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Ferreira MR, Queiroga V, Moreira LM. Genomic editing in Burkholderia multivorans by CRISPR/Cas9. Appl Environ Microbiol 2024; 90:e0225023. [PMID: 38299816 PMCID: PMC10880607 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02250-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Burkholderia cepacia complex bacteria have emerged as opportunistic pathogens in patients with cystic fibrosis and immunocompromised individuals, causing life-threatening infections. Because of the relevance of these microorganisms, genetic manipulation is crucial for explaining the genetic mechanisms leading to pathogenesis. Despite the availability of allelic exchange tools to obtain unmarked gene deletions in Burkholderia, these require a step of merodiploid formation and another of merodiploid resolution through two independent homologous recombination events, making the procedure long-lasting. The CRISPR/Cas9-based system could ease this constraint, as only one step is needed for allelic exchange. Here, we report the modification of a two-plasmid system (pCasPA and pACRISPR) for genome editing in Burkholderia multivorans. Several modifications were implemented, including selection marker replacement, the optimization of araB promoter induction for the expression of Cas9 and λ-Red system encoding genes, and the establishment of plasmid curing procedures based on the sacB gene or growth at a sub-optimal temperature of 18°C-20°C with serial passages. We have shown the efficiency of this CRISPR/Cas9 method in the precise and unmarked deletion of different genes (rpfR, bceF, cepR, and bcsB) from two strains of B. multivorans, as well as its usefulness in the targeted insertion of the gfp gene encoding the green fluorescence protein into a precise genome location. As pCasPA was successfully introduced in other Burkholderia cepacia complex species, this study opens up the possibility of using CRISPR/Cas9-based systems as efficient tools for genome editing in these species, allowing faster and more cost-effective genetic manipulation.IMPORTANCEBurkholderia encompasses different species of bacteria, some of them pathogenic to animals and plants, but others are beneficial by promoting plant growth through symbiosis or as biocontrol agents. Among these species, Burkholderia multivorans, a member of the Burkholderia cepacia complex, is one of the predominant species infecting the lungs of cystic fibrosis patients, often causing respiratory chronic infections that are very difficult to eradicate. Since the B. multivorans species is understudied, we have developed a genetic tool based on the CRISPR/Cas9 system to delete genes efficiently from the genomes of these strains. We could also insert foreign genes that can be precisely placed in a chosen genomic region. This method, faster than other conventional strategies based on allelic exchange, will have a major contribution to understanding the virulence mechanisms in B. multivorans, but it can likely be extended to other Burkholderia species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirela R. Ferreira
- iBB-Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB-Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Vasco Queiroga
- Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Leonilde M. Moreira
- iBB-Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB-Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
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Seixas AMM, Gomes SC, Silva C, Moreira LM, Leitão JH, Sousa SA. A Polyclonal Antibody against a Burkholderia cenocepacia OmpA-like Protein Strongly Impairs Pseudomonas aeruginosa and B. multivorans Virulence. Vaccines (Basel) 2024; 12:207. [PMID: 38400190 PMCID: PMC10892634 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12020207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite advances in therapies, bacterial chronic respiratory infections persist as life-threatening to patients suffering from cystic fibrosis (CF). Pseudomonas aeruginosa and bacteria of the Burkholderia cepacia complex are among the most difficult of these infections to treat, due to factors like their resistance to multiple antibiotics and ability to form biofilms. The lack of effective antimicrobial strategies prompted our search for alternative immunotherapies that can effectively control and reduce those infections among CF patients. Previous work from our group showed that the anti-BCAL2645 goat polyclonal antibody strongly inhibited Burkholderia cenocepacia to adhere and invade cultured epithelial cells. In this work, we showed that the polyclonal antibody anti-BCAL2645 also strongly inhibited the ability of P. aeruginosa to form biofilms, and to adhere and invade the human bronchial epithelial cell line CFBE41o-. The polyclonal antibody also inhibited, to a lesser extent, the ability of B. multivorans to adhere and invade the human bronchial epithelial cell line CFBE41o. We also show that the ability of B. cenocepacia, P. aeruginosa and B. multivorans to kill larvae of the Galleria mellonella model of infection was impaired when bacteria were incubated with the anti-BCAL2645 antibody prior to the infection. Our findings show that an antibody against BCAL2645 possesses a significant potential for the development of new immunotherapies against these three important bacterial species capable of causing devastating and often lethal infections among CF patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- António M. M. Seixas
- Department of Bioengineering, IBB—Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal; (A.M.M.S.); (S.C.G.); (C.S.); (L.M.M.)
- Associate Laboratory, i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Sara C. Gomes
- Department of Bioengineering, IBB—Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal; (A.M.M.S.); (S.C.G.); (C.S.); (L.M.M.)
- Associate Laboratory, i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Carolina Silva
- Department of Bioengineering, IBB—Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal; (A.M.M.S.); (S.C.G.); (C.S.); (L.M.M.)
- Associate Laboratory, i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Leonilde M. Moreira
- Department of Bioengineering, IBB—Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal; (A.M.M.S.); (S.C.G.); (C.S.); (L.M.M.)
- Associate Laboratory, i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Jorge H. Leitão
- Department of Bioengineering, IBB—Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal; (A.M.M.S.); (S.C.G.); (C.S.); (L.M.M.)
- Associate Laboratory, i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Sílvia A. Sousa
- Department of Bioengineering, IBB—Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal; (A.M.M.S.); (S.C.G.); (C.S.); (L.M.M.)
- Associate Laboratory, i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
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Godbole NM, Chowdhury AA, Chataut N, Awasthi S. Tight Junctions, the Epithelial Barrier, and Toll-like Receptor-4 During Lung Injury. Inflammation 2022; 45:2142-2162. [PMID: 35779195 PMCID: PMC9649847 DOI: 10.1007/s10753-022-01708-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Lung epithelium is constantly exposed to the environment and is critically important for the orchestration of initial responses to infectious organisms, toxins, and allergic stimuli, and maintenance of normal gaseous exchange and pulmonary function. The integrity of lung epithelium, fluid balance, and transport of molecules is dictated by the tight junctions (TJs). The TJs are formed between adjacent cells. We have focused on the topic of the TJ structure and function in lung epithelial cells. This review includes a summary of the last twenty years of literature reports published on the disrupted TJs and epithelial barrier in various lung conditions and expression and regulation of specific TJ proteins against pathogenic stimuli. We discuss the molecular signaling and crosstalk among signaling pathways that control the TJ structure and function. The Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4) recognizes the pathogen- and damage-associated molecular patterns released during lung injury and inflammation and coordinates cellular responses. The molecular aspects of TLR4 signaling in the context of TJs or the epithelial barrier are not fully known. We describe the current knowledge and possible networking of the TLR4-signaling with cellular and molecular mechanisms of TJs, lung epithelial barrier function, and resistance to treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nachiket M Godbole
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 1110 N. Stonewall Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK, 73117, USA
| | - Asif Alam Chowdhury
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 1110 N. Stonewall Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK, 73117, USA
| | - Neha Chataut
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 1110 N. Stonewall Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK, 73117, USA
| | - Shanjana Awasthi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 1110 N. Stonewall Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK, 73117, USA.
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Gao N, Rezaee F. Airway Epithelial Cell Junctions as Targets for Pathogens and Antimicrobial Therapy. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:2619. [PMID: 36559113 PMCID: PMC9786141 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14122619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Intercellular contacts between epithelial cells are established and maintained by the apical junctional complexes (AJCs). AJCs conserve cell polarity and build epithelial barriers to pathogens, inhaled allergens, and environmental particles in the respiratory tract. AJCs consist of tight junctions (TJs) and adherens junctions (AJs), which play a key role in maintaining the integrity of the airway barrier. Emerging evidence has shown that different microorganisms cause airway barrier dysfunction by targeting TJ and AJ proteins. This review discusses the pathophysiologic mechanisms by which several microorganisms (bacteria and viruses) lead to the disruption of AJCs in airway epithelial cells. We present recent progress in understanding signaling pathways involved in the formation and regulation of cell junctions. We also summarize the potential chemical inhibitors and pharmacological approaches to restore the integrity of the airway epithelial barrier. Understanding the AJCs-pathogen interactions and mechanisms by which microorganisms target the AJC and impair barrier function may further help design therapeutic innovations to treat these infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nannan Gao
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Fariba Rezaee
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
- Center for Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Children’s, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
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Sun Z, Song ZG, Liu C, Tan S, Lin S, Zhu J, Dai FH, Gao J, She JL, Mei Z, Lou T, Zheng JJ, Liu Y, He J, Zheng Y, Ding C, Qian F, Zheng Y, Chen YM. Gut microbiome alterations and gut barrier dysfunction are associated with host immune homeostasis in COVID-19 patients. BMC Med 2022; 20:24. [PMID: 35045853 PMCID: PMC8769945 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-021-02212-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND COVID-19 is an infectious disease characterized by multiple respiratory and extrapulmonary manifestations, including gastrointestinal symptoms. Although recent studies have linked gut microbiota to infectious diseases such as influenza, little is known about the role of the gut microbiota in COVID-19 pathophysiology. METHODS To better understand the host-gut microbiota interactions in COVID-19, we characterized the gut microbial community and gut barrier function using metagenomic and metaproteomic approaches in 63 COVID-19 patients and 8 non-infected controls. Both immunohematological parameters and transcriptional profiles were measured to reflect the immune response in COVID-19 patients. RESULTS Altered gut microbial composition was observed in COVID-19 patients, which was characterized by decreased commensal species and increased opportunistic pathogenic species. Severe illness was associated with higher abundance of four microbial species (i.e., Burkholderia contaminans, Bacteroides nordii, Bifidobacterium longum, and Blautia sp. CAG 257), six microbial pathways (e.g., glycolysis and fermentation), and 10 virulence genes. These severity-related microbial features were further associated with host immune response. For example, the abundance of Bu. contaminans was associated with higher levels of inflammation biomarkers and lower levels of immune cells. Furthermore, human-origin proteins identified from both blood and fecal samples suggested gut barrier dysfunction in COVID-19 patients. The circulating levels of lipopolysaccharide-binding protein increased in patients with severe illness and were associated with circulating inflammation biomarkers and immune cells. Besides, proteins of disease-related bacteria (e.g., B. longum) were detectable in blood samples from patients. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that the dysbiosis of the gut microbiome and the dysfunction of the gut barrier might play a role in the pathophysiology of COVID-19 by affecting host immune homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhonghan Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences and Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhi-Gang Song
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences and Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chenglin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences and Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shishang Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences and Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuchun Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences and Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiajun Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences and Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fa-Hui Dai
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences and Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences and Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jia-Lei She
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences and Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhendong Mei
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences and Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tao Lou
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences and Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiao-Jiao Zheng
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences and Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Liu
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences and Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiang He
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences and Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuanting Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences and Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chen Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences and Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Feng Qian
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences and Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences and Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China. .,Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Yan-Mei Chen
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences and Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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A Polyclonal Antibody Raised against the Burkholderia cenocepacia OmpA-like Protein BCAL2645 Impairs the Bacterium Adhesion and Invasion of Human Epithelial Cells In Vitro. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9121788. [PMID: 34944603 PMCID: PMC8698911 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9121788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Respiratory infections by bacteria of the Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) remain a life threat to cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, due to the faster lung function decline and the absence of effective eradication strategies. Immunotherapies are regarded as an attractive alternative to control and reduce the damages caused by these infections. In this work, we report the cloning and functional characterization of the OmpA-like BCAL2645 protein, previously identified and found to be immunoreactive against sera from CF patients with a record of Bcc infections. The BCAL2645 protein is shown to play a role in biofilm formation, adherence to mucins and invasion of human lung epithelial cells. The expression of the BCAL2645 protein was found to be increased in culture medium, mimicking the lungs of CF patients and microaerophilic conditions characteristic of the CF lung. Moreover, a polyclonal antibody raised against BCAL2645 was found to inhibit, by about 75 and 85%, the ability of B. cenocepacia K56-2 to bind and invade in vitro CFBE41o- human bronchial epithelial cells. These results highlight the potential of anti-BCAL2645 antibodies for the development of passive immunization therapies to protect CF patients against Bcc infections.
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A Histone-Like Nucleoid Structuring Protein Regulates Several Virulence Traits in Burkholderia multivorans. Appl Environ Microbiol 2021; 87:e0036921. [PMID: 33931418 PMCID: PMC8231446 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00369-21] [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] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Burkholderia cepacia complex bacteria comprise opportunistic pathogens causing chronic respiratory infections in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. These microorganisms produce an exopolysaccharide named cepacian, which is considered a virulence determinant. To find genes implicated in the regulation of cepacian biosynthesis, we characterized an evolved nonmucoid variant (17616nmv) derived from the ancestor, Burkholderia multivorans ATCC 17616, after prolonged stationary phase. Lack of cepacian biosynthesis was correlated with downregulation of the expression of bce genes implicated in its biosynthesis. Furthermore, genome sequencing of the variant identified the transposition of the mobile element IS406 upstream of the coding sequence of an hns-like gene (Bmul_0158) encoding a histone-like nucleoid structuring (H-NS) protein, a known global transcriptional repressor. This insertion sequence (IS) element upregulated the expression of Bmul_0158 by 4-fold. Transcriptome analysis identified the global effects of this mutation on gene expression, with major changes in genes implicated in motility, pilus synthesis, type VI secretion, and chromosome-associated functions. Concomitant with these differences, the nonmucoid variant displays reduced adherence to a CF lung bronchial cell line and reduced surface hydrophobicity and forms smaller cellular aggregates but has an increase in swimming and swarming motilities. Finally, analysis of the GC content of the upstream region of differentially expressed genes led to the identification of various genomic regions, possibly acquired by horizontal gene transfer, which were transcriptionally repressed by the increased expression of the Bmul_0158 gene in the 17616nmv strain. Taken together, the results revealed a significant role for this H-NS protein in the regulation of B. multivorans persistence- and virulence-associated genes. IMPORTANCE Members of the histone-like nucleoid structuring (H-NS) family of proteins, present in many bacteria, are important global regulators of gene expression. Many of the regulated genes were acquired horizontally and include pathogenicity islands and prophages, among others. Additionally, H-NS can play a structural role by bridging and compacting DNA, fulfilling a crucial role in cell physiology. Several virulence phenotypes have been frequently identified in several bacteria as dependent on H-NS activity. Here, we describe an H-NS-like protein of the opportunistic pathogen Burkholderia multivorans, a species commonly infecting the respiratory tract of cystic fibrosis patients. Our results indicate that this protein is involved in regulating virulence traits such as exopolysaccharide biosynthesis, adhesion to biotic surfaces, cellular aggregation, and motility. Furthermore, this H-NS-like protein is one out of eight orthologs present in the B. multivorans ATCC 17616 genome, posing relevant questions to be investigated on how these proteins coordinate the expression of virulence traits.
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Srisanga K, Suthapot P, Permsirivisarn P, Govitrapong P, Tungpradabkul S, Wongtrakoongate P. Polyphosphate kinase 1 of Burkholderia pseudomallei controls quorum sensing, RpoS and host cell invasion. J Proteomics 2019; 194:14-24. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2018.12.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2018] [Revised: 12/16/2018] [Accepted: 12/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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The OmpR Regulator of Burkholderia multivorans Controls Mucoid-to-Nonmucoid Transition and Other Cell Envelope Properties Associated with Persistence in the Cystic Fibrosis Lung. J Bacteriol 2018; 200:JB.00216-18. [PMID: 29914989 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00216-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2018] [Accepted: 06/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteria from the Burkholderia cepacia complex grow in different natural and man-made environments and are feared opportunistic pathogens that cause chronic respiratory infections in cystic fibrosis patients. Previous studies showed that Burkholderia mucoid clinical isolates grown under stress conditions give rise to nonmucoid variants devoid of the exopolysaccharide cepacian. Here, we determined that a major cause of the nonmucoid morphotype involves nonsynonymous mutations and small indels in the ompR gene encoding a response regulator of a two-component regulatory system. In trans complementation of nonmucoid variants (NMVs) with the native gene restored exopolysaccharide production. The loss of functional Burkholderia multivorans OmpR had positive effects on growth, adhesion to lung epithelial cells, and biofilm formation in high-osmolarity medium, as well as an increase in swimming and swarming motilities. In contrast, phenotypes such as antibiotic resistance, biofilm formation at low osmolarity, and virulence in Galleria mellonella were compromised by the absence of functional OmpR. Transcriptomic studies indicated that loss of the ompR gene affects the expression of 701 genes, many associated with outer membrane composition, motility, stress response, iron acquisition, and the uptake of nutrients, consistent with starvation tolerance. Since the stresses here imposed on B. multivorans may strongly resemble the ones found in the cystic fibrosis (CF) airways and mutations in the ompR gene from longitudinally collected CF isolates have been found, this regulator might be important for the production of NMVs in the CF environment.IMPORTANCE Within the cystic fibrosis (CF) lung, bacteria experience high-osmolarity conditions due to an ion unbalance resulting from defects in CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein activity in epithelial cells. Understanding how bacterial CF pathogens thrive in this environment might help the development of new therapeutic interventions to prevent chronic respiratory infections. Here, we show that the OmpR response regulator of one of the species found in CF respiratory infections, Burkholderia multivorans, is involved in the emergence of nonmucoid colony variants and is important for osmoadaptation by regulating several cell envelope components. Specifically, genetic, phenotypic, genomic, and transcriptomic approaches uncover OmpR as a regulator of cell wall remodeling under stress conditions, with implications in several phenotypes such as exopolysaccharide production, motility, antibiotic resistance, adhesion, and virulence.
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Cullen L, O'Connor A, Drevinek P, Schaffer K, McClean S. Sequential Burkholderia cenocepacia Isolates from Siblings with Cystic Fibrosis Show Increased Lung Cell Attachment. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2017; 195:832-835. [PMID: 28294652 DOI: 10.1164/rccm.201607-1360le] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Louise Cullen
- 1 Institute of Technology Tallaght Tallaght, Ireland
| | | | - Pavel Drevinek
- 2 Motol University Hospital Prague, Czech Republic.,3 Charles University Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Kirsten Schaffer
- 4 St. Vincent's University Hospital Elm Park, Dublin, Ireland and
| | - Siobhán McClean
- 1 Institute of Technology Tallaght Tallaght, Ireland.,5 University College Dublin Dublin, Ireland
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Regulator LdhR and d-Lactate Dehydrogenase LdhA of Burkholderia multivorans Play Roles in Carbon Overflow and in Planktonic Cellular Aggregate Formation. Appl Environ Microbiol 2017; 83:AEM.01343-17. [PMID: 28733286 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01343-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2017] [Accepted: 07/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
LysR-type transcriptional regulators (LTTRs) are the most commonly found regulators in Burkholderia cepacia complex, comprising opportunistic pathogens causing chronic respiratory infections in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Despite LTTRs being global regulators of pathogenicity in several types of bacteria, few have been characterized in Burkholderia Here, we show that gene ldhR of B. multivorans encoding an LTTR is cotranscribed with ldhA encoding a d-lactate dehydrogenase and evaluate their implication in virulence traits such as exopolysaccharide (EPS) synthesis and biofilm formation. A comparison of the wild type (WT) and its isogenic ΔldhR mutant grown in medium with 2% d-glucose revealed a negative impact on EPS biosynthesis and on cell viability in the presence of LdhR. The loss of viability in WT cells was caused by intracellular acidification as a consequence of the cumulative secretion of organic acids, including d-lactate, which was absent from the ΔldhR mutant supernatant. Furthermore, LdhR is implicated in the formation of planktonic cellular aggregates. WT cell aggregates reached 1,000 μm in size after 24 h in liquid cultures, in contrast to ΔldhR mutant aggregates that never grew more than 60 μm. The overexpression of d-lactate dehydrogenase LdhA in the ΔldhR mutant partially restored the formed aggregate size, suggesting a role for fermentation inside aggregates. Similar results were obtained for surface-attached biofilms, with WT cells producing more biofilm. A systematic evaluation of planktonic aggregates in Burkholderia CF clinical isolates showed aggregates in 40 of 74. As CF patients' lung environments are microaerophilic and bacteria are found as free aggregates/biofilms, LdhR and LdhA might have central roles in adapting to this environment.IMPORTANCE Cystic fibrosis patients often suffer from chronic respiratory infections caused by several types of microorganisms. Among them are the Burkholderia cepacia complex bacteria, which cause progressive deterioration of lung function that, in some patients, might develop into fatal necrotizing pneumoniae with bacteremia, known as "cepacia syndrome." Burkholderia pathogenesis is multifactorial as they express several virulence factors, form biofilms, and are highly resistant to antimicrobial compounds, making their eradication from the CF patients' airways very difficult. As Burkholderia is commonly found in CF lungs in the form of cell aggregates and biofilms, the need to investigate the mechanisms of cellular aggregation is obvious. In this study, we demonstrate the importance of a d-lactate dehydrogenase and a regulator in regulating carbon overflow, cellular aggregates, and surface-attached biofilm formation. This not only enhances our understanding of Burkholderia pathogenesis but can also lead to the development of drugs against these proteins to circumvent biofilm formation.
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Long-Term Evolution of Burkholderia multivorans during a Chronic Cystic Fibrosis Infection Reveals Shifting Forces of Selection. mSystems 2016; 1:mSystems00029-16. [PMID: 27822534 PMCID: PMC5069766 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00029-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2016] [Accepted: 04/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Burkholderia multivorans is an opportunistic pathogen capable of causing severe disease in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Patients may be chronically infected for years, during which the bacterial population evolves in response to unknown forces. Here we analyze the genomic and functional evolution of a B. multivorans infection that was sequentially sampled from a CF patient over 20 years. The population diversified into at least four primary, coexisting clades with distinct evolutionary dynamics. The average substitution rate was only 2.4 mutations/year, but notably, some lineages evolved more slowly, whereas one diversified more rapidly by mostly nonsynonymous mutations. Ten loci, mostly involved in gene expression regulation and lipid metabolism, acquired three or more independent mutations and define likely targets of selection. Further, a broad range of phenotypes changed in association with the evolved mutations; they included antimicrobial resistance, biofilm regulation, and the presentation of lipopolysaccharide O-antigen repeats, which was directly caused by evolved mutations. Additionally, early isolates acquired mutations in genes involved in cyclic di-GMP (c-di-GMP) metabolism that associated with increased c-di-GMP intracellular levels. Accordingly, these isolates showed lower motility and increased biofilm formation and adhesion to CFBE41o- epithelial cells than the initial isolate, and each of these phenotypes is an important trait for bacterial persistence. The timing of the emergence of this clade of more adherent genotypes correlated with the period of greatest decline in the patient's lung function. All together, our observations suggest that selection on B. multivorans populations during long-term colonization of CF patient lungs either directly or indirectly targets adherence, metabolism, and changes in the cell envelope related to adaptation to the biofilm lifestyle. IMPORTANCE Bacteria may become genetically and phenotypically diverse during long-term colonization of cystic fibrosis (CF) patient lungs, yet our understanding of within-host evolutionary processes during these infections is lacking. Here we combined current genome sequencing technologies and detailed phenotypic profiling of the opportunistic pathogen Burkholderia multivorans using sequential isolates sampled from a CF patient over 20 years. The evolutionary history of these isolates highlighted bacterial genes and pathways that were likely subject to strong selection within the host and were associated with altered phenotypes, such as biofilm production, motility, and antimicrobial resistance. Importantly, multiple lineages coexisted for years or even decades within the infection, and the period of diversification within the dominant lineage was associated with deterioration of the patient's lung function. Identifying traits under strong selection during chronic infection not only sheds new light onto Burkholderia evolution but also sets the stage for tailored therapeutics targeting the prevailing lineages associated with disease progression.
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Power RF, Linnane B, Martin R, Power N, Harnett P, Casserly B, O'Connell NH, Dunne CP. The first reported case of Burkholderia contaminans in patients with cystic fibrosis in Ireland: from the Sargasso Sea to Irish Children. BMC Pulm Med 2016; 16:57. [PMID: 27103163 PMCID: PMC4840893 DOI: 10.1186/s12890-016-0219-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2016] [Accepted: 04/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Burkholderia contaminans is an emerging pathogen in the cystic fibrosis (CF) setting. Included in the Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc), B. contaminans is a Gram negative, motile, obligate aerobe previously classified as a pseudomonad. Previous reports have described B. contaminans isolation from patients in Portugal, Switzerland, Spain, Argentina and the USA. This, however, is the first report relating to B. contaminans affecting Irish patients with CF, initially detected in a paediatric setting. Case presentation Burkholderia contaminans was identified in the routine analysis of sputum from a fourteen year old boy, at his annual review and subsequently from the sputum from his 19 year old brother. RecA gene sequencing and pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) were unable to distinguish between the isolates, which demonstrated with susceptibility to ciprofloxacin, cotrimoxazole, meropenem, pipercillin/tazobactam and ceftazidime. Both isolates were resistant to aztreonam, with reduced susceptibility to tobramycin. Following treatment with intravenous meropenem and ceftazidime, oral ciprofloxacin and nebulised tobramycin for 6 weeks, sputum specimens from both patients were negative for B. contaminans. No other member of the local CF cohort proved positive. Conclusions Bcc bacteria are associated with poor prognosis in CF and decreased life expectancy, specifically leading to a more rapid decline in lung function and, in some cases, to a fatal necrotizing pneumonia known as the “cepacia syndrome”. Some species exhibit innate resistance to multiple antimicrobial agents and their transmission rate can be high in susceptible patients. In that context, we describe the first incidence of CF-related B. contaminans in Ireland and its successful eradication from two patients, one paediatric, using an aggressive antimicrobial regimen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel F Power
- Graduate Entry Medical School and Centre for Interventions in Infection, Inflammation & Immunity (4i), University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.,University Hospital Limerick, Dooradoyle, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Barry Linnane
- Graduate Entry Medical School and Centre for Interventions in Infection, Inflammation & Immunity (4i), University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.,University Hospital Limerick, Dooradoyle, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Ruth Martin
- University Hospital Limerick, Dooradoyle, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Noelle Power
- University Hospital Limerick, Dooradoyle, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Peig Harnett
- University Hospital Limerick, Dooradoyle, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Brian Casserly
- Graduate Entry Medical School and Centre for Interventions in Infection, Inflammation & Immunity (4i), University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.,University Hospital Limerick, Dooradoyle, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Nuala H O'Connell
- Graduate Entry Medical School and Centre for Interventions in Infection, Inflammation & Immunity (4i), University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.,University Hospital Limerick, Dooradoyle, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Colum P Dunne
- Graduate Entry Medical School and Centre for Interventions in Infection, Inflammation & Immunity (4i), University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
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Mijakovic I, Grangeasse C, Turgay K. Exploring the diversity of protein modifications: special bacterial phosphorylation systems. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2016; 40:398-417. [PMID: 26926353 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuw003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2015] [Accepted: 02/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein modifications not only affect protein homeostasis but can also establish new cellular protein functions and are important components of complex cellular signal sensing and transduction networks. Among these post-translational modifications, protein phosphorylation represents the one that has been most thoroughly investigated. Unlike in eukarya, a large diversity of enzyme families has been shown to phosphorylate and dephosphorylate proteins on various amino acids with different chemical properties in bacteria. In this review, after a brief overview of the known bacterial phosphorylation systems, we focus on more recently discovered and less widely known kinases and phosphatases. Namely, we describe in detail tyrosine- and arginine-phosphorylation together with some examples of unusual serine-phosphorylation systems and discuss their potential role and function in bacterial physiology, and regulatory networks. Investigating these unusual bacterial kinase and phosphatases is not only important to understand their role in bacterial physiology but will help to generally understand the full potential and evolution of protein phosphorylation for signal transduction, protein modification and homeostasis in all cellular life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Mijakovic
- Systems and Synthetic Biology Division, Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg 41296, Sweden Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, 2970 Hørsholm, Denmark
| | - Christophe Grangeasse
- Unité Microbiologie Moléculaire et Biochimie Structurale, UMR 5086-CNRS/ Université Lyon 1, Lyon 69367, France
| | - Kürşad Turgay
- Institut für Mikrobiologie, Leibniz Universität Hannover, D-30419 Hannover, Germany
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Miller RR, Hird TJ, Tang P, Zlosnik JEA. Whole-Genome Sequencing of Three Clonal Clinical Isolates of B. cenocepacia from a Patient with Cystic Fibrosis. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0143472. [PMID: 26599356 PMCID: PMC4658001 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0143472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2015] [Accepted: 11/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Burkholderia cepacia complex bacteria are amongst the most feared of pathogens in cystic fibrosis (CF). The BCC comprises at least 20 distinct species that can cause chronic and unpredictable lung infections in CF. Historically the species B. cenocepacia has been the most prevalent in CF infections and has been associated in some centers with high rates of mortality. Modeling chronic infection by B. cenocepacia in the laboratory is challenging and no models exist which effectively recapitulate CF disease caused by BCC bacteria. Therefore our understanding of factors that contribute towards the morbidity and mortality caused by this organism is limited. In this study we used whole-genome sequencing to examine the evolution of 3 clonal clinical isolates of B. cenocepacia from a patient with cystic fibrosis. The first isolate was from the beginning of infection, and the second two almost 10 years later during the final year of the patients’ life. These isolates also demonstrated phenotypic heterogeneity, with the first isolate displaying the mucoid phenotype (conferred by the overproduction of exopolysaccharide), while one of the later two was nonmucoid. In addition we also sequenced a nonmucoid derivative of the initial mucoid isolate, acquired in the laboratory by antibiotic pressure. Examination of sequence data revealed that the two late stage isolates shared 20 variant nucleotides in common compared to the early isolate. However, despite their isolation within 10 months of one another, there was also considerable variation between the late stage isolates, including 42 single nucleotide variants and three deletions. Additionally, no sequence differences were identified between the initial mucoid isolate and its laboratory acquired nonmucoid derivative, however transcript analysis indicated at least partial down regulation of genes involved in exopolysaccharide production. Our study examines the progression of B. cenocepacia throughout chronic infection, including establishment of sub-populations likely evolved from the original isolate, suggestive of parallel evolution. Additionally, the lack of sequence differences between two of the isolates with differing mucoid phenotypes suggests that other factors, such as gene regulation, come into play in establishing the mucoid phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth R. Miller
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, University of British Columbia, Canada, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Trevor J. Hird
- Centre for Understanding and Preventing Infection in Children, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Patrick Tang
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, University of British Columbia, Canada, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - James E. A. Zlosnik
- Centre for Understanding and Preventing Infection in Children, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- * E-mail:
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Tyrosine Phosphorylation and Dephosphorylation in Burkholderia cenocepacia Affect Biofilm Formation, Growth under Nutritional Deprivation, and Pathogenicity. Appl Environ Microbiol 2015; 82:843-56. [PMID: 26590274 DOI: 10.1128/aem.03513-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2015] [Accepted: 11/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Burkholderia cenocepacia, a member of the B. cepacia complex (Bcc), is an opportunistic pathogen causing serious chronic infections in patients with cystic fibrosis. Tyrosine phosphorylation has emerged as an important posttranslational modification modulating the physiology and pathogenicity of Bcc bacteria. Here, we investigated the predicted bacterial tyrosine kinases BCAM1331 and BceF and the low-molecular-weight protein tyrosine phosphatases BCAM0208, BceD, and BCAL2200 of B. cenocepacia K56-2. We show that BCAM1331, BceF, BCAM0208, and BceD contribute to biofilm formation, while BCAL2200 is required for growth under nutrient-limited conditions. Multiple deletions of either tyrosine kinase or low-molecular-weight protein tyrosine phosphatase genes resulted in the attenuation of B. cenocepacia intramacrophage survival and reduced pathogenicity in the Galleria mellonella larval infection model. Experimental evidence indicates that BCAM1331 displays reduced tyrosine autophosphorylation activity compared to that of BceF. With the artificial substrate p-nitrophenyl phosphate, the phosphatase activities of the three low-molecular-weight protein tyrosine phosphatases demonstrated similar kinetic parameters. However, only BCAM0208 and BceD could dephosphorylate BceF. Further, BCAL2200 became tyrosine phosphorylated in vivo and catalyzed its autodephosphorylation. Together, our data suggest that despite having similar biochemical activities, low-molecular-weight protein tyrosine phosphatases and tyrosine kinases have both overlapping and specific roles in the physiology of B. cenocepacia.
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David J, Bell RE, Clark GC. Mechanisms of Disease: Host-Pathogen Interactions between Burkholderia Species and Lung Epithelial Cells. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2015; 5:80. [PMID: 26636042 PMCID: PMC4649042 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2015.00080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2015] [Accepted: 10/30/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Members of the Burkholderia species can cause a range of severe, often fatal, respiratory diseases. A variety of in vitro models of infection have been developed in an attempt to elucidate the mechanism by which Burkholderia spp. gain entry to and interact with the body. The majority of studies have tended to focus on the interaction of bacteria with phagocytic cells with a paucity of information available with regard to the lung epithelium. However, the lung epithelium is becoming more widely recognized as an important player in innate immunity and the early response to infections. Here we review the complex relationship between Burkholderia species and epithelial cells with an emphasis on the most pathogenic species, Burkholderia pseudomallei and Burkholderia mallei. The current gaps in knowledge in our understanding are highlighted along with the epithelial host-pathogen interactions that offer potential opportunities for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan David
- Microbiology, Biomedical Sciences, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory Salisbury, UK
| | - Rachel E Bell
- Microbiology, Biomedical Sciences, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory Salisbury, UK ; Division of Immunology, Infection and Inflammatory Disease, Centre for Molecular and Cellular Biology of Inflammation, King's College London London, UK
| | - Graeme C Clark
- Microbiology, Biomedical Sciences, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory Salisbury, UK
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