1
|
Wu S, Coureuil M, Nassif X, Tautz L. Enzyme mechanistic studies of NMA1982, a protein tyrosine phosphatase and potential virulence factor in Neisseria meningitidis. Sci Rep 2023; 13:22015. [PMID: 38086986 PMCID: PMC10716126 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-49561-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein phosphorylation is an integral part of many cellular processes, not only in eukaryotes but also in bacteria. The discovery of both prokaryotic protein kinases and phosphatases has created interest in generating antibacterial therapeutics that target these enzymes. NMA1982 is a putative phosphatase from Neisseria meningitidis, the causative agent of meningitis and meningococcal septicemia. The overall fold of NMA1982 closely resembles that of protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs). However, the hallmark C(X)5R PTP signature motif, containing the catalytic cysteine and invariant arginine, is shorter by one amino acid in NMA1982. This has cast doubt about the catalytic mechanism of NMA1982 and its assignment to the PTP superfamily. Here, we demonstrate that NMA1982 indeed employs a catalytic mechanism that is specific to PTPs. Mutagenesis experiments, transition state inhibition, pH-dependence activity, and oxidative inactivation experiments all support that NMA1982 is a genuine PTP. Importantly, we show that NMA1982 is secreted by N. meningitidis, suggesting that this protein is a potential virulence factor. Future studies will need to address whether NMA1982 is indeed essential for N. meningitidis survival and virulence. Based on its unique active site conformation, NMA1982 may become a suitable target for developing selective antibacterial drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shuangding Wu
- NCI-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, 10901 N Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Mathieu Coureuil
- Université Paris CitéUFR de Médecine, 15 Rue de l'École de Médecine, 75006, Paris, France
- Institut Necker Enfants-MaladesInserm U1151, CNRS UMR 8253, 160 Rue de Vaugirard, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Xavier Nassif
- Université Paris CitéUFR de Médecine, 15 Rue de l'École de Médecine, 75006, Paris, France
- Institut Necker Enfants-MaladesInserm U1151, CNRS UMR 8253, 160 Rue de Vaugirard, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Lutz Tautz
- NCI-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, 10901 N Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Pérez-Torres I, Aisa-Álvarez A, Casarez-Alvarado S, Borrayo G, Márquez-Velasco R, Guarner-Lans V, Manzano-Pech L, Cruz-Soto R, Gonzalez-Marcos O, Fuentevilla-Álvarez G, Gamboa R, Saucedo-Orozco H, Franco-Granillo J, Soto ME. Impact of Treatment with Antioxidants as an Adjuvant to Standard Therapy in Patients with Septic Shock: Analysis of the Correlation between Cytokine Storm and Oxidative Stress and Therapeutic Effects. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16610. [PMID: 38068931 PMCID: PMC10706209 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242316610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Cellular homeostasis is lost or becomes dysfunctional during septic shock due to the activation of the inflammatory response and the deregulation of oxidative stress. Antioxidant therapy administered alongside standard treatment could restore this lost homeostasis. We included 131 patients with septic shock who were treated with standard treatment and vitamin C (Vit C), vitamin E (Vit E), N-acetylcysteine (NAC), or melatonin (MT), in a randomized trial. Organ damage quantified by Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score, and we determined levels of Interleukins (IL) IL1β, Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), IL-6, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), Transforming growth factor B (TGFβ), IL-4, IL-10, IL-12, and Interferon-γ (IFNγ). The SOFA score decreased in patients treated with Vit C, NAC, and MT. Patients treated with MT had statistically significantly reduced of IL-6, IL-8, MCP-1, and IL-10 levels. Lipid peroxidation, Nitrates and nitrites (NO3- and NO2-), glutathione reductase, and superoxide dismutase decreased after treatment with Vit C, Vit E, NAC, and MT. The levels of thiols recovered with the use of Vit E, and all patients treated with antioxidants maintained their selenium levels, in contrast with controls (p = 0.04). The findings regarding oxidative stress markers and cytokines after treatment with antioxidants allow us to consider to future the combined use of antioxidants in a randomized clinical trial with a larger sample to demonstrate the reproducibility of these beneficial effects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Israel Pérez-Torres
- Cardiovascular Biomedicine Department, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Juan Badiano No. 1, Col. Sección XVI, Mexico City 14380, Mexico; (I.P.-T.); (L.M.-P.)
| | - Alfredo Aisa-Álvarez
- Critical Care Department, American British Cowdray (ABC) Medical Center, PAI ABC Sur 136 No. 116, Col. las Américas, Mexico City 01120, Mexico; (A.A.-Á.); (O.G.-M.); (J.F.-G.)
| | - Sergio Casarez-Alvarado
- Immunology Department, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Juan Badiano No. 1, Col. Sección XVI, Mexico City 14380, Mexico; (S.C.-A.); (R.M.-V.); (R.C.-S.)
| | - Gabriela Borrayo
- Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Dirección de Prestaciones Médicas Coordinación de Innovación en Salud, Ciudad de México 06700, Mexico;
| | - Ricardo Márquez-Velasco
- Immunology Department, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Juan Badiano No. 1, Col. Sección XVI, Mexico City 14380, Mexico; (S.C.-A.); (R.M.-V.); (R.C.-S.)
| | - Verónica Guarner-Lans
- Physiology Department, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Juan Badiano No. 1, Col. Sección XVI, Mexico City 14380, Mexico; (V.G.-L.); (G.F.-Á.); (R.G.)
| | - Linaloe Manzano-Pech
- Cardiovascular Biomedicine Department, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Juan Badiano No. 1, Col. Sección XVI, Mexico City 14380, Mexico; (I.P.-T.); (L.M.-P.)
| | - Randall Cruz-Soto
- Immunology Department, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Juan Badiano No. 1, Col. Sección XVI, Mexico City 14380, Mexico; (S.C.-A.); (R.M.-V.); (R.C.-S.)
| | - Omar Gonzalez-Marcos
- Critical Care Department, American British Cowdray (ABC) Medical Center, PAI ABC Sur 136 No. 116, Col. las Américas, Mexico City 01120, Mexico; (A.A.-Á.); (O.G.-M.); (J.F.-G.)
| | - Giovanny Fuentevilla-Álvarez
- Physiology Department, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Juan Badiano No. 1, Col. Sección XVI, Mexico City 14380, Mexico; (V.G.-L.); (G.F.-Á.); (R.G.)
| | - Ricardo Gamboa
- Physiology Department, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Juan Badiano No. 1, Col. Sección XVI, Mexico City 14380, Mexico; (V.G.-L.); (G.F.-Á.); (R.G.)
| | | | - Juvenal Franco-Granillo
- Critical Care Department, American British Cowdray (ABC) Medical Center, PAI ABC Sur 136 No. 116, Col. las Américas, Mexico City 01120, Mexico; (A.A.-Á.); (O.G.-M.); (J.F.-G.)
| | - María Elena Soto
- Immunology Department, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Juan Badiano No. 1, Col. Sección XVI, Mexico City 14380, Mexico; (S.C.-A.); (R.M.-V.); (R.C.-S.)
- Research Direction Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Juan Badiano No. 1, Col. Sección XVI, Mexico City 14380, Mexico
- Cardiovascular Line in American British Cowdray (ABC) Medical Center, PAI ABC Sur 136 No. 116, Col. Las Américas, Mexico City 01120, Mexico
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Wu S, Coureuil M, Nassif X, Tautz L. Enzyme Mechanistic Studies of NMA1982, a Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase and Potential Virulence Factor in Neisseria meningitidis. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3098138. [PMID: 37693380 PMCID: PMC10491346 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3098138/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Protein phosphorylation is an integral part of many cellular processes, not only in eukaryotes but also in bacteria. The discovery of both prokaryotic protein kinases and phosphatases has created interest in generating antibacterial therapeutics that target these enzymes. NMA1982 is a putative phosphatase from Neisseria meningitidis, the causative agent of meningitis and meningococcal septicemia. The overall fold of NMA1982 closely resembles that of protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs). However, the hallmark C(X)5R PTP signature motif, containing the catalytic cysteine and invariant arginine, is shorter by one amino acid in NMA1982. This has cast doubt about the catalytic mechanism of NMA1982 and its assignment to the PTP superfamily. Here, we demonstrate that NMA1982 indeed employs a catalytic mechanism that is specific to PTPs. Mutagenesis experiments, transition state inhibition, pH-dependence activity, and oxidative inactivation experiments all support that NMA1982 is a genuine PTP. Importantly, we show that NMA1982 is secreted by N. meningitidis, suggesting that this protein is a potential virulence factor. Future studies will need to address whether NMA1982 is indeed essential for N. meningitidis survival and virulence. Based on its unique active site conformation, NMA1982 may become a suitable target for developing selective antibacterial drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Lutz Tautz
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Wu S, Coureuil M, Nassif X, Tautz L. NMA1982 is a Novel Phosphatase and Potential Virulence Factor in Neisseria meningitidis. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.23.541968. [PMID: 37292688 PMCID: PMC10245925 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.23.541968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Protein phosphorylation is an integral part of many cellular processes, not only in eukaryotes but also in bacteria. The discovery of both prokaryotic protein kinases and phosphatases has created interest in generating antibacterial therapeutics that target these enzymes. NMA1982 is a putative phosphatase from Neisseria meningitidis, the causative agent of meningitis and meningococcal septicemia. The overall fold of NMA1982 closely resembles that of protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs). However, the hallmark C(X)5R PTP signature motif, containing the catalytic cysteine and invariant arginine, is shorter by one amino acid in NMA1982. This has cast doubt about the catalytic mechanism of NMA1982 and its assignment to the PTP superfamily. Here, we demonstrate that NMA1982 indeed employs a catalytic mechanism that is specific to PTPs. Mutagenesis experiments, transition state inhibition, pH-dependence activity, and oxidative inactivation experiments all support that NMA1982 is a genuine phosphatase. Importantly, we show that NMA1982 is secreted by N. meningitidis, suggesting that this protein is a potential virulence factor. Future studies will need to address whether NMA1982 is indeed essential for N. meningitidis survival and virulence. Based on its unique active site conformation, NMA1982 may become a suitable target for developing selective antibacterial drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shuangding Wu
- NCI-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, 10901 N Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Mathieu Coureuil
- Université Paris Cité, UFR de Médecine, 15 Rue de l’École de Médecine, 75006 Paris, France
- Institut Necker Enfants-Malades, Inserm U1151, CNRS UMR 8253, 160 Rue de Vaugirard, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Xavier Nassif
- Université Paris Cité, UFR de Médecine, 15 Rue de l’École de Médecine, 75006 Paris, France
- Institut Necker Enfants-Malades, Inserm U1151, CNRS UMR 8253, 160 Rue de Vaugirard, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Lutz Tautz
- NCI-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, 10901 N Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Muacevic A, Adler JR, Al Mehmadi AE, Aldawood SM, Hawsawi A, Fatini F, Mulla ZM, Nawwab W, Alshareef A, Almhmadi AH, Ahmed A, Bokhari A, Alzahrani AG. Septic Shock: Management and Outcomes. Cureus 2022; 14:e32158. [PMID: 36601152 PMCID: PMC9807186 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.32158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/07/2022] Open
Abstract
The incidence rates of sepsis and septic shock as a complication have become more common over the past several decades. With this increase, sepsis remains the most common cause of intensive care unit (ICU) admissions and one of the most mortality factors, with a huge burden on healthcare facilities. Septic shock has devastating consequences on patients' lives, including organ failures and other long-term complications. Due to its dynamic clinical presentations, guidelines and tools have been established to improve the diagnosis and management effectively. However, there is still a need for evidence-based standardized procedures for the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of sepsis and septic shock patients due to the inconsistency of current guidelines and studies contrasting with each other. The standardization would help physicians better manage sepsis, minimize complications and reduce mortality. Septic shock is usually challenging to manage due to its variety of clinical characteristics and physiologic dynamics, affecting the outcomes. Therefore, this review presented the available data in the literature on septic shock diagnosis, management, and prognosis to have an overview of the updated best practice approach to septic shock.
Collapse
|
6
|
Successful Extracorporeal Blood Purification Therapy Using Double Haemoadsorption Device in Severe Endotoxin Septic Shock: A Case Report. J Crit Care Med (Targu Mures) 2022; 8:292-295. [PMID: 36474615 DOI: 10.2478/jccm-2022-0028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction
In patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), sepsis can lead to acute kidney injury (AKI), which may require the initiation of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) in 15-20% of cases. There is no consensus about the best extracorporeal treatment to choose in septic patients with AKI.
Case presentation
We describe the case of a 70-year-old woman admitted to the ICU with a severe endotoxin septic shock due to Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C. Despite prompt medical intervention, including fluid resuscitation, high dose vasopressor, inotrope support, and broad-spectrum antimicrobial treatment, in a few hours patient’s haemodynamic worsened and she developed multi-organ failure, including severe AKI, requiring CRRT. So, continuous veno-venous haemodiafiltration was started, using an oXiris® haemodiafilter set, in series with an adsorber device (CytoSorb®). After 48 hours of this combined extracorporeal treatment, haemodynamic parameters improved, allowing a significant reduction of the vasoactive therapy, with a concomitant decrease in endotoxin and inflammatory markers serum levels. In the following days patient’s conditions still improved and renal function recovered.
Conclusions
Timely extracorporeal blood purification therapy, using a double haemoadsorption device, may be effective in the management of severe septic shock.
Collapse
|
7
|
Sequelae at Hospital Discharge in 61 Children With Invasive Meningococcal Disease, Chile, 2009-2019. Pediatr Infect Dis J 2022; 41:607-613. [PMID: 35421054 DOI: 10.1097/inf.0000000000003560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is an unpredictable and severe infection caused by Neisseria meningitidis . Its case fatality rate could vary from 9.7% to 26% and up to 36% of survivors may experience long-term sequelae, representing a challenge for public health. AIMED To describe the sequelae at hospital discharge caused by IMD in children between years 2009-2019. METHODS Cross-sectional study performed in 2 pediatric hospitals. Patients with microbiologically confirmed diagnosis of IMD from 2009 to 2019 were included. Bivariate and logistic regression analysis were performed. RESULTS The records of 61 patients were reviewed and included. Sixty-seven percent were male, median age 9 months (interquartile range 4-27), 72% were admitted to intensive care unit. Thirty-seven (60.5%) had at least 1 sequela (75% and 37% in patients with or without meningitis, respectively). The most frequents sequelae were neurological 72%, hearing loss 32%, and osteoarticular 24%. Significant differences were found comparing patients with and without sequelae: drowsiness 67.6% versus 41.7% ( P = 0.04), irritability 67.6% versus 25% ( P = 0.01), meningeal signs 62.2% versus 29.2% ( P = 0.01). In logistic regression analysis, postdischarge follow-up had OR 21.25 (95% confidence intervals [CI]: 4.93-91.44), irritability had OR 8.53 (95% CI: 1.64-44.12), meningeal signs had OR 8.21 (95% CI: 0.71-94.05), invasive mechanical ventilation had OR 8.23 (95% CI: 0.78-85.95), meningitis plus meningococcemia OR 1.70 (95% CI: 0.18-15.67) to have sequelae, while children with meningococcemia and vomiting had a OR 0.04 (95% CI: 0.00-0.36) and OR 0.27 (95% CI: 0.03-2.14), respectively. N. meningitidis serogroup W (MenW) was isolated in 54.1% (33/61), and N. meningitidis serogroup B (MenB) in 31.1% (19/61) of cases. A significant difference was found in osteoarticular sequelae ( P = 0.05) between MenB and MenW. There was a decrease in cases after the meningococcal conjugate vaccine against serogroups A, C, W and Y was implemented (2015-2019). CONCLUSIONS IMD remains as a public health concern. A high rate of sequelae was found in pediatric patients in our series, even in the clinical manifestations other than meningitis. Neurological sequelae were the most prevalent. Multidisciplinary follow-up protocols to reduce long-term impact must be urgently established to assess all children with IMD.
Collapse
|
8
|
Gibson JF, Bojarczuk A, Evans RJ, Kamuyango AA, Hotham R, Lagendijk AK, Hogan BM, Ingham PW, Renshaw SA, Johnston SA. Blood vessel occlusion by Cryptococcus neoformans is a mechanism for haemorrhagic dissemination of infection. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010389. [PMID: 35446924 PMCID: PMC9022829 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Meningitis caused by infectious pathogens is associated with vessel damage and infarct formation, however the physiological cause is often unknown. Cryptococcus neoformans is a human fungal pathogen and causative agent of cryptococcal meningitis, where vascular events are observed in up to 30% of patients, predominantly in severe infection. Therefore, we aimed to investigate how infection may lead to vessel damage and associated pathogen dissemination using a zebrafish model that permitted noninvasive in vivo imaging. We find that cryptococcal cells become trapped within the vasculature (dependent on their size) and proliferate there resulting in vasodilation. Localised cryptococcal growth, originating from a small number of cryptococcal cells in the vasculature was associated with sites of dissemination and simultaneously with loss of blood vessel integrity. Using a cell-cell junction tension reporter we identified dissemination from intact blood vessels and where vessel rupture occurred. Finally, we manipulated blood vessel tension via cell junctions and found increased tension resulted in increased dissemination. Our data suggest that global vascular vasodilation occurs following infection, resulting in increased vessel tension which subsequently increases dissemination events, representing a positive feedback loop. Thus, we identify a mechanism for blood vessel damage during cryptococcal infection that may represent a cause of vascular damage and cortical infarction during cryptococcal meningitis. Meningitis is a life threatening form of infection in the brain that is difficult to treat. How infection spreads from the blood to cause meningitis is not well understood. Here we have shown how infection with the fungus Cryptococcus neoformans can be spread from the blood by blocking and bursting blood vessels. Using zebrafish larvae, we were able to follow the same infections over a period of days to understand how this infection behaves in blood vessels. We found that fungal cells become stuck within blood vessels depending on their size. These cells grow within blood vessels, resulting in the blood vessels becoming wider. We measured increased tension in blood vessels suggesting that, with the bloackage and widening of vessels, there was increased local blood pressure. We found that vessel blockage was associated with their rupture and spreading of fungus into the surround tissue. Finally, by increasing the tension in vessels we could increase the number of blood bursting events supporting our conclusion that blood vessel blockage leads to the spread of the infection outside of blood vessels.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Josie F. Gibson
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular disease, Bateson Centre and Florey Institute, University of Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency of Science, Technology and Research (A-Star), Singapore
| | - Aleksandra Bojarczuk
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular disease, Bateson Centre and Florey Institute, University of Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Faculty of Physical Education, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Robert J. Evans
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular disease, Bateson Centre and Florey Institute, University of Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Alfred Alinafe Kamuyango
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular disease, Bateson Centre and Florey Institute, University of Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Richard Hotham
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular disease, Bateson Centre and Florey Institute, University of Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Anne K. Lagendijk
- Division of Genomics of Development and Disease, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Benjamin M. Hogan
- Division of Genomics of Development and Disease, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Philip W. Ingham
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency of Science, Technology and Research (A-Star), Singapore
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
| | - Stephen A. Renshaw
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular disease, Bateson Centre and Florey Institute, University of Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Simon A. Johnston
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular disease, Bateson Centre and Florey Institute, University of Sheffield, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Ramírez-Larrota JS, Eckhard U. An Introduction to Bacterial Biofilms and Their Proteases, and Their Roles in Host Infection and Immune Evasion. Biomolecules 2022; 12:306. [PMID: 35204806 PMCID: PMC8869686 DOI: 10.3390/biom12020306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial biofilms represent multicellular communities embedded in a matrix of extracellular polymeric substances, conveying increased resistance against environmental stress factors but also antibiotics. They are shaped by secreted enzymes such as proteases, which can aid pathogenicity by degrading host proteins of the connective tissue or the immune system. Importantly, both secreted proteases and the capability of biofilm formation are considered key virulence factors. In this review, we focus on the basic aspects of proteolysis and protein secretion, and highlight various secreted bacterial proteases involved in biofilm establishment and dispersal, and how they aid bacteria in immune evasion by degrading immunoglobulins and components of the complement system. Thus, secreted proteases represent not only prominent antimicrobial targets but also enzymes that can be used for dedicated applications in biotechnology and biomedicine, including their use as laundry detergents, in mass spectrometry for the glycoprofiling of antibodies, and the desensitization of donor organs intended for positive crossmatch patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Ulrich Eckhard
- Department of Structural Biology, Molecular Biology Institute of Barcelona, CSIC, Barcelona Science Park, Baldiri Reixac, 15-21, 08028 Barcelona, Spain;
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Freire CMADS, Taunay-Rodrigues A, Gonzatti MB, Fonseca FMP, Freire JEDC. New insights about the EptA protein and its correlation with the pmrC gene in polymyxin resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. CURRENT RESEARCH IN MICROBIAL SCIENCES 2021; 2:100042. [PMID: 34841333 PMCID: PMC8610356 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmicr.2021.100042] [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: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Computational biology. Bacterial resistance. Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Gram-negative bacteria. Polymyxin.
Nowadays, clinical and scientific interest in antibiotics, as polymyxin, has increased due to the large number of reports of multiresistant Gram-negative bacteria, as Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The aim of this study was to investigate a related group of proteins for resistance to polymyxins, encoded by P. aeruginosa genome, through in silico analysis. The mobilized colistin resistance 1 (MCR1) protein from Escherichia coli was used for comparison. Similar sequences to the protein MCR1 in P. aeruginosa were analysed for physicochemical properties. 31 protein isoforms in P. aeruginosa (EptA) were found able to confer resistance to polymyxin showing protein lengths between 551 and 572 amino acids, with molecular mass values between 61.36 - 62. 80 kDa, isoelectric point between 6.10 to 7.17, instability index between 33.76 to 41.87, aliphatic index between 98.67 to 102.63 and the hydropathyindex between - 0.008 to 0.094. These proteins belong to the DUF1705 superfamily with bit-score values between 559.81 and 629.78. A high degree of similarity between EpTAs in P. aeruginosa was observed in relation to other proteins that confer resistance to polymyxins, present in Gram-negative bacteria species of clinical interest. Although, further studies are needed to identify the actual contribution of EptAs in P. aeruginosa species.
Collapse
|
11
|
Gupta SK, Ponte-Sucre A, Bencurova E, Dandekar T. An Ebola, Neisseria and Trypanosoma human protein interaction census reveals a conserved human protein cluster targeted by various human pathogens. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2021; 19:5292-5308. [PMID: 34745452 PMCID: PMC8531761 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2021.09.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Filovirus ebolavirus (ZE; Zaire ebolavirus, Bundibugyo ebolavirus), Neisseria meningitidis (NM), and Trypanosoma brucei (Tb) are serious infectious pathogens, spanning viruses, bacteria and protists and all may target the blood and central nervous system during their life cycle. NM and Tb are extracellular pathogens while ZE is obligatory intracellular, targetting immune privileged sites. By using interactomics and comparative evolutionary analysis we studied whether conserved human proteins are targeted by these pathogens. We examined 2797 unique pathogen-targeted human proteins. The information derived from orthology searches of experimentally validated protein-protein interactions (PPIs) resulted both in unique and shared PPIs for each pathogen. Comparing and analyzing conserved and pathogen-specific infection pathways for NM, TB and ZE, we identified human proteins predicted to be targeted in at least two of the compared host-pathogen networks. However, four proteins were common to all three host-pathogen interactomes: the elongation factor 1-alpha 1 (EEF1A1), the SWI/SNF complex subunit SMARCC2 (matrix-associated actin-dependent regulator of chromatin subfamily C), the dolichyl-diphosphooligosaccharide--protein glycosyltransferase subunit 1 (RPN1), and the tubulin beta-5 chain (TUBB). These four human proteins all are also involved in cytoskeleton and its regulation and are often addressed by various human pathogens. Specifically, we found (i) 56 human pathogenic bacteria and viruses that target these four proteins, (ii) the well researched new pandemic pathogen SARS-CoV-2 targets two of these four human proteins and (iii) nine human pathogenic fungi (yet another evolutionary distant organism group) target three of the conserved proteins by 130 high confidence interactions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shishir K Gupta
- Functional Genomics & Systems Biology Group, Department of Bioinformatics, Biocenter, Am Hubland, University of Würzburg, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
- Evolutionary Genomics Group, Center for Computational and Theoretical Biology, University of Würzburg, 97078 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Alicia Ponte-Sucre
- Laboratorio de Fisiología Molecular, Instituto de Medicina Experimental, Escuela Luis Razetti, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
- Medical Mission Institute, Hermann-Schell-Str. 7, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Elena Bencurova
- Functional Genomics & Systems Biology Group, Department of Bioinformatics, Biocenter, Am Hubland, University of Würzburg, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Dandekar
- Functional Genomics & Systems Biology Group, Department of Bioinformatics, Biocenter, Am Hubland, University of Würzburg, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
- EMBL Heidelberg, BioComputing Unit, Meyerhofstraße 1, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Dos Santos Souza I, Ziveri J, Bouzinba-Segard H, Morand P, Bourdoulous S. Meningococcus, this famous unknown. C R Biol 2021; 344:127-143. [PMID: 34213851 DOI: 10.5802/crbiol.56] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus) is a Gram-negative bacterium responsible for two devastating forms of invasive diseases: purpura fulminans and meningitis. Since the first description of the epidemic nature of the illness at the dawn of the nineteenth century, the scientific knowledge of meningococcal infection has increased greatly. Major advances have been made in the management of the disease with the advent of antimicrobial therapy and the implementation of meningococcal vaccines. More recently, an extensive knowledge has been accumulated on meningococcal interaction with its human host, revealing key processes involved in disease progression and new promising therapeutic approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Dos Santos Souza
- CNRS, UMR8104, Paris, France.,Inserm, U1016, Institut Cochin, Paris, France.,Université de Paris, Faculté de Santé, France
| | - Jason Ziveri
- Inserm, U1016, Institut Cochin, Paris, France.,Inserm, U1016, Institut Cochin, Paris, France.,Université de Paris, Faculté de Santé, France
| | - Haniaa Bouzinba-Segard
- Inserm, U1016, Institut Cochin, Paris, France.,Inserm, U1016, Institut Cochin, Paris, France.,Université de Paris, Faculté de Santé, France
| | - Philippe Morand
- Inserm, U1016, Institut Cochin, Paris, France.,Inserm, U1016, Institut Cochin, Paris, France.,Université de Paris, Faculté de Santé, France
| | - Sandrine Bourdoulous
- Inserm, U1016, Institut Cochin, Paris, France.,Inserm, U1016, Institut Cochin, Paris, France.,Université de Paris, Faculté de Santé, France
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Dos Santos Souza I, Maïssa N, Ziveri J, Morand PC, Coureuil M, Nassif X, Bourdoulous S. Meningococcal disease: A paradigm of type-IV pilus dependent pathogenesis. Cell Microbiol 2021; 22:e13185. [PMID: 32185901 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.13185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2019] [Revised: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus) is a Gram-negative bacterium responsible for two devastating forms of invasive diseases: purpura fulminans and meningitis. Interaction with both peripheral and cerebral microvascular endothelial cells is at the heart of meningococcal pathogenesis. During the last two decades, an essential role for meningococcal type IV pili in vascular colonisation and disease progression has been unravelled. This review summarises 20 years of research on meningococcal type IV pilus-dependent virulence mechanisms, up to the identification of promising anti-virulence compounds that target type IV pili.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Dos Santos Souza
- Inserm, U1016, Institut Cochin, Paris, France.,CNRS, UMR8104, Paris, France.,Faculté de Santé, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Nawal Maïssa
- Inserm, U1016, Institut Cochin, Paris, France.,CNRS, UMR8104, Paris, France.,Faculté de Santé, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Jason Ziveri
- Inserm, U1016, Institut Cochin, Paris, France.,CNRS, UMR8104, Paris, France.,Faculté de Santé, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Philippe C Morand
- Inserm, U1016, Institut Cochin, Paris, France.,CNRS, UMR8104, Paris, France.,Faculté de Santé, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Mathieu Coureuil
- Faculté de Santé, Université de Paris, Paris, France.,Inserm, U1151, Institut-Necker-Enfants-Malades, Paris, France.,CNRS, UMR 8253, Paris, France
| | - Xavier Nassif
- Faculté de Santé, Université de Paris, Paris, France.,Inserm, U1151, Institut-Necker-Enfants-Malades, Paris, France.,CNRS, UMR 8253, Paris, France.,Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Necker Enfants Malades, Paris, France
| | - Sandrine Bourdoulous
- Inserm, U1016, Institut Cochin, Paris, France.,CNRS, UMR8104, Paris, France.,Faculté de Santé, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Gonçalves P, Sáez-López E, Carneiro S, Simões MJ. Seroprevalence of meningococcal serogroup C bactericidal antibodies in the Portuguese population, a decade after vaccine introduction in the National Immunisation Programme. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0250103. [PMID: 33857245 PMCID: PMC8049472 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0250103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The incidence of invasive meningococcal disease due to serogroup C (MenC) decreased in Portugal since the introduction of the conjugate vaccine (MCC) in the free market in 2001 and in the National Immunisation Plan in 2006. Considering the potential waning of the antibody response reported in the literature, the different vaccination schemes that were used in our country over the past decade, and that Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C continues to circulate, the Portuguese population may currently be at increased risk of infection. In the absence of national data, we evaluated the seroprotection level of the Portuguese population against MenC, in order to identify the protected fraction of the population and ponder on the necessity of a booster dose of the MCC vaccine. Methods We measured serum bactericidal antibody levels against MenC in a representative sample of the population (n = 1500) aged 2–64 years who participated in the 2015/2016 National Serological Survey. Results A total of 31.1% (466/1500, 95%CI: 29–33%) of the individuals studied were protected against MenC. The geometric mean titre was 6.5. The proportion of seroprotected was particularly low in children aged 2–4 years (<16%) who received a single dose of the vaccine at 12 months of age (vaccination strategy since 2012). The proportion of seroprotected was higher (44.7% to 53.5%) in adolescent and young adults (15–24 years of age), resulting from vaccination during the catch-up campaign at 5–15 years of age. The highest protection rates were observed when the vaccine was administered during adolescence. Conclusion The small fraction of population seroprotected, combined with the already known waning effect of the antibody response over time, may indicate that the Portuguese population will become progressively more exposed to the risk of infection. Taking in consideration our results, we recommend to change the current vaccination strategy and introduce a booster dose of the MCC vaccine during adolescence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paulo Gonçalves
- National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Lisboa, Portugal
- European Programme for Public Health Microbiology Training (EUPHEM), European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Stockholm, Sweden
- * E-mail:
| | - Emma Sáez-López
- European Programme for Public Health Microbiology Training (EUPHEM), European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sofia Carneiro
- National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Lisboa, Portugal
| | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Sodium Tetraphenylborate Displays Selective Bactericidal Activity against Neisseria meningitidis and N. gonorrhoeae and Is Effective at Reducing Bacterial Infection Load. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2021; 65:AAC.00254-20. [PMID: 33168608 PMCID: PMC7848997 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00254-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Neisseria meningitidis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, two highly related species that might have emerged from a common commensal ancestor, constitute major human threats. Vaccines are available to prevent N. meningitidis infection, whereas there are only a limited number of antibiotics available for N. gonorrhoeae Unfortunately, some strains of these species are rapidly evolving and capable of escaping human interventions. Thus, it is now urgent to develop new avenues to fight these bacteria. This study reports that a boron-based salt, sodium tetraphenylborate (NaBPh4), displays high bactericidal activity and remarkable specificity against N. meningitidis and N. gonorrhoeae Other closely related commensal species such as Neisseria lactamica, which is found in the normal flora of healthy individuals, were found to be less affected even at 5-fold higher doses of NaBPh4 This specificity was further observed when much lower sensitivity was found for more distant Neisseriaceae species (such as Neisseria elongata or Kingella oralis) and completely unrelated species. Significant boron uptake by N. meningitidis cells was observed after incubation with 5 μM NaBPh4, as measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, suggesting that this drug candidate's target(s) could be located intracellularly or within the cell envelope. Furthermore, mutants with slightly decreased susceptibility displayed alterations in genes coding for cell envelope elements, which reduced their virulence in an animal model of infection. Finally, a single dose of NaBPh4 resulted in a significant reduction in bacterial burden in a mouse model of N. meningitidis bacteremia. Although numerous boron-containing species were previously reported for their complex biological activities, the observation of this narrow selectivity is unprecedented and of potential importance from a therapeutic standpoint.
Collapse
|
16
|
Leo S, Lazarevic V, Girard M, Getaz-Jimenez Velasco GC, Gaïa N, Renzi G, Cherkaoui A, Hong E, Taha MK, Schrenzel J. Strain coverage of Bexsero vaccine assessed by whole-genome sequencing over a cohort of invasive meningococci of serogroups B and W isolated in Switzerland. Vaccine 2020; 38:5324-5331. [PMID: 32561121 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2020.05.071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Revised: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD), caused by Neisseria meningitidis (Nm) strains, is a life-threatening but vaccine-preventable condition. Bexsero is a four-component vaccine that offers broad protection against Nm of serogroup B (NmB), particularly common in Europe. In Switzerland, Bexsero has not yet been licensed and no information is available concerning the predicted vaccine coverage on isolates of circulating Nm. We performed genotyping of Bexsero antigen loci by whole-genome sequencing (WGS) on 104 NmB collected in Switzerland in the 2010-2015 period. We searched for antigen variants previously defined as predictors of strain coverage and estimated that 50% of IMD NmB strains were potentially covered by the vaccine. Clonal complexes (cc) 32, 41/44 and 269, considered the best covered lineages, were further sub-typed according to Bexsero Antigen Sequence Type (BAST) scheme. We also genotyped by WGS 40 Nm of serogroup W (NmW) collected in the country between 2010 and 2016. NmW cc22 isolates appeared to be covered by the vaccine, which was not the case for cc11 isolates, whose incidence has recently increased in Switzerland and all over Europe. Our work underlines the benefit of using WGS for surveillance of vaccine antigen variant distribution in local Nm population and taking proper measures to prevent the spread of NmB.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Leo
- Genomic Research Laboratory, Division of Infectious Diseases, University Hospitals and University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Vladimir Lazarevic
- Genomic Research Laboratory, Division of Infectious Diseases, University Hospitals and University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Myriam Girard
- Genomic Research Laboratory, Division of Infectious Diseases, University Hospitals and University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Gisela C Getaz-Jimenez Velasco
- Swiss National Reference Center for Meningococci (www.meningo.ch), Bacteriology Laboratory, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Nadia Gaïa
- Genomic Research Laboratory, Division of Infectious Diseases, University Hospitals and University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Gesuele Renzi
- Swiss National Reference Center for Meningococci (www.meningo.ch), Bacteriology Laboratory, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Abdessalam Cherkaoui
- Swiss National Reference Center for Meningococci (www.meningo.ch), Bacteriology Laboratory, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Eva Hong
- Invasive Bacterial Infection and National Reference Centre for Meningococci, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Muhamed-Kheir Taha
- Invasive Bacterial Infection and National Reference Centre for Meningococci, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Jacques Schrenzel
- Genomic Research Laboratory, Division of Infectious Diseases, University Hospitals and University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; Swiss National Reference Center for Meningococci (www.meningo.ch), Bacteriology Laboratory, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Cardona RSB, do Carmo FB, Beltrão SV, Gouvêa ADFTB, Salomão R, Succi RCDM, Machado DM. Chronic meningococcemia in a vertically HIV-infected adolescent. IDCases 2020; 20:e00764. [PMID: 32435587 PMCID: PMC7232083 DOI: 10.1016/j.idcr.2020.e00764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
• Chronic meningococcemia is a rare manifestation of meningococcal disease. • Few cases of this presentation both in previously healthy and immunocompromised patients, such HIV patients. • The association between Neisseria meningitidis infection and HIV infection is not yet well defined.
Chronic meningococcemia is a rare manifestation of meningococcal disease, characterized by a period of more than one week of intermittent or continuous fever, arthralgia and skin lesions without meningitis. It can occur both in previously healthy and immunocompromised patients. The gold standard for the diagnosis is culture isolation of Neisseria meningitidis in sterile material. We describe a case of a vertically HIV-infected adolescent with chronic meningococcal disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rita S B Cardona
- Pediatric Infectious Disease Clinical Care Center of Federal University of São Paulo, Pedro de Toledo Street 924/928 Vila Clementino, Zip Code 04039-002, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Fabiana Bononi do Carmo
- Pediatric Infectious Disease Clinical Care Center of Federal University of São Paulo, Pedro de Toledo Street 924/928 Vila Clementino, Zip Code 04039-002, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Suenia Vasconcelos Beltrão
- Pediatric Infectious Disease Clinical Care Center of Federal University of São Paulo, Pedro de Toledo Street 924/928 Vila Clementino, Zip Code 04039-002, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Aída de Fátima T Barbosa Gouvêa
- Pediatric Infectious Disease Clinical Care Center of Federal University of São Paulo, Pedro de Toledo Street 924/928 Vila Clementino, Zip Code 04039-002, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Reinaldo Salomão
- Adult Infectious Disease Department of Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Napoleão de Barros 715 Vila Clementino, Zip Code 04024-002, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Regina Célia de Menezes Succi
- Pediatric Infectious Disease Clinical Care Center of Federal University of São Paulo, Pedro de Toledo Street 924/928 Vila Clementino, Zip Code 04039-002, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Daisy Maria Machado
- Pediatric Infectious Disease Clinical Care Center of Federal University of São Paulo, Pedro de Toledo Street 924/928 Vila Clementino, Zip Code 04039-002, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Boeddha NP, Bycroft T, Nadel S, Hazelzet JA. The Inflammatory and Hemostatic Response in Sepsis and Meningococcemia. Crit Care Clin 2020; 36:391-399. [PMID: 32172820 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccc.2019.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Meningococcemia is notorious for evasion of the host immune system and its rapid progression to fulminant disease, and serves as a unique model for pediatric sepsis. Illness severity is determined by complex interplays among host, pathogen, and environment. The inflammatory host response, including proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory responses in innate and adaptive immunity, skews toward a proinflammatory state. This leads to endothelial dysfunction and activation of the hemostatic response, which may lead to disseminated intravascular coagulation. This article reviews the pathogenesis of sepsis, in particular the inflammatory and hemostatic response in meningococcal sepsis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Navin P Boeddha
- Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Doctor Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Thomas Bycroft
- St Mary's Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, Praed Street, W21NY London, UK
| | - Simon Nadel
- St Mary's Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, Praed Street, W21NY London, UK; Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Jan A Hazelzet
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Doctor Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Asif M, Klifto KM, Lagziel T, Caffrey J. Development of Bilateral Heterotopic Ossification After Survival of Life Threatening Purpura Fulminans. Cureus 2020; 12:e6731. [PMID: 32133255 PMCID: PMC7034744 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.6731] [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] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Heterotopic ossification has been reported in patients who have undergone traumatic amputations, burn injuries, and total hip arthroplasty; however, the incidence of heterotopic ossification following purpura fulminans has only been reported in one case with unilateral involvement. Here we present a bilateral lower extremity case of heterotopic ossification as sequelae of purpura fulminans. A 34-year-old male smoker with a past medical history of stab wounds to the chest and abdomen requiring emergent exploratory laparotomy, diaphragmatic repair, and splenectomy 15 years ago presented to the emergency department with a rapid onset of high fevers, chills and myalgia. He did not receive post-splenectomy prophylactic vaccinations for Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae. The patient presented clinically in septic shock with disseminated intravascular coagulation. The patient was admitted to the Medical Intensive Care Unit and subsequent workup suggested Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteremia. Over the next 48 hours, the patient developed extensive necrosis of the bilateral upper and lower extremities concerning for purpura fulminans. The decision was made to perform a right transradial forearm amputation as well as bilateral transtibial amputations. He tolerated these procedures and was discharged to an inpatient rehabilitation facility. Approximately four months following his bilateral below knee amputations, the patient had difficulty wearing the prosthetics secondary to pain and eventually discontinued use altogether. At home, he continued to ambulate by bearing weight on his knees while wearing kneepads. He continued to report significant tenderness and pain along the bilaterally, below knee amputation stumps. His physical examination was concerning for significant distal bone formation in his bilateral amputation stump sites without evidence of skin breakdown. Intraoperatively, extensive bony formation was found bilaterally within his soleus muscle flaps, concerning for heterotopic ossification. Postoperatively, the patient was refitted for lower extremity prosthetics. Similar to burns and trauma, the development of heterotopic ossification in patients with purpura fulminans may be directly related to the inflammatory process and amount of tissue damage. In some cases, heterotopic ossification could be caused from daily living activities, so the timing of diagnostic imaging techniques and clinical intervention is crucial.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Asif
- Plastic Surgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Kevin M Klifto
- Plastic Surgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Tomer Lagziel
- Plastic Surgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Julie Caffrey
- Plastic Surgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Aljannat MAK, Oldfield NJ, Albasri HM, Dorrington LKG, Ohri RL, Wooldridge KG, Turner DPJ. The moonlighting peroxiredoxin-glutaredoxin in Neisseria meningitidis binds plasminogen via a C-terminal lysine residue and contributes to survival in a whole blood model. Microb Pathog 2019; 139:103890. [PMID: 31765768 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2019.103890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2019] [Revised: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 11/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Neisseria meningitidis is a human-restricted bacterium that can invade the bloodstream and cross the blood-brain barrier resulting in life-threatening sepsis and meningitis. Meningococci express a cytoplasmic peroxiredoxin-glutaredoxin (Prx5-Grx) hybrid protein that has also been identified on the bacterial surface. Here, recombinant Prx5-Grx was confirmed as a plasminogen (Plg)-binding protein, in an interaction which could be inhibited by the lysine analogue ε-aminocapronic acid. rPrx5-Grx derivatives bearing a substituted C-terminal lysine residue (rPrx5-GrxK244A), but not the active site cysteine residue (rPrx5-GrxC185A) or the sub-terminal rPrx5-GrxK230A lysine residue, exhibited significantly reduced Plg-binding. The absence of Prx5-Grx did not significantly reduce the ability of whole meningococcal cells to bind Plg, but under hydrogen peroxide-mediated oxidative stress, the N. meningitidis Δpxn5-grx mutant survived significantly better than the wild-type or complemented strains. Significantly, using human whole blood as a model of meningococcal bacteremia, it was found that the N. meningitidis Δpxn5-grx mutant had a survival defect compared with the parental or complemented strain, confirming an important role for Prx5-Grx in meningococcal pathogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mahab A K Aljannat
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Neil J Oldfield
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Hibah M Albasri
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | | | - Radhica L Ohri
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Karl G Wooldridge
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - David P J Turner
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Rashad E, Jamal R, Farooq M. Atypical Presentation of <i>Neisseria meningitidis</i>. DUBAI MEDICAL JOURNAL 2019. [DOI: 10.1159/000503029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
<i>Neisseria meningitidis</i> is an organism that can cause life-threatening infections of the meninges and blood. We present two patients with atypical presentation of meningococcemia without neurological or dermatological findings, and without evidence of infection on spinal fluid analysis. Both patients attended the Emergency Department with sepsis. The first patient presented with symptoms of a lower respiratory tract infection and had right-sided infiltrates on his chest X-ray, prompting the initial diagnosis of pneumonia. The second patient presented with abdominal pain and loose stools, suggesting gastroenteritis. Both patients’ blood cultures came back positive for <i>Neisseria meningitidis</i>. They received intravenous antibiotics and were discharged a week after admission in a stable condition without any complications. This case series highlights that <i>Neisseria meningitidis</i> can present without classical findings and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of respiratory tract infections as well as gastroenteritis in order to provide early treatment and prevent irreversible complications.
Collapse
|
22
|
Clemence MEA, Harrison OB, Maiden MCJ. Neisseria meningitidis has acquired sequences within the capsule locus by horizontal genetic transfer. Wellcome Open Res 2019; 4:99. [PMID: 31346553 PMCID: PMC6619384 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.15333.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Expression of a capsule from one of serogroups A, B, C, W, X or Y is usually required for
Neisseria meningitidis (
Nme) to cause invasive meningococcal disease. The capsule is encoded by the capsule locus,
cps, which is proposed to have been acquired by a formerly capsule null organism by horizontal genetic transfer (HGT) from another species. Following identification of putative capsule genes in non-pathogenic
Neisseria species, this hypothesis is re-examined. Methods: Whole genome sequence data from
Neisseria species, including
Nme genomes from a diverse range of clonal complexes and capsule genogroups, and non-
Neisseria species, were obtained from PubMLST and GenBank. Sequence alignments of genes from the meningococcal
cps, and predicted orthologues in other species, were analysed using Neighbor-nets, BOOTSCANing and maximum likelihood phylogenies. Results: The meningococcal
cps was highly mosaic within regions B, C and D. A subset of sequences within regions B and C were phylogenetically nested within homologous sequences belonging to
N. subflava, consistent with HGT event in which
N. subflava was the donor. In the
cps of 23/39 isolates, the two copies of region D were highly divergent, with
rfbABC’ sequences being more closely related to predicted orthologues in the proposed species
N. weixii (GenBank accession number
CP023429.1) than the same genes in
Nme isolates lacking a capsule. There was also evidence of mosaicism in the
rfbABC’ sequences of the remaining 16 isolates, as well as
rfbABC from many isolates. Conclusions: Data are consistent with the
en bloc acquisition of
cps in meningococci from
N. subflava, followed by further recombination events with other
Neisseria species. Nevertheless, the data cannot refute an alternative model, in which native meningococcal capsule existed prior to undergoing HGT with
N. subflava and other species. Within-genus recombination events may have given rise to the diversity of meningococcal capsule serogroups.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Odile B Harrison
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3SY, UK
| | | |
Collapse
|
23
|
Asif M, Quiroga L, Lagziel T, Ladd SB, Caffrey J. A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Management of Severe Purpura Fulminans in a Burn Center: A Case Series. Cureus 2019; 11:e5478. [PMID: 31646137 PMCID: PMC6805038 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.5478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpura fulminans is a life-threatening hematological emergency characterized by skin necrosis and disseminated intravascular coagulation requiring rapid diagnosis and treatment. We present a case series of patients with severe purpura fulminans who were managed via a multidisciplinary approach at a regional burn center. We report the burn unit perspective which includes current intensive care guidelines with early surgical intervention, in addition to a review of the pathology and clinical features of the disease. Proper wound management and expeditious surgical evaluation can help reduce the mortality and minimize amputations. Early referral to a burn center with a multidisciplinary team is recommended for the best outcomes in these patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Asif
- Surgery, Burn Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Luis Quiroga
- Surgery, Burn Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Tomer Lagziel
- Medicine, Burn Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Seth B Ladd
- General Surgery, St. John's Episcopal Hospital, Far Rockaway, USA
| | - Julie Caffrey
- Surgery, Burn Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Clemence MEA, Harrison OB, Maiden MCJ. Neisseria meningitidis has acquired sequences within the capsule locus by horizontal genetic transfer. Wellcome Open Res 2019; 4:99. [DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.15333.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background:Expression of a capsule from one of serogroups A, B, C, W, X or Y is usually required forNeisseria meningitidis(Nme) to cause invasive meningococcal disease. The capsule is encoded by the capsule locus,cps, which is proposed to have been acquired by a formerly capsule null organism by horizontal genetic transfer (HGT) from another species. Following identification of putative capsule genes in non-pathogenicNeisseriaspecies, this hypothesis is re-examined.Methods:Whole genome sequence data fromNeisseriaspecies, includingNmegenomes from a diverse range of clonal complexes and capsule genogroups, and non-Neisseriaspecies, were obtained from PubMLST and GenBank. Sequence alignments of genes from the meningococcalcps, and predicted orthologues in other species, were analysed using Neighbor-nets, BOOTSCANing and maximum likelihood phylogenies.Results:The meningococcalcpswas highly mosaic within regions B, C and D. A subset of sequences within regions B and C were phylogenetically nested within homologous sequences belonging toN. subflava, consistent with HGT event in whichN. subflavawas the donor. In thecpsof 23/39 isolates, the two copies of region D were highly divergent, withrfbABC’sequences being more closely related to predicted orthologues in the proposed speciesN. weixii (GenBank accession numberCP023429.1) than the same genes inNmeisolates lacking a capsule. There was also evidence of mosaicism in therfbABC’sequences of the remaining 16 isolates, as well asrfbABCfrom many isolates.Conclusions:Data are consistent with theen blocacquisition ofcpsin meningococci fromN. subflava, followed by further recombination events with otherNeisseriaspecies. Nevertheless, the data cannot refute an alternative model, in which native meningococcal capsule existed prior to undergoing HGT withN. subflavaand other species. Within-genus recombination events may have given rise to the diversity of meningococcal capsule serogroups.
Collapse
|
25
|
Seifert HS. Location, Location, Location-Commensalism, Damage and Evolution of the Pathogenic Neisseria. J Mol Biol 2019; 431:3010-3014. [PMID: 30986425 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2019.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2018] [Revised: 02/19/2019] [Accepted: 04/03/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
The 10 human-restricted Neisseria species all colonize mucosal surfaces, but show a spectrum of pathogenicity. The commensal Neisseria do not normally cause pathology, while the two pathogenic species, Neisseria meningitidis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, straddle the border between commensalism and pathogenicity. Why the pathogenic Neisseria continue to mediate host damage after thousands of years of co-evolution with their human host, and why the commensal species have not acquired the ability to damage the host, if this capability provides a selective advantage, is not understood. One way the pathogenic species are different from the commensal species is by their ability to induce PMN inflammation, which is dependent on the site of colonization. I discuss how the site of colonization dictates whether copious inflammation occurs with both pathogenic species. I put forth a model that posits that an ancestor of both pathogenic species changed colonization site from the oral cavity to the genital tract of a human or humanoid and had to evolve multiple, new traits - to induce PMN inflammation and avoid adaptive immunity - to allow efficient sexual transmission. This model predicts that PMN inflammation produces the serious sequelae of gonorrhea and increases the probability that N. meningitidis might exit the oral cavity to produce systemic disease. In both cases, the pathology produced by these host-adapted species is an unintended by product of the inflammation but host damage does not provide any selective advantage for these organisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- H Steven Seifert
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
The Meningococcal Cysteine Transport System Plays a Crucial Role in Neisseria meningitidis Survival in Human Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells. mBio 2018; 9:mBio.02332-18. [PMID: 30538184 PMCID: PMC6299482 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02332-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Neisseria meningitidis colonizes at a nasopharynx of human as a unique host and has many strains that are auxotrophs for amino acids for their growth. To cause invasive meningococcal diseases (IMD) such as sepsis and meningitis, N. meningitidis passes through epithelial and endothelial barriers and infiltrates into blood and cerebrospinal fluid as well as epithelial and endothelial cells. However, meningococcal nutrients, including cysteine, become less abundant when it more deeply infiltrates the human body even during inflammation, such that N. meningitidis has to acquire nutrients in order to survive/persist, disseminate, and proliferate in humans. This was the first study to examine the relationship between meningococcal cysteine acquisition and the pathogenesis of meningococcal infections. The results of the present study provide insights into the mechanisms by which pathogens with auxotrophs acquire nutrients in hosts and may also contribute to the development of treatments and prevention strategies for IMD. While Neisseria meningitidis typically exists in an asymptomatic nasopharyngeal carriage state, it may cause potentially lethal diseases in humans, such as septicemia or meningitis, by invading deeper sites in the body. Since the nutrient compositions of human cells are not always conducive to meningococci, N. meningitidis needs to exploit nutrients from host environments. In the present study, the utilization of cysteine by the meningococcal cysteine transport system (CTS) was analyzed for the pathogenesis of meningococcal infections. A N. meningitidis strain deficient in one of the three cts genes annotated as encoding cysteine-binding protein (cbp) exhibited approximately 100-fold less internalization into human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMEC) than the wild-type strain. This deficiency was restored by complementation with the three cts genes together, and the infectious phenotype of HBMEC internalization correlated with cysteine uptake activity. However, efficient accumulation of ezrin was observed beneath the cbp mutant. The intracellular survival of the cbp mutant in HBMEC was markedly reduced, whereas equivalent reductions of glutathione concentrations and of resistance to reactive oxygens species in the cbp mutant were not found. The cbp mutant grew well in complete medium but not in synthetic medium supplemented with less than 300 μM cysteine. Taking cysteine concentrations in human cells and other body fluids, including blood and cerebrospinal fluid, into consideration, the present results collectively suggest that the meningococcal CTS is crucial for the acquisition of cysteine from human cells and participates in meningococcal nutrient virulence.
Collapse
|
27
|
Meningococcemia Masquerading as a Nonspecific Flu-Like Syndrome. Case Rep Crit Care 2018; 2018:2097824. [PMID: 30519492 PMCID: PMC6241351 DOI: 10.1155/2018/2097824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2018] [Accepted: 09/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Neisseria meningitidis is a cause of bacterial meningitis and meningococcemia worldwide. Rarely, it causes invasive disease with significant lifelong sequela if survived. Early clinical recognition is key as meningococcemia is an easily treatable disease, yet mortality is 50% if it is left untreated. In this case review, we present a classic case of meningococcemia, with an atypical presentation.
Collapse
|
28
|
Tolaj I, Ramadani H, Mehmeti M, Gashi H, Kasumi A, Gashi V, Jashari H. Does Dexamethasone Helps in Meningococcal Sepsis? Med Arch 2018; 71:173-177. [PMID: 28974828 PMCID: PMC5585801 DOI: 10.5455/medarh.2017.71.173-177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: Prompt recognition and aggressive early treatment are the only effective measures against invasive meningococcal disease (IMD). Anti-inflammatory adjunctive treatment remains controversial and difficult to assess in patients with IMD. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of dexamethasone (DXM) as adjunctive treatment in different clinical forms of IMD, and attempt to answer if DXM should be routinely used in the treatment of IMD. Methods: In this non-interventional clinical study (NIS), 39 patients with meningococcal septicaemia with or without of meningitis were included, and compared regarding the impact of dexamethasone (DXM), as an adjunctive treatment, on the outcome of IMD. SPSS statistics is used for statistical processing of data. Results: Thirty (76.9%) patients with IMD had sepsis and meningitis, and 9 (23.1%) of them had sepsis alone. Dexamethasone was used in 24 (61.5%) cases, in both clinical groups. The overall mortality rate was 10.3%. Pneumonia was diagnosed in 6 patients (15.4%), arthritis in 3 of them (7.7%), and subdural effusion in one patient (2.6%). The data showed a significant statistical difference on the length of hospitalization, and WBC normalization in groups of patients treated with DXM. Conclusion: The use of DXM as adjunctive therapy in invasive meningococcal disease has a degree of proven benefits and no harmful effects. In fighting this very dangerous and complex infection, even a limited benefit is sufficient to recommend the use of DXM as adjunctive treatment in invasive meningococcal disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ilir Tolaj
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Clinical Centre in Pristina, Kosovo
| | - Hamdi Ramadani
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Clinical Centre in Pristina, Kosovo
| | - Murat Mehmeti
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Clinical Centre in Pristina, Kosovo
| | - Hatixhe Gashi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Clinical Centre in Pristina, Kosovo
| | - Arbana Kasumi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Clinical Centre in Pristina, Kosovo
| | - Visar Gashi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Clinical Centre in Pristina, Kosovo
| | - Haki Jashari
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Clinical Centre in Pristina, Kosovo
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Heesterbeek DAC, Angelier ML, Harrison RA, Rooijakkers SHM. Complement and Bacterial Infections: From Molecular Mechanisms to Therapeutic Applications. J Innate Immun 2018; 10:455-464. [PMID: 30149378 PMCID: PMC6784045 DOI: 10.1159/000491439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2018] [Revised: 06/21/2018] [Accepted: 06/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Complement is a complex protein network of plasma, and an integral part of the innate immune system. Complement activation results in the rapid clearance of bacteria by immune cells, and direct bacterial killing via large pore-forming complexes. Here we review important recent discoveries in the complement field, focusing on interactions relevant for the defense against bacteria. Understanding the molecular interplay between complement and bacteria is of great importance for future therapies for infectious and inflammatory diseases. Antibodies that support complement-dependent bacterial killing are of interest for the development of alternative therapies to treat infections with antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Furthermore, a variety of novel therapeutic complement inhibitors have been developed to prevent unwanted complement activation in autoimmune inflammatory diseases. A better understanding of how such inhibitors may increase the risk of bacterial infections is essential if such therapies are to be successful.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dani A C Heesterbeek
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Utrecht University Medical Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Mathieu L Angelier
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Utrecht University Medical Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Richard A Harrison
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | | |
Collapse
|
30
|
Heidrich N, Hagmann A, Bauriedl S, Vogel J, Schoen C. The CRISPR/Cas system in Neisseria meningitidis affects bacterial adhesion to human nasopharyngeal epithelial cells. RNA Biol 2018; 16:390-396. [PMID: 30059276 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2018.1486660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Neisseria meningitidis, a commensal β-proteobacterium of the human nasopharynx, constitutes a worldwide leading cause of sepsis and epidemic meningitis. A recent genome-wide association study suggested an association of its type II-C CRISPR/Cas system with carriage and thus less invasive lineages. Here, we show that knock-out strains lacking the Cas9 protein are impaired in the adhesion to human nasopharyngeal cells which constitutes a central step in the pathogenesis of invasive meningococcal disease. Transcriptome sequencing data further suggest that meningococcal Cas9 does not affect the expression of surface adhesins but rather exerts its effect on cell adhesion in an indirect manner. Consequently, we speculate that the meningococcal CRISPR/Cas system exerts novel functions beyond its established role in defence against foreign DNA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nadja Heidrich
- a Institute for Molecular Infection Biology (IMIB) , University of Würzburg , Würzburg , Germany
| | - Antony Hagmann
- b Institute for Hygiene and Microbiology (IHM) , University of Würzburg , Würzburg , Germany
| | - Saskia Bauriedl
- a Institute for Molecular Infection Biology (IMIB) , University of Würzburg , Würzburg , Germany.,b Institute for Hygiene and Microbiology (IHM) , University of Würzburg , Würzburg , Germany
| | - Jörg Vogel
- a Institute for Molecular Infection Biology (IMIB) , University of Würzburg , Würzburg , Germany.,c Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Biology (HIRI) , Würzburg , Germany
| | - Christoph Schoen
- b Institute for Hygiene and Microbiology (IHM) , University of Würzburg , Würzburg , Germany
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Ispasanie E, Micoli F, Lamelas A, Keller D, Berti F, De Riccio R, Di Benedettoi R, Rondini S, Pluschke G. Spontaneous point mutations in the capsule synthesis locus leading to structural and functional changes of the capsule in serogroup A meningococcal populations. Virulence 2018; 9:1138-1149. [PMID: 30067453 PMCID: PMC6086313 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2018.1467710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2018] [Accepted: 04/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Whole genome sequencing analysis of 100 Neisseria meningitidis serogroup A isolates has revealed that the csaABCD-ctrABCD-ctrEF capsule polysaccharide synthesis locus represents a spontaneous point mutation hotspot. Structural and functional properties of the capsule of 11 carriage and two disease isolates with non-synonymous point mutations or stop codons in capsule synthesis genes were analyzed for their capsular polysaccharide expression, recognition by antibodies and sensitivity to bactericidal killing. Eight of eleven carriage isolates presenting capsule locus mutations expressed no or reduced amounts of capsule. One isolate with a stop codon in the O-acetyltransferase gene expressed non-O-acetylated polysaccharide, and was not recognized by anti-capsule antibodies. Capsule and O-acetylation deficient mutants were resistant to complement deposition and killing mediated by anti-capsular antibodies, but not by anti-lipopolysaccharide antibodies. Two capsule polymerase mutants, one carriage and one case isolate, showed capsule over-expression and increased resistance against bactericidal activity of both capsule- and lipopolysaccharide-specific antibodies. Meningococci have developed multiple strategies for changing capsule expression and structure, which is relevant both for colonization and virulence. Here we show that point mutations in the capsule synthesis genes substantially contribute to the repertoire of genetic mechanisms in natural populations leading to variability in capsule expression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emma Ispasanie
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Molecular Immunology Unit, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Araceli Lamelas
- Red de Estudios Moleculares Avanzados, Instituto de Ecologia, A.C., Veracruz, México
| | - Dominique Keller
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Molecular Immunology Unit, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | | | - Gerd Pluschke
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Molecular Immunology Unit, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Batista RS, Gomes AP, Dutra Gazineo JL, Balbino Miguel PS, Santana LA, Oliveira L, Geller M. Meningococcal disease, a clinical and epidemiological review. ASIAN PAC J TROP MED 2017; 10:1019-1029. [PMID: 29203096 DOI: 10.1016/j.apjtm.2017.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2017] [Revised: 08/29/2017] [Accepted: 09/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Meningococcal disease is the acute infection caused by Neisseria meningitidis, which has humans as the only natural host. The disease is widespread around the globe and is known for its epidemical potential and high rates of lethality and morbidity. The highest number of cases of the disease is registered in the semi-arid regions of sub-Saharan Africa. In Brazil, it is endemic with occasional outbreaks, epidemics and sporadic cases occurring throughout the year, especially in the winter. The major epidemics of the disease occurred in Brazil in the 70's caused by serogroups A and C. Serogroups B, C and Y represent the majority of cases in Europe, the Americas and Australia. However, there has been a growing increase in serogroup W in some areas. The pathogen transmission happens for respiratory route (droplets) and clinically can lead to meningitis and sepsis (meningococcemia). The treatment is made with antimicrobial and supportive care. For successful prevention, we have some measures like vaccination, chemoprophylaxis and droplets' precautions. In this review, we have described and clarify clinical features of the disease caused by N. meningitidis regarding its relevance for healthcare professionals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Siqueira Batista
- Laboratório de Agentes Patogênicos, Departamento de Medicina e Enfermagem, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, Brazil; Curso de Medicina, Faculdade Dinâmica do Vale do Piranga, Ponte Nova, MG, Brazil.
| | - Andréia Patrícia Gomes
- Laboratório de Agentes Patogênicos, Departamento de Medicina e Enfermagem, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, Brazil
| | - Jorge Luiz Dutra Gazineo
- Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Paulo Sérgio Balbino Miguel
- Laboratório de Agentes Patogênicos, Departamento de Medicina e Enfermagem, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, Brazil
| | - Luiz Alberto Santana
- Laboratório de Agentes Patogênicos, Departamento de Medicina e Enfermagem, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, Brazil
| | - Lisa Oliveira
- Curso de Medicina, Centro Universitário Serra dos Órgãos (UNIFESO), Teresópolis, RJ, Brazil
| | - Mauro Geller
- School of Medicine, New York University - NYU, New York, USA; Departamento de Genética Médica, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
|
34
|
Narni-Mancinelli E, Gauthier L, Baratin M, Guia S, Fenis A, Deghmane AE, Rossi B, Fourquet P, Escalière B, Kerdiles YM, Ugolini S, Taha MK, Vivier E. Complement factor P is a ligand for the natural killer cell-activating receptor NKp46. Sci Immunol 2017; 2. [PMID: 28480349 DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.aam9628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are involved in immune responses to microbes and various stressed cells, such as tumor cells. They include group 1 [such as natural killer (NK) cells and ILC1], group 2, and group 3 ILCs. Besides their capacity to respond to cytokines, ILCs detect their targets through a series of cell surface-activating receptors recognizing microbial and nonmicrobial ligands. The nature of some of these ligands remains unclear, limiting our understanding of ILC biology. We focused on NKp46, which is highly conserved in mammals and expressed by all mature NK cells and subsets of ILC1 and ILC3. We show here that NKp46 binds to a soluble plasma glycoprotein, the complement factor P (CFP; properdin), the only known positive regulator of the alternative complement pathway. Consistent with the selective predisposition of patients lacking CFP to lethal Neisseria meningitidis (Nm) infections, NKp46 and group 1 ILCs bearing this receptor were found to be required for mice to survive Nm infection. Moreover, the beneficial effects of CFP treatment for Nm infection were dependent on NKp46 and group 1 NKp46+ ILCs. Thus, group 1 NKp46+ ILCs interact with the complement pathway, via NKp46, revealing a cross-talk between two partners of innate immunity in the response to an invasive bacterial infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emilie Narni-Mancinelli
- Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy, Aix Marseille Université, Inserm, CNRS, Marseille, France
| | | | - Myriam Baratin
- Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy, Aix Marseille Université, Inserm, CNRS, Marseille, France
| | - Sophie Guia
- Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy, Aix Marseille Université, Inserm, CNRS, Marseille, France
| | - Aurore Fenis
- Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy, Aix Marseille Université, Inserm, CNRS, Marseille, France
| | - Ala-Eddine Deghmane
- Institut Pasteur, Invasive Bacterial Infections Unit and National Reference Center for Meningococci, Paris, France
| | | | - Patrick Fourquet
- Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy, Aix Marseille Université, Inserm, CNRS, Marseille, France
| | - Bertrand Escalière
- Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy, Aix Marseille Université, Inserm, CNRS, Marseille, France
| | - Yann M Kerdiles
- Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy, Aix Marseille Université, Inserm, CNRS, Marseille, France
| | - Sophie Ugolini
- Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy, Aix Marseille Université, Inserm, CNRS, Marseille, France
| | - Muhamed-Kheir Taha
- Institut Pasteur, Invasive Bacterial Infections Unit and National Reference Center for Meningococci, Paris, France
| | - Eric Vivier
- Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy, Aix Marseille Université, Inserm, CNRS, Marseille, France.,Service d'Immunologie, Hôpital de la Timone, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Marseille, Marseille, France
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
de Filippis I, Guerra Nunes PC, de Andrade CF, Gonçalves BDS, de Araújo ES, Bezerra IDO, da Silva IRF, Nogueira RM, de Filippis AMB. Fatal case of co-infection with dengue virus and Neisseria meningitidis during a dengue epidemic in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. JMM Case Rep 2017; 3:e005055. [PMID: 28348777 PMCID: PMC5330245 DOI: 10.1099/jmmcr.0.005055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2016] [Accepted: 06/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Dengue and meningococcal disease are caused by two different agents: a flavivirus and a Gram-negative bacterium, respectively. The first symptoms of both diseases can be indistinct and a rapid and accurate diagnosis is crucial, considering that both diseases are associated with high morbidity and mortality, representing a major public-health problem in Brazil. CASE PRESENTATION We report a fatal case of co-infection of dengue virus (DENV) and Neisseria meningitidis in a 54-year-old patient. The serum tested positive for DENV NS1 antigen, and N. meningitidis serogroup C was detected by nspA-PCR. Following the initial positive result for DENV infection, rRT-PCRwas performed and DENV-4 was confirmed. CONCLUSION Our report highlights the importance of accurate differential diagnosis during periods of high circulation of DENV, in order to provide adequate management and an improved outcome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ivano de Filippis
- National Institute for Quality Control of Health - INCQS, FIOCRUZ , Rio de Janeiro , Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Rita Maria Nogueira
- Flavivirus Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institution, FIOCRUZ , Rio de Janeiro , Brazil
| | | |
Collapse
|
36
|
Neisseria meningitidis Uses Sibling Small Regulatory RNAs To Switch from Cataplerotic to Anaplerotic Metabolism. mBio 2017; 8:mBio.02293-16. [PMID: 28325760 PMCID: PMC5362039 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02293-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Neisseria meningitidis (the meningococcus) is primarily a commensal of the human oropharynx that sporadically causes septicemia and meningitis. Meningococci adapt to diverse local host conditions differing in nutrient supply, like the nasopharynx, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid, by changing metabolism and protein repertoire. However, regulatory transcription factors and two-component systems in meningococci involved in adaptation to local nutrient variations are limited. We identified novel sibling small regulatory RNAs ( Neisseriametabolic switch regulators [NmsRs]) regulating switches between cataplerotic and anaplerotic metabolism in this pathogen. Overexpression of NmsRs was tolerated in blood but not in cerebrospinal fluid. Expression of six tricarboxylic acid cycle enzymes was downregulated by direct action of NmsRs. Expression of the NmsRs themselves was under the control of the stringent response through the action of RelA. Small sibling regulatory RNAs of meningococci, controlling general metabolic switches, add an exciting twist to their versatile repertoire in bacterial pathogens.IMPORTANCE Regulatory small RNAs (sRNAs) of pathogens are coming to be recognized as highly important components of riboregulatory networks, involved in the control of essential cellular processes. They play a prominent role in adaptation to physiological changes as represented by different host environments. They can function as posttranscriptional regulators of gene expression to orchestrate metabolic adaptation to nutrient stresses. Here, we identified highly conserved sibling sRNAs in Neisseria meningitidis which are functionally involved in the regulation of gene expression of components of the tricarboxylic acid cycle. These novel sibling sRNAs that function by antisense mechanisms extend the so-called stringent response which connects metabolic status to colonization and possibly virulence as well as pathogenesis in meningococci.
Collapse
|
37
|
Milivojevic M, Dangeard AS, Kasper CA, Tschon T, Emmenlauer M, Pique C, Schnupf P, Guignot J, Arrieumerlou C. ALPK1 controls TIFA/TRAF6-dependent innate immunity against heptose-1,7-bisphosphate of gram-negative bacteria. PLoS Pathog 2017; 13:e1006224. [PMID: 28222186 PMCID: PMC5336308 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2016] [Revised: 03/03/2017] [Accepted: 02/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
During infection by invasive bacteria, epithelial cells contribute to innate immunity via the local secretion of inflammatory cytokines. These are directly produced by infected cells or by uninfected bystanders via connexin-dependent cell-cell communication. However, the cellular pathways underlying this process remain largely unknown. Here we perform a genome-wide RNA interference screen and identify TIFA and TRAF6 as central players of Shigella flexneri and Salmonella typhimurium-induced interleukin-8 expression. We show that threonine 9 and the forkhead-associated domain of TIFA are necessary for the oligomerization of TIFA in both infected and bystander cells. Subsequently, this process triggers TRAF6 oligomerization and NF-κB activation. We demonstrate that TIFA/TRAF6-dependent cytokine expression is induced by the bacterial metabolite heptose-1,7-bisphosphate (HBP). In addition, we identify alpha-kinase 1 (ALPK1) as the critical kinase responsible for TIFA oligomerization and IL-8 expression in response to infection with S. flexneri and S. typhimurium but also to Neisseria meningitidis. Altogether, these results clearly show that ALPK1 is a master regulator of innate immunity against both invasive and extracellular gram-negative bacteria. Epithelial cells line internal body cavities of multicellular organisms. They represent the first line of defense against various pathogens including bacteria and viruses. They can sense the presence of invasive pathogens and initiate the recruitment of immune cells to infected tissues via the local secretion of soluble factors, called chemokines. Although this phenomenon is essential for the development of an efficient immune response, the molecular mechanism underlying this process remains largely unknown. Here we demonstrate that the host proteins ALPK1, TIFA and TRAF6 act sequentially to activate the transcription factor NF-κB and regulate the production of chemokines in response to infection by the pathogens Shigella flexneri, Salmonella typhimurium and Neisseria meningitidis. In addition, we show that the production of chemokines is triggered after detection of the bacterial monosaccharide heptose-1,7-bisphosphate, found in gram-negative bacteria. In conclusion, our study uncovers a new molecular mechanism controlling inflammation during infection by gram-negative bacteria and identifies potential targets for treatments aiming at modulating inflammation during infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Milica Milivojevic
- INSERM, U1016, Institut Cochin, Paris, France, CNRS, UMR8104, Paris, France, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, France
| | - Anne-Sophie Dangeard
- INSERM, U1016, Institut Cochin, Paris, France, CNRS, UMR8104, Paris, France, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, France
| | | | | | | | - Claudine Pique
- INSERM, U1016, Institut Cochin, Paris, France, CNRS, UMR8104, Paris, France, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, France
| | | | - Julie Guignot
- INSERM, U1016, Institut Cochin, Paris, France, CNRS, UMR8104, Paris, France, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, France
| | - Cécile Arrieumerlou
- INSERM, U1016, Institut Cochin, Paris, France, CNRS, UMR8104, Paris, France, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, France
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Valeri M, Zurli V, Ayala I, Colanzi A, Lapazio L, Corda D, Soriani M, Pizza M, Rossi Paccani S. The Neisseria meningitidis ADP-Ribosyltransferase NarE Enters Human Epithelial Cells and Disrupts Epithelial Monolayer Integrity. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0127614. [PMID: 25996923 PMCID: PMC4440719 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0127614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2015] [Accepted: 04/17/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Many pathogenic bacteria utilize ADP-ribosylating toxins to modify and impair essential functions of eukaryotic cells. It has been previously reported that Neisseria meningitidis possesses an ADP-ribosyltransferase enzyme, NarE, retaining the capacity to hydrolyse NAD and to transfer ADP-ribose moiety to arginine residues in target acceptor proteins. Here we show that upon internalization into human epithelial cells, NarE gains access to the cytoplasm and, through its ADP-ribosylating activity, targets host cell proteins. Notably, we observed that these events trigger the disruption of the epithelial monolayer integrity and the activation of the apoptotic pathway. Overall, our findings provide, for the first time, evidence for a biological activity of NarE on host cells, suggesting its possible involvement in Neisseria pathogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Valeri
- Vaccines & Diagnostics s.r.l.—a GSK company- Via Fiorentina 1, Siena, Italy
| | - Vanessa Zurli
- Vaccines & Diagnostics s.r.l.—a GSK company- Via Fiorentina 1, Siena, Italy
| | - Inmaculada Ayala
- Institute of Protein Biochemistry, National Research Council, Via P. Castellino 111, Naples, Italy
| | - Antonino Colanzi
- Institute of Protein Biochemistry, National Research Council, Via P. Castellino 111, Naples, Italy
| | - Lucia Lapazio
- Vaccines & Diagnostics s.r.l.—a GSK company- Via Fiorentina 1, Siena, Italy
| | - Daniela Corda
- Institute of Protein Biochemistry, National Research Council, Via P. Castellino 111, Naples, Italy
| | - Marco Soriani
- Vaccines & Diagnostics s.r.l.—a GSK company- Via Fiorentina 1, Siena, Italy
| | - Mariagrazia Pizza
- Vaccines & Diagnostics s.r.l.—a GSK company- Via Fiorentina 1, Siena, Italy
| | - Silvia Rossi Paccani
- Vaccines & Diagnostics s.r.l.—a GSK company- Via Fiorentina 1, Siena, Italy
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Asmat TM, Tenenbaum T, Jonsson AB, Schwerk C, Schroten H. Impact of calcium signaling during infection of Neisseria meningitidis to human brain microvascular endothelial cells. PLoS One 2014; 9:e114474. [PMID: 25464500 PMCID: PMC4252121 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0114474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2014] [Accepted: 11/10/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The pili and outer membrane proteins of Neisseria meningitidis (meningococci) facilitate bacterial adhesion and invasion into host cells. In this context expression of meningococcal PilC1 protein has been reported to play a crucial role. Intracellular calcium mobilization has been implicated as an important signaling event during internalization of several bacterial pathogens. Here we employed time lapse calcium-imaging and demonstrated that PilC1 of meningococci triggered a significant increase in cytoplasmic calcium in human brain microvascular endothelial cells, whereas PilC1-deficient meningococci could not initiate this signaling process. The increase in cytosolic calcium in response to PilC1-expressing meningococci was due to efflux of calcium from host intracellular stores as demonstrated by using 2-APB, which inhibits the release of calcium from the endoplasmic reticulum. Moreover, pre-treatment of host cells with U73122 (phospholipase C inhibitor) abolished the cytosolic calcium increase caused by PilC1-expressing meningococci demonstrating that active phospholipase C (PLC) is required to induce calcium transients in host cells. Furthermore, the role of cytosolic calcium on meningococcal adherence and internalization was documented by gentamicin protection assay and double immunofluorescence (DIF) staining. Results indicated that chelation of intracellular calcium by using BAPTA-AM significantly impaired PilC1-mediated meningococcal adherence to and invasion into host endothelial cells. However, buffering of extracellular calcium by BAPTA or EGTA demonstrated no significant effect on meningococcal adherence to and invasion into host cells. Taken together, these results indicate that meningococci induce calcium release from intracellular stores of host endothelial cells via PilC1 and cytoplasmic calcium concentrations play a critical role during PilC1 mediated meningococcal adherence to and subsequent invasion into host endothelial cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tauseef M. Asmat
- Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Tobias Tenenbaum
- Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Ann-Beth Jonsson
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Christian Schwerk
- Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Horst Schroten
- Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Schoen C, Kischkies L, Elias J, Ampattu BJ. Metabolism and virulence in Neisseria meningitidis. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2014; 4:114. [PMID: 25191646 PMCID: PMC4138514 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2014.00114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2014] [Accepted: 07/31/2014] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
A longstanding question in infection biology addresses the genetic basis for invasive behavior in commensal pathogens. A prime example for such a pathogen is Neisseria meningitidis. On the one hand it is a harmless commensal bacterium exquisitely adapted to humans, and on the other hand it sometimes behaves like a ferocious pathogen causing potentially lethal disease such as sepsis and acute bacterial meningitis. Despite the lack of a classical repertoire of virulence genes in N. meningitidis separating commensal from invasive strains, molecular epidemiology suggests that carriage and invasive strains belong to genetically distinct populations. In recent years, it has become increasingly clear that metabolic adaptation enables meningococci to exploit host resources, supporting the concept of nutritional virulence as a crucial determinant of invasive capability. Here, we discuss the contribution of core metabolic pathways in the context of colonization and invasion with special emphasis on results from genome-wide surveys. The metabolism of lactate, the oxidative stress response, and, in particular, glutathione metabolism as well as the denitrification pathway provide examples of how meningococcal metabolism is intimately linked to pathogenesis. We further discuss evidence from genome-wide approaches regarding potential metabolic differences between strains from hyperinvasive and carriage lineages and present new data assessing in vitro growth differences of strains from these two populations. We hypothesize that strains from carriage and hyperinvasive lineages differ in the expression of regulatory genes involved particularly in stress responses and amino acid metabolism under infection conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Schoen
- Institute for Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg Würzburg, Germany ; Research Center for Infectious Diseases (ZINF), University of Würzburg Würzburg, Germany
| | - Laura Kischkies
- Institute for Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg Würzburg, Germany
| | - Johannes Elias
- Institute for Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg Würzburg, Germany ; National Reference Centre for Meningococci and Haemophilus influenzae (NRZMHi), University of Würzburg Würzburg, Germany
| | - Biju Joseph Ampattu
- Institute for Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg Würzburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Casellato A, Rossi Paccani S, Barrile R, Bossi F, Ciucchi L, Codolo G, Pizza M, Aricò B, de Bernard M. The C2 fragment from Neisseria meningitidis antigen NHBA increases endothelial permeability by destabilizing adherens junctions. Cell Microbiol 2014; 16:925-37. [PMID: 24397470 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.12250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2013] [Revised: 11/29/2013] [Accepted: 12/05/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Neisseria meningitidis is a human pathogen that can cause fatal sepsis and meningitis once it reaches the blood stream and the nervous system. Here we demonstrate that a fragment, released upon proteolysis of the surface-exposed protein Neisserial Heparin Binding Antigen (NHBA), by the bacterial protease NalP, alters the endothelial permeability by inducing the internalization of the adherens junction protein VE-cadherin. We found that C2 rapidly accumulates in mitochondria where it induces the production of reactive oxygen species: the latter are required for the phosphorylation of the junctional protein and for its internalization that, in turn, is responsible for the endothelial leakage. Our data support the notion that the NHBA-derived fragment C2 might contribute to the extensive vascular leakage typically associated with meningococcal sepsis.
Collapse
|