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Ardissone S, Greub G. The Chlamydia-related Waddlia chondrophila encodes functional type II toxin-antitoxin systems. Appl Environ Microbiol 2024; 90:e0068123. [PMID: 38214519 PMCID: PMC10880633 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00681-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Bacterial toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems are widespread in chromosomes and plasmids of free-living microorganisms, but only a few have been identified in obligate intracellular species. We found seven putative type II TA modules in Waddlia chondrophila, a Chlamydia-related species that is able to infect a very broad series of eukaryotic hosts, ranging from protists to mammalian cells. The RNA levels of Waddlia TA systems are significantly upregulated by iron starvation and novobiocin, but they are not affected by antibiotics such as β-lactams and glycopeptides, which suggests different mechanisms underlying stress responses. Five of the identified TA modules, including HigBA1 and MazEF1, encoded on the Waddlia cryptic plasmid, proved to be functional when expressed in a heterologous host. TA systems have been associated with the maintenance of mobile genetic elements, bacterial defense against bacteriophages, and persistence upon exposure to adverse conditions. As their RNA levels are upregulated upon exposure to adverse conditions, Waddlia TA modules may be involved in survival to stress. Moreover, as Waddlia can infect a wide range of hosts including free-living amoebae, TA modules could also represent an innate immunity system to fight against bacteriophages and other microorganisms with which Waddlia has to share its replicative niche.IMPORTANCEThe response to adverse conditions, such as exposure to antibiotics, nutrient starvation and competition with other microorganisms, is essential for the survival of a bacterial population. TA systems are modules composed of two elements, a toxic protein and an antitoxin (protein or RNA) that counteracts the toxin. Although many aspects of TA biological functions still await to be elucidated, TAs have often been implicated in bacterial response to stress, including the response to nutrient starvation, antibiotic treatment and bacteriophage infection. TAs are ubiquitous in free-living bacteria but rare in obligate intracellular species such as chlamydiae. We identified functional TA systems in Waddlia chondrophila, a chlamydial species with a strikingly broad host range compared to other chlamydiae. Our work contributes to understand how obligate intracellular bacteria react to adverse conditions that might arise from competition with other viruses/bacteria for the same replicative niche and would threaten their ability to replicate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Ardissone
- Institute of Microbiology, Lausanne University Hospital and Lausanne University, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Gilbert Greub
- Institute of Microbiology, Lausanne University Hospital and Lausanne University, Lausanne, Switzerland
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Rovero A, Kebbi-Beghdadi C, Greub G. Spontaneous Aberrant Bodies Formation in Human Pneumocytes Infected with Estrella lausannensis. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2368. [PMID: 37894026 PMCID: PMC10609161 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11102368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Estrella lausannensis, a Chlamydia-related bacterium isolated from a Spanish river, is considered as a possible emerging human pathogen. Indeed, it was recently demonstrated to multiply in human macrophages, resisting oxidative burst and causing a strong cytopathic effect. In addition, a preliminary study highlighted a correlation between antibody response to E. lausannensis and pneumonia in children. To clarify the pathogenic potential of these bacteria, we infected a human pneumocyte cell line with E. lausannensis and assessed its replication and cytopathic effect using quantitative real-time PCR and immunofluorescence, as well as confocal and electron microscopy. Our results demonstrated that E. lausannensis enters and replicates rapidly in human pneumocytes, and that it causes a prompt lysis of the host cells. Furthermore, we reported the spontaneous formation of aberrant bodies, a form associated with persistence in Chlamydiae, suggesting that E. lausannensis infection could cause chronic disorders in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurelien Rovero
- Institute of Microbiology, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland; (A.R.); (C.K.-B.)
| | - Carole Kebbi-Beghdadi
- Institute of Microbiology, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland; (A.R.); (C.K.-B.)
| | - Gilbert Greub
- Institute of Microbiology, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland; (A.R.); (C.K.-B.)
- Infectious Diseases Service, Department of Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
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Wei C, Yang X, Kang M, Cao Z, Sun Y, Zhou Y. An established kidney cell line from humpback grouper (Cromileptes altivelis) and its susceptibility to bacteria and heavy metals. FISH PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY 2022; 48:521-533. [PMID: 35391635 DOI: 10.1007/s10695-022-01065-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Humpback grouper (Cromileptes altivelis), one kind of commercial fish with considerable economic value, has been recognized as a promising candidate for mariculture. In the wake of the development of aquaculture industry, the breeding density of C. altivelis has increased gradually, which gave rise to the occurrence of various pathogenic diseases. In our research, we established a new kidney cell line (designated as CAK) from humpback grouper and evaluated its susceptibility to bacteria and heavy metals. The results of our study showed that the optimal growth temperature was 26 °C, and optimal medium was L-15 supplemented with 20% fetal bovine serum (FBS). The sequencing of 18S rRNA gene indicated that CAK cell line was derived from C. altivelis. Chromosome analysis showed that the number of chromosome in CAK was 48. After being transfected of pEGFP-N3 plasmid, high transfection efficiency of CAK was observed, suggesting the potential to be used for the study of foreign functional genes. Moreover, the bacterial susceptibility results revealed that CAK cells were sensitive to Vibrio harveyi and Edwardsiella tarda, especially V. harveyi. Meanwhile, three heavy metals (Hg, Cu, and Cd) had toxic effects on the CAK cells with a dose-dependent manner. To sum up, the CAK cell line might be an ideal tool in vitro for analyzing the function of exogenous genes, bacterial susceptibility, and toxicity assay of heavy metals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caoying Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan, 570228, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Hydrobiology and Biotechnology of Hainan Province, Haikou, Hainan, 570228, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan, 570228, People's Republic of China
- Department of Aquaculture, College of Marine Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan, 570228, People's Republic of China
| | - Minjie Kang
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan, 570228, People's Republic of China
- Department of Aquaculture, College of Marine Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan, 570228, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhenjie Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan, 570228, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Hydrobiology and Biotechnology of Hainan Province, Haikou, Hainan, 570228, People's Republic of China
| | - Yun Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan, 570228, People's Republic of China.
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Hydrobiology and Biotechnology of Hainan Province, Haikou, Hainan, 570228, People's Republic of China.
- College of Marine Sciences, Hainan University, 58 Renmin Avenue, Haikou, 570228, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yongcan Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan, 570228, People's Republic of China.
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Hydrobiology and Biotechnology of Hainan Province, Haikou, Hainan, 570228, People's Republic of China.
- College of Marine Sciences, Hainan University, 58 Renmin Avenue, Haikou, 570228, People's Republic of China.
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Kebbi-Beghdadi C, Pilloux L, Martin V, Greub G. Eukaryotic Cell Permeabilisation to Identify New Putative Chlamydial Type III Secretion System Effectors Secreted within Host Cell Cytoplasm. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8030361. [PMID: 32138376 PMCID: PMC7143554 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8030361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2020] [Revised: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis and Waddlia chondrophila are strict intracellular bacteria belonging to the Chlamydiales order. C. trachomatis is the most frequent bacterial cause of genital and ocular infections whereas W. chondrophila is an opportunistic pathogen associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes and respiratory infections. Being strictly intracellular, these bacteria are engaged in a complex interplay with their hosts to modulate their environment and create optimal conditions for completing their life cycle. For this purpose, they possess several secretion pathways and, in particular, a Type III Secretion System (T3SS) devoted to the delivery of effector proteins in the host cell cytosol. Identifying these effectors is a crucial step in understanding the molecular basis of bacterial pathogenesis. Following incubation of infected cells with perfringolysin O, a pore-forming toxin that binds cholesterol present in plasma membranes, we analysed by mass spectrometry the protein content of the host cell cytoplasm. We identified 13 putative effectors secreted by C. trachomatis and 19 secreted by W. chondrophila. Using Y. enterocolitica as a heterologous expression and secretion system, we confirmed that four of these identified proteins are secreted by the T3SS. Two W. chondrophila T3SS effectors (hypothetical proteins Wcw_0499 and Wcw_1706) were further characterised and demonstrated to be early/mid-cycle effectors. In addition, Wcw_1706 is associated with a tetratricopeptide domain-containing protein homologous to C. trachomatis class II chaperone. Furthermore, we identified a novel C. trachomatis effector, CT460 that localises in the eukaryotic nucleus when ectopically expressed in 293 T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Gilbert Greub
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +41-21-314-4979; Fax: +41-21-314-4060
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A predation assay using amoebae to screen for virulence factors unearthed the first W. chondrophila inclusion membrane protein. Sci Rep 2019; 9:19485. [PMID: 31862969 PMCID: PMC6925127 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-55511-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Waddlia chondrophila is an intracellular bacterium phylogenetically related to the well-studied human and animal pathogens of the Chlamydiaceae family. In the last decade, W. chondrophila was convincingly demonstrated to be associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes in humans and abortions in animals. All members of the phylum Chlamydiae possess a Type Three Secretion System that they use for delivering virulence proteins into the host cell cytosol to modulate their environment and create optimal conditions to complete their life cycle. To identify W. chondrophila virulence proteins, we used an original screening approach that combines a cosmid library with an assay monitoring resistance to predation by phagocytic amoebae. This technique combined with bioinformatic data allowed the identification of 28 candidate virulence proteins, including Wimp1, the first identified inclusion membrane protein of W. chondrophila.
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Interactions Screenings Unearth Potential New Divisome Components in the Chlamydia-Related Bacterium, Waddlia chondrophila. Microorganisms 2019; 7:microorganisms7120617. [PMID: 31779160 PMCID: PMC6956297 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms7120617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2019] [Revised: 11/18/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydiales order members are obligate intracellular bacteria, dividing by binary fission. However, Chlamydiales lack the otherwise conserved homologue of the bacterial division organizer FtsZ and certain division protein homologues. FtsZ might be functionally replaced in Chlamydiales by the actin homologue MreB. RodZ, the membrane anchor of MreB, localizes early at the division septum. In order to better characterize the organization of the chlamydial divisome, we performed co-immunoprecipitations and yeast-two hybrid assays to study the interactome of RodZ, using Waddlia chondrophila, a potentially pathogenic Chlamydia-related bacterium, as a model organism. Three potential interactors were further investigated: SecA, FtsH, and SufD. The gene and protein expression profiles of these three genes were measured and are comparable with recently described division proteins. Moreover, SecA, FtsH, and SufD all showed a peripheral localization, consistent with putative inner membrane localization and interaction with RodZ. Notably, heterologous overexpression of the abovementioned proteins could not complement E. coli mutants, indicating that these proteins might play different functions in these two bacteria or that important regulators are not conserved. Altogether, this study brings new insights to the composition of the chlamydial divisome and points to links between protein secretion, degradation, iron homeostasis, and chlamydial division.
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Munang'andu HM. Intracellular Bacterial Infections: A Challenge for Developing Cellular Mediated Immunity Vaccines for Farmed Fish. Microorganisms 2018; 6:microorganisms6020033. [PMID: 29690563 PMCID: PMC6027125 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms6020033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2018] [Revised: 04/15/2018] [Accepted: 04/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Aquaculture is one of the most rapidly expanding farming systems in the world. Its rapid expansion has brought with it several pathogens infecting different fish species. As a result, there has been a corresponding expansion in vaccine development to cope with the increasing number of infectious diseases in aquaculture. The success of vaccine development for bacterial diseases in aquaculture is largely attributed to empirical vaccine designs based on inactivation of whole cell (WCI) bacteria vaccines. However, an upcoming challenge in vaccine design is the increase of intracellular bacterial pathogens that are not responsive to WCI vaccines. Intracellular bacterial vaccines evoke cellular mediated immune (CMI) responses that “kill” and eliminate infected cells, unlike WCI vaccines that induce humoral immune responses whose protective mechanism is neutralization of extracellular replicating pathogens by antibodies. In this synopsis, I provide an overview of the intracellular bacterial pathogens infecting different fish species in aquaculture, outlining their mechanisms of invasion, replication, and survival intracellularly based on existing data. I also bring into perspective the current state of CMI understanding in fish together with its potential application in vaccine development. Further, I highlight the immunological pitfalls that have derailed our ability to produce protective vaccines against intracellular pathogens for finfish. Overall, the synopsis put forth herein advocates for a shift in vaccine design to include CMI-based vaccines against intracellular pathogens currently adversely affecting the aquaculture industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hetron Mweemba Munang'andu
- Section of Aquatic Medicine and Nutrition, Department of Basic Sciences and Aquatic Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Biosciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ullevålsveien 72, P.O. Box 8146, Dep NO-0033, 046 Oslo, Norway.
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8
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Sood N, Pradhan PK, Verma DK, Yadav MK, Dev AK, Swaminathan TR, Sood NK. Candidatus Actinochlamydia pangasiae sp. nov. (Chlamydiales, Actinochlamydiaceae), a bacterium associated with epitheliocystis in Pangasianodon hypophthalmus. JOURNAL OF FISH DISEASES 2018; 41:281-290. [PMID: 28940578 DOI: 10.1111/jfd.12711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2017] [Revised: 08/01/2017] [Accepted: 08/02/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Chlamydial infections are recognised as causative agent of epitheliocystis, reported from over 90 fish species. In the present study, the farmed striped catfish Pangasianodon hypophthalmus (14-15 cm, 70-90 g) with a history of cumulative mortality of about 23% during June and July 2015, were brought to the laboratory. The histopathological examination of gills from the affected fish revealed presence of granular basophilic intracellular inclusions, mostly at the base of the interlamellar region and in gill filaments. A concurrent infection with Trichodina spp., Ichthyobodo spp. and Dactylogyrus spp. was observed in the gills. The presence of chlamydial DNA in the gills of affected fish was confirmed by amplification and sequencing of 16S rRNA gene. BLAST-n analysis of these amplicons revealed maximum similarity (96%) with Candidatus Actinochlamydia clariae. On the basis of phylogenetic analysis, it was inferred that the epitheliocystis agents from striped catfish were novel and belonged to the taxon Ca. Actinochlamydia. It is proposed that epitheliocystis agents from striped catfish will be named as Ca. Actinochlamydia pangasiae. The 16S rRNA gene amplicons from novel chlamydiae were labelled and linked to inclusions by in situ hybridisation. This is the first report of epitheliocystis from India in a new fish host P. hypophthalmus.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Sood
- ICAR-National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - P K Pradhan
- ICAR-National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - D K Verma
- ICAR-National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - M K Yadav
- ICAR-National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - A K Dev
- ICAR-National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - T R Swaminathan
- Peninsular and Marine Fish Genetic Resources Centre, ICAR-NBFGR, Kochi, Kerala
| | - N K Sood
- Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India
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Suo Y, Li E, Li T, Jia Y, Qin JG, Gu Z, Chen L. Response of gut health and microbiota to sulfide exposure in Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2017; 63:87-96. [PMID: 28192256 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2017.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2016] [Revised: 12/10/2016] [Accepted: 02/09/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Sulfide is a natural and widely distributed toxicant. It can be commonly found on the interface between water and sediment in the aquatic environment. The Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei starts life in the benthic zone soon after the mysis stage, an early stage of post larvae. Therefore, L. vannamei is inevitably affected by exposure to sulfide released from pond sediment. This study explored the toxicant effect of different concentrations of sulfide on the intestinal health and microbiota of Pacific white shrimp by monitoring the change of expression of inflammatory, immune related cytokines, and the structure of the intestinal microbiota. The gut histology, expressions of inflammatory and immune related cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-alpha, C-type lectin 3, myostatin and heat shock transcription factor 1), and the microbiota were determined in L. vannamei after exposure to 0 (control), 425.5 (1/10 LC 50-96 h), and 851 μg/L (1/5 LC 50-96 h) of sulfide for 21 days. With the increase of sulfide concentration, intestinal injury was aggravated and the inflammatory and immune related cytokines generated a range of reactions. The expression of myostatin (MSTN) was significantly down-regulated by the concentration of sulfide exposure. No difference in the expression of heat shock transcription factor 1 (HSF1) was found between the control and shrimp exposed to 425.5 μg/L, but significantly higher HSF1 expression was found in shrimp exposed to 851 μg/L of sulfide. Significantly higher values of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and C-type lectin 3 (CTL3) were found in the shrimp exposed to 425.5 μg/L of sulfide compared to the control, but a lower value was found in the shrimp exposed to 851 μg/L (P < 0.05). Sulfide also changed the intestinal microbial communities. The abundance of pathogenic bacteria, such as Cyanobacteria, Vibrio and Photobacterium, increased significantly with exposure to the increasing concentration of sulfide. The abundance of some anti-stress bacteria, such as Chlorobi and Fusobacterium, increased. Nitrospirae which can alleviate nitrite toxicity decreased. Microbacterium, Parachlamydia, and Shewanella were all commonly found and down-regulated in both sulfide groups, which is associated with an adaptation to sulfide stimulation. This study indicates that chronic exposure to sub-lethal levels of sulfide could lead to damage of the gut structure, stimulate the response of the inflammatory and immune systems, and shape the structure of the gut microbiota in L. vannamei.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yantong Suo
- School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China; Agriculture Ministry Key Laboratory of Healthy Freshwater Aquaculture, Key Laboratory of Freshwater Aquaculture Genetic and Breeding of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Institute of Freshwater Fisheries, Huzhou 313001, China
| | - Erchao Li
- School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China.
| | - Tongyu Li
- School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Yongyi Jia
- Agriculture Ministry Key Laboratory of Healthy Freshwater Aquaculture, Key Laboratory of Freshwater Aquaculture Genetic and Breeding of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Institute of Freshwater Fisheries, Huzhou 313001, China
| | - Jian G Qin
- School of Biological Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
| | - Zhimin Gu
- Agriculture Ministry Key Laboratory of Healthy Freshwater Aquaculture, Key Laboratory of Freshwater Aquaculture Genetic and Breeding of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Institute of Freshwater Fisheries, Huzhou 313001, China.
| | - Liqiao Chen
- School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
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Fehr AGJ, Ruetten M, Seth-Smith HMB, Nufer L, Voegtlin A, Lehner A, Greub G, Crosier PS, Neuhauss SCF, Vaughan L. A Zebrafish Model for Chlamydia Infection with the Obligate Intracellular Pathogen Waddlia chondrophila. Front Microbiol 2016; 7:1829. [PMID: 27917158 PMCID: PMC5114312 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.01829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2016] [Accepted: 11/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Obligate intracellular chlamydial bacteria of the Planctomycetes-Verrucomicrobia-Chlamydiae (PVC) superphylum are important pathogens of terrestrial and marine vertebrates, yet many features of their pathogenesis and host specificity are still unknown. This is particularly true for families such as the Waddliacea which, in addition to epithelia, cellular targets for nearly all Chlamydia, can infect and replicate in macrophages, an important arm of the innate immune system or in their free-living amoebal counterparts. An ideal pathogen model system should include both host and pathogen, which led us to develop the first larval zebrafish model for chlamydial infections with Waddlia chondrophila. By varying the means and sites of application, epithelial cells of the swim bladder, endothelial cells of the vasculature and phagocytosing cells of the innate immune system became preferred targets for infection in zebrafish larvae. Through the use of transgenic zebrafish, we could observe recruitment of neutrophils to the infection site and demonstrate for the first time that W. chondrophila is taken up and replicates in these phagocytic cells and not only in macrophages. Furthermore, we present evidence that myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) mediated signaling plays a role in the innate immune reaction to W. chondrophila, eventually by Toll-like receptor (TLRs) recognition. Infected larvae with depleted levels of MyD88 showed a higher infection load and a lower survival rate compared to control fish. This work presents a new and potentially powerful non-mammalian experimental model to study the pathology of chlamydial virulence in vivo and opens up new possibilities for investigation of other members of the PVC superphylum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander G J Fehr
- Vetsuisse Faculty, Institute for Veterinary Pathology, University of Zurich Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Maja Ruetten
- Vetsuisse Faculty, Institute for Veterinary Pathology, University of Zurich Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Helena M B Seth-Smith
- Vetsuisse Faculty, Institute for Veterinary Pathology, University of ZurichZurich, Switzerland; Functional Genomics Center Zurich, Molecular and Life Sciences, University of ZurichZurich, Switzerland
| | - Lisbeth Nufer
- Vetsuisse Faculty, Institute for Veterinary Pathology, University of Zurich Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Voegtlin
- Vetsuisse Faculty, Institute of Veterinary Bacteriology, University of Zurich Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Angelika Lehner
- Vetsuisse Faculty, Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, University of Zurich Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Gilbert Greub
- Institute of Microbiology, University Hospital Center and University of Lausanne Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Philip S Crosier
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Auckland Auckland, New Zealand
| | | | - Lloyd Vaughan
- Vetsuisse Faculty, Institute for Veterinary Pathology, University of Zurich Zurich, Switzerland
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de Barsy M, Frandi A, Panis G, Théraulaz L, Pillonel T, Greub G, Viollier PH. Regulatory (pan-)genome of an obligate intracellular pathogen in the PVC superphylum. ISME JOURNAL 2016; 10:2129-44. [PMID: 26953603 PMCID: PMC4989314 DOI: 10.1038/ismej.2016.23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2015] [Revised: 01/19/2016] [Accepted: 01/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Like other obligate intracellular bacteria, the Chlamydiae feature a compact regulatory genome that remains uncharted owing to poor genetic tractability. Exploiting the reduced number of transcription factors (TFs) encoded in the chlamydial (pan-)genome as a model for TF control supporting the intracellular lifestyle, we determined the conserved landscape of TF specificities by ChIP-Seq (chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing) in the chlamydial pathogen Waddlia chondrophila. Among 10 conserved TFs, Euo emerged as a master TF targeting >100 promoters through conserved residues in a DNA excisionase-like winged helix-turn-helix-like (wHTH) fold. Minimal target (Euo) boxes were found in conserved developmentally-regulated genes governing vertical genome transmission (cytokinesis and DNA replication) and genome plasticity (transposases). Our ChIP-Seq analysis with intracellular bacteria not only reveals that global TF regulation is maintained in the reduced regulatory genomes of Chlamydiae, but also predicts that master TFs interpret genomic information in the obligate intracellular α-proteobacteria, including the rickettsiae, from which modern day mitochondria evolved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie de Barsy
- Institute of Microbiology, University Hospital Center, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Antonio Frandi
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Genomics in Geneva (iGE3), Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Gaël Panis
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Genomics in Geneva (iGE3), Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Laurence Théraulaz
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Genomics in Geneva (iGE3), Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Trestan Pillonel
- Institute of Microbiology, University Hospital Center, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Gilbert Greub
- Institute of Microbiology, University Hospital Center, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Patrick H Viollier
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Genomics in Geneva (iGE3), Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
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Environmental marine pathogen isolation using mesocosm culture of sharpsnout seabream: striking genomic and morphological features of novel Endozoicomonas sp. Sci Rep 2015; 5:17609. [PMID: 26639610 PMCID: PMC4671022 DOI: 10.1038/srep17609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2015] [Accepted: 11/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Aquaculture is a burgeoning industry, requiring diversification into new farmed species, which are often at risk from infectious disease. We used a mesocosm technique to investigate the susceptibility of sharpsnout seabream (Diplodus puntazzo) larvae to potential environmental pathogens in seawater compared to control borehole water. Fish exposed to seawater succumbed to epitheliocystis from 21 days post hatching, causing mortality in a quarter of the hosts. The pathogen responsible was not chlamydial, as is often found in epitheliocystis, but a novel species of the γ-proteobacterial genus Endozoicomonas. Detailed characterisation of this pathogen within the infectious lesions using high resolution fluorescent and electron microscopy showed densely packed rod shaped bacteria. A draft genome sequence of this uncultured bacterium was obtained from preserved material. Comparison with the genome of the Endozoicomonas elysicola type strain shows that the genome of Ca. Endozoicomonas cretensis is undergoing decay through loss of functional genes and insertion sequence expansion, often indicative of adaptation to a new niche or restriction to an alternative lifestyle. These results demonstrate the advantage of mesocosm studies for investigating the effect of environmental bacteria on susceptible hosts and provide an important insight into the genome dynamics of a novel fish pathogen.
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Vasilevsky S, Gyger J, Piersigilli A, Pilloux L, Greub G, Stojanov M, Baud D. Waddlia chondrophila induces systemic infection, organ pathology, and elicits Th1-associated humoral immunity in a murine model of genital infection. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2015; 5:76. [PMID: 26583077 PMCID: PMC4631992 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2015.00076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2015] [Accepted: 10/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Waddlia chondrophila is a known bovine abortigenic Chlamydia-related bacterium that has been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes in human. However, there is a lack of knowledge regarding how W. chondrophila infection spreads, its ability to elicit an immune response and induce pathology. A murine model of genital infection was developed to investigate the pathogenicity and immune response associated with a W. chondrophila infection. Genital inoculation of the bacterial agent resulted in a dose-dependent infection that spread to lumbar lymph nodes and successively to spleen and liver. Bacterial-induced pathology peaked on day 14, characterized by leukocyte infiltration (uterine horn, liver, and spleen), necrosis (liver) and extramedullary hematopoiesis (spleen). Immunohistochemistry demonstrated the presence of a large number of W. chondrophila in the spleen on day 14. Robust IgG titers were detected by day 14 and remained high until day 52. IgG isotypes consisted of high IgG2a, moderate IgG3 and no detectable IgG1, indicating a Th1-associated immune response. This study provides the first evidence that W. chondrophila genital infection is capable of inducing a systemic infection that spreads to major organs, induces uterus, spleen, and liver pathology and elicits a Th1-skewed humoral response. This new animal model will help our understanding of the mechanisms related to intracellular bacteria-induced miscarriages, the most frequent complication of pregnancy that affects one in four women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sam Vasilevsky
- Materno-fetal and Obstetrics Research Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maternity, University Hospital Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Joel Gyger
- Materno-fetal and Obstetrics Research Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maternity, University Hospital Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Alessandra Piersigilli
- School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale Lausanne Lausanne, Switzerland ; Institute of Animal Pathology, University of Bern Bern, Switzerland
| | - Ludovic Pilloux
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Institute of Microbiology, University Hospital Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Gilbert Greub
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Institute of Microbiology, University Hospital Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Milos Stojanov
- Materno-fetal and Obstetrics Research Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maternity, University Hospital Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - David Baud
- Materno-fetal and Obstetrics Research Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maternity, University Hospital Lausanne, Switzerland
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Lamoth F, Pillonel T, Greub G. Waddlia: An emerging pathogen and a model organism to study the biology of chlamydiae. Microbes Infect 2015; 17:732-7. [PMID: 26432516 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2015.09.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2015] [Revised: 09/16/2015] [Accepted: 09/18/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Waddlia chondrophila is an emerging pathogen associated with abortion in cattle. In humans, a growing body of evidence supports its pathogenic role in miscarriage and in respiratory tract infection. The human pathogenicity of W. chondrophila is further supported by the presence of several virulence factors including a catalase, a functional T3SS and several adhesins. Despite this medical importance, no commercial tests are available and diagnostic of this strict intracellular bacterium mainly relies on serology, PCR and immunohistochemistry. So far, the epidemiology of W. chondrophila remains largely unexplored and zoonotic, waterborne or interhuman transmission has been considered. Apart from its pathogenic role, chlamydiologists are also interested in W. chondrophila in order to better understand biological mechanisms conserved and shared with Chlamydia spp. Indeed, W. chondrophila proved to be a useful model organism to study the pathobiology of chlamydiae thanks to its rapid replication, its large size allowing precise subcellular protein localization, as well as its growth in Dictyostelium amoebae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fréderic Lamoth
- Institute of Microbiology, University of Lausanne and University Hospital Center, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Trestan Pillonel
- Institute of Microbiology, University of Lausanne and University Hospital Center, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Gilbert Greub
- Institute of Microbiology, University of Lausanne and University Hospital Center, Lausanne, Switzerland.
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15
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Kebbi-Beghdadi C, Fatton M, Greub G. Permissivity of insect cells to Waddlia chondrophila, Estrella lausannensis and Parachlamydia acanthamoebae. Microbes Infect 2015; 17:749-54. [PMID: 26423021 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2015.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2015] [Revised: 09/14/2015] [Accepted: 09/17/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Recent large scale studies questioning the presence of intracellular bacteria of the Chlamydiales order in ticks and fleas revealed that arthropods, similarly to mammals, reptiles, birds or fishes, can be colonized by Chlamydia-related bacteria with a predominant representation of the Rhabdochlamydiaceae and Parachlamydiaceae families. We thus investigated the permissivity of two insect cell lines towards Waddlia chondrophila, Estrella lausannensis and Parachlamydia acanthamoebae, three bacteria representative of three distinct families within the Chlamydiales order, all documented in ticks and/or in other arthropods. We demonstrated that W. chondrophila and E. lausannensis are able to very efficiently multiply in these insect cell lines. E. lausannensis however induced a rapid cytopathic effect, which somehow restricted its replication. P. acanthamoebae was not able to grow in these cell lines even if inclusions containing a few replicating bacteria could occasionally be observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carole Kebbi-Beghdadi
- Center for Research on Intracellular Bacteria (CRIB), Institute of Microbiology, University Hospital Center and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Morgane Fatton
- Center for Research on Intracellular Bacteria (CRIB), Institute of Microbiology, University Hospital Center and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Gilbert Greub
- Center for Research on Intracellular Bacteria (CRIB), Institute of Microbiology, University Hospital Center and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
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16
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Characteristics of chlamydia-like organisms pathogenic to fish. J Appl Genet 2015; 57:135-41. [PMID: 26160214 PMCID: PMC4731428 DOI: 10.1007/s13353-015-0303-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2015] [Revised: 06/11/2015] [Accepted: 06/22/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Bacteria from the Chlamydiales order have been long known, especially as pathogenic bacteria to humans and many animal species, principally including birds and mammals. But for slightly over 20 years, they have been identified in the aquatic environment as endosymbionts of amoebas and sea worms. For several years, they have also been recorded as a cause of diseases among fish, causing respiratory system infections in the form of epitheliocystis of the gill. At present, 11 chlamydia-like organisms pathogenic to fish have been described, including nine new ones, classified into six families, four of which are already known (Parachlamydiaceae, Rhabdochlamydiaceae, Candidatus Parilichlamydiaceae, Candidatus Clavichlamydiaceae) and two newly created families, namely Candidatus Actinochlamydiaceae and Candidatus Parilichlamydiaceae. This paper characterises 11 chlamydia-like organisms, as well as seven isolates not classified into families, which are pathogenic to fish, presenting their genetical properties allowing for their classification, as well as morphological properties and diseases caused.
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17
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Kebbi-Beghdadi C, Domröse A, Becker E, Cisse OH, Hegemann JH, Greub G. OmpA family proteins and Pmp-like autotransporter: new adhesins of Waddlia chondrophila. Pathog Dis 2015; 73:ftv035. [PMID: 25986220 DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftv035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Waddlia chondrophila is a obligate intracellular bacterium belonging to the Chlamydiales order, a clade that also includes the well-known classical Chlamydia responsible for a number of severe human and animal diseases. Waddlia is an emerging pathogen associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes in humans and abortion in ruminants. Adhesion to the host cell is an essential prerequisite for survival of every strict intracellular bacteria and, in classical Chlamydia, this step is partially mediated by polymorphic outer membrane proteins (Pmps), a family of highly diverse autotransporters that represent about 15% of the bacterial coding capacity. Waddlia chondrophila genome however only encodes one putative Pmp-like protein. Using a proteomic approach, we identified several bacterial proteins potentially implicated in the adhesion process and we characterized their expression during the replication cycle of the bacteria. In addition, we demonstrated that the Waddlia Pmp-like autotransporter as well as OmpA2 and OmpA3, two members of the extended Waddlia OmpA protein family, exhibit adhesive properties on epithelial cells. We hypothesize that the large diversity of the OmpA protein family is linked to the wide host range of these bacteria that are able to enter and multiply in various host cells ranging from protozoa to mammalian and fish cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carole Kebbi-Beghdadi
- Center for Research on Intracellular Bacteria (CRIB), Institute of Microbiology, University Hospital Center and University of Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Domröse
- Institut für Funktionelle Genomforschung der Mikroorganismen, Heinrich-Heine-Universität, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Becker
- Institut für Funktionelle Genomforschung der Mikroorganismen, Heinrich-Heine-Universität, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Ousmane H Cisse
- Center for Research on Intracellular Bacteria (CRIB), Institute of Microbiology, University Hospital Center and University of Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Johannes H Hegemann
- Institut für Funktionelle Genomforschung der Mikroorganismen, Heinrich-Heine-Universität, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Gilbert Greub
- Center for Research on Intracellular Bacteria (CRIB), Institute of Microbiology, University Hospital Center and University of Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
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18
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Rusconi B, Kebbi-Beghdadi C, Greub G. Trafficking of Estrella lausannensis in human macrophages. Pathog Dis 2015; 73:ftv027. [PMID: 25857735 DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftv027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Estrella lausannensis is a new member of the Chlamydiales order. Like other Chlamydia-related bacteria, it is able to replicate in amoebae and in fish cell lines. A preliminary study investigating the pathogenic potential of Chlamydia-related bacteria found a correlation between antibody response to E. lausannensis and pneumonia in children. To further investigate the pathogenic potential of E. lausannensis, we determined its ability to grow in human macrophages and its intracellular trafficking. The replication in macrophages resulted in viable E. lausannensis; however, it caused a significant cytopathic effect. The intracellular trafficking of E. lausannensis was analyzed by determining the interaction of the Estrella-containing inclusions with various endocytic markers as well as host organelles. The E. lausannensis inclusion escaped the endocytic pathway rapidly avoiding maturation into phagolysosomes by preventing both EEA-1 and LAMP-1 accumulation. Compared to Waddlia chondrophila, another Chlamydia-related bacteria, the recruitment of mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum was minimal for E. lausannensis inclusions. Estrella lausannensis appears to use a distinct source of nutrients and energy compared to other members of the Chlamydiales order. In conclusion, we hypothesize that E. lausannensis has a restricted growth in human macrophages, due to its reduced capacity to control programmed cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brigida Rusconi
- Institute of Microbiology, University of Lausanne and University Hospital Center, Lausanne, 1011, Switzerland
| | - Carole Kebbi-Beghdadi
- Institute of Microbiology, University of Lausanne and University Hospital Center, Lausanne, 1011, Switzerland
| | - Gilbert Greub
- Institute of Microbiology, University of Lausanne and University Hospital Center, Lausanne, 1011, Switzerland
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19
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Bertelli C, Aeby S, Chassot B, Clulow J, Hilfiker O, Rappo S, Ritzmann S, Schumacher P, Terrettaz C, Benaglio P, Falquet L, Farinelli L, Gharib WH, Goesmann A, Harshman K, Linke B, Miyazaki R, Rivolta C, Robinson-Rechavi M, van der Meer JR, Greub G. Sequencing and characterizing the genome of Estrella lausannensis as an undergraduate project: training students and biological insights. Front Microbiol 2015; 6:101. [PMID: 25745418 PMCID: PMC4333871 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2015.00101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2014] [Accepted: 01/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
With the widespread availability of high-throughput sequencing technologies, sequencing projects have become pervasive in the molecular life sciences. The huge bulk of data generated daily must be analyzed further by biologists with skills in bioinformatics and by "embedded bioinformaticians," i.e., bioinformaticians integrated in wet lab research groups. Thus, students interested in molecular life sciences must be trained in the main steps of genomics: sequencing, assembly, annotation and analysis. To reach that goal, a practical course has been set up for master students at the University of Lausanne: the "Sequence a genome" class. At the beginning of the academic year, a few bacterial species whose genome is unknown are provided to the students, who sequence and assemble the genome(s) and perform manual annotation. Here, we report the progress of the first class from September 2010 to June 2011 and the results obtained by seven master students who specifically assembled and annotated the genome of Estrella lausannensis, an obligate intracellular bacterium related to Chlamydia. The draft genome of Estrella is composed of 29 scaffolds encompassing 2,819,825 bp that encode for 2233 putative proteins. Estrella also possesses a 9136 bp plasmid that encodes for 14 genes, among which we found an integrase and a toxin/antitoxin module. Like all other members of the Chlamydiales order, Estrella possesses a highly conserved type III secretion system, considered as a key virulence factor. The annotation of the Estrella genome also allowed the characterization of the metabolic abilities of this strictly intracellular bacterium. Altogether, the students provided the scientific community with the Estrella genome sequence and a preliminary understanding of the biology of this recently-discovered bacterial genus, while learning to use cutting-edge technologies for sequencing and to perform bioinformatics analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Bertelli
- Center for Research on Intracellular Bacteria, Institute of Microbiology, University Hospital Center and University of Lausanne Lausanne, Switzerland ; SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Sébastien Aeby
- Center for Research on Intracellular Bacteria, Institute of Microbiology, University Hospital Center and University of Lausanne Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - James Clulow
- School of Biology, University of Lausanne Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - Samuel Rappo
- School of Biology, University of Lausanne Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | - Paola Benaglio
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Lausanne Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Laurent Falquet
- Division of Biochemistry, Department of Biology, University of Fribourg Fribourg, Switzerland ; SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - Walid H Gharib
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne Lausanne, Switzerland ; SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Alexander Goesmann
- Department of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen Gießen, Germany
| | - Keith Harshman
- Lausanne Genomic Technologies Facility, Center for Integrative Genomics, University of Lausanne Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Burkhard Linke
- Department of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen Gießen, Germany
| | - Ryo Miyazaki
- Department of Fundamental Microbiology, University of Lausanne Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Carlo Rivolta
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Lausanne Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Marc Robinson-Rechavi
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne Lausanne, Switzerland ; SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - Gilbert Greub
- Center for Research on Intracellular Bacteria, Institute of Microbiology, University Hospital Center and University of Lausanne Lausanne, Switzerland
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Taylor-Brown A, Vaughan L, Greub G, Timms P, Polkinghorne A. Twenty years of research into Chlamydia-like organisms: a revolution in our understanding of the biology and pathogenicity of members of the phylum Chlamydiae. Pathog Dis 2014; 73:1-15. [PMID: 25854000 DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftu009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/29/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydiae are obligate intracellular bacteria that share a unique but remarkably conserved biphasic developmental cycle that relies on a eukaryotic host cell for survival. Although the phylum was originally thought to only contain one family, the Chlamydiaceae, a total of nine families are now recognized. These so-called Chlamydia-like organisms (CLOs) are also referred to as 'environmental chlamydiae', as many were initially isolated from environmental sources. However, these organisms are also emerging pathogens, as many, such as Parachlamydia sp., Simkania sp. and Waddlia sp., have been associated with human disease, and others, such as Piscichlamydia sp. and Parilichlamydia sp., have been documented in association with diseases in animals. Their strict intracellular nature and the requirement for cell culture have been a confounding factor in characterizing the biology and pathogenicity of CLOs. Nevertheless, the genomes of seven CLO species have now been sequenced, providing new information on their potential ability to adapt to a wide range of hosts. As new isolation and diagnostic methods advance, we are able to further explore the richness of this phylum with further research likely to help define the true pathogenic potential of the CLOs while also providing insight into the origins of the 'traditional' chlamydiae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alyce Taylor-Brown
- Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland 4556, Australia
| | - Lloyd Vaughan
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, University of Zurich, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Gilbert Greub
- Institute of Microbiology, University of Lausanne, CH-1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Peter Timms
- Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland 4556, Australia
| | - Adam Polkinghorne
- Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland 4556, Australia
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de Barsy M, Bottinelli L, Greub G. Antibiotic susceptibility of Estrella lausannensis, a potential emerging pathogen. Microbes Infect 2014; 16:746-54. [DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2014.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2014] [Revised: 08/05/2014] [Accepted: 08/05/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Kebbi-Beghdadi C, Greub G. Importance of amoebae as a tool to isolate amoeba-resisting microorganisms and for their ecology and evolution: the Chlamydia paradigm. ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS 2014; 6:309-24. [PMID: 24992529 DOI: 10.1111/1758-2229.12155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2013] [Revised: 02/14/2014] [Accepted: 02/16/2014] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Free-living amoebae are distributed worldwide and are frequently in contact with humans and animals. As cysts, they can survive in very harsh conditions and resist biocides and most disinfection procedures. Several microorganisms, called amoeba-resisting microorganisms (ARMs), have evolved to survive and multiply within these protozoa. Among them are many important pathogens, such as Legionella and Mycobacteria, and also several newly discovered Chlamydia-related bacteria, such as Parachlamydia acanthamoebae, Estrella lausannensis, Simkania negevensis or Waddlia chondrophila whose pathogenic role towards human or animal is strongly suspected. Amoebae represent an evolutionary crib for their resistant microorganisms since they can exchange genetic material with other ARMs and develop virulence traits that will be further used to infect other professional phagocytes. Moreover, amoebae constitute an ideal tool to isolate strict intracellular microorganisms from complex microbiota, since they will feed on other fast-growing bacteria, such as coliforms potentially present in the investigated samples. The paradigm that ARMs are likely resistant to macrophages, another phagocytic cell, and that they are likely virulent towards humans and animals is only partially true. Indeed, we provide examples of the Chlamydiales order that challenge this assumption and suggest that the ability to multiply in protozoa does not strictly correlate with pathogenicity and that we should rather use the ability to replicate in multiple and diverse eukaryotic cells as an indirect marker of virulence towards mammals. Thus, cell-culture-based microbial culturomics should be used in the future to try to discover new pathogenic bacterial species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carole Kebbi-Beghdadi
- Center for Research on Intracellular Bacteria (CRIB), Institute of Microbiology, University Hospital Center, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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Stride MC, Polkinghome A, Nowak BF. Chlamydial infections of fish: diverse pathogens and emerging causes of disease in aquaculture species. Vet Microbiol 2014; 171:258-66. [PMID: 24932463 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2014.03.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Chlamydial infections of fish are emerging as an important cause of disease in new and established aquaculture industries. To date, epitheliocystis, a skin and gill disease associated with infection by these obligate intracellular pathogens, has been described in over 90 fish species, including hosts from marine and fresh water environments. Aided by advances in molecular detection and typing, recent years have seen an explosion in the description of these epitheliocystis-related chlamydial pathogens of fish, significantly broadening our knowledge of the genetic diversity of the order Chlamydiales. Remarkably, in most cases, it seems that each new piscine host studied has revealed the presence of a phylogenetically unique and novel chlamydial pathogen, providing researchers with a fascinating opportunity to understand the origin, evolution and adaptation of their traditional terrestrial chlamydial relatives. Despite the advances in this area, much still needs to be learnt about the epidemiology of chlamydial infections in fish if these pathogens are to be controlled in farmed environments. The lack of in vitro methods for culturing of chlamydial pathogens of fish is a major hindrance to this field. This review provides an update on our current knowledge of the taxonomy and diversity of chlamydial pathogens of fish, discusses the impact of these infections on the health, and highlights further areas of research required to understand the biology and epidemiology of this important emerging group of fish pathogens of aquaculture species.
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Wheelhouse N, Coyle C, Barlow PG, Mitchell S, Greub G, Baszler T, Rae MT, Longbottom D. Waddlia chondrophila infects and multiplies in ovine trophoblast cells stimulating an inflammatory immune response. PLoS One 2014; 9:e102386. [PMID: 25010668 PMCID: PMC4092135 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0102386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2014] [Accepted: 06/18/2014] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Waddlia chondrophila (W. chondrophila) is an emerging abortifacient organism which has been identified in the placentae of humans and cattle. The organism is a member of the order Chlamydiales, and shares many similarities at the genome level and in growth studies with other well-characterised zoonotic chlamydial abortifacients, such as Chlamydia abortus (C. abortus). This study investigates the growth of the organism and its effects upon pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in a ruminant placental cell line which we have previously utilised in a model of C. abortus pathogenicity. Methodology/Principal Findings Using qPCR, fluorescent immunocytochemistry and electron microscopy, we characterised the infection and growth of W. chondrophila within the ovine trophoblast AH-1 cell line. Inclusions were visible from 6 h post-infection (p.i.) and exponential growth of the organism could be observed over a 60 h time-course, with significant levels of host cell lysis being observed only after 36 h p.i. Expression of CXCL8, TNF-α, IL-1α and IL-1β were determined 24 h p.i. A statistically significant response in the expression of CXCL8, TNF-α and IL-1β could be observed following active infection with W. chondrophila. However a significant increase in IL-1β expression was also observed following the exposure of cells to UV-killed organisms, indicating the stimulation of multiple innate recognition pathways. Conclusions/Significance W. chondrophila infects and grows in the ruminant trophoblast AH-1 cell line exhibiting a complete chlamydial replicative cycle. Infection of the trophoblasts resulted in the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in a dose-dependent manner similar to that observed with C. abortus in previous studies, suggesting similarities in the pathogenesis of infection between the two organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nick Wheelhouse
- Moredun Research Institute, Edinburgh, Midlothian, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Christopher Coyle
- School of Life, Sport and Social Sciences, Edinburgh Napier University, Sighthill Campus, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Peter G. Barlow
- School of Life, Sport and Social Sciences, Edinburgh Napier University, Sighthill Campus, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen Mitchell
- Institute of Molecular Plant Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Gilbert Greub
- Center for Research on Intracellular Bacteria (CRIB), Institute of Microbiology, University Hospital Center and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Tim Baszler
- Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, United States of America
| | - Mick T. Rae
- School of Life, Sport and Social Sciences, Edinburgh Napier University, Sighthill Campus, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - David Longbottom
- Moredun Research Institute, Edinburgh, Midlothian, United Kingdom
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Stride M, Polkinghorne A, Nowak B. Chlamydial infections of fish: Diverse pathogens and emerging causes of disease in aquaculture species. Vet Microbiol 2014; 170:19-27. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2014.01.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2013] [Revised: 01/21/2014] [Accepted: 01/22/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Cell wall precursors are required to organize the chlamydial division septum. Nat Commun 2014; 5:3578. [PMID: 24709914 PMCID: PMC3988822 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms4578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2013] [Accepted: 03/05/2014] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Members of the Chlamydiales order are major bacterial pathogens that divide at mid-cell, without a sequence homologue of the FtsZ cytokinetic tubulin and without a classical peptidoglycan cell wall. Moreover, the spatiotemporal mechanisms directing constriction in Chlamydia are not known. Here we show that the MreB actin homologue and its conserved regulator RodZ localize to the division furrow in Waddlia chondrophila, a member of the Chlamydiales order implicated in human miscarriage. RodZ is recruited to the septal site earlier than MreB and in a manner that depends on biosynthesis of the peptidoglycan precursor lipid II by the MurA enzyme. By contrast, crosslinking of lipid II peptides by the Pbp3 transpeptidase disperses RodZ from the septum. Altogether, these findings provide a cytological framework for understanding chlamydial cytokinesis driven by septal cell wall synthesis.
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Omsland A, Sixt BS, Horn M, Hackstadt T. Chlamydial metabolism revisited: interspecies metabolic variability and developmental stage-specific physiologic activities. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2014; 38:779-801. [PMID: 24484402 DOI: 10.1111/1574-6976.12059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2013] [Revised: 01/08/2014] [Accepted: 01/13/2014] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Chlamydiae are a group of obligate intracellular bacteria comprising important human and animal pathogens as well as symbionts of ubiquitous protists. They are characterized by a developmental cycle including two main morphologically and physiologically distinct stages, the replicating reticulate body and the infectious nondividing elementary body. In this review, we reconstruct the history of studies that have led to our current perception of chlamydial physiology, focusing on their energy and central carbon metabolism. We then compare the metabolic capabilities of pathogenic and environmental chlamydiae highlighting interspecies variability among the metabolically more flexible environmental strains. We discuss recent findings suggesting that chlamydiae may not live as energy parasites throughout the developmental cycle and that elementary bodies are not metabolically inert but exhibit metabolic activity under appropriate axenic conditions. The observed host-free metabolic activity of elementary bodies may reflect adequate recapitulation of the intracellular environment, but there is evidence that this activity is biologically relevant and required for extracellular survival and maintenance of infectivity. The recent discoveries call for a reconsideration of chlamydial metabolism and future in-depth analyses to better understand how species- and stage-specific differences in chlamydial physiology may affect virulence, tissue tropism, and host adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anders Omsland
- Host-Parasite Interactions Section, Laboratory of Intracellular Parasites, NIAID, NIH, Hamilton, MT, USA
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de Barsy M, Greub G. Waddlia chondrophila: from biology to pathogenicity. Microbes Infect 2013; 15:1033-41. [DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2013.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2013] [Revised: 09/02/2013] [Accepted: 09/02/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Jacquier N, Aeby S, Lienard J, Greub G. Discovery of new intracellular pathogens by amoebal coculture and amoebal enrichment approaches. J Vis Exp 2013:e51055. [PMID: 24192667 DOI: 10.3791/51055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Intracellular pathogens such as legionella, mycobacteria and Chlamydia-like organisms are difficult to isolate because they often grow poorly or not at all on selective media that are usually used to cultivate bacteria. For this reason, many of these pathogens were discovered only recently or following important outbreaks. These pathogens are often associated with amoebae, which serve as host-cell and allow the survival and growth of the bacteria. We intend here to provide a demonstration of two techniques that allow isolation and characterization of intracellular pathogens present in clinical or environmental samples: the amoebal coculture and the amoebal enrichment. Amoebal coculture allows recovery of intracellular bacteria by inoculating the investigated sample onto an amoebal lawn that can be infected and lysed by the intracellular bacteria present in the sample. Amoebal enrichment allows recovery of amoebae present in a clinical or environmental sample. This can lead to discovery of new amoebal species but also of new intracellular bacteria growing specifically in these amoebae. Together, these two techniques help to discover new intracellular bacteria able to grow in amoebae. Because of their ability to infect amoebae and resist phagocytosis, these intracellular bacteria might also escape phagocytosis by macrophages and thus, be pathogenic for higher eukaryotes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Jacquier
- Institute of Microbiology, University Hospital Center and University of Lausanne
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Crescent and star shapes of members of the Chlamydiales order: impact of fixative methods. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 2013; 104:521-32. [DOI: 10.1007/s10482-013-9999-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2013] [Accepted: 08/07/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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