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Hovhannisyan P, Stelzner K, Keicher M, Paprotka K, Neyazi M, Pauzuolis M, Ali WM, Rajeeve K, Bartfeld S, Rudel T. Infection of human organoids supports an intestinal niche for Chlamydia trachomatis. PLoS Pathog 2024; 20:e1012144. [PMID: 39172739 PMCID: PMC11340892 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1012144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 08/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Several reports suggest that intestinal tissue may be a natural niche for Chlamydia trachomatis infection and a reservoir for persistent infections in the human body. Due to the human specificity of the pathogen and the lack of suitable host models, there is limited knowledge on this topic. In our study, we modelled the course of the chlamydial infection in human primary gastrointestinal (GI) epithelial cells originating from patient-derived organoids. We show that GI cells are resistant to apical infection and C. trachomatis needs access to the basolateral membrane to establish an infection. Transmission electron microscopy analysis reveals the presence of both normal as well as aberrant chlamydial developmental forms in the infected cells, suggesting a possible cell-type specific nature of the infection. Furthermore, we show that the plasmid-encoded Pgp3 is an important virulence factor for the infection of human GI cells. This is the first report of C. trachomatis infection in human primary intestinal epithelial cells supporting a possible niche for chlamydial infection in the human intestinal tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kathrin Stelzner
- Chair of Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Markus Keicher
- Chair of Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Kerstin Paprotka
- Chair of Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Mastura Neyazi
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, Institute for Molecular Infection Biology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Mindaugas Pauzuolis
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, Institute for Molecular Infection Biology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | | | - Karthika Rajeeve
- Chair of Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Infection Biology, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB), Thiruvananthapuram, India
| | - Sina Bartfeld
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, Institute for Molecular Infection Biology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Institute of Biotechnology, Technical University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Si-M/‘Der Simulierte Mensch’, Technische Universität Berlin and Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Thomas Rudel
- Chair of Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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2
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Yang S, Zeng J, Yu J, Sun R, Tuo Y, Bai H. Insights into Chlamydia Development and Host Cells Response. Microorganisms 2024; 12:1302. [PMID: 39065071 PMCID: PMC11279054 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12071302] [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: 05/29/2024] [Revised: 06/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/23/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia infections commonly afflict both humans and animals, resulting in significant morbidity and imposing a substantial socioeconomic burden worldwide. As an obligate intracellular pathogen, Chlamydia interacts with other cell organelles to obtain necessary nutrients and establishes an intracellular niche for the development of a biphasic intracellular cycle. Eventually, the host cells undergo lysis or extrusion, releasing infectious elementary bodies and facilitating the spread of infection. This review provides insights into Chlamydia development and host cell responses, summarizing the latest research on the biphasic developmental cycle, nutrient acquisition, intracellular metabolism, host cell fates following Chlamydia invasion, prevalent diseases associated with Chlamydia infection, treatment options, and vaccine prevention strategies. A comprehensive understanding of these mechanisms will contribute to a deeper comprehension of the intricate equilibrium between Chlamydia within host cells and the progression of human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Hong Bai
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology (The Educational Ministry of China), Tianjin Institute of Immunology, Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China; (S.Y.); (J.Z.); (J.Y.); (R.S.); (Y.T.)
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3
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Caven L, Carabeo R. Chlamydial YAP activation in host endocervical epithelial cells mediates pro-fibrotic paracrine stimulation of fibroblasts. mSystems 2023; 8:e0090423. [PMID: 37874141 PMCID: PMC10734534 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00904-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Chronic or repeated infection of the female upper genital tract by C. trachomatis can lead to severe fibrotic sequelae, including tubal factor infertility and ectopic pregnancy. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this effect are unclear. In this report, we define a transcriptional program specific to C. trachomatis infection of the upper genital tract, identifying tissue-specific induction of host YAP-a pro-fibrotic transcriptional cofactor-as a potential driver of infection-mediated fibrotic gene expression. Furthermore, we show that infected endocervical epithelial cells stimulate collagen production by fibroblasts and implicate chlamydial induction of YAP in this effect. Our results define a mechanism by which infection mediates tissue-level fibrotic pathology via paracrine signaling and identify YAP as a potential therapeutic target for the prevention of Chlamydia-associated scarring of the female genital tract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liam Caven
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
| | - Rey Carabeo
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
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4
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Clemente TM, Angara RK, Gilk SD. Establishing the intracellular niche of obligate intracellular vacuolar pathogens. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1206037. [PMID: 37645379 PMCID: PMC10461009 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1206037] [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: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Obligate intracellular pathogens occupy one of two niches - free in the host cell cytoplasm or confined in a membrane-bound vacuole. Pathogens occupying membrane-bound vacuoles are sequestered from the innate immune system and have an extra layer of protection from antimicrobial drugs. However, this lifestyle presents several challenges. First, the bacteria must obtain membrane or membrane components to support vacuole expansion and provide space for the increasing bacteria numbers during the log phase of replication. Second, the vacuole microenvironment must be suitable for the unique metabolic needs of the pathogen. Third, as most obligate intracellular bacterial pathogens have undergone genomic reduction and are not capable of full metabolic independence, the bacteria must have mechanisms to obtain essential nutrients and resources from the host cell. Finally, because they are separated from the host cell by the vacuole membrane, the bacteria must possess mechanisms to manipulate the host cell, typically through a specialized secretion system which crosses the vacuole membrane. While there are common themes, each bacterial pathogen utilizes unique approach to establishing and maintaining their intracellular niches. In this review, we focus on the vacuole-bound intracellular niches of Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Ehrlichia chaffeensis, Chlamydia trachomatis, and Coxiella burnetii.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Stacey D. Gilk
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
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5
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Zalambani C, Rizzardi N, Marziali G, Foschi C, Morselli S, Djusse ME, Naldi M, Fato R, Calonghi N, Marangoni A. Role of D(-)-Lactic Acid in Prevention of Chlamydia trachomatis Infection in an In Vitro Model of HeLa Cells. Pathogens 2023; 12:883. [PMID: 37513730 PMCID: PMC10383594 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12070883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
A vaginal microbiota dominated by certain Lactobacillus species may have a protective effect against Chlamydia trachomatis infection. One of the key antimicrobial compounds produced is lactic acid, which is believed to play a central role in host defense. Lactobacillus strains producing the D(-)-lactic acid isomer are known to exert stronger protection. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this antimicrobial action are not well understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of D(-)-lactic acid isomer in the prevention of C. trachomatis infection in an in vitro HeLa cell model. We selected two strains of lactobacilli belonging to different species: a vaginal isolate of Lactobacillus crispatus that releases both D(-) and L(+) isomers and a strain of Lactobacillus reuteri that produces only the L(+) isomer. Initially, we demonstrated that L. crispatus was significantly more effective than L. reuteri in reducing C. trachomatis infectivity. A different pattern of histone acetylation and lactylation was observed when HeLa cells were pretreated for 24 h with supernatants of Lactobacillus crispatus or L. reuteri, resulting in different transcription of genes such as CCND1, CDKN1A, ITAG5 and HER-1. Similarly, distinct transcription patterns were found in HeLa cells treated with 10 mM D(-)- or L(+)-lactic acid isomers. Our findings suggest that D(-) lactic acid significantly affects two non-exclusive mechanisms involved in C. trachomatis infection: regulation of the cell cycle and expression of EGFR and α5β1-integrin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Zalambani
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FABIT), University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Nicola Rizzardi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FABIT), University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Giacomo Marziali
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FABIT), University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Claudio Foschi
- Microbiology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
- Microbiology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Sara Morselli
- Microbiology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Marielle Ezekielle Djusse
- Microbiology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Marina Naldi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FABIT), University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Romana Fato
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FABIT), University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Natalia Calonghi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FABIT), University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Antonella Marangoni
- Microbiology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
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6
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Caven L, Carabeo R. Chlamydial YAP activation in host endocervical epithelial cells mediates pro-fibrotic paracrine stimulation of fibroblasts. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.30.542940. [PMID: 37398163 PMCID: PMC10312526 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.30.542940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Infection of the female genital tract by Chlamydia trachomatis can produce severe fibrotic sequelae, including tubal factor infertility and ectopic pregnancy. While infection demonstrably mediates a pro-fibrotic response in host cells, it remains unclear if intrinsic properties of the upper genital tract exacerbate chlamydial fibrosis. The relatively sterile environment of the upper genital tract is primed for a pro-inflammatory response to infection, potentially enhancing fibrosis - however, subclinical C. trachomatis infections still develop fibrosis-related sequelae. Here, we compare infection-associated and steady-state gene expression of primary human cervical and vaginal epithelial cells. In the former, we observe enhanced baseline expression and infection-mediated induction of fibrosis-associated signal factors (e.g. TGFA , IL6 , IL8 , IL20 ), implying predisposition to Chlamydia -associated pro-fibrotic signaling. Transcription factor enrichment analysis identified regulatory targets of YAP, a transcriptional cofactor induced by infection of cervical epithelial cells, but not vaginal epithelial cells. YAP target genes induced by infection include secreted fibroblast-activating signal factors; therefore, we developed an in vitro model involving coculture of infected endocervical epithelial cells with uninfected fibroblasts. Coculture enhanced fibroblast expression of type I collagen, as well as prompting reproducible (albeit statistically insignificant) induction of α-smooth muscle actin. Fibroblast collagen induction was sensitive to siRNA-mediated YAP knockdown in infected epithelial cells, implicating chlamydial YAP activation in this effect. Collectively, our results present a novel mechanism of fibrosis initiated by Chlamydia, wherein infection-mediated induction of host YAP facilitates pro-fibrotic intercellular communication. Chlamydial YAP activation in cervical epithelial cells is thus a determinant of this tissue's susceptibility to fibrosis. Importance Chronic or repeated infection of the female upper genital tract by C. trachomatis can lead to severe fibrotic sequelae, including tubal factor infertility and ectopic pregnancy. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this effect are unclear. In this report, we define a transcriptional program specific to C. trachomatis infection of the upper genital tract, identifying tissue-specific induction of host YAP - a pro-fibrotic transcriptional cofactor - as a potential driver of infection-mediated fibrotic gene expression. Further, we show that infected endocervical epithelial cells stimulate collagen production by fibroblasts, and implicate chlamydial induction of YAP in this effect. Our results define a mechanism by which infection mediates tissue-level fibrotic pathology via paracrine signaling, and identify YAP as a potential therapeutic target for prevention of Chlamydia -associated scarring of the female genital tract.
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7
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Intracellular lifestyle of Chlamydia trachomatis and host-pathogen interactions. Nat Rev Microbiol 2023:10.1038/s41579-023-00860-y. [PMID: 36788308 DOI: 10.1038/s41579-023-00860-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, substantial progress has been made in the understanding of the intracellular lifestyle of Chlamydia trachomatis and how the bacteria establish themselves in the human host. As an obligate intracellular pathogenic bacterium with a strongly reduced coding capacity, C. trachomatis depends on the provision of nutrients from the host cell. In this Review, we summarize the current understanding of how C. trachomatis establishes its intracellular replication niche, how its metabolism functions in the host cell, how it can defend itself against the cell autonomous and innate immune response and how it overcomes adverse situations through the transition to a persistent state. In particular, we focus on those processes for which a mechanistic understanding has been achieved.
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8
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Dolat L, Carpenter VK, Chen YS, Suzuki M, Smith EP, Kuddar O, Valdivia RH. Chlamydia repurposes the actin-binding protein EPS8 to disassemble epithelial tight junctions and promote infection. Cell Host Microbe 2022; 30:1685-1700.e10. [PMID: 36395759 PMCID: PMC9793342 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2022.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Invasive microbial pathogens often disrupt epithelial barriers, yet the mechanisms used to dismantle tight junctions are poorly understood. Here, we show that the obligate pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis uses the effector protein TepP to transiently disassemble tight junctions early during infection. TepP alters the tyrosine phosphorylation status of host proteins involved in cytoskeletal regulation, including the filamentous actin-binding protein EPS8. We determined that TepP and EPS8 are necessary and sufficient to remodel tight junctions and that the ensuing disruption of epithelial barrier function promotes secondary invasion events. The genetic deletion of EPS8 renders epithelial cells and endometrial organoids resistant to TepP-mediated tight junction remodeling. Finally, TepP and EPS8 promote infection in murine models of infections, with TepP mutants displaying defects in ascension to the upper genital tract. These findings reveal a non-canonical function of EPS8 in the disassembly of epithelial junctions and an important role for Chlamydia pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lee Dolat
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Victoria K Carpenter
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Yi-Shan Chen
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Michitaka Suzuki
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Erin P Smith
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Ozge Kuddar
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Raphael H Valdivia
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
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9
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Sharafutdinov I, Knorr J, Rottner K, Backert S, Tegtmeyer N. Cortactin: A universal host cytoskeletal target of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial pathogens. Mol Microbiol 2022; 118:623-636. [PMID: 36396951 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.15002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Pathogenic bacteria possess a great potential of causing infectious diseases and represent a serious threat to human and animal health. Understanding the molecular basis of infection development can provide new valuable strategies for disease prevention and better control. In host-pathogen interactions, actin-cytoskeletal dynamics play a crucial role in the successful adherence, invasion, and intracellular motility of many intruding microbial pathogens. Cortactin, a major cellular factor that promotes actin polymerization and other functions, appears as a central regulator of host-pathogen interactions and different human diseases including cancer development. Various important microbes have been reported to hijack cortactin signaling during infection. The primary regulation of cortactin appears to proceed via serine and/or tyrosine phosphorylation events by upstream kinases, acetylation, and interaction with various other host proteins, including the Arp2/3 complex, filamentous actin, the actin nucleation promoting factor N-WASP, focal adhesion kinase FAK, the large GTPase dynamin-2, the guanine nucleotide exchange factor Vav2, and the actin-stabilizing protein CD2AP. Given that many signaling factors can affect cortactin activities, several microbes target certain unique pathways, while also sharing some common features. Here we review our current knowledge of the hallmarks of cortactin as a major target for eminent Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial pathogens in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irshad Sharafutdinov
- Department of Biology, Division of Microbiology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jakob Knorr
- Department of Biology, Division of Microbiology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Klemens Rottner
- Department of Cell Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany.,Division of Molecular Cell Biology, Zoological Institute, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Steffen Backert
- Department of Biology, Division of Microbiology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Nicole Tegtmeyer
- Department of Biology, Division of Microbiology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
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10
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Romero MD, Carabeo RA. Distinct roles of the Chlamydia trachomatis effectors TarP and TmeA in the regulation of formin and Arp2/3 during entry. J Cell Sci 2022; 135:jcs260185. [PMID: 36093837 PMCID: PMC9659389 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.260185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The obligate intracellular pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis manipulates the host actin cytoskeleton to assemble actin-rich structures that drive pathogen entry. The recent discovery of TmeA, which, like TarP, is an invasion-associated type III effector implicated in actin remodeling, raised questions regarding the nature of their functional interaction. Quantitative live-cell imaging of actin remodeling at invasion sites revealed differences in recruitment and turnover kinetics associated with the TarP and TmeA pathways, with the former accounting for most of the robust actin dynamics at invasion sites. TarP-mediated recruitment of actin nucleators, i.e. formins and the Arp2/3 complex, was crucial for rapid actin kinetics, generating a collaborative positive feedback loop that enhanced their respective actin-nucleating activities within invasion sites. In contrast, the formin Fmn1 was not recruited to invasion sites and did not collaborate with Arp2/3 within the context of TmeA-associated actin recruitment. Although the TarP-Fmn1-Arp2/3 signaling axis is responsible for the majority of actin dynamics, its inhibition had similar effects as the deletion of TmeA on invasion efficiency, consistent with the proposed model that TarP and TmeA act on different stages of the same invasion pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew D. Romero
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5900, USA
| | - Rey A. Carabeo
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5900, USA
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11
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Vollmuth N, Schlicker L, Guo Y, Hovhannisyan P, Janaki-Raman S, Kurmasheva N, Schmitz W, Schulze A, Stelzner K, Rajeeve K, Rudel T. c-Myc plays a key role in IFN-γ-induced persistence of Chlamydia trachomatis. eLife 2022; 11:76721. [PMID: 36155135 PMCID: PMC9512400 DOI: 10.7554/elife.76721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis (Ctr) can persist over extended times within their host cell and thereby establish chronic infections. One of the major inducers of chlamydial persistence is interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) released by immune cells as a mechanism of immune defence. IFN-γ activates the catabolic depletion of L-tryptophan (Trp) via indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), resulting in persistent Ctr. Here, we show that IFN-γ induces the downregulation of c-Myc, the key regulator of host cell metabolism, in a STAT1-dependent manner. Expression of c-Myc rescued Ctr from IFN-γ-induced persistence in cell lines and human fallopian tube organoids. Trp concentrations control c-Myc levels most likely via the PI3K-GSK3β axis. Unbiased metabolic analysis revealed that Ctr infection reprograms the host cell tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle to support pyrimidine biosynthesis. Addition of TCA cycle intermediates or pyrimidine/purine nucleosides to infected cells rescued Ctr from IFN-γ-induced persistence. Thus, our results challenge the longstanding hypothesis of Trp depletion through IDO as the major mechanism of IFN-γ-induced metabolic immune defence and significantly extends the understanding of the role of IFN-γ as a broad modulator of host cell metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Vollmuth
- Department of Microbiology, Biocenter, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Lisa Schlicker
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Yongxia Guo
- Department of Microbiology, Biocenter, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany.,College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Pargev Hovhannisyan
- Department of Microbiology, Biocenter, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | | | - Naziia Kurmasheva
- Department of Microbiology, Biocenter, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Werner Schmitz
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Wuerzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Almut Schulze
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Wuerzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Kathrin Stelzner
- Department of Microbiology, Biocenter, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Karthika Rajeeve
- Department of Microbiology, Biocenter, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany.,Pathogen Biology, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB), Thiruvananthapuram, India
| | - Thomas Rudel
- Department of Microbiology, Biocenter, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
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12
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Li X, Zuo Z, Wang Y, Hegemann JH, He C. Polymorphic Membrane Protein 17G of Chlamydia psittaci Mediated the Binding and Invasion of Bacteria to Host Cells by Interacting and Activating EGFR of the Host. Front Immunol 2022; 12:818487. [PMID: 35173712 PMCID: PMC8841347 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.818487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia psittaci (C. psittaci) is an obligate intracellular, gram-negative bacterium, and mainly causes systemic disease in psittacine birds, domestic poultry, and wild fowl. The pathogen is threating to human beings due to closely contacted to employees in poultry industry. The polymorphic membrane proteins (Pmps) enriched in C. psittaci includes six subtypes (A, B/C, D, E/F, G/I and H). Compared to that of the 1 pmpG gene in Chlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis), the diverse pmpG gene-coding proteins of C. psittaci remain elusive. In the present study, polymorphic membrane protein 17G (Pmp17G) of C. psittaci mediated adhesion to different host cells. More importantly, expression of Pmp17G in C. trachomatis upregulated infections to host cells. Afterwards, crosstalk between Pmp17G and EGFR was screened and identified by MALDI-MS and Co-IP. Subsequently, EGFR overexpression in CHO-K1 cells and EGFR knockout in HeLa 229 cells were assessed to determine whether Pmp17G directly correlated with EGFR during Chlamydial adhesion. Finally, the EGFR phosphorylation was recognized by Grb2, triggering chlamydial invasion. Based on above evidence, Pmp17G possesses adhesive property that serves as an adhesin and activate intracellular bacterial internalization by recognizing EGFR during C. psittaci infection
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohui Li
- Key Lab of Animal Epidemiology and Zoonoses of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Zonghui Zuo
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Breeding and Healthy Husbandry, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Tianjin Agricultural University, Tianjin, China
- Department of Biology, Institute for Functional Microbial Genomics, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Yihui Wang
- Key Lab of Animal Epidemiology and Zoonoses of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Johannes H. Hegemann
- Department of Biology, Institute for Functional Microbial Genomics, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Cheng He
- Key Lab of Animal Epidemiology and Zoonoses of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Cheng He,
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13
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Nagarajan UM, Cho C, Gyorke CE, Nagarajan S, Ezzell JA, Brochu H, Huntress I, Harrell E, Peng X. Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha-Induced Interleukin-1 Alpha Synthesis and Cell Death Is Increased in Mouse Epithelial Cells Infected With Chlamydia muridarum. J Infect Dis 2021; 224:S47-S55. [PMID: 34396406 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiab168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis-genital infection in women can be modeled in mice using Chlamydia muridarum. Using this model, it has been shown that the cytokines tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α and interleukin (IL)-1α lead to irreversible tissue damage in the oviducts. In this study, we investigated the contribution of TNFα on IL-1α synthesis in infected epithelial cells. We show that C muridarum infection enhanced TNFα-induced IL-1α expression and release in a mouse epithelial cell line. In addition to IL-1α, several TNFα-induced inflammatory genes were also highly induced, and infection enhanced TNF-induced cell death. In the mouse model of genital infection, oviducts from mice lacking the TNFα receptor displayed minimal staining for IL-1α compared with wild-type oviducts. Our results suggest TNFα and IL-1α enhance each other's downstream effects resulting in a hyperinflammatory response to chlamydial infection. We propose that biologics targeting TNF-induced IL-1α synthesis could be used to mitigate tissue damage during chlamydial infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uma M Nagarajan
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Crescentia Cho
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Clare E Gyorke
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Shanmugam Nagarajan
- Department of Pathology and Labortaory Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - J Ashley Ezzell
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Hayden Brochu
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Ian Huntress
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Erin Harrell
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Xinxia Peng
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA.,Bioinformatics Research Center, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
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14
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Huang X, Tan J, Chen X, Liu M, Zhu H, Li W, He Z, Han J, Ma C. Akt Phosphorylation Influences Persistent Chlamydial Infection and Chlamydia-Induced Golgi Fragmentation Without Involving Rab14. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:675890. [PMID: 34169005 PMCID: PMC8218875 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.675890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis is an obligate intracellular bacterium that causes multiple diseases involving the eyes, gastrointestinal tract, and genitourinary system. Previous studies have identified that in acute chlamydial infection, C. trachomatis requires Akt pathway phosphorylation and Rab14-positive vesicles to transmit essential lipids from the Golgi apparatus in survival and replication. However, the roles that Akt phosphorylation and Rab14 play in persistent chlamydial infection remain unclear. Here, we discovered that the level of Akt phosphorylation was lower in persistent chlamydial infection, and positively correlated with the effect of activating the development of Chlamydia but did not change the infectivity and 16s rRNA gene expression. Rab14 was found to exert a limited effect on persistent infection. Akt phosphorylation might regulate Chlamydia development and Chlamydia-induced Golgi fragmentation in persistent infection without involving Rab14. Our results provide a new insight regarding the potential of synergistic repressive effects of an Akt inhibitor with antibiotics in the treatment of persistent chlamydial infection induced by penicillin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaobao Huang
- Department of Dermatology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jinfeng Tan
- Department of Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaohong Chen
- Department of Dermatology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mingna Liu
- Department of Dermatology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huiling Zhu
- Department of Dermatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical College, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenjing Li
- Department of Dermatology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhenjian He
- School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiande Han
- Department of Dermatology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chunguang Ma
- Department of Dermatology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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15
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MEK/ERK signaling is a critical regulator of high-risk human papillomavirus oncogene expression revealing therapeutic targets for HPV-induced tumors. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009216. [PMID: 33481911 PMCID: PMC7857559 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Intracellular pathogens have evolved to utilize normal cellular processes to complete their replicative cycles. Pathogens that interface with proliferative cell signaling pathways risk infections that can lead to cancers, but the factors that influence malignant outcomes are incompletely understood. Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) predominantly cause benign hyperplasia in stratifying epithelial tissues. However, a subset of carcinogenic or “high-risk” HPV (hr-HPV) genotypes are etiologically linked to nearly 5% of all human cancers. Progression of hr-HPV-induced lesions to malignancies is characterized by increased expression of the E6 and E7 oncogenes and the oncogenic functions of these viral proteins have been widely studied. Yet, the mechanisms that regulate hr-HPV oncogene transcription and suppress their expression in benign lesions remain poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that EGFR/MEK/ERK signaling, influenced by epithelial contact inhibition and tissue differentiation cues, regulates hr-HPV oncogene expression. Using monolayer cells, epithelial organotypic tissue models, and neoplastic tissue biopsy materials, we show that cell-extrinsic activation of ERK overrides cellular control to promote HPV oncogene expression and the neoplastic phenotype. Our data suggest that HPVs are adapted to use the EGFR/MEK/ERK signaling pathway to regulate their productive replicative cycles. Mechanistic studies show that EGFR/MEK/ERK signaling influences AP-1 transcription factor activity and AP-1 factor knockdown reduces oncogene transcription. Furthermore, pharmacological inhibitors of EGFR, MEK, and ERK signaling quash HPV oncogene expression and the neoplastic phenotype, revealing a potential clinical strategy to suppress uncontrolled cell proliferation, reduce oncogene expression and treat HPV neoplasia. Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections occur in differentiating squamous epithelium and induce hyperplasia during the viral replicative cycle. Although HPV oncogene expression is necessary to promote cellular proliferation for viral genome amplification in the middle epithelial layers, oncogene levels are thereafter suppressed to permit differentiation-induced late gene expression in the uppermost epithelial cells. Yet, the mechanisms responsible for controlling HPV oncogene expression are not well understood. Here, we demonstrate that EGFR/MEK/ERK signaling, which is subject to the normal cellular cues of contact inhibition and epithelial tissue differentiation, is a critical regulator of hr-HPV oncogene expression. We found that extrinsic activation of ERK overrides cellular control to promote oncogene expression and the neoplastic phenotype. Many epidemiologically defined risk factors activate the EGFR/MEK/ERK pathway, suggesting a common mechanism whereby they may promote HPV persistence and disease progression. Lastly, we show that HPV oncogene transcription and protein expression remain susceptible to MEK/ERK control in early neoplastic tissues and tumor cells and that targeted inhibition of MEK/ERK signaling might be exploited therapeutically for HPV-induced infections and tumors.
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16
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Keb G, Ferrell J, Scanlon KR, Jewett TJ, Fields KA. Chlamydia trachomatis TmeA Directly Activates N-WASP To Promote Actin Polymerization and Functions Synergistically with TarP during Invasion. mBio 2021; 12:e02861-20. [PMID: 33468693 PMCID: PMC7845632 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02861-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis is a medically significant human pathogen and is an epithelial-tropic obligate intracellular parasite. Invasion of nonprofessional phagocytes represents a crucial step in the infection process and has likely promoted the evolution of a redundant mechanism and routes of entry. Like many other viral and invasive bacterial pathogens, manipulation of the host cell cytoskeleton represents a focal point in Chlamydia entry. The advent of genetic techniques in C. trachomatis, such as creation of complete gene deletions via fluorescence-reported allelic exchange mutagenesis (FRAEM), is providing important tools to unravel the contributions of bacterial factors in these complex pathways. The type III secretion chaperone Slc1 directs delivery of at least four effectors during the invasion process. Two of these, TarP and TmeA, have been associated with manipulation of actin networks and are essential for normal levels of invasion. The functions of TarP are well established, whereas TmeA is less well characterized. We leverage chlamydial genetics and proximity labeling here to provide evidence that TmeA directly targets host N-WASP to promote Arp2/3-dependent actin polymerization. Our work also shows that TmeA and TarP influence separate, yet synergistic pathways to accomplish chlamydial entry. These data further support an appreciation that a pathogen, confined by a reductionist genome, retains the ability to commit considerable resources to accomplish bottle-neck steps during the infection process.IMPORTANCE The increasing genetic tractability of Chlamydia trachomatis is accelerating the ability to characterize the unique infection biology of this obligate intracellular parasite. These efforts are leading to a greater understanding of the molecular events associated with key virulence requirements. Manipulation of the host actin cytoskeleton plays a pivotal role throughout Chlamydia infection, yet a thorough understanding of the molecular mechanisms initiating and orchestrating actin rearrangements has lagged. Our work highlights the application of genetic manipulation to address open questions regarding chlamydial invasion, a process essential to survival. We provide definitive insight regarding the role of the type III secreted effector TmeA and how that activity relates to another prominent effector, TarP. In addition, our data implicate at least one source that contributes to the functional divergence of entry mechanisms among chlamydial species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabrielle Keb
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Joshua Ferrell
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Kaylyn R Scanlon
- Division of Immunity and Pathogenesis, Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - Travis J Jewett
- Division of Immunity and Pathogenesis, Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - Kenneth A Fields
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
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17
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Hijacking and Use of Host Kinases by Chlamydiae. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9121034. [PMID: 33321710 PMCID: PMC7763869 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9121034] [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: 10/10/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia species are causative agents of sexually transmitted infections, blinding trachoma, and animal infections with zoonotic potential. Being an obligate intracellular pathogen, Chlamydia relies on the host cell for its survival and development, subverting various host cell processes throughout the infection cycle. A key subset of host proteins utilized by Chlamydia include an assortment of host kinase signaling networks which are vital for many chlamydial processes including entry, nutrient acquisition, and suppression of host cell apoptosis. In this review, we summarize the recent advancements in our understanding of host kinase subversion by Chlamydia.
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18
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Discovery of Spilanthol Endoperoxide as a Redox Natural Compound Active against Mammalian Prx3 and Chlamydia trachomatis Infection. Antioxidants (Basel) 2020; 9:antiox9121220. [PMID: 33287170 PMCID: PMC7761737 DOI: 10.3390/antiox9121220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) is a bacterial intracellular pathogen responsible for a plethora of diseases ranging from blindness to pelvic inflammatory diseases and cervical cancer. Although this disease is effectively treated with antibiotics, concerns for development of resistance prompt the need for new low-cost treatments. Here we report the activity of spilanthol (SPL), a natural compound with demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties, against Ct infections. Using chemical probes selective for imaging mitochondrial protein sulfenylation and complementary assays, we identify an increase in mitochondrial oxidative state by SPL as the underlying mechanism leading to disruption of host cell F-actin cytoskeletal organization and inhibition of chlamydial infection. The peroxidation product of SPL (SPL endoperoxide, SPLE), envisioned to be the active compound in the cellular milieu, was chemically synthesized and showed more potent anti-chlamydial activity. Comparison of SPL and SPLE reactivity with mammalian peroxiredoxins, demonstrated preferred reactivity of SPLE with Prx3, and virtual lack of SPL reaction with any of the reduced Prx isoforms investigated. Cumulatively, these findings support the function of SPL as a pro-drug, which is converted to SPLE in the cellular milieu leading to inhibition of Prx3, increased mitochondrial oxidation and disruption of F-actin network, and inhibition of Ct infection.
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19
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Hayward RJ, Marsh JW, Humphrys MS, Huston WM, Myers GSA. Chromatin accessibility dynamics of Chlamydia-infected epithelial cells. Epigenetics Chromatin 2020; 13:45. [PMID: 33109274 PMCID: PMC7590614 DOI: 10.1186/s13072-020-00368-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia are Gram-negative, obligate intracellular bacterial pathogens responsible for a broad spectrum of human and animal diseases. In humans, Chlamydia trachomatis is the most prevalent bacterial sexually transmitted infection worldwide and is the causative agent of trachoma (infectious blindness) in disadvantaged populations. Over the course of its developmental cycle, Chlamydia extensively remodels its intracellular niche and parasitises the host cell for nutrients, with substantial resulting changes to the host cell transcriptome and proteome. However, little information is available on the impact of chlamydial infection on the host cell epigenome and global gene regulation. Regions of open eukaryotic chromatin correspond to nucleosome-depleted regions, which in turn are associated with regulatory functions and transcription factor binding. We applied formaldehyde-assisted isolation of regulatory elements enrichment followed by sequencing (FAIRE-Seq) to generate temporal chromatin maps of C. trachomatis-infected human epithelial cells in vitro over the chlamydial developmental cycle. We detected both conserved and distinct temporal changes to genome-wide chromatin accessibility associated with C. trachomatis infection. The observed differentially accessible chromatin regions include temporally-enriched sets of transcription factors, which may help shape the host cell response to infection. These regions and motifs were linked to genomic features and genes associated with immune responses, re-direction of host cell nutrients, intracellular signalling, cell-cell adhesion, extracellular matrix, metabolism and apoptosis. This work provides another perspective to the complex response to chlamydial infection, and will inform further studies of transcriptional regulation and the epigenome in Chlamydia-infected human cells and tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Regan J Hayward
- The ithree Institute, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - James W Marsh
- Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Michael S Humphrys
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Wilhelmina M Huston
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Garry S A Myers
- The ithree Institute, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia. .,School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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20
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Rajeeve K, Vollmuth N, Janaki-Raman S, Wulff TF, Baluapuri A, Dejure FR, Huber C, Fink J, Schmalhofer M, Schmitz W, Sivadasan R, Eilers M, Wolf E, Eisenreich W, Schulze A, Seibel J, Rudel T. Reprogramming of host glutamine metabolism during Chlamydia trachomatis infection and its key role in peptidoglycan synthesis. Nat Microbiol 2020; 5:1390-1402. [PMID: 32747796 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-020-0762-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2019] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Obligate intracellular bacteria such as Chlamydia trachomatis undergo a complex developmental cycle between infectious, non-replicative elementary-body and non-infectious, replicative reticulate-body forms. Elementary bodies transform to reticulate bodies shortly after entering a host cell, a crucial process in infection, initiating chlamydial replication. As Chlamydia fail to replicate outside the host cell, it is unknown how the replicative part of the developmental cycle is initiated. Here we show, using a cell-free approach in axenic media, that the uptake of glutamine by the bacteria is crucial for peptidoglycan synthesis, which has a role in Chlamydia replication. The increased requirement for glutamine in infected cells is satisfied by reprogramming the glutamine metabolism in a c-Myc-dependent manner. Glutamine is effectively taken up by the glutamine transporter SLC1A5 and metabolized via glutaminase. Interference with this metabolic reprogramming limits the growth of Chlamydia. Intriguingly, Chlamydia failed to produce progeny in SLC1A5-knockout organoids and mice. Thus, we report on the central role of glutamine for the development of an obligate intracellular pathogenic bacterium and the reprogramming of host glutamine metabolism, which may provide a basis for innovative anti-infection strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karthika Rajeeve
- Department of Microbiology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany. .,Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark.
| | - Nadine Vollmuth
- Department of Microbiology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Sudha Janaki-Raman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Thomas F Wulff
- Department of Microbiology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Apoorva Baluapuri
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Francesca R Dejure
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.,BioMed X Institute, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Claudia Huber
- Chair of Biochemistry, Technical University of Munich, Garching, Germany
| | - Julian Fink
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | | | - Werner Schmitz
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Rajeeve Sivadasan
- RNA Biology and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Martin Eilers
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Elmar Wolf
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | | | - Almut Schulze
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.,Division of Tumour Metabolism and Microenvironment, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jürgen Seibel
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Rudel
- Department of Microbiology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany. .,Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research (HIRI), Würzburg, Germany.
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21
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Faris R, Merling M, Andersen SE, Dooley CA, Hackstadt T, Weber MM. Chlamydia trachomatis CT229 Subverts Rab GTPase-Dependent CCV Trafficking Pathways to Promote Chlamydial Infection. Cell Rep 2020; 26:3380-3390.e5. [PMID: 30893609 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.02.079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2018] [Revised: 11/28/2018] [Accepted: 02/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Chlamydial infection requires the formation of a membrane-bound vacuole, termed the inclusion, that undergoes extensive interactions with select host organelles. The importance of the Inc protein CT229 in the formation and maintenance of the chlamydial inclusion was recently highlighted by studies demonstrating that its absence during infection results in reduced bacterial replication, premature inclusion lysis, and host cell death. Previous reports have indicated that CT229 binds Rab GTPases; however, the physiological implications of this interaction are unknown. Here, we show that CT229 regulates host multivesicular trafficking by recruiting multiple Rab GTPases and their cognate effectors to the inclusion. We demonstrate that CT229 specifically modulates clathrin-coated vesicle trafficking and regulates the trafficking of transferrin and the mannose-6-phosphate receptor, both of which are crucial for proper chlamydial development. This study highlights CT229 as a master regulator of multiple host vesicular trafficking pathways essential for chlamydial infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Faris
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Marlena Merling
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA; Department of Biology, University of Dayton, Dayton, OH 45469, USA
| | - Shelby E Andersen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Cheryl A Dooley
- Host Parasite Interactions Section, Laboratory of Bacteriology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Disease, NIH, Hamilton, MT 59840, USA
| | - Ted Hackstadt
- Host Parasite Interactions Section, Laboratory of Bacteriology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Disease, NIH, Hamilton, MT 59840, USA
| | - Mary M Weber
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
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22
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Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor and Transforming Growth Factor β Signaling Pathways Cooperate To Mediate Chlamydia Pathogenesis. Infect Immun 2020; 88:IAI.00819-19. [PMID: 31964750 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00819-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Human genital Chlamydia infection is a major public health concern due to the serious reproductive system complications. Chlamydia binds several receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) on host cells, including the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and activates cellular signaling cascades for host invasion, cytoskeletal remodeling, optimal inclusion development, and induction of pathogenic epithelial-mesenchyme transition (EMT). Chlamydia also upregulates transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) expression, whose signaling pathway synergizes with the EGFR cascade, but its role in infectivity, inclusions, and EMT induction is unknown. We hypothesized that the EGFR and TGF-β signaling pathways cooperate during chlamydial infection for optimal inclusion development and stable EMT induction. The results revealed that Chlamydia upregulated TGF-β expression as early as 6 h postinfection of epithelial cells and stimulated both the EGFR and TGF-β signaling pathways. Inhibition of either the EGFR or TGF-βR1 signaling substantially reduced inclusion development; however, the combined inhibition of both EGFR and TGF-βR1 signaling reduced inclusions by over 90% and prevented EMT induction. Importantly, EGFR inhibition suppressed TGF-β expression, and an inhibitory thrombospondin-1 (Tsp1)-based peptide inhibited chlamydia-induced EMT, revealing a major source of active TGF-β during infection. Finally, TGF-βR signaling inhibition suppressed the expression of transforming acidic coiled-coil protein-3 (TACC3), which stabilizes EGFR signaling, suggesting reciprocal regulation between TGF-β and EGFR signaling during chlamydial infection. Thus, RTK-mediated host invasion by chlamydia upregulated TGF-β expression and signaling, which cooperated with other cellular signaling cascades and cytoskeletal remodeling to support optimal inclusion development and EMT induction. This finding may provide new targets for chlamydial disease biomarkers and prevention.
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23
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Saez D, Dushime R, Wu H, Ramos Cordova LB, Shukla K, Brown-Harding H, Furdui CM, Tsang AW. Sulforaphane promotes chlamydial infection by suppressing mitochondrial protein oxidation and activation of complement C3. Protein Sci 2020; 28:216-227. [PMID: 30367535 DOI: 10.1002/pro.3536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2018] [Revised: 10/22/2018] [Accepted: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Sulforaphane (SFN), a phytochemical found in broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables, is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent with reported effects in cancer chemoprevention and suppression of infection with intracellular pathogens. Here we report on the impact of SFN on infection with Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct), a common sexually transmitted pathogen responsible for 131 million new cases annually worldwide. Astoundingly, we find that SFN as well as broccoli sprouts extract (BSE) promote Ct infection of human host cells. Both the number and size of Ct inclusions were increased when host cells were pretreated with SFN or BSE. The initial investigations presented here point to both the antioxidant and thiol alkylating properties of SFN as regulators of Ct infection. SFN decreased mitochondrial protein sulfenylation and promoted Ct development, which were both reversed by treatment with mitochondria-targeted paraquat (MitoPQ). Inhibition of the complement component 3 (complement C3) by SFN was also identified as a mechanism by which SFN promotes Ct infections. Mass spectrometry analysis found alkylation of cysteine 1010 (Cys1010) in complement C3 by SFN. The studies reported here raise awareness of the Ct infection promoting activity of SFN, and also identify potential mechanisms underlying this activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Saez
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section on Molecular Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, 27157, North Carolina
| | - Rosine Dushime
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section on Molecular Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, 27157, North Carolina
| | - Hanzhi Wu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section on Molecular Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, 27157, North Carolina
| | - Lourdes B Ramos Cordova
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section on Molecular Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, 27157, North Carolina
| | - Kirtikar Shukla
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section on Molecular Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, 27157, North Carolina
| | | | - Cristina M Furdui
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section on Molecular Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, 27157, North Carolina
| | - Allen W Tsang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section on Molecular Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, 27157, North Carolina
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24
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Lérias JR, Paraschoudi G, de Sousa E, Martins J, Condeço C, Figueiredo N, Carvalho C, Dodoo E, Castillo-Martin M, Beltrán A, Ligeiro D, Rao M, Zumla A, Maeurer M. Microbes as Master Immunomodulators: Immunopathology, Cancer and Personalized Immunotherapies. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 7:362. [PMID: 32039196 PMCID: PMC6989410 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2019.00362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2019] [Accepted: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The intricate interplay between the immune system and microbes is an essential part of the physiological homeostasis in health and disease. Immunological recognition of commensal microbes, such as bacterial species resident in the gut or lung as well as dormant viral species, i.e., cytomegalovirus (CMV) or Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), in combination with a balanced immune regulation, is central to achieve immune-protection. Emerging evidence suggests that immune responses primed to guard against commensal microbes may cause unexpected pathological outcomes, e.g., chronic inflammation and/or malignant transformation. Furthermore, translocation of immune cells from one anatomical compartment to another, i.e., the gut-lung axis via the lymphatics or blood has been identified as an important factor in perpetrating systemic inflammation, tissue destruction, as well as modulating host-protective immune responses. We present in this review immune response patterns to pathogenic as well as non-pathogenic microbes and how these immune-recognition profiles affect local immune responses or malignant transformation. We discuss personalized immunological therapies which, directly or indirectly, target host biological pathways modulated by antimicrobial immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana R. Lérias
- ImmunoSurgery Unit, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - Eric de Sousa
- ImmunoSurgery Unit, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - João Martins
- ImmunoSurgery Unit, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Carolina Condeço
- ImmunoSurgery Unit, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Nuno Figueiredo
- Digestive Unit, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Carlos Carvalho
- Digestive Unit, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | | | - Antonio Beltrán
- Department of Pathology, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Dário Ligeiro
- Lisbon Centre for Blood and Transplantation, Instituto Português do Sangue e Transplantação, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Martin Rao
- ImmunoSurgery Unit, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Alimuddin Zumla
- Division of Infection and Immunity, NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Markus Maeurer
- ImmunoSurgery Unit, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Lisbon, Portugal
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25
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Chlamydia-induced curvature of the host-cell plasma membrane is required for infection. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:2634-2644. [PMID: 31964834 PMCID: PMC7007526 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1911528117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
During invasion of host cells, Chlamydia pneumoniae secretes the effector protein CPn0678, which facilitates internalization of the pathogen by remodeling the target cell's plasma membrane and recruiting sorting nexin 9 (SNX9), a central multifunctional endocytic scaffold protein. We show here that the strongly amphipathic N-terminal helix of CPn0678 mediates binding to phospholipids in both the plasma membrane and synthetic membranes, and is sufficient to induce extensive membrane tubulations. CPn0678 interacts via its conserved C-terminal polyproline sequence with the Src homology 3 domain of SNX9. Thus, SNX9 is found at bacterial entry sites, where C. pneumoniae is internalized via EGFR-mediated endocytosis. Moreover, depletion of human SNX9 significantly reduces internalization, whereas ectopic overexpression of CPn0678-GFP results in a dominant-negative effect on endocytotic processes in general, leading to the uptake of fewer chlamydial elementary bodies and diminished turnover of EGFR. Thus, CPn0678 is an early effector involved in regulating the endocytosis of C. pneumoniae in an EGFR- and SNX9-dependent manner.
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26
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Gitsels A, Sanders N, Vanrompay D. Chlamydial Infection From Outside to Inside. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:2329. [PMID: 31649655 PMCID: PMC6795091 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.02329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia are obligate intracellular bacteria, characterized by a unique biphasic developmental cycle. Specific interactions with the host cell are crucial for the bacteria’s survival and amplification because of the reduced chlamydial genome. At the start of infection, pathogen-host interactions are set in place in order for Chlamydia to enter the host cell and reach the nutrient-rich peri-Golgi region. Once intracellular localization is established, interactions with organelles and pathways of the host cell enable the necessary hijacking of host-derived nutrients. Detailed information on the aforementioned processes will increase our understanding on the intracellular pathogenesis of chlamydiae and hence might lead to new strategies to battle chlamydial infection. This review summarizes how chlamydiae generate their intracellular niche in the host cell, acquire host-derived nutrients in order to enable their growth and finally exit the host cell in order to infect new cells. Moreover, the evolution in the development of molecular genetic tools, necessary for studying the chlamydial infection biology in more depth, is discussed in great detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arlieke Gitsels
- Laboratory for Immunology and Animal Biotechnology, Department of Animal Sciences and Aquatic Ecology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Niek Sanders
- Laboratory of Gene Therapy, Department of Nutrition, Genetics and Ethology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Daisy Vanrompay
- Laboratory for Immunology and Animal Biotechnology, Department of Animal Sciences and Aquatic Ecology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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27
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Edwards VL, Smith SB, McComb EJ, Tamarelle J, Ma B, Humphrys MS, Gajer P, Gwilliam K, Schaefer AM, Lai SK, Terplan M, Mark KS, Brotman RM, Forney LJ, Bavoil PM, Ravel J. The Cervicovaginal Microbiota-Host Interaction Modulates Chlamydia trachomatis Infection. mBio 2019; 10:e01548-19. [PMID: 31409678 PMCID: PMC6692509 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01548-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2019] [Accepted: 07/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The mechanism(s) by which Lactobacillus-dominated cervicovaginal microbiota provide a barrier to Chlamydia trachomatis infection remain(s) unknown. Here we evaluate the impact of different Lactobacillus spp. identified via culture-independent metataxonomic analysis of C. trachomatis-infected women on C. trachomatis infection in a three-dimensional (3D) cervical epithelium model. Lactobacillus spp. that specifically produce d(-) lactic acid were associated with long-term protection against C. trachomatis infection, consistent with reduced protection associated with Lactobacillus iners, which does not produce this isoform, and with decreased epithelial cell proliferation, consistent with the observed prolonged protective effect. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that epigenetic modifications involving histone deacetylase-controlled pathways are integral to the cross talk between host and microbiota. These results highlight a fundamental mechanism whereby the cervicovaginal microbiota modulates host functions to protect against C. trachomatis infection.IMPORTANCE The vaginal microbiota is believed to protect women against Chlamydia trachomatis, the etiologic agent of the most prevalent sexually transmitted infection (STI) in developed countries. The mechanism underlying this protection has remained elusive. Here, we reveal the comprehensive strategy by which the cervicovaginal microbiota modulates host functions to protect against chlamydial infection, thereby providing a novel conceptual mechanistic understanding. Major implications of this work are that (i) the impact of the vaginal microbiota on the epithelium should be considered in future studies of chlamydial infection and other STIs and (ii) a fundamental understanding of the cervicovaginal microbiota's role in protection against STIs may enable the development of novel microbiome-based therapeutic strategies to protect women from infection and improve vaginal and cervical health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vonetta L Edwards
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Steven B Smith
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Elias J McComb
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jeanne Tamarelle
- Biostatistics, Biomathematics, Pharmacoepidemiology and Infectious Diseases, Institut Pasteur, INSERM, Université de Versailles-Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, Versailles, France
| | - Bing Ma
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Michael S Humphrys
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Pawel Gajer
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Kathleen Gwilliam
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Alison M Schaefer
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Samuel K Lai
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Mishka Terplan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Katrina S Mark
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Rebecca M Brotman
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Larry J Forney
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, USA
| | - Patrik M Bavoil
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jacques Ravel
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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28
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Mukherjee T, Balaji KN. Immunological implications of epidermal growth factor receptor signaling in persistent infections. IUBMB Life 2019; 71:1661-1671. [PMID: 31283086 DOI: 10.1002/iub.2115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2019] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Infectious diseases account for a large proportion of global health emergencies and are rising more so owing to the paucity of effective vaccination and chemotherapeutic strategies. The severity is compounded by the development of antibiotic resistance among major pathogenic strains, capable of residing in the hostile host microenvironment by hijacking its signaling mechanisms and molecular circuitry. Among such processes, studies on epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) have revealed specific contributions of this classical oncogenic signaling axis during distinct infection conditions. Here, we review the current status of EGFR family members in the context of host-pathogen interactions and speculate the possible dimensions of exploration and manipulation of the EGFR pathway for host-directed therapeutic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanushree Mukherjee
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
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29
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Capmany A, Gambarte Tudela J, Alonso Bivou M, Damiani MT. Akt/AS160 Signaling Pathway Inhibition Impairs Infection by Decreasing Rab14-Controlled Sphingolipids Delivery to Chlamydial Inclusions. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:666. [PMID: 31001235 PMCID: PMC6456686 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.00666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2018] [Accepted: 03/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis, an obligate intracellular bacterium, intercepts different trafficking pathways of the host cell to acquire essential lipids for its survival and replication, particularly from the Golgi apparatus via a Rab14-mediated transport. Molecular mechanisms underlying how these bacteria manipulate intracellular transport are a matter of intense study. Here, we show that C. trachomatis utilizes Akt/AS160 signaling pathway to promote sphingolipids delivery to the chlamydial inclusion through Rab14-controlled vesicular transport. C. trachomatis provokes Akt phosphorylation along its entire developmental life cycle and recruits phosphorylated Akt (pAkt) to the inclusion membrane. As a consequence, Akt Substrate of 160 kDa (AS160), also known as TBC1D4, a GTPase Activating Protein (GAP) for Rab14, is phosphorylated and therefore inactivated. Phosphorylated AS160 (pAS160) loses its ability to promote GTP hydrolysis, favoring Rab14 binding to GTP. Akt inhibition by an allosteric isoform-specific Akt inhibitor (iAkt) prevents AS160 phosphorylation and reduces Rab14 recruitment to chlamydial inclusions. iAkt further impairs sphingolipids acquisition by C. trachomatis-inclusion and provokes lipid retention at the Golgi apparatus. Consequently, treatment with iAkt decreases chlamydial inclusion size, bacterial multiplication, and infectivity in a dose-dependent manner. Similar results were found in AS160-depleted cells. By electron microscopy, we observed that iAkt generates abnormal bacterial forms as those reported after sphingolipids deprivation or Rab14 silencing. Taken together, our findings indicate that targeting the Akt/AS160/Rab14 axis could constitute a novel strategy to limit chlamydial infections, mainly for those caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anahí Capmany
- Laboratorio de Bioquímica e Inmunidad, Área de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina.,Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Julián Gambarte Tudela
- Laboratorio de Bioquímica e Inmunidad, Área de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina.,Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Mariano Alonso Bivou
- Laboratorio de Bioquímica e Inmunidad, Área de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina.,Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - María T Damiani
- Laboratorio de Bioquímica e Inmunidad, Área de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina.,Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Mendoza, Argentina
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30
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Dickinson MS, Anderson LN, Webb-Robertson BJM, Hansen JR, Smith RD, Wright AT, Hybiske K. Proximity-dependent proteomics of the Chlamydia trachomatis inclusion membrane reveals functional interactions with endoplasmic reticulum exit sites. PLoS Pathog 2019; 15:e1007698. [PMID: 30943267 PMCID: PMC6464245 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1007698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2018] [Revised: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 03/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis is the most common cause of bacterial sexually transmitted infection, responsible for millions of infections each year. Despite this high prevalence, the elucidation of the molecular mechanisms of Chlamydia pathogenesis has been difficult due to limitations in genetic tools and its intracellular developmental cycle. Within a host epithelial cell, chlamydiae replicate within a vacuole called the inclusion. Many Chlamydia-host interactions are thought to be mediated by the Inc family of type III secreted proteins that are anchored in the inclusion membrane, but their array of host targets are largely unknown. To investigate how the inclusion membrane proteome changes over the course of an infected cell, we have adapted the APEX2 system of proximity-dependent biotinylation. APEX2 is capable of specifically labeling proteins within a 20 nm radius in living cells. We transformed C. trachomatis to express the enzyme APEX2 fused to known inclusion membrane proteins, allowing biotinylation and purification of inclusion-associated proteins. Using quantitative mass spectrometry against APEX2 labeled samples, we identified over 400 proteins associated with the inclusion membrane at early, middle, and late stages of epithelial cell infection. This system was sensitive enough to detect inclusion interacting proteins early in the developmental cycle, at 8 hours post infection, a previously intractable time point. Mass spectrometry analysis revealed a novel, early association between C. trachomatis inclusions and endoplasmic reticulum exit sites (ERES), functional regions of the ER where COPII-coated vesicles originate. Pharmacological and genetic disruption of ERES function severely restricted early chlamydial growth and the development of infectious progeny. APEX2 is therefore a powerful in situ approach for identifying critical protein interactions on the membranes of pathogen-containing vacuoles. Furthermore, the data derived from proteomic mapping of Chlamydia inclusions has illuminated an important functional role for ERES in promoting chlamydial developmental growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary S. Dickinson
- Department of Global Health, Graduate Program in Pathobiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Center for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Disease (CERID), University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Lindsey N. Anderson
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, United States of America
| | | | - Joshua R. Hansen
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, United States of America
| | - Richard D. Smith
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, United States of America
| | - Aaron T. Wright
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, United States of America
- The Gene and Linda Voiland College of Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States of America
| | - Kevin Hybiske
- Department of Global Health, Graduate Program in Pathobiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Center for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Disease (CERID), University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
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31
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Sadhasivam A, Vetrivel U. Identification of potential drugs targeting L,L-diaminopimelate aminotransferase of Chlamydia trachomatis: An integrative pharmacoinformatics approach. J Cell Biochem 2019; 120:2271-2288. [PMID: 30302805 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.27553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Accepted: 08/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis (C.t) is a gram-negative obligate intracellular bacteria, which is a major causative of infectious blindness and sexually transmitted diseases. A surge in multidrug resistance among chlamydial species has posed a challenge to adopt alternative drug targeting strategies. Recently, in C.t, L,L-diaminopimelate aminotransferase (CtDAP-AT) is proven to be a potential drug target due its essential role in cell survival and host nonspecificity. Hence, in this study, a multilevel precision-based virtual screening of CtDAP-AT was performed to identify potential inhibitors, wherein, an integrative stringent scoring and filtration were performed by coupling, glide docking score, binding free energy, ADMET (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion, toxicity) prediction, density functional theory (quantum mechanics), and molecular dynamics simulation (molecular mechanics). On cumulative analysis, NSC_5485 (1,3-bis((7-chloro-4-quinolinyl)amino)-2-propanol) was found to be the most potential lead, as it showed higher order significance in terms of binding affinity, bonded interactions, favorable ADMET, chemical reactivity, and greater stabilization during complex formation. This is the first report on prioritization of small molecules from National Cancer Institute (NCI) and Maybridge data sets (341 519 compounds) towards targeting CtDAP-AT. Thus, the proposed compound shall aid in effective combating of a broad spectrum of C.t infections as it surpassed all the levels of prioritization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anupriya Sadhasivam
- Centre for Bioinformatics, Kamalnayan Bajaj Institute for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Vision Research Foundation, SankaraNethralaya, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Umashankar Vetrivel
- Centre for Bioinformatics, Kamalnayan Bajaj Institute for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Vision Research Foundation, SankaraNethralaya, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
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32
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Ohmer M, Tzivelekidis T, Niedenführ N, Volceanov-Hahn L, Barth S, Vier J, Börries M, Busch H, Kook L, Biniossek ML, Schilling O, Kirschnek S, Häcker G. Infection of HeLa cells with Chlamydia trachomatis inhibits protein synthesis and causes multiple changes to host cell pathways. Cell Microbiol 2019; 21:e12993. [PMID: 30551267 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.12993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2018] [Revised: 10/31/2018] [Accepted: 12/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The obligate intracellular bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis replicates in a cytosolic vacuole in human epithelial cells. Infection of human cells with C. trachomatis causes substantial changes to many host cell-signalling pathways, but the molecular basis of such influence is not well understood. Studies of gene transcription of the infected cell have shown altered transcription of many host cell genes, indicating a transcriptional response of the host cell to the infection. We here describe that infection of HeLa cells with C. trachomatis as well as infection of murine cells with Chlamydia muridarum substantially inhibits protein synthesis of the infected host cell. This inhibition was accompanied by changes to the ribosomal profile of the infected cell indicative of a block of translation initiation, most likely as part of a stress response. The Chlamydia protease-like activity factor (CPAF) also reduced protein synthesis in uninfected cells, although CPAF-deficient C. trachomatis showed no defect in this respect. Analysis of polysomal mRNA as a proxy of actively transcribed mRNA identified a number of biological processes differentially affected by chlamydial infection. Mapping of differentially regulated genes onto a protein interaction network identified nodes of up- and down-regulated networks during chlamydial infection. Proteomic analysis of protein synthesis further suggested translational regulation of host cell functions by chlamydial infection. These results demonstrate reprogramming of the host cell during chlamydial infection through the alteration of protein synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaela Ohmer
- Institute for Microbiology and Hygiene, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Tina Tzivelekidis
- Institute for Microbiology and Hygiene, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Nora Niedenführ
- Institute for Microbiology and Hygiene, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Larisa Volceanov-Hahn
- Institute for Microbiology and Hygiene, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Svenja Barth
- Institute for Microbiology and Hygiene, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Juliane Vier
- Institute for Microbiology and Hygiene, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Melanie Börries
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Freiburg, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Hauke Busch
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Luebeck Institute for Experimental Dermatology; Institute for Cardiogenetics, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Lucas Kook
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Martin L Biniossek
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Oliver Schilling
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Susanne Kirschnek
- Institute for Microbiology and Hygiene, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Georg Häcker
- Institute for Microbiology and Hygiene, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,BIOSS Centre for Biological Signalling Studies, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
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33
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Chen X, Mims J, Huang X, Singh N, Motea E, Planchon SM, Beg M, Tsang AW, Porosnicu M, Kemp ML, Boothman DA, Furdui CM. Modulators of Redox Metabolism in Head and Neck Cancer. Antioxid Redox Signal 2018; 29:1660-1690. [PMID: 29113454 PMCID: PMC6207163 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2017.7423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2017] [Accepted: 11/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
SIGNIFICANCE Head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) is a complex disease characterized by high genetic and metabolic heterogeneity. Radiation therapy (RT) alone or combined with systemic chemotherapy is widely used for treatment of HNSCC as definitive treatment or as adjuvant treatment after surgery. Antibodies against epidermal growth factor receptor are used in definitive or palliative treatment. Recent Advances: Emerging targeted therapies against other proteins of interest as well as programmed cell death protein 1 and programmed death-ligand 1 immunotherapies are being explored in clinical trials. CRITICAL ISSUES The disease heterogeneity, invasiveness, and resistance to standard of care RT or chemoradiation therapy continue to constitute significant roadblocks for treatment and patients' quality of life (QOL) despite improvements in treatment modality and the emergence of new therapies over the past two decades. FUTURE DIRECTIONS As reviewed here, alterations in redox metabolism occur at all stages of HNSCC management, providing opportunities for improved prevention, early detection, response to therapies, and QOL. Bioinformatics and computational systems biology approaches are key to integrate redox effects with multiomics data from cells and clinical specimens and to identify redox modifiers or modifiable target proteins to achieve improved clinical outcomes. Antioxid. Redox Signal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofei Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section on Molecular Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
| | - Jade Mims
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section on Molecular Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
| | - Xiumei Huang
- Departments of Pharmacology, Radiation Oncology, and Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Naveen Singh
- Departments of Pharmacology, Radiation Oncology, and Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Edward Motea
- Departments of Pharmacology, Radiation Oncology, and Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | | | - Muhammad Beg
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Allen W. Tsang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section on Molecular Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
| | - Mercedes Porosnicu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Hematology and Oncology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
| | - Melissa L. Kemp
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - David A. Boothman
- Departments of Pharmacology, Radiation Oncology, and Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Cristina M. Furdui
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section on Molecular Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
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34
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ESCCAR international congress on Rickettsiae and other intracellular bacteria. Microbes Infect 2018; 20:392-400. [PMID: 30315955 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2018.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2018] [Revised: 08/10/2018] [Accepted: 08/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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McKuen MJ, Mueller KE, Bae YS, Fields KA. Fluorescence-Reported Allelic Exchange Mutagenesis Reveals a Role for Chlamydia trachomatis TmeA in Invasion That Is Independent of Host AHNAK. Infect Immun 2017; 85:e00640-17. [PMID: 28970272 PMCID: PMC5695130 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00640-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2017] [Accepted: 09/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Development of approaches to genetically manipulate Chlamydia is fostering important advances in understanding pathogenesis. Fluorescence-reported allelic exchange mutagenesis (FRAEM) now enables the complete deletion of specific genes in C. trachomatis L2. We have leveraged this technology to delete the coding sequences for a known type III effector. The evidence provided here indicates that CT694/CTL0063 is a virulence protein involved in chlamydial invasion. Based on our findings, we designate the gene product corresponding to ct694-ctl0063translocated membrane-associated effector A (TmeA). Deletion of tmeA did not impact development of intracellular chlamydiae. However, the absence of TmeA manifested as a decrease in infectivity in both tissue culture and murine infection models. The in vitro defect was reflected by impaired invasion of host cells. TmeA binds human AHNAK, and we demonstrate here that AHNAK is transiently recruited by invading chlamydiae. TmeA, however, is not required for endogenous AHNAK recruitment. TmeA also impairs AHNAK-dependent actin bundling activity. This TmeA-mediated effect likely does not explain impaired invasion displayed by the tmeA strain of Chlamydia, since AHNAK-deficient cells revealed no invasion phenotype. Overall, our data indicate the efficacy of FRAEM and reveal a role of TmeA during chlamydial invasion that manifests independently of effects on AHNAK.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J McKuen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - K E Mueller
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Y S Bae
- Department of Life Science, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - K A Fields
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
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The Effector TepP Mediates Recruitment and Activation of Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase on Early Chlamydia trachomatis Vacuoles. mSphere 2017; 2:mSphere00207-17. [PMID: 28744480 PMCID: PMC5518268 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00207-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2017] [Accepted: 06/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis delivers multiple type 3 secreted effector proteins to host epithelial cells to manipulate cytoskeletal functions, membrane dynamics, and signaling pathways. TepP is the most abundant effector protein secreted early in infection, but its molecular function is poorly understood. In this report, we provide evidence that TepP is important for bacterial replication in cervical epithelial cells, activation of type I IFN genes, and recruitment of class I phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3K) and signaling adaptor protein CrkL to nascent pathogen-containing vacuoles (inclusions). We also show that TepP is a target of tyrosine phosphorylation by Src kinases but that these modifications do not appear to influence the recruitment of PI3K or CrkL. The translocation of TepP correlated with an increase in the intracellular pools of phosphoinositide-(3,4,5)-triphosphate but not the activation of the prosurvival kinase Akt, suggesting that TepP-mediated activation of PI3K is spatially restricted to early inclusions. Furthermore, we linked PI3K activity to the dampening of transcription of type I interferon (IFN)-induced genes early in infection. Overall, these findings indicate that TepP can modulate cell signaling and, potentially, membrane trafficking events by spatially restricted activation of PI3K. IMPORTANCE This article shows that Chlamydia recruits PI3K, an enzyme important for host cell survival and internal membrane functions, to the pathogens inside cells by secreting a scaffolding protein called TepP. TepP enhances Chlamydia replication and dampens the activation of immune responses.
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Sadhasivam A, Vetrivel U. Genome-wide codon usage profiling of ocular infective Chlamydia trachomatis serovars and drug target identification. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2017. [PMID: 28627970 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2017.1343685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis (C.t) is a Gram-negative obligate intracellular bacteria and is a major causative of infectious blindness and sexually transmitted diseases. Among the varied serovars of this organism, A, B and C are reported as prominent ocular pathogens. Genomic studies of these strains shall aid in deciphering potential drug targets and genomic influence on pathogenesis. Hence, in this study we performed deep statistical profiling of codon usage in these serovars. The overall base composition analysis reveals that these serovars are over biased to AU than GC. Similarly, relative synonymous codon usage also showed preference towards A/U ending codons. Parity Rule 2 analysis inferred unequal distribution of AT and GC, indicative of other unknown factors acting along with mutational pressure to influence codon usage bias (CUB). Moreover, absolute quantification of CUB also revealed lower bias across these serovars. The effect of natural selection on CUB was also confirmed by neutrality plot, reinforcing natural selection under mutational pressure turned to be a pivotal role in shaping the CUB in the strains studied. Correspondence analysis (COA) clarified that, C.t C/TW-3 to show a unique trend in codon usage variation. Host influence analysis on shaping the codon usage pattern also inferred some speculative relativity. In a nutshell, our finding suggests that mutational pressure is the dominating factor in shaping CUB in the strains studied, followed by natural selection. We also propose potential drug targets based on cumulative analysis of strand bias, CUB and human non-homologue screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anupriya Sadhasivam
- a Centre for Bioinformatics , Kamalnayan Bajaj Institute for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Vision Research Foundation, Sankara Nethralaya , Chennai 600 006 , Tamil Nadu , India
| | - Umashankar Vetrivel
- a Centre for Bioinformatics , Kamalnayan Bajaj Institute for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Vision Research Foundation, Sankara Nethralaya , Chennai 600 006 , Tamil Nadu , India
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Abstract
Chlamydia spp. are important causes of human disease for which no effective vaccine exists. These obligate intracellular pathogens replicate in a specialized membrane compartment and use a large arsenal of secreted effectors to survive in the hostile intracellular environment of the host. In this Review, we summarize the progress in decoding the interactions between Chlamydia spp. and their hosts that has been made possible by recent technological advances in chlamydial proteomics and genetics. The field is now poised to decipher the molecular mechanisms that underlie the intimate interactions between Chlamydia spp. and their hosts, which will open up many exciting avenues of research for these medically important pathogens.
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Fischer A, Rudel T. Subversion of Cell-Autonomous Host Defense by Chlamydia Infection. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 2016; 412:81-106. [PMID: 27169422 DOI: 10.1007/82_2016_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Obligate intracellular bacteria entirely depend on the metabolites of their host cell for survival and generation of progeny. Due to their lifestyle inside a eukaryotic cell and the lack of any extracellular niche, they have to perfectly adapt to compartmentalized intracellular environment of the host cell and counteract the numerous defense strategies intrinsically present in all eukaryotic cells. This so-called cell-autonomous defense is present in all cell types encountering Chlamydia infection and is in addition closely linked to the cellular innate immune defense of the mammalian host. Cell type and chlamydial species-restricted mechanisms point a long-term evolutionary adaptation that builds the basis of the currently observed host and cell-type tropism among different Chlamydia species. This review will summarize the current knowledge on the strategies pathogenic Chlamydia species have developed to subvert and overcome the multiple mechanisms by which eukaryotic cells defend themselves against intracellular pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annette Fischer
- Department of Microbiology and Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Rudel
- Department of Microbiology and Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074, Wuerzburg, Germany.
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Nans A, Ford C, Hayward RD. Host-pathogen reorganisation during host cell entry by Chlamydia trachomatis. Microbes Infect 2015; 17:727-31. [PMID: 26320027 PMCID: PMC4670903 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2015.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2015] [Accepted: 08/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis is obligate intracellular bacterial pathogen that remains a significant public health burden worldwide. A critical early event during infection is chlamydial entry into non-phagocytic host epithelial cells. Like other Gram-negative bacteria, C. trachomatis uses a type III secretion system (T3SS) to deliver virulence effector proteins into host cells. These effectors trigger bacterial uptake and promote bacterial survival and replication within the host cell. In this review, we highlight recent cryo-electron tomography that has provided striking insights into the initial interactions between Chlamydia and its host. We describe the polarised structure of extracellular C. trachomatis elementary bodies (EBs), and the supramolecular organisation of T3SS complexes on the EB surface, in addition to the changes in host and pathogen architecture that accompany bacterial internalisation and EB encapsulation into early intracellular vacuoles. Finally, we consider the implications for further understanding the mechanism of C. trachomatis entry and how this might relate to those of other bacteria and viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Nans
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London & Birkbeck, Malet Street, London WC1E 7HX, UK
| | - Charlotte Ford
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London & Birkbeck, Malet Street, London WC1E 7HX, UK
| | - Richard D Hayward
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London & Birkbeck, Malet Street, London WC1E 7HX, UK.
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Karunakaran K, Subbarayal P, Vollmuth N, Rudel T. Chlamydia-infected cells shed Gp96 to prevent chlamydial re-infection. Mol Microbiol 2015; 98:694-711. [PMID: 26235316 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.13151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/29/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis is an obligate intracellular human pathogen with a biphasic developmental life cycle. The infectious elementary bodies (EBs) enter a host cell where they transform into reticulate bodies (RBs) that use cellular metabolites to multiply. Re-infection of an infected cell during the replicative phase of chlamydial development may prevent formation of infectious EBs, interrupting the infectious cycle. Here, we report that Glucose Regulated Protein 96 (Gp96), a chaperone for cell surface receptors, binds to and facilitates adherence and entry of C. trachomatis. Gp96 expression was increased early in infection in a MAP kinase-dependent way, thereby increasing chlamydial adherence and invasion. Gp96 co-precipitated with Protein Disulphide Isomerase (PDI), known to be involved in chlamydial host cell entry. During the replicative phase, Gp96 was depleted from infected cells and shed into the supernatant by activation of metalloproteinase TACE (ADAM17). Loss of Gp96 also reduced the activity of PDI on the cell surface. Reduced surface display of Gp96 prevented chlamydial re-infection in a TACE-dependent manner in cell lines but also in primary cells derived from human fimbriae, the natural site of chlamydial infection. Our data suggest a role of infection-induced Gp96 shedding in the protection of the chlamydial replicative niche.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karthika Karunakaran
- Department of Microbiology, Biocenter, University of Wuerzburg, Am Hubland, Wuerzburg, D-97074, Germany
| | - Prema Subbarayal
- Department of Microbiology, Biocenter, University of Wuerzburg, Am Hubland, Wuerzburg, D-97074, Germany
| | - Nadine Vollmuth
- Department of Microbiology, Biocenter, University of Wuerzburg, Am Hubland, Wuerzburg, D-97074, Germany
| | - Thomas Rudel
- Department of Microbiology, Biocenter, University of Wuerzburg, Am Hubland, Wuerzburg, D-97074, Germany
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The Proteome of the Isolated Chlamydia trachomatis Containing Vacuole Reveals a Complex Trafficking Platform Enriched for Retromer Components. PLoS Pathog 2015; 11:e1004883. [PMID: 26042774 PMCID: PMC4456400 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1004883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2014] [Accepted: 04/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis is an important human pathogen that replicates inside the infected host cell in a unique vacuole, the inclusion. The formation of this intracellular bacterial niche is essential for productive Chlamydia infections. Despite its importance for Chlamydia biology, a holistic view on the protein composition of the inclusion, including its membrane, is currently missing. Here we describe the host cell-derived proteome of isolated C. trachomatis inclusions by quantitative proteomics. Computational analysis indicated that the inclusion is a complex intracellular trafficking platform that interacts with host cells’ antero- and retrograde trafficking pathways. Furthermore, the inclusion is highly enriched for sorting nexins of the SNX-BAR retromer, a complex essential for retrograde trafficking. Functional studies showed that in particular, SNX5 controls the C. trachomatis infection and that retrograde trafficking is essential for infectious progeny formation. In summary, these findings suggest that C. trachomatis hijacks retrograde pathways for effective infection. The important human pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis causes 100 million new infections each year world-wide. It replicates inside the infected host cell in a unique vacuole, the inclusion. Currently, the nature, and specifically the protein composition of the inclusion, is poorly defined. Here, we described the host cell-derived inclusion proteome by quantitative proteomics using a newly established method to purify inclusions from infected epithelial cells. We showed that the inclusion is a complex intracellular trafficking platform that is well embedded into the organellar network and interacts with host cells’ antero- and retrograde trafficking pathways. Particularly, SNX1, 2, 5 and 6, components of the retromer, are recruited to the inclusion and seem to control the infection. We found also that retrograde trafficking is essential for Chlamydia progeny formation. Our study provides new insights into how the obligate intracellular bacterium C. trachomatis interacts with the eukaryotic host cell and subverts host cell functions for productive infection.
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Subbarayal P, Karunakaran K, Winkler AC, Rother M, Gonzalez E, Meyer TF, Rudel T. EphrinA2 receptor (EphA2) is an invasion and intracellular signaling receptor for Chlamydia trachomatis. PLoS Pathog 2015; 11:e1004846. [PMID: 25906164 PMCID: PMC4408118 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1004846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2014] [Accepted: 04/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The obligate intracellular bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis invades into host cells to replicate inside a membrane-bound vacuole called inclusion. Multiple different host proteins are recruited to the inclusion and are functionally modulated to support chlamydial development. Invaded and replicating Chlamydia induces a long-lasting activation of the PI3 kinase signaling pathway that is required for efficient replication. We identified the cell surface tyrosine kinase EphrinA2 receptor (EphA2) as a chlamydial adherence and invasion receptor that induces PI3 kinase (PI3K) activation, promoting chlamydial replication. Interfering with binding of C. trachomatis serovar L2 (Ctr) to EphA2, downregulation of EphA2 expression or inhibition of EphA2 activity significantly reduced Ctr infection. Ctr interacts with and activates EphA2 on the cell surface resulting in Ctr and receptor internalization. During chlamydial replication, EphA2 remains active accumulating around the inclusion and interacts with the p85 regulatory subunit of PI3K to support the activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway that is required for normal chlamydial development. Overexpression of full length EphA2, but not the mutant form lacking the intracellular cytoplasmic domain, enhanced PI3K activation and Ctr infection. Despite the depletion of EphA2 from the cell surface, Ctr infection induces upregulation of EphA2 through the activation of the ERK pathway, which keeps the infected cell in an apoptosis-resistant state. The significance of EphA2 as an entry and intracellular signaling receptor was also observed with the urogenital C. trachomatis-serovar D. Our findings provide the first evidence for a host cell surface receptor that is exploited for invasion as well as for receptor-mediated intracellular signaling to facilitate chlamydial replication. In addition, the engagement of a cell surface receptor at the inclusion membrane is a new mechanism by which Chlamydia subverts the host cell and induces apoptosis resistance. Chlamydia trachomatis are major human pathogens causing ocular and sexually transmitted diseases with hundreds of millions of cases per year. Chlamydia replicate inside the host cell in a membrane bound vacuole called inclusion. The current concept on how Chlamydia communicates with the host cell during its replication is based on the identification of the host protein that interacts with Chlamydia. Here, we describe that C. trachomatis-serovar L2 and D use EphA2, a member of the largest class of human receptor tyrosine kinases, as an adherence and entry receptor that is endocytosed together with the bacteria. Cell surface EphA2 receptor is adopted by Chlamydia to function also at the inclusion to support growth and replication and to keep the infected cell in an apoptosis resistant state. Thus, we show that EphA2 is an undiscovered important surface and intracellular signaling receptor that is crucial for chlamydial infection and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prema Subbarayal
- Department of Microbiology, Biocenter, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Karthika Karunakaran
- Department of Microbiology, Biocenter, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Ann-Cathrin Winkler
- Department of Microbiology, Biocenter, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Marion Rother
- Department of Molecular Biology, Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Berlin, Germany; Steinbeis Innovation gGmbH, Center for Systems Biomedicine, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Erik Gonzalez
- Department of Molecular Biology, Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Thomas F Meyer
- Department of Molecular Biology, Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Thomas Rudel
- Department of Microbiology, Biocenter, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
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