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Wang C, Defoirdt T, Rajkovic A. The Effect of Caco-2 Cells on Sporulation and Enterotoxin Expression by Foodborne Clostridium perfringens. Pathogens 2024; 13:433. [PMID: 38921731 PMCID: PMC11206550 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13060433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2024] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin (Cpe)-producing strains cause gastrointestinal infections in humans and account for the second-largest number of all foodborne outbreaks caused by bacterial toxins. The Cpe toxin is only produced during sporulation; this process might be affected when C. perfringens comes into contact with host cells. The current study determined how the cpe expression levels and spore formation changed over time during co-culture with Caco-2 cells (as a model of intestinal epithelial cells). In co-culture with Caco-2 cells, total C. perfringens cell counts first decreased and then remained more or less stable, whereas spore counts were stable over the whole incubation period. The cpe mRNA level in the co-culture with Caco-2 cells increased more rapidly than in the absence of Caco-2 cells (3.9-fold higher levels in coculture than in the absence of Caco-2 cells after 8 h of incubation). Finally, we found that cpe expression is inhibited by a cue released by Caco-2 cells (8.3-fold lower levels in the presence of supernatants of Caco-2 cells than in the absence of the supernatants after 10 h of incubation); as a consequence, the increased expression in co-culture with Caco-2 cells must be caused by a factor associated with the Caco-2 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Wang
- Laboratory of Food Microbiology and Food Preservation, Department of Food Technology, Safety and Health, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium;
| | - Tom Defoirdt
- Center for Microbial Ecology and Technology, Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium;
| | - Andreja Rajkovic
- Laboratory of Food Microbiology and Food Preservation, Department of Food Technology, Safety and Health, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium;
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2
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Wang G, Liu Y, Deng L, Liu H, Deng X, Li Q, Feng H, Guo Z, Qiu J. Repurposing rabeprazole sodium as an anti-Clostridium perfringens drug by inhibiting perfringolysin O. J Appl Microbiol 2023; 134:lxad273. [PMID: 38017630 DOI: 10.1093/jambio/lxad273] [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: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Clostridium perfringens infections affect food safety, human health, and the development of the poultry feed industry. Anti-virulence is an alternative strategy to develop new drug. Perfringolysin O (PFO) is an exotoxin of C. perfringens that has been demonstrated to play critical roles in the pathogenesis of this organism, promising it an attractive target to explore drugs to combat C. perfringens infection. METHODS AND RESULTS Based on an activity-based screening, we identified six PFO inhibitors from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drug library, among which rabeprazole sodium (RS) showed an optimal inhibitory effect with an IC50 of 1.82 ± 0.746 µg ml-1. The GLY57, ASP58, SER190, SER193-194, ASN199, GLU204, ASN377, THR379, and ALA200 in PFO interacted with RS during binding based on an energy analysis and H-bond analysis. This interaction blocked the oligomer formation of PFO, thereby inhibiting its cytotoxicity. RS treatment significantly increased the survival rate and alleviated pathological damage in C. perfringens or PFO-treated Galleria mellonella. CONCLUSIONS RS could potentially be used as a candidate drug for treating C. perfringens infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guizhen Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
- Measurement Biotechnique Research Center, College of Biological and Food Engineering, Jilin Engineering Normal University, Changchun 130052, China
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Yan Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Le Deng
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Hongtao Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Xuming Deng
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Quanshun Li
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Haihua Feng
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Zhimin Guo
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Infectious Diseases and Pathogen Biology Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Jiazhang Qiu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
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Badilla-Vargas L, Pereira R, Molina-Mora JA, Alape-Girón A, Flores-Díaz M. Clostridium perfringens phospholipase C, an archetypal bacterial virulence factor, induces the formation of extracellular traps by human neutrophils. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1278718. [PMID: 37965263 PMCID: PMC10641792 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1278718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are networks of DNA and various microbicidal proteins released to kill invading microorganisms and prevent their dissemination. However, a NETs excess is detrimental to the host and involved in the pathogenesis of various inflammatory and immunothrombotic diseases. Clostridium perfringens is a widely distributed pathogen associated with several animal and human diseases, that produces many exotoxins, including the phospholipase C (CpPLC), the main virulence factor in gas gangrene. During this disease, CpPLC generates the formation of neutrophil/platelet aggregates within the vasculature, favoring an anaerobic environment for C. perfringens growth. This work demonstrates that CpPLC induces NETosis in human neutrophils. Antibodies against CpPLC completely abrogate the NETosis-inducing activity of recombinant CpPLC and C. perfringens secretome. CpPLC induces suicidal NETosis through a mechanism that requires calcium release from inositol trisphosphate receptor (IP3) sensitive stores, activation of protein kinase C (PKC), and the mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MEK/ERK) pathways, as well as the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by the metabolism of arachidonic acid. Proteomic analysis of the C. perfringens secretome identified 40 proteins, including a DNAse and two 5´-nucleotidases homologous to virulence factors that could be relevant in evading NETs. We suggested that in gas gangrene this pathogen benefits from having access to the metabolic resources of the tissue injured by a dysregulated intravascular NETosis and then escapes and spreads to deeper tissues. Understanding the role of NETs in gas gangrene could help develop novel therapeutic strategies to reduce mortality, improve muscle regeneration, and prevent deleterious patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Badilla-Vargas
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Escuela de Medicina, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Reynaldo Pereira
- Centro Nacional de alta Tecnología, Consejo Nacional de Rectores (CONARE), San José, Costa Rica
| | - José Arturo Molina-Mora
- Centro de investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Alberto Alape-Girón
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Escuela de Medicina, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Marietta Flores-Díaz
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
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Liu Y, Lei YX, Li JW, Ma YZ, Wang XY, Meng FH, Wu YJ, Wang N, Liang J, Zhao CQ, Yang Y, Chen GX, Yu SX. G Protein-Coupled Receptor 120 Mediates Host Defense against Clostridium perfringens Infection through Regulating NOD-like Receptor Family Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Inflammasome Activation. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2023; 71:7119-7130. [PMID: 37115810 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c01242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Clostridium perfringens is a major cause of infectious foodborne disease, frequently associated with the consumption of raw and undercooked food. Despite intensive studies on clarifying C. perfringens pathogenesis, the molecular mechanisms of host-pathogen interactions remain poorly understood. In soft tissue and mucosal infection models, Gpr120-/- mice, G protein-coupled receptor 120 (GPR120), are more susceptible to C. perfringens infection. Gpr120 deficiency leads to a low survival rate (30 and 10%, p < 0.01), more bacterial loads in the muscle (2.26 × 108 ± 2.08 × 108 CFUs/g, p < 0.01), duodenum (2.80 × 107 ± 1.61 × 107 CFUs/g, p < 0.01), cecum (2.50 × 108 ± 2.05 × 108 CFUs/g, p < 0.01), and MLN (1.23 × 106 ± 8.06 × 105 CFUs/g, p < 0.01), less IL-18 production in the muscle (8.54 × 103 ± 1.20 × 103 pg/g, p < 0.01), duodenum (3.34 × 103 ± 2.46 × 102 pg/g, p < 0.01), and cecum (3.81 × 103 ± 5.29 × 102 pg/g, p < 0.01), and severe organ injury. Obviously, GPR120 facilitates IL-18 production and pathogen control via potassium efflux-dependent NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) signaling. Mechanistically, GPR120 interaction with NLRP3 potentiates the NLRP3 inflammasome assembly. Thus, this study uncovers a novel role of GPR120 in host protection and reveals that GPR120 may be a potential therapeutic target for limiting pathogen infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, College of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010070, China
- Animal Husbandry Institute, Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Academy of Inner Mongolia, Hohhot 010031, China
| | - Yu-Xin Lei
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, College of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010070, China
| | - Jian-Wei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, College of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010070, China
| | - Yu-Ze Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, College of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010070, China
| | - Xue-Yin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, College of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010070, China
| | - Fan-Hua Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, College of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010070, China
| | - Yu-Jing Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, College of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010070, China
| | - Na Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, College of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010070, China
| | - Jing Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, College of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010070, China
| | - Cai-Quan Zhao
- College of Biological Science and Technology, Bao Tou Teachers' College, Baotou 014030, China
| | - Yang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, College of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010070, China
| | - Guang-Xin Chen
- Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, the Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Cell Biology of Shanxi Province, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
| | - Shui-Xing Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, College of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010070, China
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Qin G, Ai X, Xu J, Yang Y. Dual RNA-seq of spleens extracted from channel catfish infected with Aeromonas veronii reveals novel insights into host-pathogen interactions. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2023; 252:114609. [PMID: 36739739 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.114609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Interactions between host and pathogen are involving various dynamic changes in transcript expression and critical for understanding host immunity against infections and its associated pathogenesis. Herein, we established a model of channel catfish infected with Aeromonas veronii. The infected fish had prominent body surface bleeding, and the spleen showed hyperemia and swelling. Then, the spleen of channel catfish infected with A. veronii was analyzed by dual RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), and the transcriptome data were compared with uninfected channel catfish spleen or bacteria cultured in vitro. The transcript expression profile of pathogen-host interaction between A. veronii and channel catfish was successfully studied. During infection, the host was enriched for multiple immune-related signaling pathways, such as the Toll-like receptor signaling pathway, Cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, and T cell receptor signaling pathway; and significantly upregulated for many innate immune-related genes, including IL-8. At the same time, we found that A. veronii mainly harmed the host spleen through hemolysin. Our current findings are of great significance in clarifying the pathogenesis of channel catfish induced by A. veronii and provide gene targets for developing preventive measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaixiao Qin
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan university of animal husbandry and Economy, Zhengzhou 450046, China
| | - Xiaohui Ai
- Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuhan 430223, China
| | - Jin Xu
- Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuhan 430223, China.
| | - Yibin Yang
- Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuhan 430223, China.
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6
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Huang T, Lv Z, Cui K, Wang X, Zhang X, Yue B, Chu Y, Zhao K. Involvement of the E3 ubiquitin ligase Cblb in host defense and evaluation of transcriptome during Trueperella pyogenes infection. Microbes Infect 2023; 25:105104. [PMID: 36682520 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2023.105104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Trueperella pyogenes (T. pyogenes) is a versatile and ingenious bacterium that causes severe suppurative injuries in lots of economically important ruminants. The underlying pathogenesis of T. pyogenes infection remains poorly understood. In the current study, we performed transcriptome sequencing of mouse blood tissue infected with T. pyogenes. A total of 36.73 G clean data were collected, and 136 differentially expressed genes were obtained in the infection group compared to the control group. In addition, we found that the E3 ubiquitin ligase Cblb exhibited significant upregulation in the infection groups compared to the control group. Mechanistically, T. pyogenes infection markedly enhanced the expression of Cblb and regulated the host defense response. Inhibiting Cblb expression with Cblb siRNA impaired the inflammatory response and reduced the effect of phagocytosis in RAW264.7 murine macrophages. Intriguingly, overexpression of Cblb induced a strong inflammatory response and enhanced phagocytosis against T. pyogenes infection in macrophages. More importantly, the overexpression of Cblb significantly reduced the bacterial load and protected mice from the T. pyogenes infections. Therefore, our findings reveal that Cblb is a novel and potential regulator in response to T. pyogenes infection and shed new light on the development of promising treatments against T. pyogenes-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Huang
- Antibiotics Research and Re-evaluation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, School of pharmacy, Chengdu University, Chengdu 610052, China.
| | - Zheng Lv
- Antibiotics Research and Re-evaluation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, School of pharmacy, Chengdu University, Chengdu 610052, China.
| | - Kai Cui
- Key Laboratory of Bio-resources and Eco-environment (Ministry of Education), College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China.
| | - Xinrong Wang
- Antibiotics Research and Re-evaluation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, School of pharmacy, Chengdu University, Chengdu 610052, China.
| | - Xiuyue Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Bio-resources and Eco-environment (Ministry of Education), College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China.
| | - Bisong Yue
- Key Laboratory of Bio-resources and Eco-environment (Ministry of Education), College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China.
| | - Yiwen Chu
- Antibiotics Research and Re-evaluation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, School of pharmacy, Chengdu University, Chengdu 610052, China.
| | - Kelei Zhao
- Antibiotics Research and Re-evaluation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, School of pharmacy, Chengdu University, Chengdu 610052, China.
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Legüe M, Caneo M, Aguila B, Pollak B, Calixto A. Interspecies effectors of a transgenerational memory of bacterial infection in Caenorhabditis elegans. iScience 2022; 25:104627. [PMID: 35800768 PMCID: PMC9254006 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104627] [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: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 04/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The inheritance of memory is an adaptive trait. Microbes challenge the immunity of organisms and trigger behavioral adaptations that can be inherited, but how bacteria produce inheritance of a trait is unknown. We use Caenorhabditis elegans and its bacteria to study the transgenerational RNA dynamics of interspecies crosstalk leading to a heritable behavior. A heritable response of C. elegans to microbes is the pathogen-induced diapause (PIDF), a state of suspended animation to evade infection. We identify RsmY, a small RNA involved in quorum sensing in Pseudomonas aeruginosa as a trigger of PIDF. The histone methyltransferase (HMT) SET-18/SMYD3 and the argonaute HRDE-1, which promotes multi-generational silencing in the germline, are also needed for PIDF initiation. The HMT SET-25/EHMT2 is necessary for memory maintenance in the transgenerational lineage. Our work is a starting point to understanding microbiome-induced inheritance of acquired traits, and the transgenerational influence of microbes in health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcela Legüe
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso 2366103, Chile
| | - Mauricio Caneo
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso 2366103, Chile
| | - Blanca Aguila
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso 2366103, Chile
- Programa de Doctorado en Microbiología, Universidad de Chile, Santiago de Chile, Chile
| | | | - Andrea Calixto
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso 2366103, Chile
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Abstract
Clostridium perfringens, a prevalent Gram-positive bacterium, causes necrotic diseases associated with abundant life loss and economic burdens of billions of USD. The mechanism of C. perfringens-induced necrotic diseases remains largely unknown, in part, because of the lack of effective animal models and the presence of a large array of exotoxins and diverse disease manifestations from the skin and deep tissues to the gastrointestinal tract. In the light of the advancement of medical and veterinary research, a large body of knowledge is accumulating on the factors influencing C. perfringens-induced necrotic disease onset, development, and outcomes. Here, we present an overview of the key virulence factors of C. perfringens exotoxins. Subsequently, we focus on comprehensively reviewing C. perfringens-induced necrotic diseases such as myonecrosis, acute watery diarrhea, enteritis necroticans, preterm infant necrotizing enterocolitis, and chicken necrotic enteritis. We then review the current understanding on the mechanisms of myonecrosis and enteritis in relation to the immune system and intestinal microbiome. Based on these discussions, we then review current preventions and treatments of the necrotic diseases and propose potential new intervention options. The purpose of this review is to provide an updated and comprehensive knowledge on the role of the host–microbe interaction to develop new interventions against C. perfringens-induced necrotic diseases.
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Md-Lasim A, Mohd-Taib FS, Abdul-Halim M, Mohd-Ngesom AM, Nathan S, Md-Nor S. Leptospirosis and Coinfection: Should We Be Concerned? INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18179411. [PMID: 34502012 PMCID: PMC8431591 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18179411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Pathogenic Leptospira is the causative agent of leptospirosis, an emerging zoonotic disease affecting animals and humans worldwide. The risk of host infection following interaction with environmental sources depends on the ability of Leptospira to persist, survive, and infect the new host to continue the transmission chain. Leptospira may coexist with other pathogens, thus providing a suitable condition for the development of other pathogens, resulting in multi-pathogen infection in humans. Therefore, it is important to better understand the dynamics of transmission by these pathogens. We conducted Boolean searches of several databases, including Google Scholar, PubMed, SciELO, and ScienceDirect, to identify relevant published data on Leptospira and coinfection with other pathogenic bacteria. We review the role of the host-microbiota in determining the synanthropic interaction of Leptospira sp. with other bacteria, thus creating a suitable condition for the leptospira to survive and persist successfully. We also discuss the biotic and abiotic factors that amplify the viability of Leptospira in the environment. The coinfection of leptospira with pathogenic bacteria has rarely been reported, potentially contributing to a lack of awareness. Therefore, the occurrence of leptospirosis coinfection may complicate diagnosis, long-lasting examination, and mistreatment that could lead to mortality. Identifying the presence of leptospirosis with other bacteria through metagenomic analysis could reveal possible coinfection. In conclusion, the occurrence of leptospirosis with other diseases should be of concern and may depend on the success of the transmission and severity of individual infections. Medical practitioners may misdiagnose the presence of multiple infections and should be made aware of and receive adequate training on appropriate treatment for leptospirosis patients. Physicians could undertake a more targeted approach for leptospirosis diagnosis by considering other symptoms caused by the coinfected bacteria; thus, more specific treatment could be given.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asmalia Md-Lasim
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, UKM, Bangi 43600, Selangor, Malaysia; (A.M.-L.); (S.N.); (S.M.-N.)
- Herbal Medicine Research Centre (HMRC), Institute for Medical Research (IMR), National Institue of Health (NIH), Ministry of Health, Shah Alam 40170, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Farah Shafawati Mohd-Taib
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, UKM, Bangi 43600, Selangor, Malaysia; (A.M.-L.); (S.N.); (S.M.-N.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +60-12-3807701
| | - Mardani Abdul-Halim
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Jalan UMS, Kota Kinabalu 88400, Sabah, Malaysia;
| | - Ahmad Mohiddin Mohd-Ngesom
- Center for Toxicology and Health Risk, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 50300, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia;
| | - Sheila Nathan
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, UKM, Bangi 43600, Selangor, Malaysia; (A.M.-L.); (S.N.); (S.M.-N.)
| | - Shukor Md-Nor
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, UKM, Bangi 43600, Selangor, Malaysia; (A.M.-L.); (S.N.); (S.M.-N.)
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Tamai E, Sekiya H, Nariya H, Katayama S, Kamitori S. X-ray structures of Clostridium perfringens sortase C with C-terminal cell wall sorting motif of LPST demonstrate role of subsite for substrate-binding and structural variations of catalytic site. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2021; 554:138-144. [PMID: 33794418 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2021.03.106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Pili of Gram-positive bacteria are flexible rod proteins covalently attached to the bacterial cell wall, that play important roles in the initial adhesion of bacterial cells to host tissues and bacterial colonization. Pili are formed by the polymerization of major and minor pilins, catalyzed by class C sortase (SrtC), a family of cysteine transpeptidases. The Gram-positive bacterium Clostridium perfringens has a major pilin (CppA), a minor pilin (CppB), and SrtC (CpSrtC). CpSrtC recognizes the C-terminal cell wall sorting signal motifs with five amino acid residues, LPSTG of CppA and LPETG of CppB, for the polymerization of pili. Here, we report biochemical analysis to detect the formation of Clostridium perfringens pili in vivo, and the X-ray structure of a novel intermolecular substrate-enzyme complex of CpSrtC with a sequence of LPST at the C-terminal site. The results showed that CpSrtC has a subsite for substrate-binding to aid polymerization of pili, and that the catalytic site has structural variations, giving insights into the enzyme catalytic reaction mechanism and affinities for the C-terminal cell wall sorting signal motif sequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eiji Tamai
- Department of Infectious Disease, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Matsuyama University, 4-2 Bunkyo-cho, Matsuyama, Ehime, 790-8578, Japan; Life Science Research Center and Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, 1750-1 Ikenobe, Miki-cho, Kita-gun, Kagawa, 761-0793, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Sekiya
- Department of Infectious Disease, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Matsuyama University, 4-2 Bunkyo-cho, Matsuyama, Ehime, 790-8578, Japan
| | - Hirofumi Nariya
- Laboratory of Food Microbiology, Graduate School of Human Life Sciences Food and Nutritional Sciences, Jumonji University, 2-1-28, Kansawa, Niiza, Saitama, 352-8510, Japan
| | - Seiichi Katayama
- Department of Life Science, Faculty of Science, Okayama University of Science, 1-1 Ridai-cho, Kita-ku, Okayama, 700-0005, Japan
| | - Shigehiro Kamitori
- Life Science Research Center and Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, 1750-1 Ikenobe, Miki-cho, Kita-gun, Kagawa, 761-0793, Japan.
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11
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Takehara M, Kobayashi K, Nagahama M. Toll-Like Receptor 4 Protects Against Clostridium perfringens Infection in Mice. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:633440. [PMID: 33763386 PMCID: PMC7982660 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.633440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) has been reported to protect against Gram-negative bacteria by acting as a pathogen recognition receptor that senses mainly lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Gram-negative bacteria. However, the role of TLR4 in Gram-positive bacterial infection is less well understood. Clostridium perfringens type A is a Gram-positive bacterium that causes gas gangrene characterized by severe myonecrosis. It was previously demonstrated that C. perfringens θ-toxin is a TLR4 agonist, but the role of TLR4 in C. perfringens infection is unclear. Here, TLR4-defective C3H/HeJ mice infected with C. perfringens showed a remarkable decrease in survival rate, an increase in viable bacterial counts, and accelerated destruction of myofibrils at the infection site compared with wild-type C3H/HeN mice. These results demonstrate that TLR4 plays an important role in the elimination of C. perfringens. Remarkable increases in levels of inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), were observed in C. perfringens-infected C3H/HeN mice, whereas the increases were limited in C3H/HeJ mice. Generally, increased G-CSF accelerates granulopoiesis in the bone marrow and the spleen to exacerbate neutrophil production, resulting in elimination of bacteria. The number of neutrophils in the spleen was increased in C. perfringens-infected C3H/HeN mice compared with non-infected mice, while the increase was lower in C. perfringens-infected C3H/HeJ mice. Furthermore, DNA microarray analysis revealed that the mutation in TLR4 partially affects host gene expression during C. perfringens infection. Together, our results illustrate that TLR4 is crucial for the innate ability to eliminate C. perfringens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaya Takehara
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, Yamashiro-cho, Japan
| | - Keiko Kobayashi
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, Yamashiro-cho, Japan
| | - Masahiro Nagahama
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, Yamashiro-cho, Japan
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12
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Takehara M, Bandou H, Kobayashi K, Nagahama M. Clostridium perfringens α-toxin specifically induces endothelial cell death by promoting ceramide-mediated apoptosis. Anaerobe 2020; 65:102262. [PMID: 32828915 DOI: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2020.102262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Revised: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Clostridium perfringens type A-induced gas gangrene is characterized by severe myonecrosis, and α-toxin has been revealed to be a major virulence factor involved in the pathogenesis. However, the detailed mechanism is unclear. Here, we show that CD31+ endothelial cell counts decrease in muscles infected with C. perfringens in an α-toxin-dependent manner. In vitro experiments revealed that α-toxin preferentially and rapidly induces the death of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) compared with C2C12 murine muscle cells. The toxin induces apoptosis of HUVECs by increasing ceramide. Furthermore, the specificity might be dependent on differences in the sensitivity to ceramide between these cell lines. Together, our results suggest that α-toxin-induced endothelial cell death promotes severe myonecrosis and is involved in the pathogenesis of C. perfringens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaya Takehara
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, Yamashiro-cho, Tokushima, 770-8514, Japan.
| | - Hiroto Bandou
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, Yamashiro-cho, Tokushima, 770-8514, Japan
| | - Keiko Kobayashi
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, Yamashiro-cho, Tokushima, 770-8514, Japan
| | - Masahiro Nagahama
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, Yamashiro-cho, Tokushima, 770-8514, Japan.
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13
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Zhang J, Liu S, Xia L, Wen Z, Hu N, Wang T, Deng X, He J, Wang J. Verbascoside Protects Mice From Clostridial Gas Gangrene by Inhibiting the Activity of Alpha Toxin and Perfringolysin O. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:1504. [PMID: 32760362 PMCID: PMC7371946 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Gas gangrene, caused mainly by the anaerobic bacterium Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens), causes death within 48 h of onset. Limited therapeutic strategies are available, and it is associated with extremely high mortality. Both C. perfringens alpha toxin (CPA) and perfringolysin O (PFO) are important virulence factors in the development of gas gangrene, suggesting that they are therapeutic targets. Here, we found that verbascoside, a phenylpropanoid glycoside widely distributed in Chinese herbal medicines, could effectively inhibit the biological activity of both CPA and PFO in hemolytic assays. The oligomerization of PFO was remarkably inhibited by verbascoside. Although no antibacterial activity was observed, verbascoside treatment protected Caco-2 cells from the damage caused by CPA and PFO. Additionally, infected mice treated with verbascoside showed significantly alleviated damage, reduced bacterial burden, and decreased mortality. In summary, verbascoside has an effective therapeutic effect against C. perfringens virulence both in vitro and in vivo by simultaneously targeting CPA and PFO. Our results provide a promising strategy and a potential lead compound for C. perfringens infections, especially gas gangrene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Zhang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin University, Changchun, China.,Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Shui Liu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin University, Changchun, China.,Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Lining Xia
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Ürümqi, China
| | - Zhongmei Wen
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Naiyu Hu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Tingting Wang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin University, Changchun, China.,Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xuming Deng
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin University, Changchun, China.,Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Jiakang He
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin University, Changchun, China.,College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Jianfeng Wang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin University, Changchun, China.,Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
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14
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Caldicellulosiruptor bescii Adheres to Polysaccharides via a Type IV Pilin-Dependent Mechanism. Appl Environ Microbiol 2020; 86:AEM.00200-20. [PMID: 32086304 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00200-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Biological hydrolysis of cellulose above 70°C involves microorganisms that secrete free enzymes and deploy separate protein systems to adhere to their substrate. Strongly cellulolytic Caldicellulosiruptor bescii is one such extreme thermophile, which deploys modular, multifunctional carbohydrate-acting enzymes to deconstruct plant biomass. Additionally, C. bescii also encodes noncatalytic carbohydrate binding proteins, which likely evolved as a mechanism to compete against other heterotrophs in carbon-limited biotopes that these bacteria inhabit. Analysis of the Caldicellulosiruptor pangenome identified a type IV pilus (T4P) locus encoded upstream of the tāpirins, that is encoded by all Caldicellulosiruptor species. In this study, we sought to determine if the C. bescii T4P plays a role in attachment to plant polysaccharides. The major C. bescii pilin (CbPilA) was identified by the presence of pilin-like protein domains, paired with transcriptomics and proteomics data. Using immuno-dot blots, we determined that the plant polysaccharide xylan induced production of CbPilA 10- to 14-fold higher than glucomannan or xylose. Furthermore, we are able to demonstrate that recombinant CbPilA directly interacts with xylan and cellulose at elevated temperatures. Localization of CbPilA at the cell surface was confirmed by immunofluorescence microscopy. Lastly, a direct role for CbPilA in cell adhesion was demonstrated using recombinant CbPilA or anti-CbPilA antibodies to reduce C. bescii cell adhesion to xylan and crystalline cellulose up to 4.5- and 2-fold, respectively. Based on these observations, we propose that CbPilA and, by extension, the T4P play a role in Caldicellulosiruptor cell attachment to plant biomass.IMPORTANCE Most microorganisms are capable of attaching to surfaces in order to persist in their environment. Type IV (T4) pili produced by certain mesophilic Firmicutes promote adherence; however, a role for T4 pili encoded by thermophilic members of this phylum has yet to be demonstrated. Prior comparative genomics analyses identified a T4 pilus locus possessed by an extremely thermophilic genus within the Firmicutes Here, we demonstrate that attachment to plant biomass-related carbohydrates by strongly cellulolytic Caldicellulosiruptor bescii is mediated by T4 pilins. Surprisingly, xylan but not cellulose induced expression of the major T4 pilin. Regardless, the C. bescii T4 pilin interacts with both polysaccharides at high temperatures and is located to the cell surface, where it is directly involved in C. bescii attachment. Adherence to polysaccharides is likely key to survival in environments where carbon sources are limiting, allowing C. bescii to compete against other plant-degrading microorganisms.
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15
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Kachroo P, Eraso JM, Olsen RJ, Zhu L, Kubiak SL, Pruitt L, Yerramilli P, Cantu CC, Ojeda Saavedra M, Pensar J, Corander J, Jenkins L, Kao L, Granillo A, Porter AR, DeLeo FR, Musser JM. New Pathogenesis Mechanisms and Translational Leads Identified by Multidimensional Analysis of Necrotizing Myositis in Primates. mBio 2020; 11:e03363-19. [PMID: 32071274 PMCID: PMC7029145 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03363-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2019] [Accepted: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
A fundamental goal of contemporary biomedical research is to understand the molecular basis of disease pathogenesis and exploit this information to develop targeted and more-effective therapies. Necrotizing myositis caused by the bacterial pathogen Streptococcus pyogenes is a devastating human infection with a high mortality rate and few successful therapeutic options. We used dual transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) to analyze the transcriptomes of S. pyogenes and host skeletal muscle recovered contemporaneously from infected nonhuman primates. The in vivo bacterial transcriptome was strikingly remodeled compared to organisms grown in vitro, with significant upregulation of genes contributing to virulence and altered regulation of metabolic genes. The transcriptome of muscle tissue from infected nonhuman primates (NHPs) differed significantly from that of mock-infected animals, due in part to substantial changes in genes contributing to inflammation and host defense processes. We discovered significant positive correlations between group A streptococcus (GAS) virulence factor transcripts and genes involved in the host immune response and inflammation. We also discovered significant correlations between the magnitude of bacterial virulence gene expression in vivo and pathogen fitness, as assessed by previously conducted genome-wide transposon-directed insertion site sequencing (TraDIS). By integrating the bacterial RNA-seq data with the fitness data generated by TraDIS, we discovered five new pathogen genes, namely, S. pyogenes 0281 (Spy0281 [dahA]), ihk-irr, slr, isp, and ciaH, that contribute to necrotizing myositis and confirmed these findings using isogenic deletion-mutant strains. Taken together, our study results provide rich new information about the molecular events occurring in severe invasive infection of primate skeletal muscle that has extensive translational research implications.IMPORTANCE Necrotizing myositis caused by Streptococcus pyogenes has high morbidity and mortality rates and relatively few successful therapeutic options. In addition, there is no licensed human S. pyogenes vaccine. To gain enhanced understanding of the molecular basis of this infection, we employed a multidimensional analysis strategy that included dual RNA-seq and other data derived from experimental infection of nonhuman primates. The data were used to target five streptococcal genes for pathogenesis research, resulting in the unambiguous demonstration that these genes contribute to pathogen-host molecular interactions in necrotizing infections. We exploited fitness data derived from a recently conducted genome-wide transposon mutagenesis study to discover significant correlation between the magnitude of bacterial virulence gene expression in vivo and pathogen fitness. Collectively, our findings have significant implications for translational research, potentially including vaccine efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka Kachroo
- Center for Molecular and Translational Human Infectious Diseases Research, Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute and Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Jesus M Eraso
- Center for Molecular and Translational Human Infectious Diseases Research, Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute and Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Randall J Olsen
- Center for Molecular and Translational Human Infectious Diseases Research, Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute and Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA
| | - Luchang Zhu
- Center for Molecular and Translational Human Infectious Diseases Research, Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute and Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Samantha L Kubiak
- Center for Molecular and Translational Human Infectious Diseases Research, Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute and Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Layne Pruitt
- Center for Molecular and Translational Human Infectious Diseases Research, Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute and Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Prasanti Yerramilli
- Center for Molecular and Translational Human Infectious Diseases Research, Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute and Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Concepcion C Cantu
- Center for Molecular and Translational Human Infectious Diseases Research, Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute and Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Matthew Ojeda Saavedra
- Center for Molecular and Translational Human Infectious Diseases Research, Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute and Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Johan Pensar
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Helsinki Institute of Information Technology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jukka Corander
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Helsinki Institute of Information Technology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Leslie Jenkins
- Comparative Medicine Program, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Lillian Kao
- Department of Surgery, University of Texas McGovern Medical School, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Alejandro Granillo
- Department of Internal Medicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute and Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Adeline R Porter
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, USA
| | - Frank R DeLeo
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, USA
| | - James M Musser
- Center for Molecular and Translational Human Infectious Diseases Research, Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute and Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA
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16
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Soncini SR, Hartman AH, Gallagher TM, Camper GJ, Jensen RV, Melville SB. Changes in the expression of genes encoding type IV pili-associated proteins are seen when Clostridium perfringens is grown in liquid or on surfaces. BMC Genomics 2020; 21:45. [PMID: 31937237 PMCID: PMC6958937 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-020-6453-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Clostridium perfringens is a Gram-positive anaerobic pathogen that causes multiple diseases in humans and animals. C. perfringens lack flagella but have type IV pili (TFP) and can glide on agar surfaces. When C. perfringens bacteria are placed on surfaces, they become elongated, flexible and have TFP on their surface, traits not seen in liquid-grown cells. In addition, the main pilin in C. perfringens TFP, PilA2, undergoes differential post-translational modification when grown in liquid or on plates. To understand the mechanisms underlying these phenotypes, bacteria were grown in three types of liquid media and on agar plates with the same medium to compare gene expression using RNA-Seq. RESULTS Hundreds of genes were differentially expressed, including transcriptional regulatory protein-encoding genes and genes associated with TFP functions, which were higher on plates than in liquid. Transcript levels of TFP genes reflected the proportion of each protein predicted to reside in a TFP assembly complex. To measure differences in rates of translation, the Escherichia coli reporter gene gusA gene (encoding β-glucuronidase) was inserted into the chromosome downstream of TFP promoters and in-frame with the first gene of the operon. β-glucuronidase expression was then measured in cells grown in liquid or on plates. β-glucuronidase activity was proportional to mRNA levels in liquid-grown cells, but not plate-grown cells, suggesting significant levels of post-transcriptional regulation of these TFP-associated genes occurs when cells are grown on surfaces. CONCLUSIONS This study reveals insights into how a non-flagellated pathogenic rod-shaped bacterium senses and responds to growth on surfaces, including inducing transcriptional regulators and activating multiple post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms associated with TFP functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha R Soncini
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA.,Current address: UPMC Genome Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Andrea H Hartman
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Tara M Gallagher
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA.,Current address: Department of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, USA
| | - Gary J Camper
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Roderick V Jensen
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Stephen B Melville
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA.
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17
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Yamamura K, Ashida H, Okano T, Kinoshita-Daitoku R, Suzuki S, Ohtani K, Hamagaki M, Ikeda T, Suzuki T. Inflammasome Activation Induced by Perfringolysin O of Clostridium perfringens and Its Involvement in the Progression of Gas Gangrene. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:2406. [PMID: 31708887 PMCID: PMC6823607 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.02406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Accepted: 10/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens) is Gram-positive anaerobic, spore-forming rod-shaped bacterial pathogen that is widely distributed in nature. This bacterium is known as the causative agent of a foodborne illness and of gas gangrene. While the major virulence factors are the α-toxin and perfringolysin O (PFO) produced by type A strains of C. perfringens, the precise mechanisms of how these toxins induce the development of gas gangrene are still not well understood. In this study, we analyzed the host responses to these toxins, including inflammasome activation, using mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs). Our results demonstrated, for the first time, that C. perfringens triggers the activation of caspase-1 and release of IL-1β through PFO-mediated inflammasome activation via a receptor of the Nod-like receptor (NLR) family, pyrin-domain containing 3 protein (NLRP3). The PFO-mediated inflammasome activation was not induced in the cultured myocytes. We further analyzed the functional roles of the toxins in inducing myonecrosis in a mouse model of gas gangrene. Although the myonecrosis was found to be largely dependent on the α-toxin, PFO also induced myonecrosis to a lesser extent, again through the mediation of NLRP3. These results suggest that C. perfringens triggers inflammatory responses via PFO-mediated inflammasome activation via NLRP3, and that this axis contributes in part to the progression of gas gangrene. Our findings provide a novel insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of gas gangrene caused by C. perfringens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiyonobu Yamamura
- Department of Bacterial Pathogenesis, Infection and Host Response, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Ashida
- Department of Bacterial Pathogenesis, Infection and Host Response, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tokuju Okano
- Department of Bacterial Pathogenesis, Infection and Host Response, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ryo Kinoshita-Daitoku
- Department of Bacterial Pathogenesis, Infection and Host Response, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shiho Suzuki
- Department of Bacterial Pathogenesis, Infection and Host Response, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kaori Ohtani
- Department of Bacteriology and Bacterial Infection, Division of Host Defense Mechanism, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Japan
| | - Miwako Hamagaki
- Department of Oral Pathology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tohru Ikeda
- Department of Oral Pathology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Toshihiko Suzuki
- Department of Bacterial Pathogenesis, Infection and Host Response, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
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18
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Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor Does Not Influence Clostridium Perfringens α-Toxin-Induced Myonecrosis in Mice. Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:toxins11090509. [PMID: 31480318 PMCID: PMC6784116 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11090509] [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: 07/11/2019] [Revised: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 08/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Clostridium perfringens type A causes gas gangrene characterized by myonecrosis and development of an effective therapy for treating affected patients is of clinical importance. It was recently reported that the expression of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is greatly up-regulated by C. perfringens infection. However, the role of G-CSF in C. perfringens-mediated myonecrosis is still unclear. Here, we assessed the destructive changes in C. perfringens-infected skeletal muscles and tested whether inhibition of G-CSF receptor (G-CSFR) signaling or administration of recombinant G-CSF affects the tissue injury. Severe edema, contraction of muscle fiber diameter, and increased plasma creatine kinase activity were observed in mice intramuscularly injected with C. perfringens type A, and the destructive changes were α-toxin-dependent, indicating that infection induces the destruction of skeletal muscle in an α-toxin-dependent manner. G-CSF plays important roles in the protection of tissue against damage and in the regeneration of injured tissue. However, administration of a neutralizing antibody against G-CSFR had no profound impact on the destructive changes to skeletal muscle. Moreover, administration of recombinant human G-CSF, filgrastim, imparted no inhibitory effect against the destructive changes caused by C. perfringens. Together, these results indicate that G-CSF is not beneficial for treating C. perfringens α-toxin-mediated myonecrosis, but highlight the importance of revealing the mechanism by which C. perfringens negates the protective effects of G-CSF in skeletal muscle.
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19
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Tamai E, Katayama S, Sekiya H, Nariya H, Kamitori S. Structures of major pilins in Clostridium perfringens demonstrate dynamic conformational change. ACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION D-STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY 2019; 75:718-732. [PMID: 31373571 DOI: 10.1107/s2059798319009689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2019] [Accepted: 07/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Pili in Gram-positive bacteria are flexible rod proteins associated with the bacterial cell surface, and they play important roles in the initial adhesion to host tissues and colonization. The pilus shaft is formed by the covalent polymerization of major pilins, catalyzed by sortases, a family of cysteine transpeptidases. Here, X-ray structures of the major pilins from Clostridium perfringens strains 13 and SM101 and of sortase from strain SM101 are presented with biochemical analysis to detect the formation of pili in vivo. The major pilin from strain 13 adopts an elongated structure to form noncovalently linked polymeric chains in the crystal, yielding a practical model of the pilus fiber structure. The major pilin from strain SM101 adopts a novel bent structure and associates to form a left-handed twist like an antiparallel double helix in the crystal, which is likely to promote bacterial cell-cell interactions. A modeling study showed that pilin with a bent structure interacts favorably with sortase. The major pilin from strain SM101 was considered to be in an equilibrium state between an elongated and a bent structure through dynamic conformational change, which may be involved in pili-mediated colonization and sortase-mediated polymerization of pili.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eiji Tamai
- Department of Infectious Disease, College of Pharmaceutical Science, Matsuyama University, 4-2 Bunkyo-cho, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-8578, Japan
| | - Seiichi Katayama
- Department of Life Science, Faculty of Science, Okayama University of Science, 1-1 Ridai-cho, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-0005, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Sekiya
- Department of Infectious Disease, College of Pharmaceutical Science, Matsuyama University, 4-2 Bunkyo-cho, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-8578, Japan
| | - Hirofumi Nariya
- Graduate School of Biosphere Science, Hiroshima University, 1-4-4 Kagamiyama-cho, Higashihiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8528, Japan
| | - Shigehiro Kamitori
- Life Science Research Center and Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, 1750-1 Ikenobe, Miki-cho, Kita-gun, Kagawa 761-0793, Japan
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20
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Nagahama M, Takehara M, Rood JI. Histotoxic Clostridial Infections. Microbiol Spectr 2019; 7:10.1128/microbiolspec.gpp3-0024-2018. [PMID: 31350831 PMCID: PMC10957196 DOI: 10.1128/microbiolspec.gpp3-0024-2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The pathogenesis of clostridial myonecrosis or gas gangrene involves an interruption to the blood supply to the infected tissues, often via a traumatic wound, anaerobic growth of the infecting clostridial cells, the production of extracellular toxins, and toxin-mediated cell and tissue damage. This review focuses on host-pathogen interactions in Clostridium perfringens-mediated and Clostridium septicum-mediated myonecrosis. The major toxins involved are C. perfringens α-toxin, which has phospholipase C and sphingomyelinase activity, and C. septicum α-toxin, a β-pore-forming toxin that belongs to the aerolysin family. Although these toxins are cytotoxic, their effects on host cells are quite complex, with a range of intracellular cell signaling pathways induced by their action on host cell membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahiro Nagahama
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, Yamashiro-cho, Tokushima 770-8514, Japan
| | - Masaya Takehara
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, Yamashiro-cho, Tokushima 770-8514, Japan
| | - Julian I Rood
- Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
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21
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Deficient Skeletal Muscle Regeneration after Injury Induced by a Clostridium perfringens Strain Associated with Gas Gangrene. Infect Immun 2019; 87:IAI.00200-19. [PMID: 31138614 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00200-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Gas gangrene, or clostridial myonecrosis, is usually caused by Clostridium perfringens and may occur spontaneously in association with diabetes mellitus, peripheral vascular disease, or some malignancies but more often after contamination of a deep surgical or traumatic lesion. If not controlled, clostridial myonecrosis results in multiorgan failure, shock, and death, but very little is known about the muscle regeneration process that follows myonecrosis when the infection is controlled. In this study, we characterized the muscle regeneration process after myonecrosis caused in a murine experimental infection with a sublethal inoculum of C. perfringens vegetative cells. The results show that myonecrosis occurs concomitantly with significant vascular injury, which limits the migration of inflammatory cells. A significant increase in cytokines that promote inflammation explains the presence of an inflammatory infiltrate; however, impaired interferon gamma (IFN-γ) expression, a reduced number of M1 macrophages, deficient phagocytic activity, and a prolongation of the permanence of inflammatory cells lead to deficient muscle regeneration. The expression of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) agrees with the consequent accumulation of collagen in the muscle, i.e., fibrosis observed 30 days after infection. These results provide new information on the pathogenesis of gas gangrene caused by C. perfringens, shed light on the basis of the deficient muscle regenerative activity, and may open new perspectives for the development of novel therapies for patients suffering from this disease.
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22
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Huang X, Sun W, Yan Z, Shi H, Yang Q, Wang P, Li S, Liu L, Zhao S, Gun S. Integrative Analyses of Long Non-coding RNA and mRNA Involved in Piglet Ileum Immune Response to Clostridium perfringens Type C Infection. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2019; 9:130. [PMID: 31114763 PMCID: PMC6503642 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2019.00130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2018] [Accepted: 04/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been shown to play important roles in regulating host immune and inflammatory responses to bacterial infection. Infection with Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens), a food-borne zoonotic pathogen, can lead to a series of inflammatory diseases in human and piglet, greatly challenging the healthy development of global pig industry. However, the roles of lncRNAs involved in piglet immune response against C. perfringens type C infection remain unknown. In this study, the regulatory functions of ileum lncRNAs and mRNAs were investigated in piglet immune response to C. perfringens type C infection among resistance (IR), susceptibility (IS) and sham-inoculation (control, IC) groups. A total of 480 lncRNAs and 3,669 mRNAs were significantly differentially expressed, the differentially expressed lncRNAs and mRNAs in the IR and IS groups were enriched in various pathways of ABC transporters, olfactory transduction, PPAR signaling pathway, chemokine signaling pathway and Toll-like receptor signaling pathway, involving in regulating piglet immune responses and resistance during infection. There were 212 lncRNAs and 505 target mRNAs found to have important association with C. perfringens infectious diseases, furthermore, 25 dysregulated lncRNAs corresponding to 13 immune-related target mRNAs were identified to play potential roles in defense against bacterial infection. In conclusion, the results improve our understanding on the characteristics of lncRNAs and mRNAs on regulating host immune response against C. perfringens type C infection, which will provide a reference for future research into exploring C. perfringens-related diseases in human.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyu Huang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Wenyang Sun
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Zunqiang Yan
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Hairen Shi
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Qiaoli Yang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Pengfei Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Shenggui Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Lixia Liu
- College of Life Science and Engineering, Northwest Minzu University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Shengguo Zhao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Shuangbao Gun
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China.,Gansu Research Center for Swine Production Engineering and Technology, Lanzhou, China
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