Decoration of Pasteurella multocida lipopolysaccharide with phosphocholine is important for virulence

The emerging role of oral microbiota in oral cancer initiation, progression and stemness

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most prevalent malignancy among the Head and Neck cancer. OSCCs are highly inflammatory, immune-suppressive, and aggressive tumors. Recent sequencing based studies demonstrated the involvement of different oral microbiota in oral cavity diseases leading OSCC carcinogenesis, initiation and progression. Researches showed that oral microbiota can activate different inflammatory pathways and cancer stem cells (CSCs) associated stemness pathways for tumor progression. We speculate that CSCs and their niche cells may interact with the microbiotas to promote tumor progression and stemness. Certain oral microbiotas are reported to be involved in dysbiosis, pre-cancerous lesions, and OSCC development. Identification of these specific microbiota including Human papillomavirus (HPV), Porphyromonas gingivalis (PG), and Fusobacterium nucleatum (FN) provides us with a new opportunity to study the bacteria/stem cell, as well as bacteria/OSCC cells interaction that promote OSCC initiation, progression and stemness. Importantly, these evidences enabled us to develop in-vitro and in-vivo models to study microbiota interaction with stem cell niche defense as well as CSC niche defense. Thus in this review, the role of oral microbiota in OSCC has been explored with a special focus on how oral microbiota induces OSCC initiation and stemness by modulating the oral mucosal stem cell and CSC niche defense.

Analysis of Bacterial Phosphorylcholine-Related Genes Reveals an Association between Type-Specific Biosynthesis Pathways and Biomolecules Targeted for Phosphorylcholine Modification

Many bacterial surface proteins and carbohydrates are modified with phosphorylcholine (ChoP), which contributes to host mimicry and can also promote colonization and survival in the host. However, the ChoP biosynthetic pathways that are used in bacterial species that express ChoP have not been systematically studied. For example, the well-studied Lic-1 pathway is absent in some ChoP-expressing bacteria, such as Neisseria meningitidis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. This raises a question as to the origin of the ChoP used for macromolecule biosynthesis in these species. In the current study, we used in silico analyses to identify the potential pathways involved in ChoP biosynthesis in genomes of the 26 bacterial species reported to express a ChoP-modified biomolecule. We used the four known ChoP biosynthetic pathways and a ChoP transferase as search terms to probe for their presence in these genomes. We found that the Lic-1 pathway is primarily associated with organisms producing ChoP-modified carbohydrates, such as lipooligosaccharide. Pilin phosphorylcholine transferase A (PptA) homologs were detected in all bacteria that express ChoP-modified proteins. Additionally, ChoP biosynthesis pathways, such as phospholipid N-methyltransferase (PmtA), phosphatidylcholine synthase (Pcs), or the acylation-dependent phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis pathway, which generate phosphatidylcholine, were also identified in species that produce ChoP-modified proteins. Thus, a major finding of this study is the association of a particular ChoP biosynthetic pathway with a cognate, target ChoP-modified surface factor; i.e., protein versus carbohydrate. This survey failed to identify a known biosynthetic pathway for some species that express ChoP, indicating that a novel ChoP biosynthetic pathway(s) may remain to be identified. IMPORTANCE The modification of bacterial surface virulence factors with phosphorylcholine (ChoP) plays an important role in bacterial virulence and pathogenesis. However, the ChoP biosynthetic pathways in bacteria have not been fully understood. In this study, we used in silico analysis to identify potential ChoP biosynthetic pathways in bacteria that express ChoP-modified biomolecules and found the association between a specific ChoP biosynthesis pathway and the cognate target ChoP-modified surface factor.

The Role and Targets of the RNA-Binding Protein ProQ in the Gram-Negative Bacterial Pathogen Pasteurella multocida

The Gram-negative pathogen Pasteurella multocida is the causative agent of many important animal diseases. While a number of P. multocida virulence factors have been identified, very little is known about how gene expression and protein production is regulated in this organism. One mechanism by which bacteria regulate transcript abundance and protein production is riboregulation, which involves the interaction of a small RNA (sRNA) with a target mRNA to alter transcript stability and/or translational efficiency. This interaction often requires stabilization by an RNA-binding protein such as ProQ or Hfq. In Escherichia coli and a small number of other species, ProQ has been shown to play a critical role in stabilizing sRNA-mRNA interactions and preferentially binds to the 3' stem-loop regions of the mRNA transcripts, characteristic of intrinsic transcriptional terminators. The aim of this study was to determine the role of ProQ in regulating P. multocida transcript abundance and identify the RNA targets to which it binds. We assessed differentially expressed transcripts in a proQ mutant and identified sites of direct ProQ-RNA interaction using in vivo UV-cross-linking and analysis of cDNA (CRAC). These analyses demonstrated that ProQ binds to, and stabilizes, ProQ-dependent sRNAs and transfer RNAs in P. multocida via adenosine-enriched, highly structured sequences. The binding of ProQ to two RNA molecules was characterized, and these analyses showed that ProQ bound within the coding sequence of the transcript PmVP161_1121, encoding an uncharacterized protein, and within the 3' region of the putative sRNA Prrc13. IMPORTANCE Regulation in P. multocida involving the RNA-binding protein Hfq is required for hyaluronic acid capsule production and virulence. This study further expands our understanding of riboregulation by examining the role of a second RNA-binding protein, ProQ, in transcript regulation and abundance in P. multocida.

The mRNA and miRNA profiles of goat bronchial epithelial cells stimulated by Pasteurella multocida strains of serotype A and D

Pasteurella multocida (P. multocida) is a zoonotic bacterium that predominantly colonizes the respiratory tract and lungs of a variety of farmed and wild animals, and causes severe respiratory disease. To investigate the characteristics of the host immune response induced by P. multocida strains of serotype A and D, high-throughput mRNA-Seq and miRNA-Seq were performed to analyze the changes in goat bronchial epithelial cells stimulated by these two serotypes of P. multocida for 4 h. Quantitative RT-PCR was used to validate the randomly selected genes and miRNAs. The results revealed 204 and 117 differentially expressed mRNAs (|log₂(Fold-change)| ≥ 1, p-value < 0.05) in the P. multocida serotype A and D stimulated groups, respectively. Meanwhile, the number of differentially expressed miRNAs (|log₂(Fold-change)| > 0.1, p-value < 0.05) were 269 and 290, respectively. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses revealed 13 GO terms (p-value < 0.05) and four KEGG pathways (p-value < 0.05) associated with immunity. In the serotype A-stimulated group, the immune-related pathways were the GABAergic synapse and Toll-like receptor signaling pathways, while in the serotype D-stimulated group, the immune-related pathways were the phagosome and B cell receptor signaling pathways. Based on the predicted results of TargetScan and miRanda, the differentially expressed mRNA-miRNA network of immune-related GO terms and KEGG pathways was constructed. According to the cell morphological changes and the significant immune-related KEGG pathways, it was speculated that the P. multocida serotype D strain-stimulated goat bronchial epithelial cells may induce a cellular immune response earlier than serotype A-stimulated cells. Our study provides valuable insight into the host immune response mechanism induced by P. multocida strains of serotype A and D.

Immunogenicity and protection of a Pasteurella multocida strain with a truncated lipopolysaccharide outer core in ducks

Pasteurella multocida infection frequently causes fowl cholera outbreaks, leading to huge economic losses to the poultry industry worldwide. This study developed a novel live attenuated P. multocida vaccine strain for ducks named PMZ2 with deletion of the gatA gene and first four bases of the hptE gene, both of which are required for the synthesis of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) outer core. PMZ2 produced a truncated LPS phenotype and was highly attenuated in ducks with a > 10⁵-fold higher LD₅₀ than the wild-type strain. PMZ2 colonized the blood and organs, including the spleen, liver and lung, at remarkably reduced levels, and its high dose of oral infection did not cause adverse effects on body temperatures and body weights in ducks. To evaluate the vaccine efficacy of the mutant, ducklings were inoculated orally or intranasally with PMZ2 or PBS twice and subsequently subjected to a lethal challenge. Compared with the PBS control, PMZ2 immunization stimulated significantly elevated serum IgG, bile IgA and tracheal IgA responses, especially after the boost immunization in both the oral and intranasal groups, and the induced serum had significant bactericidal effects against the wild-type strain. Furthermore, the two PMZ2 immunization groups exhibited alleviated tissue lesions and significantly decreased bacterial loads in the blood and organs compared with the PBS group post-challenge. All the ducks in the PMZ2 oral and intranasal groups survived the challenge, while 70% of ducks in the PBS group succumbed to the challenge. Thus, the P. multocida mutant with mutation of the gatA gene and part of the hptE gene proved to be an effective live attenuated vaccine candidate for prevention of fowl cholera in ducks.

Spatial, Temporal, and Demographic Patterns in the Prevalence of Hemorrhagic Septicemia in 41 Countries in 2005–2019: A Systematic Analysis with Special Focus on the Potential Development of a New-Generation Vaccine

Hemorrhagic septicemia (HS) caused by Pasteurella multocida B:2 and E:2 is among the fatal bacterial diseases in cattle and buffaloes that are economically valuable in Asian and African countries. The current work aims to study the prevalence of HS among buffaloes, cattle, sheep, and goats in 41 countries in 2005–2019. The data analysis revealed that 74.4% of the total infection rate in the world was distributed among cattle, followed by buffaloes (13.1%). The mortality of HS among cattle and buffaloes increased in 2017–2019 compared to the period between 2014 and 2016. The best measure to control the disease is through vaccination programs. Current commercial vaccines, including live-attenuated vaccines and inactivated vaccines, have some shortcomings and undesirable effects. Virus-like particles (VLPs) have more potential as a vaccine platform due to their unique properties to enhance immune response and the ability to use them as a platform for foreign antigens against infectious diseases. VLPs-based vaccines are among the new-generation subunit vaccine approaches that have been licensed for the human and veterinary fields. However, most studies are still in the late stages of vaccine evaluation.

The lipopolysaccharide outer core transferase genes pcgD and hptE contribute differently to the virulence of Pasteurella multocida in ducks

Fowl cholera caused by Pasteurella multocida exerts a massive economic burden on the poultry industry. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is essential for the growth of P. multocida genotype L1 strains in chickens and specific truncations to the full length LPS structure can attenuate bacterial virulence. Here we further dissected the roles of the outer core transferase genes pcgD and hptE in bacterial resistance to duck serum, outer membrane permeability and virulence in ducks. Two P. multocida mutants, ΔpcgD and ΔhptE, were constructed, and silver staining confirmed that they all produced truncated LPS profiles. Inactivation of pcgD or hptE did not affect bacterial susceptibility to duck serum and outer membrane permeability but resulted in attenuated virulence in ducks to some extent. After high-dose inoculation, ΔpcgD showed remarkably reduced colonization levels in the blood and spleen but not in the lung and liver and caused decreased injuries in the spleen and liver compared with the wild-type strain. In contrast, the ΔhptE loads declined only in the blood, and ΔhptE infection caused decreased splenic lesions but also induced severe hepatic lesions. Furthermore, compared with the wild-type strain, ΔpcgD was significantly attenuated upon oral or intramuscular challenge, whereas ΔhptE exhibited reduced virulence only upon oral infection. Therefore, the pcgD deletion caused greater virulence attenuation in ducks, indicating the critical role of pcgD in P. multocida infection establishment and survival.

An effective reagent to functionalize alcohols with phosphocholine

Phosphocholine is a small haptenic molecule that is both a precursor and degradation product of choline. Phosphocholine decorates a number of biologics such as lipids and oligosaccharides. In this study, an air and bench stable phosphocholine donor has been developed and evaluated with a number of alcohol acceptors. Using a one-pot, three-step sequence, (phosphitylation, oxidation, and phosphate deprotection) phosphocholine derivatives are synthesized in high yields. Of particular interest is the synthesis of miltefosine, the lone oral drug approved to treat leishmaniasis. Due to its prohibitive expense ($1500 per g), miltefosine is not accesable for the majority of the world's patients. Based on the described reaction sequence, this drug can be produced for $25 per g.

Mass spectrometric analysis of lipid A obtained from the lipopolysaccharide ofPasteurella multocida

LC/MS-based variant profiling of lipid A component of endotoxic lipopolysaccharides ofPasteurella multocidatype B:2, a causative agent of haemorrhagic septicaemia in water buffalo and cattle.

Effects of Pasteurella multocida lipopolysaccharides on bovine leukocytes

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a major virulence factor of Gram-negative bacteria playing a major role in stimulating protective immune response in mammalian host. However, in many gram-negative bacterial infections, LPS also elicits immunopathology by inducing excessive inflammatory changes. P. multocida (Pm), a gram-negative bacterium, causes acute lung inflammation and fatal septicemic disease in animals. However, the effects of Pm LPS on host cells are little known. In this study, LPS isolated from three different serotypes (B:2, A:1 and A:3) of Pm were individually tested in vitro to assess the response of bovine leukocytes. Pm LPS induced cell proliferation and cell death of leukocytes, in a dose- and time-dependent manner. In these cells, mitochondrial dysfunction and caspase activation mediate cell death.

Characterization of Two Novel Lipopolysaccharide Phosphoethanolamine Transferases in Pasteurella multocida and Their Role in Resistance to Cathelicidin-2

The lipopolysaccharide (LPS) produced by the Gram-negative bacterial pathogen Pasteurella multocida has phosphoethanolamine (PEtn) residues attached to lipid A, 3-deoxy-d-manno-octulosonic acid (Kdo), heptose, and galactose. In this report, we show that PEtn is transferred to lipid A by the P. multocida EptA homologue, PetL, and is transferred to galactose by a novel PEtn transferase that is unique to P. multocida called PetG. Transcriptomic analyses indicated that petL expression was positively regulated by the global regulator Fis and negatively regulated by an Hfq-dependent small RNA. Importantly, we have identified a novel PEtn transferase called PetK that is responsible for PEtn addition to the single Kdo molecule (Kdo1), directly linked to lipid A in the P. multocida glycoform A LPS. In vitro assays showed that the presence of a functional petL and petK, and therefore the presence of PEtn on lipid A and Kdo1, was essential for resistance to the cationic, antimicrobial peptide cathelicidin-2. The importance of PEtn on Kdo1 and the identification of the transferase responsible for this addition have not previously been shown. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that PetK is the first representative of a new family of predicted PEtn transferases. The PetK family consists of uncharacterized proteins from a range of Gram-negative bacteria that produce LPS glycoforms with only one Kdo molecule, including pathogenic species within the genera Vibrio, Bordetella, and Haemophilus We predict that many of these bacteria will require the addition of PEtn to Kdo for maximum protection against host antimicrobial peptides.

The Myriad Properties of Pasteurella multocida Lipopolysaccharide

Pasteurella multocida is a heterogeneous species that is a primary pathogen of many different vertebrates. This Gram-negative bacterium can cause a range of diseases, including fowl cholera in birds, haemorrhagic septicaemia in ungulates, atrophic rhinitis in swine, and lower respiratory tract infections in cattle and pigs. One of the primary virulence factors of P. multocida is lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Recent work has shown that this crucial surface molecule shows significant structural variability across different P. multocida strains, with many producing LPS structures that are highly similar to the carbohydrate component of host glycoproteins. It is likely that this LPS mimicry of host molecules plays a major role in the survival of P. multocida in certain host niches. P. multocida LPS also plays a significant role in resisting the action of chicken cathelicidins, and is a strong stimulator of host immune responses. The inflammatory response to the endotoxic lipid A component is a major contributor to the pathogenesis of certain infections. Recent work has shown that vaccines containing killed bacteria give protection only against other strains with identical, or nearly identical, surface LPS structures. Conversely, live attenuated vaccines give protection that is broadly protective, and their efficacy is independent of LPS structure.

The RNA-Binding Chaperone Hfq Is an Important Global Regulator of Gene Expression in Pasteurella multocida and Plays a Crucial Role in Production of a Number of Virulence Factors, Including Hyaluronic Acid Capsule

The Gram-negative bacterium Pasteurella multocida is the causative agent of a number of economically important animal diseases, including avian fowl cholera. Numerous P. multocida virulence factors have been identified, including capsule, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and filamentous hemagglutinin, but little is known about how the expression of these virulence factors is regulated. Hfq is an RNA-binding protein that facilitates riboregulation via interaction with small noncoding RNA (sRNA) molecules and their mRNA targets. Here, we show that a P. multocida hfq mutant produces significantly less hyaluronic acid capsule during all growth phases and displays reduced in vivo fitness. Transcriptional and proteomic analyses of the hfq mutant during mid-exponential-phase growth revealed altered transcript levels for 128 genes and altered protein levels for 78 proteins. Further proteomic analyses of the hfq mutant during the early exponential growth phase identified 106 proteins that were produced at altered levels. Both the transcript and protein levels for genes/proteins involved in capsule biosynthesis were reduced in the hfq mutant, as were the levels of the filamentous hemagglutinin protein PfhB2 and its secretion partner LspB2. In contrast, there were increased expression levels of three LPS biosynthesis genes, encoding proteins involved in phosphocholine and phosphoethanolamine addition to LPS, suggesting that these genes are negatively regulated by Hfq-dependent mechanisms. Taken together, these data provide the first evidence that Hfq plays a crucial role in regulating the global expression of P. multocida genes, including the regulation of key P. multocida virulence factors, capsule, LPS, and filamentous hemagglutinin.

First High-Quality Draft Genome Sequence of Pasteurella multocida Sequence Type 128 Isolated from Infected Bone

We report here the first high-quality draft genome sequence of Pasteurella multocida sequence type 128, which was isolated from the infected finger bone of an adult female who was bitten by a domestic dog. The draft genome will be a valuable addition to the scarce genomic resources available for P. multocida.

On the in vivo significance of bacterial resistance to antimicrobial peptides

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are at the front-line of host defense during infection and play critical roles both in reducing the microbial load early during infection and in linking innate to adaptive immunity. However, successful pathogens have developed mechanisms to resist AMPs. Although considerable progress has been made in elucidating AMP-resistance mechanisms of pathogenic bacteria in vitro, less is known regarding the in vivo significance of such resistance. Nevertheless, progress has been made in this area, largely by using murine models and, in two instances, human models of infection. Herein, we review progress on the use of in vivo infection models in AMP research and discuss the AMP resistance mechanisms that have been established by in vivo studies to contribute to microbial infection. We posit that in vivo infection models are essential tools for investigators to understand the significance to pathogenesis of genetic changes that impact levels of bacterial susceptibility to AMPs. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Bacterial Resistance to Antimicrobial Peptides.

Development of a rapid multiplex PCR assay to genotype Pasteurella multocida strains by use of the lipopolysaccharide outer core biosynthesis locus

Pasteurella multocida is a Gram-negative bacterial pathogen that is the causative agent of a wide range of diseases in many animal species, including humans. A widely used method for differentiation of P. multocida strains involves the Heddleston serotyping scheme. This scheme was developed in the early 1970s and classifies P. multocida strains into 16 somatic or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) serovars using an agar gel diffusion precipitin test. However, this gel diffusion assay is problematic, with difficulties reported in accuracy, reproducibility, and the sourcing of quality serovar-specific antisera. Using our knowledge of the genetics of LPS biosynthesis in P. multocida, we have developed a multiplex PCR (mPCR) that is able to differentiate strains based on the genetic organization of the LPS outer core biosynthesis loci. The accuracy of the LPS-mPCR was compared with classical Heddleston serotyping using LPS compositional data as the "gold standard." The LPS-mPCR correctly typed 57 of 58 isolates; Heddleston serotyping was able to correctly and unambiguously type only 20 of the 58 isolates. We conclude that our LPS-mPCR is a highly accurate LPS genotyping method that should replace the Heddleston serotyping scheme for the classification of P. multocida strains.

Structural analysis of lipopolysaccharide produced by Heddleston serovars 10, 11, 12 and 15 and the identification of a new Pasteurella multocida lipopolysaccharide outer core biosynthesis locus, L6

Pasteurella multocida is a Gram-negative bacterial pathogen classified into 16 serovars based on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) antigens. Previously, we have characterized the LPS outer core biosynthesis loci L1, L2, L3, L5 and L7, and have elucidated the full range of LPS structures associated with each. In this study, we have determined the LPS structures produced by the type strains representing the serovars 10, 11, 12 and 15 and characterized a new LPS outer core biosynthesis locus, L6, common to all. The L6 outer core biosynthesis locus shares significant synteny with the L3 locus but due to nucleotide divergence, gene duplication and gene redundancy, the L6 and L3 LPS outer cores are structurally distinct. Using LPS structural and genetic differences identified in each L6 strain, we have predicted a role for most of the L6 glycosyltransferases in LPS assembly. Importantly, we have identified two glycosyltransferases, GctD and GatB, that differ by one amino acid, A162T, but use different donor sugars [uridine diphosphate (UDP)-Glc and UDP-Gal, respectively]. The longest outer core oligosaccharide, produced by the serovar 12 type strain, contained a terminal region consisting of β-Gal-(1,4)-β-GlcNAc-(1,3)-β-Gal-(1,4)-β-Glc that was identical in structure to the vertebrate glycosphingolipid, paragloboside. Mimicry of host glycosphingolipids has been observed previously in P. multocida strains belonging to L3 LPS genotype, which produce LPS similar in structure to the globo-series of glycosphingolipids. The expression of a paragloboside-like oligosaccharide on the LPS produced by the serovar 12 type strain indicates that strains belonging to the L6 LPS genotype may also engage in molecular mimicry.

Pasteurella multocida: from zoonosis to cellular microbiology

In a world where most emerging and reemerging infectious diseases are zoonotic in nature and our contacts with both domestic and wild animals abound, there is growing awareness of the potential for human acquisition of animal diseases. Like other Pasteurellaceae, Pasteurella species are highly prevalent among animal populations, where they are often found as part of the normal microbiota of the oral, nasopharyngeal, and upper respiratory tracts. Many Pasteurella species are opportunistic pathogens that can cause endemic disease and are associated increasingly with epizootic outbreaks. Zoonotic transmission to humans usually occurs through animal bites or contact with nasal secretions, with P. multocida being the most prevalent isolate observed in human infections. Here we review recent comparative genomics and molecular pathogenesis studies that have advanced our understanding of the multiple virulence mechanisms employed by Pasteurella species to establish acute and chronic infections. We also summarize efforts being explored to enhance our ability to rapidly and accurately identify and distinguish among clinical isolates and to control pasteurellosis by improved development of new vaccines and treatment regimens.

Comparative genome analysis of an avirulent and two virulent strains of avian Pasteurella multocida reveals candidate genes involved in fitness and pathogenicity

BACKGROUND

Pasteurella multocida is the etiologic agent of fowl cholera, a highly contagious and severe disease of poultry causing significant mortality and morbidity throughout the world. All types of poultry are susceptible to fowl cholera. Turkeys are most susceptible to the peracute/acute forms of the disease while chickens are most susceptible to the acute and chronic forms of the disease. The whole genome of the Pm70 strain of P. multocida was sequenced and annotated in 2001. The Pm70 strain is not virulent to chickens and turkeys. In contrast, strains X73 and P1059 are highly virulent to turkeys, chickens, and other poultry species. In this study, we sequenced the genomes of P. multocida strains X73 and P1059 and undertook a detailed comparative genome analysis with the avirulent Pm70 strain. The goal of this study was to identify candidate genes in the virulent strains that may be involved in pathogenicity of fowl cholera disease.

RESULTS

Comparison of virulent versus avirulent avian P. multocida genomes revealed 336 unique genes among the P1059 and/or X73 genomes compared to strain Pm70. Genes of interest within this subset included those encoding an L-fucose transport and utilization system, several novel sugar transport systems, and several novel hemagglutinins including one designated PfhB4. Additionally, substantial amino acid variation was observed in many core outer membrane proteins and single nucleotide polymorphism analysis confirmed a higher dN/dS ratio within proteins localized to the outer membrane.

CONCLUSIONS

Comparative analyses of highly virulent versus avirulent avian P. multocida identified a number of genomic differences that may shed light on the ability of highly virulent strains to cause disease in the avian host, including those that could be associated with enhanced virulence or fitness.

Draft Genome Sequences of Two Virulent Serotypes of Avian Pasteurella multocida

Here we report the draft genome sequences of two virulent avian strains of Pasteurella multocida. Comparative analyses of these genomes were done with the published genome sequence of avirulent P. multocida strain Pm70.

Microbial modulation of host immunity with the small molecule phosphorylcholine

All microorganisms dependent on persistence in a host for survival rely on either hiding from or modulating host responses to infection. The small molecule phosphorylcholine, or choline phosphate (ChoP), is used for both of these purposes by a wide array of bacterial and parasitic microbes. While the mechanisms underlying ChoP acquisition and expression are diverse, a unifying theme is the use of ChoP to reduce the immune response to infection, creating an advantage for ChoP-expressing microorganisms. In this minireview, we discuss several benefits of ChoP expression during infection as well as how the immune system fights back against ChoP-expressing pathogens.

The role of lipooligosaccharide phosphorylcholine in colonization and pathogenesis of Histophilus somni in cattle

Histophilus somni is a Gram-negative bacterium and member of the Pasteurellaceae that is responsible for respiratory disease and other systemic infections in cattle. One of the bacterium’s virulence factors is antigenic phase variation of its lipooligosaccharide (LOS). LOS antigenic variation may occur through variation in composition or structure of glycoses or their substitutions, such as phosphorylcholine (ChoP). However, the role of ChoP in the pathogenesis of H. somni disease has not been established. In Haemophilus influenzae ChoP on the LOS binds to platelet activating factor on epithelial cells, promoting bacterial colonization of the host upper respiratory tract. However, ChoP is not expressed in the blood as it also binds C-reactive protein, resulting in complement activation and killing of the bacteria. In order to simulate the susceptibility of calves with suppressed immunity due to stress or previous infection, calves were challenged with bovine herpes virus-1 or dexamethazone 3 days prior to challenge with H. somni. Following challenge, expression of ChoP on the LOS of 2 different H. somni strains was associated with colonization of the upper respiratory tract. In contrast, lack of ChoP expression was associated with bacteria recovered from systemic sites. Histopathology of cardiac tissue from myocarditis revealed lesions containing bacterial clusters that appeared similar to a biofilm. Furthermore, some respiratory cultures contained substantial numbers of Pasteurella multocida, which were not present on preculture screens. Subsequent biofilm experiments have shown that H. somni and P. multocida grow equally well together in a biofilm, suggesting a commensal relationship may exist between the two species. Our results also showed that ChoP contributed to, but was not required for, adhesion to respiratory epithelial cells. In conclusion, expression of ChoP on H. somni LOS contributed to colonization of the bacteria to the host upper respiratory tract, but phase variable loss of ChoP expression may help the bacteria survive systemically.

The key surface components of Pasteurella multocida: capsule and lipopolysaccharide

The capsule and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Pasteurella multocida constitute the major components of the bacterial cell surface. As well as forming the basis for the most widely used classification systems, they play key roles in a range of interactions between the bacteria and the hosts they colonize or infect. Both polysaccharides are involved in the avoidance of host innate immune mechanisms, such as resistance to phagocytosis, complement-mediated killing, and the bactericidal activity of antimicrobial peptides; they are therefore essential for virulence. In addition, LPS is a major antigen in the stimulation of adaptive immune responses to infection.

Novel protein substrates of the phospho-form modification system in Neisseria gonorrhoeae and their connection to O-linked protein glycosylation

The zwitterionic phospho-form moieties phosphoethanolamine (PE) and phosphocholine (PC) are important components of bacterial membranes and cell surfaces. The major type IV pilus subunit protein of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, PilE, undergoes posttranslational modifications with these moieties via the activity of the pilin phospho-form transferase PptA. A number of observations relating to colocalization of phospho-form and O-linked glycan attachment sites in PilE suggested that these modifications might be either functionally or mechanistically linked or interact directly or indirectly. Moreover, it was unknown whether the phenomenon of phospho-form modification was solely dedicated to PilE or if other neisserial protein targets might exist. In light of these concerns, we screened for evidence of phospho-form modification on other membrane glycoproteins targeted by the broad-spectrum O-linked glycosylation system. In this way, two periplasmic lipoproteins, NGO1043 and NGO1237, were identified as substrates for PE addition. As seen previously for PilE, sites of PE modifications were clustered with those of glycan attachment. In the case of NGO1043, evidence for at least six serine phospho-form attachment sites was found, and further analyses revealed that at least two of these serines were also attachment sites for glycan. Finally, mutations altering glycosylation status led to the presence of pptA-dependent PC modifications on both proteins. Together, these results reinforce the associations established in PilE and provide evidence for dynamic interplay between phospho-form modification and O-linked glycosylation. The observations also suggest that phospho-form modifications likely contribute biologically at both intracellular and extracellular levels.

Characterization of the lipopolysaccharide from Pasteurella multocida Heddleston serovar 9: identification of a proposed bi-functional dTDP-3-acetamido-3,6-dideoxy-α-D-glucose biosynthesis enzyme

Pasteurella multocida strains are classified into 16 different lipopolysaccharide (LPS) serovars using the Heddleston serotyping scheme. Ongoing studies in our laboratories on the LPS aim to determine the core oligosaccharide (OS) structures expressed by each of the Heddleston type strains and identify the genes and transferases required for the biosynthesis of the serovar-specific OSs. In this study, we have determined the core OS of the LPS expressed by the Heddleston serovar 9 type strain, P2095. Structural information was established by a combination of monosaccharide and methylation analyses, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and mass spectrometry revealing the following structure: . The serovar 9 OS contains an inner core that is conserved among P. multocida strains with an elaborate outer core extension containing rhamnose (Rha), a D-glycero-D-manno isomer of heptose, and the unusual deoxyamino sugar, 3-acetamido-3,6-dideoxy-α-D-glucose (Qui3NAc). Genetic analyses of the LPS outer core biosynthesis locus revealed that in addition to the glycosyltransferases predicted to transfer the sugars to the nascent LPS molecule, the locus also contained the complete set of genes required for the biosynthesis of the nucleotide sugar donors dTDP-Rha and dTDP-Qui3NAc. One of the genes identified as part of the dTDP-Qui3NAc biosynthesis pathway, qdtD, encodes a proposed bi-functional enzyme with N-terminal amino acid identity to dTDP-4-oxo-6-deoxy-D-glucose-3,4-oxoisomerase and C-terminal amino acid identity to dTDP-3-oxo-6-deoxy-α-D-glucose transacetylase.

Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of the genes involved in the biosynthesis of the lipopolysaccharide of Pasteurella multocida

The lipopolysaccharide, also known as the somatic antigen or O-antigen, is an important virulence factor of Pasteurella multocida. In the current study, the genes involved in the biosynthesis of the outer core region of the lipopolysaccharide, which were obtained from somatic type reference strains and field strains of P. multocida, were subjected to polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis. The PCR-RFLP analysis classified 11 out of the 16 serotypes into 5 PCR-RFLP types (I-V). Types I and V contain strains belong to serotypes 1 and 13, respectively. The rest of the PCR-RFLP types contain strains belong to certain groups of serotypes. Typing of 38 field strains from poultry using PCR-RFLP analysis and the gel diffusion precipitation test showed consistent results. These results indicate that the PCR-RFLP analysis can be a useful tool for rapid somatic typing of some strains of P. multocida.

Pneumococcal pathogenesis: "innate invasion" yet organ-specific damage

Streptococcus pneumoniae encounters a variety of unique cellular situations during colonization of the nasopharynx or invasion into the lungs, the bloodstream, or the central nervous system. The ligand/receptor pairings that enable this progression of disease appear to be shared by many respiratory pathogens suggesting that a primitive "innate invasion" mechanism may underlie the well-known species-specific mechanisms of pathogenesis. That the acute phase of the innate immune response includes elements to interrupt this path supports this concept. However, it also appears that each cell type or organ responds differently to activation of this innate invasion pathway leaving some organs, such as the lung, intact post-infection but others, such as the brain, largely destroyed. This review posits a concept of innate invasion but cautions that organ-specific responses complicate opportunities for a simple approach to protect from organ damage.

Fis is essential for capsule production in Pasteurella multocida and regulates expression of other important virulence factors

P. multocida is the causative agent of a wide range of diseases of animals, including fowl cholera in poultry and wild birds. Fowl cholera isolates of P. multocida generally express a capsular polysaccharide composed of hyaluronic acid. There have been reports of spontaneous capsule loss in P. multocida, but the mechanism by which this occurs has not been determined. In this study, we identified three independent strains that had spontaneously lost the ability to produce capsular polysaccharide. Quantitative RT-PCR showed that these strains had significantly reduced transcription of the capsule biosynthetic genes, but DNA sequence analysis identified no mutations within the capsule biosynthetic locus. However, whole-genome sequencing of paired capsulated and acapsular strains identified a single point mutation within the fis gene in the acapsular strain. Sequencing of fis from two independently derived spontaneous acapsular strains showed that each contained a mutation within fis. Complementation of these strains with an intact copy of fis, predicted to encode a transcriptional regulator, returned capsule expression to all strains. Therefore, expression of a functional Fis protein is essential for capsule expression in P. multocida. DNA microarray analysis of one of the spontaneous fis mutants identified approximately 30 genes as down-regulated in the mutant, including pfhB_2, which encodes a filamentous hemagglutinin, a known P. multocida virulence factor, and plpE, which encodes the cross protective surface antigen PlpE. Therefore these experiments define for the first time a mechanism for spontaneous capsule loss in P. multocida and identify Fis as a critical regulator of capsule expression. Furthermore, Fis is involved in the regulation of a range of other P. multocida genes including important virulence factors.

Pasteurella multocida is an animal pathogen of worldwide economic significance. It causes fowl cholera in wild birds and poultry, hemorrhagic septicemia in ungulates, and atrophic rhinitis in swine. The major virulence factor in fowl cholera-causing isolates is the polysaccharide capsule, which is composed of hyaluronic acid. Although there have been reports of spontaneous capsule loss in some strains, to date there has been no systematic investigation into the molecular mechanisms of this phenomenon. In this study, we describe for the first time the underlying transcriptional mechanisms required for the expression of capsule in P. multocida, and identify a transcriptional regulator required for capsule production.

Structural and genetic basis for the serological differentiation of Pasteurella multocida Heddleston serotypes 2 and 5

Pasteurella multocida is classified into 16 serotypes according to the Heddleston typing scheme. As part of a comprehensive study to define the structural and genetic basis of this scheme, we have determined the structure of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) produced by P. multocida strains M1404 (B:2) and P1702 (E:5), the type strains for serotypes 2 and 5, respectively. The only difference between the LPS structures made by these two strains was the absence of a phosphoethanolamine (PEtn) moiety at the 3 position of the second heptose (Hep II) in M1404. Analysis of the lpt-3 gene, required for the addition of this PEtn residue, revealed that the gene was intact in P1702 but contained a nonsense mutation in M1404. Expression of an intact copy of lpt-3 in M1404 resulted in the attachment of a PEtn residue to the 3 position of the Hep II residue, generating an LPS structure identical to that produced by P1702. We identified and characterized each of the glycosyltransferase genes required for assembly of the serotype 2 and 5 LPS outer core. Monoclonal antibodies raised against serotype 2 LPS recognized the serotype 2/5-specific outer core LPS structure, but recognition of this structure was inhibited by the PEtn residue on Hep II. These data indicate that the serological classification of strains into Heddleston serotypes 2 and 5 is dependent on the presence or absence of PEtn on Hep II.

Molecular characterization of phosphorylcholine expression on the lipooligosaccharide of Histophilus somni

Histophilus somni (Haemophilus somnus) is an important pathogen of cattle that is responsible for respiratory disease, septicemia, and systemic diseases such as thrombotic meningoencephalitis, myocarditis, and abortion. A variety of virulence factors have been identified in H. somni, including compositional and antigenic variation of the lipooligosaccharide (LOS). Phosphorylcholine (ChoP) has been identified as one of the components of H. somni LOS that undergoes antigenic variation. In this study, five genes (lic1ABCD(Hs) and glpQ) with homology to genes responsible for ChoP expression in Haemophilus influenzae LOS were identified in the H. somni genome. An H. somni open reading frame (ORF) with homology to H. influenzae lic1A (lic1A(Hi)) contained a variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR). However, whereas the tetranucleotide repeat 5'-CAAT-3' is present in lic1A(Hi), the VNTR in H. somni lic1A (lic1A(Hs)) consisted of 5'-AACC-3'. Due to the propensity of VNTR to vary during replication and cause the ORF to shift in and out of frame with the upstream start codon, the VNTR were deleted from lic1A(Hs) to maintain the gene constitutively on. This construct was cloned into Escherichia coli, and functional enzyme assays confirmed that lic1A(Hs) encoded a choline kinase, and that the VNTR were not required for expression of a functional gene product. Variation in the number of VNTR in lic1A(Hs) correlated with antigenic variation of ChoP expression in H. somni strain 124P. However, antigenic variation of ChoP expression in strain 738 predominately occurred through variable extension/truncation of the LOS outer core. These results indicated that the lic1(Hs) genes controlled expression of ChoP on the LOS, but that in H. somni there are two potential mechanisms that account for antigenic variation of ChoP.

Sialic acid uptake is necessary for virulence of Pasteurella multocida in turkeys

Many pathogenic bacteria employ systems to incorporate sialic acid into their membranes as a means of protection against host defense mechanisms. In Pasteurella multocida, an opportunistic pathogen which causes diseases of economic importance in a wide range of animal species, sialic acid uptake plays a role in a mouse model of systemic pasteurellosis. To further investigate the importance of sialic acid uptake in pathogenesis, sialic acid uptake mutants of an avian strain of P. multocida P-1059 (A:3) were constructed, characterized, and an in-frame sialic acid uptake deletion mutant was assessed for virulence in turkeys. Inactivation of sialic acid uptake resulted in a high degree of attenuation when turkeys were challenged either intranasally or intravenously. Resistance of the sialic acid uptake mutant to killing by turkey serum complement was similar to that of the parent, suggesting other mechanisms are responsible for attenuation of virulence in turkeys.

Identification of novel glycosyltransferases required for assembly of the Pasteurella multocida A:1 lipopolysaccharide and their involvement in virulence

We previously determined the structure of the Pasteurella multocida Heddleston type 1 lipopolysaccharide (LPS) molecule and characterized some of the transferases essential for LPS biosynthesis. We also showed that P. multocida strains expressing truncated LPS display reduced virulence. Here, we have identified all of the remaining glycosyltransferases required for synthesis of the oligosaccharide extension of the P. multocida Heddleston type 1 LPS, including a novel alpha-1,6 glucosyltransferase, a beta-1,4 glucosyltransferase, a putative bifunctional galactosyltransferase, and two heptosyltransferases. In addition, we identified a novel oligosaccharide extension expressed only in a heptosyltransferase (hptE) mutant background. All of the analyzed mutants expressing LPS with a truncated main oligosaccharide extension displayed reduced virulence, but those expressing LPS with an intact heptose side chain were able to persist for long periods in muscle tissue. The hptC mutant, which expressed LPS with the shortest oligosaccharide extension and no heptose side chain, was unable to persist on the muscle or cause any disease. Furthermore, all of the mutants displayed increased sensitivity to the chicken antimicrobial peptide fowlicidin 1, with mutants expressing highly truncated LPS being the most sensitive.

Isolation, antimicrobial resistance, and virulence genes of Pasteurella multocida strains from swine in China

A total of 233 isolates of Pasteurella multocida were obtained from 2,912 cases of clinical respiratory disease in pigs in China, giving an isolation rate of 8.0%. Serogroup A P. multocida isolates were isolated from 92 cases (39.5%), and serogroup D isolates were isolated from 128 cases (54.9%); 12 isolates (5.2%) were untypeable. P. multocida was the fourth most frequent pathogenic bacterium recovered from the respiratory tract, after Streptococcus suis, Haemophilus parasuis, and Escherichia coli. All isolates were characterized for their susceptibilities to 20 antibiotics and the presence of 19 genes for virulence factors (VFs). The frequency of antimicrobial resistance among P. multocida isolates from swine in China was higher than that reported among P. multocida isolates from swine in from other countries, and 93.1% of the isolates showed multiple-drug resistance. There was a progressive increase in the rate of multiresistance to more than seven antibiotics, from 16.2% in 2003 to 62.8% in 2007. The resistance profiles suggested that cephalosporins, florfenicol, and fluoroquinolones were the drugs most likely to be active against P. multocida. Use of PCR showed that colonization factors (ptfA, fimA, and hsf-2), iron acquisition factors, sialidases (nanH), and outer membrane proteins occurred in most porcine strains. The VFs pfhA, tadD, toxA, and pmHAS were each present in <50% of strains. The various VFs exhibited distinctive associations with serogroups: concentrated in serogroup A, concentrated in serogroup D, or occurring jointly in serogroups A and D. These findings provide novel insights into the epidemiological characteristics of porcine P. multocida isolates and suggest that the potential threat of such multiresistant bacteria in food-producing animals should not be neglected.

A compendium of antibiotic-induced transcription profiles reveals broad regulation of Pasteurella multocida virulence genes

The transcriptional responses of Pasteurella multocida to eight antibiotics with known mode of actions (MoAs) and one novel antibiotic compound with an unknown MoA were collected to create a compendium of transcriptional profiles for MoA studies. At minimal inhibitory concentration the three bactericidal compounds enrofloxacin, cefquinome and the novel compound had a minor impact on gene regulation with approximately 1% of the P. multocida genome affected, whilst the bacteriostatic compounds florfenicol, tilmicosin, rifampin, trimethoprim and brodimoprim regulated 20% of the genome. Novobiocin was special in that it regulated 40% of all P. multocida genes. Regulation of target genes was observed for novobiocin, rifampin, florfenicol and tilmicosin and signature genes were identified for most antibiotics. The transcriptional profile induced by the novel compound was unrelated to the compendium profiles suggesting a new MoA. The transcription of many P. multocida virulence factors, particularly genes involved in capsule synthesis and export, LPS synthesis, competence, adherence and iron transport were altered in the presence of antibiotics. Virulence gene transcription was mainly negatively affected, however the opposite effect was also observed in the case of rifampin where the up-regulation of the tad locus involved in tight adherence was seen. Novobiocin and trimethoprim caused a marked reduction in the transcription of capsule genes, which correlated with a concomitant reduction of the capsular layer on the surface of P. multocida. The broad negative impact on virulence gene transcription supports the notion that the therapeutic effect of some antibiotics could be a combination of growth and virulence inhibition.