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Fu D, Wu J, Wu X, Shao Y, Song X, Tu J, Qi K. The two-component system histidine kinase EnvZ contributes to Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli pathogenicity by regulating biofilm formation and stress responses. Poult Sci 2022; 102:102388. [PMID: 36586294 PMCID: PMC9811210 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2022.102388] [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: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
EnvZ, the histidine kinase (HK) of OmpR/EnvZ, transduces osmotic signals in Escherichia coli K12 and affects the pathogenicity of Shigella flexneri and Vibrio cholera. Avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC) is an extra-intestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC), causing acute and sudden death in poultry and leading to severe economic losses to the global poultry industry. How the functions of EnvZ correlate with APEC pathogenicity was still unknown. In this study, we successfully constructed the envZ mutant strain AE17ΔenvZ and the inactivation of envZ significantly reduced biofilms and altered red, dry, and rough (rdar) morphology. In addition, AE17ΔenvZ was significantly less resistant to acid, alkali, osmotic, and oxidative stress conditions. Deletion of envZ significantly enhanced sensitivity to specific pathogen-free (SPF) chicken serum and increased adhesion to chicken embryonic fibroblast DF-1 cells and elevated inflammatory cytokine IL-1β, IL6, and IL8 expression levels. Also, when compared with the WT strain, AE17ΔenvZ attenuated APEC pathogenicity in chickens. To explore the molecular mechanisms underpinning envZ in APEC17, we compared the WT and envZ-deletion strains using transcriptome analyses. RNA-Seq results identified 711 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the envZ mutant strain and DEGs were mainly enriched in outer membrane proteins, stress response systems, and TCSs. Quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) showed that EnvZ influenced the expression of biofilms and stress responses genes, including ompC, ompT, mlrA, basR, hdeA, hdeB, adiY, and uspB. We provided compelling evidence showing EnvZ contributed to APEC pathogenicity by regulating biofilms and stress response expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Fu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pathobiology and Disease Control, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui 230036, PR China,Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory for Animal Food Quality and Bio-Safety, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui 230036, PR China
| | - Jianmei Wu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pathobiology and Disease Control, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui 230036, PR China,Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory for Animal Food Quality and Bio-Safety, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui 230036, PR China
| | - Xiaoyan Wu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pathobiology and Disease Control, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui 230036, PR China,Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory for Animal Food Quality and Bio-Safety, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui 230036, PR China
| | - Ying Shao
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pathobiology and Disease Control, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui 230036, PR China,Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory for Animal Food Quality and Bio-Safety, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui 230036, PR China
| | - Xiangjun Song
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pathobiology and Disease Control, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui 230036, PR China,Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory for Animal Food Quality and Bio-Safety, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui 230036, PR China
| | - Jian Tu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pathobiology and Disease Control, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui 230036, PR China,Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory for Animal Food Quality and Bio-Safety, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui 230036, PR China
| | - Kezong Qi
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pathobiology and Disease Control, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui 230036, PR China,Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory for Animal Food Quality and Bio-Safety, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui 230036, PR China,Corresponding author:
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Xue M, Fu D, Hu J, Shao Y, Tu J, Song X, Qi K. The Transcription Regulator YgeK Affects Biofilm Formation and Environmental Stress Resistance in Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12091160. [PMID: 35565586 PMCID: PMC9100123 DOI: 10.3390/ani12091160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) is the pathogen responsible for colibacillosis in poultry. Transcriptional regulator ygeK has been shown to decrease APEC’s flagellar formation ability, bacterial motility ability, serum sensitivity, and adhesion ability. However, we did not study the effects of ygeK on biofilm formation and environmental stress resistance in APEC. In this study, we investigated ygeK in APEC biofilm formation and bacterial resistance to different environmental stresses. We also analyzed the multi-level regulation of ygeK in APEC and investigated associations between differentially expressed proteins and key ygeK targets. This work provides a basis for further analysis of APEC pathogenesis mechanisms. Abstract Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) is one of the most common pathogens in poultry and a potential gene source of human extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC), leading to serious economic losses in the poultry industry and public health concerns. Exploring the pathogenic mechanisms underpinning APEC and the identification of new targets for disease prevention and treatment are warranted. YgeK is a transcriptional regulator in APEC and is localized to the type III secretion system 2 of E. coli. In our previous work, the transcription factor ygeK significantly affected APEC flagella formation, bacterial motility, serum sensitivity, adhesion, and virulence. To further explore ygeK functions, we evaluated its influence on APEC biofilm formation and resistance to environmental stress. Our results showed that ygeK inactivation decreased biofilm formation and reduced bacterial resistance to environmental stresses, including acid and oxidative stress. In addition, the multi-level regulation of ygeK in APEC was analyzed using proteomics, and associations between differentially expressed proteins and the key targets of ygeK were investigated. Overall, we identified ygeK’s new function in APEC. These have led us to better understand the transcriptional regulatory ygeK and provide new clues about the pathogenicity of APEC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Xue
- Jinling Institute of Technology, College of Animal Science and Food Engineering, Nanjing 211169, China;
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pathobiology and Disease Control, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China; (D.F.); (J.H.); (Y.S.); (J.T.)
| | - Dandan Fu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pathobiology and Disease Control, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China; (D.F.); (J.H.); (Y.S.); (J.T.)
| | - Jiangang Hu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pathobiology and Disease Control, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China; (D.F.); (J.H.); (Y.S.); (J.T.)
| | - Ying Shao
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pathobiology and Disease Control, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China; (D.F.); (J.H.); (Y.S.); (J.T.)
| | - Jian Tu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pathobiology and Disease Control, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China; (D.F.); (J.H.); (Y.S.); (J.T.)
| | - Xiangjun Song
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pathobiology and Disease Control, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China; (D.F.); (J.H.); (Y.S.); (J.T.)
- Correspondence: (X.S.); (K.Q.); Tel.: +86-551-6578-5310 (K.Q.)
| | - Kezong Qi
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pathobiology and Disease Control, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China; (D.F.); (J.H.); (Y.S.); (J.T.)
- Correspondence: (X.S.); (K.Q.); Tel.: +86-551-6578-5310 (K.Q.)
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Tu J, Shen X, Chen Z, Hou M, Song Z, Jiang H, Shao Y, Qi K, Song X. Hcp2b of T6SS affects colonization of Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli and host keratin filament expression. Avian Pathol 2022; 51:154-163. [PMID: 35076320 DOI: 10.1080/03079457.2022.2031881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
T6SS (type VI secretion system) is a kind of nano syringe that exists in APEC (Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli). Hcp (haemolysin-coregulated protein) of T6SS participates in the regulation of virulence during APEC infection. However, whether hcp plays a role in bacterial colonization by expressing in host cells remains unclear. In this study, we analysed the biological characteristics of the mutant hcp2b strain. Our results showed that the hcp2b gene was involved in the regulation of bacterial motility, biofilm formation, anti-serum and anti-oxidative stress. Moreover, our data indicate that the colonization of the hcp2b mutation strain (Δhcp2b) in the lung, liver and kidney of chickens decreased significantly. Hence, overexpression of Hcp2b protein in DF-1 cells was used to analyse the effect of Hcp2b on colonization of APEC. Proteomics analysis showed that overexpression of Hcp2b induced differentially expressed proteins of DF-1 cells (230 were significantly upregulated and 96 were significantly downregulated) and differentially expressed proteins were enriched in keratin filament item. In conclusion, our data indicated that hcp2b promoted the colonization of APEC by affecting the expression of keratin filament.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Tu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pathobiology and Disease Control, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, PR China.,Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory for Animal Food Quality and Bio-safety, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, PR China
| | - Xiao Shen
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pathobiology and Disease Control, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, PR China.,Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory for Animal Food Quality and Bio-safety, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, PR China
| | - Zhe Chen
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pathobiology and Disease Control, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, PR China.,Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory for Animal Food Quality and Bio-safety, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, PR China
| | - Manman Hou
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pathobiology and Disease Control, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, PR China.,Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory for Animal Food Quality and Bio-safety, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, PR China
| | - Zichao Song
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pathobiology and Disease Control, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, PR China.,Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory for Animal Food Quality and Bio-safety, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, PR China
| | - Huyan Jiang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pathobiology and Disease Control, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, PR China.,Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory for Animal Food Quality and Bio-safety, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, PR China
| | - Ying Shao
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pathobiology and Disease Control, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, PR China.,Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory for Animal Food Quality and Bio-safety, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, PR China
| | - Kezong Qi
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pathobiology and Disease Control, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, PR China.,Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory for Animal Food Quality and Bio-safety, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, PR China
| | - Xiangjun Song
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pathobiology and Disease Control, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, PR China.,Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory for Animal Food Quality and Bio-safety, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, PR China.,Key Laboratory for Agri-Food Safety, School of Resource & Environment, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui 230036, PR China
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Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC): An Overview of Virulence and Pathogenesis Factors, Zoonotic Potential, and Control Strategies. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10040467. [PMID: 33921518 PMCID: PMC8069529 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10040467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Revised: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) causes colibacillosis in avian species, and recent reports have suggested APEC as a potential foodborne zoonotic pathogen. Herein, we discuss the virulence and pathogenesis factors of APEC, review the zoonotic potential, provide the current status of antibiotic resistance and progress in vaccine development, and summarize the alternative control measures being investigated. In addition to the known virulence factors, several other factors including quorum sensing system, secretion systems, two-component systems, transcriptional regulators, and genes associated with metabolism also contribute to APEC pathogenesis. The clear understanding of these factors will help in developing new effective treatments. The APEC isolates (particularly belonging to ST95 and ST131 or O1, O2, and O18) have genetic similarities and commonalities in virulence genes with human uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) and neonatal meningitis E. coli (NMEC) and abilities to cause urinary tract infections and meningitis in humans. Therefore, the zoonotic potential of APEC cannot be undervalued. APEC resistance to almost all classes of antibiotics, including carbapenems, has been already reported. There is a need for an effective APEC vaccine that can provide protection against diverse APEC serotypes. Alternative therapies, especially the virulence inhibitors, can provide a novel solution with less likelihood of developing resistance.
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Song X, Hou M, Jiang H, Shen X, Xue M, Shao Y, Wang L, He Q, Zheng L, Tu J, Qi K. Hcp2a of type VI secretion system contributes to IL8 and IL1β expression of chicken tracheal epithelium by affecting APEC colonization. Res Vet Sci 2020; 132:279-284. [PMID: 32702515 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2020.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2020] [Revised: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) is an important pathogen that causes avian colibacillosis in poultry. APEC infection can lead to pathological changes in chicken trachea. The type VI secretion system (T6SS) of APEC contribute to the pathogenicity of APEC. However, whether T6SS plays a role in infection of the trachea remains unclear. We constructed mutant strain Δhcp2a by the Red recombination method system. The role of hcp2a (the structural secretion components and secretory protein of the T6SS) in the infection of trachea was investigated. The mutation strain displayed a significant increase in biofilm formation and a decrease in resistance to chicken serum. Moreover, RNA sequencing analyses showed that infection of chicken tracheal epithelium by the mutant strain Δhcp2a induced differential expression of genes. The result also showed that 14 genes (13 genes were downregulated) were enriched in cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction signalling pathway at 12 and 24 h post infection. The mutation Δhcp2a resulted in significant decreases in the bacterial loads in trachea at 6 and 12 h post infection. Real-time PCR analyses showed that the hcp2a mutation downregulated the expression of IL8 and IL1β at mRNA level in chicken tracheal epithelium. Our results indicate that mutation of hcp2a influenced genes expression of the cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction pathway by decreasing APEC colonization in the trachea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangjun Song
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pathobiology and Disease Control, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, PR China
| | - Manman Hou
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pathobiology and Disease Control, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, PR China
| | - Huyan Jiang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pathobiology and Disease Control, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, PR China
| | - Xiao Shen
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pathobiology and Disease Control, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, PR China
| | - Mei Xue
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pathobiology and Disease Control, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, PR China
| | - Ying Shao
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pathobiology and Disease Control, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, PR China
| | - Lili Wang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pathobiology and Disease Control, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, PR China
| | - Qi He
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pathobiology and Disease Control, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, PR China
| | - Liming Zheng
- College of Basic Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, PR China
| | - Jian Tu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pathobiology and Disease Control, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, PR China.
| | - Kezong Qi
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pathobiology and Disease Control, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, PR China.
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