1
|
Caven L, Carabeo R. Chlamydial YAP activation in host endocervical epithelial cells mediates pro-fibrotic paracrine stimulation of fibroblasts. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.30.542940. [PMID: 37398163 PMCID: PMC10312526 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.30.542940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Infection of the female genital tract by Chlamydia trachomatis can produce severe fibrotic sequelae, including tubal factor infertility and ectopic pregnancy. While infection demonstrably mediates a pro-fibrotic response in host cells, it remains unclear if intrinsic properties of the upper genital tract exacerbate chlamydial fibrosis. The relatively sterile environment of the upper genital tract is primed for a pro-inflammatory response to infection, potentially enhancing fibrosis - however, subclinical C. trachomatis infections still develop fibrosis-related sequelae. Here, we compare infection-associated and steady-state gene expression of primary human cervical and vaginal epithelial cells. In the former, we observe enhanced baseline expression and infection-mediated induction of fibrosis-associated signal factors (e.g. TGFA , IL6 , IL8 , IL20 ), implying predisposition to Chlamydia -associated pro-fibrotic signaling. Transcription factor enrichment analysis identified regulatory targets of YAP, a transcriptional cofactor induced by infection of cervical epithelial cells, but not vaginal epithelial cells. YAP target genes induced by infection include secreted fibroblast-activating signal factors; therefore, we developed an in vitro model involving coculture of infected endocervical epithelial cells with uninfected fibroblasts. Coculture enhanced fibroblast expression of type I collagen, as well as prompting reproducible (albeit statistically insignificant) induction of α-smooth muscle actin. Fibroblast collagen induction was sensitive to siRNA-mediated YAP knockdown in infected epithelial cells, implicating chlamydial YAP activation in this effect. Collectively, our results present a novel mechanism of fibrosis initiated by Chlamydia, wherein infection-mediated induction of host YAP facilitates pro-fibrotic intercellular communication. Chlamydial YAP activation in cervical epithelial cells is thus a determinant of this tissue's susceptibility to fibrosis. Importance Chronic or repeated infection of the female upper genital tract by C. trachomatis can lead to severe fibrotic sequelae, including tubal factor infertility and ectopic pregnancy. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this effect are unclear. In this report, we define a transcriptional program specific to C. trachomatis infection of the upper genital tract, identifying tissue-specific induction of host YAP - a pro-fibrotic transcriptional cofactor - as a potential driver of infection-mediated fibrotic gene expression. Further, we show that infected endocervical epithelial cells stimulate collagen production by fibroblasts, and implicate chlamydial induction of YAP in this effect. Our results define a mechanism by which infection mediates tissue-level fibrotic pathology via paracrine signaling, and identify YAP as a potential therapeutic target for prevention of Chlamydia -associated scarring of the female genital tract.
Collapse
|
2
|
Baccari O, Barkallah M, Elleuch J, Ben Ayed N, Chtourou A, Karray-Hakim H, Hammami A, Michaud P, Fendri I, Abdelkafi S. A new TaqMan real-time PCR assay to detect Parachlamydia acanthamoebae and to monitor its co-existence with SARS-COV-2 among COVID-19 patients. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:17564-17572. [PMID: 36195814 PMCID: PMC9532228 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-23227-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Human respiratory infections caused by a large variety of microbial pathogens are the most common diseases responsible for hospitalization, morbidity and mortality. Parachlamydia acanthamoebae, a Chlamydia-related bacterium, has been found to be potentially associated with these diseases. An early and accurate diagnosis of this pathogen could be useful to avoid the potential respiratory complications linked especially to COVID-19 patients and to set suitable outbreak control measures. A TaqMan-PCR assay was developed to detect and quantify Parachlamydia acanthamoebae in environmental and clinical samples from patients of all ages with COVID-19. The selected hydrolysis probe displayed no cross-reaction with the closely related Chlamydia or the other tested pathogens. This q-PCR achieved good reproducibility and repeatability with a detection limit of about 5 DNA copies per reaction. Using this q-PCR assay, Parachlamydia acanthamoebae was detected in 2/78 respiratory specimens and 9/47 water samples. Only one case (1.3%) of Parachlamydia acanthamoebae and SARS-COV-2 co-infection was noticed. To our knowledge, the combination of these two respiratory pathogens has not been described yet. This new TaqMan-PCR assay represents an efficient diagnostic tool to survey Parachlamydia acanthamoebae on a large-scale screening programs and also during outbreaks.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Olfa Baccari
- Laboratoire de Génie Enzymatique et Microbiologie, Equipe de Biotechnologie des Algues, Ecole Nationale d'Ingénieurs de Sfax, Université de Sfax, 3038, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Mohamed Barkallah
- Laboratoire de Génie Enzymatique et Microbiologie, Equipe de Biotechnologie des Algues, Ecole Nationale d'Ingénieurs de Sfax, Université de Sfax, 3038, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Jihen Elleuch
- Laboratoire de Génie Enzymatique et Microbiologie, Equipe de Biotechnologie des Algues, Ecole Nationale d'Ingénieurs de Sfax, Université de Sfax, 3038, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Nourelhouda Ben Ayed
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine of Sfax, Habib Bourguiba University Hospital, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Amel Chtourou
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine of Sfax, Habib Bourguiba University Hospital, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Héla Karray-Hakim
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine of Sfax, Habib Bourguiba University Hospital, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Adenene Hammami
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine of Sfax, Habib Bourguiba University Hospital, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Philippe Michaud
- Institut Pascal, Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, Clermont Auvergne INP, 63000, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Imen Fendri
- Laboratoire de Biotechnologie Végétale Appliquée à l'Amélioration des Cultures, Faculté des Sciences de Sfax, Université de Sfax, 3038, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Slim Abdelkafi
- Laboratoire de Génie Enzymatique et Microbiologie, Equipe de Biotechnologie des Algues, Ecole Nationale d'Ingénieurs de Sfax, Université de Sfax, 3038, Sfax, Tunisia.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Finethy R, Coers J. Sensing the enemy, containing the threat: cell-autonomous immunity to Chlamydia trachomatis. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2018; 40:875-893. [PMID: 28201690 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuw027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 03/31/2016] [Accepted: 07/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis is the etiological agent of the most common sexually transmitted infection in North America and Europe. Medical complications resulting from genital C. trachomatis infections arise predominantly in women where the initial infections often remain asymptomatic and thus unrecognized. Untreated asymptomatic infections in women can ascend into the upper genital tract and establish persistence, ultimately resulting in extensive scarring of the reproductive organs, pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility and ectopic pregnancies. Previously resolved C. trachomatis infections fail to provide protective immune memory, and no effective vaccine against C. trachomatis is currently available. Critical determinants of the pathogenesis and immunogenicity of genital C. trachomatis infections are cell-autonomous immune responses. Cell-autonomous immunity describes the ability of an individual host cell to launch intrinsic immune circuits that execute the detection, containment and elimination of cell-invading pathogens. As an obligate intracellular pathogen C. trachomatis is constantly under attack by cell-intrinsic host defenses. Accordingly, C. trachomatis evolved to subvert and co-opt cell-autonomous immune pathways. This review will provide a critical summary of our current understanding of cell-autonomous immunity to C. trachomatis and its role in shaping host resistance, inflammation and adaptive immunity to genital C. trachomatis infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Finethy
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Jörn Coers
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.,Department of Immunology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Morandini AC, Santos CF, Yilmaz Ö. Role of epigenetics in modulation of immune response at the junction of host-pathogen interaction and danger molecule signaling. Pathog Dis 2016; 74:ftw082. [PMID: 27542389 DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftw082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic mechanisms have rapidly and controversially emerged as silent modulators of host defenses that can lead to a more prominent immune response and shape the course of inflammation in the host. Thus, the epigenetics can both drive the production of specific inflammatory mediators and control the magnitude of the host response. The epigenetic actions that are predominantly shown to modulate the host defense against microbial pathogens are DNA methylation, histone modification and the activity of non-coding RNAs. There is also growing evidence that opportunistic chronic pathogens, such as Porphyromonas gingivalis, as a microbial host subversion strategy, can epigenetically interfere with the host DNA machinery for successful colonization. Similarly, the novel involvement of small molecule 'danger signals', which are released by stressed or infected cells, at the center of host-pathogen interplay and epigenetics is developing. In this review, we systematically examine the latest knowledge within the field of epigenetics in the context of host-derived danger molecule and purinergic signaling, with a particular focus on host microbial defenses and infection-driven chronic inflammation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Carolina Morandini
- Department of Biological Sciences, Bauru School of Dentistry - University of São Paulo, Bauru, SP, Brazil Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of the Pacific, Arthur Dugoni School of Dentistry, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA Department of Oral Health Sciences, College of Dental Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Carlos F Santos
- Department of Biological Sciences, Bauru School of Dentistry - University of São Paulo, Bauru, SP, Brazil
| | - Özlem Yilmaz
- Department of Oral Health Sciences, College of Dental Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Zou Y, Lei W, He Z, Li Z. The role of NOD1 and NOD2 in host defense against chlamydial infection. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2016; 363:fnw170. [PMID: 27421958 DOI: 10.1093/femsle/fnw170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydial species are common intracellular parasites that cause various diseases, mainly characterized by persistent infection, which lead to inflammatory responses modulated by pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). The best understood PRRs are the extracellular Toll-like receptors, but recent significant advances have focused on two important proteins, NOD1 and NOD2, which are members of the intracellular nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain receptor family and are capable of triggering the host innate immune signaling pathways. This results in the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which is vital for an adequate host defense against intracellular chlamydial infection. NOD1/2 ligands are known to derive from peptidoglycan, and the latest research has resolved the paradox of whether chlamydial species possess this bacterial cell wall component; this finding is likely to promote in-depth investigations into the interaction between the NOD proteins and chlamydial pathogens. In this review, we summarize the basic characteristics and signal transduction functions of NOD1 and NOD2 and highlight the new research on the roles of NOD1 and NOD2 in the host defense against chlamydial infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zou
- Pathogenic Biology Institute, School of Medicine, University of South China, Hengyang City, Hunan Province, P. R. China
| | - Wenbo Lei
- Pathogenic Biology Institute, School of Medicine, University of South China, Hengyang City, Hunan Province, P. R. China
| | - Zhansheng He
- Pathogenic Biology Institute, School of Medicine, University of South China, Hengyang City, Hunan Province, P. R. China
| | - Zhongyu Li
- Pathogenic Biology Institute, School of Medicine, University of South China, Hengyang City, Hunan Province, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Lanjouw E, Branković I, Pleijster J, Spaargaren J, Hoebe CJPA, van Kranen HJ, Ouburg S, Morré SA. Specific polymorphisms in the vitamin D metabolism pathway are not associated with susceptibility to Chlamydia trachomatis infection in humans. Pathog Dis 2016; 74:ftw010. [PMID: 26867646 DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftw010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/29/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis is the most common sexually transmitted bacterium worldwide. Its often asymptomatic course of infection increases chances of transmission, and increases risk of late complications. Genetic variations in the host immune system are known to impact the course of infections. Recent studies have shown a positive impact of vitamin D on the regulation of the immune system. This study assesses the impact of eight polymorphisms in five genes [VDR (rs1544410 G > A, rs2228570 C > T), CYP27B1 (rs10877012 G > T), DHCR7 (rs7944926 G > A, rs3829251 G > A), GC (rs3755967) and CYP2R1 (rs10741657 G > A, rs2060793 G > A)] on susceptibility to Chlamydia infections in humans. These polymorphisms could influence protein expression or function, and thus influence the immune system. Samples of women visiting the STD outpatient clinic in South Limburg were genotyped using the Roche Lightcycler 480. In this study, we did not observe statistically significant differences between the genotype distributions of these polymorphisms in women with or without a Chlamydia infection. This suggests that VDR, CYP27B1, DHCR7, GC and CYP2R1 do not affect the susceptibility to Chlamydia infections. However, due to its pleiotropic nature in the immune system a role for the vitamin D pathway may not be excluded from the whole clinical course of Chlamydia infections (e.g. late complications), and further research is required.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Esmée Lanjouw
- Department of Dermatology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam 3015 CA, the Netherlands Laboratory of Immunogenetics, Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam 1081 BT, the Netherlands
| | - Ivan Branković
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam 1081 BT, the Netherlands Institute for Public Health Genomics, Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, School for Oncology and Developmental Biology (GROW), Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht 6200 MD, the Netherlands
| | - Jolein Pleijster
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam 1081 BT, the Netherlands
| | - Joke Spaargaren
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam 1081 BT, the Netherlands
| | - Christian J P A Hoebe
- Public Health Service South Limburg, Department of Sexual Health, Infectious Disease and Environmental Health, Geleen 6160 HA, the Netherlands Department of Medical Microbiology, Maastricht University, Maastricht 6200 MD, the Netherlands
| | - Henk J van Kranen
- Institute for Public Health Genomics, Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, School for Oncology and Developmental Biology (GROW), Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht 6200 MD, the Netherlands National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven 3721 MA, the Netherlands
| | - Sander Ouburg
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam 1081 BT, the Netherlands
| | - Servaas A Morré
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam 1081 BT, the Netherlands Institute for Public Health Genomics, Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, School for Oncology and Developmental Biology (GROW), Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht 6200 MD, the Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Abstract
Background Cumulating reports suggest that acute phase proteins (APPs) do not only play a role as systemic inflammatory mediators, but are also expressed in different tissues as local reaction to inflammatory stimuli. The present study aimed to evaluate presence and changes in luminal lung concentrations of the APPs haptoglobin (Hp), lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP), C-reactive protein (CRP), and lactoferrin (Lf) in calves with an acute respiratory disease experimentally induced by Chlamydia (C.) psittaci. Results Intra-bronchial inoculation of the pathogen resulted in a consistent respiratory illness. In venous blood of the infected calves (n = 13), concentrations of plasma proteins and serum LBP were assessed (i) before exposure and (ii) 8 times within 14 days after inoculation (dpi). Increasing clinical illness correlated significantly with increasing LBP—and decreasing albumin concentrations in blood, both verifying a systemic acute phase response. Broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was obtained from all 13 calves experimentally infected with C. psittaci at 4, 9 and 14 dpi, and from 6 uninfected healthy calves. Concentrations of bovine serum albumin (BSA), Hp, LBP, CRP and Lf in BALF were determined by ELISA. In infected animals, absolute concentrations of LBP and Hp in BALF correlated significantly with the respiratory score. The quotient [LBP]/[BSA] in BALF peaked significantly in acutely infected animals (4 dpi), showed a time-dependent decrease during the recovery phase (9-14 dpi), and was significantly higher compared to healthy controls. Concentrations of Hp and Lf in BALF as well as [Hp]/[BSA]—and [Lf]/[BSA]-quotients decreased during the study in infected animals, but were never higher than in healthy controls. CRP concentrations and [CRP]/[BSA]-quotient did not express significant differences between infected and healthy animals or during the course of infection. Conclusion In conclusion, absolute concentrations of LBP in blood and BALF as well as the quotient [LBP]/[BSA] in BALF perfectly paralleled the clinical course of respiratory illness after infection. Beside LBP, the suitability of Hp and Lf as local biomarkers of respiratory infections in cattle and their role in the local response to pathogens is worth further investigation, while CRP does not seem to play a role in local defense mechanisms of the bovine lung.
Collapse
|