The uptake of a Klebsiella pneumoniae capsule polysaccharide mutant triggers an inflammatory response by human airway epithelial cells

Plant-Origin Components: New Players to Combat Antibiotic Resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae

Klebsiella pneumoniae (Kpn) is an opportunistic pathogen that causes intrahospital complications such as pneumonia, liver abscesses, soft tissue infections, urinary infections, bacteraemia, and, in some cases, death. Since this bacterium has a higher frequency than other Gram-negative pathogens, it has become an important pathogen to the health sector. The adaptative genome of Kpn likely facilitates increased survival of the pathogen in diverse situations. Therefore, several studies have been focused on developing new molecules, synergistic formulations, and biomaterials that make it possible to combat and control infections with and dispersion of this pathogen. Note that the uncontrolled antibiotic administration that occurred during the pandemic led to the emergence of new multidrug-resistant strains, and scientists were challenged to overcome them. This review aims to compile the latest information on Kpn that generates intrahospital infections, specifically their pathogenicity-associated factors. Furthermore, it explains the natural-product-based treatments (extracts and essential oils) developed for Kpn infection and dispersion control.

Modified Impedance Sensing System Determination of Virulence Characteristics of Pathogenic Bacteria Klebsiella Species

An impedance sensing system is a family of biosensors that measure changes in electrical impedance to perform their functions. Physical and chemical changes in the impedance of the sensing element, such as changes in the concentration of a target analyte or changes in the physical properties of the sensing element, can result in changes in the impedance of the sensing element. Many impedance biosensors have been developed for the detection of pathogens in the past few decades. Several types of biosensors have been developed for the detection of infections, including transduction elements, biorecognition components, and electrochemical approaches. In this review, we discuss the characteristics and pathogenic factors associated with 2,3-butanediol-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae collected using impedance sensors. An impedance sensing system was introduced as a great method for monitoring the virulence factors of Klebsiella spp. in situ. Klebsiella pneumoniae produces virulence factors, including capsules, lipopolysaccharides, fimbriae, and siderophores, as part of its pathogenesis. It is possible to examine virulence factors' pathogenic characteristics in vitro and in vivo using real tissues or mouse models in order to conduct experiments. For the monitoring of virulence factors in situ, a novel alternative method has been developed to mimic the environment of real tissues. For the purpose of developing tissue-mimicking models, mucin and mannose were used to modify the surface of gold electrodes. These components are known to contribute to the adhesion of pathogens to epithelial cells in mammals.

Klebsiella phage KP34gp57 capsular depolymerase structure and function: from a serendipitous finding to the design of active mini-enzymes against K. pneumoniae

IMPORTANCE

In this work, we determined the structure of Klebsiella phage KP34p57 capsular depolymerase and dissected the role of individual domains in trimerization and functional activity. The crystal structure serendipitously revealed that the enzyme can exist in a monomeric state once deprived of its C-terminal domain. Based on the crystal structure and site-directed mutagenesis, we localized the key catalytic residues in an intra-subunit deep groove. Consistently, we show that C-terminally trimmed KP34p57 variants are monomeric, stable, and fully active. The elaboration of monomeric, fully active phage depolymerases is innovative in the field, as no previous example exists. Indeed, mini phage depolymerases can be combined in chimeric enzymes to extend their activity ranges, allowing their use against multiple serotypes.

In vivo single-cell transcriptomics reveal Klebsiella pneumoniae skews lung macrophages to promote infection

The strategies deployed by antibiotic-resistant bacteria to counteract host defences are poorly understood. Here, we elucidate a novel host-pathogen interaction resulting in skewing lung macrophage polarisation by the human pathogen Klebsiella pneumoniae. We identify interstitial macrophages (IMs) as the main population of lung macrophages associated with Klebsiella. Single-cell transcriptomics and trajectory analysis of cells reveal type I IFN and IL10 signalling, and macrophage polarisation are characteristic of infected IMs, whereas Toll-like receptor (TLR) and Nod-like receptor signalling are features of infected alveolar macrophages. Klebsiella-induced macrophage polarisation is a singular M2-type we termed M(Kp). To rewire macrophages, Klebsiella hijacks a TLR-type I IFN-IL10-STAT6 axis. Absence of STAT6 limits Klebsiella intracellular survival and facilitates the clearance of the pathogen in vivo. Glycolysis characterises M(Kp) metabolism, and inhibition of glycolysis results in clearance of intracellular Klebsiella. Capsule polysaccharide governs M(Kp). Klebsiella also skews human macrophage polarisation towards M(Kp) in a type I IFN-IL10-STAT6-dependent manner. Klebsiella induction of M(Kp) represents a novel strategy to overcome host restriction, and identifies STAT6 as target to boost defences against Klebsiella.

Microbial Phagocytic Receptors and Their Potential Involvement in Cytokine Induction in Macrophages

Phagocytosis is an essential process for the uptake of large (>0.5 µm) particulate matter including microbes and dying cells. Specialized cells in the body perform phagocytosis which is enabled by cell surface receptors that recognize and bind target cells. Professional phagocytes play a prominent role in innate immunity and include macrophages, neutrophils and dendritic cells. These cells display a repertoire of phagocytic receptors that engage the target cells directly, or indirectly via opsonins, to mediate binding and internalization of the target into a phagosome. Phagosome maturation then proceeds to cause destruction and recycling of the phagosome contents. Key subsequent events include antigen presentation and cytokine production to alert and recruit cells involved in the adaptive immune response. Bridging the innate and adaptive immunity, macrophages secrete a broad selection of inflammatory mediators to orchestrate the type and magnitude of an inflammatory response. This review will focus on cytokines produced by NF-κB signaling which is activated by extracellular ligands and serves a master regulator of the inflammatory response to microbes. Macrophages secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines including TNFα, IL1β, IL6, IL8 and IL12 which together increases vascular permeability and promotes recruitment of other immune cells. The major anti-inflammatory cytokines produced by macrophages include IL10 and TGFβ which act to suppress inflammatory gene expression in macrophages and other immune cells. Typically, macrophage cytokines are synthesized, trafficked intracellularly and released in response to activation of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) or inflammasomes. Direct evidence linking the event of phagocytosis to cytokine production in macrophages is lacking. This review will focus on cytokine output after engagement of macrophage phagocytic receptors by particulate microbial targets. Microbial receptors include the PRRs: Toll-like receptors (TLRs), scavenger receptors (SRs), C-type lectin and the opsonic receptors. Our current understanding of how macrophage receptor stimulation impacts cytokine production is largely based on work utilizing soluble ligands that are destined for endocytosis. We will instead focus this review on research examining receptor ligation during uptake of particulate microbes and how this complex internalization process may influence inflammatory cytokine production in macrophages.

The PTS Components in Klebsiella pneumoniae Affect Bacterial Capsular Polysaccharide Production and Macrophage Phagocytosis Resistance

Capsular polysaccharide (CPS) is a crucial virulence factor for Klebsiella pneumoniae infection. We demonstrated an association of CPS production with two phosphoenolpyruvate:carbohydrate phosphotransferase systems (PTSs). Deficiency of crr, encoding enzyme IIA of PTS, in K. pneumoniae enhanced the transcriptional activities of galF, wzi and gnd, which are in the cps gene cluster, leading to high CPS production. A crr mutant exhibited a higher survival rate in 1% hydrogen peroxide than the wild-type. The crr mutant showed less sensitivity to engulfment by macrophage (RAW 264.7) than the wild-type by observing the intracellular bacteria using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and by calculating the colony-forming units (CFU) of intracellular bacteria. After long-term incubation, the survival rate of the intracellular crr mutant was higher than that of the wild-type. Deficiency of crr enhanced the transcriptional activities of etcABC which encodes another putative enzyme II complex of a PTS. Deletion of etcABC in the crr mutant reduced CPS production and the transcriptional activities of galF compared to those of the crr mutant. These results indicated that one PTS component, Crr, represses CPS production by repressing another PTS component, EtcABC, in K. pneumoniae. In addition, PTS plays a role in bacterial resistance to macrophage phagocytosis.

Klebsiella pneumoniae Reduces SUMOylation To Limit Host Defense Responses

Klebsiella pneumoniae has been singled out as an urgent threat to human health due to the increasing isolation of strains resistant to “last-line” antimicrobials, narrowing the treatment options against Klebsiella infections. Unfortunately, at present, we cannot identify candidate compounds in late-stage development for treatment of multidrug-resistant Klebsiella infections; this pathogen is exemplary of the mismatch between unmet medical needs and the current antimicrobial research and development pipeline. Furthermore, there is still limited evidence on K. pneumoniae pathogenesis at the molecular and cellular levels in the context of the interactions between bacterial pathogens and their hosts. In this research, we have uncovered a sophisticated strategy employed by Klebsiella to subvert the activation of immune defenses by controlling the modification of proteins. Our research may open opportunities to develop new therapeutics based on counteracting this Klebsiella-controlled immune evasion strategy.

Klebsiella pneumoniae is an important cause of multidrug-resistant infections worldwide. Understanding the virulence mechanisms of K. pneumoniae is a priority and timely to design new therapeutics. Here, we demonstrate that K. pneumoniae limits the SUMOylation of host proteins in epithelial cells and macrophages (mouse and human) to subvert cell innate immunity. Mechanistically, in lung epithelial cells, Klebsiella increases the levels of the deSUMOylase SENP2 in the cytosol by affecting its K48 ubiquitylation and its subsequent degradation by the ubiquitin proteasome. This is dependent on Klebsiella preventing the NEDDylation of the Cullin-1 subunit of the ubiquitin ligase complex E3-SCF-βTrCP by exploiting the CSN5 deNEDDylase. Klebsiella induces the expression of CSN5 in an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-protein kinase B (AKT)-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)-glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK3β) signaling pathway-dependent manner. In macrophages, Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-TRAM-TRIF-induced type I interferon (IFN) via IFN receptor 1 (IFNAR1)-controlled signaling mediates Klebsiella-triggered decrease in the levels of SUMOylation via let-7 microRNAs (miRNAs). Our results revealed the crucial role played by Klebsiella polysaccharides, the capsule, and the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) O-polysaccharide, to decrease the levels of SUMO-conjugated proteins in epithelial cells and macrophages. A Klebsiella-induced decrease in SUMOylation promotes infection by limiting the activation of inflammatory responses and increasing intracellular survival in macrophages.

Structural and Functional Studies of a Klebsiella Phage Capsule Depolymerase Tailspike: Mechanistic Insights into Capsular Degradation

Capsule polysaccharide is a major virulence factor of Klebsiella pneumoniae, a nosocomial pathogen associated with a wide range of infections. It protects bacteria from harsh environmental conditions, immune system response, and phage infection. To access cell wall-located receptors, some phages possess tailspike depolymerases that degrade the capsular polysaccharide. Here, we present the crystal structure of a tailspike against Klebsiella, KP32gp38, whose primary sequence shares no similarity to other proteins of known structure. In the trimeric structure of KP32gp38, each chain contains a flexible N-terminal domain, a right-handed parallel β helix domain and two β sandwiches with carbohydrate binding features. The crystal structure and activity assays allowed us to locate the catalytic site. Also, our data provide experimental evidence of a branching architecture of depolymerases in KP32 Klebsiella viruses, as KP32gp38 displays nanomolar affinity to another depolymerase from the same phage, KP32gp37. Results provide a structural framework for enzyme engineering to produce serotype-broad-active enzyme complexes against K. pneumoniae.

SKAP2 is required for defense against K. pneumoniae infection and neutrophil respiratory burst

Klebsiella pneumoniae is a respiratory, blood, liver, and bladder pathogen of significant clinical concern. We show that the adaptor protein, SKAP2, is required for protection against K. pneumoniae (ATCC 43816) pulmonary infections. Skap2-/- mice had 100-fold higher bacterial burden when compared to wild-type and burden was controlled by SKAP2 expression in innate immune cells. Skap2-/- neutrophils and monocytes were present in infected lungs, and the neutrophils degranulated normally in response to K. pneumoniae infection in mice; however, K. pneumoniae-stimulated reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in vitro was abolished. K. pneumoniae-induced neutrophil ROS response required the activity of SFKs, Syk, Btk, PLCγ2, and PKC. The loss of SKAP2 significantly hindered the K. pneumoniae-induced phosphorylation of SFKs, Syk, and Pyk2 implicating SKAP2 as proximal to their activation in pathogen-signaling pathways. In conclusion, SKAP2-dependent signaling in neutrophils is essential for K. pneumoniae-activated ROS production and for promoting bacterial clearance during infection.

Klebsiella pneumoniae is a type of bacteria that can cause life-threatening infections – including pneumonia, blood stream infections, and urinary tract infections – in hospitalized patients. These infections can be difficult to treat because some K. pneumoniae are resistant to antibiotics. The bacteria are normally found in the human intestine, and they do not usually cause infections in healthy people. This implies that healthy people’s immune systems are better able to fend off K. pneumoniae infections; learning how could help scientists develop new ways to treat or prevent infections in hospitalized patients.

In healthy people, a type of immune cell called neutrophils are the first line of defense against bacterial infections. Several different proteins are needed to activate neutrophils, including a protein called SKAP2. But the role of this protein in fighting K. pneumoniae infections is not clear.

To find out what role SKAP2 plays in the defense against pneumonia caused by K. pneumoniae, Nguyen et al. compared infections in mice with and without the protein. Mice lacking SKAP2 in their white blood cells had more bacteria in their lungs than normal mice. The experiments showed that neutrophils from mice with SKAP2 produce a burst of chemicals called “reactive oxygen species”, which can kill bacteria. But neutrophils without the protein do not. Without SKAP2, several proteins that help produce reactive oxygen species do not work.

Understanding the role of SKAP2 in fighting infections may help scientists better understand the immune system. This could help clinicians to treat conditions that cause it to be hyperactive or ineffective. More studies are needed to determine if SKAP2 works the same way in human neutrophils and if it works against all types of K. pneumoniae. If it does, then scientists might be able use this information to develop therapies that help the immune system fight infections.

TLR3 absence confers increased survival with improved macrophage activity against pneumonia

Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) is a pathogen recognition molecule associated with viral infection with double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) as its ligand. We evaluated the role of TLR3 in bacterial pneumonia using Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP). WT and TLR3-/- mice were subjected to a lethal model of KP. Alveolar macrophage polarization, bactericidal activity, and phagocytic capacity were compared. RNA-sequencing was performed on alveolar macrophages from the WT and TLR3-/- mice. Adoptive transfers of alveolar macrophages from TLR3-/- mice to WT mice with KP were evaluated for survival. Expression of TLR3 in postmortem human lung samples from patients who died from gram-negative pneumonia and pathological grading of pneumonitis was determined. Mortality was significantly lower in TLR3-/-, and survival improved in WT mice following antibody neutralization of TLR3 and with TLR3/dsRNA complex inhibitor. Alveolar macrophages from TLR3-/- mice demonstrated increased bactericidal and phagocytic capacity. RNA-sequencing showed an increased production of chemokines in TLR3-/- mice. Adoptive transfer of alveolar macrophages from the TLR3-/- mice restored the survival in WT mice. Human lung samples demonstrated a good correlation between the grade of pneumonitis and TLR3 expression. These data represent a paradigm shift in understanding the mechanistic role of TLR3 in bacterial pneumonia.

A Porcine Ex Vivo Lung Perfusion Model To Investigate Bacterial Pathogenesis

The implementation of infection models that approximate human disease is essential to understand infections and for testing new therapies before they enter into clinical stages. Rodents are used in most preclinical studies, although the differences between mice and humans have fueled the conclusion that murine studies are unreliable predictors of human outcomes. In this study, we have developed a whole-lung porcine model of infection using the ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) system established to recondition human lungs for transplant. As a proof of principle, we provide evidence demonstrating that infection of the porcine EVLP with the human pathogen Klebsiella pneumoniae recapitulates the known features of Klebsiella-triggered pneumonia. Moreover, our data revealed that the porcine EVLP model is useful to reveal features of the virulence of K. pneumoniae, including the manipulation of immune cells. Together, the findings of this study support the utility of the EVLP model using pig lungs as a surrogate host for assessing respiratory infections.

The use of animal infection models is essential to understand microbial pathogenesis and to develop and test treatments. Insects and two-dimensional (2D) and 3D tissue models are increasingly being used as surrogates for mammalian models. However, there are concerns about whether these models recapitulate the complexity of host-pathogen interactions. In this study, we developed the ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) model of infection using porcine lungs to investigate Klebsiella pneumoniae-triggered pneumonia as a model of respiratory infections. The porcine EVLP model recapitulates features of K. pneumoniae-induced pneumonia lung injury. This model is also useful to assess the pathogenic potential of K. pneumoniae, as we observed that the attenuated Klebsiella capsule mutant strain caused less pathological tissue damage with a concomitant decrease in the bacterial burden compared to that in lungs infected with the wild type. The porcine EVLP model allows assessment of inflammatory responses following infection; similar to the case with the mouse pneumonia model, we observed an increase of il-10 in the lungs infected with the wild type and an increase of ifn-γ in lungs infected with the capsule mutant. This model also allows monitoring of phenotypes at the single-cell level. Wild-type K. pneumoniae skews macrophages toward an M2-like state. In vitro experiments probing pig bone marrow-derived macrophages uncovered the role for the M2 transcriptional factor STAT6 and that Klebsiella-induced il-10 expression is controlled by p38 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). Klebsiella-induced macrophage polarization is dependent on the capsule. Together, the findings of this study support the utility of the EVLP model using pig lungs as a platform to investigate the infection biology of respiratory pathogens.

Targeting the Sugary Armor of Klebsiella Species

The emergence of multidrug-resistant strains of Gram-negative Klebsiella species is an urgent global threat. The World Health Organization has listed Klebsiella pneumoniae as one of the global priority pathogens in critical need of next-generation antibiotics. Compared to other Gram-negative pathogens, K. pneumoniae accumulates a greater diversity of antimicrobial-resistant genes at a higher frequency. The evolution of a hypervirulent phenotype of K. pneumoniae is yet another concern. It has a broad ecological distribution affecting humans, agricultural animals, plants, and aquatic animals. Extracellular polysaccharides of Klebsiella, such as lipopolysaccharides, capsular polysaccharides, and exopolysaccharides, play crucial roles in conferring resistance against the host immune response, as well as in colonization, surface adhesion, and for protection against antibiotics and bacteriophages. These extracellular polysaccharides are major virulent determinants and are highly divergent with respect to their antigenic properties. Wzx/Wzy-, ABC-, and synthase-dependent proteinaceous nano-machineries are involved in the biosynthesis, transport, and cell surface expression of these sugar molecules. Although the proteins involved in the biosynthesis and surface expression of these sugar molecules represent potential drug targets, variation in the amino acid sequences of some of these proteins, in combination with diversity in their sugar composition, poses a major challenge to the design of a universal drug for Klebsiella infections. This review discusses the challenges in universal Klebsiella vaccine and drug development from the perspective of antigen sugar compositions and the proteins involved in extracellular antigen transport.

FNR-Dependent RmpA and RmpA2 Regulation of Capsule Polysaccharide Biosynthesis in Klebsiella pneumoniae

Fumarate nitrate reduction regulator (FNR) is a direct oxygen-responsive transcriptional regulator containing an iron-sulfur (Fe–S) cluster. During anaerobic growth, the [4Fe–4S] cluster in FNR (holo-FNR) binds specifically to DNA, whereas exposure to oxygen results in the loss of its DNA-binding activity via oxidation of the [4Fe–4S] cluster. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of FNR in regulation of capsular polysaccharide (CPS) biosynthesis, serum resistance, and anti-phagocytosis of K. pneumoniae. We found that the CPS amount in K. pneumoniae increased in anaerobic conditions, compared to that in aerobic conditions. An fnr deletion mutant and a site-directed mutant (fnr_3CA), with the three cysteines (C20, C23, and C29) replaced with alanines to mimic an FNR lacking the [4Fe-4S] cluster, showed marked increase in CPS amount under anaerobic conditions. A promoter-reporter assay and qRT-PCR confirmed that the transcription of the cps genes was repressed by holo-FNR. In addition, we found that holo-FNR could repress the transcription of rmpA and rmpA2, encoding cps transcriptional activators. Deletion of rmpA or rmpA2 in the Δfnr strain reduced CPS biosynthesis, suggesting that RmpA and RmpA2 participated in the holo-FNR–mediated repression of cps transcription, thereby regulating the CPS amount, serum resistance, and anti-phagocytosis. Taken together, our results provided evidence that RmpA and RmpA2 participated in the holo-FNR–mediated repression of CPS biosynthesis, and resistance to the host defense in response to oxygen availability.

Relative Contributions of Extracellular and Internalized Bacteria to Early Macrophage Proinflammatory Responses to Streptococcus pneumoniae

Both intracellular immune sensing and extracellular innate immune sensing have been implicated in initiating macrophage proinflammatory cytokine responses to Streptococcus pneumoniae The S. pneumoniae capsule, a major virulence determinant, prevents phagocytosis, and we hypothesized that this would reduce activation of host innate inflammatory responses by preventing activation of intracellular proinflammatory signaling pathways. We investigated this hypothesis in human monocyte-derived macrophages stimulated with encapsulated or isogenic unencapsulated mutant S. pneumoniae Unexpectedly, despite strongly inhibiting bacterial internalization, the capsule resulted in enhanced inflammatory cytokine production by macrophages infected with S. pneumoniae Experiments using purified capsule material and a Streptococcus mitis mutant expressing an S. pneumoniae serotype 4 capsule indicated these differences required whole bacteria and were not due to proinflammatory effects of the capsule itself. Transcriptional profiling demonstrated relatively few differences in macrophage gene expression profiles between infections with encapsulated S. pneumoniae and those with unencapsulated S. pneumoniae, largely limited to reduced expression of proinflammatory genes in response to unencapsulated bacteria, predicted to be due to reduced activation of the NF-κB family of transcription factors. Blocking S. pneumoniae internalization using cytochalasin D had minimal effects on the inflammatory response to S. pneumoniae Experiments using murine macrophages indicated that the affected genes were dependent on Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) activation, although not through direct stimulation of TLR2 by capsule polysaccharide. Our data demonstrate that the early macrophage proinflammatory response to S. pneumoniae is mainly dependent on extracellular bacteria and reveal an unexpected proinflammatory effect of encapsulated S. pneumoniae that could contribute to disease pathogenesis.IMPORTANCE Multiple extra- and intracellular innate immune receptors have been identified that recognize Streptococcus pneumoniae, but the relative contributions of intra- versus extracellular bacteria to the inflammatory response were unknown. We have shown that intracellular S. pneumoniae contributes surprisingly little to the inflammatory responses, with production of important proinflammatory cytokines largely dependent on extracellular bacteria. Furthermore, although we expected the S. pneumoniae polysaccharide capsule to block activation of the host immune system by reducing bacterial internalization and therefore activation of intracellular innate immune receptors, there was an increased inflammatory response to encapsulated compared to unencapsulated bacteria, which is likely to contribute to disease pathogenesis.

The Interaction of Klebsiella pneumoniae With Lipid Rafts-Associated Cholesterol Increases Macrophage-Mediated Phagocytosis Due to Down Regulation of the Capsule Polysaccharide

Klebsiella pneumoniae successfully colonizes host tissues by recognizing and interacting with cholesterol present on membrane-associated lipid rafts. In this study, we evaluated the role of cholesterol in the expression of capsule polysaccharide genes of K. pneumoniae and its implication in resistance to phagocytosis. Our data revealed that exogenous cholesterol added to K. pneumoniae increases macrophage-mediated phagocytosis. To explain this event, the expression of capsular galF, wzi, and manC genes was determined in the presence of cholesterol. Down-regulation of these capsular genes occurred leading to increased susceptibility to phagocytosis by macrophages. In contrast, depletion of cholesterol from macrophage membranes led to enhanced expression of galF, wzi, and manC genes and to capsule production resulting in resistance to macrophage-mediated phagocytosis. Cholesterol-mediated repression of capsular genes was dependent on the RcsA and H-NS global regulators. Finally, cholesterol also down-regulated the expression of genes responsible for LPS core oligosaccharides production and OMPs. Our results suggest that cholesterol plays an important role for the host by reducing the anti-phagocytic properties of the K. pneumoniae capsule facilitating bacterial engulfment by macrophages during the bacteria-eukaryotic cell interaction mediated by lipid rafts.

Microbial Colonization Coordinates the Pathogenesis of a Klebsiella pneumoniae Infant Isolate

Enterobacteriaceae are among the first colonizers of neonate intestine. Members of this family, such as Escherichia and Klebsiella, are considered pathobionts and as such are capable of inducing local and systemic disease under specific colonization circumstances. Interplay between developing microbiota and pathogenic function of pathobionts are poorly understood. In this study, we investigate the functional interaction between various colonization patterns on an early colonizer, K. pneumoniae. K. pneumoniae 51-5 was isolated from stool of a healthy, premature infant, and found to contain the genotoxin island pks associated with development of colorectal cancer. Using intestinal epithelial cells, macrophages, and primary splenocytes, we demonstrate K. pneumoniae 51-5 upregulates expression of proinflammatory genes in vitro. Gnotobiotic experiments in Il10-/- mice demonstrate the neonate isolate induces intestinal inflammation in vivo, with increased expression of proinflammatory genes. Regulation of microbiota assembly revealed K. pneumoniae 51-5 accelerates onset of inflammation in Il10-/- mice, most significantly when microbiota is naturally acquired. Furthermore, K. pneumoniae 51-5 induces DNA damage and cell cycle arrest. Interestingly, K. pneumoniae 51-5 induced tumors in ApcMin/+; Il10-/- mice was not significantly affected by absence of colibactin activating enzyme, ClbP. These findings demonstrate pathogenicity of infant K. pneumoniae isolate is sensitive to microbial colonization status.

Microbial uptake by the respiratory epithelium: outcomes for host and pathogen

Intracellular occupancy of the respiratory epithelium is a useful pathogenic strategy facilitating microbial replication and evasion of professional phagocytes or circulating antimicrobial drugs. A less appreciated but growing body of evidence indicates that the airway epithelium also plays a crucial role in host defence against inhaled pathogens, by promoting ingestion and quelling of microorganisms, processes that become subverted to favour pathogen activities and promote respiratory disease. To achieve a deeper understanding of beneficial and deleterious activities of respiratory epithelia during antimicrobial defence, we have comprehensively surveyed all current knowledge on airway epithelial uptake of bacterial and fungal pathogens. We find that microbial uptake by airway epithelial cells (AECs) is a common feature of respiratory host-microbe interactions whose stepwise execution, and impacts upon the host, vary by pathogen. Amidst the diversity of underlying mechanisms and disease outcomes, we identify four key infection scenarios and use best-characterised host-pathogen interactions as prototypical examples of each. The emergent view is one in which effi-ciency of AEC-mediated pathogen clearance correlates directly with severity of disease outcome, therefore highlighting an important unmet need to broaden our understanding of the antimicrobial properties of respiratory epithelia and associated drivers of pathogen entry and intracellular fate.

Klebsiella pneumoniae infection biology: living to counteract host defences

Klebsiella species cause a wide range of diseases including pneumonia, urinary tract infections (UTIs), bloodstream infections and sepsis. These infections are particularly a problem among neonates, elderly and immunocompromised individuals. Klebsiella is also responsible for a significant number of community-acquired infections. A defining feature of these infections is their morbidity and mortality, and the Klebsiella strains associated with them are considered hypervirulent. The increasing isolation of multidrug-resistant strains has significantly narrowed, or in some settings completely removed, the therapeutic options for the treatment of Klebsiella infections. Not surprisingly, this pathogen has then been singled out as an 'urgent threat to human health' by several organisations. This review summarises the tremendous progress that has been made to uncover the sophisticated immune evasion strategies of K. pneumoniae. The co-evolution of Klebsiella in response to the challenge of an activated immune has made Klebsiella a formidable pathogen exploiting stealth strategies and actively suppressing innate immune defences to overcome host responses to survive in the tissues. A better understanding of Klebsiella immune evasion strategies in the context of the host-pathogen interactions is pivotal to develop new therapeutics, which can be based on antagonising the anti-immune strategies of this pathogen.

Phage-Borne Depolymerases Decrease Klebsiella pneumoniae Resistance to Innate Defense Mechanisms

Klebsiella pneumoniae produces capsular polysaccharides that are a crucial virulence factor protecting bacteria against innate response mechanisms of the infected host. Simultaneously, those capsules are targeted by specific bacteriophages equipped with virion-associated depolymerases able to recognize and degrade these polysaccharides. We show that Klebsiella phage KP32 produces two capsule depolymerases, KP32gp37 and KP32gp38, with a high specificity for the capsular serotypes K3 and K21, respectively. Together, they determine the host spectrum of bacteriophage KP32, which is limited to strains with serotype K3 and K21. Both depolymerases form a trimeric β-structure, display moderate thermostability and function optimally under neutral to alkaline conditions. We show that both depolymerases strongly affect the virulence of K. pneumoniae with the corresponding K3 and K21 capsular serotypes. Capsule degradation renders the otherwise serum-resistant cells more prone to complement-mediated killing with up to four log reduction in serum upon exposure to KP32gp37. Decapsulated strains are also sensitized for phagocytosis with a twofold increased uptake. In addition, the intracellular survival of phagocytized cells in macrophages was significantly reduced when bacteria were previously exposed to the capsule depolymerases. Finally, depolymerase application considerably increases the lifespan of Galleria mellonella larvae infected with K. pneumoniae in a time- and strain-dependent manner. In sum, capsule depolymerases are promising antivirulence compounds that act by defeating a major resistance mechanism of K. pneumoniae against the innate immunity.

Genome-wide identification of genes regulated by RcsA, RcsB, and RcsAB phosphorelay regulators in Klebsiella pneumoniae NTUH-K2044

Rcs phosphorelay system is a two-component signal transduction system, which can regulate the transcription of capsule polysaccharide and biofilm related genes in Enterobacteriaceae. In this study, microarray technology was used to investigate the overall genes regulated by RcsA, RcsB, and RcsAB and the regulation mechanism in Klebsiella pneumoniae, then COG analysis was performed to explore the functions of the differentially expressed genes. According to the microarray data result, a total of 45, 223 and 217 genes regulated by RcsA, RcsB, and RcsAB were screened. The result of COG analysis suggested that inorganic ion transport and metabolism related genes have a majority in RcsA regulating genes. Most of RcsB regulated genes were showed involved in energy production and conversion process. Besides Carbohydrate transport and metabolism genes were identified as the major components of the RcsAB regulated genes. 15 differentially expressed genes were confirmed by quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR). The RT-qPCR results indicated that 13 genes consistent with microarray data. The results of this study provided important evidence for further research to investigate the influence of RcsA, RcsB, RcsAB regulators and further efforts to address the diseased caused by K.pneumoniae, such as pneumonia, bacteremia, and urinary tract infection.

IscR Regulation of Type 3 Fimbriae Expression in Klebsiella pneumoniae CG43

In Klebsiella pneumoniae, we have previously shown that IscR, an Fe–S cluster-containing transcriptional factor, plays a dual role in controlling capsular polysaccharide biosynthesis and iron-acquisition systems by switching between its holo and apo forms. In this study, the effect of IscR on type 3 fimbriae expression and biofilm formation was investigated. We found that production of the major subunit of type 3 fimbriae, MrkA, was increased in the ΔiscR and iscR_3CA strains, a strain expressing a mutant IscR that mimics apo-IscR, at both the translational and transcriptional levels. Based on the fact that type 3 fimbriae expression is the major factor affecting biofilm formation, increased biofilm formation was also found in ΔiscR or iscR_3CA, suggesting that holo-IscR represses biofilm formation. However, the repression of type 3 fimbriae expression by IscR is indirect. To further understand the regulatory mechanism of IscR, the effect of IscR on the expression of mrkHIJ, which encodes cyclic di-GMP (c-di-GMP)-related regulatory proteins that control type 3 fimbriae expression, was studied. We found that holo-IscR could directly repress mrkHI transcription, indicating that MrkHI is required for IscR regulation of type 3 fimbriae expression. Finally, deletion of iscR attenuated K. pneumoniae virulence in a peritonitis model of mouse infection, while the absence of the [2Fe–2S] cluster of IscR had no effect on K. pneumoniae virulence during infection. Taken together, our results demonstrate the underlying mechanism of the [2Fe–2S] cluster of IscR in controlling type 3 fimbriae expression and its effect on K. pneumoniae pathogenesis.

Identification and Characterization of Two Klebsiella pneumoniae lpxL Lipid A Late Acyltransferases and Their Role in Virulence

Klebsiella pneumoniae causes a wide range of infections, from urinary tract infections to pneumonia. The lipopolysaccharide is a virulence factor of this pathogen, although there are gaps in our understanding of its biosynthesis. Here we report on the characterization of K. pneumoniaelpxL, which encodes one of the enzymes responsible for the late secondary acylation of immature lipid A molecules. Analysis of the available K. pneumoniae genomes revealed that this pathogen's genome encodes two orthologues of Escherichia coli LpxL. Using genetic methods and mass spectrometry, we demonstrate that LpxL1 catalyzes the addition of laureate and LpxL2 catalyzes the addition of myristate. Both enzymes acylated E. coli lipid A, whereas only LpxL2 mediated K. pneumoniae lipid A acylation. We show that LpxL1 is negatively regulated by the two-component system PhoPQ. The lipid A produced by the lpxL2 mutant lacked the 2-hydroxymyristate, palmitate, and 4-aminoarabinose decorations found in the lipid A synthesized by the wild type. The lack of 2-hydroxymyristate was expected since LpxO modifies the myristate transferred by LpxL2 to the lipid A. The absence of the other two decorations is most likely caused by the downregulation of phoPQ and pmrAB expression. LpxL2-dependent lipid A acylation protects Klebsiella from polymyxins, mediates resistance to phagocytosis, limits the activation of inflammatory responses by macrophages, and is required for pathogen survival in the wax moth (Galleria mellonella). Our findings indicate that the LpxL2 contribution to virulence is dependent on LpxO-mediated hydroxylation of the LpxL2-transferred myristate. Our studies suggest that LpxL2 might be a candidate target in the development of anti-K. pneumoniae drugs.

Temporal dynamics of ovine airway epithelial cell differentiation at an air-liquid interface

The respiratory tract and lungs are subject to diverse pathologies with wide-ranging implications for both human and animal welfare. The development and detailed characterization of cell culture models for studying such forms of disease is of critical importance. In recent years the use of air-liquid interface (ALI)-cultured airway epithelial cells has increased markedly, as this method of culture results in the formation of a highly representative, organotypic in vitro model system. In this study we have expanded on previous knowledge of differentiated ovine tracheal epithelial cells by analysing the progression of differentiation over an extensive time course at an ALI. We observed a pseudo-stratified epithelium with ciliation and a concurrent increase in cell layer thickness from 9 days post-ALI with ciliation approaching a maximum level at day 24. A similar pattern was observed with respect to mucus production with intensely stained PAS-positive cells appearing at day 12. Ultrastructural analysis by SEM confirmed the presence of both ciliated cells and mucus globules on the epithelial surface within this time-frame. Trans-epithelial electrical resistance (TEER) peaked at 1049 Ω × cm² as the cell layer became confluent, followed by a subsequent reduction as differentiation proceeded and stabilization at ~200 Ω × cm². Importantly, little deterioration or de-differentiation was observed over the 45 day time-course indicating that the model is suitable for long-term experiments.

CRP-Cyclic AMP Regulates the Expression of Type 3 Fimbriae via Cyclic di-GMP in Klebsiella pneumoniae

Klebsiella pneumoniae is the predominant pathogen isolated from liver abscesses of diabetic patients in Asian countries. However, the effects of elevated blood glucose levels on the virulence of this pathogen remain largely unknown. Type 3 fimbriae, encoded by the mrkABCDF genes, are important virulence factors in K. pneumoniae pathogenesis. In this study, the effects of exogenous glucose and the intracellular cyclic AMP (cAMP) signaling pathway on type 3 fimbriae expression regulation were investigated. The production of MrkA, the major subunit of type 3 fimbriae, was increased in glucose-rich medium, whereas cAMP supplementation reversed the effect. MrkA production was markedly increased by cyaA or crp deletion, but slightly decreased by cpdA deletion. In addition, the mRNA levels of mrkABCDF genes and the activity of P_mrkA were increased in Δcrp strain, as well as the mRNA levels of mrkHIJ genes that encode cyclic di-GMP (c-di-GMP)-related regulatory proteins that influence type 3 fimbriae expression. Moreover, the activities of P_mrkHI and P_mrkJ were decreased in ΔlacZΔcrp strain. These results indicate that CRP-cAMP down-regulates mrkABCDF and mrkHIJ at the transcriptional level. Further deletion of mrkH or mrkI in Δcrp strain diminished the production of MrkA, indicating that MrkH and MrkI are required for the CRP regulation of type 3 fimbriae expression. Furthermore, the high activity of P_mrkHI in the ΔlacZΔcrp strain was diminished in ΔlacZΔcrpΔmrkHI, but increased in the ΔlacZΔcrpΔmrkJ strain. Deletion of crp increased the intracellular c-di-GMP concentration and reduced the phosphodiesterase activity. Moreover, we found that the mRNA levels of multiple genes related to c-di-GMP metabolism were altered in Δcrp strain. These indicate that CRP regulates type 3 fimbriae expression indirectly via the c-di-GMP signaling pathway. In conclusion, we found evidence of a coordinated regulation of type 3 fimbriae expression by the CRP-cAMP and c-di-GMP signaling pathways in K. pneumoniae.

H-NS Nucleoid Protein Controls Virulence Features of Klebsiella pneumoniae by Regulating the Expression of Type 3 Pili and the Capsule Polysaccharide

Klebsiella pneumoniae is an opportunistic pathogen causing nosocomial infections. Main virulence determinants of K. pneumoniae are pili, capsular polysaccharide, lipopolysaccharide, and siderophores. The histone-like nucleoid-structuring protein (H-NS) is a pleiotropic regulator found in several gram-negative pathogens. It has functions both as an architectural component of the nucleoid and as a global regulator of gene expression. We generated a Δhns mutant and evaluated the role of the H-NS nucleoid protein on the virulence features of K. pneumoniae. A Δhns mutant down-regulated the mrkA pilin gene and biofilm formation was affected. In contrast, capsule expression was derepressed in the absence of H-NS conferring a hypermucoviscous phenotype. Moreover, H-NS deficiency affected the K. pneumoniae adherence to epithelial cells such as A549 and HeLa cells. In infection experiments using RAW264.7 and THP-1 differentiated macrophages, the Δhns mutant was less phagocytized than the wild-type strain. This phenotype was likely due to the low adherence to these phagocytic cells. Taken together, our data indicate that H-NS nucleoid protein is a crucial regulator of both T3P and CPS of K. pneumoniae.

Deciphering tissue-induced Klebsiella pneumoniae lipid A structure

The outcome of an infection depends on host recognition of the pathogen, hence leading to the activation of signaling pathways controlling defense responses. A long-held belief is that the modification of the lipid A moiety of the lipopolysaccharide could help Gram-negative pathogens to evade innate immunity. However, direct evidence that this happens in vivo is lacking. Here we report the lipid A expressed in the tissues of infected mice by the human pathogen Klebsiella pneumoniae. Our findings demonstrate that Klebsiella remodels its lipid A in a tissue-dependent manner. Lipid A species found in the lungs are consistent with a 2-hydroxyacyl-modified lipid A dependent on the PhoPQ-regulated oxygenase LpxO. The in vivo lipid A pattern is lost in minimally passaged bacteria isolated from the tissues. LpxO-dependent modification reduces the activation of inflammatory responses and mediates resistance to antimicrobial peptides. An lpxO mutant is attenuated in vivo thereby highlighting the importance of this lipid A modification in Klebsiella infection biology. Colistin, one of the last options to treat multidrug-resistant Klebsiella infections, triggers the in vivo lipid A pattern. Moreover, colistin-resistant isolates already express the in vivo lipid A pattern. In these isolates, LpxO-dependent lipid A modification mediates resistance to colistin. Deciphering the lipid A expressed in vivo opens the possibility of designing novel therapeutics targeting the enzymes responsible for the in vivo lipid A pattern.

Molecular pathogenesis of Klebsiella pneumoniae

Typical Klebsiella pneumoniae is an opportunistic pathogen, which mostly affects those with weakened immune systems and tends to cause nosocomial infections. A subset of hypervirulent K. pneumoniae serotypes with elevated production of capsule polysaccharide can affect previously healthy persons and cause life-threatening community-acquired infections, such as pyogenic liver abscess, meningitis, necrotizing fasciitis, endophthalmitis and severe pneumonia. K. pneumoniae utilizes a variety of virulence factors, especially capsule polysaccharide, lipopolysaccharide, fimbriae, outer membrane proteins and determinants for iron acquisition and nitrogen source utilization, for survival and immune evasion during infection. This article aims to present the state-of-the-art understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of K. pneumoniae.

TREK-1 Regulates Cytokine Secretion from Cultured Human Alveolar Epithelial Cells Independently of Cytoskeletal Rearrangements

Background

TREK-1 deficient alveolar epithelial cells (AECs) secrete less IL-6, more MCP-1, and contain less F-actin. Whether these alterations in cytokine secretion and F-actin content are related remains unknown. We now hypothesized that cytokine secretion from TREK-1-deficient AECs was regulated by cytoskeletal rearrangements.

Methods

We determined F-actin and α-tubulin contents of control, TREK-1-deficient and TREK-1-overexpressing human A549 cells by confocal microscopy and western blotting, and measured IL-6 and MCP-1 levels using real-time PCR and ELISA.

Results

Cytochalasin D decreased the F-actin content of control cells. Jasplakinolide increased the F-actin content of TREK-1 deficient cells, similar to the effect of TREK-1 overexpression in control cells. Treatment of control and TREK-1 deficient cells with TNF-α, a strong stimulus for IL-6 and MCP-1 secretion, had no effect on F-actin structures. The combination of TNF-α+cytochalasin D or TNF-α+jasplakinolide had no additional effect on the F-actin content or architecture when compared to cytochalasin D or jasplakinolide alone. Although TREK-1 deficient AECs contained less F-actin at baseline, quantified biochemically, they contained more α-tubulin. Exposure to nocodazole disrupted α-tubulin filaments in control and TREK-1 deficient cells, but left the overall amount of α-tubulin unchanged. Although TNF-α had no effect on the F-actin or α-tubulin contents, it increased IL-6 and MCP-1 production and secretion from control and TREK-1 deficient cells. IL-6 and MCP-1 secretions from control and TREK-1 deficient cells after TNF-α+jasplakinolide or TNF-α+nocodazole treatment was similar to the effect of TNF-α alone. Interestingly, cytochalasin D decreased TNF-α-induced IL-6 but not MCP-1 secretion from control but not TREK-1 deficient cells.

Conclusion

Although cytochalasin D, jasplakinolide and nocodazole altered the F-actin and α-tubulin structures of control and TREK-1 deficient AEC, the changes in cytokine secretion from TREK-1 deficient cells cannot be explained by cytoskeletal rearrangements in these cells.

Functional Genomic Screen Identifies Klebsiella pneumoniae Factors Implicated in Blocking Nuclear Factor κB (NF-κB) Signaling

Klebsiella pneumoniae is an etiologic agent of community-acquired and nosocomial pneumonia. It has been shown that K. pneumoniae infections are characterized by reduced early inflammatory response. Recently our group has shown that K. pneumoniae dampens the activation of inflammatory responses by antagonizing the activation of the NF-κB canonical pathway. Our results revealed that K. pneumoniae capsule polysaccharide (CPS) was necessary but not sufficient to attenuate inflammation. To identify additional Klebsiella factors required to dampen inflammation, we standardized and applied a high-throughput gain-of-function screen to examine a Klebsiella transposon mutant library. We identified 114 mutants that triggered the activation of NF-κB. Two gene ontology categories accounted for half of the loci identified in the screening: metabolism and transport genes (32% of the mutants) and envelope-related genes (17%). Characterization of the mutants revealed that the lack of the enterobactin siderophore was linked to a reduced CPS expression, which in turn underlined the NF-κB activation induced by the mutant. The lipopolysaccharide (LPS) O-polysaccharide and the pullulanase (PulA) type 2 secretion system (T2SS) are required for full effectiveness of the immune evasion. Importantly, these factors do not play a redundant role. The fact that LPS O-polysaccharide and T2SS mutant-induced responses were dependent on TLR2-TLR4-MyD88 activation suggested that LPS O-polysaccharide and PulA perturbed Toll-like receptor (TLR)-dependent recognition of K. pneumoniae. Finally, we demonstrate that LPS O-polysaccharide and pulA mutants are attenuated in the pneumonia mouse model. We propose that LPS O-polysaccharide and PulA T2SS could be new targets for the design of new antimicrobials. Increasing TLR-governed defense responses might provide also selective alternatives for the management of K. pneumoniae pneumonia.

Elucidation of the RamA regulon in Klebsiella pneumoniae reveals a role in LPS regulation

Klebsiella pneumoniae is a significant human pathogen, in part due to high rates of multidrug resistance. RamA is an intrinsic regulator in K. pneumoniae established to be important for the bacterial response to antimicrobial challenge; however, little is known about its possible wider regulatory role in this organism during infection. In this work, we demonstrate that RamA is a global transcriptional regulator that significantly perturbs the transcriptional landscape of K. pneumoniae, resulting in altered microbe-drug or microbe-host response. This is largely due to the direct regulation of 68 genes associated with a myriad of cellular functions. Importantly, RamA directly binds and activates the lpxC, lpxL-2 and lpxO genes associated with lipid A biosynthesis, thus resulting in modifications within the lipid A moiety of the lipopolysaccharide. RamA-mediated alterations decrease susceptibility to colistin E, polymyxin B and human cationic antimicrobial peptide LL-37. Increased RamA levels reduce K. pneumoniae adhesion and uptake into macrophages, which is supported by in vivo infection studies, that demonstrate increased systemic dissemination of ramA overexpressing K. pneumoniae. These data establish that RamA-mediated regulation directly perturbs microbial surface properties, including lipid A biosynthesis, which facilitate evasion from the innate host response. This highlights RamA as a global regulator that confers pathoadaptive phenotypes with implications for our understanding of the pathogenesis of Enterobacter, Salmonella and Citrobacter spp. that express orthologous RamA proteins.

Bacteria can rapidly evolve under antibiotic pressure to develop resistance, which occurs when target genes mutate, or when resistance-encoding genes are transferred. Alternatively, microbes can simply alter the levels of intrinsic proteins that allow the organism to “buy” time to resist antibiotic pressure. Klebsiella pneumoniae is a pathogen that causes significant blood stream or respiratory infections, but more importantly is a bacterium that is increasingly being reported as multidrug resistant. Our data demonstrate that RamA can trigger changes on the bacterial surface that allow Klebsiella to survive both antibiotic challenge, degradation by host immune peptides and resist phagocytosis. We demonstrate that the molecular basis of increased survival of ramA overexpressing K. pneumoniae, against host-derived factors is associated with RamA-driven alterations of the lipid A moiety of Klebsiella LPS. This modification is likely to be linked to Klebsiella’s ability to resist the host response so that it remains undetected by the immune system. The relevance of our work extends beyond RamA in Klebsiella as other pathogens such as Enterobacter spp and Salmonella spp. also produce this protein. Thus our overarching conclusion is that the intrinsic regulator, RamA perturbs host-microbe and microbe-drug interactions.

Interleukin 10 overexpression alters survival in the setting of gram-negative pneumonia following lung contusion

OBJECTIVE

Lung contusion injury produces a vulnerable window within the inflammatory defenses of the lung that predisposes the patient to pneumonia. Interleukin 10 (IL-10) is a known anti-inflammatory mediator produced by macrophages and capable of downregulating acute lung inflammation. We investigated the impact of increased levels of IL-10 within the lung on survival and the host response to trauma in the setting of lung contusion (LC) and gram-negative pneumonia.

DESIGN

A bitransgenic, tetracycline-inducible, lung-specific human IL-10 overexpression (IL-10 OE) mouse model and single transgenic (TG-) control mice were used. Mice underwent LC injury or sham injury (sham) at time -6 h. At time 0, animals were inoculated intratracheally with 500 colony-forming units of Klebsiella pneumoniae (pneu). Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, lung tissue specimens, or purified macrophages were collected. Lung tissue and blood bacteria levels were quantified. Cytokine levels were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and gene expression levels were evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Cell-type identification and quantification were done using real-time polymerase chain reaction and flow cytometry.

MAIN RESULTS

Interleukin 10 OE mice demonstrated decreased 5-day survival compared with TG- mice following LC + pneu (0 vs. 30%, P < 0.0001). Interleukin 10 OE mice had significantly higher lung bacteria counts (P = 0.02) and levels of bacteremia (P = 0.001) at 24 h. The IL-10 OE mice recruited more neutrophils into the alveoli as measured in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid compared with TG- mice. Alveolar macrophages from IL-10 OE mice displayed increased alternative activation (M2 macrophages, P = 0.046), whereas macrophages from TG- mice exhibited classic activation (M1 macrophages) and much higher intracellular bacterial killing potential (P = 0.03). Interleukin 6, keratinocyte-derived chemokine, and macrophage inflammatory protein 2 levels were significantly elevated in IL-10 OE LC + pneu animals (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Lung-specific IL-10 overexpression induces alternative activation of alveolar macrophages. This shift in macrophage phenotype decreases intracellular bacterial killing, resulting in a more pronounced bacteremia and accelerated mortality in a model of LC and pneumonia.

Interactions between alveolar epithelial cells and neutrophils under pro-inflammatory conditions

Background

Intercellular communication is essential for defense and survival of the organism. The aim of the study was to find out whether there is an active crosstalk between airway cells constituting the first line of defense, alveolar epithelial cells (A549) and neutrophils, following activation with pro-inflammatory stimuli in vitro and to explore whether this communication is altered in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a condition characterized by chronic airway and lung inflammation.

Methods

Blood neutrophils from healthy subjects and COPD patients were co-cultured with A549 cells in pure medium and in medium containing lipopolysaccharide (LPS), peptidoglycan (PGN), or tumor necrosis factor. The expression of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), and CD14 on the cell surface of neutrophils was assessed by flow cytometry, and release of CXCL8 (IL-8) and the soluble CD14 (sCD14) was measured in the supernatant with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results

On neutrophils, the surface expression of TLR2 was diminished following activation with all three pro-inflammatory stimuli, and membrane bound (mCD14) and TLR4 expression were significantly increased in co-cultures compared to single cell cultures, irrespective of pro-inflammatory stimulation. There was a correlation between CXCL8 and sCD14 in LPS-stimulated co-cultured cells (r=0.82; p<0.01).

Conclusion

An active crosstalk between A549 cells and blood neutrophils was clearly demonstrated, both in unstimulated cells and following activation with pro-inflammatory stimuli, in vitro. Co-culturing implied synergy and correlation between LPS-induced release of sCD14 and CXCL8, which indicates that sCD14 may be donated by neutrophils to epithelial cells facilitating TLR4-signaling. Furthermore, TLR2 on neutrophils was found to be down-regulated by pro-inflammatory stimuli.

IscR regulation of capsular polysaccharide biosynthesis and iron-acquisition systems in Klebsiella pneumoniae CG43

IscR, an Fe–S cluster-containing transcriptional factor, regulates genes involved in various cellular processes. In response to environmental stimuli such as oxidative stress and iron levels, IscR switches between its holo and apo forms to regulate various targets. IscR binding sequences are classified into two types: the type 1 IscR box that is specific for holo-IscR binding, and the type 2 IscR box that binds holo- and apo-IscR. Studying Klebsiella pneumoniae CG43S3, we have previously shown that iron availability regulates capsular polysaccharide (CPS) biosynthesis and iron-acquisition systems. The present study investigated whether IscR is involved in this regulation. Compared with that in CG43S3, the amount of CPS was decreased in AP001 (ΔiscR) or AP002 (iscR_3CA), a CG43S3-derived strain expressing mutated IscR mimicked apo-IscR, suggesting that only holo-IscR activates CPS biosynthesis. Furthermore, a promoter-reporter assay verified that the transcription of cps genes was reduced in AP001 and AP002. Purified IscR::His₆, but not IscR_3CA::His₆, was also found to bind the predicted type 1 IscR box specifically in the cps promoter. Furthermore, reduced siderophore production was observed in AP004 (Δfur-ΔiscR) but not in AP005 (Δfur-iscR_3CA), implying that apo-IscR activates iron acquisition. Compared with those in AP004, mRNA levels of three putative iron acquisition systems (fhu, iuc, and sit) were increased in AP005, and both purified IscR::His₆ and IscR_3CA::His₆ bound the predicted type 2 IscR box in the fhuA, iucA, and sitA promoters, whereas IscR_3CA::His₆ displayed a lower affinity. Finally, we analyzed the effect of external iron levels on iscR expression. The transcription of iscR was increased under iron-depleted conditions as well as in AP001 and AP002, suggesting an auto-repression exerted by apo-IscR. Our results show that in K. pneumoniae, IscR plays a dual role in the regulation of CPS biosynthesis and iron-acquisition systems in response to environmental iron availability.

Lipid-based signaling modulates DNA repair response and survival against Klebsiella pneumoniae infection in host cells and in mice

Klebsiella pneumoniae causes serious infections in the urinary tract, respiratory tract, and blood. Lipid rafts, also known as membrane microdomains, have been linked to the pathogenesis of bacterial infection. However, whether lipid rafts affect K. pneumoniae internalization into host cells remains unknown. Here, we show for the first time that K. pneumoniae was internalized into lung cells by activating lipid rafts. Disrupting lipid rafts by methyl-β-cyclodextrin inhibited pathogen internalization, impairing host defense. A deficient mutant of capsule polysaccharide (CPS) showed a higher internalization rate than a wild-type strain, indicating that CPS may inhibit bacterial entry to host cells. Furthermore, lipid rafts may affect the function of extracellular regulated kinase (ERK)-1/2, and knocking down ERK1/2 via short, interfering RNA increased apoptosis in both alveolar macrophages and epithelial cells after infection. To gain insights into bacterial pathogenesis, we evaluated the impact of lipid rafts on DNA integrity, and showed that raft aggregates also affect DNA damage and DNA repair responses (i.e., 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase [Ogg1]) through the regulation of reactive oxygen species. Importantly, cells overexpressing Ogg1 demonstrated reduced cytotoxicity during bacterial infection. Taken together, these results suggest that lipid rafts may modulate bacterial internalization, thereby affecting DNA damage and repair, which is critical to host defense against K. pneumoniae.

Inhibition of Klebsiella pneumoniae Growth and Capsular Polysaccharide Biosynthesis by Fructus mume

Klebsiella pneumoniae is the predominant pathogen isolated from liver abscess of diabetic patients in Asian countries. With the spread of multiple-drug-resistant K. pneumoniae, there is an increasing need for the development of alternative bactericides and approaches to block the production of bacterial virulence factors. Capsular polysaccharide (CPS), especially from the K1 and K2 serotypes, is considered the major determinant for K. pneumoniae virulence. We found that extracts of the traditional Chinese medicine Fructus mume inhibited the growth of K. pneumoniae strains of both serotypes. Furthermore, Fructus mume decreased the mucoviscosity, and the CPS produced in a dose-dependent manner, thus reducing bacterial resistance to serum killing. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analyses showed that Fructus mume downregulated the mRNA levels of cps biosynthesis genes in both serotypes, possibly by increasing the intracellular iron concentration in K. pneumoniae. Moreover, citric acid, a major organic acid in Fructus mume extracts, was found to have an inhibitory effect on growth and CPS biosynthesis in K. pneumoniae. Taken together, our results indicate that Fructus mume not only possesses antibacterial activity against highly virulent K. pneumoniae strains but also inhibits bacterial CPS biosynthesis, thereby facilitating pathogen clearance by the host immune system.

Modeling Klebsiella pneumoniae pathogenesis by infection of the wax moth Galleria mellonella

The implementation of infection models that approximate human disease is essential for understanding pathogenesis at the molecular level and for testing new therapies before they are entered into clinical stages. Insects are increasingly being used as surrogate hosts because they share, with mammals, essential aspects of the innate immune response to infections. We examined whether the larva of the wax moth Galleria mellonella could be used as a host model to conceptually approximate Klebsiella pneumoniae-triggered pneumonia. We report that the G. mellonella model is capable of distinguishing between pathogenic and nonpathogenic Klebsiella strains. Moreover, K. pneumoniae infection of G. mellonella models some of the known features of Klebsiella-induced pneumonia, i.e., cell death associated with bacterial replication, avoidance of phagocytosis by phagocytes, and the attenuation of host defense responses, chiefly the production of antimicrobial factors. Similar to the case for the mouse pneumonia model, activation of innate responses improved G. mellonella survival against subsequent Klebsiella challenge. Virulence factors necessary in the mouse pneumonia model were also implicated in the Galleria model. We found that mutants lacking capsule polysaccharide, lipid A decorations, or the outer membrane proteins OmpA and OmpK36 were attenuated in Galleria. All mutants activated G. mellonella defensive responses. The Galleria model also allowed us to monitor Klebsiella gene expression. The expression levels of cps and the loci implicated in lipid A remodeling peaked during the first hours postinfection, in a PhoPQ- and PmrAB-governed process. Taken together, these results support the utility of G. mellonella as a surrogate host for assessing infections with K. pneumoniae.

Klebsiella pneumoniae targets an EGF receptor-dependent pathway to subvert inflammation

The NF-κB transcriptional factor plays a key role governing the activation of immune responses. Klebsiella pneumoniae is an important cause of community-acquired and nosocomial pneumonia. Evidence indicates that K. pneumoniae infections are characterized by lacking an early inflammatory response. Recently, we have demonstrated that Klebsiella antagonizes the activation of NF-κB via the deubiquitinase CYLD. In this work, by applying a high-throughput siRNA gain-of-function screen interrogating the human kinome, we identified 17 kinases that when targeted by siRNA restored IL-1β-dependent NF-κB translocation in infected cells. Further characterization revealed that K. pneumoniae activates an EGF receptor (EGFR)-phosphatidylinositol 3-OH kinase (PI3K)-AKT-PAK4-ERK-GSK3β signalling pathway to attenuate the cytokine-dependent nuclear translocation of NF-κB. Our data also revealed that CYLD is a downstream effector of K. pneumoniae-induced EGFR-PI3K-AKT-PAK4-ERK-GSK3β signalling pathway. Our efforts to identify the bacterial factor(s)responsible for EGFR activation demonstrate that a capsule (CPS) mutant did not activate EGFR hence suggesting that CPS could mediate the activation of EGFR. Supporting this notion, purified CPS did activate EGFR as well as the EGFR-dependent PI3K-AKT-PAK4-ERK-GSK3β signalling pathway. CPS-mediated EGFR activation was dependent on a TLR4-MyD88-c-SRC-dependent pathway. Several promising drugs have been developed to antagonize this cascade. We propose that agents targeting this signalling pathway might provide selective alternatives for the management of K. pneumoniae pneumonias.

Role of bacterial surface structures on the interaction of Klebsiella pneumoniae with phagocytes

Phagocytosis is a key process of the immune system. The human pathogen Klebsiella pneumoniae is a well known example of a pathogen highly resistant to phagocytosis. A wealth of evidence demonstrates that the capsule polysaccharide (CPS) plays a crucial role in resistance to phagocytosis. The amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum shares with mammalian macrophages the ability to phagocytose and kill bacteria. The fact that K. pneumoniae is ubiquitous in nature and, therefore, should avoid predation by amoebae, poses the question whether K. pneumoniae employs similar means to counteract amoebae and mammalian phagocytes. Here we developed an assay to evaluate K. pneumoniae-D. discoideum interaction. The richness of the growth medium affected the threshold at which the cps mutant was permissive for Dictyostelium and only at lower nutrient concentrations the cps mutant was susceptible to predation by amoebae. Given the critical role of bacterial surface elements on host-pathogen interactions, we explored the possible contribution of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and outer membrane proteins (OMPs) to combat phagoyctosis by D. discoideum. We uncover that, in addition to the CPS, the LPS O-polysaccharide and the first core sugar participate in Klebsiella resistance to predation by D. discoideum. K. pneumoniae LPS lipid A decorations are also necessary to avoid predation by amoebae although PagP-dependent palmitoylation plays a more important role than the lipid A modification with aminoarabinose. Mutants lacking OMPs OmpA or OmpK36 were also permissive for D. discoideium growth. Except the LPS O-polysaccharide mutants, all mutants were more susceptible to phagocytosis by mouse alveolar macrophages. Finally, we found a correlation between virulence, using the pneumonia mouse model, and resistance to phagocytosis. Altogether, this work reveals novel K. pneumoniae determinants involved in resistance to phagocytosis and supports the notion that Dictyostelium amoebae might be useful as host model to measure K. pneumoniae virulence and not only phagocytosis.

Role of the cAMP-dependent carbon catabolite repression in capsular polysaccharide biosynthesis in Klebsiella pneumoniae

K. pneumoniae is the predominant pathogen isolated from liver abscesses of diabetic patients in Asian countries. Although elevated blood glucose levels cause various immune problems, its effects on K. pneumoniae virulence are unknown. This study investigated the regulation of capsular polysaccharide (CPS) biosynthesis, a major determinant for K. pneumoniae virulence, in response to exogenous glucose. We found that K. pneumoniae produce more CPS in glucose-rich medium via reduction in cyclic AMP (cAMP) levels. Individual deletion of cyaA or crp, which respectively encode adenylate cyclase and cAMP receptor protein in K. pneumoniae, markedly increased CPS production, while deletion of cpdA, which encodes cAMP phosphodiesterase, decreased CPS production. These results indicate that K. pneumoniae CPS biosynthesis is controlled by the cAMP-dependent carbon catabolite repression (CCR). To investigate the underlying mechanism, quantitative real-time PCR and promoter-reporter assays were used to verify that the transcription of CPS biosynthesis genes, which are organized into 3 transcription units (orf1-2, orf3-15, and orf16-17), were activated by the deletion of crp. Sequence analysis revealed putative CRP binding sites located on P_orf3-15 and P_orf16-17, suggesting direct CRP-cAMP regulation on the promoters. These results were then confirmed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. In addition, we found putative CRP binding sites located in the promoter region of rcsA, which encodes a cps transcriptional activator, demonstrating a direct repression of CRP-cAMP and P_rcsA. The deletion of rcsA in mutation of crp partially reduced CPS biosynthesis and the transcription of orf1-2 but not of orf3-15 or orf16-17. These results suggest that RcsA participates in the CRP-cAMP regulation of orf1-2 transcription and influences CPS biosynthesis. Finally, the effect of glucose and CCR proteins on CPS biosynthesis also reflects bacterial resistance to serum killing. We here provide evidence that K. pneumoniae increases CPS biosynthesis for successful infection in response to exogenous glucose via cAMP-dependent CCR.

Deciphering the acylation pattern of Yersinia enterocolitica lipid A

Pathogenic bacteria may modify their surface to evade the host innate immune response. Yersinia enterocolitica modulates its lipopolysaccharide (LPS) lipid A structure, and the key regulatory signal is temperature. At 21°C, lipid A is hexa-acylated and may be modified with aminoarabinose or palmitate. At 37°C, Y. enterocolitica expresses a tetra-acylated lipid A consistent with the 3′-O-deacylation of the molecule. In this work, by combining genetic and mass spectrometric analysis, we establish that Y. enterocolitica encodes a lipid A deacylase, LpxR, responsible for the lipid A structure observed at 37°C. Western blot analyses indicate that LpxR exhibits latency at 21°C, deacylation of lipid A is not observed despite the expression of LpxR in the membrane. Aminoarabinose-modified lipid A is involved in the latency. 3-D modelling, docking and site-directed mutagenesis experiments showed that LpxR D31 reduces the active site cavity volume so that aminoarabinose containing Kdo₂-lipid A cannot be accommodated and, therefore, not deacylated. Our data revealed that the expression of lpxR is negatively controlled by RovA and PhoPQ which are necessary for the lipid A modification with aminoarabinose. Next, we investigated the role of lipid A structural plasticity conferred by LpxR on the expression/function of Y. enterocolitica virulence factors. We present evidence that motility and invasion of eukaryotic cells were reduced in the lpxR mutant grown at 21°C. Mechanistically, our data revealed that the expressions of flhDC and rovA, regulators controlling the flagellar regulon and invasin respectively, were down-regulated in the mutant. In contrast, the levels of the virulence plasmid (pYV)-encoded virulence factors Yops and YadA were not affected in the lpxR mutant. Finally, we establish that the low inflammatory response associated to Y. enterocolitica infections is the sum of the anti-inflammatory action exerted by pYV-encoded YopP and the reduced activation of the LPS receptor by a LpxR-dependent deacylated LPS.

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is one of the major surface components of Gram-negative bacteria. The LPS contains a molecular pattern recognized by the innate immune system. Not surprisingly, the modification of the LPS pattern is a virulence strategy of several pathogens to evade the innate immune system. Yersinia enterocolitica causes food-borne infections in animals and humans (yersiniosis). Temperature regulates most, if not all, virulence factors of yersiniae including the structure of the LPS lipid A. At 21°C, lipid A is mainly hexa-acylated and may be modified with aminoarabinose or palmitate. In contrast, at 37°C, Y. enterocolitica expresses a unique tetra-acylated lipid A. In this work, we establish that Y. enterocolitica encodes a lipid A deacylase, LpxR, responsible for the lipid A structure expressed by the pathogen at 37°C, the host temperature. Our findings also revealed that the low inflammatory response associated to Y. enterocolitica infections is the sum of the anti-inflammatory action exerted by a Yersinia protein translocated into the cytosol of macrophages and the reduced activation of the LPS receptor complex due to the expression of a LpxR-dependent deacylated LPS.

PM10-biogenic fraction drives the seasonal variation of proinflammatory response in A549 cells

PM10 was collected in a Milan urban site, representative of the city air quality, during winter and summer 2006. Mean daily PM10 concentration was 48 μg m(-3) during summer and 148 μg m(-3) during winter. Particles collected on Teflon filters were chemically characterized and the endotoxin content determined by the LAL test. PM10-induced cell toxicity, assessed with MTT and LDH methods, and proinflammatory potential, monitored by IL-6 and IL-8 cytokines release, were investigated on the human alveolar epithelial cell line A549 exposed to increasing doses of PM. Besides untreated cells, exposure to inert carbon particles (2-12 μm) was also used as additional control. Both cell toxicity and proinflammatory potency resulted to be higher for summer PM10 with respect of winter PM10, with IL-6 showing the highest dose-dependent release. The relevance of biogenic components adsorbed onto PM10 in eliciting the proinflammatory mediators release was investigated by inhibition experiments. Polymixin B (Poly) was used to inhibit particle-bind LPS while Toll-like receptor-2 antibody (a-TLR2) to specifically block the activation of this receptor. While cell viability was not modulated in cells coexposed to PM10 and Poly or a-TLR2 or both, inflammatory response did it, with IL-6 release being the most inhibited. In conclusion, Milan PM10-induced seasonal-dependent biological effects, with summer particles showing higher cytotoxic and proinflammatory potential. Cytotoxicity seemed to be unaffected by the PM biogenic components, while inflammation was significantly reduced after the inhibition of some biogenic activated pathways. Besides, the PM-associated biogenic activity does not entirely justify the PM-induced inflammatory effects. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 2012.

High-mobility group protein N2 (HMGN2) inhibited the internalization of Klebsiella pneumoniae into cultured bladder epithelial cells

Since bacterial invasion into host cells is an important step in the infection process, using the agents to interfere with bacterial internalization is an attractive approach to block the infection process. In this work, we describe a new, previously unrecognized role of the human cationic host defense peptide HMGN2 during Klebsiella pneumoniae infections. Our results revealed that the internalization of K. pneumoniae strain 03183 into cultured bladder epithelial cells (T24) was significantly reduced at HMGN2 concentrations that were unable to produce any bacteriostatic or bactericidal effect. Using microarrays and follow-up studies, we demonstrated that HMGN2 affected the internalization of K. pneumoniae strain 03183 by inhibiting the attachment of bacteria, and then decreasing bacteria-induced ERK1/2 activation and actin polymerization, which might contribute to bacterial internalization into T24 cells. This disruption of bacterial internalization implied that HMGN2 could provide protection against K. pneumoniae infections.

Klebsiella pneumoniae outer membrane protein A is required to prevent the activation of airway epithelial cells

Outer membrane protein A (OmpA) is a class of proteins highly conserved among the Enterobacteriaceae family and throughout evolution. Klebsiella pneumoniae is a capsulated gram-negative pathogen. It is an important cause of community-acquired and nosocomial pneumonia. Evidence indicates that K. pneumoniae infections are characterized by a lack of an early inflammatory response. Data from our laboratory indicate that K. pneumoniae CPS helps to suppress the host inflammatory response. However, it is unknown whether K. pneumoniae employs additional factors to modulate host inflammatory responses. Here, we report that K. pneumoniae OmpA is important for immune evasion in vitro and in vivo. Infection of A549 and normal human bronchial cells with 52OmpA2, an ompA mutant, increased the levels of IL-8. 52145-Δwca(K2)ompA, which does not express CPS and ompA, induced the highest levels of IL-8. Both mutants could be complemented. In vivo, 52OmpA2 induced higher levels of tnfα, kc, and il6 than the wild type. ompA mutants activated NF-κB, and the phosphorylation of p38, p44/42, and JNK MAPKs and IL-8 induction was via NF-κB-dependent and p38- and p44/42-dependent pathways. 52OmpA2 engaged TLR2 and -4 to activate NF-κB, whereas 52145-Δwca(K2)ompA activated not only TLR2 and TLR4 but also NOD1. Finally, we demonstrate that the ompA mutant is attenuated in the pneumonia mouse model. The results of this study indicate that K. pneumoniae OmpA contributes to attenuate airway cell responses. This may facilitate pathogen survival in the hostile environment of the lung.

Comparative effects of carbapenems on bacterial load and host immune response in a Klebsiella pneumoniae murine pneumonia model

Doripenem is a carbapenem with potent broad-spectrum activity against Gram-negative pathogens, including antibiotic-resistant Enterobacteriaceae. As the incidence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Gram-negative bacilli is increasing, it was of interest to examine the in vivo comparative efficacy of doripenem, imipenem, and meropenem against a Klebsiella pneumoniae isolate expressing the TEM-26 ESBL enzyme. In a murine lethal lower respiratory infection model, doripenem reduced the Klebsiella lung burden by 2 log(10) CFU/g lung tissue over the first 48 h of the infection. Treatment of mice with meropenem or imipenem yielded reductions of approximately 1.5 log(10) CFU/g during this time period. Seven days postinfection, Klebsiella titers in the lungs of treated mice decreased an additional 2 log(10) CFU/g relative to those in the lungs of untreated control animals. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) endotoxin release assays indicated that 6 h postinfection, meropenem- and imipenem-treated animals had 10-fold more endotoxin in lung homogenates and sera than doripenem-treated mice. Following doripenem treatment, the maximum endotoxin release postinfection (6 h) was 53,000 endotoxin units (EU)/ml, which was 2.7- and 6-fold lower than imipenem or meropenem-treated animals, respectively. While the levels of several proinflammatory cytokines increased in both the lungs and sera following intranasal K. pneumoniae inoculation, doripenem treatment, but not meropenem or imipenem treatment, resulted in significantly increased interleukin 6 levels in lung homogenates relative to those in lung homogenates of untreated controls, which may contribute to enhanced neutrophil killing of bacteria in the lung. Histological examination of tissue sections indicated less overall inflammation and tissue damage in doripenem-treated mice, consistent with improved antibacterial efficacy, reduced LPS endotoxin release, and the observed cytokine induction profile.

Klebsiella pneumoniae subverts the activation of inflammatory responses in a NOD1-dependent manner

Klebsiella pneumoniae is an important cause of community-acquired and nosocomial pneumonia. Subversion of inflammation is essential for pathogen survival during infection. Evidence indicates that K. pneumoniae infections are characterized by lacking an early inflammatory response although the molecular bases are currently unknown. Here we unveil a novel strategy employed by a pathogen to counteract the activation of inflammatory responses. K. pneumoniae attenuates pro-inflammatory mediators-induced IL-8 secretion. Klebsiella antagonizes the activation of NF-κB via the deubiquitinase CYLD and blocks the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) via the MAPK phosphatase MKP-1. Our studies demonstrate that K. pneumoniae has evolved the capacity to manipulate host systems dedicated to control the immune balance. To exert this anti-inflammatory effect, Klebsiella engages NOD1. In NOD1 knock-down cells, Klebsiella neither induces the expression of CYLD and MKP-1 nor blocks the activation of NF-κB and MAPKs. Klebsiella inhibits Rac1 activation; and inhibition of Rac1 activity triggers a NOD1-mediated CYLD and MKP-1 expression which in turn attenuates IL-1β-induced IL-8 secretion. A capsule (CPS) mutant does not attenuate the inflammatory response. However, purified CPS neither reduces IL-1β-induced IL-8 secretion nor induces the expression of CYLD and MKP-1 thereby indicating that CPS is necessary but not sufficient to attenuate inflammation.

RmpA regulation of capsular polysaccharide biosynthesis in Klebsiella pneumoniae CG43

Sequence analysis of the large virulence plasmid pLVPK in Klebsiella pneumoniae CG43 revealed the presence of another mucoid factor encoding gene rmpA besides rmpA2. Promoter activity measurement indicated that the deletion of rmpA reduced K2 capsular polysaccharide (CPS) biosynthesis, resulting in decreased colony mucoidy and virulence in mice. Introduction of a multicopy plasmid carrying rmpA restored CPS production in the rmpA or rmpA2 mutant but not in the rcsB mutant. Transformation of the rmpA deletion mutant with an rcsB-carrying plasmid also failed to enhance CPS production, suggesting that a cooperation of RmpA with RcsB is required for regulatory activity. This was further corroborated by the demonstration of in vivo interaction between RmpA and RcsB using two-hybrid analysis and coimmunoprecipitation analysis. A putative Fur binding box was only found at the 5' noncoding region of rmpA. The promoter activity analysis indicated that the deletion of fur increased the rmpA promoter activity. Using electrophoretic mobility shift assay, we further demonstrated that Fur exerts its regulatory activity by binding directly to the promoter. As a result, the fur deletion mutant exhibited an increase in colony mucoidy, CPS production, and virulence in mice. In summary, our results suggested that RmpA activates CPS biosynthesis in K. pneumoniae CG43 via an RcsB-dependent manner. The expression of rmpA is regulated by the availability of iron and is negatively controlled by Fur.