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Foo GW, Leichthammer CD, Saita IM, Lukas ND, Batko IZ, Heinrichs DE, Edgell DR. Intein-based thermoregulated meganucleases for containment of genetic material. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:2066-2077. [PMID: 38180814 PMCID: PMC10899782 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad1247] [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: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Limiting the spread of synthetic genetic information outside of the intended use is essential for applications where biocontainment is critical. In particular, biocontainment of engineered probiotics and plasmids that are excreted from the mammalian gastrointestinal tract is needed to prevent escape and acquisition of genetic material that could confer a selective advantage to microbial communities. Here, we built a simple and lightweight biocontainment system that post-translationally activates a site-specific DNA endonuclease to degrade DNA at 18°C and not at higher temperatures. We constructed an orthogonal set of temperature-sensitive meganucleases (TSMs) by inserting the yeast VMA1 L212P temperature-sensitive intein into the coding regions of LAGLIDADG homing endonucleases. We showed that the TSMs eliminated plasmids carrying the cognate TSM target site from laboratory strains of Escherichia coli at the permissive 18°C but not at higher restrictive temperatures. Plasmid elimination is dependent on both TSM endonuclease activity and intein splicing. TSMs eliminated plasmids from E. coli Nissle 1917 after passage through the mouse gut when fecal resuspensions were incubated at 18°C but not at 37°C. Collectively, our data demonstrates the potential of thermoregulated meganucleases as a means of restricting engineered plasmids and probiotics to the mammalian gut.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary W Foo
- Department of Biochemistry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada
| | | | - Ibrahim M Saita
- Department of Biochemistry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Nicholas D Lukas
- Department of Biochemistry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Izabela Z Batko
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - David E Heinrichs
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - David R Edgell
- Department of Biochemistry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada
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2
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Bartram E, Asai M, Gabant P, Wigneshweraraj S. Enhancing the antibacterial function of probiotic Escherichia coli Nissle: when less is more. Appl Environ Microbiol 2023; 89:e0097523. [PMID: 37930328 PMCID: PMC10686094 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00975-23] [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: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Probiotic bacteria confer multiple health benefits, including preventing the growth, colonization, or carriage of harmful bacteria in the gut. Bacteriocins are antibacterial peptides produced by diverse bacteria, and their production is tightly regulated and coordinated at the transcriptional level. A popular strategy for enhancing the antibacterial properties of probiotic bacteria is to retrofit them with the ability to overproduce heterologous bacteriocins. This is often achieved from non-native constitutive promoters or in response to host or pathogen signal from synthetic promoters. How the dysregulated overproduction of heterologous bacteriocins affects the fitness and antibacterial efficacy of the retrofitted probiotic bacteria is often overlooked. We have conferred the prototypical probiotic Escherichia coli strain Nissle (EcN) the ability to produce microcin C (McC) from the wild-type promoter and two mutant promoters that allow, relative to the wild-type promoter, high and low amounts of McC production. This was done by introducing specific changes to the sequence of the wild-type promoter driving transcription of the McC operon while ensuring that the modified promoters respond to native regulation. By studying the transcriptomic responses and antibacterial efficacy of the retrofitted EcN bacteria in a Galleria mellonella infection model of enterohemorrhagic E. coli, we show that EcN bacteria that produce the lowest amount of McC display the highest antibacterial efficacy with little-to-none undesired collateral impact on their fitness. The results highlight considerations researchers may take into account when retrofitting probiotic bacteria with heterogenous gene products for therapeutic, prophylactic, or diagnostic applications. Bacteria that resist killing by antibiotics are a major risk to modern medicine. The use of beneficial "probiotic" bacteria to make antibiotic-like compounds at the site of infection in the body is emerging as a popular alternative to the use of conventional antibiotics. A potential drawback of engineering probiotic bacteria in this way is that producing antibiotic-like compounds could impart undesired side effects on the performance of such bacteria, thereby compromising their intended use. This study highlights considerations researchers may take into account when engineering probiotic bacteria for therapeutic, prophylactic, or diagnostic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Bartram
- Section of Molecular Microbiology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Centre for Bacterial Resistance Biology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Masanori Asai
- Section of Molecular Microbiology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Section of Paediatric Infectious Disease, Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Sivaramesh Wigneshweraraj
- Section of Molecular Microbiology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Centre for Bacterial Resistance Biology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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3
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Yu M, Hu S, Tang B, Yang H, Sun D. Engineering Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 as a microbial chassis for therapeutic and industrial applications. Biotechnol Adv 2023; 67:108202. [PMID: 37343690 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2023.108202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
Genetically engineered microbes, especially Escherichia coli, have been widely used in the biosynthesis of proteins and metabolites for medical and industrial applications. As a traditional probiotic with a well-established safety record, E. coli Nissle 1917 (EcN) has recently emerged as a microbial chassis for generating living therapeutics, drug delivery vehicles, and microbial platforms for industrial production. Despite the availability of genetic tools for engineering laboratory E. coli K-12 and B strains, new genetic engineering systems are still greatly needed to expand the application range of EcN. In this review, we have summarized the latest progress in the development of genetic engineering systems in EcN, as well as their applications in the biosynthesis and delivery of valuable small molecules and biomacromolecules of medical and/or industrial interest, followed by a glimpse of how this rapidly growing field will evolve in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingjing Yu
- College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, China
| | - Shilong Hu
- College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, China
| | - Biao Tang
- Institute of Quality and Standard for Agro-products, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hua Yang
- Institute of Quality and Standard for Agro-products, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, Zhejiang, China
| | - Dongchang Sun
- College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, China.
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4
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Ramadevi S, Shelin R, Shanmugaraja M. Comprehensive Analysis of the Physiological Characterization of Escherichia coli Nissle 1917. Curr Microbiol 2023; 80:150. [PMID: 36976334 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-023-03253-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/05/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 (EcN) is one of the probiotics that has drawn more attention from researchers in recent days as it extends many host beneficial effects. EcN is being used as a treatment regimen especially for gastrointestinal disorders for more than 100 years. Apart from its clinical applications in its original form, EcN is being genetically engineered to meet the therapeutic requirements which ultimately led to the gradual transformation of EcN from being a mere food supplement to a complex therapeutic agent. However, comprehensive analysis of physiological characterization of EcN is inadequate. In this study, we have systematically studied various physiological parameters and found that EcN grows very well at the normal as well as at stressful conditions such as temperature (30, 37 and 42 °C), nutritional (minimal and LB), pH (ranging from 3 to 7) and osmotic stress (0.4 M NaCl, 0.4 M KCl, 0.4 M Sucrose and salt conditions). However, EcN shows nearly onefold reduction in viability at extreme acidic conditions (pH 3 and 4). It produces biofilm and curlin very efficiently compared to the laboratory strain MG1655. Through genetic analysis we have also shown that EcN exhibits high level of transformation efficiency and greater ability to retain heterogenous plasmid. Very interestingly, we have found that EcN is highly resistant to P1 phage infection. Since, EcN is being exploited largely for its clinical and therapeutic applications, the results that we have reported here would add more value and further expand its scope in clinical and biotechnological research.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Ramadevi
- Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education, Kelambakkam, 603103, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Ruby Shelin
- Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education, Kelambakkam, 603103, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Meenakshi Shanmugaraja
- Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education, Kelambakkam, 603103, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
- Department of Biotechnology, Mepco Schlenk Engineering College, Sivakasi, 626005, Tamil Nadu, India.
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5
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He L, Tang W, Huang L, Zhou W, Huang S, Zou L, Yuan L, Men D, Chen S, Hu Y. Rational design of a genome-based insulated system in Escherichia coli facilitates heterologous uricase expression for hyperuricemia treatment. Bioeng Transl Med 2023; 8:e10449. [PMID: 36925686 PMCID: PMC10013758 DOI: 10.1002/btm2.10449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 09/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Hyperuricemia is a prevalent disease worldwide that is characterized by elevated urate levels in the blood owing to purine metabolic disorders, which can result in gout and comorbidities. To facilitate the treatment of hyperuricemia through the uricolysis, we engineered a probiotic Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 (EcN) named EcN C6 by inserting an FtsP-uricase cassette into an "insulated site" located between the uspG and ahpF genes. Expression of FtsP-uricase in this insulated region did not influence the probiotic properties or global gene transcription of EcN but strongly increased the enzymatic activity for urate degeneration, suggesting that the genome-based insulated system is an ideal strategy for EcN modification. Oral administration of EcN C6 successfully alleviated hyperuricemia, related symptoms and gut microbiota in a purine-rich food-induced hyperuricemia rat model and a uox-knockout mouse model. Together, our study provides an insulated site for heterologous gene expression in EcN strain and a recombinant EcN C6 strain as a safe and effective therapeutic candidate for hyperuricemia treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina He
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and BiosafetyWuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of SciencesWuhanChina
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Wei Tang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and BiosafetyWuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of SciencesWuhanChina
| | - Ling Huang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and BiosafetyWuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of SciencesWuhanChina
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Wei Zhou
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and BiosafetyWuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of SciencesWuhanChina
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Shaojia Huang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and BiosafetyWuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of SciencesWuhanChina
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Linxuan Zou
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and BiosafetyWuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of SciencesWuhanChina
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Lisha Yuan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and BiosafetyWuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of SciencesWuhanChina
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Dong Men
- State Key Laboratory of VirologyWuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of SciencesWuhanChina
| | - Shiyun Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and BiosafetyWuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of SciencesWuhanChina
| | - Yangbo Hu
- State Key Laboratory of VirologyWuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of SciencesWuhanChina
- Hubei Jiangxia LaboratoryWuhanChina
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6
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Kolasinliler G, Aagre MM, Akkale C, Kaya HB. The use of CRISPR-Cas-based systems in bacterial cell factories. Biochem Eng J 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bej.2023.108880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2023]
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7
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Probiotic Use in Preterm Neonates: A Review and Bibliometric Analysis. ACTA MEDICA BULGARICA 2022. [DOI: 10.2478/amb-2022-0032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a major health burden in peterm neonates with mortality rates between 21% and 50%. Prophylaxis is of primary importance as early diagnosis is hindered by the lack of specific signs and laboratory markers. Although probiotics have been routinely used for NEC prophylaxis in neonatal intensive care units around the world, clinical trials provide contradictory data, which fuels an ongoing debate about their efficacy and safety.
Aims: To perform a review and bibliometric analysis on available clinical trials and case reports data on the safety and efficacy of probiotics in preterm neonates and identify relevant publication trends and patterns.
Methods: A bibliometric search for publications on the topic was performed in the Web of Science Core Collection database and the resulting records analyzed in bibliometrix package in R.
Results: Trends in publication activity, historical direct citation network relationships and keyword co-ocurrences were discussed in the context of the most recent therapeutic recommendations.
Conclusion: We took a round view of the potential drawbacks to probiotic use in preterm infants and their possible solutions.
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8
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Orlova EG, Maslennikova IL, Pospelova JS, Starčič Erjavec M, Loginova NP, Troinich YN, Kuznetsova MV. The effect of Escherichia coli ŽP strain with a conjugation-based colicin E7 delivery on growth performance, hematological, biochemical, and histological parameters, gut microbiota, and nonspecific immunity of broilers. Can J Microbiol 2022; 68:687-702. [PMID: 36121064 DOI: 10.1139/cjm-2022-0044] [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: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The Escherichia coli ŽP strain (ŽP) was constructed based on the known probiotic E. coli strain Nissle 1917. It was genetically modified to carry the colicin E7 synthesis gene encoding DNase on a conjugative plasmid and the colicin E7 immunity gene in the chromosome. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the daily ŽP per oral administration (5 × 108 or 5 × 1010 CFU per bird) on the growth performance, hematological, biochemical, histological parameters, gut microbiota, and nonspecific immunity of the 4-24 days old broilers. The ŽP administration increased the abundance of genera Bacillus, Butyrivibrio, and Clostridium and did not influence the weight gain of 4-16 days old broilers. The biochemical parameters were within normal ranges for poultry in experimental and control groups. The ŽP administration had no effect on the erythrocyte numbers, hemoglobin and immunoglobulin Y concentrations, but significantly increased the serum lysozyme concentration, leukocyte numbers, and reactive oxygen species production by phagocytes compared with the control group. It did not cause inflammatory changes in intestinal mucosa, Peyer's patches, and spleen. Thus, the ŽP had no detrimental effects on broiler health and could be an efficient probiotic for the broiler colibacillosis prophylaxis.
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Affiliation(s)
- E G Orlova
- Institute of Ecology and Genetics of Microorganisms, Ural Branch, Russian Academy of Science, Perm, Russia
| | - I L Maslennikova
- Institute of Ecology and Genetics of Microorganisms, Ural Branch, Russian Academy of Science, Perm, Russia
| | - J S Pospelova
- Institute of Ecology and Genetics of Microorganisms, Ural Branch, Russian Academy of Science, Perm, Russia
| | | | | | | | - M V Kuznetsova
- Institute of Ecology and Genetics of Microorganisms, Ural Branch, Russian Academy of Science, Perm, Russia.,Perm State Medical University, Perm, Russia
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9
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Nag D, Farr D, Raychaudhuri S, Withey JH. An adult zebrafish model for adherent-invasive Escherichia coli indicates protection from AIEC infection by probiotic E. coli Nissle. iScience 2022; 25:104572. [PMID: 35769878 PMCID: PMC9234234 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Adherent-invasive Escherichia coli (AIEC) is an opportunistic pathogen associated with major inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn disease, and ulcerative colitis. Unfavorable conditions push commensal AIEC to induce gut inflammation, sometimes progressing to inflammation-induced colon cancer. Recently, zebrafish have emerged as a useful model to study human intestinal pathogens. Here, a zebrafish model to study AIEC infection was developed. Bath inoculation with AIEC resulted in colonization and tissue disruption in the zebrafish intestine. Gene expression of pro-inflammatory markers including interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), interferon-γ (IFNγ), and S100A-10b (akin to human calprotectin) in the zebrafish intestine was significantly induced by AIEC infection. The probiotic E. coli Nissle 1917 (EcN) was tested as a therapeutic and prophylactic against AIEC infection and reduced AIEC colonization, tissue damage, and pro-inflammatory responses in zebrafish. Furthermore, EcN diminished the propionic-acid-augmented hyperinfection of AIEC in zebrafish. Thus, this study shows the efficacy of EcN against AIEC in an AIEC-zebrafish model. AIEC can colonize, invade, and induce inflammation in the zebrafish gut Probiotic E. coli Nissle can protect zebrafish from AIEC infection EcN is effective both prophylactically and therapeutically against AIEC-induced IBD
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhrubajyoti Nag
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Dustin Farr
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Saumya Raychaudhuri
- CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology, Sector 39A, Chandigarh 160036, India
| | - Jeffrey H. Withey
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
- Corresponding author
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10
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Bacteria and bacterial derivatives as delivery carriers for immunotherapy. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2022; 181:114085. [PMID: 34933064 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.114085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
There is growing interest in the role of microorganisms in human health and disease, with evidence showing that new types of biotherapy using engineered bacterial therapeutics, including bacterial derivatives, can address specific mechanisms of disease. The complex interactions between microorganisms and metabolic/immunologic pathways underlie many diseases with unmet medical needs, suggesting that targeting these interactions may improve patient treatment. Using tools from synthetic biology and chemical engineering, non-pathogenic bacteria or bacterial products can be programmed and designed to sense and respond to environmental signals to deliver therapeutic effectors. This review describes current progress in biotherapy using live bacteria and their derivatives to achieve therapeutic benefits against various diseases.
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11
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Mori M, Zhang Z, Banaei‐Esfahani A, Lalanne J, Okano H, Collins BC, Schmidt A, Schubert OT, Lee D, Li G, Aebersold R, Hwa T, Ludwig C. From coarse to fine: the absolute Escherichia coli proteome under diverse growth conditions. Mol Syst Biol 2021; 17:e9536. [PMID: 34032011 PMCID: PMC8144880 DOI: 10.15252/msb.20209536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Accurate measurements of cellular protein concentrations are invaluable to quantitative studies of gene expression and physiology in living cells. Here, we developed a versatile mass spectrometric workflow based on data-independent acquisition proteomics (DIA/SWATH) together with a novel protein inference algorithm (xTop). We used this workflow to accurately quantify absolute protein abundances in Escherichia coli for > 2,000 proteins over > 60 growth conditions, including nutrient limitations, non-metabolic stresses, and non-planktonic states. The resulting high-quality dataset of protein mass fractions allowed us to characterize proteome responses from a coarse (groups of related proteins) to a fine (individual) protein level. Hereby, a plethora of novel biological findings could be elucidated, including the generic upregulation of low-abundant proteins under various metabolic limitations, the non-specificity of catabolic enzymes upregulated under carbon limitation, the lack of large-scale proteome reallocation under stress compared to nutrient limitations, as well as surprising strain-dependent effects important for biofilm formation. These results present valuable resources for the systems biology community and can be used for future multi-omics studies of gene regulation and metabolic control in E. coli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Mori
- Department of PhysicsUniversity of California at San DiegoLa JollaCAUSA
| | - Zhongge Zhang
- Section of Molecular BiologyDivision of Biological SciencesUniversity of California at San DiegoLa JollaCAUSA
| | - Amir Banaei‐Esfahani
- Department of BiologyInstitute of Molecular Systems BiologyETH ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - Jean‐Benoît Lalanne
- Department of BiologyMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMAUSA
- Department of PhysicsMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMAUSA
| | - Hiroyuki Okano
- Department of PhysicsUniversity of California at San DiegoLa JollaCAUSA
| | - Ben C Collins
- Department of BiologyInstitute of Molecular Systems BiologyETH ZurichZurichSwitzerland
- School of Biological SciencesQueen's University of BelfastBelfastUK
| | | | - Olga T Schubert
- Department of Human GeneticsUniversity of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesCAUSA
| | - Deok‐Sun Lee
- School of Computational SciencesKorea Institute for Advanced StudySeoulKorea
| | - Gene‐Wei Li
- Department of BiologyMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMAUSA
| | - Ruedi Aebersold
- Department of BiologyInstitute of Molecular Systems BiologyETH ZurichZurichSwitzerland
- Faculty of ScienceUniversity of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - Terence Hwa
- Department of PhysicsUniversity of California at San DiegoLa JollaCAUSA
- Section of Molecular BiologyDivision of Biological SciencesUniversity of California at San DiegoLa JollaCAUSA
| | - Christina Ludwig
- Bavarian Center for Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry (BayBioMS)Technical University of Munich (TUM)FreisingGermany
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12
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Johns MS, Petrelli NJ. Microbiome and colorectal cancer: A review of the past, present, and future. Surg Oncol 2021; 37:101560. [PMID: 33848761 DOI: 10.1016/j.suronc.2021.101560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2020] [Revised: 11/22/2020] [Accepted: 03/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The gastrointestinal tract is home to diverse and abundant microorganisms, collectively referred to as the microbiome. This ecosystem typically contains trillions of microbial cells that play an important role in regulation of human health. The microbiome has been implicated in host immunity, nutrient absorption, digestion, and metabolism. In recent years, researchers have shown that alteration of the microbiome is associated with disease development, such as obesity, inflammatory bowel disease, and cancer. This review discusses the five decades of research into the human microbiome and the development of colorectal cancer - the historical context including experiments that sparked interest, the explosion of research that has occurred in the last decade, and finally the future of testing and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael S Johns
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Helen F. Graham Cancer Center, ChristianaCare, Newark, DE, USA.
| | - Nicholas J Petrelli
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Helen F. Graham Cancer Center, ChristianaCare, Newark, DE, USA
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13
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A Toxic Environment: a Growing Understanding of How Microbial Communities Affect Escherichia coli O157:H7 Shiga Toxin Expression. Appl Environ Microbiol 2020; 86:AEM.00509-20. [PMID: 32358004 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00509-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) strains, including E. coli O157:H7, cause severe illness in humans due to the production of Shiga toxin (Stx) and other virulence factors. Because Stx is coregulated with lambdoid prophage induction, its expression is especially susceptible to environmental cues. Infections with Stx-producing E. coli can be difficult to model due to the wide range of disease outcomes: some infections are relatively mild, while others have serious complications. Probiotic organisms, members of the gut microbiome, and organic acids can depress Stx production, in many cases by inhibiting the growth of EHEC strains. On the other hand, the factors currently known to amplify Stx act via their effect on the stx-converting phage. Here, we characterize two interactive mechanisms that increase Stx production by O157:H7 strains: first, direct interactions with phage-susceptible E. coli, and second, indirect amplification by secreted factors. Infection of susceptible strains by the stx-converting phage can expand the Stx-producing population in a human or animal host, and phage infection has been shown to modulate virulence in vitro and in vivo Acellular factors, particularly colicins and microcins, can kill O157:H7 cells but may also trigger Stx expression in the process. Colicins, microcins, and other bacteriocins have diverse cellular targets, and many such molecules remain uncharacterized. The identification of additional Stx-amplifying microbial interactions will improve our understanding of E. coli O157:H7 infections and help elucidate the intricate regulation of pathogenicity in EHEC strains.
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14
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Pradhan S, Weiss AA. Probiotic Properties of Escherichia coli Nissle in Human Intestinal Organoids. mBio 2020; 11:e01470-20. [PMID: 32636253 PMCID: PMC7343996 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01470-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Escherichia coli strain Nissle has been used as a probiotic and therapeutic agent for over a century. Reports suggest that Nissle protects mice from enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) O157:H7 strains; however, mice are not very susceptible to O157:H7 and are not accurate models for O157:H7 infection in humans. Also, Nissle is closely related to uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) strain CFT073, suggesting that Nissle could have pathogenic potential. To assess the safety of and protection conferred by Nissle, we modeled infection in stem cell-derived human intestinal organoids (HIOs). HIOs replicate the structure and function of human intestinal tissue. HIOs have a lumen enclosed by a single cell layer of differentiated epithelium, which is surrounded by a diffuse mesenchymal layer. An epithelial barrier which excludes the luminal contents from the surrounding cell layers and medium develops. Nissle appeared to be nonpathogenic; 103 CFU were microinjected into the lumen, and after 3 days, 107 CFU were recovered and the epithelial barrier remained intact. In contrast, microinjected EHEC and UPEC bacteria destroyed the epithelial barrier. To assess the protection conferred by Nissle, HIOs microinjected with Nissle were challenged after 18 to 24 h with EHEC or UPEC. Preincubation with Nissle prevented the loss of the epithelial barrier function, the loss of E-cadherin expression, the increased production of reactive oxygen species, and apoptosis. Nissle did not replicate in the HIO coculture, while the pathogenic strains did replicate, suggesting that Nissle conferred protection via activation of host defenses and not by eliminating competing strains. Nissle was shown to be susceptible to some Shiga toxin phage, and Nissle lysogens could produce Shiga toxin.IMPORTANCE Probiotic, or beneficial, bacteria, such as E. coli Nissle, hold promise for the treatment of human disease. More study is needed to fully realize the potential of probiotics. Safety and efficacy studies are critically important; however, mice are poor models for many human intestinal diseases. We used stem cell-derived human intestinal organoid tissues to evaluate the safety of Nissle and its ability to protect from pathogenic E. coli bacteria. Nissle was found to be safe. Human intestinal tissues were not harmed by the Nissle bacteria introduced into the digestive tract. In contrast, pathogenic E. coli bacteria destroyed the intestinal tissues, and importantly, Nissle conferred protection from the pathogenic E. coli bacteria. Nissle did not kill the pathogenic E. coli bacteria, and protection likely occurred via the activation of human defenses. Human intestinal tissues provide a powerful way to study complex host-microbe interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suman Pradhan
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Alison Ann Weiss
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
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Soundararajan M, von Bünau R, Oelschlaeger TA. K5 Capsule and Lipopolysaccharide Are Important in Resistance to T4 Phage Attack in Probiotic E. coli Strain Nissle 1917. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:2783. [PMID: 31849915 PMCID: PMC6895014 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.02783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 11/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Rapidly growing antibiotic resistance among gastrointestinal pathogens, and the ability of antibiotics to induce the virulence of these pathogens makes it increasingly difficult to rely on antibiotics to treat gastrointestinal infections. The probiotic Escherichia coli strain Nissle 1917 (EcN) is the active component of the pharmaceutical preparation Mutaflor® and has been successfully used in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. Gut bacteriophages are dominant players in maintaining the microbial homeostasis in the gut, however, their interaction with incoming probiotic bacteria remains to be at conception. The presence of bacteriophages in the gut makes it inevitable for any probiotic bacteria to be phage resistant, in order to survive and successfully colonize the gut. This study addresses the phage resistance of EcN, specifically against lytic T4 phage infection. From various experiments we could show that (i) EcN is resistant toward T4 phage infection, (ii) EcN's K5 polysaccharide capsule plays a crucial role in T4 phage resistance and (iii) EcN's lipopolysaccharide (LPS) inactivates T4 phages and notably, treatment with the antibiotic polymyxin B which neutralizes the LPS destroyed the phage inactivation ability of isolated LPS from EcN. Combination of these identified properties in EcN was not found in other tested commensal E. coli strains. Our results further indicated that N-acetylglucosamine at the distal end of O6 antigen in EcN's LPS could be the interacting partner with T4 phages. From our findings, we have reported for the first time, the role of EcN's K5 capsule and LPS in its defense against T4 phages. In addition, by inactivating the T4 phages, EcN also protects E. coli K-12 strains from phage infection in tri-culture experiments. Our research highlights phage resistance as an additional safety feature of EcN, a clinically successful probiotic E. coli strain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manonmani Soundararajan
- Institute for Molecular Infection Biology, Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | | | - Tobias A Oelschlaeger
- Institute for Molecular Infection Biology, Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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