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Peng M, Xu Y, Dou B, Yang F, He Q, Liu Z, Gao T, Liu W, Yang K, Guo R, Li C, Tian Y, Zhou D, Bei W, Yuan F. The adcA and lmb Genes Play an Important Role in Drug Resistance and Full Virulence of Streptococcus suis. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0433722. [PMID: 37212676 PMCID: PMC10269787 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.04337-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus suis is an recognized zoonotic pathogen of swine and severely threatens human health. Zinc is the second most abundant transition metal in biological systems. Here, we investigated the contribution of zinc to the drug resistance and pathogenesis of S. suis. We knocked out the genes of AdcACB and Lmb, two Zn-binding lipoproteins. Compared to the wild-type strain, we found that the survival rate of this double-mutant strain (ΔadcAΔlmb) was reduced in Zinc-limited medium, but not in Zinc-supplemented medium. Additionally, phenotypic experiments showed that the ΔadcAΔlmb strain displayed impaired adhesion to and invasion of cells, biofilm formation, and tolerance of cell envelope-targeting antibiotics. In a murine infection model, deletion of the adcA and lmb genes in S. suis resulted in a significant decrease in strain virulence, including survival rate, tissue bacterial load, inflammatory cytokine levels, and histopathological damage. These findings show that AdcA and Lmb are important for biofilm formation, drug resistance, and virulence in S. suis. IMPORTANCE Transition metals are important micronutrients for bacterial growth. Zn is necessary for the catalytic activity and structural integrity of various metalloproteins involved in bacterial pathogenic processes. However, how these invaders adapt to host-imposed metal starvation and overcome nutritional immunity remains unknown. Thus, pathogenic bacteria must acquire Zn during infection in order to successfully survive and multiply. The host uses nutritional immunity to limit the uptake of Zn by the invading bacteria. The bacterium uses a set of high-affinity Zn uptake systems to overcome this host metal restriction. Here, we identified two Zn uptake transporters in S. suis, AdcA and Lmb, by bioinformatics analysis and found that an adcA and lmb double-mutant strain could not grow in Zn-deficient medium and was more sensitive to cell envelope-targeting antibiotics. It is worth noting that the Zn uptake system is essential for biofilm formation, drug resistance, and virulence in S. suis. The Zn uptake system is expected to be a target for the development of novel antimicrobial therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingzheng Peng
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control Agents for Animal Bacteriosis (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs), Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Pathogenic Microbiology, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, China
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuanyuan Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Beibei Dou
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Fengming Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Qiyun He
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zewen Liu
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control Agents for Animal Bacteriosis (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs), Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Pathogenic Microbiology, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Ting Gao
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control Agents for Animal Bacteriosis (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs), Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Pathogenic Microbiology, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control Agents for Animal Bacteriosis (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs), Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Pathogenic Microbiology, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Keli Yang
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control Agents for Animal Bacteriosis (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs), Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Pathogenic Microbiology, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Rui Guo
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control Agents for Animal Bacteriosis (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs), Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Pathogenic Microbiology, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Chang Li
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control Agents for Animal Bacteriosis (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs), Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Pathogenic Microbiology, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Yongxiang Tian
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control Agents for Animal Bacteriosis (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs), Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Pathogenic Microbiology, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Danna Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control Agents for Animal Bacteriosis (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs), Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Pathogenic Microbiology, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Weicheng Bei
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan, China
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- Guangxi Yangxiang Co. Ltd., Guangxi, China
| | - Fangyan Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control Agents for Animal Bacteriosis (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs), Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Pathogenic Microbiology, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, China
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Zafar MA, Costa-Terryl A, Young TM. The Two-Component System YesMN Promotes Pneumococcal Host-to-Host Transmission and Regulates Genes Involved in Zinc Homeostasis. Infect Immun 2023; 91:e0037522. [PMID: 36537790 PMCID: PMC9872629 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00375-22] [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: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The ability to sense and respond rapidly to the dynamic environment of the upper respiratory tract (URT) makes Streptococcus pneumoniae (Spn) a highly successful human pathogen. Two-component systems (TCSs) of Spn sense and respond to multiple signals it encounters allowing Spn to adapt and thrive in various host sites. Spn TCS have been implicated in their ability to promote pneumococcal colonization of the URT and virulence. As the disease state can be a dead-end for a pathogen, we considered whether TCS would contribute to pneumococcal transmission. Herein, we determined the role of YesMN, an understudied TCS of Spn, and observe that YesMN contributes toward pneumococcal shedding and transmission but is not essential for colonization. The YesMN regulon includes genes involved in zinc homeostasis and glycan metabolism, which are upregulated during reduced zinc availability in a YesMN-dependent fashion. Thus, we identified the YesMN regulon and a potential molecular signal it senses that lead to the activation of genes involved in zinc homeostasis and glycan metabolism. Furthermore, in contrast to Spn monoinfection, we demonstrate that YesMN is critical for high pneumococcal density in the URT during influenza A virus (IAV) coinfection. We attribute reduced colonization of the yesMN mutant possibly due to increased association with and clearance by the mucus covering the URT epithelial surface. Thus, our results highlight the dynamic interactions that occur between Spn and IAV in the URT, and the role that TCSs play in modulation of these interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Ammar Zafar
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Alicia Costa-Terryl
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Taylor M. Young
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
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Dysregulation of Streptococcus pneumoniae zinc homeostasis breaks ampicillin resistance in a pneumonia infection model. Cell Rep 2022; 38:110202. [PMID: 35021083 PMCID: PMC9084593 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.110202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus pneumoniae is the primary cause of community-acquired bacterial pneumonia with rates of penicillin and multidrug-resistance exceeding 80% and 40%, respectively. The innate immune response generates a variety of antimicrobial agents to control infection, including zinc stress. Here, we characterize the impact of zinc intoxication on S. pneumoniae, observing disruptions in central carbon metabolism, lipid biogenesis, and peptidoglycan biosynthesis. Characterization of the pivotal peptidoglycan biosynthetic enzyme GlmU indicates a sensitivity to zinc inhibition. Disruption of the sole zinc efflux pathway, czcD, renders S. pneumoniae highly susceptible to β-lactam antibiotics. To dysregulate zinc homeostasis in the wild-type strain, we investigated the safe-for-human-use ionophore 5,7-dichloro-2-[(dimethylamino)methyl]quinolin-8-ol (PBT2). PBT2 rendered wild-type S. pneumoniae strains sensitive to a range of antibiotics. Using an invasive ampicillin-resistant strain, we demonstrate in a murine pneumonia infection model the efficacy of PBT2 + ampicillin treatment. These findings present a therapeutic modality to break antibiotic resistance in multidrug-resistant S. pneumoniae.
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Abstract
Evidence for the importance of zinc for all immune cells and for mounting an efficient and balanced immune response to various environmental stressors has been accumulating in recent years. This article describes the role of zinc in fundamental biological processes and summarizes our current knowledge of zinc's effect on hematopoiesis, including differentiation into immune cell subtypes. In addition, the important role of zinc during activation and function of immune cells is detailed and associated with the specific immune responses to bacteria, parasites, and viruses. The association of zinc with autoimmune reactions and cancers as diseases with increased or decreased immune responses is also discussed. This article provides a broad overview of the manifold roles that zinc, or its deficiency, plays in physiology and during various diseases. Consequently, we discuss why zinc supplementation should be considered, especially for people at risk of deficiency. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Nutrition, Volume 41 is September 2021. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inga Wessels
- Institute of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany;
| | | | - Lothar Rink
- Institute of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany;
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Smith HC, German E, Ferreira DM, Rylance J. Nasopharyngeal colonisation with Streptococcus pneumoniae in malnourished children: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prevalence. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2020; 113:227-233. [PMID: 30624761 DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/try139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2018] [Revised: 12/03/2018] [Accepted: 12/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Streptococcus pneumoniae is an intermittent commensal organism in the nasopharynx. Colonisation is a prerequisite for disease and malnourished children are especially susceptible to severe infection. This systematic review examines published prevalence rates of pneumococcal colonisation in the upper respiratory tract of chronically malnourished children <5 y of age. METHODS A systematic literature search was performed using MEDLINE, PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus. After screening, relevant studies were assessed for quality using Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology criteria. Colonisation data were extracted and a random effects model was used to pool prevalence estimates. RESULTS Nine studies were included. The prevalence rate of S. pneumoniae colonisation in malnourished children during the first month of life ranged from 1.0 to 2.0%, increasing at 2 mo to 53.9-80.0%. Carriage remained similar from 3 to 60 mo at 64.1-88.0%. Meta-analysis showed a pooled prevalence of 67.2% in infants 0-3 mo of age (95% confidence interval [CI] 55.6 to 78.7), 77.9% in infants 3-6 mo of age (95% CI 68.1 to 87.7) and 77.8% in infants 6-60 mo of age (95% CI 73.9-81.6%). CONCLUSIONS In malnourished children, it is plausible that rates of pneumococcal colonisation are higher than in healthy, well-nourished children. Knowledge of colonisation rates can inform policies on vaccination and ancillary interventions during treatment of malnutrition. Future studies should assess the impact of reducing colonisation on disease rates or transmission in these 'at-risk' individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holly C Smith
- School of Medicine, University of Liverpool, Ashton Street, Liverpool, UK
| | - Esther German
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, UK
| | - Daniela M Ferreira
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, UK
| | - Jamie Rylance
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, UK.,Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Programme, Chichiri, Blantyre, Malawi
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Skalny AV, Rink L, Ajsuvakova OP, Aschner M, Gritsenko VA, Alekseenko SI, Svistunov AA, Petrakis D, Spandidos DA, Aaseth J, Tsatsakis A, Tinkov AA. Zinc and respiratory tract infections: Perspectives for COVID‑19 (Review). Int J Mol Med 2020; 46:17-26. [PMID: 32319538 PMCID: PMC7255455 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2020.4575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 211] [Impact Index Per Article: 52.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
In view of the emerging COVID‑19 pandemic caused by SARS‑CoV‑2 virus, the search for potential protective and therapeutic antiviral strategies is of particular and urgent interest. Zinc is known to modulate antiviral and antibacterial immunity and regulate inflammatory response. Despite the lack of clinical data, certain indications suggest that modulation of zinc status may be beneficial in COVID‑19. In vitro experiments demonstrate that Zn2+ possesses antiviral activity through inhibition of SARS‑CoV RNA polymerase. This effect may underlie therapeutic efficiency of chloroquine known to act as zinc ionophore. Indirect evidence also indicates that Zn2+ may decrease the activity of angiotensin‑converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), known to be the receptor for SARS‑CoV‑2. Improved antiviral immunity by zinc may also occur through up‑regulation of interferon α production and increasing its antiviral activity. Zinc possesses anti‑inflammatory activity by inhibiting NF‑κB signaling and modulation of regulatory T‑cell functions that may limit the cytokine storm in COVID‑19. Improved Zn status may also reduce the risk of bacterial co‑infection by improving mucociliary clearance and barrier function of the respiratory epithelium, as well as direct antibacterial effects against S. pneumoniae. Zinc status is also tightly associated with risk factors for severe COVID‑19 including ageing, immune deficiency, obesity, diabetes, and atherosclerosis, since these are known risk groups for zinc deficiency. Therefore, Zn may possess protective effect as preventive and adjuvant therapy of COVID‑19 through reducing inflammation, improvement of mucociliary clearance, prevention of ventilator‑induced lung injury, modulation of antiviral and antibacterial immunity. However, further clinical and experimental studies are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anatoly V. Skalny
- I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 119146 Moscow
- Yaroslavl State University, 150003 Yaroslavl, Russia
| | - Lothar Rink
- Institute of Immunology, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, D-52062 Aachen, Germany
| | - Olga P. Ajsuvakova
- Yaroslavl State University, 150003 Yaroslavl, Russia
- Federal Research Centre of Biological Systems and Agro-technologies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 460000 Orenburg, Russia
| | - Michael Aschner
- I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 119146 Moscow
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Viktor A. Gritsenko
- Institute of Cellular and Intracellular Symbiosis, Russian Academy of Sciences, 460000 Orenburg
| | - Svetlana I. Alekseenko
- I.I. Mechnikov North-Western State Medical University, 191015 St. Petersburg
- K.A. Rauhfus Children's City Multidisciplinary Clinical Center for High Medical Technologies, 191000 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Andrey A. Svistunov
- I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 119146 Moscow
| | | | - Demetrios A. Spandidos
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Medical School, University of Crete, 71409 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Jan Aaseth
- I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 119146 Moscow
- Research Department, Innlandet Hospital Trust, 3159894 Brumunddal, Norway
| | - Aristidis Tsatsakis
- I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 119146 Moscow
- Center of Toxicology Science and Research
| | - Alexey A. Tinkov
- I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 119146 Moscow
- Yaroslavl State University, 150003 Yaroslavl, Russia
- Institute of Cellular and Intracellular Symbiosis, Russian Academy of Sciences, 460000 Orenburg
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Eijkelkamp BA, Morey JR, Neville SL, Tan A, Pederick VG, Cole N, Singh PP, Ong CLY, Gonzalez de Vega R, Clases D, Cunningham BA, Hughes CE, Comerford I, Brazel EB, Whittall JJ, Plumptre CD, McColl SR, Paton JC, McEwan AG, Doble PA, McDevitt CA. Dietary zinc and the control of Streptococcus pneumoniae infection. PLoS Pathog 2019; 15:e1007957. [PMID: 31437249 PMCID: PMC6705770 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1007957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2018] [Accepted: 07/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Human zinc deficiency increases susceptibility to bacterial infection. Although zinc supplementation therapies can reduce the impact of disease, the molecular basis for protection remains unclear. Streptococcus pneumoniae is a major cause of bacterial pneumonia, which is prevalent in regions of zinc deficiency. We report that dietary zinc levels dictate the outcome of S. pneumoniae infection in a murine model. Dietary zinc restriction impacts murine tissue zinc levels with distribution post-infection altered, and S. pneumoniae virulence and infection enhanced. Although the activation and infiltration of murine phagocytic cells was not affected by zinc restriction, their efficacy of bacterial control was compromised. S. pneumoniae was shown to be highly sensitive to zinc intoxication, with this process impaired in zinc restricted mice and isolated phagocytic cells. Collectively, these data show how dietary zinc deficiency increases sensitivity to S. pneumoniae infection while revealing a role for zinc as a component of host antimicrobial defences. Zinc deficiency affects one-third of the world’s population and is associated with an increased susceptibility to bacterial infection. Despite this, the molecular basis for how zinc deficiency compromises host control of infection remains to be understood. We show that dietary zinc deficiency impacts host tissue zinc abundances and its mobilization during infection by the major respiratory pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae. Zinc acts as a direct antimicrobial against the pathogen, mobilized by phagocytic cells as a component of the innate immune response. Although immune activation and infiltration of phagocytic cells is unaffected by host zinc status, the lack of antimicrobial zinc compromises bacterial control in zinc deficient hosts. These findings highlight the importance of zinc sufficiency in resisting bacterial infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bart A Eijkelkamp
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, Department of Molecular and Biomedical Science, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Jacqueline R Morey
- Department of Molecular and Biomedical Science, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Stephanie L Neville
- Department of Molecular and Biomedical Science, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Aimee Tan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Victoria G Pederick
- Department of Molecular and Biomedical Science, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Nerida Cole
- The Atomic Medicine Initiative, University of Technology, Broadway, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,ARC Training Centre in Biodevices, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Technology, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia
| | - Prashina P Singh
- The Atomic Medicine Initiative, University of Technology, Broadway, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Cheryl-Lynn Y Ong
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Raquel Gonzalez de Vega
- The Atomic Medicine Initiative, University of Technology, Broadway, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - David Clases
- The Atomic Medicine Initiative, University of Technology, Broadway, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Bliss A Cunningham
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Catherine E Hughes
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, Department of Molecular and Biomedical Science, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Iain Comerford
- Department of Molecular and Biomedical Science, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Erin B Brazel
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, Department of Molecular and Biomedical Science, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Jonathan J Whittall
- Department of Molecular and Biomedical Science, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Charles D Plumptre
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, Department of Molecular and Biomedical Science, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Shaun R McColl
- Department of Molecular and Biomedical Science, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - James C Paton
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, Department of Molecular and Biomedical Science, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Alastair G McEwan
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Philip A Doble
- The Atomic Medicine Initiative, University of Technology, Broadway, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Christopher A McDevitt
- Department of Molecular and Biomedical Science, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Datta D, Namazzi R, Conroy AL, Cusick SE, Hume HA, Tagoola A, Ware RE, Opoka RO, John CC. Zinc for Infection Prevention in Sickle Cell Anemia (ZIPS): study protocol for a randomized placebo-controlled trial in Ugandan children with sickle cell anemia. Trials 2019; 20:460. [PMID: 31349866 PMCID: PMC6660664 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-019-3569-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Accepted: 07/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is the most common inherited hemoglobinopathy worldwide. Infection is a major cause of illness and death in children with SCA, especially in sub-Saharan Africa where an estimated 50-90% of affected children die before their fifth birthday. Interventions to reduce the incidence and severity of infections are needed urgently. A high proportion of adults and children with SCA are zinc-deficient, and zinc deficiency leads to impaired immunity and an increased risk of infection. Zinc supplementation has been shown to decrease the risk of infection in adolescents and adults, but there are no data on the effectiveness of zinc for prevention of infection in children < 5 years of age with SCA. METHODS/DESIGN The study will be a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial in which 250 Ugandan children 1.00-4.99 years of age with SCA will receive daily zinc supplementation (10 mg oral dispersible tablet) or identical placebo for 12 months. DISCUSSION If this trial shows a reduction in severe or invasive infection incidence, it would be the basis for a multi-site, multi-country clinical trial to assess real-world safety and efficacy of zinc in African children with SCA. Since zinc is safe, inexpensive, and easy to administer, this trial has the potential to improve the health of hundreds of thousands of African children with SCA through reduction of infection-related morbidity and mortality. TRIAL REGISTRATION Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT03528434. Registered on May 17, 2018 Protocol Version: 1.0. Date: Dec 11, 2017 Sponsor: Indiana University. Sponsor's protocol identifier, 1712339562.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dibyadyuti Datta
- Ryan White Center for Pediatric Infectious Disease and Global Health, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, 1044 W. Walnut St, R4 402D, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Ruth Namazzi
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Andrea L Conroy
- Ryan White Center for Pediatric Infectious Disease and Global Health, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, 1044 W. Walnut St, R4 402D, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Sarah E Cusick
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota School of Medicine, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | | | | | | | - Robert O Opoka
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Chandy C John
- Ryan White Center for Pediatric Infectious Disease and Global Health, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, 1044 W. Walnut St, R4 402D, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.
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9
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Pneumococcal vaccination for splenectomized patients with thalassemia major in Indonesia. Vaccine 2017; 35:4583-4586. [PMID: 28712490 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2017.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2017] [Revised: 06/25/2017] [Accepted: 07/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Streptococcus pneumoniae is a capsulated bacterium that can cause severe infection in patients with thalassemia major, particularly those who have undergone splenectomy. The absence of the spleen as well as zinc deficiency in splenectomized patients with thalassemia major increases the possibility of developing invasive pneumococcal infection. The aims of this study are to evaluate pneumococcal IgG levels following PCV and PPV immunizations and the effect of zinc supplementation on qualitative specific immune responses in splenectomized patients with thalassemia. METHODS Splenectomized patients with thalassemia major were administered a PCV pneumococcal vaccine (Prevenar 13®) at the start of the trial, after which they were randomly assigned to 2 groups (zinc and placebo group). After 8weeks, the patients received a PPV pneumococcal vaccine (Pneumovax®). Zinc syrup was provided to the zinc group at a dose of 1.5mg/kg/day (maximum of 50mg/day). Pneumococcal IgG examinations were conducted at the start of the trial and after 12weeks. RESULTS In the group without PPV, the median initial pneumococcal IgG value was 315 (ranging from 65 to 1419) mU/mL for the zinc group and 338.5 (ranging from 82 to 1648) mU/mL for the placebo group. The median final pneumococcal IgG value was 1812.5 (ranging from 834 to 2444) mU/mL for the zinc group and 2857.5 (ranging from 834 to 2624) for the placebo group. The increase in the pneumococcal IgG value between the two groups was comparable (p=0.642). In the group with previous PPV, the median initial pneumococcal IgG value was 1333 (ranging from 793 to 2031) mU/mL for the zinc group and 880 (ranging from 74 to 1686) mU/mL for the placebo group. The median final pneumococcal IgG value was 1487 (ranging from 635 to 1757) mU/mL for the zinc group and 1012 (ranging from 292 to 1732) mU/mL for the placebo group. The increase in the pneumococcal IgG value between the two groups was comparable (p=0.528). CONCLUSION There is no difference in the increase in pneumococcal IgG level in splenectomized patients with thalassemia major prior to and after receiving PPV. There were no differences observed in the development of pneumococcal IgG following zinc supplementation.
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Barwinska-Sendra A, Waldron KJ. The Role of Intermetal Competition and Mis-Metalation in Metal Toxicity. Adv Microb Physiol 2017; 70:315-379. [PMID: 28528650 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ampbs.2017.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
The metals manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper and zinc are essential for almost all bacteria, but their precise metal requirements vary by species, by ecological niche and by growth condition. Bacteria thus must acquire each of these essential elements in sufficient quantity to satisfy their cellular demand, but in excess these same elements are toxic. Metal toxicity has been exploited by humanity for centuries, and by the mammalian immune system for far longer, yet the mechanisms by which these elements cause toxicity to bacteria are not fully understood. There has been a resurgence of interest in metal toxicity in recent decades due to the problematic spread of antibiotic resistance amongst bacterial pathogens, which has led to an increased research effort to understand these toxicity mechanisms at the molecular level. A recurring theme from these studies is the role of intermetal competition in bacterial metal toxicity. In this review, we first survey biological metal usage and introduce some fundamental chemical concepts that are important for understanding bacterial metal usage and toxicity. Then we introduce a simple model by which to understand bacterial metal homeostasis in terms of the distribution of each essential metal ion within cellular 'pools', and dissect how these pools interact with each other and with key proteins of bacterial metal homeostasis. Finally, using a number of key examples from the recent literature, we look at specific metal toxicity mechanisms in model bacteria, demonstrating the role of metal-metal competition in the toxicity mechanisms of diverse essential metals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Barwinska-Sendra
- Institute for Cell & Molecular Biosciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Kevin J Waldron
- Institute for Cell & Molecular Biosciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.
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Abstract
Transition metals are required trace elements for all forms of life. Due to their unique inorganic and redox properties, transition metals serve as cofactors for enzymes and other proteins. In bacterial pathogenesis, the vertebrate host represents a rich source of nutrient metals, and bacteria have evolved diverse metal acquisition strategies. Host metal homeostasis changes dramatically in response to bacterial infections, including production of metal sequestering proteins and the bombardment of bacteria with toxic levels of metals. In response, bacteria have evolved systems to subvert metal sequestration and toxicity. The coevolution of hosts and their bacterial pathogens in the battle for metals has uncovered emerging paradigms in social microbiology, rapid evolution, host specificity, and metal homeostasis across domains. This review focuses on recent advances and open questions in our understanding of the complex role of transition metals at the host-pathogen interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren D Palmer
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37212;
| | - Eric P Skaar
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37212;
- Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, US Department of Veterans Affairs, Nashville, Tennessee 37212
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12
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Maares M, Haase H. Zinc and immunity: An essential interrelation. Arch Biochem Biophys 2016; 611:58-65. [PMID: 27021581 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2016.03.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 182] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2016] [Revised: 03/16/2016] [Accepted: 03/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The significance of the essential trace element zinc for immune function has been known for several decades. Zinc deficiency affects immune cells, resulting in altered host defense, increased risk of inflammation, and even death. The micronutrient zinc is important for maintenance and development of immune cells of both the innate and adaptive immune system. A disrupted zinc homeostasis affects these cells, leading to impaired formation, activation, and maturation of lymphocytes, disturbed intercellular communication via cytokines, and weakened innate host defense via phagocytosis and oxidative burst. This review outlines the connection between zinc and immunity by giving a survey on the major roles of zinc in immune cell function, and their potential consequences in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Maares
- Department of Food Chemistry and Toxicology, Berlin Institute of Technology, Gustav-Meyer-Allee 25, D-13355 Berlin, Germany
| | - Hajo Haase
- Department of Food Chemistry and Toxicology, Berlin Institute of Technology, Gustav-Meyer-Allee 25, D-13355 Berlin, Germany.
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Brown LR, Gunnell SM, Cassella AN, Keller LE, Scherkenbach LA, Mann B, Brown MW, Hill R, Fitzkee NC, Rosch JW, Tuomanen EI, Thornton JA. AdcAII of Streptococcus pneumoniae Affects Pneumococcal Invasiveness. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0146785. [PMID: 26752283 PMCID: PMC4709005 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0146785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2015] [Accepted: 12/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Across bacterial species, metal binding proteins can serve functions in pathogenesis in addition to regulating metal homeostasis. We have compared and contrasted the activities of zinc (Zn2+)-binding lipoproteins AdcA and AdcAII in the Streptococcus pneumoniae TIGR4 background. Exposure to Zn2+-limiting conditions resulted in delayed growth in a strain lacking AdcAII (ΔAdcAII) when compared to wild type bacteria or a mutant lacking AdcA (ΔAdcA). AdcAII failed to interact with the extracellular matrix protein laminin despite homology to laminin-binding proteins of related streptococci. Deletion of AdcA or AdcAII led to significantly increased invasion of A549 human lung epithelial cells and a trend toward increased invasion in vivo. Loss of AdcAII, but not AdcA, was shown to negatively impact early colonization of the nasopharynx. Our findings suggest that expression of AdcAII affects invasiveness of S. pneumoniae in response to available Zn2+ concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsey R. Brown
- Department of Biological Sciences, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, 39762, United States of America
| | - Steven M. Gunnell
- Department of Biological Sciences, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, 39762, United States of America
| | - Adam N. Cassella
- Department of Biological Sciences, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, 39762, United States of America
| | - Lance E. Keller
- Department of Microbiology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, 39216, United States of America
| | - Lisa A. Scherkenbach
- Department of Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, United States of America
| | - Beth Mann
- Department of Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, United States of America
| | - Matthew W. Brown
- Department of Biological Sciences, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, 39762, United States of America
| | - Rebecca Hill
- Department of Chemistry, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, 39762, United States of America
| | - Nicholas C. Fitzkee
- Department of Chemistry, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, 39762, United States of America
| | - Jason W. Rosch
- Department of Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, United States of America
| | - Elaine I. Tuomanen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, United States of America
| | - Justin A. Thornton
- Department of Biological Sciences, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, 39762, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Braga CBM, Ferreira de Miranda Santos IK, Palmeira P, Peria FM, de Figueiredo Ribeiro SM, Martinez EZ, da Rocha JJR, Carvalho da Cunha SFD. Effect of Zinc Supplementation on Serological Response to Vaccination AgainstStreptococcus Pneumoniaein Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy for Colorectal Cancer. Nutr Cancer 2015; 67:926-32. [DOI: 10.1080/01635581.2015.1053497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Eijkelkamp BA, Morey JR, Ween MP, Ong CLY, McEwan AG, Paton JC, McDevitt CA. Extracellular zinc competitively inhibits manganese uptake and compromises oxidative stress management in Streptococcus pneumoniae. PLoS One 2014; 9:e89427. [PMID: 24558498 PMCID: PMC3928430 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0089427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2013] [Accepted: 01/22/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus pneumoniae requires manganese for colonization of the human host, but the underlying molecular basis for this requirement has not been elucidated. Recently, it was shown that zinc could compromise manganese uptake and that zinc levels increased during infection by S. pneumoniae in all the niches that it colonized. Here we show, by quantitative means, that extracellular zinc acts in a dose dependent manner to competitively inhibit manganese uptake by S. pneumoniae, with an EC50 of 30.2 µM for zinc in cation-defined media. By exploiting the ability to directly manipulate S. pneumoniae accumulation of manganese, we analyzed the connection between manganese and superoxide dismutase (SodA), a primary source of protection for S. pneumoniae against oxidative stress. We show that manganese starvation led to a decrease in sodA transcription indicating that expression of sodA was regulated through an unknown manganese responsive pathway. Intriguingly, examination of recombinant SodA revealed that the enzyme was potentially a cambialistic superoxide dismutase with an iron/manganese cofactor. SodA was also shown to provide the majority of protection against oxidative stress as a S. pneumoniae ΔsodA mutant strain was found to be hypersensitive to oxidative stress, despite having wild-type manganese levels, indicating that the metal ion alone was not sufficiently protective. Collectively, these results provide a quantitative assessment of the competitive effect of zinc upon manganese uptake and provide a molecular basis for how extracellular zinc exerts a ‘toxic’ effect on bacterial pathogens, such as S. pneumoniae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bart A. Eijkelkamp
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, School of Molecular and Biomedical Science, University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Jacqueline R. Morey
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, School of Molecular and Biomedical Science, University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Miranda P. Ween
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, School of Molecular and Biomedical Science, University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Cheryl-lynn Y. Ong
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre and Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Alastair G. McEwan
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre and Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - James C. Paton
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, School of Molecular and Biomedical Science, University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Christopher A. McDevitt
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, School of Molecular and Biomedical Science, University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- * E-mail:
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Gestational zinc deficiency impairs humoral and cellular immune responses to hepatitis B vaccination in offspring mice. PLoS One 2013; 8:e73461. [PMID: 24069198 PMCID: PMC3775768 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0073461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2013] [Accepted: 07/19/2013] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Gestational zinc deficiency has been confirmed to impair the infant immune function. However, knowledge about effects of maternal mild zinc deficiency during pregnancy on hepatitis B vaccine responsiveness in offspring is limited. In this report, we aimed to examine how maternal zinc deficiency during pregnancy influences humoral and cellular immune responses to hepatitis B vaccination in offspring of BALB/c mice. Methodology/Principal Findings From day 1 of pregnancy upon delivery, maternal mice were given a standard diet (30 mg/kg/day zinc), zinc deficient diet (8 mg/kg/day zinc), or combination of zinc deficient diet (8 mg/kg/day zinc in the first 2 weeks of gestation) and zinc supplement diet (150 mg/kg/day zinc for the last week of pregnancy), respectively. Newborn pups of these maternal mice were immunized with hepatitis B vaccine at postnatal weeks 0, 2 and 4. Then, splenocytes and blood samples from the offspring mice were harvested for detection of serum zinc concentrations, humoral and cell-mediated immune responses, expression of cytokines using ELISA, CCK-8 and flow cytometric analysis. Results from the present study demonstrated that gestational zinc deficiency inhibited antibody responses, and decreased the proliferative capacity of T cells in offsprings immunized with hepatitis B vaccine. Additionally, HBsAg-specific cytokines analysis revealed that gestational zinc deficiency could inhibit secretion of IFN-γ from splenocytes, and decrease IFN-γ expression of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Conclusions/Significance Gestational zinc deficiency can weaken the humoral and cell-mediated immune responses to hepatitis B vaccine via decreasing B cell counts and hepatitis B virus-specific immunoglobulin G production, as well as reducing T cell proliferation, CD4+/CD8+ T cell ratio, and Th1-type immune responses.
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Guidot DM, Mehta AJ. Alcohol-Mediated Zinc Deficiency Within the Alveolar Space: A Potential Fundamental Mechanism Underlying Oxidative Stress and Cellular Dysfunction in the Alcoholic Lung. ALCOHOL USE DISORDERS AND THE LUNG 2013; 14. [PMCID: PMC7120872 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4614-8833-0_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Zinc is one of the most abundant trace elements in the human body, and its presence is essential for numerous biological processes including enzymatic activity, immune function, protein synthesis, and wound healing. Given these important roles, zinc has a sophisticated transport system to regulate its homeostasis. Determination of zinc status, however, is difficult to determine as serum levels are closely maintained and are not an accurate reflection of total body zinc or metabolism at the organ level. Fortunately, the discovery of zinc-specific fluorescent dyes has allowed for a much better assessment of zinc status in the respiratory system and has revealed that alcoholism perturbs this highly developed zinc metabolism such that its distribution to the lung and alveolar space is significantly decreased. As a result, this pulmonary zinc deficiency impairs function in the alveolar macrophage, which is the primary host immune cell within the lower airway. Experimental models have demonstrated that correction of this zinc deficiency restores immune function to the alveolar macrophage as best reflected by improved bacterial clearance in response to infection. While the precise mechanisms underlying alcohol-induced zinc deficiency are still under investigation, there is experimental evidence of several important connections with granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor and oxidative stress, suggesting that alteration of zinc homeostasis may be a fundamental mechanism underlying the cellular pathology seen in the alcohol lung phenotype. This chapter reviews zinc homeostasis and offers insight into our understanding of zinc deficiency in the setting of alcoholism and the potential of zinc as a therapeutic modality in the vulnerable alcoholic host.
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Affiliation(s)
- David M. Guidot
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine and the Atlanta VA Medical Center, Atlanta, Georgia USA
| | - Ashish J. Mehta
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine and the Atlanta VA Medical Center, Decatur, Georgia USA
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Shafeeq S, Kuipers OP, Kloosterman TG. The role of zinc in the interplay between pathogenic streptococci and their hosts. Mol Microbiol 2013; 88:1047-57. [DOI: 10.1111/mmi.12256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/06/2013] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sulman Shafeeq
- Department of Molecular Genetics; Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute; University of Groningen; Nijenborgh 7; 9747 AG; Groningen; the Netherlands
| | - Oscar P. Kuipers
- Department of Molecular Genetics; Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute; University of Groningen; Nijenborgh 7; 9747 AG; Groningen; the Netherlands
| | - Tomas G. Kloosterman
- Department of Molecular Genetics; Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute; University of Groningen; Nijenborgh 7; 9747 AG; Groningen; the Netherlands
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Abstract
Alcohol use, and misuse, has been a part of human culture for thousands of years. In the modern medical era, a great deal of attention has been justifiably focused on elucidating the mechanisms underlying the psychological and biological addiction to alcohol. However, a significant percentage, if not the majority, of alcohol-related morbidity and mortality occurs in individuals who do not meet the formal diagnostic criteria for alcohol use disorders. For example, many serious medical consequences of chronic alcohol ingestion can occur in individuals who do not have signs or symptoms of alcohol dependence. There is now clear evidence that even in otherwise healthy-appearing individuals who chronically consume excessive amounts of alcohol, alveolar macrophage immune capacity is impaired and, as a consequence, these individuals are at significantly increased risk of pneumonia. This brief review summarizes some of the key mechanisms underlying this phenomenon and proposes a hypothetical scheme by which alcohol interferes with zinc bioavailability within the alveolar space and thereby dampens macrophage function.
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McDevitt CA, Ogunniyi AD, Valkov E, Lawrence MC, Kobe B, McEwan AG, Paton JC. A molecular mechanism for bacterial susceptibility to zinc. PLoS Pathog 2011; 7:e1002357. [PMID: 22072971 PMCID: PMC3207923 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1002357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 283] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2011] [Accepted: 09/20/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Transition row metal ions are both essential and toxic to microorganisms. Zinc in excess has significant toxicity to bacteria, and host release of Zn(II) at mucosal surfaces is an important innate defence mechanism. However, the molecular mechanisms by which Zn(II) affords protection have not been defined. We show that in Streptococcus pneumoniae extracellular Zn(II) inhibits the acquisition of the essential metal Mn(II) by competing for binding to the solute binding protein PsaA. We show that, although Mn(II) is the high-affinity substrate for PsaA, Zn(II) can still bind, albeit with a difference in affinity of nearly two orders of magnitude. Despite the difference in metal ion affinities, high-resolution structures of PsaA in complex with Mn(II) or Zn(II) showed almost no difference. However, Zn(II)-PsaA is significantly more thermally stable than Mn(II)-PsaA, suggesting that Zn(II) binding may be irreversible. In vitro growth analyses show that extracellular Zn(II) is able to inhibit Mn(II) intracellular accumulation with little effect on intracellular Zn(II). The phenotype of S. pneumoniae grown at high Zn(II):Mn(II) ratios, i.e. induced Mn(II) starvation, closely mimicked a ΔpsaA mutant, which is unable to accumulate Mn(II). S. pneumoniae infection in vivo elicits massive elevation of the Zn(II):Mn(II) ratio and, in vitro, these Zn(II):Mn(II) ratios inhibited growth due to Mn(II) starvation, resulting in heightened sensitivity to oxidative stress and polymorphonuclear leucocyte killing. These results demonstrate that microbial susceptibility to Zn(II) toxicity is mediated by extracellular cation competition and that this can be harnessed by the innate immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher A. McDevitt
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, School of Molecular and Biomedical Science, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Abiodun D. Ogunniyi
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, School of Molecular and Biomedical Science, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Eugene Valkov
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre and Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Michael C. Lawrence
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Bostjan Kobe
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre and Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Alastair G. McEwan
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre and Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - James C. Paton
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, School of Molecular and Biomedical Science, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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Mehta AJ, Joshi PC, Fan X, Brown LAS, Ritzenthaler JD, Roman J, Guidot DM. Zinc supplementation restores PU.1 and Nrf2 nuclear binding in alveolar macrophages and improves redox balance and bacterial clearance in the lungs of alcohol-fed rats. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2011; 35:1519-28. [PMID: 21447000 PMCID: PMC3128659 DOI: 10.1111/j.1530-0277.2011.01488.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic alcohol abuse causes oxidative stress, impairs alveolar macrophage immune function, and increases the risk of pneumonia and acute lung injury. Recently we determined that chronic alcohol ingestion in rats decreases zinc levels and macrophage function in the alveolar space; provocative findings in that zinc is essential for normal immune and antioxidant defenses. Alveolar macrophage immune function depends on stimulation by granulocyte/monocyte colony-stimulating factor, which signals via the transcription factor PU.1. In parallel, the antioxidant response element signals via the transcription factor Nrf2. However, the role of zinc bioavailability on these signaling pathways within the alveolar space is unknown. METHODS To determine the efficacy of dietary zinc supplementation on lung bacterial clearance and oxidative stress, we tested 3 different groups of rats: control-fed, alcohol-fed, and alcohol-fed with zinc supplementation. Rats were then inoculated with intratracheal Klebsiella pneumoniae, and lung bacterial clearance was determined 24 hours later. Isolated alveolar macrophages were isolated from uninfected animals and evaluated for oxidative stress and signaling through PU.1 and Nrf2. RESULTS Alcohol-fed rats had a 5-fold decrease in lung bacterial clearance compared to control-fed rats. Dietary zinc supplementation of alcohol-fed rats normalized bacterial clearance and mitigated oxidative stress in the alveolar space, as reflected by the relative balance of the thiol redox pair cysteine and cystine, and increased nuclear binding of both PU.1 and Nrf2 in alveolar macrophages from alcohol-fed rats. CONCLUSIONS Dietary zinc supplementation prevents alcohol-induced alveolar macrophage immune dysfunction and oxidative stress in a relevant experimental model, suggesting that such a strategy could decrease the risk of pneumonia and lung injury in individuals with alcohol use disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashish J Mehta
- Atlanta VAMC, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30033, USA.
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Lactococcus lactis ZitR is a zinc-responsive repressor active in the presence of low, nontoxic zinc concentrations in vivo. J Bacteriol 2011; 193:1919-29. [PMID: 21317326 DOI: 10.1128/jb.01109-10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In the family Streptococcaceae, the genes encoding zinc ABC uptake systems (called zit or adc) are regulated by a coencoded MarR family member (i.e., ZitR or AdcR), whereas in the great majority of bacteria, these genes are regulated by Zur, the Fur-like zinc-responsive repressor. We studied the zit operon from Lactococcus lactis and its regulation in response to Zn(II) in vivo. zit transcription is repressed by Zn(II) in a wide concentration range starting from nontoxic micromolar levels and is derepressed at nanomolar concentrations. The level of zit promoter downregulation by environmental Zn(II) is correlated with the intracellular zinc content. The helix-turn-helix domain of ZitR is required for downregulation. In vitro, the purified protein is a dimer that complexes up to two zinc ligands per monomer and specifically binds two intact palindromic operator sites overlapping the -35 and -10 boxes of the zit promoter. DNA binding is abolished by the chelator EDTA or TPEN and fully restored by Zn(II) addition, indicating that the active repressor complexes Zn(II) with high affinity. These results suggest that derepression under starvation conditions could be an essential emergency mechanism for preserving Zn(II) homeostasis by uptake; under Zn(II)-replete conditions, the function of ZitR repression could be to help save energy rather than to avoid Zn(II) toxicity. The characterization of a MarR family zinc-responsive repressor in this report gives insight into the way Streptococcaceae efficiently adapt to Zn(II) fluctuations in their diverse ecological niches.
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Zinc deficiency increases organ damage and mortality in a murine model of polymicrobial sepsis. Crit Care Med 2009; 37:1380-8. [PMID: 19242332 DOI: 10.1097/ccm.0b013e31819cefe4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Zinc deficiency is common among populations at high risk for sepsis mortality, including elderly, alcoholic, and hospitalized patients. Zinc deficiency causes exaggerated inflammatory responses to endotoxin but has not been evaluated during bacterial sepsis. We hypothesized that subacute zinc deficiency would amplify immune responses and oxidant stress during bacterial sepsis {lsqb;i.e., cecal ligation and puncture (CLP){rsqb; resulting in increased mortality and that acute nutritional repletion of zinc would be beneficial. DESIGN Prospective, randomized, controlled animal study. SETTING University medical center research laboratory. SUBJECTS Adult male C57BL/6 mice. INTERVENTIONS Ten-week-old, male, C57BL/6 mice were randomized into three dietary groups: 1) control diet, 2) zinc-deficient diet for 3 weeks, and 3) zinc-deficient diet for 3 weeks followed by oral zinc supplementation for 3 days (n = 35 per diet). Mice were then assigned to receive either CLP or sham operation (n = 15 each per diet). CLP and sham-operated treatment groups were further assigned to a 7-day survival study (n = 10 per treatment per diet) or were evaluated at 24 hours (n = 5 per treatment per diet) for signs of vital organ damage. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Sepsis mortality was significantly increased with zinc deficiency (90% vs. 30% on control diet). Zinc-deficient animals subject to CLP had higher plasma cytokines, more severe organ injury, including increased oxidative tissue damage and cell death, particularly in the lungs and spleen. None of the sham-operated animals died or developed signs of organ damage. Zinc supplementation normalized the inflammatory response, greatly diminished tissue damage, and significantly reduced mortality. CONCLUSIONS Subacute zinc deficiency significantly increases systemic inflammation, organ damage, and mortality in a murine polymicrobial sepsis model. Short-term zinc repletion provides significant, but incomplete protection despite normalization of inflammatory and organ damage indices.
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Coles CL, Sherchand JB, Khatry SK, Katz J, LeClerq SC, Mullany LC, Tielsch JM. Zinc modifies the association between nasopharyngeal Streptococcus pneumoniae carriage and risk of acute lower respiratory infection among young children in rural Nepal. J Nutr 2008; 138:2462-7. [PMID: 19022973 PMCID: PMC2649721 DOI: 10.3945/jn.108.095422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Nasopharyngeal (NP) carriage is necessary for Streptococcus pneumoniae (Spn) transmission and invasive infection. This study evaluated the effect of zinc prophylaxis on the association between NP colonization with Spn and acute lower respiratory infection (ALRI) in children aged 1-35 mo living in a rural district in southern Nepal. We compared carriage prevalence of Spn in 550 ALRI cases with that of healthy age- and season-matched controls. This study, conducted from December 2003 to July 2005, was nested in a community-randomized trial designed to evaluate the effect of zinc on morbidity and mortality in 1- to 36-mo-old children. They were randomized to receive either 10-mg tablets of zinc or placebo daily until discharge. Approximately 75% of cases and controls were Spn carriers. There was an interaction between zinc and Spn carriage (P = 0.091). Spn carriage increased the risk of ALRI in the placebo group [adjusted matched odds ratio (AMOR) = 2.57; P = 0.025] but not in the zinc group (AMOR = 0.95; P = 0.890). Among the subset of symptomatic cases and their controls, the odds of ALRI for Spn carriers in the placebo group was 30 times greater (AMOR = 78.09; P = 0.006) than in the zinc group (AMOR = 2.77; P = 0.288). These findings suggest that zinc prophylaxis may protect children against ALRI associated with carriage of Spn and that the effect may differ by infectious etiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian L. Coles
- Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205; Public Health Research Laboratory and Department of Clinical Microbiology, Tribhuvan University Institute of Medicine, 44613 Kathmandu, Nepal; and Nepal Nutrition Intervention Project, Sarlahi, 44600 Kathmandu, Nepal,To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail:
| | - Jeevan B. Sherchand
- Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205; Public Health Research Laboratory and Department of Clinical Microbiology, Tribhuvan University Institute of Medicine, 44613 Kathmandu, Nepal; and Nepal Nutrition Intervention Project, Sarlahi, 44600 Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Subarna K. Khatry
- Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205; Public Health Research Laboratory and Department of Clinical Microbiology, Tribhuvan University Institute of Medicine, 44613 Kathmandu, Nepal; and Nepal Nutrition Intervention Project, Sarlahi, 44600 Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Joanne Katz
- Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205; Public Health Research Laboratory and Department of Clinical Microbiology, Tribhuvan University Institute of Medicine, 44613 Kathmandu, Nepal; and Nepal Nutrition Intervention Project, Sarlahi, 44600 Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Steven C. LeClerq
- Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205; Public Health Research Laboratory and Department of Clinical Microbiology, Tribhuvan University Institute of Medicine, 44613 Kathmandu, Nepal; and Nepal Nutrition Intervention Project, Sarlahi, 44600 Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Luke C. Mullany
- Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205; Public Health Research Laboratory and Department of Clinical Microbiology, Tribhuvan University Institute of Medicine, 44613 Kathmandu, Nepal; and Nepal Nutrition Intervention Project, Sarlahi, 44600 Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - James M. Tielsch
- Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205; Public Health Research Laboratory and Department of Clinical Microbiology, Tribhuvan University Institute of Medicine, 44613 Kathmandu, Nepal; and Nepal Nutrition Intervention Project, Sarlahi, 44600 Kathmandu, Nepal
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Ilbäck NG, Frisk P, Friman G. Effects of xenobiotics and nutrients on host resistance studied in experimental human infections adapted to rodents. J Pharmacol Toxicol Methods 2008; 58:179-88. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vascn.2008.05.132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2008] [Accepted: 05/12/2008] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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Hembre BSH, Briles DE, Grewal HMS, Strand TA. Effect of high dose oral zinc in mice with severe infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008; 40:363-7. [PMID: 17963160 DOI: 10.1080/00365540701716833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Zinc is important for normal function of the immune system and inflammation increases the demand for zinc. We hypothesized that high doses of zinc given during acute pneumococcal illness would alter the severity of infection. 24 six-week-old BALB/c mice were anaesthetized and infected intranasally with Streptococcus pneumoniae. Zinc intake was controlled by administering zinc through an intragastric tube. One group was given normal doses (5 microg/d) and the other group high doses of zinc (225 microg/d). We counted the number of bacteria from venous blood at 24 and 48 h, and from heart puncture and nasal wash at 72 h after intranasal challenge. Mice given excess zinc had 2.65 micromol/l, i.e. 25% higher (p= 0.05) mean plasma zinc concentration compared to those given normal amounts. 75% of mice in both groups developed pneumococcal bacteraemia. There were no differences in the numbers of S. pneumoniae colony forming units (CFUs) in blood or nasal wash between the groups. Thus, high doses of zinc did not alter the severity of systemic pneumococcal infection in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berit S H Hembre
- Department of Medicine, Lovisenberg Diakonale Sykehus, Oslo, Norway.
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Opposite effects of Mn2+ and Zn2+ on PsaR-mediated expression of the virulence genes pcpA, prtA, and psaBCA of Streptococcus pneumoniae. J Bacteriol 2008; 190:5382-93. [PMID: 18515418 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00307-08] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Homeostasis of Zn(2+) and Mn(2+) is important for the physiology and virulence of the human pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae. Here, transcriptome analysis was used to determine the response of S. pneumoniae D39 to a high concentration of Zn(2+). Interestingly, virulence genes encoding the choline binding protein PcpA, the extracellular serine protease PrtA, and the Mn(2+) uptake system PsaBC(A) were strongly upregulated in the presence of Zn(2+). Using random mutagenesis, a previously described Mn(2+)-responsive transcriptional repressor, PsaR, was found to mediate the observed Zn(2+)-dependent derepression. In addition, PsaR is also responsible for the Mn(2+)-dependent repression of these genes. Subsequently, we investigated how these opposite effects are mediated by the same regulator. In vitro binding of purified PsaR to the prtA, pcpA, and psaB promoters was stimulated by Mn(2+), whereas Zn(2+) destroyed the interaction of PsaR with its target promoters. Mutational analysis of the pcpA promoter demonstrated the presence of a PsaR operator that mediates the transcriptional effects. In conclusion, PsaR is responsible for the counteracting effects of Mn(2+) and Zn(2+) on the expression of several virulence genes in S. pneumoniae, suggesting that the ratio of these metal ions exerts an important influence on pneumococcal pathogenesis.
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28
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Franco-Vidal V, Beurg M, Darrouzet V, Bébéar JP, Skinner LJ, Dulon D. Zinc protection against pneumolysin toxicity on rat cochlear hair cells. Audiol Neurootol 2007; 13:65-70. [PMID: 17890859 DOI: 10.1159/000108763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2007] [Accepted: 07/04/2007] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus pneumoniae can induce local and systemic diseases such as meningitis, otitis media, and pneumonia. One third of these meningitis cases can be associated with irreversible sensorineural hearing loss whose mechanisms likely involves the exotoxin pneumolysin (PLY) that irreversibly damages cochlear hair cells (HCs). In the respiratory system and in neuron it has been demonstrated that zinc deficiency increases severity and mortality of such infections in animal models and in children. Moreover, zinc supplementation can decrease the severity of pneumococcal respiratory infections. The aim of our study was to assess the potential protective effect of zinc against PLY toxicity on HCs in culture. Our results showed that in the presence of zinc at concentration as low as 1 microM, the toxicity of PLY was largely reduced by about 50% for both inner and outer HCs. At 300 microM of zinc, protection significantly increased with 62 and 55.2% for IHCs and OHCs, respectively. Our results suggest that the protective effect of zinc is likely due to an inhibition of the toxin incorporation and aggregation into the plasma membrane, thus preventing calcium influx through the toxin pores. Our findings raise the possibility that treatments with zinc may help to prevent debilitating otological sequelae from pneumococcal infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valérie Franco-Vidal
- Otolaryngology and Skull Base Surgery Department, University of Bordeaux 2 Victor Segalen, Bordeaux, France.
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Yaradou DF, Raze D, Ginevra C, Ader F, Doléans-Jordheim A, Vandenesch F, Menozzi FD, Etienne J, Jarraud S. Zinc-dependent cytoadherence of Legionella pneumophila to human alveolar epithelial cells in vitro. Microb Pathog 2007; 43:234-42. [PMID: 17689220 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2007.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2007] [Accepted: 06/22/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Microbial adherence to host cells is an early key step in the establishment of infection. During the course of Legionnaire's disease, Legionella interactions with host cells are best documented for resident macrophages. However, L. pneumophila can also replicate within type I and type II pneumocytes, which cover almost the entire alveolar surface. In the presence of zinc, we observed a significant and concentration-dependent increase in L. pneumophila adherence to and invasion of type II pneumocytes. The zinc-dependent adherence mechanism seemed to be host-cell-independent, as a similar increase in cytoadherence was observed with macrophages. We also found that zinc-dependent adherence of L. pneumophila appears to involve recognition of zinc-binding pneumocyte receptors by a bacterial adhesin, and heparan-sulfated host cell receptors, but not type IV pili.
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30
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Raqib R, Hossain MB, Kelleher SL, Stephensen CB, Lönnerdal B. Zinc supplementation of pregnant rats with adequate zinc nutriture suppresses immune functions in their offspring. J Nutr 2007; 137:1037-42. [PMID: 17374673 DOI: 10.1093/jn/137.4.1037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The knowledge about consequences of marginal zinc (Zn) deficiency and Zn supplementation during pregnancy on immune function in the offspring is limited. The aim of this study was to examine whether effects of mild Zn deficiency and subsequent Zn supplementation during pregnancy persist after weaning and affect immune function of the offspring. Adult female rats were fed a Zn-adequate diet (ZC, n = 8) or a Zn-deficient diet (ZD, n = 8) from preconception through lactation. Pregnant rats were supplemented with either Zn (1.5 mg Zn in water) or placebo (water) 3 times/wk throughout pregnancy. Pups were orally immunized with cholera toxin and bovine serum albumin-dinitrophenol (DNP) 3 times at weekly intervals and killed 1 wk after the last dose. Proliferation and cytokine responses in lymphocytes from Payer's patches and spleen, and antigen specific antibodies in serum were studied. Zn supplementation of ZD dams led to enhanced lymphocyte proliferation and IFN-gamma responses in pups ZDZ+. In contrast, Zn supplementation of ZC dams suppressed these responses in pups ZCZ+. Total and DNP-specific IgA responses were lower in pups of the Zn-deficient group compared with the Zn-adequate group. Relative thymus weight was greater in the pups (ZDZ-) of ZD placebo-supplemented dams compared with the other groups at 31 d of age. Prepregnancy and early in utero Zn deficiency affected IgA responses in pups that could not be restored with Zn supplementation during pregnancy. Zn supplementation of ZC dams induced immunosuppressive effects in utero that may also be mediated through milk and persist in the offspring after weaning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rubhana Raqib
- International Centre for Diarrhoeal Diseases Research, Bangladesh, Dhaka-1212, Bangladesh.
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Strand TA, Aaberge IS, Maage A, Ulvestad E, Sommerfelt H. The immune response to pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine in zinc-depleted mice. Scand J Immunol 2003; 58:76-80. [PMID: 12828561 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-3083.2003.01283.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Zinc depletion affects several facets of the immune system and the resistance to infections. We assessed the effect of zinc deprivation on the immune response to the pneumococcal polysaccharide antigens in the commercially available Pneumovax pneumococcal vaccine. Young female BALB/c mice were fed diets with 2.7, 5.8 or 25 micro g of elemental zinc per mg diet. After six weeks of pair feeding, there were significant differences in the mean body weights between the feeding groups and we demonstrated a dose response of the zinc level in the diet on growth. The induced zinc deficiency had no discernible effect on the antipneumococcal polysaccharide immunoglobulin M (IgM) response following immunization with the pneumococcal vaccine. Although zinc depletion has a detrimental effect on the immune system, the murine T-cell-independent response to antigens such as those in the pneumococcal polysaccharide capsule does not seem to be affected.
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Affiliation(s)
- T A Strand
- Centre for international Health, University of Bergen, Norway.
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