1
|
Choi JK, Naffouje SA, Goto M, Wang J, Christov K, Rademacher DJ, Green A, Stecenko AA, Chakrabarty AM, Das Gupta TK, Yamada T. Cross-talk between cancer and Pseudomonas aeruginosa mediates tumor suppression. Commun Biol 2023; 6:16. [PMID: 36609683 PMCID: PMC9823004 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-04395-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Microorganisms living at many sites in the human body compose a complex and dynamic community. Accumulating evidence suggests a significant role for microorganisms in cancer, and therapies that incorporate bacteria have been tried in various types of cancer. We previously demonstrated that cupredoxin azurin secreted by the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa, enters human cancer cells and induces apoptotic death1-4. However, the physiological interactions between P. aeruginosa and humans and their role in tumor homeostasis are largely unknown. Here, we show that P. aeruginosa upregulated azurin secretion in response to increasing numbers of and proximity to cancer cells. Conversely, cancer cells upregulated aldolase A secretion in response to increasing proximity to P. aeruginosa, which also correlated with enhanced P. aeruginosa adherence to cancer cells. Additionally, we show that cancer patients had detectable P. aeruginosa and azurin in their tumors and exhibited increased overall survival when they did, and that azurin administration reduced tumor growth in transgenic mice. Our results suggest host-bacterial symbiotic mutualism acting as a diverse adjunct to the host defense system via inter-kingdom communication mediated by the evolutionarily conserved proteins azurin and human aldolase A. This improved understanding of the symbiotic relationship of bacteria with humans indicates the potential contribution to tumor homeostasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juliana K Choi
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.,Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Samer A Naffouje
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.,General Surgery, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA
| | - Masahide Goto
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science, University of Illinois College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Chicago, IL, 60607, USA
| | - Konstantin Christov
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - David J Rademacher
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Core Imaging Facility, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, 60153, USA
| | - Albert Green
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Arlene A Stecenko
- Division of Pulmonary, Asthma, Cystic Fibrosis, and Sleep, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Ananda M Chakrabarty
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Tapas K Das Gupta
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.
| | - Tohru Yamada
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA. .,Richard & Loan Hill Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Illinois College of Engineering, Chicago, IL, 60607, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Mankovich AG, Maciel K, Kavanaugh M, Kistler E, Muckle E, Weingart CL. Phage-antibiotic synergy reduces Burkholderia cenocepacia population. BMC Microbiol 2023; 23:2. [PMID: 36600213 PMCID: PMC9814465 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-022-02738-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Burkholderia cenocepacia is an opportunistic pathogen that can cause acute and chronic infections in patients with weakened immune systems and in patients with cystic fibrosis. B. cenocepacia is resistant to many antibiotics making treatment challenging. Consequently, there is a critical need for alternative strategies to treat B. cenocepacia infections such as using bacteriophages and/or bacteriophages with subinhibitory doses of antibiotic called phage-antibiotic synergy. RESULTS We isolated a bacteriophage, KP1, from raw sewage that infects B. cenocepacia. Its morphological characteristics indicate it belongs in the family Siphoviridae, it has a 52 Kb ds DNA genome, and it has a narrow host range. We determined it rescued infections in Lemna minor (duckweed) and moderately reduced bacterial populations in our artificial sputum medium model. CONCLUSION These results suggest that KP1 phage alone in the duckweed model or in combination with antibiotics in the ASMDM model improves the efficacy of reducing B. cenocepacia populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna G. Mankovich
- grid.35403.310000 0004 1936 9991Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL USA
| | | | - Madison Kavanaugh
- grid.239553.b0000 0000 9753 0008Department of Pediatrics, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA USA
| | - Erin Kistler
- grid.255014.70000 0001 2185 2366Department of Biology, Denison University, 100 West College Street, 43023 Granville, OH USA
| | - Emily Muckle
- grid.255014.70000 0001 2185 2366Department of Biology, Denison University, 100 West College Street, 43023 Granville, OH USA
| | - Christine L. Weingart
- grid.255014.70000 0001 2185 2366Department of Biology, Denison University, 100 West College Street, 43023 Granville, OH USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Marunga J, Kang Y, Goo E, Hwang I. Hierarchical regulation of Burkholderia glumae type III secretion system by GluR response regulator and Lon protease. MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY 2022; 23:1461-1471. [PMID: 35717678 PMCID: PMC9452761 DOI: 10.1111/mpp.13241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Expression of type III secretion system (T3SS) genes, which are important for the virulence of phytopathogenic bacteria, is induced in the plant apoplastic environment or artificially amended growth conditions. Wild-type Burkholderia glumae BGR1, which causes rice panicle blight, induced a hypersensitive response (HR) in tobacco plants, whereas the T3SS genes were not significantly expressed in the commonly used hrp induction medium. T3SS gene expression in B. glumae was dependent on HrpB, a well known T3SS gene transcriptional regulator. Here, we report a stepwise mechanism of T3SS gene regulation by the GluR response regulator and Lon protease in addition to HrpB-mediated control of T3SS genes in B. glumae. The gluR mutant showed no HR in tobacco plants and exhibited attenuated virulence in rice plants. GluR directly activated hrpB expression, indicating that hrpB belongs to the GluR regulon. The lon mutation allowed high expression of the T3SS genes in nutrient-rich media. Lon directly activated gluR expression but repressed hrpB expression, indicating that Lon acts as a regulator rather than a protease. However, the lon mutant failed to induce an HR and virulence, suggesting that Lon not only acts as a negative regulator, but also has an essential, yet to be determined role for T3SS. Our results demonstrate the involvement of the two-component system response regulator GluR and Lon in T3SS gene regulation, providing new insight into the complex interplay mechanisms of regulators involved in T3SS gene expression in bacteria-plant interactions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joan Marunga
- Department of Agricultural BiotechnologySeoul National UniversitySeoulRepublic of Korea
| | - Yongsung Kang
- Department of Agricultural BiotechnologySeoul National UniversitySeoulRepublic of Korea
- Research Institute of Agriculture and Life SciencesSeoul National UniversitySeoulRepublic of Korea
| | - Eunhye Goo
- Department of Agricultural BiotechnologySeoul National UniversitySeoulRepublic of Korea
- Research Institute of Agriculture and Life SciencesSeoul National UniversitySeoulRepublic of Korea
| | - Ingyu Hwang
- Department of Agricultural BiotechnologySeoul National UniversitySeoulRepublic of Korea
- Research Institute of Agriculture and Life SciencesSeoul National UniversitySeoulRepublic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Pellicle Biofilm Formation in Burkholderia cenocepacia J2315 is Epigenetically Regulated through WspH, a Hybrid Two-Component System Kinase-Response Regulator. J Bacteriol 2022; 204:e0001722. [PMID: 35416687 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00017-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The chemosensory signal transduction system Wsp regulates biofilm formation and related phenotypes by influencing cyclic-di-GMP (c-di-GMP) levels in bacterial cells. This is typically achieved by activation of the diguanylate cyclase WspR, through phosphorylation of its phosphoreceiver domain. The Wsp system of Burkholderia cenocepacia J2315 is in one operon with the hybrid response regulator/histidine kinase wspH, but lacks the diguanylate cyclase wspR which is located in a different operon. The expression of wspH, the first gene in the B. cenocepacia Wsp operon as well as pellicle biofilm formation are epigenetically regulated in B. cenocepacia J2315. To investigate whether WspH regulates pellicle biofilm formation, several mutants with altered expression of wspH were constructed. Mutants with increased expression of wspH showed accelerated pellicle biofilm formation, reduced swimming motility and increased c-di-GMP levels. This was independent of WspR phosphorylation, showing that WspR is not the cognate response receiver for histidine kinase WspH. IMPORTANCE Biofilms are surface-attached or suspended aggregates of cells, that are problematic in the context of bacterial infections, as they provide protection from antibiotic treatment. Burkholderia cenocepacia can colonize the lung of immunocompromised patients and forms biofilms that increase its recalcitrance to antibiotic treatment. Pellicles are biofilms which form at an air-liquid interface to take advantage of the higher oxygen concentrations in this environment. How quickly pellicles are formed is crucial for the fitness of obligate aerobic bacteria such as B. cenocepacia. Cyclic-di-GMP (c-di-GMP) levels determine the transition between planktonic and biofilm lifestyle, and WspH controls c-di-GMP production. WspH is therefore important for the fitness of B. cenocepacia in environments with gradients in oxygen concentration, such as the human lung.
Collapse
|
5
|
Ortega L, Rojas CM. Bacterial Panicle Blight and Burkholderia glumae: From Pathogen Biology to Disease Control. PHYTOPATHOLOGY 2021; 111:772-778. [PMID: 33206007 DOI: 10.1094/phyto-09-20-0401-rvw] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Bacterial panicle blight (BPB), caused by the bacterium Burkholderia glumae, has affected rice production worldwide. Despite its importance, neither the disease nor the causal agent are well understood. Moreover, methods to manage BPB are still lacking. Nevertheless, the emerging importance of this pathogen has stimulated research to identify the mechanisms of pathogenicity, to gain insight into plant disease resistance, and to develop strategies to manage the disease. In this review, we consolidate current information regarding the virulence factors that have been identified in B. glumae and present a model of the disease and the pathogen. We also provide an update on the current research status to develop methods to control the disease especially through biological control approaches and through the development of resistant cultivars.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Ortega
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701
| | - Clemencia M Rojas
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Kwak GY, Goo E, Jeong H, Hwang I. Adverse effects of adaptive mutation to survive static culture conditions on successful fitness of the rice pathogen Burkholderia glumae in a host. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0238151. [PMID: 32833990 PMCID: PMC7444824 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0238151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteria often possess relatively flexible genome structures and adaptive genetic variants that allow survival in unfavorable growth conditions. Bacterial survival tactics in disadvantageous microenvironments include mutations that are beneficial against threats in their niche. Here, we report that the aerobic rice bacterial pathogen Burkholderia glumae BGR1 changes a specific gene for improved survival in static culture conditions. Static culture triggered formation of colony variants with deletions or point mutations in the gene bspP (BGLU_RS28885), which putatively encodes a protein that contains PDC2, PAS-9, SpoIIE, and HATPase domains. The null mutant of bspP survived longer in static culture conditions and produced a higher level of bis-(3'-5')-cyclic dimeric guanosine monophosphate than the wild type. Expression of the bacterial cellulose synthase regulator (bcsB) gene was upregulated in the mutant, consistent with the observation that the mutant formed pellicles faster than the wild type. Mature pellicle formation was observed in the bspP mutant before pellicle formation in wild-type BGR1. However, the population density of the bspP null mutant decreased substantially when grown in Luria-Bertani medium with vigorous agitation due to failure of oxalate-mediated detoxification of the alkaline environment. The bspP null mutant was less virulent and exhibited less effective colonization of rice plants than the wild type. All phenotypes caused by mutations in bspP were recovered to those of the wild type by genetic complementation. Thus, although wild-type B. glumae BGR1 prolonged viability by spontaneous mutation under static culture conditions, such genetic changes negatively affected colonization in rice plants. These results suggest that adaptive gene sacrifice of B. glumae to survive unfavorable growth conditions is not always desirable as it can adversely affect adaptability in the host.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gi-Young Kwak
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Eunhye Goo
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Haeyoon Jeong
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ingyu Hwang
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|