The CpxR regulates type VI secretion system 2 expression and facilitates the interbacterial competition activity and virulence of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli

A low-endotoxic Salmonella enterica Gallinarum serovar delivers infectious bronchitis virus immunogens via a dual-promoter vector system that drives protective immune responses through MHC class-I and -II activation in chickens

An effective vaccine strategy is indispensable against infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) and fowl typhoid (FT), both of which threaten the poultry industry. This study demonstrates a vector system, pJHL270, designed to express antigens in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. The vector system stimulates immune responses via synchronized antigen presentation to MHC class-I and -II molecules to produce balanced Th1/Th2 responses. The vaccine antigens were crafted by selecting the consensus sequence of the N-terminal domain of the spike protein (S1-NTD) and a conserved immunogenic region of the nucleocapsid protein (N321-406 aa) from IBV strains circulating in South Korea. The vaccine antigen was cloned and transformed into a live-attenuated Salmonella Gallinarum (SG) strain, JOL2854 (∆lon, ∆cpxR, ∆rfaL, ∆pagL, ∆asd). Western blot analysis confirmed concurrent antigen expression in Salmonella and eukaryotic cells. Oral immunization with the SG-based IBV vaccine construct JOL2918 induced IBV antigen and Salmonella-specific humoral and cell-mediated immune responses in chickens. PBMCs collected from immunized chickens revealed that MHC class-I and -II expression had increased 3.3-fold and 2.5-fold, respectively, confirming MHC activation via bilateral antigen expression and presentation. Immunization induced neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) and reduced the viral load by 2-fold and 2.5-fold in the trachea and lungs, respectively. The immunized chickens exhibited multifaceted humoral, mucosal, and cell-mediated responses via parallel MHC class-I and -II activation as proof of a balanced Th1/Th2 immune response. The level of NAbs, viral load, and gross and histological analyses provide clear evidence that the construct provides protection against IBV and FT.

CpxAR two-component system contributes to virulence properties of Cronobacter sakazakii

Cronobacter sakazakii (C. sakazakii) is a foodborne pathogen which threaten susceptible hosts including infants. CpxA/CpxR, a regulatory two-component system (TSC), contributes to stress response and virulence in various Gram-negative pathogens, but its role in C. sakazakii has not been thoroughly studied. In this study, we constructed CpxA, CpxR, CpxAR deletion and complementation strains. The mutants showed weakened bacterial adhesion to and invasion of HBMEC and Caco-2, reduced intracellular survival and replication of C. sakazakii within RAW264.7 macrophages, and decreased translocation of HBMEC and Caco-2 monolayers. Mutants demonstrated lower levels of tight junction proteins disruption and reduced apoptosis and cytotoxicity in Caco-2 monolayer compared to wild type strain. CpxAR TCS deletion mutants demonstrate attenuated virulence in newborn mice, which was evidenced by fewer bacterial cells loads in tissues and organs, lower levels of intestinal epithelial barrier dysfuction and milder damages in intestinal tissues. All these phenotypes were recovered in complemented strains. In addition, qRT-PCR results showed that CpxAR TCS of C. sakazakii played roles in regulating the expression of several genes associated with bacterial virulence and cellular invasion. These findings indicate that CpxAR TCS is an important regulatory mechanism for virulence of C. sakazakii, which enrich our understanding of genetic determinants of pathogenicity of the pathogen.

The small non-coding RNA rli106 contributes to the environmental adaptation and pathogenicity of Listeria monocytogenes

Introduction

Listeria monocytogenes (LM) is an important food-borne pathogen, and the risk of its ingestion is a serious public health issue. The better its environmental adaptation mechanisms and pathogenicity are understood, the better the risk it poses can be countered. The regulatory role of the small non-coding RNA (sRNA) rli106 in the environmental adaptation and pathogenicity of LM is still unclear and this study investigated that role through its biological function.

Material and Methods

An LM-Δrli106 gene deletion strain and an LM-Δrli106/rli106 gene complementation strain were constructed using the homologous recombination technique. Then, the adaptation of these strains to temperature, alkalinity, acidity, salinity, ethanol and oxidative stressors, their biofilm-forming ability and their pathogenicity in mice were investigated to show the regulatory roles of sRNA rli106 in LM. The target gene of rli106 was also predicted, and the interaction between it and rli106 was verified by a two-plasmid co-expressing system based on E.coli and Western blot analysis.

Results

The adaptation of LM-Δrli106 to environmental stressors of pH 9, 5% NaCl and 8% NaCl, 3.8% ethanol and 5 mM H2O2 was significantly reduced when compared to the parental (LM EGD-e) and complementation strains. Also, the biofilm formation, cell adhesion, invasion, intracellular proliferation and pathogenicity of LM-Δrli106 in mice were significantly reduced. The results of two-plasmid co-expression and Western blot showed that rli106 can interact with the mRNA of the predicted DegU target gene.

Conclusion

The sRNA rli106 may positively regulate the expression of the DegU gene in LM. This study sheds light on its regulatory roles in environmental adaptation and pathogenicity, providing new insights into the molecular mechanism of sRNA mediation in LM .

Bacterial envelope stress responses: Essential adaptors and attractive targets

Millions of deaths a year across the globe are linked to antimicrobial resistant infections. The need to develop new treatments and repurpose of existing antibiotics grows more pressing as the growing antimicrobial resistance pandemic advances. In this review article, we propose that envelope stress responses, the signaling pathways bacteria use to recognize and adapt to damage to the most vulnerable outer compartments of the microbial cell, are attractive targets. Envelope stress responses (ESRs) support colonization and infection by responding to a plethora of toxic envelope stresses encountered throughout the body; they have been co-opted into virulence networks where they work like global positioning systems to coordinate adhesion, invasion, microbial warfare, and biofilm formation. We highlight progress in the development of therapeutic strategies that target ESR signaling proteins and adaptive networks and posit that further characterization of the molecular mechanisms governing these essential niche adaptation machineries will be important for sparking new therapeutic approaches aimed at short-circuiting bacterial adaptation.

Characteristics, pathogenic mechanism, zoonotic potential, drug resistance, and prevention of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC)

Although most Escherichia coli (E. coli) strains are commensal and abundant, certain pathogenic strains cause severe diseases from gastroenteritis to extraintestinal infections. Extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) contains newborn meningitis E. coli (NMEC), uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC), avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC), and septicemic E. coli (SEPEC) based on their original host and clinical symptom. APEC is a heterogeneous group derived from human ExPEC. APEC causes severe respiratory and systemic diseases in a variety of avians, threatening the poultry industries, food security, and avian welfare worldwide. APEC has many serotypes, and it is a widespread pathogenic bacterium in poultry. In addition, ExPEC strains share significant genetic similarities and similar pathogenic mechanisms, indicating that APEC potentially serves as a reservoir of virulence and resistance genes for human ExPEC, and the virulence and resistance genes can be transferred to humans through food animals. Due to economic losses, drug resistance, and zoonotic potential, APEC has attracted heightened awareness. Various virulence factors and resistance genes involved in APEC pathogenesis and drug resistance have been identified. Here, we review the characteristics, epidemiology, pathogenic mechanism zoonotic potential, and drug resistance of APEC, and summarize the current status of diagnosis, alternative control measures, and vaccine development, which may help to have a better understanding of the pathogenesis and resistance of APEC, thereby reducing economic losses and preventing the spread of multidrug-resistant APEC to humans.

The two-component system histidine kinase EnvZ contributes to Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli pathogenicity by regulating biofilm formation and stress responses

EnvZ, the histidine kinase (HK) of OmpR/EnvZ, transduces osmotic signals in Escherichia coli K12 and affects the pathogenicity of Shigella flexneri and Vibrio cholera. Avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC) is an extra-intestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC), causing acute and sudden death in poultry and leading to severe economic losses to the global poultry industry. How the functions of EnvZ correlate with APEC pathogenicity was still unknown. In this study, we successfully constructed the envZ mutant strain AE17ΔenvZ and the inactivation of envZ significantly reduced biofilms and altered red, dry, and rough (rdar) morphology. In addition, AE17ΔenvZ was significantly less resistant to acid, alkali, osmotic, and oxidative stress conditions. Deletion of envZ significantly enhanced sensitivity to specific pathogen-free (SPF) chicken serum and increased adhesion to chicken embryonic fibroblast DF-1 cells and elevated inflammatory cytokine IL-1β, IL6, and IL8 expression levels. Also, when compared with the WT strain, AE17ΔenvZ attenuated APEC pathogenicity in chickens. To explore the molecular mechanisms underpinning envZ in APEC17, we compared the WT and envZ-deletion strains using transcriptome analyses. RNA-Seq results identified 711 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the envZ mutant strain and DEGs were mainly enriched in outer membrane proteins, stress response systems, and TCSs. Quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) showed that EnvZ influenced the expression of biofilms and stress responses genes, including ompC, ompT, mlrA, basR, hdeA, hdeB, adiY, and uspB. We provided compelling evidence showing EnvZ contributed to APEC pathogenicity by regulating biofilms and stress response expression.

Targeting the Holy Triangle of Quorum Sensing, Biofilm Formation, and Antibiotic Resistance in Pathogenic Bacteria

Chronic and recurrent bacterial infections are frequently associated with the formation of biofilms on biotic or abiotic materials that are composed of mono- or multi-species cultures of bacteria/fungi embedded in an extracellular matrix produced by the microorganisms. Biofilm formation is, among others, regulated by quorum sensing (QS) which is an interbacterial communication system usually composed of two-component systems (TCSs) of secreted autoinducer compounds that activate signal transduction pathways through interaction with their respective receptors. Embedded in the biofilms, the bacteria are protected from environmental stress stimuli, and they often show reduced responses to antibiotics, making it difficult to eradicate the bacterial infection. Besides reduced penetration of antibiotics through the intricate structure of the biofilms, the sessile biofilm-embedded bacteria show reduced metabolic activity making them intrinsically less sensitive to antibiotics. Moreover, they frequently express elevated levels of efflux pumps that extrude antibiotics, thereby reducing their intracellular levels. Some efflux pumps are involved in the secretion of QS compounds and biofilm-related materials, besides being important for removing toxic substances from the bacteria. Some efflux pump inhibitors (EPIs) have been shown to both prevent biofilm formation and sensitize the bacteria to antibiotics, suggesting a relationship between these processes. Additionally, QS inhibitors or quenchers may affect antibiotic susceptibility. Thus, targeting elements that regulate QS and biofilm formation might be a promising approach to combat antibiotic-resistant biofilm-related bacterial infections.

The response regulator OmpR contributes to the pathogenicity of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli

Avian colibacillosis is a serious systemic infectious disease in poultry and caused by avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC). Previous studies have shown that 2-component systems (TCSs) are involved in the pathogenicity of APEC. OmpR, a response regulator of OmpR/EnvZ TCS, plays an important role in E. coli K-12. However, whether OmpR correlates with APEC pathogenesis has not been established. In this study, we constructed an ompR gene mutant and complement strains by using the CRISPR-Cas9 system and found that the inactivation of the ompR gene attenuated bacterial motility, biofilm formation, and the production of curli. The resistance to environmental stress, serum sensitivity, adhesion, and invasion of DF-1 cells, and pathogenicity in chicks were all significantly reduced in the mutant strain AE17ΔompR. These phenotypes were restored in the complement strain AE17C-ompR. The qRT-PCR results showed that OmpR influences the expression of genes associated with the flagellum, biofilm formation, and virulence. These findings indicate that the regulator OmpR contributes to APEC pathogenicity by affecting the expression and function of virulence factors.

Transcription Regulator YgeK Affects the Virulence of Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli

Simple Summary

Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) is the responsible pathogen for colibacillosis in poultry. Transcriptional regulator YgeK was a transcriptional regulator locating at E. coli type three secretion system 2 (ETT2) in APEC. However, the role of YgeK in APEC has not been reported. In this study, we found that the inactivation of YgeK in APEC decreased the flagellar formation ability, bacterial motility ability, serum sensitivity, adhesion ability, and virulence. Results suggested that the transcriptional regulator YgeK plays a crucial role in APEC virulence.

Abstract

Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) is the responsible pathogen for colibacillosis in poultry, and is a potential gene source for human extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli. Escherichia coli type III secretion system 2 (ETT2) is widely distributed in human and animal ExPEC isolates, and is crucial for the virulence of ExPEC. Transcriptional regulator YgeK, located in the ETT2 gene cluster, was identified as an important regulator of gene expression in enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC). However, the role of YgeK in APEC has not been reported. In this study, we performed amino acid alignment analysis of YgeK among different E. coli strains and generated ygeK mutant strain AE81ΔygeK from clinical APEC strain AE81. Flagellar formation, bacterial motility, serum sensitivity, adhesion, and virulence were all significantly reduced following the inactivation of YgeK in APEC. Then, we performed transcriptome sequencing to analyze the functional pathways involved in the biological processes. Results suggested that ETT2 transcriptional regulator YgeK plays a crucial role in APEC virulence. These findings thus contribute to our understanding of the function of the ETT2 cluster, and clarify the pathogenic mechanism of APEC.

Defending against the Type Six Secretion System: beyond Immunity Genes

The bacterial type six secretion system (T6SS) delivers toxic effector proteins into neighboring cells, but bacteria must protect themselves against their own T6SS. Immunity genes are the best-characterized defenses, protecting against specific cognate effectors. However, the prevalence of the T6SS and the coexistence of species with heterologous T6SSs suggest evolutionary pressure selecting for additional defenses against it. Here we review defenses against the T6SS beyond self-associated immunity genes, such as diverse stress responses that can recognize T6SS-inflicted damage and coordinate induction of molecular armor, repair pathways, and overall survival. Some of these stress responses are required for full survival even in the presence of immunity genes. Finally, we propose that immunity gene-independent protection is, mechanistically, bacterial innate immunity and that such defenses and the T6SS have co-evolved and continue to shape one another in polymicrobial communities.

DctR contributes to the virulence of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli through regulation of type III secretion system 2 expression

Pathogens could precisely alter their gene expression to facilitate their survival and successful infection. The LuxR family transcriptional regulator DctR (also known as YhiF) was shown to participate in the regulation of acid fitness and adhesion of enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) O157:H7. Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) causes significant economic losses to the poultry industries and also potentially threatens human health. However, the effects of DctR on the fitness and virulence of APEC have not been investigated yet. To assess the function of DctR in APEC, the dctR gene mutant and complemented strains were constructed and biologically characterized. Our results show that inactivation of the dctR gene led to decreased biofilm formation, diminished serum resistance, reduced adherence capacity, attenuated colonization and virulence of APEC in ducks. The altered capacities of the mutant strain were restored by genetic complementation. In addition, we found that DctR positively regulates the expression of E. coli type III secretion system 2 (ETT2) core genes in APEC. The expression of the inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-8 were decreased in HD-11 macrophages infected with the mutant strain compared with the wild-type strain. These observations indicate that regulator DctR contributes to the virulence of APEC through regulation of ETT2 expression.

Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC): An Overview of Virulence and Pathogenesis Factors, Zoonotic Potential, and Control Strategies

Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) causes colibacillosis in avian species, and recent reports have suggested APEC as a potential foodborne zoonotic pathogen. Herein, we discuss the virulence and pathogenesis factors of APEC, review the zoonotic potential, provide the current status of antibiotic resistance and progress in vaccine development, and summarize the alternative control measures being investigated. In addition to the known virulence factors, several other factors including quorum sensing system, secretion systems, two-component systems, transcriptional regulators, and genes associated with metabolism also contribute to APEC pathogenesis. The clear understanding of these factors will help in developing new effective treatments. The APEC isolates (particularly belonging to ST95 and ST131 or O1, O2, and O18) have genetic similarities and commonalities in virulence genes with human uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) and neonatal meningitis E. coli (NMEC) and abilities to cause urinary tract infections and meningitis in humans. Therefore, the zoonotic potential of APEC cannot be undervalued. APEC resistance to almost all classes of antibiotics, including carbapenems, has been already reported. There is a need for an effective APEC vaccine that can provide protection against diverse APEC serotypes. Alternative therapies, especially the virulence inhibitors, can provide a novel solution with less likelihood of developing resistance.

Dihydromyricetin attenuates Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide-induced ileum injury in chickens by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome and TLR4/NF-κB signalling pathway

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) as a major component of Escherichia coli cell wall can cause inflammation and cell death. Dihydromyricetin (ampelopsin, DHM) is a natural flavonoid compound with anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-bacterial effects. The preventive effects of DHM against ileum injury remain unclear. Here, we explored the protective role of DHM against LPS-induced ileum injury in chickens. In this study, DHM significantly attenuated LPS-induced alteration in diamine oxidase, malondialdehyde, reduced glutathione, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase levels in chicken plasma and ileum. Histology evaluation showed that the structure of blood vessels in ileum was seriously fragmented and presence of necrotic tissue in the lumen in the LPS group. Scanning electron microscopic observation revealed that the surface of the villi was rough and uneven, the structure was chaotic, and the normal finger shape was lost in the LPS group. In contrast, 0.05% and 0.1% DHM treatment partially alleviated the abnormal morphology. Additionally, DHM maintained the barrier function by restoring the protein expression of occludin, claudin-1 and zonula occludens protein-1. DHM inhibited apoptosis through the reduction of the expression of bax and caspase-3 and restored the expression of bcl-2. Importantly, DHM could reduce ileum NLR family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3), caspase-1, interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18 expression to protect tissues from pyroptosis and inhibited toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) signalling pathway. In summary, DHM attenuated the ileum mucosal damage, oxidative stress and apoptosis, maintained barrier function, inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome and TLR4/NF-κB signalling pathway activation triggered by Escherichia coli LPS.

The Ferric Uptake Regulator Represses Type VI Secretion System Function by Binding Directly to the clpV Promoter in Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium

Type VI secretion systems (T6SSs) are highly conserved and complex protein secretion systems that deliver effector proteins into eukaryotic hosts or other bacteria. T6SSs are regulated precisely by a variety of regulatory systems, which enables bacteria to adapt to varied environments. A T6SS within Salmonella pathogenicity island 6 (SPI-6) is activated during infection, and it contributes to the pathogenesis, as well as interbacterial competition, of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium). However, the regulation of the SPI-6 T6SS in S. Typhimurium is not well understood. In this study, we found that the SPI-6 T6SS core gene clpV was significantly upregulated in response to the iron-depleted condition and during infection. The global ferric uptake regulator (Fur) was shown to repress the clpV expression in the iron-replete medium. Moreover, electrophoretic mobility shift and DNase I footprinting assays revealed that Fur binds directly to the clpV promoter region at multiple sites spanning the transcriptional start site. We also observed that the relieving of Fur-mediated repression on clpV contributed to the interbacterial competition activity and pathogenicity of S. Typhimurium. These findings provide insights into the direct regulation of Fur in the expression and functional activity of SPI-6 T6SS in S. Typhimurium and thus help to elucidate the mechanisms of bacterial adaptability and virulence.