Manipulating cellular transport and immune responses: dynamic interactions between intracellular Salmonella enterica and its host cells

Genetic engineering of Salmonella spp. for novel vaccine strategies and therapeutics

Salmonella enterica is a diverse species that infects both humans and animals. S. enterica subspecies enterica consists of more than 1,500 serovars. Unlike typhoidal Salmonella serovars which are human host-restricted, non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) serovars are associated with foodborne illnesses worldwide and are transmitted via the food chain. Additionally, NTS serovars can cause disease in livestock animals causing significant economic losses. Salmonella is a well-studied model organism that is easy to manipulate and evaluate in animal models of infection. Advances in genetic engineering approaches in recent years have led to the development of Salmonella vaccines for both humans and animals. In this review, we focus on current progress of recombinant live-attenuated Salmonella vaccines, their use as a source of antigens for parenteral vaccines, their use as live-vector vaccines to deliver foreign antigens, and their use as therapeutic cancer vaccines in humans. We also describe development of live-attenuated Salmonella vaccines and live-vector vaccines for use in animals.

Single missense mutations in Vi capsule synthesis genes confer hypervirulence to Salmonella Typhi

Many bacterial pathogens, including the human exclusive pathogen Salmonella Typhi, express capsular polysaccharides as a crucial virulence factor. Here, through S. Typhi whole genome sequence analyses and functional studies, we found a list of single point mutations that make S. Typhi hypervirulent. We discovered a single point mutation in the Vi biosynthesis enzymes that control Vi polymerization or acetylation is enough to result in different capsule variants of S. Typhi. All variant strains are pathogenic, but the hyper Vi capsule variants are particularly hypervirulent, as demonstrated by the high morbidity and mortality rates observed in infected mice. The hypo Vi capsule variants have primarily been identified in Africa, whereas the hyper Vi capsule variants are distributed worldwide. Collectively, these studies increase awareness about the existence of different capsule variants of S. Typhi, establish a solid foundation for numerous future studies on S. Typhi capsule variants, and offer valuable insights into strategies to combat capsulated bacteria.

Necroptosis in bacterial infections

Necroptosis, a recently discovered form of cell-programmed death that is distinct from apoptosis, has been confirmed to play a significant role in the pathogenesis of bacterial infections in various animal models. Necroptosis is advantageous to the host, but in some cases, it can be detrimental. To understand the impact of necroptosis on the pathogenesis of bacterial infections, we described the roles and molecular mechanisms of necroptosis caused by different bacterial infections in this review.

A new Salmonella enterica serovar that was isolated from a wild sparrow presents a distinct genetic, metabolic and virulence profile

Salmonella enterica is a ubiquitous and clinically-important bacterial pathogen, able to infect and cause different diseases in a wide range of hosts. Here, we report the isolation and characterization of a new S. enterica serovar (13,23:i:-; S. Tirat-Zvi), belonging to the Havana supper-lineage that was isolated from a wild house sparrow (Passer domesticus) in Israel. Whole genome sequencing and complete assembly of its genome indicated a plasmid-free, 4.7 Mb genome that carries the Salmonella pathogenicity islands 1-6, 9, 19 and an integrative and conjugative element (ICE), encoding arsenic resistance genes. Phenotypically, S. Tirat-Zvi isolate TZ282 was motile, readily formed biofilm, more versatile in carbon source utilization than S. Typhimurium and highly tolerant to arsenic, but impaired in host cell invasion. In-vivo infection studies indicated that while S. Tirat-Zvi was able to infect and cause an acute inflammatory enterocolitis in young chicks, it was compromised in mice colonization and did not cause an inflammatory colitis in mice compared to S. Typhimurium. We suggest that these phenotypes reflect the distinctive ecological niche of this new serovar and its evolutionary adaptation to passerine birds, as a permissive host. Moreover, these results further illuminate the genetic, phenotypic and ecological diversity of S. enterica pathovars.

Single missense mutations in Vi capsule synthesis genes confer hypervirulence to Salmonella Typhi

Many bacterial pathogens, including the human exclusive pathogen Salmonella Typhi, express capsular polysaccharides as a crucial virulence factor. Here, through S. Typhi whole genome sequence analyses and functional studies, we found a list of single point mutations that make S . Typhi hypervirulent. We discovered a single point mutation in the Vi biosynthesis enzymes that control the length or acetylation of Vi is enough to create different capsule variants of S. Typhi. All variant strains are pathogenic, but the hyper-capsule variants are particularly hypervirulent, as demonstrated by the high morbidity and mortality rates observed in infected mice. The hypo-capsule variants have primarily been identified in Africa, whereas the hyper-capsule variants are distributed worldwide. Collectively, these studies increase awareness about the existence of different capsule variants of S. Typhi, establish a solid foundation for numerous future studies on S. Typhi capsule variants, and offer valuable insights into strategies to combat capsulated bacteria.

Changes in the gut microbiota of NOD mice in response to an oral Salmonella-based vaccine against type 1 diabetes

We developed an oral Salmonella-based vaccine that prevents and reverses diabetes in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice. Related to this, the gastrointestinal tract harbors a complex dynamic population of microorganisms, the gut microbiome, that influences host homeostasis and metabolism. Changes in the gut microbiome are associated with insulin dysfunction and type 1 diabetes (T1D). Oral administration of diabetic autoantigens as a vaccine can restore immune balance. However, it was not known if a Salmonella-based vaccine would impact the gut microbiome. We administered a Salmonella-based vaccine to prediabetic NOD mice. Changes in the gut microbiota and associated metabolome were assessed using next-generation sequencing and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The Salmonella-based vaccine did not cause significant changes in the gut microbiota composition immediately after vaccination although at 30 days post-vaccination changes were seen. Additionally, no changes were noted in the fecal mycobiome between vaccine- and control/vehicle-treated mice. Significant changes in metabolic pathways related to inflammation and proliferation were found after vaccine administration. The results from this study suggest that an oral Salmonella-based vaccine alters the gut microbiome and metabolome towards a more tolerant composition. These results support the use of orally administered Salmonella-based vaccines that induced tolerance after administration.

A SARS-CoV-2 oral vaccine development strategy based on the attenuated Salmonella type III secretion system

AIMS

This study aimed to provide a safe, stable and efficient SARS-CoV-2 oral vaccine development strategy based on the type III secretion system of attenuated Salmonella and a reference for the development of a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The attenuated Salmonella mutant ΔhtrA-VNP was used as a vector to secrete the antigen SARS-CoV-2 based on the type III secretion system (T3SS). The Salmonella pathogenicity island 2 (SPI-2)-encoded T3SS promoter (sifB) was screened to express heterologous antigens (RBD, NTD, S2), and the SPI-2-encoded secretion system (sseJ) was employed to secrete this molecule (psifB-sseJ-antigen, abbreviated BJ-antigen). Both immunoblotting and fluorescence microscopy revealed effective expression and secretion of the antigen into the cytosol of macrophages in vitro. The mixture of the three strains (BJ-RBD/NTD/S2, named AisVax) elicited a marked increase in the induction of IgA or IgG S-protein Abs after oral gavage, intraperitoneal and subcutaneous administration. Flow cytometric analysis proved that AisVax caused T-cell activation, as shown by a significant increase in CD44 and CD69 expression. Significant production of IgA or IgG N-protein Abs was also detected by using psifB-sseJ-N(FL), indicating the universality of this strategy.

CONCLUSIONS

Delivery of multiple SARS-CoV-2 antigens using the type III secretion system of attenuated Salmonella ΔhtrA-VNP is a potential COVID-19 vaccine strategy.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

The attenuated Salmonella strain ΔhtrA-VNP showed excellent performance as a vaccine vector. The Salmonella SPI-2-encoded T3SS showed highly efficient delivery of SARS-COV-2 antigens. Anti-loss elements integrated into the plasmid stabilized the phenotype of the vaccine strain. Mixed administration of antigen-expressing strains improved antibody induction.

Malate synthase contributes to the survival of Salmonella Typhimurium against nutrient and oxidative stress conditions

To survive and replicate in the host, S. Typhimurium have evolved several metabolic pathways. The glyoxylate shunt is one such pathway that can utilize acetate for the synthesis of glucose and other biomolecules. This pathway is a bypass of the TCA cycle in which CO₂ generating steps are omitted. Two enzymes involved in the glyoxylate cycle are isocitrate lyase (ICL) and malate synthase (MS). We determined the contribution of MS in the survival of S. Typhimurium under carbon limiting and oxidative stress conditions. The ms gene deletion strain (∆ms strain) grew normally in LB media but failed to grow in M9 minimal media supplemented with acetate as a sole carbon source. However, the ∆ms strain showed hypersensitivity (p < 0.05) to hypochlorite. Further, ∆ms strain has been significantly more susceptible to neutrophils. Interestingly, several folds induction of ms gene was observed following incubation of S. Typhimurium with neutrophils. Further, ∆ms strain showed defective colonization in poultry spleen and liver. In short, our data demonstrate that the MS contributes to the virulence of S. Typhimurium by aiding its survival under carbon starvation and oxidative stress conditions.

Detection and Identification of Novel Intracellular Bacteria Hosted in Strains CBS 648.67 and CFCC 80795 of Biocontrol Fungi Metarhizium

"Endosymbiosis" is a cohesive form of a symbiotic association. Endobacteria exist in many fungi and play important roles in fungal host biology. Metarhizium spp. are important entomopathogenic fungi for insect pest control. In the present study, we performed comprehensive ana-lyses of strains of Metarhizium bibionidarum and M. anisopliae using PCR, phylogenetics, and fluorescent electron microscopy to identify endobacteria within hyphae and conidia. The results of the phylogenetic ana-lysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that these endobacteria were the most closely related to Pelomonas puraquae and affiliated with Betaproteobacteria. Ultrastructural observations indicated that endobacteria were coccoid and less than 500‍ ‍nm in diameter. The basic characteristics of endobacteria in M. bibionidarum and M. anisopliae were elucidated, and biological questions were raised regarding their biological functions in the Metarhizium hosts.

Lipid larceny: channelizing host lipids for establishing successful pathogenesis by bacteria

Lipids are complex organic compounds made up of carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen. These play a diverse and intricate role in cellular processes like membrane trafficking, protein sorting, signal transduction, and bacterial infections. Both Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus sp., Listeria monocytogenes, etc.) and Gram-negative bacteria (Chlamydia sp., Salmonella sp., E. coli, etc.) can hijack the various host-lipids and utilize them structurally as well as functionally to mount a successful infection. The pathogens can deploy with various arsenals to exploit host membrane lipids and lipid-associated receptors as an attachment for toxins' landing or facilitate their entry into the host cellular niche. Bacterial species like Mycobacterium sp. can also modulate the host lipid metabolism to fetch its carbon source from the host. The sequential conversion of host membrane lipids into arachidonic acid and prostaglandin E2 due to increased activity of cPLA-2 and COX-2 upon bacterial infection creates immunosuppressive conditions and facilitates the intracellular growth and proliferation of bacteria. However, lipids' more debatable role is that they can also be a blessing in disguise. Certain host-lipids, especially sphingolipids, have been shown to play a crucial antibacterial role and help the host in combating the infections. This review shed light on the detailed role of host lipids in bacterial infections and the current understanding of the lipid in therapeutics. We have also discussed potential prospects and the need of the hour to help us cope in this race against deadly pathogens and their rapidly evolving stealthy virulence strategies.

Intracellular delivery of protein drugs with an autonomously lysing bacterial system reduces tumor growth and metastases

Critical cancer pathways often cannot be targeted because of limited efficiency crossing cell membranes. Here we report the development of a Salmonella-based intracellular delivery system to address this challenge. We engineer genetic circuits that (1) activate the regulator flhDC to drive invasion and (2) induce lysis to release proteins into tumor cells. Released protein drugs diffuse from Salmonella containing vacuoles into the cellular cytoplasm where they interact with their therapeutic targets. Control of invasion with flhDC increases delivery over 500 times. The autonomous triggering of lysis after invasion makes the platform self-limiting and prevents drug release in healthy organs. Bacterial delivery of constitutively active caspase-3 blocks the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma and lung metastases, and increases survival in mice. This success in targeted killing of cancer cells provides critical evidence that this approach will be applicable to a wide range of protein drugs for the treatment of solid tumors.

Bioinspired drug delivery strategies for repurposing conventional antibiotics against intracellular infections

Bacteria have developed a wealth of strategies to avoid and resist the action of antibiotics, one of which involves pathogens invading and forming reservoirs within host cells. Due to the poor cell membrane permeability, stability and retention of conventional antibiotics, this renders current treatments largely ineffective, since achieving a therapeutically relevant antibiotic concentration at the site of intracellular infection is not possible. To overcome such challenges, current antibiotics are 'repurposed' via reformulation using micro- or nano-carrier systems that effectively encapsulate and deliver therapeutics across cellular membranes of infected cells. Bioinspired materials that imitate the uptake of biological particulates and release antibiotics in response to natural stimuli are recently explored to improve the targeting and specificity of this 'nanoantibiotic' approach. In this review, the mechanisms of internalization and survival of intracellular bacteria are elucidated, effectively accentuating the current treatment challenges for intracellular infections and the implications for repurposing conventional antibiotics. Key case studies of nanoantibiotics that have drawn inspiration from natural biological particles and cellular uptake pathways to effectively eradicate intracellular pathogens are detailed, clearly highlighting the rational for harnessing bioinspired drug delivery strategies.

Oral Salmonella msbB Mutant as a Carrier for a Salmonella-Based Vaccine for Prevention and Reversal of Type 1 Diabetes

A therapy that includes an oral vaccine for type 1 diabetes (T1D) using live attenuated Salmonella MvP728 (ΔhtrA/ΔpurD), cytokines (IL10 and TGFβ) and preproinsulin (PPI) antigen in combination with a sub-therapeutic dose of anti-CD3 mAb was developed by our team. The vaccine combination therapy reduced insulitis and prevented and reversed diabetes in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice. Here, we show the effectiveness of an alternative Salmonella mutant (ΔmsbB) as a carrier strain, which is anticipated to have lower risks of an inflammatory response and septicemia as a result of modification in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) via detoxification of lipid A. This mutant strain proved to have highly reduced pathogenic side effects. Salmonella strain ΔmsbB expressed autoantigens and in combination with cytokines and anti-CD3 mAb, successfully prevented and reversed T1D to levels comparable to the previously used carrier strain ΔhtrA/ΔpurD. Additionally, the Salmonella msbB mutant resulted in higher rates of host cell infection. These results further demonstrate the potential of an oral Salmonella-based combined therapy in the treatment of early T1D.

Mechanisms of typhoid toxin neutralization by antibodies targeting glycan receptor binding and nuclease subunits

Nearly all clinical isolates of Salmonella Typhi, the cause of typhoid fever, are antibiotic resistant. All S. Typhi isolates secrete an A2B5 exotoxin called typhoid toxin to benefit the pathogen during infection. Here, we demonstrate that antibiotic-resistant S. Typhi secretes typhoid toxin continuously during infection regardless of antibiotic treatment. We characterize typhoid toxin antibodies targeting glycan-receptor-binding PltB or nuclease CdtB, which neutralize typhoid toxin in vitro and in vivo, as demonstrated by using typhoid toxin secreted by antibiotic-resistant S. Typhi during human cell infection and lethal dose typhoid toxin challenge to mice. TyTx11 generated in this study neutralizes typhoid toxin effectively, comparable to TyTx4 that binds to all PltB subunits available per holotoxin. Cryoelectron microscopy explains that the binding of TyTx11 to CdtB makes this subunit inactive through CdtB catalytic-site conformational change. The identified toxin-neutralizing epitopes are conserved across all S. Typhi clinical isolates, offering critical insights into typhoid toxin-neutralizing strategies.

Effects of Salmonella enterica serovar typhimurium sseK1 on macrophage inflammation-related cytokines and glycolysis

Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium), an important virulent intracellular pathogen, causes inflammatory gastroenteritis or typhoid. Macrophages play a key role in innate immunity against Salmonella. Salmonella secreted effector K1 (SseK1) encoded by SPI2 has been identified a novel translocated protein. To investigate the role of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium sseK1 about the inflammation and glycolysis in macrophages, the levels of IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IFN-γ and Nitric Oxide in macrophages infected by S. Typhimurium SL1344 wild-type (WT) group, ΔsseK1 mutant group and sseK1-complemented group were measured. And the glycolysis level was determined in RAW 264.7 cells infected with these different Salmonella strains. The results showed that groups infected by wild-type strain, sseK1 mutant and sseK1-complemented strain upregulated the production of IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IFN-γ and NO at 3 h, 6 h and 12 h, respectively. The production of IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IFN-γ and NO in wild-type strain group were significantly decreased compared with the ΔsseK1 mutant group, which suggested that sseK1 down-regulated the production of related inflammatory factors. Moreover, hexokinase, lactic acid and pyruvic acid levels significantly decreased by infection with sseK1 mutant compared to the wild-type strain. The ATP level of ΔsseK1 mutant group was remarkably increased than WT group and sseK1-complemented group. These indicated that the sseK1 enhanced the level of glycolysis of macrophages infected by S. Typhimurium. In summary, the results demonstrated that sseK1 can down-regulate the inflammation-related cytokines and enhance the glycolysis level in macrophages infected by S. Typhimurium, which may be beneficial for S. typhimurium survival in macrophages.

WbaP is required for swarm motility and intramacrophage multiplication of Salmonella Enteritidis spiC mutant by glucose use ability

Salmonella spp. can survive and replicate in macrophage cells to cause persistent infection, SpiC is a necessary T3SS effector, but its pathogenic mechanism is still not known completely. In our study, Salmonella Enteritidis spiC mutant (SEΔspiC) was found to have stronger swarming motility and intramacrophage hyperproliferation which was closely related to glucose metabolism. SEΔspiC wbaP::Tn5 mutant was screened out by transposon mutagenesis, which had weaker swarming motility and intramacrophage replication ability than SEΔspiC in the presence of glucose. Bioinformatics displayed that undecaprenyl-phosphate galactose phosphotransferase (Wbap), encoded by wbaP gene, was a key enzyme for glucose metabolism and Lipopolysaccharide(LPS) synthesis, which confirmed our outcome that Wbap was involved in intramacrophage replication ability by glucose use in addition to swarming motility based on SEΔspiC. This discovery will further promote the understanding of the interaction between wbaP gene and spiC gene and the intracellular Salmonella replication mechanism.

The Interplay of Host Lysosomes and Intracellular Pathogens

Lysosomes are an integral part of the intracellular defense system against microbes. Lysosomal homeostasis in the host is adaptable and responds to conditions such as infection or nutritional deprivation. Pathogens such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) and Salmonella avoid lysosomal targeting by actively manipulating the host vesicular trafficking and reside in a vacuole altered from the default lysosomal trafficking. In this review, the mechanisms by which the respective pathogen containing vacuoles (PCVs) intersect with lysosomal trafficking pathways and maintain their distinctness are discussed. Despite such active inhibition of lysosomal targeting, emerging literature shows that different pathogens or pathogen derived products exhibit a global influence on the host lysosomal system. Pathogen mediated lysosomal enrichment promotes the trafficking of a sub-set of pathogens to lysosomes, indicating heterogeneity in the host-pathogen encounter. This review integrates recent advancements on the global lysosomal alterations upon infections and the host protective role of the lysosomes against these pathogens. The review also briefly discusses the heterogeneity in the lysosomal targeting of these pathogens and the possible mechanisms and consequences.

Tracking of an Oral Salmonella-Based Vaccine for Type 1 Diabetes in Non-obese Diabetic Mice

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) arises secondary to immune-driven destruction of pancreatic β-cells and manifests as insulin-deficient hyperglycemia. We showed that oral vaccination with live attenuated Salmonella, which simultaneously delivers autoantigens and a TGFβ expression vector to immune cells in the gut mucosa, provides protection against the progression of T1D in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice. In this study we employed the Sleeping Beauty (SB) transposon system that is composed of a transposase and transposon encoding the td-Tomato to express red fluorescent protein (RFP) to permanently mark the cells that take up the Salmonella vaccine. After animal vaccination, the transposon labeled-dendritic cells (DCs) with red fluorescence appeared throughout the secondary lymphoid tissues. Furthermore, Sleeping Beauty containing tgfβ1 gene (SB-tgfβ1) co-expressed TGFβ and RFP. The labeled DCs were detected predominantly in Peyer's patches (PP) and mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) and expressed CD103 surface marker. CD103+ DCs induced tolerogenic effects and gut homing. TGFβ significantly increased programmed death-ligand-1 (PDL-1 or CD274) expression in the DCs in the MLN and PP of treated mice. Also, TGFβ increased cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein-4 (CTLA-4) levels in CD4+ cells in MLN and PP. Interestingly, DCs increased in all lymphatic organs of mice vaccinated with oral live Salmonella-based vaccine expressing preproinsulin (PPI), in combination with TGFβ, IL10, and subtherapeutic-doses of anti-CD3 mAb compared with vehicle-treated mice. These DCs are mostly tolerogenic in MLN and PP. Furthermore the DCs obtained from vaccine-treated but not vehicle-treated mice suppressed in vitro T cell proliferation. These data suggest that the MLN and the PP are a central hub for the beneficial anti-diabetic effects of an oral Salmonella-based vaccine prevention of diabetes in rodents.

An alternative penicillin-binding protein involved in Salmonella relapses following ceftriaxone therapy

Background

Salmonella causes intracellular infections in humans. Besides quinolones, third generation cephalosporins are first line drugs used for salmonellosis therapy. An unresolved anomaly of this practice involves high relapse rates associated to quinolone- or cephalosporin-susceptible Salmonella isolates in patients that are discharged clinically following initial recovery. Reduced drug accessibility to intracellular locations has been hypothesized to impair pathogen eradication although supporting evidence is lacking in vivo. Here, we uncover a novel penicillin-binding protein as the first Salmonella factor likely contributing to relapse following beta-lactam, mainly ceftriaxone, therapy.

Methods

We used Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium mutants lacking the alternative penicillin-binding proteins PBP2_SAL or PBP3_SAL. Affinity of PBP2_SAL and PBP3_SAL for beta-lactam antibiotics was tested. Relapse after ceftriaxone therapy was analysed in the murine typhoid model.

Findings

S. Typhimurium does not express PBP2_SAL or PBP3_SAL in the Mueller-Hinton medium used for susceptibility testing. The pathogen produces these PBPs in response to acidic pH and nutrient limitation, conditions found in phagosomes of mammalian cells. PBP3_SAL has low affinity for beta-lactams, even at acidic pH. In vitro susceptibility to ceftriaxone at low pH is strongly reduced. S. Typhimurium lacking PBP3_SAL was unable to cause relapse in mice following ceftriaxone therapy.

Interpretation

The reduced capacity of ceftriaxone to clear S. Typhimurium in vivo is favoured by a switch in beta-lactam targets. This switch, involving production of the less-susceptible PBP3_SAL, remains invisible for standard procedures used in clinical therapy. We conclude that eradication of salmonellosis will be possible only upon targeting of PBP3_SAL with novel drugs.

Lactic acid bacteria decrease Salmonella enterica Javiana virulence and modulate host inflammation during infection of an intestinal epithelial cell line

Salmonella enterica Javiana is a leading cause of severe foodborne Salmonellosis. Despite its emergence as a major foodborne pathogen, little is known of how S. Javiana interacts with intestinal epithelial cells, or of potential methods for ameliorating the bacterial-host interaction. Using cell-based adhesion, invasion and lactate dehydrogenase release assays, we observed an invasive and cytotoxic effect of S. Javiana on intestinal epithelial cells. We assessed the effect of probiotic species of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) on the S. Javiana-host cell interaction, and hypothesized that LAB would reduce S. Javiana infectivity. Salmonella enterica Javiana invasion was significantly impaired in host cells pre-treated with live Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus rhamnosus. In addition, pre-exposure of host cells to live L. acidophilus, L. rhamnosus and L. casei reduced S. Javiana-induced cytotoxicity, while heat-killed LAB cultures had no effect on S. Javiana invasion or cytotoxicity. qRT-PCR analysis revealed that S. Javiana exposed to L. acidophilus and L. rhamnosus exhibited reduced virulence gene expression. Moreover, pre-treating host cells with LAB prior to S. Javiana infection reduced host cell production of inflammatory cytokines. Data suggest a potential protective effect of L. acidophilus, L. rhamnosus and L. casei against intestinal epithelial infection and pathogen-induced damage caused by S. Javiana.

ptsI gene in the phosphotransfer system is a potential target for developing a live attenuated Salmonella vaccine

Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium causes invasive non-typhoidal Salmonella diseases in animals and humans, resulting in a high mortality rate and huge economic losses globally. As the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant Salmonella has been increasing, vaccination is thought to be the most effective and economical strategy to manage salmonellosis. The present study aimed to investigate whether dysfunction in the phosphoenolpyruvate:carbohydrate phosphotransferase system (PTS), which is critical for carbon uptake and survival in macrophages, may be adequate to generate Salmonella-attenuated vaccine strains. A Salmonella strain (KST0555) was generated by deleting the ptsI gene from the PTS and it was revealed that this auxotrophic mutant was unable to efficiently utilize predominant carbon sources during infection (glucose and glycerol), reduced its invasion and replication capacity in macrophages, and significantly (P=0.0065) lowered its virulence in the setting of a mouse colitis model, along with a substantially decreased intestinal colonization and invasiveness compared with its parent strain. The reverse transcription-quantitative PCR results demonstrated that the virulence genes in Salmonella pathogenicity island-1 (SPI-1) and -2 (SPI-2) and the motility of KST0555 were all downregulated compared with its parent strain. Finally, it was revealed that when mice were immunized orally with live KST0555, Salmonella-specific humoral and cellular immune responses were effectively elicited, providing protection against Salmonella infection. Thus, the present promising data provides a strong rationale for the advancement of KST0555 as a live Salmonella vaccine candidate and ptsI as a potential target for developing a live attenuated bacterial vaccine strain.

Molecular Mechanisms of Salmonella Effector Proteins: A Comprehensive Review

Salmonella can be categorized into many serotypes, which are specific to known hosts or broadhosts. It makes no difference which one of the serotypes would penetrate the gastrointestinal tract because they all face similar obstacles such as mucus and microbiome. However, following their penetration, some species remain in the gastrointestinal tract; yet, others spread to another organ like gallbladder. Salmonella is required to alter the immune response to sustain its intracellular life. Changing the host response requires particular effector proteins and vehicles to translocate them. To this end, a categorized gene called Salmonella pathogenicity island (SPI) was developed; genes like Salmonella pathogenicity island encode aggressive or modulating proteins. Initially, Salmonella needs to be attached and stabilized via adhesin factor, without which no further steps can be taken. In this review, an attempt has been made to elaborate on each factor attached to the host cell or to modulating and aggressive proteins that evade immune systems. This review includes four sections: (A) attachment factors or T3SS- independent entrance, (B) effector proteins or T3SS-dependent entrance, (c) regulation of invasive genes, and (D) regulation of immune responses.

Global transcriptomic analyses of Salmonella enterica in Iron-depleted and Iron-rich growth conditions

Background

Salmonella enterica possess several iron acquisition systems, encoded on the chromosome and plasmids. Recently, we demonstrated that incompatibility group (Inc) FIB plasmid-encoded iron acquisition systems (Sit and aerobactin) likely play an important role in persistence of Salmonella in human intestinal epithelial cells (Caco-2). In this study, we sought to determine global transcriptome analyses of S. enterica in iron-rich (IR) and iron-depleted (ID) growth conditions.

Results

The number of differentially-expressed genes were substantially higher for recipient (SE819) (n = 966) and transconjugant (TC) (n = 945) compared to the wild type (WT) (SE163A) (n = 110) strain in ID as compared to IR growth conditions. Several virulence-associated factors including T3SS, flagellin, cold-shock protein (cspE), and regulatory genes were upregulated in TC in ID compared to IR conditions. Whereas, IS1 and acrR/tetR transposases located on the IncFIB plasmid, ferritin and several regulatory genes were downregulated in TC in ID conditions. Enterobactin transporter (entS), iron ABC transporter (fepCD), colicin transporter, IncFIB-encoded enolase, cyclic di-GMP regulator (cdgR) and other regulatory genes of the WT strain were upregulated in ID compared to IR conditions. Conversely, ferritin, ferrous iron transport protein A (feoA), IncFIB-encoded IS1 and acrR/tetR transposases and ArtA toxin of WT were downregulated in ID conditions. SDS-PAGE coupled with LC-MS/MS analyses revealed that siderophore receptor proteins such as chromosomally-encoded IroN and, IncFIB-encoded IutA were upregulated in WT and TC in ID growth conditions. Both chromosome and IncFIB plasmid-encoded SitA was overexpressed in WT, but not in TC or recipient in ID conditions. Increased expression of flagellin was detected in recipient and TC, but not in WT in ID conditions.

Conclusion

Iron concentrations in growth media influenced differential gene expressions both at transcriptional and translational levels, including genes encoded on the IncFIB plasmid. Limited iron availability within the host may promote pathogenic Salmonella to differentially express subsets of genes encoded by chromosome and/or plasmids, facilitating establishment of successful infection.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12864-019-5768-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Active sulfite oxidase domain of Salmonella enterica pathogenic protein small intestine invasive factor E (SiiE): a potential diagnostic target

Serovars of Salmonella enterica are common food-borne bacterial pathogens. Salmonella typhi, which causes typhoid, is the most dangerous of them. Though detailed molecular pathogenesis studies reveal many virulence factors, inability to identify their biochemical functions hampers the development of diagnostic methods and therapeutic leads. Lack of quicker diagnosis is an impediment in starting early antibiotic treatment to reduce the severe morbidity and mortality in typhoid. In this study, employing bioinformatic prediction, biochemical analysis, and recombinantly cloning the active region, we show that extracellularly secreted virulence-associated protein, small intestinal invasion factor E (SiiE), possesses a sulfite oxidase (SO) domain that catalyzes the conversion of sodium sulfite to sodium sulfate using tungsten as the cofactor. This activity common to Salmonella enterica serovars seems to be specific to them from bioinformatic analysis of available bacterial genomes. Along with the ability of this large non-fimbrial adhesin of 600 kDa binding to sialic acid on the host cells, this activity could aid in subverting the host defense mechanism by destroying sulfites released by the immune cells and colonize the host gastrointestinal epithelium. Being an extracellular enzyme, it could be an ideal candidate for developing diagnostics of S. enterica, particularly S. typhi.

Salmonella Outer Protein B Suppresses Colitis Development via Protecting Cell From Necroptosis

Salmonella effectors translocated into epithelial cells contribute to the pathogenesis of infection. They mediate epithelial cell invasion and subsequent intracellular replication. However, their functions in vivo have not been well-identified. In this study, we uncovered a role for Salmonella outer protein B (SopB) in modulating necroptosis to facilitate bacteria escape epithelial cell and spread to systemic sites through a Salmonella-induced colitis model. Mice infected with SopB deleted strain ΔsopB displayed increased severity to colitis, reduced mucin expression and increased bacterial translocation. In vitro study, we found there was an increased goblet cell necroptosis following ΔsopB infection. Consistently, mice infected with ΔsopB had a strong upregulation of mixed lineage kinase domain-like (MLKL) phosphorylation. Deletion of MLKL rescued severity of tissue inflammatory, improved mucin2 expression and abolished the increased bacterial translocation in mice infected with ΔsopB. Intriguingly, the expression of sopB in LS174T cells was downregulated. The temporally regulated SopB expression potentially switched the role from epithelial cell invasion to bacterial transmission. Collectively, these results indicated a role for SopB in modulating the onset of necroptosis to increased bacteria pathogenesis and translocated to systemic sites.

Role of CsrA in stress responses and metabolism important for Salmonella virulence revealed by integrated transcriptomics

To cause infection, Salmonella must survive and replicate in host niches that present dramatically different environmental conditions. This requires a flexible metabolism and physiology, responsive to conditions of the local milieu. The sequence specific RNA binding protein CsrA serves as a global regulator that governs gene expression required for pathogenicity, metabolism, biofilm formation, and motility in response to nutritional conditions. Its activity is determined by two noncoding small RNAs (sRNA), CsrB and CsrC, which sequester and antagonize this protein. Here, we used ribosome profiling and RNA-seq analysis to comprehensively examine the effects of CsrA on mRNA occupancy with ribosomes, a measure of translation, transcript stability, and the steady state levels of transcripts under in vitro SPI-1 inducing conditions, to simulate growth in the intestinal lumen, and under in vitro SPI-2-inducing conditions, to simulate growth in the Salmonella containing vacuole (SCV) of the macrophage. Our findings uncovered new roles for CsrA in controlling the expression of structural and regulatory genes involved in stress responses, metabolism, and virulence systems required for infection. We observed substantial variation in the CsrA regulon under the two growth conditions. In addition, CsrB/C sRNA levels were greatly reduced under the simulated intracellular conditions and were responsive to nutritional factors that distinguish the intracellular and luminal environments. Altogether, our results reveal CsrA to be a flexible regulator, which is inferred to be intimately involved in maintaining the distinct gene expression patterns associated with growth in the intestine and the macrophage.

Esteya Vermicola, a Nematophagous Fungus Attacking the Pine Wood Nematode, Harbors a Bacterial Endosymbiont Affiliated with Gammaproteobacteria

Symbioses have played pivotal roles in biological, ecological, and evolutionary diversification. Symbiotic bacteria affect the biology of hosts in a number of ways. Esteya vermicola, an endoparasitic nematophagous fungus, has high infectivity in the pine wood nematode (PWN), which causes devastating ecological damage and economic losses in Asia and Europe. An integration of molecular, phylogenetic, and morphological analyses revealed that surface-sterilized E. vermicola with septate hyphae from different geographic locations harbor bacterial endosymbionts. 16S rRNA gene sequences from four fungal strains all clustered in a well-supported monophyletic clade that was the most closely related to Pseudomonas stutzeri and affiliated with Gammaproteobacteria. The existence and intracellular location of endobacteria was revealed by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). Our results showed that endobacteria were coccoid, vertically inherited, as yet uncultured, and essential symbionts. Ultrastructural observations indicated that young and old endobacteria differed in cell size, cell wall thickness, and the degree of reproduction. The results of the present study provide a fundamental understanding of the endobacteria inside E. vermicola and raise questions regarding the impact of endobacteria on the biology, ecology, and evolution of their fungal host.

Influence of Salmonella enterica serovar Pullorum pathogenicity island 2 on type III secretion system effector gene expression in chicken macrophage HD11 cells

Salmonella pathogenicity island 2 (SPI2) can encode type III secretion system 2 (T3SS2) which plays an important role in systemic disease development through delivering different effector proteins into host cells. Here, the influence of Salmonella Pullorum pathogenicity island 2 on T3SS2 effector gene expression was studied using qRT-PCR in chicken macrophage HD11 cells. Our results showed that all the detected genes (including pseudogenes sifB, sspH2 and steC) can express in HD11 cells of S. Pullorum infection; deletion of SPI2 of S. Pullorum did not significantly affect the expression of genes cigR, gtgA, slrP, sopD, sseK1, steB and steC, but had a significant effect on the expression of genes pipB2, sifB, sopD2, sseJ, sseL, sspH2, steD, sifA, pipB and steA at different degrees. These results suggest that SPI2 can significantly affect the expression of some T3SS2 effector genes. Some effectors may have secretion pathways other than T3SS2 and pseudogenes may play roles in the process of S. Pullorum infection.

Salmonella in Swine: Microbiota Interactions

For the important foodborne pathogen Salmonella enterica to cause disease or persist in pigs, it has evolved an intricate set of interactions between itself, the host, and the indigenous microflora of the host. S. enterica must evade the host's immune system and must also overcome colonization resistance mediated by the pig's indigenous microflora. The inflammatory response against S. enterica provides the bacteria with unique metabolites and is thus exploited by S. enterica for competitive advantage. During infection, changes in the composition of the indigenous microflora occur that have been associated with a breakdown in colonization resistance. Healthy pigs that are low-level shedders of S. enterica also exhibit alterations in their indigenous microflora similar to those in ill animals. Here we review the literature on the interactions that occur between swine, S. enterica, and the indigenous microflora and discuss methods to reduce or prevent colonization of pigs with S. enterica.

Salmonella Infection Enhances Erythropoietin Production by the Kidney and Liver, Which Correlates with Elevated Bacterial Burdens

Salmonella infection profoundly affects host erythroid development, but the mechanisms responsible for this effect remain poorly understood. We monitored the impact of Salmonella infection on erythroid development and found that systemic infection induced anemia, splenomegaly, elevated erythropoietin (EPO) levels, and extramedullary erythropoiesis in a process independent of Salmonella pathogenicity island 2 (SPI2) or flagellin. The circulating EPO level was also constitutively higher in mice lacking the expression of signal-regulatory protein α (SIRPα). The expression level of EPO mRNA was elevated in the kidney and liver but not increased in the spleens of infected mice despite the presence of extramedullary erythropoiesis in this tissue. In contrast to data from a previous report, mice lacking EPO receptor (EPOR) expression on nonerythroid cells (EPOR rescued) had bacterial loads similar to those of wild-type mice following Salmonella infection. Indeed, treatment to reduce splenic erythroblasts and mature red blood cells correlated with elevated bacterial burdens, implying that extramedullary erythropoiesis benefits the host. Together, these findings emphasize the profound effect of Salmonella infection on erythroid development and suggest that the modulation of erythroid development has both positive and negative consequences for host immunity.

Long-term live-cell imaging reveals new roles for Salmonella effector proteins SseG and SteA

Salmonella Typhimurium is an intracellular bacterial pathogen that infects both epithelial cells and macrophages. Salmonella effector proteins, which are translocated into the host cell and manipulate host cell components, control the ability to replicate and/or survive in host cells. Due to the complexity and heterogeneity of Salmonella infections, there is growing recognition of the need for single-cell and live-cell imaging approaches to identify and characterize the diversity of cellular phenotypes and how they evolve over time. Here, we establish a pipeline for long-term (17 h) live-cell imaging of infected cells and subsequent image analysis methods. We apply this pipeline to track bacterial replication within the Salmonella-containing vacuole in epithelial cells, quantify vacuolar replication versus survival in macrophages and investigate the role of individual effector proteins in mediating these parameters. This approach revealed that dispersed bacteria can coalesce at later stages of infection, that the effector protein SseG influences the propensity for cytosolic hyper-replication in epithelial cells, and that while SteA only has a subtle effect on vacuolar replication in epithelial cells, it has a profound impact on infection parameters in immunocompetent macrophages, suggesting differential roles for effector proteins in different infection models.

Protein Acetylation Is Involved in Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium Virulence

Salmonella causes a range of diseases in different hosts, including enterocolitis and systemic infection. Lysine acetylation regulates many eukaryotic cellular processes, but its function in bacteria is largely unexplored. The acetyltransferase Pat and NAD(+)-dependent deacetylase CobB are involved in the reversible protein acetylation in Salmonella Typhimurium. Here, we used cell and animal models to evaluate the virulence of pat and cobB deletion mutants in S. Typhimurium and found that pat is critical for bacterial intestinal colonization and systemic infection. Next, to understand the underlying mechanism, genome-wide transcriptome was analyzed. RNA sequencing data showed that the expression of Salmonella pathogenicity island 1 (SPI-1) is partially dependent on pat In addition, we found that HilD, a key transcriptional regulator of SPI-1, is a substrate of Pat. The acetylation of HilD by Pat maintained HilD stability and was essential for the transcriptional activation of HilA. Taken together, these results suggest that a protein acetylation system regulates SPI-1 expression by controlling HilD in a posttranslational manner to mediate S. Typhimurium virulence.

The Stringent Response Regulator DksA Is Required for Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium Growth in Minimal Medium, Motility, Biofilm Formation, and Intestinal Colonization

Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium is a facultative intracellular human and animal bacterial pathogen posing a major threat to public health worldwide. Salmonella pathogenicity requires complex coordination of multiple physiological and virulence pathways. DksA is a conserved Gram-negative regulator that belongs to a distinct group of transcription factors that bind directly to the RNA polymerase secondary channel, potentiating the effect of the signaling molecule ppGpp during a stringent response. Here, we established that in S. Typhimurium, dksA is induced during the logarithmic phase and DksA is essential for growth in minimal defined medium and plays an important role in motility and biofilm formation. Furthermore, we determined that DksA positively regulates the Salmonella pathogenicity island 1 and motility-chemotaxis genes and is necessary for S. Typhimurium invasion of human epithelial cells and uptake by macrophages. In contrast, DksA was found to be dispensable for S. Typhimurium host cell adhesion. Finally, using the colitis mouse model, we found that dksA is spatially induced at the midcecum during the early stage of the infection and required for gastrointestinal colonization and systemic infection in vivo. Taken together, these data indicate that the ancestral stringent response regulator DksA coordinates various physiological and virulence S. Typhimurium programs and therefore is a key virulence regulator of Salmonella.

Toward an optimized treatment of intracellular bacterial infections: input of nanoparticulate drug delivery systems

Intracellular pathogenic bacteria can lead to some of the most life-threatening infections. By evolving a number of ingenious mechanisms, these bacteria have the ability to invade, colonize and survive in the host cells in active or latent forms over prolonged period of time. A variety of nanoparticulate systems have been developed to optimize the delivery of antibiotics. Main advantages of nanoparticulate systems as compared with free drugs are an efficient drug encapsulation, protection from inactivation, targeting infection sites and the possibility to deliver drugs by overcoming cellular barriers. Nevertheless, despite the great progresses in treating intracellular infections using nanoparticulate carriers, some challenges still remain, such as targeting cellular subcompartments with bacteria and delivering synergistic drug combinations. Engineered nanoparticles should allow controlling drug release both inside cells and within the extracellular space before reaching the target cells.

Oral Delivery of a Novel Attenuated Salmonella Vaccine Expressing Influenza A Virus Proteins Protects Mice against H5N1 and H1N1 Viral Infection

Attenuated strains of invasive enteric bacteria, such as Salmonella, represent promising gene delivery agents for nucleic acid-based vaccines as they can be administrated orally. In this study, we constructed a novel attenuated strain of Salmonella for the delivery and expression of the hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) of a highly pathogenic H5N1 influenza virus. We showed that the constructed Salmonella strain exhibited efficient gene transfer activity for HA and NA expression and little cytotoxicity and pathogenicity in mice. Using BALB/c mice as the model, we evaluated the immune responses and protection induced by the constructed Salmonella-based vaccine. Our study showed that the Salmonella-based vaccine induced significant production of anti-HA serum IgG and mucosal IgA, and of anti-HA interferon-γ producing T cells in orally vaccinated mice. Furthermore, mice orally vaccinated with the Salmonella vaccine expressing viral HA and NA proteins were completely protected from lethal challenge of highly pathogenic H5N1 as well as H1N1 influenza viruses while none of the animals treated with the Salmonella vaccine carrying the empty expression vector with no viral antigen expression was protected. These results suggest that the Salmonella-based vaccine elicits strong antigen-specific humoral and cellular immune responses and provides effective immune protection against multiple strains of influenza viruses. Furthermore, our study demonstrates the feasibility of developing novel attenuated Salmonella strains as new oral vaccine vectors against influenza viruses.

Proteomic Analyses of Intracellular Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium Reveal Extensive Bacterial Adaptations to Infected Host Epithelial Cells

Salmonella species can gain access into nonphagocytic cells, where the bacterium proliferates in a unique membrane-bounded compartment. In order to reveal bacterial adaptations to their intracellular niche, here we conducted the first comprehensive proteomic survey of Salmonella isolated from infected epithelial cells. Among ∼ 3,300 identified bacterial proteins, we found that about 100 proteins were significantly altered at the onset of Salmonella intracellular replication. In addition to substantially increased iron-uptake capacities, bacterial high-affinity manganese and zinc transporters were also upregulated, suggesting an overall limitation of metal ions in host epithelial cells. We also found that Salmonella induced multiple phosphate utilization pathways. Furthermore, our data suggested upregulation of the two-component PhoPQ system as well as of many downstream virulence factors under its regulation. Our survey also revealed that intracellular Salmonella has increased needs for certain amino acids and biotin. In contrast, Salmonella downregulated glycerol and maltose utilization as well as chemotaxis pathways.

Immunity to intestinal pathogens: lessons learned from Salmonella

Salmonella are a common source of food- or water-borne infection and cause a wide range of clinical disease in human and animal hosts. Salmonella are relatively easy to culture and manipulate in a laboratory setting, and the infection of laboratory animals induces robust innate and adaptive immune responses. Thus, immunologists have frequently turned to Salmonella infection models to expand understanding of host immunity to intestinal pathogens. In this review, I summarize current knowledge of innate and adaptive immunity to Salmonella and highlight features of this response that have emerged from recent studies. These include the heterogeneity of the antigen-specific T-cell response to intestinal infection, the prominence of microbial mechanisms to impede T- and B-cell responses, and the contribution of non-cognate pathways for elicitation of T-cell effector functions. Together, these different issues challenge an overly simplistic view of host-pathogen interaction during mucosal infection, but also allow deeper insight into the real-world dynamic of protective immunity to intestinal pathogens.

Nanocapsules loaded with iron-saturated bovine lactoferrin have antimicrobial therapeutic potential and maintain calcium, zinc and iron metabolism

AIM

This study aimed to evaluate the potential antimicrobial efficacy of alginate gel-encapsulated ceramic nanocarriers loaded with iron-saturated bovine lactoferrin (Fe-bLf) nanocarriers/nanocapsules (AEC-CP-Fe-bLf NCs).

MATERIALS & METHODS

The antimicrobial activities of non-nanoformulated apo (iron free), Fe-bLf and native forms of Australian bLf against pathogenic Salmonella typhimurium (wild strain) were studied in vitro. The efficacy of AEC-CP-Fe-bLf NCs were checked in vivo using Balb/c mice model.

RESULTS

The study revealed that native bLf is more effective in combating infection than the conventional drug ciprofloxacin (0.4 mg/ml). The efficacy of the drug was also revealed in vivo when BALB/c mice that, after being challenged with S. typhimurium (200 μl of 10(8) CFU/ml suspension), were fed orally with a nanoformulated bLf diet and the infection was observed to be eliminated. However, chronic infection developed in the group of infected mice that did not receive any drug treatment, as well as the mice treated with ciprofloxacin. The immune response to bacterial infection and to various drug treatments thereafter was studied in the mice.

CONCLUSION

The study concludes that bLf and nanoformulated Fe-bLf are more effective in the treatment of Salmonella-infected mice than ciprofloxacin.

Direct visualization of endogenous Salmonella-specific B cells reveals a marked delay in clonal expansion and germinal center development

CD4(+) T cells and B cells are both essential for acquired immunity to Salmonella infection. It is well established that Salmonella inhibit host CD4(+) T-cell responses, but a corresponding inhibitory effect on B cells is less well defined. Here, we utilize an Ag tetramer and pull-down enrichment strategy to directly visualize OVA-specific B cells in mice, as they respond to infection with Salmonella-OVA. Surprisingly, OVA-specific B-cell expansion and germinal center formation was not detected until bacteria were cleared from the host. Furthermore, Salmonella infection also actively inhibited both B- and T-cell responses to the same coinjected Ag but this did not require the presence of iNOS. The Salmonella Pathogenicity Island 2 (SPI2) locus has been shown to be responsible for inhibition of Salmonella-specific CD4(+) T-cell responses, and an examination of SPI2-deficient bacteria demonstrated a recovery in B-cell expansion in infected mice. Together, these data suggest that Salmonella can simultaneously inhibit host B- and T-cell responses using SPI2-dependent mechanisms.

Effective cancer vaccine platform based on attenuated salmonella and a type III secretion system

Vaccines explored for cancer therapy have been based generally on injectable vector systems used to control foreign infectious pathogens, to which the immune system evolved to respond naturally. However, these vectors may not be effective at presenting tumor-associated antigens (TAA) to the immune system in a manner that is sufficient to engender antitumor responses. We addressed this issue with a novel orally administered Salmonella-based vector that exploits a type III secretion system to deliver selected TAA in the cytosol of professional antigen-presenting cells in situ. A systematic comparison of candidate genes from the Salmonella Pathogenicity Island 2 (SPI2) locus was conducted in the vaccine design, using model antigens and a codon-optimized form of the human TAA survivin (coSVN), an oncoprotein that is overexpressed in most human cancers. In a screen of 20 SPI2 promoter:effector combinations, a PsifB::sseJ combination exhibited maximal potency for antigen translocation into the APC cytosol, presentation to CD8 T cells, and murine immunogenicity. In the CT26 mouse model of colon carcinoma, therapeutic vaccination with a lead PsifB::sseJ-coSVN construct (p8032) produced CXCR3-dependent infiltration of tumors by CD8 T cells, reversed the CD8:Treg ratio at the tumor site, and triggered potent antitumor activity. Vaccine immunogenicity and antitumor potency were enhanced by coadministration of the natural killer T-cell ligand 7DW8-5, which heightened the production of IL12 and IFNγ. Furthermore, combined treatment with p8032 and 7DW8-5 resulted in complete tumor regression in A20 lymphoma-bearing mice, where protective memory was demonstrated. Taken together, our results demonstrate how antigen delivery using an oral Salmonella vector can provide an effective platform for the development of cancer vaccines.

Nutritional and metabolic requirements for the infection of HeLa cells by Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium

Salmonella is the causative agent of a spectrum of human and animal diseases ranging from gastroenteritis to typhoid fever. It is a food - and water - borne pathogen and infects via ingestion followed by invasion of intestinal epithelial cells and phagocytic cells. In this study we employed a mutational approach to define the nutrients and metabolic pathways required by Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium during infection of a human epithelial cell line (HeLa). We deleted the key glycolytic genes, pfkA and pfkB to show that S. Typhimurium utilizes glycolysis for replication within HeLa cells; however, glycolysis was not absolutely essential for intracellular replication. Using S. Typhimurium strains deleted for genes encoding components of the phosphotransferase system and glucose transport, we show that glucose is a major substrate required for the intracellular replication of S. Typhimurium in HeLa cells. We also deleted genes encoding enzymes involved in the utilization of gluconeogenic substrates and the glyoxylate shunt and show that neither of these pathways were required for intracellular replication of S. Typhimurium within HeLa cells.

The iron-sensing fur regulator controls expression timing and levels of salmonella pathogenicity island 2 genes in the course of environmental acidification

In order to survive inside macrophages, Salmonella produces a series of proteins encoded by genes within Salmonella pathogenicity island 2 (SPI-2). In the present study, we report that Fur, a central regulator of iron utilization, negatively controls the expression of SPI-2 genes. Time course analysis of SPI-2 expression after the entry of Salmonella into macrophages revealed that SPI-2 genes are induced earlier and at higher levels in the absence of the Fur regulator. It was hypothesized that Fur repressed the SPI-2 expression that was activated during acidification of the phagosome. Indeed, as pH was lowered from pH 7.0 to pH 5.5, the lack of Fur enabled SPI-2 gene expression to be induced at higher pH and to be expressed at higher levels. Fur controlled SPI-2 genes via repression of the SsrB response regulator, a primary activator of SPI-2 expression. Fur repressed ssrB expression both inside macrophages and under acidic conditions, which we ascribe to the direct binding of Fur to the ssrB promoter. Our study suggests that Salmonella could employ iron inside the phagosome to precisely control the timing and levels of SPI-2 expression inside macrophages.

An oral vaccine for type 1 diabetes based on live attenuated Salmonella

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a metabolic disease that is initiated by the autoimmune destruction of pancreatic insulin-producing beta cells that is accompanied by the development of antigen-specific antibodies and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). Several studies have shown that vaccination with diabetic autoantigens provides some protection against this process. In this report we describe a new oral vaccine that utilizes live attenuated Salmonella for simultaneous delivery of autoantigens in conjunction with immunomodulatory cytokine genes to immune cells in the gut mucosa. Recent data showed that live attenuated Salmonella is a safe, simple and effective vector for expression of antigens and cytokines by antigen-presenting cells (APCs) of gut-associated lymphatic tissue (GALT). This novel strategy was tested by fusion of the diabetic autoantigen preproinsulin with Salmonella secretory effector protein (SseF) of pathogenicity island-2 (SPI2). In this way the autoantigen is only expressed inside the host immune cells and translocated to the host cell cytosol. In addition Salmonella was used to deliver the gene for the immunomodulatory cytokine transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) for host cell expression. Oral co-vaccination of 8 week-old non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice with three weekly doses of both the autoantigen and cytokine significantly reduced the development of diabetes, improved the response to glucose challenge, preserved beta cell mass, and reduced the severity of insulitis compared with controls and autoantigen alone. Combination therapy also resulted in increased circulating levels of IL10 four weeks post-vaccination and IL2 for 12 weeks post-vaccination, but without effect on proinflammatory cytokines IL6, IL12(p70), IL17 and IFNγ. However, in non-responders there was a significant rise in IL12 compared with responders. Future studies will examine the mechanism of this vaccination strategy in more detail. In conclusion, Salmonella-based oral vaccines expressing autoantigens combined with imunomodulatory cytokines appears to be a promising therapy for prevention of T1D.

Salmonella pathogenicity and host adaptation in chicken-associated serovars

Enteric pathogens such as Salmonella enterica cause significant morbidity and mortality. S. enterica serovars are a diverse group of pathogens that have evolved to survive in a wide range of environments and across multiple hosts. S. enterica serovars such as S. Typhi, S. Dublin, and S. Gallinarum have a restricted host range, in which they are typically associated with one or a few host species, while S. Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium have broad host ranges. This review examines how S. enterica has evolved through adaptation to different host environments, especially as related to the chicken host, and continues to be an important human pathogen. Several factors impact host range, and these include the acquisition of genes via horizontal gene transfer with plasmids, transposons, and phages, which can potentially expand host range, and the loss of genes or their function, which would reduce the range of hosts that the organism can infect. S. Gallinarum, with a limited host range, has a large number of pseudogenes in its genome compared to broader-host-range serovars. S. enterica serovars such as S. Kentucky and S. Heidelberg also often have plasmids that may help them colonize poultry more efficiently. The ability to colonize different hosts also involves interactions with the host's immune system and commensal organisms that are present. Thus, the factors that impact the ability of Salmonella to colonize a particular host species, such as chickens, are complex and multifactorial, involving the host, the pathogen, and extrinsic pressures. It is the interplay of these factors which leads to the differences in host ranges that we observe today.

Dormant intracellular Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium discriminates among Salmonella pathogenicity island 2 effectors to persist inside fibroblasts

Salmonella enterica uses effector proteins delivered by type III secretion systems (TTSS) to colonize eukaryotic cells. Recent in vivo studies have shown that intracellular bacteria activate the TTSS encoded by Salmonella pathogenicity island-2 (SPI-2) to restrain growth inside phagocytes. Growth attenuation is also observed in vivo in bacteria colonizing nonphagocytic stromal cells of the intestinal lamina propria and in cultured fibroblasts. SPI-2 is required for survival of nongrowing bacteria persisting inside fibroblasts, but its induction mode and the effectors involved remain unknown. Here, we show that nongrowing dormant intracellular bacteria use the two-component system OmpR-EnvZ to induce SPI-2 expression and the PhoP-PhoQ system to regulate the time at which induction takes place, 2 h postentry. Dormant bacteria were shown to discriminate the usage of SPI-2 effectors. Among the effectors tested, SseF, SseG, and SseJ were required for survival, while others, such as SifA and SifB, were not. SifA and SifB dispensability correlated with the inability of intracellular bacteria to secrete these effectors even when overexpressed. Conversely, SseJ overproduction resulted in augmented secretion and exacerbated bacterial growth. Dormant bacteria produced other effectors, such as PipB and PipB2, that, unlike what was reported for epithelial cells, did not to traffic outside the phagosomal compartment. Therefore, permissiveness for secreting only a subset of SPI-2 effectors may be instrumental for dormancy. We propose that the S. enterica serovar Typhimurium nonproliferative intracellular lifestyle is sustained by selection of SPI-2 effectors that are produced in tightly defined amounts and delivered to phagosome-confined locations.

Edwardsiella tarda mutant disrupted in type III secretion system and chorismic acid synthesis and cured of a plasmid as a live attenuated vaccine in turbot

Edwardsiella tarda is an intractable Gram-negative pathogen in many fish species to cause edwardsiellosis. Its infection leads to extensive losses in a diverse array of commercially important fish. The type III secretion system (T3SS) has been considered as one of the major virulence factors and plays important roles in its intracellular lifestyle. In this study, an E. tarda EIB202 mutant WED with deletions in the T3SS genes for EseB, EseC, EseD and EscA, along with the aroC gene for the biosynthesis of chorismic acid, as well as the curing of endogenous plasmid pEIB202 was constructed by allelic exchange strategy. Compared to the wild-type EIB202 which was highly virulent towards turbot (Scophthamus maximus) via intraperitoneal (i.p.), intramuscular (i.m.) injection or immersion and caused systemic infection in turbot as well as the unexpected red mouth symptom when immersion challenged, WED was highly attenuated when inoculated into turbot via i.m., i.p. and immersion routes, and exhibited significantly impaired capacity to survive in fish tissues. WED showed 5700-fold higher 50% lethal dose (LD50) than that of the wild type when i.m. or i.p. challenged. Inoculation with WED by i.p. or immersion injection routes elicited significant protection against the challenge of the wild-type E. tarda after 5 weeks of vaccination. The vaccinated fish produced low while significant level of specific antibody and showed increased expression of immune-related factors including IL-1β, IFN-γ, MHC II, MHC-I and CD8, indicating that WED possesses significant immunoprotective potential. Furthermore, our data indicated that a single dose of i.p. and immersion vaccination with WED could produce significant protection as long as 12 and 6 months, respectively. These results demonstrated the feasibility of WED as a live attenuated vaccine in turbot against edwardsiellosis by immersion or i.p. injection routes.

Global impact of Salmonella pathogenicity island 2-secreted effectors on the host phosphoproteome

During the late stages of infection, Salmonella secretes numerous effectors through a type III secretion system that is encoded within Salmonella pathogenicity island 2 (SPI2). Despite the importance of SPI2 as a major virulence factor leading to the systemic spread of the bacteria and diseases, a global view of its effects on host responses is still lacking. Here, we measured global impacts of SPI2 effectors on the host phosphorylation and protein expression levels in RAW264.7 and in HeLa cells, as macrophage and nonphagocytic models of infection. We observe that SPI2 effectors differentially modulate the host phosphoproteome and cellular processes (e.g. protein trafficking, cytoskeletal regulation, and immune signaling) in a host cell-dependent manner. Our unbiased approach reveals the involvement of many previously unrecognized proteins, including E3 ligases (HERC4, RanBP2, and RAD18), kinases (CDK, SIK3, and WNK1), and histones (H2B1F, H4, and H15), in late stages of Salmonella infection. Furthermore, from this phosphoproteome analysis and other quantitative screens, we identified HSP27 as a direct in vitro and in vivo molecular target of the only type III secreted kinase, SteC. Using biochemical and cell biological assays, we demonstrate that SteC phosphorylates multiple sites in HSP27 and induces actin rearrangement through this protein. Together, these results provide a broader landscape of host players contributing to specific processes/pathways mediated by SPI2 effectors than was previously appreciated.

Deletions in the pyruvate pathway of Salmonella Typhimurium alter SPI1-mediated gene expression and infectivity

BACKGROUND

Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium is a major foodborne pathogen worldwide. S. Typhimurium encodes type III secretion systems via Salmonella pathogenicity islands (SPI), producing the major effector proteins of virulence. Previously, we identified two genes of Salmonella pyruvate metabolism that were up-regulated during chicken cell infection: pyruvate formate lyase I (pflB) and bifunctional acetaldehyde-CoA/alcohol dehydrogenase (adhE). We were therefore interested in examining the role these genes may play in the transmission of Salmonella to humans.

METHODS

Mutant strains of Salmonella with single gene deletions for pflB and adhE were created. Invasion and growth in human HCT-8 intestinal epithelial cells and THP-1 macrophages was examined. Quantitative PCR was performed on 19 SPI-1 genes.

RESULTS

In HCT-8 cells, both mutant strains had significantly higher intracellular counts than the wild-type from 4 to 48 h post-infection. Various SPI-1 genes in the mutants were up-regulated over the wild-type as early as 1 h and lasting until 24 h post-infection. In THP-1 cells, no significant difference in internal Salmonella counts was observed; however, SPI-1 genes were largely down-regulated in the mutants during the time-course of infection. We also found five SPI-1 genes - hilA, hilC hilD, sicP and rtsA - which were up-regulated in at least one of the mutant strains in log-phase broth cultures alone. We have therefore identified a set of SPI-1 virulence genes whose regulation is effected by the central metabolism of Salmonella.