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Vollmuth N, Bridgers BE, Armstrong ML, Wood JF, Gildea AR, Espinal ER, Hooven TA, Barbieri G, Westermann AJ, Sauerwein T, Foerstner KU, Schubert-Unkmeir A, Kim BJ. Group B Streptococcus transcriptome when interacting with brain endothelial cells. J Bacteriol 2024; 206:e0008724. [PMID: 38771039 PMCID: PMC11332166 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00087-24] [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: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Bacterial meningitis is a life-threatening infection of the central nervous system (CNS) that occurs when bacteria are able to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) or the meningeal-cerebrospinal fluid barrier (mBCSFB). The BBB and mBCSFB comprise highly specialized brain endothelial cells (BECs) that typically restrict pathogen entry. Group B Streptococcus (GBS or Streptococcus agalactiae) is the leading cause of neonatal meningitis. Until recently, identification of GBS virulence factors has relied on genetic screening approaches. Instead, we here conducted RNA-seq analysis on GBS when interacting with induced pluripotent stem cell-derived BECs (iBECs) to pinpoint virulence-associated genes. Of the 2,068 annotated protein-coding genes of GBS, 430 transcripts displayed significant changes in expression after interacting with BECs. Notably, we found that the majority of differentially expressed GBS transcripts were downregulated (360 genes) during infection of iBECs. Interestingly, codY, encoding a pleiotropic transcriptional repressor in low-G + C Gram-positive bacteria, was identified as being highly downregulated. We conducted qPCR to confirm the codY downregulation observed via RNA-seq during the GBS-iBEC interaction and obtained codY mutants in three different GBS background parental strains. As anticipated from the RNA-seq results, the [Formula: see text]codY strains were more adherent and invasive in two in vitro BEC models. Together, this demonstrates the utility of RNA-seq during the BEC interaction to identify GBS virulence modulators. IMPORTANCE Group B Streptococcus (GBS) meningitis remains the leading cause of neonatal meningitis. Research work has identified surface factors and two-component systems that contribute to GBS disruption of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). These discoveries often relied on genetic screening approaches. Here, we provide transcriptomic data describing how GBS changes its transcriptome when interacting with brain endothelial cells. Additionally, we have phenotypically validated these data by obtaining mutants of a select regulator that is highly down-regulated during infection and testing on our BBB model. This work provides the research field with a validated data set that can provide an insight into potential pathways that GBS requires to interact with the BBB and open the door to new discoveries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Vollmuth
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA
| | - Bailey E. Bridgers
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA
| | - Madelyn L. Armstrong
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA
| | - Jacob F. Wood
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA
| | - Abigail R. Gildea
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA
| | - Eric R. Espinal
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA
| | - Thomas A. Hooven
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Richard King Mellon Institute for Pediatric Research, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Giulia Barbieri
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Alexander J. Westermann
- Institute of Molecular Infection Biology (IMIB), University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
- Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research (HIRI), Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Till Sauerwein
- Institute of Molecular Infection Biology (IMIB), University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
- ZB MED, Information Centre for Life Sciences, Cologne, Germany
| | - Konrad U. Foerstner
- Institute of Molecular Infection Biology (IMIB), University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
- ZB MED, Information Centre for Life Sciences, Cologne, Germany
- TH Koeln, University of Applied Sciences, Cologne, Germany
| | | | - Brandon J. Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA
- Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heesink School of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
- University of Alabama Center of Convergent Biosciences and Medicine, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA
- University of Alabama Life Research, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA
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2
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Mercado-Evans V, Mejia ME, Zulk JJ, Ottinger S, Hameed ZA, Serchejian C, Marunde MG, Robertson CM, Ballard MB, Ruano SH, Korotkova N, Flores AR, Pennington KA, Patras KA. Gestational diabetes augments group B Streptococcus infection by disrupting maternal immunity and the vaginal microbiota. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1035. [PMID: 38310089 PMCID: PMC10838280 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45336-6] [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: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a pervasive perinatal pathogen, yet factors driving GBS dissemination in utero are poorly defined. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), a complication marked by dysregulated immunity and maternal microbial dysbiosis, increases risk for GBS perinatal disease. Using a murine GDM model of GBS colonization and perinatal transmission, we find that GDM mice display greater GBS in utero dissemination and subsequently worse neonatal outcomes. Dual-RNA sequencing reveals differential GBS adaptation to the GDM reproductive tract, including a putative glycosyltransferase (yfhO), and altered host responses. GDM immune disruptions include reduced uterine natural killer cell activation, impaired recruitment to placentae, and altered maternofetal cytokines. Lastly, we observe distinct vaginal microbial taxa associated with GDM status and GBS invasive disease status. Here, we show a model of GBS dissemination in GDM hosts that recapitulates several clinical aspects and identifies multiple host and bacterial drivers of GBS perinatal disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vicki Mercado-Evans
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Marlyd E Mejia
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Jacob J Zulk
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Samantha Ottinger
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Zainab A Hameed
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Camille Serchejian
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Madelynn G Marunde
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Clare M Robertson
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Mallory B Ballard
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Simone H Ruano
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Natalia Korotkova
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Anthony R Flores
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, McGovern Medical School, UTHealth Houston, Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Kathleen A Pennington
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Kathryn A Patras
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
- Alkek Center for Metagenomics and Microbiome Research, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
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3
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Gopalakrishna KP, Hillebrand GH, Bhavana VH, Elder JL, D'Mello A, Tettelin H, Hooven TA. Group B Streptococcus Cas9 variants provide insight into programmable gene repression and CRISPR-Cas transcriptional effects. Commun Biol 2023; 6:620. [PMID: 37296208 PMCID: PMC10256743 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04994-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Group B Streptococcus (GBS; S. agalactiae) causes chorioamnionitis, neonatal sepsis, and can also cause disease in healthy or immunocompromised adults. GBS possesses a type II-A CRISPR-Cas9 system, which defends against foreign DNA within the bacterial cell. Several recent publications have shown that GBS Cas9 influences genome-wide transcription through a mechanism uncoupled from its function as a specific, RNA-programmable endonuclease. We examine GBS Cas9 effects on genome-wide transcription through generation of several isogenic variants with specific functional defects. We compare whole-genome RNA-seq from Δcas9 GBS with a full-length Cas9 gene deletion; dcas9 defective in its ability to cleave DNA but still able to bind to frequently occurring protospacer adjacent motifs; and scas9 that retains its catalytic domains but is unable to bind protospacer adjacent motifs. Comparing scas9 GBS to the other variants, we identify nonspecific protospacer adjacent motif binding as a driver of genome-wide, Cas9 transcriptional effects in GBS. We also show that Cas9 transcriptional effects from nonspecific scanning tend to influence genes involved in bacterial defense and nucleotide or carbohydrate transport and metabolism. While genome-wide transcription effects are detectable by analysis of next-generation sequencing, they do not result in virulence changes in a mouse model of sepsis. We also demonstrate that catalytically inactive dCas9 expressed from the GBS chromosome can be used with a straightforward, plasmid-based, single guide RNA expression system to suppress transcription of specific GBS genes without potentially confounding off-target effects. We anticipate that this system will be useful for study of nonessential and essential gene roles in GBS physiology and pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gideon H Hillebrand
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Program in Microbiology and Immunology, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Venkata H Bhavana
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Jordan L Elder
- The Cleveland Clinic, Clinical Laboratory Services, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Adonis D'Mello
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Hervé Tettelin
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Thomas A Hooven
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
- Richard King Mellon Institute for Pediatric Research, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
- UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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4
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Gopalakrishna KP, Hillebrand GH, Bhavana VH, Elder JL, D'Mello A, Tettelin H, Hooven TA. Group B Streptococcus Cas9 variants provide insight into programmable gene repression and CRISPR-Cas transcriptional effects. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.24.542094. [PMID: 37292749 PMCID: PMC10245859 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.24.542094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Group B Streptococcus (GBS; S. agalactiae ) causes chorioamnionitis, neonatal sepsis, and can also cause disease in healthy or immunocompromised adults. GBS possesses a type II-A CRISPR-Cas9 system, which defends against foreign DNA within the bacterial cell. Several recent publications have shown that GBS Cas9 influences genome-wide transcription through a mechanism uncoupled from its function as a specific, RNA-programmable endonuclease. We examine GBS Cas9 effects on genome-wide transcription through generation of several isogenic variants with specific functional defects. We compare whole-genome RNA-seq from Δ cas9 GBS with a full-length Cas9 gene deletion; dcas9 defective in its ability to cleave DNA but still able to bind to frequently occurring protospacer adjacent motifs; and scas9 that retains its catalytic domains but is unable to bind protospacer adjacent motifs. Comparing scas9 GBS to the other variants, we identify nonspecific protospacer adjacent motif binding as a driver of genome-wide, Cas9 transcriptional effects in GBS. We also show that Cas9 transcriptional effects from nonspecific scanning tend to influence genes involved in bacterial defense and nucleotide or carbohydrate transport and metabolism. While genome-wide transcription effects are detectable by analysis of next-generation sequencing, they do not result in virulence changes in a mouse model of sepsis. We also demonstrate that catalytically inactive dCas9 expressed from the GBS chromosome can be used with a straightforward, plasmid-based, single guide RNA expression system to suppress transcription of specific GBS genes without potentially confounding off-target effects. We anticipate that this system will be useful for study of nonessential and essential gene roles in GBS physiology and pathogenesis.
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5
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Huebner EM, Gudjónsdóttir MJ, Dacanay MB, Nguyen S, Brokaw A, Sharma K, Elfvin A, Hentz E, Rivera YR, Burd N, Shivakumar M, Coler B, Li M, Li A, Munson J, Orvis A, Coleman M, Jacobsson B, Rajagopal L, Adams Waldorf KM. Virulence, phenotype and genotype characteristics of invasive group B Streptococcus isolates obtained from Swedish pregnant women and neonates. Ann Clin Microbiol Antimicrob 2022; 21:43. [PMID: 36229877 PMCID: PMC9560721 DOI: 10.1186/s12941-022-00534-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Group B streptococci (GBS) are bacteria that can cause preterm birth and invasive neonatal disease. Heterogeneous expression of virulence factors enables GBS to exist as both commensal bacteria and to become highly invasive. A molecular epidemiological study comparing GBS bacterial traits, genotype and host characteristics may indicate whether it is possible to predict the risk of perinatal invasive GBS disease and more accurately target intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis. A total of 229 invasive GBS isolates from Swedish pregnant women or neonates were assessed for virulence and phenotypic traits: hemolysis zone, hemolytic pigment (Granada agar), Streptococcus B Carrot Broth (SBCB) assay, CAMP factor, and hyaluronidase activity. Genes regulating hemolytic pigment synthesis (covR/covS, abx1, stk1, stp1) were sequenced. Of the virulence factors and phenotypes assessed, a Granada pigment or SBCB score ≥ 2 captured more than 90% of EOD isolates with excellent inter-rater reliability. High enzyme activity of hyaluronidase was observed in 16% (36/229) of the invasive GBS isolates and notably, in one case of stillbirth. Hyaluronidase activity was also significantly higher in GBS isolates obtained from pregnant/postpartum individuals versus the stillbirth or neonatal invasive isolates (p < 0.001). Sequencing analysis found that abx1 (g.T106I), stk1 (g.T211N), stp1 (g.K469R) and covS (g.V343M) variants were present significantly more often in the higher (Granada pigment score ≥ 2) versus lower pigmented isolates (p < 0.001, each variant). Among the 203 higher Granada pigment scoring isolates, 22 (10.8%) isolates had 3 of the four sequence variants and 10 (4.9%) had 2 of the four sequence variants. Although heterogeneity in GBS virulence factor expression was observed, the vast majority were more highly pigmented and contained several common sequence variants in genes regulating pigment synthesis. High activity of hyaluronidase may increase risk for stillbirth and invasive disease in pregnant or postpartum individuals. Our findings suggest that testing for GBS pigmentation and hyaluronidase may, albeit imperfectly, identify pregnant people at risk for invasive disease and represent a step towards a personalized medical approach for the administration of intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily M. Huebner
- grid.34477.330000000122986657School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA USA ,grid.34477.330000000122986657Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA USA
| | - Margrét Johansson Gudjónsdóttir
- grid.8761.80000 0000 9919 9582Department of Pediatrics, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden ,grid.1649.a000000009445082XDepartment of Pediatrics, Region Västra Götaland, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Matthew B. Dacanay
- grid.34477.330000000122986657Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA USA
| | - Shayla Nguyen
- grid.240741.40000 0000 9026 4165Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA USA
| | - Alyssa Brokaw
- grid.240741.40000 0000 9026 4165Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA USA
| | - Kavita Sharma
- grid.240741.40000 0000 9026 4165Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA USA
| | - Anders Elfvin
- grid.8761.80000 0000 9919 9582Department of Pediatrics, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden ,grid.1649.a000000009445082XDepartment of Pediatrics, Region Västra Götaland, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Elisabet Hentz
- grid.8761.80000 0000 9919 9582Department of Pediatrics, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden ,grid.1649.a000000009445082XDepartment of Pediatrics, Region Västra Götaland, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ysabella Raceli Rivera
- grid.34477.330000000122986657Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA USA
| | - Nicole Burd
- grid.34477.330000000122986657Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA USA
| | - Megana Shivakumar
- grid.34477.330000000122986657Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA USA
| | - Brahm Coler
- grid.34477.330000000122986657Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA USA ,grid.30064.310000 0001 2157 6568Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, Washington State University, Spokane, WA USA
| | - Miranda Li
- grid.34477.330000000122986657Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA USA ,grid.21729.3f0000000419368729Columbia University, New York, NY USA
| | - Amanda Li
- grid.34477.330000000122986657Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA USA
| | - Jeff Munson
- grid.34477.330000000122986657Department of Psychiatry and Behavior Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA USA
| | - Austyn Orvis
- grid.240741.40000 0000 9026 4165Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA USA
| | - Michelle Coleman
- grid.240741.40000 0000 9026 4165Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA USA
| | - Bo Jacobsson
- grid.1649.a000000009445082XDepartment of Pediatrics, Region Västra Götaland, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden ,grid.8761.80000 0000 9919 9582Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Lakshmi Rajagopal
- grid.240741.40000 0000 9026 4165Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA USA ,grid.34477.330000000122986657Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA USA
| | - Kristina M. Adams Waldorf
- grid.34477.330000000122986657Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA USA ,grid.8761.80000 0000 9919 9582Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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Keith MF, Gopalakrishna KP, Bhavana VH, Hillebrand GH, Elder JL, Megli CJ, Sadovsky Y, Hooven TA. Nitric Oxide Production and Effects in Group B Streptococcus Chorioamnionitis. Pathogens 2022; 11:1115. [PMID: 36297171 PMCID: PMC9608865 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11101115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Intrauterine infection, or chorioamnionitis, due to group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a common cause of miscarriage and preterm birth. To cause chorioamnionitis, GBS must bypass maternal-fetal innate immune defenses including nitric oxide (NO), a microbicidal gas produced by nitric oxide synthases (NOS). This study examined placental NO production and its role in host-pathogen interactions in GBS chorioamnionitis. In a murine model of ascending GBS chorioamnionitis, placental NOS isoform expression quantified by RT-qPCR revealed a four-fold expression increase in inducible NOS, no significant change in expression of endothelial NOS, and decreased expression of neuronal NOS. These NOS expression results were recapitulated ex vivo in freshly collected human placental samples that were co-incubated with GBS. Immunohistochemistry of wild type C57BL/6 murine placentas with GBS chorioamnionitis demonstrated diffuse inducible NOS expression with high-expression foci in the junctional zone and areas of abscess. Pregnancy outcomes between wild type and inducible NOS-deficient mice did not differ significantly although wild type dams had a trend toward more frequent preterm delivery. We also identified possible molecular mechanisms that GBS uses to survive in a NO-rich environment. In vitro exposure of GBS to NO resulted in dose-dependent growth inhibition that varied by serovar. RNA-seq on two GBS strains with distinct NO resistance phenotypes revealed that both GBS strains shared several detoxification pathways that were differentially expressed during NO exposure. These results demonstrate that the placental immune response to GBS chorioamnionitis includes induced NO production and indicate that GBS activates conserved stress pathways in response to NO exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Frances Keith
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | | | | | - Gideon Hayden Hillebrand
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
| | - Jordan Lynn Elder
- Manual Hematology and Coagulation Department, The Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Christina Joann Megli
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- UPMC Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Yoel Sadovsky
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- UPMC Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Thomas Alexander Hooven
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
- UPMC Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Richard King Mellon Institute for Pediatric Research, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
- UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, 4401 Penn Ave. Rangos Research Building #8128, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
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7
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Chaguza C, Jamrozy D, Bijlsma MW, Kuijpers TW, van de Beek D, van der Ende A, Bentley SD. Population genomics of Group B Streptococcus reveals the genetics of neonatal disease onset and meningeal invasion. Nat Commun 2022; 13:4215. [PMID: 35864107 PMCID: PMC9304382 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31858-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Group B Streptococcus (GBS), or Streptococcus agalactiae, is a pathogen that causes preterm births, stillbirths, and acute invasive neonatal disease burden and mortality. Here, we investigate bacterial genetic signatures associated with disease onset time and meningeal tissue infection in acute invasive neonatal GBS disease. We carry out a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of 1,338 GBS isolates from newborns with acute invasive disease; the isolates had been collected annually, for 30 years, through a national bacterial surveillance program in the Netherlands. After controlling for the population structure, we identify genetic variation within noncoding and coding regions, particularly the capsule biosynthesis locus, statistically associated with neonatal GBS disease onset time and meningeal invasion. Our findings highlight the impact of integrating microbial population genomics and clinical pathogen surveillance, and demonstrate the effect of GBS genetics on disease pathogenesis in neonates and infants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chrispin Chaguza
- Parasites and Microbes Programme, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK.
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Dorota Jamrozy
- Parasites and Microbes Programme, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
| | - Merijn W Bijlsma
- Department of Neurology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Taco W Kuijpers
- Department of Immunopathology, Sanquin Research and Landsteiner Laboratory of the Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Paediatric Haematology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Diederik van de Beek
- Department of Neurology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Arie van der Ende
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Netherlands Reference Laboratory for Bacterial Meningitis, Center of Infection and Immunity Amsterdam, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Stephen D Bentley
- Parasites and Microbes Programme, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK.
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8
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Campeau A, Uchiyama S, Sanchez C, Sauceda C, Nizet V, Gonzalez DJ. The S Protein of Group B Streptococcus Is a Critical Virulence Determinant That Impacts the Cell Surface Virulome. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:729308. [PMID: 34721327 PMCID: PMC8551713 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.729308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Group B Streptococcus (GBS, S. agalactiae) is a human commensal and occasional pathogen that remains a leading cause of neonatal sepsis and meningitis with increasing disease burden in adult populations. Although programs for universal screening in pregnancy to guide intrapartum prophylaxis have reduced GBS invasive disease burden resulting from mother-to-newborn transfer during birth, better knowledge of disease mechanisms may elucidate new strategies to reduce antibiotic exposure. In our efforts to expand the knowledge base required for targeted anti-virulence therapies, we identified a GBS homolog for a recently identified virulence determinant of group A Streptococcus, S protein, and evaluated its role in GBS pathogenesis. A GBS S protein deletion mutant, Δess, showed altered cell-surface properties compared to the WT parent strain, including defective retention of its surface polysaccharide. Quantitative proteome analysis of enzymatically shaved surface epitopes of the GBS Δess mutant revealed a dysregulated cell surface virulome, with reduced abundance of several protein and glycoprotein components. The Δess mutant showed markedly attenuated virulence in a murine model of GBS systemic infection, with increased proteasome activity detected in the spleens of animals infected with the Δess mutant. These results expand the key roles S protein plays in streptococcal pathogenesis and introduces a new GBS virulence determinant and potential target for therapy development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anaamika Campeau
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States.,Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States.,Center for Microbiome Innovation, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Satoshi Uchiyama
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Concepcion Sanchez
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States.,Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States.,Center for Microbiome Innovation, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Consuelo Sauceda
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States.,Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States.,Center for Microbiome Innovation, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Victor Nizet
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States.,Center for Microbiome Innovation, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - David J Gonzalez
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States.,Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States.,Center for Microbiome Innovation, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
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9
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Dammann AN, Chamby AB, Catomeris AJ, Davidson KM, Tettelin H, van Pijkeren JP, Gopalakrishna KP, Keith MF, Elder JL, Ratner AJ, Hooven TA. Genome-Wide fitness analysis of group B Streptococcus in human amniotic fluid reveals a transcription factor that controls multiple virulence traits. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009116. [PMID: 33684178 PMCID: PMC7971860 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus agalactiae (group B Streptococcus; GBS) remains a dominant cause of serious neonatal infections. One aspect of GBS that renders it particularly virulent during the perinatal period is its ability to invade the chorioamniotic membranes and persist in amniotic fluid, which is nutritionally deplete and rich in fetal immunologic factors such as antimicrobial peptides. We used next-generation sequencing of transposon-genome junctions (Tn-seq) to identify five GBS genes that promote survival in the presence of human amniotic fluid. We confirmed our Tn-seq findings using a novel CRISPR inhibition (CRISPRi) gene expression knockdown system. This analysis showed that one gene, which encodes a GntR-class transcription factor that we named MrvR, conferred a significant fitness benefit to GBS in amniotic fluid. We generated an isogenic targeted deletion of the mrvR gene, which had a growth defect in amniotic fluid relative to the wild type parent strain. The mrvR deletion strain also showed a significant biofilm defect in vitro. Subsequent in vivo studies showed that while the mutant was able to cause persistent murine vaginal colonization, pregnant mice colonized with the mrvR deletion strain did not develop preterm labor despite consistent GBS invasion of the uterus and the fetoplacental units. In contrast, pregnant mice colonized with wild type GBS consistently deliver prematurely. In a sepsis model the mrvR deletion strain showed significantly decreased lethality. In order to better understand the mechanism by which this newly identified transcription factor controls GBS virulence, we performed RNA-seq on wild type and mrvR deletion GBS strains, which revealed that the transcription factor affects expression of a wide range of genes across the GBS chromosome. Nucleotide biosynthesis and salvage pathways were highly represented among the set of differentially expressed genes, suggesting that MrvR may be involved in regulating nucleotide availability. Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a species of Gram-positive bacteria that often colonizes the healthy adult intestinal and reproductive tracts without causing serious symptoms. During pregnancy, however, GBS can invade the pregnant uterus, where it can cause infection of the placenta, fetal membranes, and fetus—a condition known as chorioamnionitis. Chorioamnionitis is associated with serious adverse pregnancy outcomes, including stillbirth, preterm labor, and severe infection of the newborn. GBS can survive in human amniotic fluid, which is low in bacterial nutrients and contains immune molecules that limit microbial persistence, and this ability likely contributes to GBS chorioamnionitis. This study is focused on a single GBS gene that encodes a genetic regulator we called MrvR, which we show is important for GBS resistance to human amniotic fluid. Using a series of genetic techniques combined with animal models of GBS colonization and infection, we show that MrvR also plays a key role in allowing GBS to invade the bloodstream and trigger the inflammatory responses that lead to preterm labor and stillbirth. The study concludes with a survey of other GBS genes whose activity is regulated by MrvR, which seems to be an important contributor to GBS virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison N. Dammann
- Department of Pediatrics, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Anna B. Chamby
- University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont, United States of America
| | - Andrew J. Catomeris
- Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America
| | - Kyle M. Davidson
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Hervé Tettelin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Jan-Peter van Pijkeren
- Department of Food Science, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Kathyayini P. Gopalakrishna
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Mary F. Keith
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Jordan L. Elder
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Adam J. Ratner
- Department of Pediatrics, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology, New York University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Thomas A. Hooven
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Richard King Mellon Institute for Pediatric Research, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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