504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2016] [Revised: 02/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 3 strains emerge frequently within clinical isolates of invasive diseases. Bacterial invasion into deeper tissues is associated with colonization and immune evasion mechanisms. Thus, pneumococci express a versatile repertoire of surface proteins sequestering and interacting specifically with components of the human extracellular matrix and serum. Hic, a PspC-like pneumococcal surface protein, possesses vitronectin and factor H binding activity. Here, we show that heterologously expressed Hic domains interact, similar to the classical PspC molecule, with human matricellular thrombospondin-1 (hTSP-1). Binding studies with isolated human thrombospondin-1 and various Hic domains suggest that the interaction between hTSP-1 and Hic differs from binding to vitronectin and factor H. Binding of Hic to hTSP-1 is inhibited by heparin and chondroitin sulfate A, indicating binding to the N-terminal globular domain or type I repeats of hTSP-1. Competitive inhibition experiments with other pneumococcal hTSP-1 adhesins demonstrated that PspC and PspC-like Hic recognize similar domains, whereas PavB and Hic can bind simultaneously to hTSP-1. In conclusion, Hic binds specifically hTSP-1; however, truncation in the N-terminal part of Hic decreases the binding activity, suggesting that the full length of the α-helical regions of Hic is required for an optimal interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrike Binsker
- From the Department Genetics of Microorganisms, Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, University of Greifswald, D-17487 Greifswald, Germany and
| | - Thomas P Kohler
- From the Department Genetics of Microorganisms, Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, University of Greifswald, D-17487 Greifswald, Germany and
| | - Krystin Krauel
- the Institute for Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, D-17489 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Sylvia Kohler
- From the Department Genetics of Microorganisms, Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, University of Greifswald, D-17487 Greifswald, Germany and
| | - Johanna Habermeyer
- From the Department Genetics of Microorganisms, Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, University of Greifswald, D-17487 Greifswald, Germany and
| | - Hansjörg Schwertz
- the Institute for Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, D-17489 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Sven Hammerschmidt
- From the Department Genetics of Microorganisms, Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, University of Greifswald, D-17487 Greifswald, Germany and
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24
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Prager O, Friedman A, Nebenzahl YM. Role of neural barriers in the pathogenesis and outcome of Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis. Exp Ther Med 2017; 13:799-809. [PMID: 28450902 PMCID: PMC5403536 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2017.4082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2016] [Accepted: 11/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial meningitis is an inflammatory disease of the meninges of the central nervous system (CNS). Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae), Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae are the major bacterial pathogens causing meningitis with S. pneumoniae being responsible for two thirds of meningitis cases in the developed world. To reach the CNS following nasopharyngeal colonization and bacteraemia, the bacteria traverse from the circulation across the blood brain barrier (BBB) and choroid plexus. While the BBB has a protective role in healthy individuals by shielding the CNS from neurotoxic substances circulating in the blood and maintaining the homeostasis within the brain environment, dysfunction of the BBB is associated with the pathophysiology of numerous neurologic disorders, including bacterial meningitis. Inflammatory processes, including release of a broad range of cytokines and free radicals, further increase vascular permeability and contribute to the excessive neural damage observed. Injury to the cerebral microvasculature and loss of blood flow auto-regulation promote increased intracranial pressure and may lead to vascular occlusion. Other common complications commonly associated with meningitis include abnormal neuronal hyper-excitability (e.g., seizures) and loss of hearing. Despite the existence of antibiotic treatment and adjuvant therapy, the relatively high mortality rate and the severe outcomes among survivors of pneumococcal meningitis in developing and developed countries increase the urgency in the requirement of discovering novel biomarkers for the early diagnosis as well as novel treatment approaches. The present review aimed to explore the changes in the brain vascular barriers, which allow S. pneumoniae to invade the CNS, and describe the resultant brain injuries following bacterial meningitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ofer Prager
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of The Negev, Beer-Sheva 84101, Israel.,Cognitive & Brain Sciences, The Zlotowski Center for Neuroscience, Ben-Gurion University of The Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Alon Friedman
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of The Negev, Beer-Sheva 84101, Israel.,Cognitive & Brain Sciences, The Zlotowski Center for Neuroscience, Ben-Gurion University of The Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel.,Department of Medical Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Yaffa Mizrachi Nebenzahl
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of The Negev, Beer-Sheva 84101, Israel
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25
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Gutiérrez-Fernández J, Saleh M, Alcorlo M, Gómez-Mejía A, Pantoja-Uceda D, Treviño MA, Voß F, Abdullah MR, Galán-Bartual S, Seinen J, Sánchez-Murcia PA, Gago F, Bruix M, Hammerschmidt S, Hermoso JA. Modular Architecture and Unique Teichoic Acid Recognition Features of Choline-Binding Protein L (CbpL) Contributing to Pneumococcal Pathogenesis. Sci Rep 2016; 6:38094. [PMID: 27917891 PMCID: PMC5137146 DOI: 10.1038/srep38094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2016] [Accepted: 11/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The human pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae is decorated with a special class of surface-proteins known as choline-binding proteins (CBPs) attached to phosphorylcholine (PCho) moieties from cell-wall teichoic acids. By a combination of X-ray crystallography, NMR, molecular dynamics techniques and in vivo virulence and phagocytosis studies, we provide structural information of choline-binding protein L (CbpL) and demonstrate its impact on pneumococcal pathogenesis and immune evasion. CbpL is a very elongated three-module protein composed of (i) an Excalibur Ca2+-binding domain -reported in this work for the very first time-, (ii) an unprecedented anchorage module showing alternate disposition of canonical and non-canonical choline-binding sites that allows vine-like binding of fully-PCho-substituted teichoic acids (with two choline moieties per unit), and (iii) a Ltp_Lipoprotein domain. Our structural and infection assays indicate an important role of the whole multimodular protein allowing both to locate CbpL at specific places on the cell wall and to interact with host components in order to facilitate pneumococcal lung infection and transmigration from nasopharynx to the lungs and blood. CbpL implication in both resistance against killing by phagocytes and pneumococcal pathogenesis further postulate this surface-protein as relevant among the pathogenic arsenal of the pneumococcus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Gutiérrez-Fernández
- Department of Crystallography and Structural Biology, "Rocasolano" Institute of Physical-Chemistry, CSIC, Serrano 119, E-28006-Madrid, Spain
| | - Malek Saleh
- Department Genetics of Microorganisms, Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, Ernst Moritz Arndt University of Greifswald, D-17487 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Martín Alcorlo
- Department of Crystallography and Structural Biology, "Rocasolano" Institute of Physical-Chemistry, CSIC, Serrano 119, E-28006-Madrid, Spain
| | - Alejandro Gómez-Mejía
- Department Genetics of Microorganisms, Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, Ernst Moritz Arndt University of Greifswald, D-17487 Greifswald, Germany
| | - David Pantoja-Uceda
- Department of Biological Physical Chemistry. "Rocasolano" Institute of Physical-Chemistry, CSIC, Serrano 119, E-28006-Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel A Treviño
- Department of Biological Physical Chemistry. "Rocasolano" Institute of Physical-Chemistry, CSIC, Serrano 119, E-28006-Madrid, Spain
| | - Franziska Voß
- Department Genetics of Microorganisms, Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, Ernst Moritz Arndt University of Greifswald, D-17487 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Mohammed R Abdullah
- Department Genetics of Microorganisms, Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, Ernst Moritz Arndt University of Greifswald, D-17487 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Sergio Galán-Bartual
- Department of Crystallography and Structural Biology, "Rocasolano" Institute of Physical-Chemistry, CSIC, Serrano 119, E-28006-Madrid, Spain
| | - Jolien Seinen
- Department Genetics of Microorganisms, Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, Ernst Moritz Arndt University of Greifswald, D-17487 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Pedro A Sánchez-Murcia
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Unidad Asociada al IQM-CSIC, Universidad de Alcalá, E-28871 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
| | - Federico Gago
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Unidad Asociada al IQM-CSIC, Universidad de Alcalá, E-28871 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta Bruix
- Department of Biological Physical Chemistry. "Rocasolano" Institute of Physical-Chemistry, CSIC, Serrano 119, E-28006-Madrid, Spain
| | - Sven Hammerschmidt
- Department Genetics of Microorganisms, Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, Ernst Moritz Arndt University of Greifswald, D-17487 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Juan A Hermoso
- Department of Crystallography and Structural Biology, "Rocasolano" Institute of Physical-Chemistry, CSIC, Serrano 119, E-28006-Madrid, Spain
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Streptococcus pneumoniae Cell-Wall-Localized Phosphoenolpyruvate Protein Phosphotransferase Can Function as an Adhesin: Identification of Its Host Target Molecules and Evaluation of Its Potential as a Vaccine. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0150320. [PMID: 26990554 PMCID: PMC4798226 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0150320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2015] [Accepted: 02/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
In Streptococcus pneumonia, phosphoenolpyruvate protein phosphotransferase (PtsA) is an intracellular protein of the monosaccharide phosphotransferase systems. Biochemical and immunostaining methods were applied to show that PtsA also localizes to the bacterial cell-wall. Thus, it was suspected that PtsA has functions other than its main cytoplasmic enzymatic role. Indeed, recombinant PtsA and anti-rPtsA antiserum were shown to inhibit adhesion of S. pneumoniae to cultured human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells. Screening of a combinatorial peptide library expressed in a filamentous phage with rPtsA identified epitopes that were capable of inhibiting S. pneumoniae adhesion to A549 cells. The insert peptides in the phages were sequenced, and homologous sequences were found in human BMPER, multimerin1, protocadherin19, integrinβ4, epsin1 and collagen type VIIα1 proteins, all of which can be found in A549 cells except the latter. Six peptides, synthesized according to the homologous sequences in the human proteins, specifically bound rPtsA in the micromolar range and significantly inhibited pneumococcal adhesion in vitro to lung- and tracheal-derived cell lines. In addition, the tested peptides inhibited lung colonization after intranasal inoculation of mice with S. pneumoniae. Immunization with rPtsA protected the mice against a sublethal intranasal and a lethal intravenous pneumococcal challenge. In addition, mouse anti rPtsA antiserum reduced bacterial virulence in the intravenous inoculation mouse model. These findings showed that the surface-localized PtsA functions as an adhesin, PtsA binding peptides derived from its putative target molecules can be considered for future development of therapeutics, and rPtsA should be regarded as a candidate for vaccine development.
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