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Sixt BS. Host cell death during infection with Chlamydia: a double-edged sword. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2021; 45:5902849. [PMID: 32897321 PMCID: PMC7794043 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuaa043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The phylum Chlamydiae constitutes a group of obligate intracellular bacteria that infect a remarkably diverse range of host species. Some representatives are significant pathogens of clinical or veterinary importance. For instance, Chlamydia trachomatis is the leading infectious cause of blindness and the most common bacterial agent of sexually transmitted diseases. Chlamydiae are exceptionally dependent on their eukaryotic host cells as a consequence of their developmental biology. At the same time, host cell death is an integral part of the chlamydial infection cycle. It is therefore not surprising that the bacteria have evolved exquisite and versatile strategies to modulate host cell survival and death programs to their advantage. The recent introduction of tools for genetic modification of Chlamydia spp., in combination with our increasing awareness of the complexity of regulated cell death in eukaryotic cells, and in particular of its connections to cell-intrinsic immunity, has revived the interest in this virulence trait. However, recent advances also challenged long-standing assumptions and highlighted major knowledge gaps. This review summarizes current knowledge in the field and discusses possible directions for future research, which could lead us to a deeper understanding of Chlamydia's virulence strategies and may even inspire novel therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara S Sixt
- The Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS), Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR), Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden
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Apoptosis Functions in Defense against Infection of Mammalian Cells with Environmental Chlamydiae. Infect Immun 2020; 88:IAI.00851-19. [PMID: 32179584 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00851-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2019] [Accepted: 02/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Apoptotic cell death can be an efficient defense reaction of mammalian cells infected with obligate intracellular pathogens; the host cell dies and the pathogen cannot replicate. While this is well established for viruses, there is little experimental support for such a concept in bacterial infections. All Chlamydiales are obligate intracellular bacteria, and different species infect vastly different hosts. Chlamydia trachomatis infects human epithelial cells; Parachlamydia acanthamoebae replicates in amoebae. We here report that apoptosis impedes growth of P. acanthamoebae in mammalian cells. In HeLa human epithelial cells, P. acanthamoebae infection induced apoptosis, which was inhibited when mitochondrial apoptosis was blocked by codeletion of the mediators of mitochondrial apoptosis, Bax and Bak, by overexpression of Bcl-XL or by deletion of the apoptosis initiator Noxa. Deletion of Bax and Bak in mouse macrophages also inhibited apoptosis. Blocking apoptosis permitted growth of P. acanthamoebae in HeLa cells, as measured by fluorescence in situ hybridization, assessment of genome replication and protein synthesis, and the generation of infectious progeny. Coinfection with C. trachomatis inhibited P. acanthamoebae-induced apoptosis, suggesting that the known antiapoptotic activity of C. trachomatis can also block P. acanthamoebae-induced apoptosis. C. trachomatis coinfection could not rescue P. acanthamoebae growth in HeLa; in coinfected cells, C. trachomatis even suppressed the growth of P. acanthamoebae independently of apoptosis, while P. acanthamoebae surprisingly enhanced the growth of C. trachomatis Our results show that apoptosis can be used in the defense of mammalian cells against obligate intracellular bacteria and suggest that the known antiapoptotic activity of human pathogenic chlamydiae is indeed required to permit their growth in human cells.
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Watanabe T, Yamazaki S, Maita C, Matushita M, Matsuo J, Okubo T, Yamaguchi H. Lateral Gene Transfer Between Protozoa-Related Giant Viruses of Family Mimiviridae and Chlamydiae. Evol Bioinform Online 2018; 14:1176934318788337. [PMID: 30038484 PMCID: PMC6050620 DOI: 10.1177/1176934318788337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2018] [Accepted: 06/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Obligate intracellular chlamydiae diverged into pathogenic and environmental
chlamydiae 0.7-1.4 billion years ago. While pathogenic chlamydiae have adapted
to a wide range of vertebrates, environmental chlamydiae inhabit unicellular
amoebae, the free-living Acanthamoeba. However, how and why
this divergence occurred remains unclear. Meanwhile, giant viruses consisting of
protozoa-related and protozoa-unrelated viruses have been discovered, with the
former group being suggested to have more influenced environmental chlamydiae
during their evolution while cohabiting host amoebae. Against this background,
we attempted to visualize genes of giant viruses in chlamydial genomes by
bioinformatic analysis mainly with comparative genome and phylogenic analysis,
seeking genes present in chlamydiae that are specifically shared with
protozoa-related giant viruses. As a result, in contrast to protozoa-unrelated
giant viruses, the genes of protozoa-related giant viruses were significantly
shared in both the chlamydia genomes depending on the giant virus type. In
particular, the prevalence of Mimiviridae genes among the
protozoa-related giant virus genes in chlamydial genomes was significantly high.
Meanwhile, the prevalence of protozoa-related giant virus genes in pathogenic
chlamydia genomes was consistently higher than those of environmental
chlamydiae; the actual number of sequences similar to giant virus was also
significantly predominant compared with those in the environmental chlamydial
genomes. Among them, the most prevalent of giant virus was in the case of
chlamydiae with Megavirus chiliensis; total of 1338 genes of
the chlamydiae were found to be shared with the virus (444 genes specific to
environmental chlamydiae, 892 genes shared between both chlamydiae, only two
genes in the pathogenic chlamydiae). Phylogenic analysis with most prevalent
sets (Megavirus chiliensis and Protochlamydia
EI2 or Chlamydia trachomatis L2 434Bu) showed the presence of
orthologs between these with several clustered. In addition, Pearson’s single
regression analysis revealed that almost the prevalence of the genes from the
giant viruses in chlamydial genomes was negatively and specifically correlated
with the number of chlamydial open reading frames (ORFs). Thus, these results
indicated the trace of lateral gene transfer between protozoa-related giant
viruses of family Mimiviridae and chlamydiae. This is the first
demonstration of a putative linkage between chlamydiae and the giant viruses,
providing us with a hint to understand chlamydial evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takanori Watanabe
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Sumire Yamazaki
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Chinatsu Maita
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Mizue Matushita
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Junji Matsuo
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Torahiko Okubo
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Yamaguchi
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
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Robson JF, Barker D. Comparison of the protein-coding gene content of Chlamydia trachomatis and Protochlamydia amoebophila using a Raspberry Pi computer. BMC Res Notes 2015; 8:561. [PMID: 26462790 PMCID: PMC4604092 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-015-1476-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2015] [Accepted: 09/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background To demonstrate the bioinformatics capabilities of a low-cost computer, the Raspberry Pi, we present a comparison of the protein-coding gene content of two species in phylum Chlamydiae: Chlamydia trachomatis, a common sexually transmitted infection of humans, and Candidatus Protochlamydia amoebophila, a recently discovered amoebal endosymbiont. Identifying species-specific proteins and differences in protein families could provide insights into the unique phenotypes of the two species. Results Using a Raspberry Pi computer, sequence similarity-based protein families were predicted across the two species, C. trachomatis and P. amoebophila, and their members counted. Examples include nine multi-protein families unique to C. trachomatis, 132 multi-protein families unique to P. amoebophila and one family with multiple copies in both. Most families unique to C. trachomatis were polymorphic outer-membrane proteins. Additionally, multiple protein families lacking functional annotation were found. Predicted functional interactions suggest one of these families is involved with the exodeoxyribonuclease V complex. Conclusion The Raspberry Pi computer is adequate for a comparative genomics project of this scope. The protein families unique to P. amoebophila may provide a basis for investigating the host-endosymbiont interaction. However, additional species should be included; and further laboratory research is required to identify the functions of unknown or putative proteins. Multiple outer membrane proteins were found in C. trachomatis, suggesting importance for host evasion. The tyrosine transport protein family is shared between both species, with four proteins in C. trachomatis and two in P. amoebophila. Shared protein families could provide a starting point for discovery of wide-spectrum drugs against Chlamydiae. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13104-015-1476-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- James F Robson
- School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9TH, UK. .,Department of Biology, University of York, Wentworth Way, York, YO10 5DD, UK.
| | - Daniel Barker
- School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9TH, UK.
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Subtil A, Collingro A, Horn M. Tracing the primordial Chlamydiae: extinct parasites of plants? TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2014; 19:36-43. [PMID: 24210739 DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2013.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2013] [Revised: 10/09/2013] [Accepted: 10/15/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Chlamydiae are obligate intracellular bacteria found as symbionts and pathogens in a wide range of eukaryotes, including protists, invertebrates, and vertebrates. It was recently proposed that an ancient chlamydial symbiont facilitated the establishment of primary plastids in a tripartite symbiosis with cyanobacteria and early eukaryotes. In this review, we summarize recent advances in understanding of the lifestyle and the evolutionary history of extant Chlamydiae. We reconstruct and describe key features of the ancient chlamydial symbiont. We propose that it was already adapted to an intracellular lifestyle before the emergence of Archaeplastida, and that several observations are compatible with an essential contribution of Chlamydiae to the evolution of algae and plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agathe Subtil
- Institut Pasteur, Unité de Biologie des Interactions Cellulaires, Paris, France; CNRS URA2582, Paris, France.
| | - Astrid Collingro
- University of Vienna, Division of Microbial Ecology, Vienna, Austria
| | - Matthias Horn
- University of Vienna, Division of Microbial Ecology, Vienna, Austria
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Sampo A, Matsuo J, Yamane C, Yagita K, Nakamura S, Shouji N, Hayashi Y, Yamazaki T, Yoshida M, Kobayashi M, Ishida K, Yamaguchi H. High-temperature adapted primitive Protochlamydia found in Acanthamoeba isolated from a hot spring can grow in immortalized human epithelial HEp-2 cells. Environ Microbiol 2013; 16:486-97. [PMID: 24460765 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.12266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2013] [Revised: 08/03/2013] [Accepted: 08/26/2013] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
To elucidate how ancient pathogenic chlamydiae could overcome temperature barriers to adapt to human cells, we characterized a primitive chlamydia found in HS-T3 amoebae (Acanthamoeba) isolated from a hot spring. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the primitive species to be Protochlamydia. In situ hybridization staining showed broad distribution into the amoebal cytoplasm, which was supported by transmission electron microscopic analysis showing typical chlamydial features, with inclusion bodies including both elementary and reticular bodies. Interestingly, although most amoebae isolated from natural environments show reduced growth at 37°C, the HS-T3 amoebae harbouring the Protochlamydia grew well at body temperature. Although infection with Protochlamydia did not confer temperature tolerance to the C3 amoebae, the number of infectious progenies rapidly increased at 37°C with amoebal lysis. In immortalized human epithelial HEp-2 cells, fluorescence microscopic study revealed atypical inclusion of the Protochlamydia, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analyses also showed an increase in 16S ribosomal RNA DNA amounts. Together, these results showed that the Protochlamydia found in HS-T3 amoebae isolated from a hot spring successfully adapted to immortalized human HEp-2 cells at 37°C, providing further information on the evolution of ancient Protochlamydia to the present pathogenic chlamydiae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aya Sampo
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, North-12, West-5, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-0812, Japan
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Matsuo J, Nakamura S, Ito A, Yamazaki T, Ishida K, Hayashi Y, Yoshida M, Takahashi K, Sekizuka T, Takeuchi F, Kuroda M, Nagai H, Hayashida K, Sugimoto C, Yamaguchi H. Protochlamydia induces apoptosis of human HEp-2 cells through mitochondrial dysfunction mediated by chlamydial protease-like activity factor. PLoS One 2013; 8:e56005. [PMID: 23409113 PMCID: PMC3569409 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0056005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2012] [Accepted: 01/04/2013] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Obligate amoebal endosymbiotic bacterium Protochlamydia with ancestral pathogenic chlamydial features evolved to survive within protist hosts, such as Acanthamoba, 0.7–1.4 billion years ago, but not within vertebrates including humans. This observation raises the possibility that interactions between Protochlamydia and human cells may result in a novel cytopathic effect, leading to new insights into host-parasite relationships. Previously, we reported that Protochlamydia induces apoptosis of the immortalized human cell line, HEp-2. In this study, we attempted to elucidate the molecular mechanism underlying this apoptosis. We first confirmed that, upon stimulation with the bacteria, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) was cleaved at an early stage in HEp-2 cells, which was dependent on the amount of bacteria. A pan-caspase inhibitor and both caspase-3 and -9 inhibitors similarly inhibited the apoptosis of HEp-2 cells. A decrease of the mitochondrial membrane potential was also confirmed. Furthermore, lactacystin, an inhibitor of chlamydial protease-like activity factor (CPAF), blocked the apoptosis. Cytochalasin D also inhibited the apoptosis, which was dependent on the drug concentration, indicating that bacterial entry into cells was required to induce apoptosis. Interestingly, Yersinia type III inhibitors (ME0052, ME0053, and ME0054) did not have any effect on the apoptosis. We also confirmed that the Protochlamydia used in this study possessed a homologue of the cpaf gene and that two critical residues, histidine-101 and serine-499 of C. trachomatis CPAF in the active center, were conserved. Thus, our results indicate that after entry, Protochlamydia-secreted CPAF induces mitochondrial dysfunction with a decrease of the membrane potential, followed by caspase-9, caspase-3 and PARP cleavages for apoptosis. More interestingly, because C. trachomatis infection can block the apoptosis, our finding implies unique features of CPAF between pathogenic and primitive chlamydiae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junji Matsuo
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Shinji Nakamura
- Division of Biomedical Imaging Research, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Atsushi Ito
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Yamazaki
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Kasumi Ishida
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Hayashi
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Mitsutaka Yoshida
- Division of Ultrastructural Research, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kaori Takahashi
- Division of Ultrastructural Research, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Sekizuka
- Pathogen Genomics Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Fumihiko Takeuchi
- Pathogen Genomics Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Makoto Kuroda
- Pathogen Genomics Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroki Nagai
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kyoko Hayashida
- Research Center for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Chihiro Sugimoto
- Research Center for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Yamaguchi
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
- * E-mail:
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