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González-Buenfil R, Vieyra-Sánchez S, Quinto-Cortés CD, Oppenheimer SJ, Pomat W, Laman M, Cervantes-Hernández MC, Barberena-Jonas C, Auckland K, Allen A, Allen S, Phipps ME, Huerta-Sanchez E, Ioannidis AG, Mentzer AJ, Moreno-Estrada A. Genetic Signatures of Positive Selection in Human Populations Adapted to High Altitude in Papua New Guinea. Genome Biol Evol 2024; 16:evae161. [PMID: 39173139 PMCID: PMC11339866 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evae161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 08/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Papua New Guinea (PNG) hosts distinct environments mainly represented by the ecoregions of the Highlands and Lowlands that display increased altitude and a predominance of pathogens, respectively. Since its initial peopling approximately 50,000 years ago, inhabitants of these ecoregions might have differentially adapted to the environmental pressures exerted by each of them. However, the genetic basis of adaptation in populations from these areas remains understudied. Here, we investigated signals of positive selection in 62 highlanders and 43 lowlanders across 14 locations in the main island of PNG using whole-genome genotype data from the Oceanian Genome Variation Project (OGVP) and searched for signals of positive selection through population differentiation and haplotype-based selection scans. Additionally, we performed archaic ancestry estimation to detect selection signals in highlanders within introgressed regions of the genome. Among highland populations we identified candidate genes representing known biomarkers for mountain sickness (SAA4, SAA1, PRDX1, LDHA) as well as candidate genes of the Notch signaling pathway (PSEN1, NUMB, RBPJ, MAML3), a novel proposed pathway for high altitude adaptation in multiple organisms. We also identified candidate genes involved in oxidative stress, inflammation, and angiogenesis, processes inducible by hypoxia, as well as in components of the eye lens and the immune response. In contrast, candidate genes in the lowlands are mainly related to the immune response (HLA-DQB1, HLA-DQA2, TAAR6, TAAR9, TAAR8, RNASE4, RNASE6, ANG). Moreover, we find two candidate regions to be also enriched with archaic introgressed segments, suggesting that archaic admixture has played a role in the local adaptation of PNG populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ram González-Buenfil
- Advanced Genomics Unit (UGA), Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute (Cinvestav), Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico
| | - Sofía Vieyra-Sánchez
- Advanced Genomics Unit (UGA), Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute (Cinvestav), Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico
| | - Consuelo D Quinto-Cortés
- Advanced Genomics Unit (UGA), Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute (Cinvestav), Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico
| | | | - William Pomat
- Vector-Borne Diseases Unit, Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Madang, Papua New Guinea
| | - Moses Laman
- Vector-Borne Diseases Unit, Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Madang, Papua New Guinea
| | - Mayté C Cervantes-Hernández
- Advanced Genomics Unit (UGA), Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute (Cinvestav), Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico
| | - Carmina Barberena-Jonas
- Advanced Genomics Unit (UGA), Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute (Cinvestav), Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico
| | | | - Angela Allen
- Department of Molecular Haematology, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Headley Way, Headington, Oxford, OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Stephen Allen
- Department of Clinical Sciences,Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, L3 5QA, UK
| | - Maude E Phipps
- Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Subang Jaya 47500, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Emilia Huerta-Sanchez
- Center for Computational Molecular Biology, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
| | - Alexander G Ioannidis
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Stanford Medical School, Stanford, CA, USA
| | | | - Andrés Moreno-Estrada
- Advanced Genomics Unit (UGA), Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute (Cinvestav), Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico
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Paulet E, Contreras V, Galhaut M, Rosenkrands I, Holland M, Burton M, Dietrich J, Gallouet AS, Bosquet N, Relouzat F, Langlois S, Follmann F, Le Grand R, Labetoulle M, Rousseau A. Multimodal mucosal and systemic immune characterization of a non-human primate trachoma model highlights the critical role of local immunity during acute phase disease. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2024; 18:e0012388. [PMID: 39093884 PMCID: PMC11333008 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0012388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 08/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/19/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trachoma is a leading cause of infection-related blindness worldwide. This disease is caused by recurrent Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) infections of the conjunctiva and develops in two phases: i) active (acute trachoma, characterized by follicular conjunctivitis), then long-term: ii) scarring (chronic trachoma, characterized by conjunctival fibrosis, corneal opacification and eyelid malposition). Scarring trachoma is driven by the number and severity of reinfections. The immune system plays a pivotal role in trachoma including exacerbation of the disease. Hence the immune system may also be key to developing a trachoma vaccine. Therefore, we characterized clinical and local immune response kinetics in a non-human primate model of acute conjunctival Ct infection and disease. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS The conjunctiva of non-human primate (NHP, Cynomolgus monkeys-Macaca fascicularis-) were inoculated with Ct (B/Tunis-864 strain, B serovar). Clinical ocular monitoring was performed using a standardized photographic grading system, and local immune responses were assessed using multi-parameter flow cytometry of conjunctival cells, tear fluid cytokines, immunoglobulins, and Ct quantification. Clinical findings were similar to those observed during acute trachoma in humans, with the development of typical follicular conjunctivitis from the 4th week post-exposure to the 11th week. Immunologic analysis indicated an early phase influx of T cells in the conjunctiva and elevated interleukins 4, 8, and 5, followed by a late phase monocytic influx accompanied with a decrease in other immune cells, and tear fluid cytokines returning to initial levels. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE Our NHP model accurately reproduces the clinical signs of acute trachoma, allowing for an accurate assessment of the local immune responses in infected eyes. A progressive immune response occurred for weeks after exposure to Ct, which subsided into a persistent innate immune response. An understanding of these local responses is the first step towards using the model to assess new vaccine and therapeutic strategies for disease prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elodie Paulet
- Université Paris-Saclay, Inserm, CEA, Center for Immunology of Viral, Auto-immune, Hematological and Bacterial diseases (IMVA-HB/IDMIT), Fontenay-aux-Roses & Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Vanessa Contreras
- Université Paris-Saclay, Inserm, CEA, Center for Immunology of Viral, Auto-immune, Hematological and Bacterial diseases (IMVA-HB/IDMIT), Fontenay-aux-Roses & Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Mathilde Galhaut
- Université Paris-Saclay, Inserm, CEA, Center for Immunology of Viral, Auto-immune, Hematological and Bacterial diseases (IMVA-HB/IDMIT), Fontenay-aux-Roses & Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Ida Rosenkrands
- Center for Vaccine Research, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Martin Holland
- Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew Burton
- International Centre for Eye Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jes Dietrich
- Center for Vaccine Research, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anne-Sophie Gallouet
- Université Paris-Saclay, Inserm, CEA, Center for Immunology of Viral, Auto-immune, Hematological and Bacterial diseases (IMVA-HB/IDMIT), Fontenay-aux-Roses & Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Nathalie Bosquet
- Université Paris-Saclay, Inserm, CEA, Center for Immunology of Viral, Auto-immune, Hematological and Bacterial diseases (IMVA-HB/IDMIT), Fontenay-aux-Roses & Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Francis Relouzat
- Université Paris-Saclay, Inserm, CEA, Center for Immunology of Viral, Auto-immune, Hematological and Bacterial diseases (IMVA-HB/IDMIT), Fontenay-aux-Roses & Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Sébastien Langlois
- Université Paris-Saclay, Inserm, CEA, Center for Immunology of Viral, Auto-immune, Hematological and Bacterial diseases (IMVA-HB/IDMIT), Fontenay-aux-Roses & Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Frank Follmann
- Center for Vaccine Research, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Roger Le Grand
- Université Paris-Saclay, Inserm, CEA, Center for Immunology of Viral, Auto-immune, Hematological and Bacterial diseases (IMVA-HB/IDMIT), Fontenay-aux-Roses & Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Marc Labetoulle
- Université Paris-Saclay, Inserm, CEA, Center for Immunology of Viral, Auto-immune, Hematological and Bacterial diseases (IMVA-HB/IDMIT), Fontenay-aux-Roses & Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
- Service d’Ophtalmologie, Hôpital Bicêtre, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Le Kremlin Bicêtre, France
- Service d’Ophtalmologie, Hôpital National de la Vision des 15-20, IHU Foresight, Paris, France
| | - Antoine Rousseau
- Université Paris-Saclay, Inserm, CEA, Center for Immunology of Viral, Auto-immune, Hematological and Bacterial diseases (IMVA-HB/IDMIT), Fontenay-aux-Roses & Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
- Service d’Ophtalmologie, Hôpital Bicêtre, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Le Kremlin Bicêtre, France
- Service d’Ophtalmologie, Hôpital National de la Vision des 15-20, IHU Foresight, Paris, France
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Toumasis P, Vrioni G, Tsinopoulos IT, Exindari M, Samonis G. Insights into Pathogenesis of Trachoma. Microorganisms 2024; 12:1544. [PMID: 39203386 PMCID: PMC11355952 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12081544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2024] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 09/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Trachoma is the most common infectious cause of blindness worldwide. This review investigates the pathogenesis of trachoma, focusing on its causative agent, transmission pathways, disease progression, and immune responses. Trachoma is caused by serovars A-C of the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct). Transmission occurs through direct or indirect exchanges of ocular and nasal secretions, especially in regions with poor hygiene and overcrowded living conditions. The disease is initiated in early childhood by repeated infection of the ocular surface by Ct. This triggers recurrent chronic inflammatory episodes, leading to the development of conjunctival scarring and potentially to trichiasis, corneal opacity, and visual impairment. Exploring the pathogenesis of trachoma not only unveils the intricate pathways and mechanisms underlying this devastating eye disease but also underscores the multifaceted dimensions that must be considered in its management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panagiotis Toumasis
- MSc in Ocular Surgery, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece; (P.T.); (I.T.T.); (M.E.)
| | - Georgia Vrioni
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 25 Athens, Greece;
| | - Ioannis T. Tsinopoulos
- MSc in Ocular Surgery, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece; (P.T.); (I.T.T.); (M.E.)
- Second Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Papageorgiou General Hospital, 564 29 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Maria Exindari
- MSc in Ocular Surgery, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece; (P.T.); (I.T.T.); (M.E.)
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - George Samonis
- School of Medicine, University of Crete, 715 00 Heraklion, Greece
- Metropolitan Hospital, 185 47 Piraeus, Greece
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Barton A, Faal N, Ramadhani A, Derrick T, Mafuru E, Mtuy T, Massae P, Malissa A, Joof H, Makalo P, Sillah A, Harte A, Pickering H, Bailey R, Mabey DCW, Burton MJ, Holland MJ. Longitudinal changes in tear cytokines and antimicrobial proteins in trachomatous disease. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011689. [PMID: 37862368 PMCID: PMC10619880 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trachoma is a neglected tropical disease caused by ocular infection with Chlamydia trachomatis, where repeated infections and chronic inflammation can ultimately result in scarring, trichiasis and blindness. While scarring is thought to be mediated by a dysregulated immune response, the kinetics of cytokines and antimicrobial proteins in the tear film have not yet been characterised. METHODOLOGY Pooled tears from a Gambian cohort and Tanzanian cohort were semi-quantitatively screened using a Proteome Profiler Array to identify cytokines differentially regulated in disease. Based on this screen and previous literature, ten cytokines (CXCL1, IP-10, IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12 p40, IL-1RA, IL-1α and PDGF), lysozyme and lactoferrin were assayed in the Tanzanian cohort by multiplex cytokine assay and ELISA. Finally, CXCL1, IP-10, IL-8, lysozyme and lactoferrin were longitudinally profiled in the Gambian cohort by multiplex cytokine assay and ELISA. RESULTS In the Tanzanian cohort, IL-8 was significantly increased in those with clinically inapparent infection (p = 0.0086). Lysozyme, IL-10 and chemokines CXCL1 and IL-8 were increased in scarring (p = 0.016, 0.046, 0.016, and 0.037). CXCL1, IP-10, IL-8, lysozyme and lactoferrin were longitudinally profiled over the course of infection in a Gambian cohort study, with evidence of an inflammatory response both before, during and after detectable infection. CXCL1, IL-8 and IP-10 were higher in the second infection episode relative to the first (p = 0.0012, 0.044, and 0.04). CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that the ocular immune system responds prior to and continues to respond after detectable C. trachomatis infection, possibly due to a positive feedback loop inducing immune activation. Levels of CXC chemokines in successive infection episodes were increased, which may offer an explanation as to why repeated infections are a risk factor for scarring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amber Barton
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nkoyo Faal
- Medical Research Council Gambia at LSHTM, Atlantic Boulevard, Fajara, Banjul, The Gambia
| | - Athumani Ramadhani
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Tamsyn Derrick
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, United Kingdom
| | - Elias Mafuru
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Tara Mtuy
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Patrick Massae
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Aiweda Malissa
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Hassan Joof
- Medical Research Council Gambia at LSHTM, Atlantic Boulevard, Fajara, Banjul, The Gambia
| | - Pateh Makalo
- Medical Research Council Gambia at LSHTM, Atlantic Boulevard, Fajara, Banjul, The Gambia
| | - Ansumana Sillah
- National Eye Health Programme, Ministry of Health, Banjul, The Gambia
| | - Anna Harte
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, United Kingdom
| | - Harry Pickering
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, United Kingdom
| | - Robin Bailey
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, United Kingdom
| | - David CW Mabey
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew J. Burton
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, United Kingdom
| | - Martin J. Holland
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, United Kingdom
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5
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Abstract
Trachoma is a neglected tropical disease caused by infection with conjunctival strains of Chlamydia trachomatis. It can result in blindness. Pathophysiologically, trachoma is a disease complex composed of two linked chronic processes: a recurrent, generally subclinical infectious-inflammatory disease that mostly affects children, and a non-communicable, cicatricial and, owing to trichiasis, eventually blinding disease that supervenes in some individuals later in life. At least 150 infection episodes over an individual's lifetime are needed to precipitate trichiasis; thus, opportunity exists for a just global health system to intervene to prevent trachomatous blindness. Trachoma is found at highest prevalence in the poorest communities of low-income countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa; in June 2021, 1.8 million people worldwide were going blind from the disease. Blindness attributable to trachoma can appear in communities many years after conjunctival C. trachomatis transmission has waned or ceased; therefore, the two linked disease processes require distinct clinical and public health responses. Surgery is offered to individuals with trichiasis and antibiotic mass drug administration and interventions to stimulate facial cleanliness and environmental improvement are designed to reduce infection prevalence and transmission. Together, these interventions comprise the SAFE strategy, which is achieving considerable success. Although much work remains, a continuing public health problem from trachoma in the year 2030 will be difficult for the world to excuse.
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Virok DP, Tömösi F, Keller-Pintér A, Szabó K, Bogdanov A, Poliska S, Rázga Z, Bruszel B, Cseh Z, Kókai D, Paróczai D, Endrész V, Janáky T, Burián K. Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase Cannot Inhibit Chlamydia trachomatis Growth in HL-60 Human Neutrophil Granulocytes. Front Immunol 2021; 12:717311. [PMID: 34819931 PMCID: PMC8606673 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.717311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Aims Neutrophil granulocytes are the major cells involved in Chlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis)-mediated inflammation and histopathology. A key protein in human intracellular antichlamydial defense is the tryptophan-degrading enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) which limits the growth of the tryptophan auxotroph Chlamydia. Despite its importance, the role of IDO in the intracellular defense against Chlamydia in neutrophils is not well characterized. Methods Global gene expression screen was used to evaluate the effect of C. trachomatis serovar D infection on the transcriptome of human neutrophil granulocytes. Tryptophan metabolite concentrations in the Chlamydia-infected and/or interferon-gamma (IFNG)-treated neutrophils were measured by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC–MS/MS). Results Our results indicate that the C. trachomatis infection had a major impact on neutrophil gene expression, inducing 1,295 genes and repressing 1,510 genes. A bioinformatics analysis revealed that important factors involved in the induction of neutrophil gene expression were the interferon-related transcription factors such as IRF1-5, IRF7-9, STAT2, ICSB, and ISGF3. One of the upregulated genes was ido1, a known infection- and interferon-induced host gene. The tryptophan-degrading activity of IDO1 was not induced significantly by Chlamydia infection alone, but the addition of IFNG greatly increased its activity. Despite the significant IDO activity in IFNG-treated cells, C. trachomatis growth was not affected by IFNG. This result was in contrast to what we observed in HeLa human cervical epithelial cells, where the IFNG-mediated inhibition of C. trachomatis growth was significant and the IFNG-induced IDO activity correlated with growth inhibition. Conclusions IDO activity was not able to inhibit chlamydial growth in human neutrophils. Whether the IDO activity was not high enough for inhibition or other chlamydial growth-promoting host mechanisms were induced in the infected and interferon-treated neutrophils needs to be further investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dezső P Virok
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Albert Szent-Györgyi Health Center and Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Ferenc Tömösi
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Interdisciplinary Centre of Excellence, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | | | - Kitti Szabó
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Anita Bogdanov
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Albert Szent-Györgyi Health Center and Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Szilárd Poliska
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Zsolt Rázga
- Department of Pathology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Bella Bruszel
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Interdisciplinary Centre of Excellence, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Zsuzsanna Cseh
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Albert Szent-Györgyi Health Center and Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Dávid Kókai
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Albert Szent-Györgyi Health Center and Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Dóra Paróczai
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Albert Szent-Györgyi Health Center and Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Valéria Endrész
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Albert Szent-Györgyi Health Center and Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Tamás Janáky
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Interdisciplinary Centre of Excellence, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Katalin Burián
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Albert Szent-Györgyi Health Center and Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
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7
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Amaral AF, McQueen BE, Bellingham-Johnstun K, Poston TB, Darville T, Nagarajan UM, Laplante C, Käser T. Host-Pathogen Interactions of Chlamydia trachomatis in Porcine Oviduct Epithelial Cells. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10101270. [PMID: 34684219 PMCID: PMC8540921 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10101270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) causes the most prevalent bacterial sexually transmitted disease leading to ectopic pregnancy and infertility. Swine not only have many similarities to humans, but they are also susceptible to Ct. Despite these benefits and the ease of access to primary tissue from this food animal, in vitro research in swine has been underutilized. This study will provide basic understanding of the Ct host–pathogen interactions in porcine oviduct epithelial cells (pOECs)—the counterparts of human Fallopian tube epithelial cells. Using NanoString technology, flow cytometry, and confocal and transmission-electron microscopy, we studied the Ct developmental cycle in pOECs, the cellular immune response, and the expression and location of the tight junction protein claudin-4. We show that Ct productively completes its developmental cycle in pOECs and induces an immune response to Ct similar to human cells: Ct mainly induced the upregulation of interferon regulated genes and T-cell attracting chemokines. Furthermore, Ct infection induced an accumulation of claudin-4 in the Ct inclusion with a coinciding reduction of membrane-bound claudin-4. Downstream effects of the reduced membrane-bound claudin-4 expression could potentially include a reduction in tight-junction expression, impaired epithelial barrier function as well as increased susceptibility to co-infections. Thereby, this study justifies the investigation of the effect of Ct on tight junctions and the mucosal epithelial barrier function. Taken together, this study demonstrates that primary pOECs represent an excellent in vitro model for research into Ct pathogenesis, cell biology and immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda F. Amaral
- Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, 1060 William Moore Drive, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA;
- Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, 1060 William Moore Drive, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
| | - Bryan E. McQueen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina, 116 Manning Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (B.E.M.); (T.D.)
| | - Kimberly Bellingham-Johnstun
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, 1060 William Moore Drive, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA; (K.B.-J.); (C.L.)
| | - Taylor B. Poston
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina, 116 Manning Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (T.B.P.); (U.M.N.)
| | - Toni Darville
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina, 116 Manning Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (B.E.M.); (T.D.)
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina, 116 Manning Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (T.B.P.); (U.M.N.)
| | - Uma M. Nagarajan
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina, 116 Manning Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (T.B.P.); (U.M.N.)
| | - Caroline Laplante
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, 1060 William Moore Drive, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA; (K.B.-J.); (C.L.)
| | - Tobias Käser
- Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, 1060 William Moore Drive, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA;
- Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, 1060 William Moore Drive, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-919-513-6352
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8
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Yang C, Lei L, Collins JWM, Briones M, Ma L, Sturdevant GL, Su H, Kashyap AK, Dorward D, Bock KW, Moore IN, Bonner C, Chen CY, Martens CA, Ricklefs S, Yamamoto M, Takeda K, Iwakura Y, McClarty G, Caldwell HD. Chlamydia evasion of neutrophil host defense results in NLRP3 dependent myeloid-mediated sterile inflammation through the purinergic P2X7 receptor. Nat Commun 2021; 12:5454. [PMID: 34526512 PMCID: PMC8443728 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-25749-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis infection causes severe inflammatory disease resulting in blindness and infertility. The pathophysiology of these diseases remains elusive but myeloid cell-associated inflammation has been implicated. Here we show NLRP3 inflammasome activation is essential for driving a macrophage-associated endometritis resulting in infertility by using a female mouse genital tract chlamydial infection model. We find the chlamydial parasitophorous vacuole protein CT135 triggers NLRP3 inflammasome activation via TLR2/MyD88 signaling as a pathogenic strategy to evade neutrophil host defense. Paradoxically, a consequence of CT135 mediated neutrophil killing results in a submucosal macrophage-associated endometritis driven by ATP/P2X7R induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Importantly, macrophage-associated immunopathology occurs independent of macrophage infection. We show chlamydial infection of neutrophils and epithelial cells produce elevated levels of extracellular ATP. We propose this source of ATP serves as a DAMP to activate submucosal macrophage NLRP3 inflammasome that drive damaging immunopathology. These findings offer a paradigm of sterile inflammation in infectious disease pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunfu Yang
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Lei Lei
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - John W Marshall Collins
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Michael Briones
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Li Ma
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Gail L Sturdevant
- Laboratory of Virology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Hua Su
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Anuj K Kashyap
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - David Dorward
- Research Technology Branch, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Kevin W Bock
- Infectious Disease Pathogenesis Section, Comparative Medicine Branch, National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Ian N Moore
- Infectious Disease Pathogenesis Section, Comparative Medicine Branch, National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Christine Bonner
- National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Chih-Yu Chen
- National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Craig A Martens
- Genomics Unit, Research Technology Branch, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Stacy Ricklefs
- Genomics Unit, Research Technology Branch, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Masahiro Yamamoto
- Department of Immunoparasitology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases (RIMD), Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kiyoshi Takeda
- Laboratory of Mucosal Immunology, WPI Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yoichiro Iwakura
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Grant McClarty
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Harlan D Caldwell
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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9
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Lytvynchuk LM, Petrovski G, Dam A, Hiemstra J, Wimmer T, Savytska I, Binder S, Stieger K. Novel Needle for Intravitreal Drug Delivery: Comparative Study of Needle Tip Aspirates, Injection Stream and Penetration Forces. Clin Ophthalmol 2021; 15:723-734. [PMID: 33642853 PMCID: PMC7903950 DOI: 10.2147/opth.s297139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To study the efficacy of a novel needle for intravitreal injection (IVI) in comparison to the conventional needle under experimental conditions. Methods The newly designed 30-gauge (G) needle (NDN) (EP 18158 542.3, patent pending) with occluded outer orifice and a side port for drug delivery was compared to the conventional standard hypodermic 30 G needle for IVI (SHN). An animal study to obtain needle tip aspirates was performed on 10 albino rat eyes. During IVIs, cellular content, which was cut by the needle tip, was aspirated. Cellular material was studied in regard to cell types and their quantity. The injection stream was studied using trypan blue dye in vitro and pig cadaver eyes. The penetration force was tested on polyurethane Testing Foil Strips PU 04 (Melab, Leonberg, Germany) by applying a velocity of 100 mm/min. The results were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation matrices and t-test methods with p<0.05 as statistically significant. Results Cytological analysis of the needle aspirates showed the presence of cellular content in each case. The amount of conjunctival, ciliary body epithelial cells and granulated basophilic protein sediments (sign of cellular damage) in the case of the NDN tips was significantly lower compared to the SHN. The average penetration force of the NDN was 0.791 N, and in the case of the SHN was 0.566 N. The injection stream study revealed a difference in the initial injection phase between the two needle types, although the diffuse filling of the vitreous area which surrounded the needle tip appeared to be similar. Discussion The NDN demonstrated superior performance with regard to a significantly reduced number of cells being captured by the needle tip. Delivery of the injected fluid into the vitreous cavity was comparable. In order to investigate superior properties of the NDN needle design, further studies with improved prototypes would be necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lyubomyr M Lytvynchuk
- Department of Ophthalmology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Eye Clinic, University Hospital Giessen and Marburg GmbH, Campus Giessen, Giessen, Germany.,Karl Landsteiner Institute for Retinal Research and Imaging, Vienna, Austria
| | - Goran Petrovski
- Center of Eye Research, Department of Ophthalmology, Oslo University Hospital and Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Adien Dam
- Vitreq B.V., MG Vierpolders, the Netherlands
| | | | - Tobias Wimmer
- Department of Ophthalmology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Eye Clinic, University Hospital Giessen and Marburg GmbH, Campus Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Iryna Savytska
- Department of Experimental Surgery, A.A.Shalimov National Institute of Surgery and Transplantology, National Academy of Medical Science of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Susanne Binder
- Karl Landsteiner Institute for Retinal Research and Imaging, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Ophthalmology, Sigmund Freud University, Eye Center Donaustadt, Vienna, Austria
| | - Knut Stieger
- Department of Ophthalmology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Eye Clinic, University Hospital Giessen and Marburg GmbH, Campus Giessen, Giessen, Germany
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10
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Chlamydia trachomatis Plasmid Gene Protein 3 Is Essential for the Establishment of Persistent Infection and Associated Immunopathology. mBio 2020; 11:mBio.01902-20. [PMID: 32817110 PMCID: PMC7439461 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01902-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis can cause persistent infection that drives damaging inflammatory responses resulting in infertility and blindness. Little is known about chlamydial genes that cause persistence or factors that drive damaging pathology. In this work, we show that the C. trachomatis plasmid protein gene 3 (Pgp3) is the essential virulence factor for establishing persistent female genital tract infection and provide supportive evidence that Pgp3 functions similarly in a nonhuman primate trachoma model. We further show that persistent Ppg3-dependent infection drives damaging immunopathology. These results are important advances in understanding the pathophysiology of chlamydial persistence. Chlamydia trachomatis is an obligate intracellular bacterial pathogen that causes blinding trachoma and sexually transmitted disease afflicting hundreds of millions of people globally. A fundamental but poorly understood pathophysiological characteristic of chlamydial infection is the propensity to cause persistent infection that drives damaging inflammatory disease. The chlamydial plasmid is a virulence factor, but its role in the pathogenesis of persistent infection capable of driving immunopathology is unknown. Here, we show by using mouse and nonhuman primate infection models that the secreted plasmid gene protein 3 (Pgp3) is essential for establishing persistent infection. Ppg3-dependent persistent genital tract infection resulted in a severe endometritis caused by an intense infiltration of endometrial submucosal macrophages. Pgp3 released from the cytosol of lysed infected oviduct epithelial cells, not organism outer membrane-associated Pgp3, inhibited the chlamydial killing activity of antimicrobial peptides. Genetic Pgp3 rescue experiments in cathelin-related antimicrobial peptide (CRAMP)-deficient mice showed Pgp3-targeted antimicrobial peptides to subvert innate immunity as a pathogenic strategy to establish persistent infection. These findings provide important advances in understanding the role of Pgp3 in the pathogenesis of persistent chlamydial infection and associated immunopathology.
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11
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Immunopathogenesis of Progressive Scarring Trachoma: Results of a 4-Year Longitudinal Study in Tanzanian Children. Infect Immun 2020; 88:IAI.00629-19. [PMID: 31964744 PMCID: PMC7093124 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00629-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2019] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Trachoma is initiated during childhood following repeated conjunctival infection with Chlamydia trachomatis, which causes a chronic inflammatory response in some individuals that leads to scarring and in-turning of the eyelids in later life. There is currently no treatment to halt the progression of scarring trachoma due to an incomplete understanding of disease pathogenesis. A cohort study was performed in northern Tanzania in 616 children aged 6 to 10 years at enrollment. Every 3 months for 4 years, children were examined for clinical signs of trachoma, and conjunctival swabs were collected for C. trachomatis detection and to analyze the expression of 46 immunofibrogenic genes. Trachoma is initiated during childhood following repeated conjunctival infection with Chlamydia trachomatis, which causes a chronic inflammatory response in some individuals that leads to scarring and in-turning of the eyelids in later life. There is currently no treatment to halt the progression of scarring trachoma due to an incomplete understanding of disease pathogenesis. A cohort study was performed in northern Tanzania in 616 children aged 6 to 10 years at enrollment. Every 3 months for 4 years, children were examined for clinical signs of trachoma, and conjunctival swabs were collected for C. trachomatis detection and to analyze the expression of 46 immunofibrogenic genes. Data were analyzed in relation to progressive scarring status between baseline and the final time point. Genes that were significantly associated with scarring progression included those encoding proinflammatory chemokines (CXCL5, CCL20, CXCL13, and CCL18), cytokines (IL23A, IL19, and IL1B), matrix modifiers (MMP12 and SPARCL1), immune regulators (IDO1, SOCS3, and IL10), and a proinflammatory antimicrobial peptide (S100A7). In response to C. trachomatis infection, IL23A and PDGF were significantly upregulated in scarring progressors relative to in nonprogressors. Our findings highlight the importance of innate proinflammatory signals from the epithelium and implicate interleukin 23A (IL-23A)-responsive cells in driving trachomatous scarring, with potential key mechanistic roles for PDGFB, MMP12, and SPARCL1 in orchestrating fibrosis.
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12
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Pickering H, Palmer CD, Houghton J, Makalo P, Joof H, Derrick T, Goncalves A, Mabey DCW, Bailey RL, Burton MJ, Roberts CH, Burr SE, Holland MJ. Conjunctival Microbiome-Host Responses Are Associated With Impaired Epithelial Cell Health in Both Early and Late Stages of Trachoma. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2019; 9:297. [PMID: 31552195 PMCID: PMC6736612 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2019.00297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2019] [Accepted: 07/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Trachoma, a neglected tropical disease, is the leading infectious cause of blindness and visual impairment worldwide. Host responses to ocular chlamydial infection resulting in chronic inflammation and expansion of non-chlamydial bacteria are hypothesized risk factors for development of active trachoma and conjunctival scarring. Methods: Ocular swabs from trachoma endemic populations in The Gambia were selected from archived samples for 16S sequencing and host conjunctival gene expression. We recruited children with active trachoma and adults with conjunctival scarring, alongside corresponding matched controls. Findings: In children, active trachoma was not associated with significant changes in the ocular microbiome. Haemophilus enrichment was associated with antimicrobial responses but not linked to active trachoma. Adults with scarring trachoma had a reduced ocular bacterial diversity compared to controls, with increased relative abundance of Corynebacterium. Increased abundance of Corynebacterium in scarring disease was associated with innate immune responses to the microbiota, dominated by altered mucin expression and increased matrix adhesion. Interpretation: In the absence of current Chlamydia trachomatis infection, changes in the ocular microbiome associate with differential expression of antimicrobial and inflammatory genes that impair epithelial cell health. In scarring trachoma, expansion of non-pathogenic bacteria such as Corynebacterium and innate responses are coincident, warranting further investigation of this relationship. Comparisons between active and scarring trachoma supported the relative absence of type-2 interferon responses in scarring, whilst highlighting a common suppression of re-epithelialization with altered epithelial and bacterial adhesion, likely contributing to development of scarring pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harry Pickering
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Christine D Palmer
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Joanna Houghton
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Pateh Makalo
- Disease Control and Elimination Theme, MRC Unit the Gambia at LSHTM, Banjul, Gambia
| | - Hassan Joof
- Disease Control and Elimination Theme, MRC Unit the Gambia at LSHTM, Banjul, Gambia
| | - Tamsyn Derrick
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Adriana Goncalves
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - David C W Mabey
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Robin L Bailey
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew J Burton
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Chrissy H Roberts
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah E Burr
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom.,Disease Control and Elimination Theme, MRC Unit the Gambia at LSHTM, Banjul, Gambia
| | - Martin J Holland
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom.,Disease Control and Elimination Theme, MRC Unit the Gambia at LSHTM, Banjul, Gambia
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13
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Jolly AL, Rau S, Chadha AK, Abdulraheem EA, Dean D. Stromal Fibroblasts Drive Host Inflammatory Responses That Are Dependent on Chlamydia trachomatis Strain Type and Likely Influence Disease Outcomes. mBio 2019; 10:e00225-19. [PMID: 30890604 PMCID: PMC6426598 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00225-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2019] [Accepted: 02/01/2019] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis ocular strains cause a blinding disease known as trachoma. These strains rarely cause urogenital infections and are not found in the upper genital tract or rectum. Urogenital strains are responsible for a self-limited conjunctivitis and the sequelae of infertility, ectopic pregnancy, and hemorrhagic proctitis. However, the differential cellular responses that drive these clinically observed disease outcomes are not completely understood. Primary conjunctival, endocervical, and endometrial epithelial and stromal fibroblast cells, HeLa229 cells, and immortalized conjunctival epithelial (HCjE) cells were infected with the ocular A/Har-13 (A) and Ba/Apache-2 (Ba) strains and urogenital D/UW-3 (D) and E/Bour (E) strains. Infection rates, progeny production, and cytokine/chemokine secretion levels were evaluated in comparison with those in uninfected cells. All strain types infected all cell types with similar levels of efficacy and development. However, progeny production levels differed among primary cells: Ba produced significantly more progeny than E in endocervical and endometrial fibroblasts, while A progeny were less abundant than E progeny. C.trachomatis infection of primary epithelial cells elicited an increase in pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators compared to levels in uninfected cells, but there were no significant differences by strain type. In contrast, for primary fibroblasts, ocular strains elicited significant increases in the pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1β, thymus- and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC), interleukin (IL)-2, IL-12p70, and interferon gamma-induced protein 10 (IP-10) compared to levels in urogenital strains, while urogenital strains elicited a distinct and significant increase in the proinflammatory mediators IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-8, gamma interferon (IFN-γ), and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). Our data indicate that primary fibroblasts, not epithelial cells, drive host inflammatory responses that are dependent on strain type and likely influence disease outcomes, establishing their importance as a novel model for studies of C. trachomatis disease pathogenesis.IMPORTANCEChlamydia trachomatis is a human pathogen and the leading cause of preventable blindness and sexually transmitted diseases in the world. Certain C. trachomatis strains cause ocular disease, while others cause upper genital tract pathology. However, little is known about the cellular or immunologic basis for these differences. Here, we compared the abilities of the strain types to infect, replicate, and initiate an immune response in primary human ocular and urogenital epithelial cells, as well as in fibroblasts from the underlying stroma. While there were no significant differences in infection rates or intracellular growth for any strain in any cell type, proinflammatory responses were driven not by the epithelial cells but by fibroblasts and were distinct between ocular and urogenital strains. Our findings suggest that primary fibroblasts are a novel and more appropriate model for studies of immune responses that will expand our understanding of the differential pathological disease outcomes caused by various C. trachomatis strain types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amber Leah Jolly
- Center for Immunobiology and Vaccine Development, UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute, Oakland, California, USA
| | - Sameeha Rau
- Center for Immunobiology and Vaccine Development, UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute, Oakland, California, USA
| | - Anmol K Chadha
- Center for Immunobiology and Vaccine Development, UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute, Oakland, California, USA
| | - Ekhlas Ahmed Abdulraheem
- Center for Immunobiology and Vaccine Development, UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute, Oakland, California, USA
| | - Deborah Dean
- Center for Immunobiology and Vaccine Development, UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute, Oakland, California, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
- Department of Medicine and Pediatrics, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
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14
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Hu VH, Macleod D, Massae P, Afwamba I, Weiss HA, Mabey DCW, Bailey RL, Burton MJ. Non-Chlamydial Bacterial Infection and Progression of Conjunctival Scarring in Trachoma. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2019; 59:2339-2344. [PMID: 29847638 PMCID: PMC5939686 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.17-23381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this study was to assess whether non-chlamydial bacterial infection is associated with progression of trachomatous scarring in adults. Methods This was a cohort study involving 800 participants in northern Tanzania who underwent clinical examination, photography, and conjunctival swab collection for microbiology over a 24-month period. Samples for microbiology were inoculated onto blood and chocolate agar, and Chlamydia trachomatis was detected by PCR. Progression was determined by comparison of baseline to 24-month photographs. Results C. trachomatis was detected in only four participants at baseline. At 24 months, 617 participants (77.1%) were followed up. Of those seen at 24 months, 452 could be reliably assessed. Definite scarring progression (progressors) was seen in 345 (55.9%); there was no progression (nonprogressors) in 107 (17.3%). Using combined baseline and 12-month microbiology results, progressors had significantly higher levels of commensal and pathogenic bacterial organisms detected compared with nonprogressors. After adjusting for age, baseline scarring, and ethnicity, there was weak evidence (P = 0.07) that the bacteria category was associated with scarring progression (commensal organisms only: odds ratio [OR] = 1.61; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.90 to 2.89; pathogenic organisms either with or without commensal: OR = 2.39; 95% CI: 1.10 to 5.16). Conclusion The findings were consistent with the possibility that trachomatous scarring in adults is associated with the presence of non-chlamydial bacterial organisms, particularly pathogenic organisms. C. trachomatis was detected very infrequently and may not be an important factor in the pathogenesis of scarring progression in adults. This has implications for trachoma control programs, which largely concentrate on reducing C. trachomatis levels and transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor H Hu
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom.,Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - David Macleod
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Isaac Afwamba
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Helen A Weiss
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - David C W Mabey
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Robin L Bailey
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew J Burton
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom.,Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania
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15
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Nirmal AJ, Regan T, Shih BB, Hume DA, Sims AH, Freeman TC. Immune Cell Gene Signatures for Profiling the Microenvironment of Solid Tumors. Cancer Immunol Res 2018; 6:1388-1400. [PMID: 30266715 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-18-0342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2018] [Revised: 07/21/2018] [Accepted: 09/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The immune composition of the tumor microenvironment regulates processes including angiogenesis, metastasis, and the response to drugs or immunotherapy. To facilitate the characterization of the immune component of tumors from transcriptomics data, a number of immune cell transcriptome signatures have been reported that are made up of lists of marker genes indicative of the presence a given immune cell population. The majority of these gene signatures have been defined through analysis of isolated blood cells. However, blood cells do not reflect the differentiation or activation state of similar cells within tissues, including tumors, and consequently markers derived from blood cells do not necessarily transfer well to tissues. To address this issue, we generated a set of immune gene signatures derived directly from tissue transcriptomics data using a network-based deconvolution approach. We define markers for seven immune cell types, collectively named ImSig, and demonstrate how these markers can be used for the quantitative estimation of the immune cell content of tumor and nontumor tissue samples. The utility of ImSig is demonstrated through the stratification of melanoma patients into subgroups of prognostic significance and the identification of immune cells with the use of single-cell RNA-sequencing data derived from tumors. Use of ImSig is facilitated by an R package (imsig). Cancer Immunol Res; 6(11); 1388-400. ©2018 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajit J Nirmal
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Tim Regan
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Barbara B Shih
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - David A Hume
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.,Mater Research Institute, University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia
| | - Andrew H Sims
- Applied Bioinformatics of Cancer, Edinburgh Cancer Research Centre, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Tom C Freeman
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
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16
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Vasileva H, Butcher R, Pickering H, Sokana O, Jack K, Solomon AW, Holland MJ, Roberts CH. Conjunctival transcriptome profiling of Solomon Islanders with active trachoma in the absence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:104. [PMID: 29467021 PMCID: PMC5822555 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-2682-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2017] [Accepted: 01/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Clinical signs of active (inflammatory) trachoma are found in many children in the Solomon Islands, but the majority of these individuals have no serological evidence of previous infection with Chlamydia trachomatis. In Temotu and Rennell and Bellona provinces, ocular infections with C. trachomatis were seldom detected among children with active trachoma; a similar lack of association was seen between active trachoma and other common bacterial and viral causes of follicular conjunctivitis. Here, we set out to characterise patterns of gene expression at the conjunctivae of children in these provinces with and without clinical signs of trachomatous inflammation-follicular (TF) and C. trachomatis infection. METHODS Purified RNA from children with and without active trachoma was run on Affymetrix GeneChip Human Transcriptome Array 2.0 microarrays. Profiles were compared between individuals with ocular C. trachomatis infection and TF (group DI; n = 6), individuals with TF but no C. trachomatis infection (group D; n = 7), and individuals without TF or C. trachomatis infection (group N; n = 7). Differential gene expression and gene set enrichment for pathway membership were assessed. RESULTS Conjunctival gene expression profiles were more similar within-group than between-group. Principal components analysis indicated that the first and second principal components combined explained almost 50% of the variance in the dataset. When comparing the DI group to the N group, genes involved in T-cell proliferation, B-cell signalling and CD8+ T cell signalling pathways were differentially regulated. When comparing the DI group to the D group, CD8+ T-cell regulation, interferon-gamma and IL17 production pathways were enriched. Genes involved in RNA transcription and translation pathways were upregulated when comparing the D group to the N group. CONCLUSIONS Gene expression profiles in children in the Solomon Islands indicate immune responses consistent with bacterial infection when TF and C. trachomatis infection are concurrent. The transcriptomes of children with TF but without identified infection were not consistent with allergic or viral conjunctivitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hristina Vasileva
- Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT UK
| | - Robert Butcher
- Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT UK
| | - Harry Pickering
- Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT UK
| | - Oliver Sokana
- Eye Department, Solomon Islands Ministry of Health and Medical Services, PO Box 349, Honiara, Solomon Islands
| | - Kelvin Jack
- Eye Department, Solomon Islands Ministry of Health and Medical Services, PO Box 349, Honiara, Solomon Islands
| | - Anthony W. Solomon
- Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT UK
| | - Martin J. Holland
- Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT UK
| | - Chrissy h. Roberts
- Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT UK
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17
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Zhong G, Brunham RC, de la Maza LM, Darville T, Deal C. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases workshop report: "Chlamydia vaccines: The way forward". Vaccine 2017; 37:7346-7354. [PMID: 29097007 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2017.10.075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2017] [Accepted: 10/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct), an intracellular pathogen, is the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection. In addition to acute cervicitis and urethritis, Ct can lead to serious sequelae of significant public health burden including pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and infertility. Ct control efforts have not resulted in desired outcomes such as reduced incidence and reinfection, and this highlights the need for the development of an effective Ct vaccine. To this end, NIAID organized a workshop to consider the current status of Ct vaccine research and address critical questions in Ct vaccine design and clinical testing. Topics included the goal(s) of a vaccine and the feasibility of achieving these goals, animal models of infection including mouse and nonhuman primate (NHP) models, and correlates of protection to guide vaccine design. Decades of research have provided both whole cell-based and subunit vaccine candidates for development. At least one is currently in clinical development and efforts now need to be directed toward further development of the most attractive candidates. Overall, the discussions and presentations from the workshop highlighted optimism about the current status of Ct vaccine research and detailed the remaining gaps and questions needed to move vaccines forward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangming Zhong
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA.
| | - Robert C Brunham
- Vaccine Research Laboratory, UBC Centre for Disease Control, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4R4, Canada
| | - Luis M de la Maza
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Toni Darville
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7509, USA
| | - Carolyn Deal
- Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, NIAID, Bethesda, MD, USA
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18
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Ramadhani AM, Derrick T, Macleod D, Massae P, Mtuy T, Jeffries D, Roberts CH, Bailey RL, Mabey DCW, Holland MJ, Burton MJ. Immunofibrogenic Gene Expression Patterns in Tanzanian Children with Ocular Chlamydia trachomatis Infection, Active Trachoma and Scarring: Baseline Results of a 4-Year Longitudinal Study. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2017; 7:406. [PMID: 28966918 PMCID: PMC5605569 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2017.00406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2017] [Accepted: 08/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Trachoma, caused by Chlamydia trachomatis, is the world's leading infectious cause of blindness and remains a significant public health problem. Much of trachomatous disease pathology is thought to be caused indirectly by host cellular and immune responses, however the immune response during active trachoma and how this initiates progressive scarring is not clearly understood. Defining protective vs. pathogenic immune response to C. trachomatis is important for vaccine design and evaluation. This study reports the baseline results of a longitudinal cohort of Tanzanian children, who were monitored for 4 years in order to determine the immunofibrogenic and infectious correlates of progressive scarring trachoma. In this cohort baseline, 506 children aged 6-10 years were assessed for clinical signs, infection status and the expression of 91 genes of interest prior to mass azithromycin administration for trachoma control. C. trachomatis was detected using droplet digital PCR and gene expression was measured using quantitative real-time PCR. The prevalence of follicles, papillary inflammation and scarring were 33.6, 31.6, and 28.5%, respectively. C. trachomatis was detected in 78/506 (15.4%) individuals, 62/78 of whom also had follicles. C. trachomatis infection was associated with a strong upregulation of IFNG and IL22, the enrichment of Th1 and NK cell pathways and Th17 cell-associated cytokines. In individuals with inflammation in the absence of infection the IFNG/IL22 and NK cell response was reduced, however, pro-inflammatory, growth and matrix factors remained upregulated and mucins were downregulated. Our data suggest that, strong IFNG/IL22 responses, probably related to Th1 and NK cell involvement, is important for clearance of C. trachomatis and that the residual pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic phenotype that persists after infection might contribute to pathological scarring. Interestingly, females appear more susceptible to developing papillary inflammation and scarring than males, even at this young age, despite comparable levels of C. trachomatis infection. Females also had increased expression of a number of IFNγ pathway related genes relative to males, suggesting that overexpression of this pathway in response to infection might contribute to more severe scarring. Longitudinal investigation of these factors will reveal their relative contributions to protection from C. trachomatis infection and development of scarring complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Athumani M Ramadhani
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineLondon, United Kingdom
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical CentreMoshi, Tanzania
| | - Tamsyn Derrick
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineLondon, United Kingdom
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical CentreMoshi, Tanzania
| | - David Macleod
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineLondon, United Kingdom
| | | | - Tara Mtuy
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineLondon, United Kingdom
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical CentreMoshi, Tanzania
| | - David Jeffries
- Support Services (Statistics), Medical Research Council Unit The GambiaFajara, Gambia
| | - Chrissy H Roberts
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineLondon, United Kingdom
| | - Robin L Bailey
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineLondon, United Kingdom
| | - David C W Mabey
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineLondon, United Kingdom
| | - Martin J Holland
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineLondon, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew J Burton
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineLondon, United Kingdom
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19
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Pickering H, Teng A, Faal N, Joof H, Makalo P, Cassama E, Nabicassa M, Last AR, Burr SE, Rowland-Jones SL, Thomson NR, Roberts CH, Mabey DCW, Bailey RL, Hayward RD, de la Maza LM, Holland MJ. Genome-wide profiling of humoral immunity and pathogen genes under selection identifies immune evasion tactics of Chlamydia trachomatis during ocular infection. Sci Rep 2017; 7:9634. [PMID: 28851925 PMCID: PMC5575166 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-09193-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2017] [Accepted: 07/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The frequency and duration of Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) ocular infections decrease with age, suggesting development of partial immunity. However, there is a lack of clear correlates of immunity to Ct infection in humans. We screened sera from a cohort of Gambian children followed for six-months against a Ct-proteome microarray. At genome sequence level, we detected signatures of selection from a population of ocular Ct isolates from Guinea-Bissau. Together these approaches allowed us to highlight the focus of humoral responses and hypothesise new modes of pathogen immune evasion. Children who were susceptible to frequent and/or prolonged Ct infection had a less focussed antibody response, including preferential recognition of forty-two antigens. There was evidence of positive and purifying selection across the genome, but little balancing selection. In contrast, most antigens that were associated with susceptibility were under neutral selection. These data suggest an evasion strategy in which Ct presents a large panel of irrelevant antigens to the immune system to block or misdirect protective responses. Development of a focused immune response, possibly induced through vaccination, may be an effective strategy to promote protection to Ct infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harry Pickering
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom.
| | - Andy Teng
- ImmPORT Therapeutics, Inc./Antigen Discovery Inc., 1 Technology Dr., Suite E309, Irvine, CA, 92618, United States
| | - Nkoyo Faal
- Disease Control and Elimination Theme, Medical Research Council The Gambia Unit, Fajara, Banjul, The Gambia
| | - Hassan Joof
- Disease Control and Elimination Theme, Medical Research Council The Gambia Unit, Fajara, Banjul, The Gambia
| | - Pateh Makalo
- Disease Control and Elimination Theme, Medical Research Council The Gambia Unit, Fajara, Banjul, The Gambia
| | - Eunice Cassama
- Programa Nacional de Saúde de Visão, Ministério de Saúde Publica, Bissau, Guinea-Bissau
| | - Meno Nabicassa
- Programa Nacional de Saúde de Visão, Ministério de Saúde Publica, Bissau, Guinea-Bissau
| | - Anna R Last
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah E Burr
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom.,Disease Control and Elimination Theme, Medical Research Council The Gambia Unit, Fajara, Banjul, The Gambia
| | - Sarah L Rowland-Jones
- Disease Control and Elimination Theme, Medical Research Council The Gambia Unit, Fajara, Banjul, The Gambia
| | - Nicholas R Thomson
- Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom.,Pathogen Genomics, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, United Kingdom
| | - Chrissy H Roberts
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
| | - David C W Mabey
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
| | - Robin L Bailey
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
| | - Richard D Hayward
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Birkbeck & University College London, Malet Street, London, WC1E 7HX, United Kingdom
| | - Luis M de la Maza
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical Sciences I, Room D440, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697-4800, United States
| | - Martin J Holland
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom.,Disease Control and Elimination Theme, Medical Research Council The Gambia Unit, Fajara, Banjul, The Gambia
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20
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Haferkamp I. Crossing the border - Solute entry into the chlamydial inclusion. Int J Med Microbiol 2017; 308:41-48. [PMID: 28864236 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmm.2017.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2017] [Revised: 08/10/2017] [Accepted: 08/17/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydiales comprise important human and animal pathogens as well as endosymbionts of amoebae. Generally, these obligate intracellular living bacteria are characterized by a biphasic developmental cycle, a reduced genome and a restricted metabolic capacity. Because of their metabolic impairment, Chlamydiales essentially rely on the uptake of diverse metabolites from their hosts. Chlamydiales thrive in a special compartment, the inclusion, and hence are surrounded by an additional membrane. Solutes might enter the inclusion through pores and open channels or by redirection of host vesicles, which fuse with the inclusion membrane and release their internal cargo. Recent investigations shed new light on the chlamydia-host interaction and identified an additional way for nutrient uptake into the inclusion. Proteome studies and targeting analyses identified chlamydial and host solute carriers in inclusions of Chlamydia trachomatis infected cells. These transporters are involved in the provision of UDP-glucose and biotin, and probably deliver further metabolites to the inclusion. By the controlled recruitment of specific solute carriers to the inclusion, the chlamydial resident thus can actively manipulate the metabolite availability and composition in the inclusion. This review summarizes recent findings and new ideas on carrier mediated solute uptake into the chlamydial inclusion in the context of the bacterial and host metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilka Haferkamp
- Universität Kaiserslautern, Pflanzenphysiologie, Erwin-Schrödinger Str. 22, 67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany.
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21
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Comparative cyto-histological study of needle tip aspirates and entry sites after intravitreal injection using different needle types. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0174467. [PMID: 28692684 PMCID: PMC5503168 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0174467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2016] [Accepted: 03/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
A comparison of the cellular content of needle tip aspirates and entry sites after transconjunctival intravitreal injection (IVI) using different needle types was performed. White outbred rats and human cadaver eyes were used for IVI by hypodermic 27 gauge (G) and 30G needles, and spinal anesthesia Pencan 27G needles. Aspiration of vitreous for quantitative morphological and cell cultivation analysis, as well as cyto-histological analysis of aspirates and entry sites were carried out. The most common cells in the aspirates from all needle types were conjunctival epithelial-, ciliary body non-pigmented epithelial- and sclerocyte-like cells and granular proteins. Crystallized vitreous specimens were present in each aspirate. The entry sites of hypodermic needles showed marked trauma in all wall layers of rat and human eyes accompanied by cellular destruction and hemorrhages. Pencan 27G needle caused less tissue trauma with partial reposition of sclerocytes. Transconjunctival IVIs with hypodermic 27G and 30G, and Pencan 27G needles result in trauma of all layers of the eyeball. The possible consequences of cellular content being cut and injected into the eye, as well as the entry site wound shape deserve future consideration and improvements.
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22
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Matysik-Woźniak A, Jünemann A, Turski WA, Wnorowski A, Jóźwiak K, Paduch R, Okuno E, Moneta-Wielgoś J, Chorągiewicz T, Maciejewski R, Rejdak R. The presence of kynurenine aminotransferases in the human cornea: Evidence from bioinformatics analysis of gene expression and immunohistochemical staining. Mol Vis 2017; 23:364-371. [PMID: 28706436 PMCID: PMC5501688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2016] [Accepted: 06/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Kynurenine aminotransferases (KATs) catalyze the synthesis of kynurenic acid (KYNA), a compound of significant biological activity. The aim of this study is to investigate the presence and distribution of KAT immunoreactivity in the healthy human cornea. METHODS Data on gene expression in human eye structures were extracted from public microarray experiments using Genevestigator software. Immunohistochemistry was conducted using polyclonal antibodies against KAT I, II, and III on sections of eight enucleated eyes from patients with choroidal melanoma. RESULTS Bioinformatics analysis showed that all four KAT isoforms were actively transcribed in the cornea and the conjunctiva. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed the presence of KAT I, II, and III in all examined corneal sections. The corneal endothelium showed the strongest reactivity for all three KAT isoforms. There was a slight positive staining of the corneal stroma for KAT I and II. KAT III immunoreactivity was found only in the stroma of the limbal region. In the corneal epithelium, the expression of all three KAT isoforms showed a specific pattern of the stain with fine squatter granules throughout the cytoplasm. This reactivity was more pronounced in the basal cell layers. The intermediate cell layers showed only faint immunoreactivity, and occasionally, there was no staining. KAT I, II, and III were also present in the adjacent limbal conjunctiva. CONCLUSIONS The results indicate that kynurenine can be metabolized to KYNA in the corneal epithelium, stroma, and endothelium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Matysik-Woźniak
- Department of General Ophthalmology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Anselm Jünemann
- Department of General Ophthalmology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland,Department of Ophthalmology, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Waldemar A. Turski
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Artur Wnorowski
- Department of Biopharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Jóźwiak
- Department of Biopharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Roman Paduch
- Department of General Ophthalmology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland,Department of Virology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Lublin, Poland
| | - Etsuo Okuno
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, Kyushu Nutrition Welfare University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | | | - Tomasz Chorągiewicz
- Department of General Ophthalmology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Ryszard Maciejewski
- Chair and Department of Human Anatomy, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Robert Rejdak
- Department of General Ophthalmology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland,Mossakowski Medical Research Centre Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
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23
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Shih BB, Nirmal AJ, Headon DJ, Akbar AN, Mabbott NA, Freeman TC. Derivation of marker gene signatures from human skin and their use in the interpretation of the transcriptional changes associated with dermatological disorders. J Pathol 2017; 241:600-613. [PMID: 28008606 PMCID: PMC5363360 DOI: 10.1002/path.4864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2016] [Revised: 11/18/2016] [Accepted: 12/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Numerous studies have explored the altered transcriptional landscape associated with skin diseases to understand the nature of these disorders. However, data interpretation represents a significant challenge due to a lack of good maker sets for many of the specialized cell types that make up this tissue, whose composition may fundamentally alter during disease. Here we have sought to derive expression signatures that define the various cell types and structures that make up human skin, and demonstrate how they can be used to aid the interpretation of transcriptomic data derived from this organ. Two large normal skin transcriptomic datasets were identified, one RNA-seq (n = 578), the other microarray (n = 165), quality controlled and subjected separately to network-based analyses to identify clusters of robustly co-expressed genes. The biological significance of these clusters was then assigned using a combination of bioinformatics analyses, literature, and expert review. After cross comparison between analyses, 20 gene signatures were defined. These included expression signatures for hair follicles, glands (sebaceous, sweat, apocrine), keratinocytes, melanocytes, endothelia, muscle, adipocytes, immune cells, and a number of pathway systems. Collectively, we have named this resource SkinSig. SkinSig was then used in the analysis of transcriptomic datasets for 18 skin conditions, providing in-context interpretation of these data. For instance, conventional analysis has shown there to be a decrease in keratinization and fatty metabolism with age; we more accurately define these changes to be due to loss of hair follicles and sebaceous glands. SkinSig also highlighted the over-/under-representation of various cell types in skin diseases, reflecting an influx in immune cells in inflammatory disorders and a relative reduction in other cell types. Overall, our analyses demonstrate the value of this new resource in defining the functional profile of skin cell types and appendages, and in improving the interpretation of disease data. © 2016 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara B Shih
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary StudiesUniversity of Edinburgh, Easter BushMidlothianEdinburghEH25 9RGUK
| | - Ajit J Nirmal
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary StudiesUniversity of Edinburgh, Easter BushMidlothianEdinburghEH25 9RGUK
| | - Denis J Headon
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary StudiesUniversity of Edinburgh, Easter BushMidlothianEdinburghEH25 9RGUK
| | - Arne N Akbar
- Division of Infection and ImmunityUniversity College London90 Gower StreetLondonWC1E 6BTUK
| | - Neil A Mabbott
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary StudiesUniversity of Edinburgh, Easter BushMidlothianEdinburghEH25 9RGUK
| | - Tom C Freeman
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary StudiesUniversity of Edinburgh, Easter BushMidlothianEdinburghEH25 9RGUK
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24
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Bailey R. Eye Infections in the Tropics. Infect Dis (Lond) 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-7020-6285-8.00112-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
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25
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Ramadhani AM, Derrick T, Macleod D, Holland MJ, Burton MJ. The Relationship between Active Trachoma and Ocular Chlamydia trachomatis Infection before and after Mass Antibiotic Treatment. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2016; 10:e0005080. [PMID: 27783678 PMCID: PMC5082620 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2016] [Accepted: 09/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Trachoma is a blinding disease, initiated in early childhood by repeated conjunctival infection with the obligate intracellular bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. The population prevalence of the clinical signs of active trachoma; ‘‘follicular conjunctivitis” (TF) and/or ‘‘intense papillary inflammation” (TI), guide programmatic decisions regarding the initiation and cessation of mass drug administration (MDA). However, the persistence of TF following resolution of infection at both the individual and population level raises concerns over the suitability of this clinical sign as a marker for C. trachomatis infection. Methodology/Principle Findings We systematically reviewed the literature for population-based studies and those including randomly selected individuals, which reported the prevalence of the clinical signs of active trachoma and ocular C. trachomatis infection by nucleic acid amplification test. We performed a meta-analysis to assess the relationship between active trachoma and C. trachomatis infection before and after MDA. TF and C. trachomatis infection were strongly correlated prior to MDA (r = 0.92, 95%CI 0.83 to 0.96, p<0.0001); the relationship was similar when the analysis was limited to children. A moderate correlation was found between TI and prevalence of infection. Following MDA, the relationship between TF and infection prevalence was weaker (r = 0.60, 95%CI 0.25 to 0.81, p = 0.003) and there was no correlation between TI and C. trachomatis infection. Conclusions/Significance Prior to MDA, TF is a good indicator of the community prevalence of C. trachomatis infection. Following MDA, the prevalence of TF tends to overestimate the underlying infection prevalence. In order to prevent unnecessary additional rounds of MDA and to accurately ascertain when elimination goals have been reached, a cost-effective test for C. trachomatis that can be administered in low-resource settings remains desirable. Trachoma is the leading infectious cause of blindness worldwide, caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. Repeated infection of the conjunctiva during childhood can initiate chronic conjunctival inflammation. This can lead to conjunctival scarring, in turning of the eyelashes, abrasion of the eyelashes on the cornea and eventually blindness later in adulthood. The World Health Organization recommends mass drug administration (MDA) for infection control when the prevalence of the clinical sign of Active Trachoma (TF) is ≥10% in 1–9 year olds. This systematic review of the literature examined the relationship between TF and C. trachomatis infection before and after MDA in order to evaluate the usefulness of TF for guiding trachoma control programmes. The population prevalence of TF and C. trachomatis infection were strongly correlated prior to MDA, however the relationship was weaker after MDA with a greater tendency for TF to overestimate the underlying infection prevalence. A cost effective test for C. trachomatis suitable for use in low resource settings could prevent unnecessary additional rounds of MDA in the population and could identify when trachoma elimination goals have been reached at an earlier time point.
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Affiliation(s)
- Athumani M. Ramadhani
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania
- * E-mail:
| | - Tamsyn Derrick
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - David Macleod
- Tropical Epidemiology Group. London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom
| | - Martin J. Holland
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew J. Burton
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, United Kingdom
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26
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Goncalves A, Makalo P, Joof H, Burr S, Ramadhani A, Massae P, Malisa A, Mtuy T, Derrick T, Last AR, Nabicassa M, Cassama E, Houghton J, Palmer CD, Pickering H, Burton MJ, Mabey DCW, Bailey RL, Goodier MR, Holland MJ, Roberts CH. Differential frequency of NKG2C/KLRC2 deletion in distinct African populations and susceptibility to Trachoma: a new method for imputation of KLRC2 genotypes from SNP genotyping data. Hum Genet 2016; 135:939-51. [PMID: 27312142 PMCID: PMC4947484 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-016-1694-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2016] [Accepted: 06/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
NKG2C is an activating receptor that is preferentially expressed on natural killer (NK) cells. The gene encoding NKG2C (killer cell lectin-like receptor C2, KLRC2) is present at different copy numbers in the genomes of different individuals. Deletion at the NKG2C locus was investigated in a case-control study of 1522 individuals indigenous to East- and West-Africa and the association with the ocular Chlamydia trachomatis infection and its sequelae was explored. The frequency of homozygous KLRC2 deletion was 13.7 % in Gambians and 4.7 % in Tanzanians. A significantly higher frequency of the deletion allele was found in West-Africans from the Gambia and Guinea-Bissau (36.2 % p = 2.105 × 10(-8), 26.8 % p = 0.050; respectively) in comparison to East-African Tanzanians where the frequency of the deletion is comparable to other human populations (20.9 %). We found no evidence for an association between the numbers of KLRC2 gene copies and the clinical manifestations of trachoma (follicular trachoma or conjunctival scarring). A new method for imputation of KLRC2 genotypes from single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data in 2621 individuals from the Gambia further confirmed these results. Our data suggest that NKG2C does not play a major role in trachomatous disease. We found that the deletion allele is present at different frequencies in different populations but the reason behind these differences is currently not understood. The new method offers the potential to use SNP arrays from genome wide association studies to study the frequency of KLRC2 deletion in other populations and its association with other diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Goncalves
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Pateh Makalo
- Disease Control and Elimination Theme, Medical Research Council Unit, Fajara, The Gambia
| | - Hassan Joof
- Disease Control and Elimination Theme, Medical Research Council Unit, Fajara, The Gambia
| | - Sarah Burr
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Disease Control and Elimination Theme, Medical Research Council Unit, Fajara, The Gambia
| | | | | | - Aiweda Malisa
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Tara Mtuy
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania
- International Centre for Eye Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Tamsyn Derrick
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Anna R Last
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Meno Nabicassa
- Programa Nacional de Saude de Visao, Ministerio de Saude Publica, Bissau, Guinea-Bissau
| | - Eunice Cassama
- Programa Nacional de Saude de Visao, Ministerio de Saude Publica, Bissau, Guinea-Bissau
| | - Joanna Houghton
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Christine D Palmer
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Harry Pickering
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Matthew J Burton
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania
- International Centre for Eye Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - David C W Mabey
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Robin L Bailey
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Martin R Goodier
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Disease, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Martin J Holland
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Disease Control and Elimination Theme, Medical Research Council Unit, Fajara, The Gambia
| | - Chrissy H Roberts
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
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Kechagia JZ, Ezra DG, Burton MJ, Bailly M. Fibroblasts profiling in scarring trachoma identifies IL-6 as a functional component of a fibroblast-macrophage pro-fibrotic and pro-inflammatory feedback loop. Sci Rep 2016; 6:28261. [PMID: 27321784 PMCID: PMC4913315 DOI: 10.1038/srep28261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2016] [Accepted: 06/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Trachoma is a conjunctiva scarring disease, which is the leading infectious cause of blindness worldwide. Yet, the molecular mechanisms underlying progressive fibrosis in trachoma are unknown. To investigate the contribution of local resident fibroblasts to disease progression, we isolated conjunctival fibroblasts from patients with scarring trachoma and matching control individuals, and compared their gene expression profiles and functional properties in vitro. We show that scarring trachoma fibroblasts substantially differ from control counterparts, displaying pro-fibrotic and pro-inflammatory features matched by an altered gene expression profile. This pro-inflammatory signature was exemplified by increased IL-6 expression and secretion, and a stronger response to macrophage-mediated stimulation of contraction. We further demonstrate that scarring trachoma fibroblasts can promote Akt phosphorylation in macrophages in an IL-6 –dependent manner. Overall this work has uncovered a distinctive molecular fingerprint for scarring trachoma fibroblasts, and identified IL-6- as a potential contributor to the chronic conjunctival fibrosis, mediating reciprocal pro-fibrotic/pro-inflammatory interactions between macrophages and fibroblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny Z Kechagia
- Department of Cell Biology, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, 11-43 Bath Street, London, EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - Daniel G Ezra
- Department of Cell Biology, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, 11-43 Bath Street, London, EC1V 9EL, UK.,Moorfields Eye Hospital, and UCL Partners AHSC, 11-43 Bath Street, London, EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - Matthew J Burton
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, and UCL Partners AHSC, 11-43 Bath Street, London, EC1V 9EL, UK.,International Centre for Eye Health, London School of Hygiene &Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Maryse Bailly
- Department of Cell Biology, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, 11-43 Bath Street, London, EC1V 9EL, UK
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Hu VH, Luthert PJ, Derrick T, Pullin J, Weiss HA, Massae P, Mtuy T, Makupa W, Essex D, Mabey DCW, Bailey RL, Holland MJ, Burton MJ. Immunohistochemical Analysis of Scarring Trachoma Indicates Infiltration by Natural Killer and Undefined CD45 Negative Cells. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2016; 10:e0004734. [PMID: 27219121 PMCID: PMC4878762 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0004734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2016] [Accepted: 05/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The phenotype and function of immune cells infiltrating the conjunctiva in scarring trachoma have yet to be fully characterized. We assessed tissue morphology and immunophenotype of cellular infiltrates found in trachomatous scarring compared to control participants. METHODOLOGY Clinical assessments and conjunctival biopsy samples were obtained from 34 individuals with trachomatous scarring undergoing trichiasis surgery and 33 control subjects undergoing cataract or retinal detachment surgery. Biopsy samples were fixed in buffered formalin and embedded in paraffin wax. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining was performed for assessment of the inflammatory cell infiltrate. Immunohistochemical staining of single markers on individual sections was performed to identify cells expressing CD3 (T-cells), CD4 (helper T-cells), CD8 (suppressor/cytotoxic T-cells and Natural Killer, NK, cells), NCR1 (NK cells), CD20 (B-cells), CD45 (nucleated hematopoietic cells), CD56 (NK and T-cells), CD68 (macrophages/monocytes) and CD83 (mature dendritic cells). The degree of scarring was assessed histologically using cross-polarized light to visualize collagen fibres. PRINCIPLE FINDINGS Scarring, regardless of clinical inflammation, was associated with increased inflammatory cell infiltrates on H&E and CD45 staining. Scarring was also associated with increased CD8+ and CD56+ cells, but not CD3+ cells, suggestive of a NK cell infiltrate. This was supported by the presence of NCR1+ cells. There was some increase in CD20+ cells, but no evidence for increased CD4+, CD68+ or CD83+ cells. Numerous CD45 negative cells were also seen in the population of infiltrating inflammatory cells in scarred conjunctiva. Disorganization of the normal collagen architecture was strongly associated with clinical scarring. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE These data point to the infiltration of immune cells with a phenotype suggestive of NK cells in conjunctival trachomatous scarring. A large proportion of CD45 negative inflammatory cells were also present. Future work should seek to understand the stimuli leading to the recruitment of these cells and their role in progressive scarring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor H. Hu
- International Centre for Eye Health, Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania
| | | | - Tamsyn Derrick
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - James Pullin
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, United Kingdom
| | - Helen A. Weiss
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Tara Mtuy
- International Centre for Eye Health, Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania
| | | | - David Essex
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, United Kingdom
| | - David C. W. Mabey
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Robin L. Bailey
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Martin J. Holland
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew J. Burton
- International Centre for Eye Health, Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania
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Metabolic Adaptations of Intracellullar Bacterial Pathogens and their Mammalian Host Cells during Infection ("Pathometabolism"). Microbiol Spectr 2016; 3. [PMID: 26185075 DOI: 10.1128/microbiolspec.mbp-0002-2014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Several bacterial pathogens that cause severe infections in warm-blooded animals, including humans, have the potential to actively invade host cells and to efficiently replicate either in the cytosol or in specialized vacuoles of the mammalian cells. The interaction between these intracellular bacterial pathogens and the host cells always leads to multiple physiological changes in both interacting partners, including complex metabolic adaptation reactions aimed to promote proliferation of the pathogen within different compartments of the host cells. In this chapter, we discuss the necessary nutrients and metabolic pathways used by some selected cytosolic and vacuolar intracellular pathogens and--when available--the links between the intracellular bacterial metabolism and the expression of the virulence genes required for the intracellular bacterial replication cycle. Furthermore, we address the growing evidence that pathogen-specific factors may also trigger metabolic responses of the infected mammalian cells affecting the carbon and nitrogen metabolism as well as defense reactions. We also point out that many studies on the metabolic host cell responses induced by the pathogens have to be scrutinized due to the use of established cell lines as model host cells, as these cells are (in the majority) cancer cells that exhibit a dysregulated primary carbon metabolism. As the exact knowledge of the metabolic host cell responses may also provide new concepts for antibacterial therapies, there is undoubtedly an urgent need for host cell models that more closely reflect the in vivo infection conditions.
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Morris KM, Mathew M, Waugh C, Ujvari B, Timms P, Polkinghorne A, Belov K. Identification, characterisation and expression analysis of natural killer receptor genes in Chlamydia pecorum infected koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus). BMC Genomics 2015; 16:796. [PMID: 26471184 PMCID: PMC4608214 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-015-2035-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2015] [Accepted: 10/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus), an iconic Australian marsupial, are being heavily impacted by the spread of Chlamydia pecorum, an obligate intracellular bacterial pathogen. Koalas vary in their response to this pathogen, with some showing no symptoms, while others suffer severe symptoms leading to infertility, blindness or death. Little is known about the pathology of this disease and the immune response against it in this host. Studies have demonstrated that natural killer (NK) cells, key components of the innate immune system, are involved in the immune response to chlamydial infections in humans. These cells can directly lyse cells infected by intracellular pathogens and their ability to recognise these infected cells is mediated through NK receptors on their surface. These are encoded in two regions of the genome, the leukocyte receptor complex (LRC) and the natural killer complex (NKC). These two families evolve rapidly and different repertoires of genes, which have evolved by gene duplication, are seen in different species. METHODS In this study we aimed to characterise genes belonging to the NK receptor clusters in the koala by searching available koala transcriptomes using a combination of search methods. We developed a qPCR assay to quantify relative expression of four genes, two encoded within the NK receptor cluster (CLEC1B, CLEC4E) and two known to play a role in NK response to Chalmydia in humans (NCR3, PRF1). RESULTS We found that the NK receptor repertoire of the koala closely resembles that of the Tasmanian devil, with minimal genes in the NKC, but with lineage specific expansions in the LRC. Additional genes important for NK cell activity, NCR3 and PRF1, were also identified and characterised. In a preliminary study to investigate whether these genes are involved in the koala immune response to infection by its chlamydial pathogen, C. pecorum, we investigated the expression of four genes in koalas with active chlamydia infection, those with past infection and those without infection using qPCR. This analysis revealed that one of these four, CLEC4E, may be upregulated in response to chlamydia infection. CONCLUSION We have characterised genes of the NKC and LRC in koalas and have discovered evidence that one of these genes may be upregulated in koalas with chlamydia, suggesting that these receptors may play a role in the immune response of koalas to chlamydia infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrina M Morris
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia.
| | - Marina Mathew
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
| | - Courtney Waugh
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Brisbane, QLD, Australia. .,Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD, Australia.
| | - Beata Ujvari
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia. .,Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Geelong, VIC, Australia.
| | - Peter Timms
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Brisbane, QLD, Australia. .,Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD, Australia.
| | - Adam Polkinghorne
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Brisbane, QLD, Australia. .,Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD, Australia.
| | - Katherine Belov
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia.
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31
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Derrick T, Roberts CH, Last AR, Burr SE, Holland MJ. Trachoma and Ocular Chlamydial Infection in the Era of Genomics. Mediators Inflamm 2015; 2015:791847. [PMID: 26424969 PMCID: PMC4573990 DOI: 10.1155/2015/791847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2015] [Accepted: 08/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Trachoma is a blinding disease usually caused by infection with Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) serovars A, B, and C in the upper tarsal conjunctiva. Individuals in endemic regions are repeatedly infected with Ct throughout childhood. A proportion of individuals experience prolonged or severe inflammatory episodes that are known to be significant risk factors for ocular scarring in later life. Continued scarring often leads to trichiasis and in-turning of the eyelashes, which causes pain and can eventually cause blindness. The mechanisms driving the chronic immunopathology in the conjunctiva, which largely progresses in the absence of detectable Ct infection in adults, are likely to be multifactorial. Socioeconomic status, education, and behavior have been identified as contributing to the risk of scarring and inflammation. We focus on the contribution of host and pathogen genetic variation, bacterial ecology of the conjunctiva, and host epigenetic imprinting including small RNA regulation by both host and pathogen in the development of ocular pathology. Each of these factors or processes contributes to pathogenic outcomes in other inflammatory diseases and we outline their potential role in trachoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamsyn Derrick
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Chrissy h. Roberts
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Anna R. Last
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Sarah E. Burr
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Martin J. Holland
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
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32
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Pathogenesis of progressive scarring trachoma in Ethiopia and Tanzania and its implications for disease control: two cohort studies. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2015; 9:e0003763. [PMID: 25970613 PMCID: PMC4430253 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2015] [Accepted: 04/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Trachoma causes blindness through a conjunctival scarring process initiated by ocular Chlamydia trachomatis infection; however, the rates, drivers and pathophysiological determinants are poorly understood. We investigated progressive scarring and its relationship to conjunctival infection, inflammation and transcript levels of cytokines and fibrogenic factors. Methodology/Principal Findings We recruited two cohorts, one each in Ethiopia and Tanzania, of individuals with established trachomatous conjunctival scarring. They were followed six-monthly for two years, with clinical examinations and conjunctival swab sample collection. Progressive scarring cases were identified by comparing baseline and two-year photographs, and compared to individuals without progression. Samples were tested for C. trachomatis by PCR and transcript levels of S100A7, IL1B, IL13, IL17A, CXCL5, CTGF, SPARCL1, CEACAM5, MMP7, MMP9 and CD83 were estimated by quantitative RT-PCR. Progressive scarring was found in 135/585 (23.1%) of Ethiopian participants and 173/577 (30.0%) of Tanzanian participants. There was a strong relationship between progressive scarring and increasing inflammatory episodes (Ethiopia: OR 5.93, 95%CI 3.31–10.6, p<0.0001. Tanzania: OR 5.76, 95%CI 2.60–12.7, p<0.0001). No episodes of C. trachomatis infection were detected in the Ethiopian cohort and only 5 episodes in the Tanzanian cohort. Clinical inflammation, but not scarring progression, was associated with increased expression of S100A7, IL1B, IL17A, CXCL5, CTGF, CEACAM5, MMP7, CD83 and reduced SPARCL1. Conclusions/Significance Scarring progressed in the absence of detectable C. trachomatis, which raises uncertainty about the primary drivers of late-stage trachoma. Chronic conjunctival inflammation appears to be central and is associated with enriched expression of pro-inflammatory factors and altered expression of extracellular matrix regulators. Host determinants of scarring progression appear more complex and subtle than the features of inflammation. Overall this indicates a potential role for anti-inflammatory interventions to interrupt progression and the need for trichiasis disease surveillance and surgery long after chlamydial infection has been controlled at community level. Blinding trachoma is believed to be the end result of a long-term progressive scarring process that is initiated by recurrent infection by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis starting in childhood. Scar tissue predominantly develops on the inner surface of the upper eyelids (conjunctiva). However, the rates, drivers and pathophysiological determinants are poorly understood. We investigated progressive scarring and its relationship to conjunctival infection, inflammation and transcript levels of cytokines and fibrogenic factors in two cohorts of adults in Tanzania and Ethiopia. These groups of people already had a degree of scarring and were regularly followed-up with over a two-year period. We found scarring progressed in about a quarter of people over this time. The progression was closely associated with episodes of conjunctival inflammation but not to the detection of C. trachomatis infection. This raises uncertainty about the primary drivers of late-stage trachoma. Chronic conjunctival inflammation appears to be central and is associated with enriched expression of pro-inflammatory factors and altered expression of extracellular matrix regulators. Host determinants of scarring progression appear more complex and subtle than the features of inflammation. Overall this indicates the likely need for trichiasis disease surveillance and surgery long after chlamydial infection has been controlled at community level.
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33
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Abstract
Trachoma is the most common infectious cause of blindness. Repeated episodes of infection with Chlamydia trachomatis in childhood lead to severe conjunctival inflammation, scarring, and potentially blinding inturned eyelashes (trichiasis or entropion) in later life. Trachoma occurs in resource-poor areas with inadequate hygiene, where children with unclean faces share infected ocular secretions. Much has been learnt about the epidemiology and pathophysiology of trachoma. Integrated control programmes are implementing the SAFE Strategy: surgery for trichiasis, mass distribution of antibiotics, promotion of facial cleanliness, and environmental improvement. This strategy has successfully eliminated trachoma in several countries and global efforts are underway to eliminate blinding trachoma worldwide by 2020.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugh R Taylor
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Carlton, VIC, Australia.
| | - Matthew J Burton
- International Centre for Eye Health, Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Danny Haddad
- Global Vision Initiative, Emory Eye Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Sheila West
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Heathcote Wright
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, University of Melbourne, East Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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Gurdasani D, Carstensen T, Tekola-Ayele F, Pagani L, Tachmazidou I, Hatzikotoulas K, Karthikeyan S, Iles L, Pollard MO, Choudhury A, Ritchie GRS, Xue Y, Asimit J, Nsubuga RN, Young EH, Pomilla C, Kivinen K, Rockett K, Kamali A, Doumatey AP, Asiki G, Seeley J, Sisay-Joof F, Jallow M, Tollman S, Mekonnen E, Ekong R, Oljira T, Bradman N, Bojang K, Ramsay M, Adeyemo A, Bekele E, Motala A, Norris SA, Pirie F, Kaleebu P, Kwiatkowski D, Tyler-Smith C, Rotimi C, Zeggini E, Sandhu MS. The African Genome Variation Project shapes medical genetics in Africa. Nature 2014; 517:327-32. [PMID: 25470054 PMCID: PMC4297536 DOI: 10.1038/nature13997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 378] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2014] [Accepted: 10/23/2014] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Given the importance of Africa to studies of human origins and disease susceptibility, detailed characterization of African genetic diversity is needed. The African Genome Variation Project provides a resource with which to design, implement and interpret genomic studies in sub-Saharan Africa and worldwide. The African Genome Variation Project represents dense genotypes from 1,481 individuals and whole-genome sequences from 320 individuals across sub-Saharan Africa. Using this resource, we find novel evidence of complex, regionally distinct hunter-gatherer and Eurasian admixture across sub-Saharan Africa. We identify new loci under selection, including loci related to malaria susceptibility and hypertension. We show that modern imputation panels (sets of reference genotypes from which unobserved or missing genotypes in study sets can be inferred) can identify association signals at highly differentiated loci across populations in sub-Saharan Africa. Using whole-genome sequencing, we demonstrate further improvements in imputation accuracy, strengthening the case for large-scale sequencing efforts of diverse African haplotypes. Finally, we present an efficient genotype array design capturing common genetic variation in Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepti Gurdasani
- 1] Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK [2] Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, 2 Wort's Causeway, Cambridge, CB1 8RN, UK
| | - Tommy Carstensen
- 1] Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK [2] Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, 2 Wort's Causeway, Cambridge, CB1 8RN, UK
| | - Fasil Tekola-Ayele
- Centre for Research on Genomics and Global Health, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, 12 South Drive, MSC 5635, Bethesda, Maryland 20891-5635, USA
| | - Luca Pagani
- 1] Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK [2] Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Selmi 3, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Ioanna Tachmazidou
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | | | - Savita Karthikeyan
- 1] Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK [2] Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, 2 Wort's Causeway, Cambridge, CB1 8RN, UK
| | - Louise Iles
- 1] Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK [2] Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, 2 Wort's Causeway, Cambridge, CB1 8RN, UK [3] Department of Archaeology, University of York, King's Manor, York YO1 7EP, UK
| | - Martin O Pollard
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Ananyo Choudhury
- Sydney Brenner Institute of Molecular Bioscience (SBIMB), University of the Witwatersrand, The Mount, 9 Jubilee Road, Parktown 2193, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
| | - Graham R S Ritchie
- 1] Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK [2] Vertebrate Genomics, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SD, UK
| | - Yali Xue
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Jennifer Asimit
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Rebecca N Nsubuga
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute, Plot 51-57 Nakiwogo Road, Uganda
| | - Elizabeth H Young
- 1] Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK [2] Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, 2 Wort's Causeway, Cambridge, CB1 8RN, UK
| | - Cristina Pomilla
- 1] Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK [2] Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, 2 Wort's Causeway, Cambridge, CB1 8RN, UK
| | - Katja Kivinen
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Kirk Rockett
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Headington, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Anatoli Kamali
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute, Plot 51-57 Nakiwogo Road, Uganda
| | - Ayo P Doumatey
- Centre for Research on Genomics and Global Health, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, 12 South Drive, MSC 5635, Bethesda, Maryland 20891-5635, USA
| | - Gershim Asiki
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute, Plot 51-57 Nakiwogo Road, Uganda
| | - Janet Seeley
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute, Plot 51-57 Nakiwogo Road, Uganda
| | - Fatoumatta Sisay-Joof
- Medical Research Council Unit, Atlantic Boulevard, SerrekundaPO Box 273, Banjul, The Gambia
| | - Muminatou Jallow
- Medical Research Council Unit, Atlantic Boulevard, SerrekundaPO Box 273, Banjul, The Gambia
| | - Stephen Tollman
- 1] Medical Research Council/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Unit, School of Public Health, Education Campus, 27 St Andrew's Road, Parktown 2192, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa [2] INDEPTH Network, 38/40 Mensah Wood Street, East Legon, PO Box KD 213, Kanda, Accra, Ghana
| | - Ephrem Mekonnen
- Institute of Biotechnology, Addis Ababa University, Entoto Avenue, Arat Kilo, 16087 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Rosemary Ekong
- Department of Genetics Evolution and Environment, University College, London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Tamiru Oljira
- University of Haramaya, Department of Biology, PO Box 138, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia
| | - Neil Bradman
- Henry Stewart Group, 28/30 Little Russell Street, London WC1A 2HN, UK
| | - Kalifa Bojang
- Medical Research Council Unit, Atlantic Boulevard, SerrekundaPO Box 273, Banjul, The Gambia
| | - Michele Ramsay
- 1] Sydney Brenner Institute of Molecular Bioscience (SBIMB), University of the Witwatersrand, The Mount, 9 Jubilee Road, Parktown 2193, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa [2] Division of Human Genetics, National Health Laboratory Service, C/O Hospital and de Korte Streets, Braamfontein 2000, Johannesburg, South Africa [3] School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Braamfontein 2000, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Adebowale Adeyemo
- Centre for Research on Genomics and Global Health, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, 12 South Drive, MSC 5635, Bethesda, Maryland 20891-5635, USA
| | - Endashaw Bekele
- Department of Microbial, Cellular and Molecular Biology, College of Natural Sciences, Arat Kilo Campus, Addis Ababa University, PO Box 1176, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Ayesha Motala
- Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, University of KwaZulu-Natal, 719 Umbilo Road, Congella, Durban 4013, South Africa
| | - Shane A Norris
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Witwatersrand, 7 York Road, Parktown 2198, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
| | - Fraser Pirie
- Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, University of KwaZulu-Natal, 719 Umbilo Road, Congella, Durban 4013, South Africa
| | - Pontiano Kaleebu
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute, Plot 51-57 Nakiwogo Road, Uganda
| | - Dominic Kwiatkowski
- 1] Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK [2] Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Headington, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Chris Tyler-Smith
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Charles Rotimi
- Centre for Research on Genomics and Global Health, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, 12 South Drive, MSC 5635, Bethesda, Maryland 20891-5635, USA
| | - Eleftheria Zeggini
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Manjinder S Sandhu
- 1] Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK [2] Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, 2 Wort's Causeway, Cambridge, CB1 8RN, UK
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Transcriptional profiling of human epithelial cells infected with plasmid-bearing and plasmid-deficient Chlamydia trachomatis. Infect Immun 2014; 83:534-43. [PMID: 25404022 DOI: 10.1128/iai.02764-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis is an obligate intracellular epitheliotropic bacterial pathogen of humans. Infection of the eye can result in trachoma, the leading cause of preventable blindness in the world. The pathophysiology of blinding trachoma is driven by multiple episodes of reinfection of conjunctival epithelial cells, producing an intense chronic inflammatory response resulting in submucosal tissue remodeling and scarring. Recent reports have shown that infection with trachoma organisms lacking the cryptic chlamydial plasmid is highly attenuated in macaque eyes, a relevant experimental model of human trachoma infection. To better understand the molecular basis of plasmid-mediated infection attenuation and the potential modulation of host immunity, we conducted transcriptional profiling of human epithelial cells infected with C. trachomatis plasmid-bearing (A2497) and plasmid-deficient (A2497P(-)) organisms. Infection of human epithelial cells with either strain increased the expression of host genes coding for proinflammatory (granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor [GM-CSF], macrophage colony-stimulating factor [MCSF], interleukin-6 [IL-6], IL-8, IL-1α, CXCL1, CXCL2, CXCL3, intercellular adhesion molecule 1 [ICAM1]), chemoattraction (CCL20, CCL5, CXCL10), immune suppression (PD-L1, NFKB1B, TNFAIP3, CGB), apoptosis (CASP9, FAS, IL-24), and cell growth and fibrosis (EGR1 and IL-20) proteins. Statistically significant increases in the levels of expression of many of these genes were found in A2497-infected cells compared to the levels of expression in A2497P(-)-infected cells. Our findings suggest that the chlamydial plasmid plays a focal role in the host cell inflammatory response to infection and immune avoidance. These results provide new insights into the role of the chlamydial plasmid as a chlamydial virulence factor and its contributions to trachoma pathogenesis.
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Mabey DCW, Hu V, Bailey RL, Burton MJ, Holland MJ. Towards a safe and effective chlamydial vaccine: lessons from the eye. Vaccine 2014; 32:1572-8. [PMID: 24606636 PMCID: PMC3991328 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2013.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2013] [Revised: 09/24/2013] [Accepted: 10/03/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
As well as being the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection, Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) is the leading infectious cause of blindness. The pathogenesis of ocular chlamydial infection (trachoma) is similar to that of genital infection. In the 1960s the efficacy of Ct vaccines against ocular infection was evaluated in major field trials in Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, The Gambia, India and Ethiopia. These trials showed that it was possible to induce short term immunity to ocular infection, and to reduce the incidence of inflammatory trachoma, by parenteral immunisation with killed or live whole organism vaccines. In one study, it was also shown that the incidence of scarring sequelae was reduced in vaccinated children. Detailed studies in non-human primates conducted at this time suggested that vaccination could lead to more severe inflammatory disease on subsequent challenge. Since that time there have been many studies on the immunological correlates of protective immunity and immunopathology in ocular Ct infection in humans and non-human primates, and on host genetic polymorphisms associated with protection from adverse sequelae. These have provided important information to guide the development and evaluation of a human Ct vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- David C W Mabey
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom.
| | - Victor Hu
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom
| | - Robin L Bailey
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew J Burton
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom
| | - Martin J Holland
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom
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Roberts CH, Molina S, Makalo P, Joof H, Harding-Esch EM, Burr SE, Mabey DCW, Bailey RL, Burton MJ, Holland MJ. Conjunctival scarring in trachoma is associated with the HLA-C ligand of KIR and is exacerbated by heterozygosity at KIR2DL2/KIR2DL3. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2014; 8:e2744. [PMID: 24651768 PMCID: PMC3961204 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0002744] [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: 10/07/2013] [Accepted: 01/30/2014] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chlamydia trachomatis is globally the predominant infectious cause of blindness and one of the most common bacterial causes of sexually transmitted infection. Infections of the conjunctiva cause the blinding disease trachoma, an immuno-pathological disease that is characterised by chronic conjunctival inflammation and fibrosis. The polymorphic Killer-cell Immunoglobulin-like Receptors (KIR) are found on Natural Killer cells and have co-evolved with the Human Leucocyte Antigen (HLA) class I system. Certain genetic constellations of KIR and HLA class I polymorphisms are associated with a number of diseases in which modulation of the innate responses to viral and intracellular bacterial pathogens is central. METHODOLOGY A sample of 134 Gambian pedigrees selected to contain at least one individual with conjunctival scarring in the F1 generation was used. Individuals (n = 830) were genotyped for HLA class I and KIR gene families. Family Based Association Tests and Case Pseudo-control tests were used to extend tests for transmission disequilibrium to take full advantage of the family design, genetic model and phenotype. PRINCIPLE FINDINGS We found that the odds of trachomatous scarring increased with the number of genome copies of HLA-C2 (C1/C2 OR = 2.29 BHP-value = 0.006; C2/C2 OR = 3.97 BHP-value = 0.0004) and further increased when both KIR2DL2 and KIR2DL3 (C2/C2 OR = 5.95 BHP-value = 0.006) were present. CONCLUSIONS To explain the observations in the context of chlamydial infection and trachoma we propose a two-stage model of response and disease that balances the cytolytic response of KIR expressing NK cells with the ability to secrete interferon gamma, a combination that may cause pathology. The data presented indicate that HLA-C genotypes are important determinants of conjunctival scarring in trachoma and that KIR2DL2/KIR2DL3 heterozygosity further increases risk of conjunctival scarring in individuals carrying HLA-C2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chrissy h. Roberts
- Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sandra Molina
- Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Pateh Makalo
- Medical Research Council Unit, The Gambia, Atlantic Boulevard, Fajara, The Gambia
| | - Hassan Joof
- Medical Research Council Unit, The Gambia, Atlantic Boulevard, Fajara, The Gambia
| | - Emma M. Harding-Esch
- Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah E. Burr
- Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Medical Research Council Unit, The Gambia, Atlantic Boulevard, Fajara, The Gambia
| | - David C. W. Mabey
- Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Robin L. Bailey
- Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew J. Burton
- International Centre for Eye Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Martin J. Holland
- Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Medical Research Council Unit, The Gambia, Atlantic Boulevard, Fajara, The Gambia
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Stevens A, Hanson D, Whatmore A, Destenaves B, Chatelain P, Clayton P. Human growth is associated with distinct patterns of gene expression in evolutionarily conserved networks. BMC Genomics 2013; 14:547. [PMID: 23941278 PMCID: PMC3765282 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-14-547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2013] [Accepted: 08/05/2013] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background A co-ordinated tissue-independent gene expression profile associated with growth is present in rodent models and this is hypothesised to extend to all mammals. Growth in humans has similarities to other mammals but the return to active long bone growth in the pubertal growth spurt is a distinctly human growth event. The aim of this study was to describe gene expression and biological pathways associated with stages of growth in children and to assess tissue-independent expression patterns in relation to human growth. Results We conducted gene expression analysis on a library of datasets from normal children with age annotation, collated from the NCBI Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and EBI Arrayexpress databases. A primary data set was generated using cells of lymphoid origin from normal children; the expression of 688 genes (ANOVA false discovery rate modified p-value, q < 0.1) was associated with age, and subsets of these genes formed clusters that correlated with the phases of growth – infancy, childhood, puberty and final height. Network analysis on these clusters identified evolutionarily conserved growth pathways (NOTCH, VEGF, TGFB, WNT and glucocorticoid receptor – Hyper-geometric test, q < 0.05). The greatest degree of network ‘connectivity’ and hence functional significance was present in infancy (Wilcoxon test, p < 0.05), which then decreased through to adulthood. These observations were confirmed in a separate validation data set from lymphoid tissue. Similar biological pathways were observed to be associated with development-related gene expression in other tissues (conjunctival epithelia, temporal lobe brain tissue and bone marrow) suggesting the existence of a tissue-independent genetic program for human growth and maturation. Conclusions Similar evolutionarily conserved pathways have been associated with gene expression and child growth in multiple tissues. These expression profiles associate with the developmental phases of growth including the return to active long bone growth in puberty, a distinctly human event. These observations also have direct medical relevance to pathological changes that induce disease in children. Taking into account development-dependent gene expression profiles for normal children will be key to the appropriate selection of genes and pathways as potential biomarkers of disease or as drug targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Stevens
- Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences, Royal Manchester Children's Hospital and the Institute of Human Development, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.
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Doig TN, Hume DA, Theocharidis T, Goodlad JR, Gregory CD, Freeman TC. Coexpression analysis of large cancer datasets provides insight into the cellular phenotypes of the tumour microenvironment. BMC Genomics 2013; 14:469. [PMID: 23845084 PMCID: PMC3721986 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-14-469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2013] [Accepted: 06/25/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Biopsies taken from individual tumours exhibit extensive differences in their cellular composition due to the inherent heterogeneity of cancers and vagaries of sample collection. As a result genes expressed in specific cell types, or associated with certain biological processes are detected at widely variable levels across samples in transcriptomic analyses. This heterogeneity also means that the level of expression of genes expressed specifically in a given cell type or process, will vary in line with the number of those cells within samples or activity of the pathway, and will therefore be correlated in their expression. RESULTS Using a novel 3D network-based approach we have analysed six large human cancer microarray datasets derived from more than 1,000 individuals. Based upon this analysis, and without needing to isolate the individual cells, we have defined a broad spectrum of cell-type and pathway-specific gene signatures present in cancer expression data which were also found to be largely conserved in a number of independent datasets. CONCLUSIONS The conserved signature of the tumour-associated macrophage is shown to be largely-independent of tumour cell type. All stromal cell signatures have some degree of correlation with each other, since they must all be inversely correlated with the tumour component. However, viewed in the context of established tumours, the interactions between stromal components appear to be multifactorial given the level of one component e.g. vasculature, does not correlate tightly with another, such as the macrophage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamasin N Doig
- Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Edinburgh, The Queen’s Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh, UK
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Eisenreich W, Heesemann J, Rudel T, Goebel W. Metabolic host responses to infection by intracellular bacterial pathogens. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2013; 3:24. [PMID: 23847769 PMCID: PMC3705551 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2013.00024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 135] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2013] [Accepted: 06/11/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The interaction of bacterial pathogens with mammalian hosts leads to a variety of physiological responses of the interacting partners aimed at an adaptation to the new situation. These responses include multiple metabolic changes in the affected host cells which are most obvious when the pathogen replicates within host cells as in case of intracellular bacterial pathogens. While the pathogen tries to deprive nutrients from the host cell, the host cell in return takes various metabolic countermeasures against the nutrient theft. During this conflicting interaction, the pathogen triggers metabolic host cell responses by means of common cell envelope components and specific virulence-associated factors. These host reactions generally promote replication of the pathogen. There is growing evidence that pathogen-specific factors may interfere in different ways with the complex regulatory network that controls the carbon and nitrogen metabolism of mammalian cells. The host cell defense answers include general metabolic reactions, like the generation of oxygen- and/or nitrogen-reactive species, and more specific measures aimed to prevent access to essential nutrients for the respective pathogen. Accurate results on metabolic host cell responses are often hampered by the use of cancer cell lines that already exhibit various de-regulated reactions in the primary carbon metabolism. Hence, there is an urgent need for cellular models that more closely reflect the in vivo infection conditions. The exact knowledge of the metabolic host cell responses may provide new interesting concepts for antibacterial therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wolfgang Eisenreich
- Lehrstuhl für Biochemie, Center of Isotopologue Profiling, Technische Universität München Garching, Germany
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Derrick T, Roberts CH, Rajasekhar M, Burr SE, Joof H, Makalo P, Bailey RL, Mabey DCW, Burton MJ, Holland MJ. Conjunctival MicroRNA expression in inflammatory trachomatous scarring. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2013; 7:e2117. [PMID: 23516655 PMCID: PMC3597489 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0002117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2012] [Accepted: 01/31/2013] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Trachoma is a fibrotic disease of the conjunctiva initiated by Chlamydia trachomatis infection. This blinding disease affects over 40 million people worldwide yet the mechanisms underlying its pathogenesis remain poorly understood. We have investigated host microRNA (miR) expression in health (N) and disease (conjunctival scarring with (TSI) and without (TS) inflammation) to determine if these epigenetic differences are associated with pathology. Methods We collected two independent samples of human conjunctival swab specimens from individuals living in The Gambia (n = 63 & 194). miR was extracted, and we investigated the expression of 754 miR in the first sample of 63 specimens (23 N, 17 TS, 23 TSI) using Taqman qPCR array human miRNA genecards. Network and pathway analysis was performed on this dataset. Seven miR that were significantly differentially expressed between different phenotypic groups were then selected for validation by qPCR in the second sample of 194 specimens (93 N, 74 TS, 22 TSI). Results Array screening revealed differential expression of 82 miR between N, TS and TSI phenotypes (fold change >3, p<0.05). Predicted mRNA targets of these miR were enriched in pathways involved in fibrosis and epithelial cell differentiation. Two miR were confirmed as being differentially expressed upon validation by qPCR. miR-147b is significantly up-regulated in TSI versus N (fold change = 2.3, p = 0.03) and miR-1285 is up-regulated in TSI versus TS (fold change = 4.6, p = 0.005), which was consistent with the results of the qPCR array. Conclusions miR-147b and miR-1285 are up-regulated in inflammatory trachomatous scarring. Further investigation of the function of these miR will aid our understanding of the pathogenesis of trachoma. Trachoma is a debilitating disease that affects 40 million people worldwide. It can cause progressive fibrosis of the upper eyelid and blindness, yet the mechanism is poorly understood. We have investigated the expression of short sequences of genetic material (microRNA) that regulate gene expression. We screened for the expression of 754 microRNA sequences (miR) in genetic material isolated from conjunctival swab samples from individuals in trachoma-endemic communities in The Gambia. This sample included healthy controls, individuals with trachomatous scarring and individuals with trachomatous scarring in the presence of clinically significant inflammation. We found 82 miR that were differentially expressed. Computer simulations predict that these miR regulate genes in epithelial cell differentiation, inflammation and fibrosis pathways, all of which are involved in the scarring process. We then validated the expression of seven of these differentially expressed miR in a second larger biological sample set from The Gambia. We confirmed that miR-147b and miR-1285 have increased expression in individuals with trachomatous scarring in the presence of clinically significant inflammation. Further investigation into the functions of these miR will aid our understanding of this disease and present opportunities to develop treatments for ocular fibrotic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamsyn Derrick
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Chrissy h. Roberts
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Megha Rajasekhar
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah E. Burr
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Medical Research Council Unit, The Gambia, Fajara, Banjul, The Gambia, West Africa
| | - Hassan Joof
- Medical Research Council Unit, The Gambia, Fajara, Banjul, The Gambia, West Africa
| | - Pateh Makalo
- Medical Research Council Unit, The Gambia, Fajara, Banjul, The Gambia, West Africa
| | - Robin L. Bailey
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - David C. W. Mabey
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew J. Burton
- International Centre for Eye Health, Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Martin J. Holland
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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Abstract
Trachoma, caused by Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct), is the leading infectious blinding disease worldwide. Chronic conjunctival inflammation develops in childhood and leads to eyelid scarring and blindness in adulthood. The immune response to Ct provides only partial protection against re-infection, which can be frequent. Moreover, the immune response is central to the development of scarring pathology, leading to loss of vision. Here we review the current literature on both protective and pathological immune responses in trachoma. The resolution of Ct infection in animal models is IFNγ-dependent, involving Th1 cells, but whether this is the case in human ocular infection still needs to be confirmed. An increasing number of studies indicate that innate immune responses arising from the epithelium and other innate immune cells, along with changes in matrix metalloproteinase activity, are important in the development of tissue damage and scarring. Current trachoma control measures, which are centred on repeated mass antibiotic treatment of populations, are logistically challenging and have the potential to drive antimicrobial resistance. A trachoma vaccine would offer significant advantages. However, limited understanding of the mechanisms of both protective immunity and immunopathology to Ct remain barriers to vaccine development.
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Freeman TC, Ivens A, Baillie JK, Beraldi D, Barnett MW, Dorward D, Downing A, Fairbairn L, Kapetanovic R, Raza S, Tomoiu A, Alberio R, Wu C, Su AI, Summers KM, Tuggle CK, Archibald AL, Hume DA. A gene expression atlas of the domestic pig. BMC Biol 2012; 10:90. [PMID: 23153189 PMCID: PMC3814290 DOI: 10.1186/1741-7007-10-90] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2012] [Accepted: 10/23/2012] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This work describes the first genome-wide analysis of the transcriptional landscape of the pig. A new porcine Affymetrix expression array was designed in order to provide comprehensive coverage of the known pig transcriptome. The new array was used to generate a genome-wide expression atlas of pig tissues derived from 62 tissue/cell types. These data were subjected to network correlation analysis and clustering. RESULTS The analysis presented here provides a detailed functional clustering of the pig transcriptome where transcripts are grouped according to their expression pattern, so one can infer the function of an uncharacterized gene from the company it keeps and the locations in which it is expressed. We describe the overall transcriptional signatures present in the tissue atlas, where possible assigning those signatures to specific cell populations or pathways. In particular, we discuss the expression signatures associated with the gastrointestinal tract, an organ that was sampled at 15 sites along its length and whose biology in the pig is similar to human. We identify sets of genes that define specialized cellular compartments and region-specific digestive functions. Finally, we performed a network analysis of the transcription factors expressed in the gastrointestinal tract and demonstrate how they sub-divide into functional groups that may control cellular gastrointestinal development. CONCLUSIONS As an important livestock animal with a physiology that is more similar than mouse to man, we provide a major new resource for understanding gene expression with respect to the known physiology of mammalian tissues and cells. The data and analyses are available on the websites http://biogps.org and http://www.macrophages.com/pig-atlas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom C Freeman
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of
Edinburgh, Easter Bush, EH25 9PS, UK
| | - Alasdair Ivens
- Fios Genomics Ltd, ETTC, King's Buildings, Edinburgh EH9 3JL UK,Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution, University of Edinburgh Ashworth
Labs, King's Buildings, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JT
| | - J Kenneth Baillie
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of
Edinburgh, Easter Bush, EH25 9PS, UK
| | - Dario Beraldi
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of
Edinburgh, Easter Bush, EH25 9PS, UK,Cancer Research UK, Cambridge Research Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre, Robinson
way, Cambridge, CB2 0RE, UK
| | - Mark W Barnett
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of
Edinburgh, Easter Bush, EH25 9PS, UK
| | - David Dorward
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of
Edinburgh, Easter Bush, EH25 9PS, UK
| | - Alison Downing
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of
Edinburgh, Easter Bush, EH25 9PS, UK
| | - Lynsey Fairbairn
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of
Edinburgh, Easter Bush, EH25 9PS, UK
| | - Ronan Kapetanovic
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of
Edinburgh, Easter Bush, EH25 9PS, UK
| | - Sobia Raza
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of
Edinburgh, Easter Bush, EH25 9PS, UK
| | - Andru Tomoiu
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of
Edinburgh, Easter Bush, EH25 9PS, UK
| | - Ramiro Alberio
- Division of Animal Sciences, School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham,
Sutton Bonington, Leicestershire LE12 5RD UK
| | - Chunlei Wu
- Department of Molecular and Experimental Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute,
MEM-216, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037 USA
| | - Andrew I Su
- Department of Molecular and Experimental Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute,
MEM-216, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037 USA
| | - Kim M Summers
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of
Edinburgh, Easter Bush, EH25 9PS, UK
| | | | - Alan L Archibald
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of
Edinburgh, Easter Bush, EH25 9PS, UK
| | - David A Hume
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of
Edinburgh, Easter Bush, EH25 9PS, UK
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Trachomatous trichiasis and its management in endemic countries. Surv Ophthalmol 2012; 57:105-35. [PMID: 22285842 PMCID: PMC3316859 DOI: 10.1016/j.survophthal.2011.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2011] [Revised: 08/09/2011] [Accepted: 08/11/2011] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Trichiasis is the sight-threatening consequence of conjunctival scarring in trachoma, the most common infectious cause of blindness worldwide. Trachomatous trichiasis is the result of multiple infections from childhood with Chlamydia trachomatis, which causes recurrent chronic inflammation in the tarsal conjunctiva. This produces conjunctival scarring, entropion, trichiasis, and ultimately blinding corneal opacification. The disease causes painful, usually irreversible sight loss. Over eight million people have trachomatous trichiasis, mostly those living in poor rural communities in 57 endemic countries. The global cost is estimated at US$ 5.3 billion. The WHO recommends surgery as part of the SAFE strategy for controlling the disease.We examine the principles of clinical management, treatment options, and the challenging issues of providing the quantity and quality of surgery that is needed in resource-poor settings.
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Innate immune responses and modified extracellular matrix regulation characterize bacterial infection and cellular/connective tissue changes in scarring trachoma. Infect Immun 2011; 80:121-30. [PMID: 22038912 DOI: 10.1128/iai.05965-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Trachoma is the most common infectious cause of blindness and a major public health problem in many developing countries. It is caused by recurrent ocular infection with Chlamydia trachomatis in childhood, with conjunctival scarring seen later in life. The pathogenesis of trachomatous scarring, however, is poorly understood, and this study was carried out to investigate the immunofibrogenic correlates of trachomatous conjunctival scarring. A case-control study of 363 cases with conjunctival scarring and 363 control participants was conducted. Investigations included in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) assessment, quantitative real-time PCR gene expression, C. trachomatis detection, and nonchlamydial bacterial culture. Trachomatous scarring was found to be strongly associated with a proinflammatory, innate immune response with increased expression of psoriasin, interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor alpha, defensin-β4A, chemokine ligand 5, and serum amyloid A1. There was also differential expression of various modifiers of the extracellular matrix, including metalloproteinases 7, 9, 10, and 12, tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase 1, and secreted protein acidic cystein-rich-like 1. The expression of many of these genes was also significantly associated with the presence of nonchlamydial bacterial infection. These infections had a marked effect on conjunctival immune processes, including an increased inflammatory infiltrate and edema seen with IVCM. This study supports the possibility that the immunofibrogenic response in scarring trachoma is partly stimulated by nonchlamydial bacterial infection, which is characterized by the expression of innate factors.
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Active trachoma is associated with increased conjunctival expression of IL17A and profibrotic cytokines. Infect Immun 2011; 79:4977-83. [PMID: 21911461 DOI: 10.1128/iai.05718-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The immunological basis of scarring trachoma is not well understood. It is unclear whether it is driven primarily through cell-mediated adaptive or epithelial-cell-derived innate responses. The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression of the inflammatory and fibrogenic mediators which may be involved. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of children living in an untreated trachoma-endemic community in Tanzania. The children were examined for signs of trachoma, and swabs were collected for bacteriological culture and RNA and DNA isolation. Chlamydia trachomatis was detected by the Amplicor PCR test. The expression of the following genes was measured by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR): S100A7, IL1B, IL17A, IL23A, CXCL5, CCL18, TLR2, NLRP3, KLRD1, CTGF, and MMP9. Four hundred seventy children under the age of 10 years were included. Follicular trachoma (TF) was detected in 65 children (14%), C. trachomatis was detected in 25 (5%), and bacterial pathogens were cultured in 161 (34%). TF was associated with significantly increased expression of S100A7, IL17A, CCL18, CXCL5, and CTGF. Expression was increased further in the presence of papillary inflammation. Nonchlamydial bacterial infection was associated with increased expression of IL17A, CXCL5, CCL18, and KLRD1. IL17A expression was associated with increased expression of S100A7, CXCL5, CCL18, KLRD1, and CTGF. These data are consistent with a role for IL-17A in orchestrating the proinflammatory response in trachoma. Its activity may be promoted either as part of the cell-mediated response or through innate pathways. It may drive a range of proinflammatory factors leading to excessive tissue damage and repair involving fibrosis.
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Macrophages.com: an on-line community resource for innate immunity research. Immunobiology 2011; 216:1203-11. [PMID: 21924793 DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2011.07.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2011] [Accepted: 07/18/2011] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Macrophages play a major role in tissue remodelling during development, wound healing and tissue homeostasis, and are central to innate immunity and to the pathology of tissue injury and inflammation. Given this fundamental role in many aspects of biological function, an enormous wealth of information has accumulated on these fascinating cells in the literature and other public repositories. With the escalation of genome-scale data derived from macrophages and related haematopoietic cell types, there is a growing need for an integrated resource that seeks to compile, organise and analyse our collective knowledge of macrophage biology. Here we describe a community-driven web-based resource, macrophages.com that aims to provide a portal onto various types of Omics data to facilitate comparative genomic studies, promoter and transcriptional network analyses, models of macrophage pathways together with other information on these cells. To this end, the website combines public and in-house analyses of expression data with pre-analysed views of co-expressed genes as supported by the network analysis tool BioLayout Express(3D), as well as providing access to maps of pathways active in macrophages. Macrophages.com also provides access to an extensive image library of macrophages in adult/embryonic tissue sections prepared from normal and transgenic mice. In addition, the site links to the Human Protein Atlas database so as to provide direct access to protein expression patterns in human macrophages. Finally, an integrated gene-centric portal provides the tools for rapid promoter analysis studies based on a comprehensive set of CAGE-derived transcription start site (TSS) sequences in human and mouse genomes as generated by the Functional Annotation of Mammalian genomes (FANTOM) projects initiated by the RIKEN Omics Science Center. Our aim is to continue to grow the macrophages.com resource using publicly available data, as well as in-house generated knowledge. In so doing we aim to provide a user-friendly community website and a community portal for access to comprehensive sets of macrophage-related data.
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Gall A, Horowitz A, Joof H, Natividad A, Tetteh K, Riley E, Bailey RL, Mabey DCW, Holland MJ. Systemic effector and regulatory immune responses to chlamydial antigens in trachomatous trichiasis. Front Microbiol 2011; 2:10. [PMID: 21747780 PMCID: PMC3128932 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2011.00010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2010] [Accepted: 01/18/2011] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Trachomatous trichiasis (TT) caused by repeated or chronic ocular infection with Chlamydia trachomatis is the result of a pro-fibrotic ocular immune response. At the conjunctiva, the increased expression of both inflammatory (IL1B, TNF) and regulatory cytokines (IL10) have been associated with adverse clinical outcomes. We measured in vitro immune responses of peripheral blood to a number of chlamydial antigens. Peripheral blood effector cells (CD4, CD69, IFNγ, IL-10) and regulatory cells (CD4, CD25, FOXP3, CTLA4/GITR) were readily stimulated by C. trachomatis antigens but neither the magnitude (frequency or stimulation index) or the breadth and amount of cytokines produced in vitro [IL-5, IL-10, IL-12 (p70), IL-13, IFNγ, and TNFα] were significantly different between TT cases and their non-diseased controls. Interestingly we observed that CD4+ T cells account for <50% of the IFNγ positive cells induced following stimulation. Further investigation in individuals selected from communities where exposure to ocular infection with C. trachomatis is endemic indicated that CD3-CD56+ (classical natural killer cells) were a major early source of IFNγ production in response to C. trachomatis elementary body stimulation and that the magnitude of this response increased with age. Future efforts to unravel the contribution of the adaptive immune response to conjunctival fibrosis should focus on the early events following infection and the interaction with innate immune mediated mechanisms of inflammation in the conjunctiva.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alevtina Gall
- Viral Diseases Programme, Medical Research Council Laboratories Banjul, The Gambia
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