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Lee CH, Wu CJ, Yang YY, Wang WC, Leu SJ, Wu CT, Kao PS, Liu KJ, Tsai BY, Chiang YW, Mao YC, Benedict Dlamini N, Chang J. Characterization of chicken-derived antibody against Alpha-Enolase of Streptococcus pneumoniae. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 128:111476. [PMID: 38185035 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.111476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 12/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Streptococcus pneumoniae is a clinically relevant pathogen notorious for causing pneumonia, meningitis, and otitis media in immunocompromised patients. Currently, antibiotic therapy is the most efficient treatment for fighting pneumococcal infections. However, an arise in antimicrobial resistance in S. pneumoniae has become a serious health issue globally. To resolve the problem, alternative and cost-effective strategies, such as monoclonal antibody-based targeted therapy, are needed for combating bacterial infection. S. pneumoniae alpha-enolase (spEno1), which is thought to be a great target, is a surface protein that binds and converts human plasminogen to plasmin, leading to accelerated bacterial infections. We first purified recombinant spEno1 protein for chicken immunization to generate specific IgY antibodies. We next constructed two single-chain variable fragments (scFv) antibody libraries by phage display technology, containing 7.2 × 107 and 4.8 × 107 transformants. After bio-panning, ten scFv antibodies were obtained, and their binding activities to spEno1 were evaluated on ELISA, Western blot and IFA. The epitopes of spEno1 were identified by these scFv antibodies, which binding affinities were determined by competitive ELISA. Moreover, inhibition assay displayed that the scFv antibodies effectively inhibit the binding between spEno1 and human plasminogen. Overall, the results suggested that these scFv antibodies have the potential to serve as an immunotherapeutic drug against S. pneumoniae infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi-Hsin Lee
- School of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110301, Taiwan; Ph.D. Program in Medical Biotechnology, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110301, Taiwan
| | - Chao-Jung Wu
- School of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110301, Taiwan; Ph.D. Program in Medical Biotechnology, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110301, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Yuan Yang
- School of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110301, Taiwan; Ph.D. Program in Medical Biotechnology, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110301, Taiwan; Core Laboratory of Antibody Generation and Research, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110301, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Chu Wang
- Ph.D. Program in Medical Biotechnology, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110301, Taiwan
| | - Sy-Jye Leu
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110301, Taiwan; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110301, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Tsang Wu
- School of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110301, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Shih Kao
- School of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110301, Taiwan
| | - Ko-Jiunn Liu
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Tainan 70456, Taiwan
| | - Bor-Yu Tsai
- Navi Bio-Therapeutics Inc., Taipei 10351, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Wei Chiang
- Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei 112201, Taiwan
| | - Yan-Chiao Mao
- Division of Clinical Toxicology, Department of Emergency Medicine, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung 407219, Taiwan
| | - Nhlanhla Benedict Dlamini
- Ph.D. Program in Medical Biotechnology, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110301, Taiwan
| | - Jungshan Chang
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110301, Taiwan; International Master/Ph.D. Program in Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; International Ph.D. Program for Cell Therapy and Regeneration Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan.
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2
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Werner LM, Criss AK. Diverse Functions of C4b-Binding Protein in Health and Disease. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2023; 211:1443-1449. [PMID: 37931209 PMCID: PMC10629839 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2300333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
C4b-binding protein (C4BP) is a fluid-phase complement inhibitor that prevents uncontrolled activation of the classical and lectin complement pathways. As a complement inhibitor, C4BP also promotes apoptotic cell death and is hijacked by microbes and tumors for complement evasion. Although initially characterized for its role in complement inhibition, there is an emerging recognition that C4BP functions in a complement-independent manner to promote cell survival, protect against autoimmune damage, and modulate the virulence of microbial pathogens. In this Brief Review, we summarize the structure and functions of human C4BP, with a special focus on activities that extend beyond the canonical role of C4BP in complement inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lacie M. Werner
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Alison K. Criss
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
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3
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Smiline Girija AS. Moonlighting proteins [ML proteins]: The pandora's box of insidious oro-dental diseases. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2023; 1870:119435. [PMID: 36738892 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2023.119435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Oral pathogens survive in the harsh niche of the oral microbiome on account of a plethora of moonlighting [ML] proteins that can multitask in the oro-mucosal layers. ML proteins are considered as the complex protein hyperspace expressed in many oral bacterial pathogens and encompass many hypothetical and experimentally evidenced proteins that can efficiently assist in the initiation and progression of various oro-dental infections. With the propensity of multi-drug resistance and biofilm formation, unravelling the mysterious functions associated with the oral ML proteins could be essential in targeting the vital oral bacteria and their associated infections. This commentary thus throws insights onto the key clues on various ML proteins that can be considered for the development of therapeutic versatility to curtail the complications caused by various oral bacterial species.
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Affiliation(s)
- A S Smiline Girija
- Department of Microbiology, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences [SIMATS], Chennai 600077, Tamilnadu, India.
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4
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Yadav P, Singh R, Sur S, Bansal S, Chaudhry U, Tandon V. Moonlighting proteins: beacon of hope in era of drug resistance in bacteria. Crit Rev Microbiol 2023; 49:57-81. [PMID: 35220864 DOI: 10.1080/1040841x.2022.2036695] [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] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Moonlighting proteins (MLPs) are ubiquitous and provide a unique advantage to bacteria performing multiple functions using the same genomic content. Targeting MLPs can be considered as a futuristic approach in fighting drug resistance problem. This review follows the MLP trail from its inception to the present-day state, describing a few bacterial MLPs, viz., glyceraldehyde 3'-phosphate dehydrogenase, phosphoglucose isomerase glutamate racemase (GR), and DNA gyrase. Here, we carve out that targeting MLPs are the beacon of hope in an era of increasing drug resistance in bacteria. Evolutionary stability, structure-functional relationships, protein diversity, possible drug targets, and identification of new drugs against bacterial MLP are given due consideration. Before the final curtain calls, we provide a comprehensive list of small molecules that inhibit the biochemical activity of MLPs, which can aid the development of novel molecules to target MLPs for therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pramod Yadav
- Special Center for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India.,Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Center for Biomedical Research, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Raja Singh
- Special Center for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Souvik Sur
- Research and Development Center, Teerthanker Mahaveer University, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Sandhya Bansal
- Norton Thoracic Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital, and Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Uma Chaudhry
- Bhaskaracharya College of Applied Sciences, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Vibha Tandon
- Special Center for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
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5
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Platt MP, Lin YH, Penix T, Wiscovitch-Russo R, Vashee I, Mares CA, Rosch JW, Yu Y, Gonzalez-Juarbe N. A multiomics analysis of direct interkingdom dynamics between influenza A virus and Streptococcus pneumoniae uncovers host-independent changes to bacterial virulence fitness. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1011020. [PMID: 36542660 PMCID: PMC9815659 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND For almost a century, it has been recognized that influenza A virus (IAV) infection can promote the development of secondary bacterial infections (SBI) mainly caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae (Spn). Recent observations have shown that IAV is able to directly bind to the surface of Spn. To gain a foundational understanding of how direct IAV-Spn interaction alters bacterial biological fitness we employed combinatorial multiomic and molecular approaches. RESULTS Here we show IAV significantly remodels the global transcriptome, proteome and phosphoproteome profiles of Spn independently of host effectors. We identified Spn surface proteins that interact with IAV proteins (hemagglutinin, nucleoprotein, and neuraminidase). In addition, IAV was found to directly modulate expression of Spn virulence determinants such as pneumococcal surface protein A, pneumolysin, and factors associated with antimicrobial resistance among many others. Metabolic pathways were significantly altered leading to changes in Spn growth rate. IAV was also found to drive Spn capsule shedding and the release of pneumococcal surface proteins. Released proteins were found to be involved in evasion of innate immune responses and actively reduced human complement hemolytic and opsonizing activity. IAV also led to phosphorylation changes in Spn proteins associated with metabolism and bacterial virulence. Validation of proteomic data showed significant changes in Spn galactose and glucose metabolism. Furthermore, supplementation with galactose rescued bacterial growth and promoted bacterial invasion, while glucose supplementation led to enhanced pneumolysin production and lung cell apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS Here we demonstrate that IAV can directly modulate Spn biology without the requirement of host effectors and support the notion that inter-kingdom interactions between human viruses and commensal pathobionts can promote bacterial pathogenesis and microbiome dysbiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryann P. Platt
- Infectious Diseases and Genomic Medicine Group, J Craig Venter Institute, Rockville, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Yi-Han Lin
- Infectious Diseases and Genomic Medicine Group, J Craig Venter Institute, Rockville, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Trevor Penix
- Department of Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Rosana Wiscovitch-Russo
- Infectious Diseases and Genomic Medicine Group, J Craig Venter Institute, Rockville, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Isha Vashee
- Infectious Diseases and Genomic Medicine Group, J Craig Venter Institute, Rockville, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Chris A. Mares
- Department of Life Sciences, Texas A&M University-San Antonio, Texas, United States of America
| | - Jason W. Rosch
- Department of Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Yanbao Yu
- Infectious Diseases and Genomic Medicine Group, J Craig Venter Institute, Rockville, Maryland, United States of America
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, United States of America
| | - Norberto Gonzalez-Juarbe
- Infectious Diseases and Genomic Medicine Group, J Craig Venter Institute, Rockville, Maryland, United States of America
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6
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Gil E, Noursadeghi M, Brown JS. Streptococcus pneumoniae interactions with the complement system. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:929483. [PMID: 35967850 PMCID: PMC9366601 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.929483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Host innate and adaptive immunity to infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae is critically dependent on the complement system, demonstrated by the high incidence of invasive S. pneumoniae infection in people with inherited deficiency of complement components. The complement system is activated by S. pneumoniae through multiple mechanisms. The classical complement pathway is activated by recognition of S. pneumoniae by C-reactive protein, serum amyloid P, C1q, SIGN-R1, or natural or acquired antibody. Some S. pneumoniae strains are also recognised by ficolins to activate the mannose binding lectin (MBL) activation pathway. Complement activation is then amplified by the alternative complement pathway, which can also be activated by S. pneumoniae directly. Complement activation results in covalent linkage of the opsonic complement factors C3b and iC3b to the S. pneumoniae surface which promote phagocytic clearance, along with complement-mediated immune adherence to erythrocytes, thereby protecting against septicaemia. The role of complement for mucosal immunity to S. pneumoniae is less clear. Given the major role of complement in controlling infection with S. pneumoniae, it is perhaps unsurprising that S. pneumoniae has evolved multiple mechanisms of complement evasion, including the capsule, multiple surface proteins, and the toxin pneumolysin. There is considerable variation between S. pneumoniae capsular serotypes and genotypes with regards to sensitivity to complement which correlates with ability to cause invasive infections. However, at present we only have a limited understanding of the main mechanisms causing variations in complement sensitivity between S. pneumoniae strains and to non-pathogenic streptococci.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliza Gil
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Eliza Gil,
| | - Mahdad Noursadeghi
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jeremy S. Brown
- Division of Medicine, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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7
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Wang J, Yu Y, Li Y, Li S, Wang L, Wei Y, Wu Y, Pillay B, Olaniran AO, Chiliza TE, Shao G, Feng Z, Xiong Q. A multifunctional enolase mediates cytoadhesion and interaction with host plasminogen and fibronectin in Mycoplasma hyorhinis. Vet Res 2022; 53:26. [PMID: 35337383 PMCID: PMC8951703 DOI: 10.1186/s13567-022-01041-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Mycoplasma hyorhinis may cause systemic inflammation of pigs, typically polyserositis and arthritis, and is also associated with several types of human cancer. However, the pathogenesis of M. hyorhinis colonizing and breaching the respiratory barrier to establish systemic infection is poorly understood. Glycolytic enzymes are important moonlighting proteins and virulence-related factors in various bacteria. In this study, we investigated the functions of a glycolytic critical enzyme, enolase in the infection and systemic spread of M. hyorhinis. Bacterial surface localization of enolase was confirmed by flow cytometry and colony hybridization assay. Recombinant M. hyorhinis enolase (rEno) was found to adhere to pig kidney (PK-15) cells, and anti-rEno serum significantly decreased adherence. The enzyme was also found to bind host plasminogen and fibronectin, and interactions were specific and strong, with dissociation constant (KD) values of 1.4 nM and 14.3 nM, respectively, from surface plasmon resonance analysis. Activation of rEno-bound plasminogen was confirmed by its ability to hydrolyze plasmin-specific substrates and to degrade a reconstituted extracellular matrix. To explore key sites during these interactions, C-terminal lysine residues of enolase were replaced with leucine, and the resulting single-site and double-site mutants show significantly reduced interaction with plasminogen in far-Western blotting and surface plasmon resonance tests. The binding affinities of all mutants to fibronectin were reduced as well. Collectively, these results imply that enolase moonlights as an important adhesin of M. hyorhinis, and interacts with plasminogen and fibronectin. The two lysine residues in the C-terminus are important binding sites for its multiple binding activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Wang
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biological Engineering and Technology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China.,College of Agriculture, Engineering & Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Yanfei Yu
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biological Engineering and Technology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China.,College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
| | - Yao Li
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biological Engineering and Technology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China.,School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Shiyang Li
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biological Engineering and Technology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China.,College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
| | - Li Wang
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biological Engineering and Technology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Yanna Wei
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biological Engineering and Technology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China.,College of Agriculture, Engineering & Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Yuzi Wu
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biological Engineering and Technology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Bala Pillay
- College of Agriculture, Engineering & Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | | | - Thamsanqa E Chiliza
- College of Agriculture, Engineering & Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Guoqing Shao
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biological Engineering and Technology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China.,College of Agriculture, Engineering & Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Zhixin Feng
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biological Engineering and Technology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China.,College of Agriculture, Engineering & Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Qiyan Xiong
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biological Engineering and Technology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China. .,College of Agriculture, Engineering & Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa. .,School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China.
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Jahn K, Kohler TP, Swiatek LS, Wiebe S, Hammerschmidt S. Platelets, Bacterial Adhesins and the Pneumococcus. Cells 2022; 11:cells11071121. [PMID: 35406684 PMCID: PMC8997422 DOI: 10.3390/cells11071121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Systemic infections with pathogenic or facultative pathogenic bacteria are associated with activation and aggregation of platelets leading to thrombocytopenia and activation of the clotting system. Bacterial proteins leading to platelet activation and aggregation have been identified, and while platelet receptors are recognized, induced signal transduction cascades are still often unknown. In addition to proteinaceous adhesins, pathogenic bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae also produce toxins such as pneumolysin and alpha-hemolysin. They bind to cellular receptors or form pores, which can result in disturbance of physiological functions of platelets. Here, we discuss the bacteria-platelet interplay in the context of adhesin–receptor interactions and platelet-activating bacterial proteins, with a main emphasis on S. aureus and S. pneumoniae. More importantly, we summarize recent findings of how S. aureus toxins and the pore-forming toxin pneumolysin of S. pneumoniae interfere with platelet function. Finally, the relevance of platelet dysfunction due to killing by toxins and potential treatment interventions protecting platelets against cell death are summarized.
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9
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Marques da Silva W, Seyffert N, Silva A, Azevedo V. A journey through the Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis proteome promotes insights into its functional genome. PeerJ 2022; 9:e12456. [PMID: 35036114 PMCID: PMC8710256 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.12456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis is a Gram-positive facultative intracellular pathogen and the etiologic agent of illnesses like caseous lymphadenitis in small ruminants, mastitis in dairy cattle, ulcerative lymphangitis in equines, and oedematous skin disease in buffalos. With the growing advance in high-throughput technologies, genomic studies have been carried out to explore the molecular basis of its virulence and pathogenicity. However, data large-scale functional genomics studies are necessary to complement genomics data and better understating the molecular basis of a given organism. Here we summarize, MS-based proteomics techniques and bioinformatics tools incorporated in genomic functional studies of C. pseudotuberculosis to discover the different patterns of protein modulation under distinct environmental conditions, and antigenic and drugs targets. Methodology In this study we performed an extensive search in Web of Science of original and relevant articles related to methods, strategy, technology, approaches, and bioinformatics tools focused on the functional study of the genome of C. pseudotuberculosis at the protein level. Results Here, we highlight the use of proteomics for understating several aspects of the physiology and pathogenesis of C. pseudotuberculosis at the protein level. The implementation and use of protocols, strategies, and proteomics approach to characterize the different subcellular fractions of the proteome of this pathogen. In addition, we have discussed the immunoproteomics, immunoinformatics and genetic tools employed to identify targets for immunoassays, drugs, and vaccines against C. pseudotuberculosis infection. Conclusion In this review, we showed that the combination of proteomics and bioinformatics studies is a suitable strategy to elucidate the functional aspects of the C. pseudotuberculosis genome. Together, all information generated from these proteomics studies allowed expanding our knowledge about factors related to the pathophysiology of this pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanderson Marques da Silva
- Institute of Agrobiotechnology and Molecular Biology-(INTA/CONICET), Hurlingham, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Nubia Seyffert
- Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Artur Silva
- Laboratory of Genomics and Bioinformatics, Center of Genomics and Systems Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Para, Belém, Pará, Brazil
| | - Vasco Azevedo
- Genetics, Ecology and Evolution, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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10
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Esmail GA, Al-Dhabi NA, AlDawood B, Somily AM. Shotgun whole genome sequencing of drug-resistance Streptococcus anginosus strain 47S1 isolated from a patient with pharyngitis in Saudi Arabia. J Infect Public Health 2021; 14:1740-1749. [PMID: 34836797 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2021.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Streptococcus anginosus is an emergence opportunistic pathogen that colonize the human upper respiratory tract (URT), S. anginosus alongside with S. intermedius and S. constellatus, members of S. anginosus group, are implicated in several human infections. However, our understanding this bacterium to the genotype level with determining the genes associated with pathogenicity and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is scarce. S. anginosus 47S1 strain was isolated from sore throat infection, the whole genome was characterized and the virulence & AMR genes contributing in pathogenicity were investigated. METHODOLOGY The whole genome of 47S1 was sequenced by Illumina sequencing technology. Strain 47S1 genome was de novo assembled with different strategies and annotated via PGAP, PROKKA and RAST pipelines. Identifying the CRISPR-Cass system and prophages sequences was performed using CRISPRloci and PhiSpy tools respectively. Prediction the virulence genes were performed with the VFDB database. AMR genes were detected in silico using NCBI AMRFinderPlus pipeline and CARD database and compared with in vitro AST findings. RESULTS β-hemolytic strain 47S1 was identified with conventional microbiology techniques and confirmed by the sequences of 16S rRNA gene. Genome of 47S1 comprised of 1981512 bp. Type I-C CRISPR-Cas system and 4 prophages were detected among the genome of 47S1. Several virulence genes were predicted, most of these genes are found in other pathogenic streptococci, mainly lmb, pavA, htrA/degP, eno, sagA, psaA and cpsI which play a significant role in colonizing, invading host tissues and evade form immune system. In silico AMR findings showed that 47S1 gnome harbors (tetA, tetB &tet32), (aac(6')-I, aadK &aph(3')-IVa), fusC, and PmrA genes that mediated-resistance to tetracyclines, aminoglycosides, fusidic acid, and fluoroquinolone respectively which corresponds with in vitro AST obtained results. In conclusion, WGS is a key approach to predict the virulence and AMR genes, results obtained in this study may contribute for a better understanding of the opportunistic S. anginosus pathogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Galal Ali Esmail
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Sciences, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Naif Abdullah Al-Dhabi
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Sciences, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Badr AlDawood
- Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, King Saud University, King Saud University Medical City, Riyadh 11461, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ali Mohammed Somily
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine/Microbiology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, King Saud University Medical City, Riyadh 11461, Saudi Arabia.
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11
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Syed I, Wooten RM. Interactions Between Pathogenic Burkholderia and the Complement System: A Review of Potential Immune Evasion Mechanisms. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:701362. [PMID: 34660335 PMCID: PMC8515183 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.701362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The genus Burkholderia contains over 80 different Gram-negative species including both plant and human pathogens, the latter of which can be classified into one of two groups: the Burkholderia pseudomallei complex (Bpc) or the Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc). Bpc pathogens Burkholderia pseudomallei and Burkholderia mallei are highly virulent, and both have considerable potential for use as Tier 1 bioterrorism agents; thus there is great interest in the development of novel vaccines and therapeutics for the prevention and treatment of these infections. While Bcc pathogens Burkholderia cenocepacia, Burkholderia multivorans, and Burkholderia cepacia are not considered bioterror threats, the incredible impact these infections have on the cystic fibrosis community inspires a similar demand for vaccines and therapeutics for the prevention and treatment of these infections as well. Understanding how these pathogens interact with and evade the host immune system will help uncover novel therapeutic targets within these organisms. Given the important role of the complement system in the clearance of bacterial pathogens, this arm of the immune response must be efficiently evaded for successful infection to occur. In this review, we will introduce the Burkholderia species to be discussed, followed by a summary of the complement system and known mechanisms by which pathogens interact with this critical system to evade clearance within the host. We will conclude with a review of literature relating to the interactions between the herein discussed Burkholderia species and the host complement system, with the goal of highlighting areas in this field that warrant further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irum Syed
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH, United States
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12
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Moonlighting in Bacillus subtilis: The Small Proteins SR1P and SR7P Regulate the Moonlighting Activity of Glyceraldehyde 3-Phosphate Dehydrogenase A (GapA) and Enolase in RNA Degradation. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9051046. [PMID: 34066298 PMCID: PMC8152036 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9051046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Moonlighting proteins are proteins with more than one function. During the past 25 years, they have been found to be rather widespread in bacteria. In Bacillus subtilis, moonlighting has been disclosed to occur via DNA, protein or RNA binding or protein phosphorylation. In addition, two metabolic enzymes, enolase and phosphofructokinase, were localized in the degradosome-like network (DLN) where they were thought to be scaffolding components. The DLN comprises the major endoribonuclease RNase Y, 3'-5' exoribonuclease PnpA, endo/5'-3' exoribonucleases J1/J2 and helicase CshA. We have ascertained that the metabolic enzyme GapA is an additional component of the DLN. In addition, we identified two small proteins that bind scaffolding components of the degradosome: SR1P encoded by the dual-function sRNA SR1 binds GapA, promotes the GapA-RNase J1 interaction and increases the RNase J1 activity. SR7P encoded by the dual-function antisense RNA SR7 binds to enolase thereby enhancing the enzymatic activity of enolase bound RNase Y. We discuss the role of small proteins in modulating the activity of two moonlighting proteins.
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13
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Liu H, Lei S, Jia L, Xia X, Sun Y, Jiang H, Zhu R, Li S, Qu G, Gu J, Sun C, Feng X, Han W, Langford PR, Lei L. Streptococcus suis serotype 2 enolase interaction with host brain microvascular endothelial cells and RPSA-induced apoptosis lead to loss of BBB integrity. Vet Res 2021; 52:30. [PMID: 33618766 PMCID: PMC7898445 DOI: 10.1186/s13567-020-00887-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Host proteins interacting with pathogens are receiving more attention as potential therapeutic targets in molecular medicine. Streptococcus suis serotype 2 (SS2) is an important cause of meningitis in both humans and pigs worldwide. SS2 Enolase (Eno) has previously been identified as a virulence factor with a role in altering blood brain barrier (BBB) integrity, but the host cell membrane receptor of Eno and The mechanism(s) involved are unclear. This study identified that SS2 Eno binds to 40S ribosomal protein SA (RPSA) on the surface of porcine brain microvascular endothelial cells leading to activation of intracellular p38/ERK-eIF4E signalling, which promotes intracellular expression of HSPD1 (heat-shock protein family D member 1), and initiation of host-cell apoptosis, and increased BBB permeability facilitating bacterial invasion. This study reveals novel functions for the host-interactional molecules RPSA and HSPD1 in BBB integrity, and provides insight for new therapeutic strategies in meningitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongtao Liu
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis/College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, 130062, People's Republic of China
| | - Siyu Lei
- School of Basic Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Li Jia
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis/College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, 130062, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaojing Xia
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis/College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, 130062, People's Republic of China
| | - Yingying Sun
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis/College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, 130062, People's Republic of China
| | - Hexiang Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis/College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, 130062, People's Republic of China
| | - Rining Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis/College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, 130062, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuguang Li
- Shandong Binzhou Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine Academy, Binzhou, Shandong, 256600, People's Republic of China
| | - Guanggang Qu
- Shandong Binzhou Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine Academy, Binzhou, Shandong, 256600, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingmin Gu
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis/College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, 130062, People's Republic of China
| | - Changjiang Sun
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis/College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, 130062, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Feng
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis/College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, 130062, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenyu Han
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis/College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, 130062, People's Republic of China
| | - Paul R Langford
- Section of Paediatric Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, W2 1PG, UK
| | - Liancheng Lei
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis/College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, 130062, People's Republic of China. .,College of Animal Science, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei, 434023, People's Republic of China.
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14
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Borrelia burgdorferi Surface Exposed GroEL Is a Multifunctional Protein. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10020226. [PMID: 33670728 PMCID: PMC7922809 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10020226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi, has a large number of membrane proteins involved in a complex life cycle, that includes a tick vector and a vertebrate host. Some of these proteins also serve different roles in infection and dissemination of the spirochete in the mammalian host. In this spirochete, a number of proteins have been associated with binding to plasminogen or components of the extracellular matrix, which is important for tissue colonization and dissemination. GroEL is a cytoplasmic chaperone protein that has previously been associated with the outer membrane of Borrelia. A His-tag purified B. burgdorferi GroEL was used to generate a polyclonal rabbit antibody showing that GroEL also localizes in the outer membrane and is surface exposed. GroEL binds plasminogen in a lysine dependent manner. GroEL may be part of the protein repertoire that Borrelia successfully uses to establish infection and disseminate in the host. Importantly, this chaperone is readily recognized by sera from experimentally infected mice and rabbits. In summary, GroEL is an immunogenic protein that in addition to its chaperon role it may contribute to pathogenesis of the spirochete by binding to plasminogen and components of the extra cellular matrix.
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15
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Syed I, Wooten RM. Interactions Between Pathogenic Burkholderia and the Complement System: A Review of Potential Immune Evasion Mechanisms. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021. [PMID: 34660335 DOI: 10.1086/69216810.3389/fcimb.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The genus Burkholderia contains over 80 different Gram-negative species including both plant and human pathogens, the latter of which can be classified into one of two groups: the Burkholderia pseudomallei complex (Bpc) or the Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc). Bpc pathogens Burkholderia pseudomallei and Burkholderia mallei are highly virulent, and both have considerable potential for use as Tier 1 bioterrorism agents; thus there is great interest in the development of novel vaccines and therapeutics for the prevention and treatment of these infections. While Bcc pathogens Burkholderia cenocepacia, Burkholderia multivorans, and Burkholderia cepacia are not considered bioterror threats, the incredible impact these infections have on the cystic fibrosis community inspires a similar demand for vaccines and therapeutics for the prevention and treatment of these infections as well. Understanding how these pathogens interact with and evade the host immune system will help uncover novel therapeutic targets within these organisms. Given the important role of the complement system in the clearance of bacterial pathogens, this arm of the immune response must be efficiently evaded for successful infection to occur. In this review, we will introduce the Burkholderia species to be discussed, followed by a summary of the complement system and known mechanisms by which pathogens interact with this critical system to evade clearance within the host. We will conclude with a review of literature relating to the interactions between the herein discussed Burkholderia species and the host complement system, with the goal of highlighting areas in this field that warrant further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irum Syed
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - R Mark Wooten
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH, United States
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16
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D'Mello A, Riegler AN, Martínez E, Beno SM, Ricketts TD, Foxman EF, Orihuela CJ, Tettelin H. An in vivo atlas of host-pathogen transcriptomes during Streptococcus pneumoniae colonization and disease. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:33507-33518. [PMID: 33318198 PMCID: PMC7777036 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2010428117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus pneumoniae (Spn) colonizes the nasopharynx and can cause pneumonia. From the lungs it spreads to the bloodstream and causes organ damage. We characterized the in vivo Spn and mouse transcriptomes within the nasopharynx, lungs, blood, heart, and kidneys using three Spn strains. We identified Spn genes highly expressed at all anatomical sites and in an organ-specific manner; highly expressed genes were shown to have vital roles with knockout mutants. The in vivo bacterial transcriptome during colonization/disease was distinct from previously reported in vitro transcriptomes. Distinct Spn and host gene-expression profiles were observed during colonization and disease states, revealing specific genes/operons whereby Spn adapts to and influences host sites in vivo. We identified and experimentally verified host-defense pathways induced by Spn during invasive disease, including proinflammatory responses and the interferon response. These results shed light on the pathogenesis of Spn and identify therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adonis D'Mello
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201
| | - Ashleigh N Riegler
- Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294
| | - Eriel Martínez
- Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294
| | - Sarah M Beno
- Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294
| | - Tiffany D Ricketts
- Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294
| | - Ellen F Foxman
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520
| | - Carlos J Orihuela
- Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294
| | - Hervé Tettelin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201;
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17
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Ngwa DN, Singh SK, Gang TB, Agrawal A. Treatment of Pneumococcal Infection by Using Engineered Human C-Reactive Protein in a Mouse Model. Front Immunol 2020; 11:586669. [PMID: 33117400 PMCID: PMC7575696 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.586669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
C-reactive protein (CRP) binds to several species of bacterial pathogens including Streptococcus pneumoniae. Experiments in mice have revealed that one of the functions of CRP is to protect against pneumococcal infection by binding to pneumococci and activating the complement system. For protection, however, CRP must be injected into mice within a few hours of administering pneumococci, that is, CRP is protective against early-stage infection but not against late-stage infection. It is assumed that CRP cannot protect if pneumococci got time to recruit complement inhibitor factor H on their surface to become complement attack-resistant. Since the conformation of CRP is altered under inflammatory conditions and altered CRP binds to immobilized factor H also, we hypothesized that in order to protect against late-stage infection, CRP needed to change its structure and that was not happening in mice. Accordingly, we engineered CRP molecules (E-CRP) which bind to factor H on pneumococci but do not bind to factor H on any host cell in the blood. We found that E-CRP, in cooperation with wild-type CRP, was protective regardless of the timing of administering E-CRP into mice. We conclude that CRP acts via two different conformations to execute its anti-pneumococcal function and a model for the mechanism of action of CRP is proposed. These results suggest that pre-modified CRP, such as E-CRP, is therapeutically beneficial to decrease bacteremia in pneumococcal infection. Our findings may also have implications for infections with antibiotic-resistant pneumococcal strains and for infections with other bacterial species that use host proteins to evade complement-mediated killing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donald N Ngwa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, James H. Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, United States
| | - Sanjay K Singh
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, James H. Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, United States
| | - Toh B Gang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, James H. Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, United States
| | - Alok Agrawal
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, James H. Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, United States
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18
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Abstract
The single gene, single protein, single function hypothesis is increasingly becoming obsolete. Numerous studies have demonstrated that individual proteins can moonlight, meaning they can have multiple functions based on their cellular or developmental context. In this review, we discuss moonlighting proteins, highlighting the biological pathways where this phenomenon may be particularly relevant. In addition, we combine genetic, cell biological, and evolutionary perspectives so that we can better understand how, when, and why moonlighting proteins may take on multiple roles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Singh
- Department of Biology, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon 97403, USA;
| | - Needhi Bhalla
- Department of Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, California 95064, USA;
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19
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Syed S, Viazmina L, Mager R, Meri S, Haapasalo K. Streptococci and the complement system: interplay during infection, inflammation and autoimmunity. FEBS Lett 2020; 594:2570-2585. [PMID: 32594520 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.13872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Revised: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Streptococci are a broad group of Gram-positive bacteria. This genus includes various human pathogens causing significant morbidity and mortality. Two of the most important human pathogens are Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) and Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus or GAS). Streptococcal pathogens have evolved to express virulence factors that enable them to evade complement-mediated attack. These include factor H-binding M (S. pyogenes) and pneumococcal surface protein C (PspC) (S. pneumoniae) proteins. In addition, S. pyogenes and S. pneumoniae express cytolysins (streptolysin and pneumolysin), which are able to destroy host cells. Sometimes, the interplay between streptococci, the complement, and antistreptococcal immunity may lead to an excessive inflammatory response or autoimmune disease. Understanding the fundamental role of the complement system in microbial clearance and the bacterial escape mechanisms is of paramount importance for understanding microbial virulence, in general, and, the conversion of commensals to pathogens, more specifically. Such insights may help to identify novel antibiotic and vaccine targets in bacterial pathogens to counter their growing resistance to commonly used antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahan Syed
- Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Larisa Viazmina
- Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, University of Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Seppo Meri
- Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, University of Helsinki, Finland.,Humanitas University, Milano, Italy
| | - Karita Haapasalo
- Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, University of Helsinki, Finland
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20
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Hassan MIA, Kruse JM, Krüger T, Dahse HM, Cseresnyés Z, Blango MG, Slevogt H, Hörhold F, Ast V, König R, Figge MT, Kniemeyer O, Brakhage AA, Voigt K. Functional surface proteomic profiling reveals the host heat-shock protein A8 as a mediator of Lichtheimia corymbifera recognition by murine alveolar macrophages. Environ Microbiol 2020; 22:3722-3740. [PMID: 32583550 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2020] [Revised: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Mucormycosis is an emergent, fatal fungal infection of humans and warm-blooded animals caused by species of the order Mucorales. Immune cells of the innate immune system serve as the first line of defence against inhaled spores. Alveolar macrophages were challenged with the mucoralean fungus Lichtheimia corymbifera and subjected to biotinylation and streptavidin enrichment procedures followed by LC-MS/MS analyses. A total of 28 host proteins enriched for binding to macrophage-L. corymbifera interaction. Among those, the HSP70-family protein Hspa8 was found to be predominantly responsive to living and heat-killed spores of a virulent and an attenuated strain of L. corymbifera. Confocal scanning laser microscopy of infected macrophages revealed colocalization of Hspa8 with phagocytosed spores of L. corymbifera. The amount of detectable Hspa8 was dependent on the multiplicity of infection. Incubation of alveolar macrophages with an anti-Hspa8 antibody prior to infection reduced their capability to phagocytose spores of L. corymbifera. In contrast, anti-Hspa8 antibodies did not abrogate the phagocytosis of Aspergillus fumigatus conidia by macrophages. These results suggest an important contribution of the heat-shock family protein Hspa8 in the recognition of spores of the mucoralean fungus L. corymbifera by host alveolar macrophages and define a potential immunomodulatory therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed I Abdelwahab Hassan
- Jena Microbial Resource Collection, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany.,Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany.,Pests and Plant Protection Department, National Research Centre, 33rd El Buhouth St., Dokki, Giza, 12622, Egypt
| | - Janis M Kruse
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Thomas Krüger
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Hans-Martin Dahse
- Department of Infection Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Zoltán Cseresnyés
- Department of Applied Systems Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Matthew G Blango
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Hortense Slevogt
- Host Septomics Group, Centre for Innovation Competence (ZIK) Septomics, University Hospital Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Franziska Hörhold
- Integrated Research and Treatment Center, Center for Sepsis Control and Care (CSCC), Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Volker Ast
- Integrated Research and Treatment Center, Center for Sepsis Control and Care (CSCC), Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Rainer König
- Integrated Research and Treatment Center, Center for Sepsis Control and Care (CSCC), Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Marc Thilo Figge
- Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany.,Department of Applied Systems Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Olaf Kniemeyer
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Axel A Brakhage
- Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany.,Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Kerstin Voigt
- Jena Microbial Resource Collection, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany.,Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
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21
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Complement Evasion Strategies of Human Pathogenic Bacteria. Indian J Microbiol 2020; 60:283-296. [PMID: 32655196 DOI: 10.1007/s12088-020-00872-9] [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] [Received: 11/07/2019] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Human pathogens need to overcome an elaborate network of host defense mechanisms in order to establish their infection, colonization, proliferation and eventual dissemination. The interaction of pathogens with different effector molecules of the immune system results in their neutralization and elimination from the host. The complement system is one such integral component of innate immunity that is critically involved in the early recognition and elimination of the pathogen. Hence, under this immune pressure, all virulent pathogens capable of inducing active infections have evolved immune evasive strategies that primarily target the complement system, which plays an essential and central role for host defense. Recent reports on several bacterial pathogens have elucidated the molecular mechanisms underlying complement evasion, inhibition of opsonic phagocytosis and cell lysis. This review aims to comprehensively summarize the recent findings on the various strategies adopted by pathogenic bacteria to escape complement-mediated clearance.
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22
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Barbosa AS, Isaac L. Strategies used by Leptospira spirochetes to evade the host complement system. FEBS Lett 2020; 594:2633-2644. [PMID: 32153015 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.13768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2019] [Revised: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Leptospires are highly invasive spirochetes equipped with efficient strategies for dissemination in the host. The Leptospira genus currently comprises 64 species divided into two major clades: the saprophytes composed of nonpathogenic, free-living organisms, and the pathogens encompassing all the species that cause mild or severe infections in humans and animals. While saprophytes are highly susceptible to the lytic action of the complement system, pathogenic (virulent) strains have evolved virulence strategies that allow efficient colonization of a variety of hosts and target organs, including mechanisms to circumvent hosts' innate and acquired immune responses. Pathogenic Leptospira avoid complement-mediated killing by recruiting host complement regulatory proteins and by targeting complement proteins using own and host-expressed proteases. This review outlines the role of complement in eradicating saprophytic Leptospira and the stratagems adopted by pathogenic Leptospira to maneuver the host complement system for their benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lourdes Isaac
- Laboratory of Complement, Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil
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23
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Similar genomic patterns of clinical infective endocarditis and oral isolates of Streptococcus sanguinis and Streptococcus gordonii. Sci Rep 2020; 10:2728. [PMID: 32066773 PMCID: PMC7026040 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-59549-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus gordonii and Streptococcus sanguinis belong to the Mitis group streptococci, which mostly are commensals in the human oral cavity. Though they are oral commensals, they can escape their niche and cause infective endocarditis, a severe infection with high mortality. Several virulence factors important for the development of infective endocarditis have been described in these two species. However, the background for how the commensal bacteria, in some cases, become pathogenic is still not known. To gain a greater understanding of the mechanisms of the pathogenic potential, we performed a comparative analysis of 38 blood culture strains, S. sanguinis (n = 20) and S. gordonii (n = 18) from patients with verified infective endocarditis, along with 21 publicly available oral isolates from healthy individuals, S. sanguinis (n = 12) and S. gordonii (n = 9). Using whole genome sequencing data of the 59 streptococci genomes, functional profiles were constructed, using protein domain predictions based on the translated genes. These functional profiles were used for clustering, phylogenetics and machine learning. A clear separation could be made between the two species. No clear differences between oral isolates and clinical infective endocarditis isolates were found in any of the 675 translated core-genes. Additionally, random forest-based machine learning and clustering of the pan-genome data as well as amino acid variations in the core-genome could not separate the clinical and oral isolates. A total of 151 different virulence genes was identified in the 59 genomes. Among these homologs of genes important for adhesion and evasion of the immune system were found in all of the strains. Based on the functional profiles and virulence gene content of the genomes, we believe that all analysed strains had the ability to become pathogenic.
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24
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Multitalented actors inside and outside the cell: recent discoveries add to the number of moonlighting proteins. Biochem Soc Trans 2019; 47:1941-1948. [DOI: 10.1042/bst20190798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2019] [Revised: 11/09/2019] [Accepted: 11/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
During the past few decades, it's become clear that many enzymes evolved not only to act as specific, finely tuned and carefully regulated catalysts, but also to perform a second, completely different function in the cell. In general, these moonlighting proteins have a single polypeptide chain that performs two or more distinct and physiologically relevant biochemical or biophysical functions. This mini-review describes examples of moonlighting proteins that have been found within the past few years, including some that play key roles in human and animal diseases and in the regulation of biochemical pathways in food crops. Several belong to two of the most common subclasses of moonlighting proteins: trigger enzymes and intracellular/surface moonlighting proteins, but a few represent less often observed combinations of functions. These examples also help illustrate some of the current methods used for identifying proteins with multiple functions. In general, a greater understanding about the functions and molecular mechanisms of moonlighting proteins, their roles in the regulation of cellular processes, and their involvement in health and disease could aid in many areas including developing new antibiotics, predicting the functions of the millions of proteins being identified through genome sequencing projects, designing novel proteins, using biological circuitry analysis to construct bacterial strains that are better producers of materials for industrial use, and developing methods to tweak biochemical pathways for increasing yields of food crops.
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25
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Dasari P, Koleci N, Shopova IA, Wartenberg D, Beyersdorf N, Dietrich S, Sahagún-Ruiz A, Figge MT, Skerka C, Brakhage AA, Zipfel PF. Enolase From Aspergillus fumigatus Is a Moonlighting Protein That Binds the Human Plasma Complement Proteins Factor H, FHL-1, C4BP, and Plasminogen. Front Immunol 2019; 10:2573. [PMID: 31824478 PMCID: PMC6883375 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 10/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The opportunistic fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus can cause severe infections, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. Upon infection, A. fumigatus faces the powerful and directly acting immune defense of the human host. The mechanisms on how A. fumigatus evades innate immune attack and complement are still poorly understood. Here, we identify A. fumigatus enolase, AfEno1, which was also characterized as fungal allergen, as a surface ligand for human plasma complement regulators. AfEno1 binds factor H, factor-H-like protein 1 (FHL-1), C4b binding protein (C4BP), and plasminogen. Factor H attaches to AfEno1 via two regions, via short conserved repeats (SCRs) 6-7 and 19-20, and FHL-1 contacts AfEno1 via SCRs 6-7. Both regulators when bound to AfEno1 retain cofactor activity and assist in C3b inactivation. Similarly, the classical pathway regulator C4BP binds to AfEno1 and bound to AfEno1; C4BP assists in C4b inactivation. Plasminogen which binds to AfEno1 via lysine residues is accessible for the tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA), and active plasmin cleaves the chromogenic substrate S2251, degrades fibrinogen, and inactivates C3 and C3b. Plasmin attached to swollen A. fumigatus conidia damages human A549 lung epithelial cells, reduces the cellular metabolic activity, and induces cell retraction, which results in exposure of the extracellular matrix. Thus, A. fumigatus AfEno1 is a moonlighting protein and virulence factor which recruits several human regulators. The attached human regulators allow the fungal pathogen to control complement at the level of C3 and to damage endothelial cell layers and tissue components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prasad Dasari
- Department of Infection Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Naile Koleci
- Department of Infection Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Iordana A Shopova
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Dirk Wartenberg
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Niklas Beyersdorf
- Institute for Virology and Immunobiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Stefanie Dietrich
- Research Group Applied Systems Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Alfredo Sahagún-Ruiz
- Laboratorio de Inmunología Molecular, Departamento de Microbiología e Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Marc Thilo Figge
- Research Group Applied Systems Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany.,Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Christine Skerka
- Department of Infection Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Axel A Brakhage
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany.,Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Peter F Zipfel
- Department of Infection Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany.,Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
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26
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Sankar S, Yamaguchi M, Kawabata S, Ponnuraj K. Streptococcus pneumoniae Surface Adhesin PfbA Exhibits Host Specificity by Binding to Human Serum Albumin but Not Bovine, Rabbit and Porcine Serum Albumins. Protein J 2019; 39:1-9. [DOI: 10.1007/s10930-019-09875-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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27
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Ermert D, Ram S, Laabei M. The hijackers guide to escaping complement: Lessons learned from pathogens. Mol Immunol 2019; 114:49-61. [PMID: 31336249 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2019.07.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Revised: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Pathogens that invade the human host are confronted by a multitude of defence mechanisms aimed at preventing colonization, dissemination and proliferation. The most frequent outcome of this interaction is microbial elimination, in which the complement system plays a major role. Complement, an essential feature of the innate immune machinery, rapidly identifies and marks pathogens for efficient removal. Consequently, this creates a selective pressure for microbes to evolve strategies to combat complement, permitting host colonization and access to resources. All successful pathogens have developed mechanisms to resist complement activity which are intimately aligned with their capacity to cause disease. In this review, we describe the successful methods various pathogens use to evade complement activation, shut down inflammatory signalling through complement, circumvent opsonisation and override terminal pathway lysis. This review summarizes how pathogens undermine innate immunity: 'The Hijackers Guide to Complement'.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Ermert
- Department of Preclinical Research, BioInvent International AB, Lund, Sweden; Department of Translational Medicine, Division of Medical Protein Chemistry, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Sanjay Ram
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Maisem Laabei
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom.
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28
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van den Broek B, van der Flier M, de Groot R, de Jonge MI, Langereis JD. Common Genetic Variants in the Complement System and their Potential Link with Disease Susceptibility and Outcome of Invasive Bacterial Infection. J Innate Immun 2019; 12:131-141. [PMID: 31269507 DOI: 10.1159/000500545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2018] [Accepted: 04/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitidis are pathogens that frequently colonize the nasopharynx in an asymptomatic manner but are also a cause of invasive bacterial infections mainly in young children. The complement system plays a crucial role in humoral immunity, complementing the ability of antibodies to clear microbes, thereby protecting the host against bacterial infections, including S. pneumoniae and N. meningitidis. While it is widely accepted that complement deficiencies due to rare genetic variants increase the risk for invasive bacterial infection, not much is known about the common genetic variants in the complement system in relation to disease susceptibility. In this review, we provide an overview of the effects of common genetic variants on complement activation and on complement-mediated inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryan van den Broek
- Paediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Amalia Children's Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Section Paediatric Infectious Diseases, Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Michiel van der Flier
- Paediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Amalia Children's Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Expertise Center for Immunodeficiency and Auto inflammation (REIA), Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Section Paediatric Infectious Diseases, Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Ronald de Groot
- Section Paediatric Infectious Diseases, Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Marien I de Jonge
- Section Paediatric Infectious Diseases, Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jeroen D Langereis
- Section Paediatric Infectious Diseases, Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands, .,Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands,
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29
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Ermert D, Laabei M, Weckel A, Mörgelin M, Lundqvist M, Björck L, Ram S, Linse S, Blom AM. The Molecular Basis of Human IgG-Mediated Enhancement of C4b-Binding Protein Recruitment to Group A Streptococcus. Front Immunol 2019; 10:1230. [PMID: 31214187 PMCID: PMC6557989 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus pyogenes infects over 700 million people worldwide annually. Immune evasion strategies employed by the bacteria include binding of the complement inhibitors, C4b-binding protein (C4BP) and Factor H in a human-specific manner. We recently showed that human IgG increased C4BP binding to the bacterial surface, which promoted streptococcal immune evasion and increased mortality in mice. We sought to identify how IgG promotes C4BP binding to Protein H, a member of the M protein family. Dimerization of Protein H is pivotal for enhanced binding to human C4BP. First, we illustrated that Protein H, IgG, and C4BP formed a tripartite complex. Second, surface plasmon resonance revealed that Protein H binds IgG solely through Fc, but not Fab domains, and with high affinity (IgG-Protein H: KD = 0.4 nM; IgG-Fc-Protein H: KD ≤ 1.6 nM). Each IgG binds two Protein H molecules, while up to six molecules of Protein H bind one C4BP molecule. Third, interrupting Protein H dimerization either by raising temperature to 41°C or with a synthetic peptide prevented IgG-Protein H interactions. IgG-Fc fragments or monoclonal human IgG permitted maximal C4BP binding when used at concentrations from 0.1 to 10 mg/ml. In contrast, pooled human IgG enhanced C4BP binding at concentrations up to 1 mg/ml; decreased C4BP binding at 10 mg/ml occurred probably because of Fab-streptococcal interactions at these high IgG concentrations. Taken together, our data show how S. pyogenes exploits human IgG to evade complement and enhance its virulence. Elucidation of this mechanism could aid design of new therapeutics against S. pyogenes.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Ermert
- Division of Medical Protein Chemistry, Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden.,Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Maisem Laabei
- Division of Medical Protein Chemistry, Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Antonin Weckel
- Division of Medical Protein Chemistry, Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | | | - Martin Lundqvist
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Center for Molecular Protein Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Lars Björck
- Division of Infection Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Sanjay Ram
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Sara Linse
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Center for Molecular Protein Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Anna M Blom
- Division of Medical Protein Chemistry, Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
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30
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Ngwa DN, Agrawal A. Structure-Function Relationships of C-Reactive Protein in Bacterial Infection. Front Immunol 2019; 10:166. [PMID: 30863393 PMCID: PMC6400226 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2018] [Accepted: 01/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
One host defense function of C-reactive protein (CRP) is to protect against Streptococcus pneumoniae infection as shown by experiments employing murine models of pneumococcal infection. The protective effect of CRP is due to reduction in bacteremia. There is a distinct relationship between the structure of CRP and its anti-pneumococcal function. CRP is functional in both native and non-native pentameric structural conformations. In the native conformation, CRP binds to pneumococci through the phosphocholine molecules present on the C-polysaccharide of the pneumococcus and the anti-pneumococcal function probably involves the known ability of ligand-complexed CRP to activate the complement system. In the native structure-function relationship, CRP is protective only when given to mice within a few hours of the administration of pneumococci. The non-native pentameric conformation of CRP is created when CRP is exposed to conditions mimicking inflammatory microenvironments, such as acidic pH and redox conditions. In the non-native conformation, CRP binds to immobilized complement inhibitor factor H in addition to being able to bind to phosphocholine. Recent data using CRP mutants suggest that the factor H-binding function of non-native CRP is beneficial: in the non-native structure-function relationship, CRP can be given to mice any time after the administration of pneumococci irrespective of whether the pneumococci became complement-resistant or not. In conclusion, while native CRP is protective only against early stage infection, non-native CRP is protective against both early stage and late stage infections. Because non-native CRP displays phosphocholine-independent anti-pneumococcal activity, it is quite possible that CRP functions as a general anti-bacterial molecule.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alok Agrawal
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, James H. Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, United States
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31
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The Pneumococcal Surface Proteins PspA and PspC Sequester Host C4-Binding Protein To Inactivate Complement C4b on the Bacterial Surface. Infect Immun 2018; 87:IAI.00742-18. [PMID: 30323030 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00742-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2018] [Accepted: 10/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Complement is a critical component of antimicrobial immunity. Various complement regulatory proteins prevent host cells from being attacked. Many pathogens have acquired the ability to sequester complement regulators from host plasma to evade complement attack. We describe here how Streptococcus pneumoniae adopts a strategy to prevent the formation of the C3 convertase C4bC2a by the rapid conversion of surface bound C4b and iC4b into C4dg, which remains bound to the bacterial surface but no longer forms a convertase complex. Noncapsular virulence factors on the pneumococcus are thought to facilitate this process by sequestering C4b-binding protein (C4BP) from host plasma. When S. pneumoniae D39 was opsonized with human serum, the larger C4 activation products C4b and iC4b were undetectable, but the bacteria were liberally decorated with C4dg and C4BP. With targeted deletions of either PspA or PspC, C4BP deposition was markedly reduced, and there was a corresponding reduction in C4dg and an increase in the deposition of C4b and iC4b. The effect was greatest when PspA and PspC were both knocked out. Infection experiments in mice indicated that the deletion of PspA and/or PspC resulted in the loss of bacterial pathogenicity. Recombinant PspA and PspC both bound serum C4BP, and both led to increased C4b and reduced C4dg deposition on S. pneumoniae D39. We conclude that PspA and PspC help the pneumococcus to evade complement attack by binding C4BP and so inactivating C4b.
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32
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Complement depletion and Coombs positivity in pneumococcal hemolytic uremic syndrome (pnHUS). Case series and plea to revisit an old pathogenetic concept. Int J Med Microbiol 2018; 308:1096-1104. [PMID: 30177469 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmm.2018.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2018] [Revised: 08/21/2018] [Accepted: 08/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Hemolytic uremic syndrome is a rare complication of invasive pneumococcal infection (pnHUS). Its pathogenesis is poorly understood, and treatment remains controversial. The emerging role of complement in various forms of HUS warrants a new look at this "old" disease. We performed a retrospective analysis of clinical and laboratory features of three sequential cases of pnHUS since 2008 associated with pneumonia/pleural empyema, two due to Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 19 A. Profound depletion of complement C3 (and less of C4) was observed in two patients. One patient was Coombs test positive. Her red blood cells (RBCs) strongly agglutinated with blood group compatible donor serum at 0 °C, but not at 37 °C. All three patients were treated with hemodialysis, concentrated RBCs, and platelets. Patient 2 received frozen plasma for hepatic failure with coagulation factor depletion. Intravenous immunoglobulin infusion, intended to neutralize pneumococcal neuraminidase in patient 3, was associated with rapid normalization of platelets and cessation of hemolysis. Two patients recovered without sequelae or disease recurrence. Patient 2 died within 2½ days of admission due to complicating Pseudomonas aeruginosa sepsis and multiorgan failure. Our observations suggest that pnHUS can be associated with dramatic, transient complement consumption early in the course of the disease, probably via the alternative pathway. A critical review of the literature and the reported cases argue against the postulated pathological role of preformed antibodies against the neuraminidase-exposed Thomsen-Friedenreich neoantigen (T antigen) in pnHUS. The improved understanding of complement regulation and bacterial strategies of complement evasion allows to propose a testable, new pathogenetic model of pnHUS. This model shifts emphasis from the action of natural anti-T antibodies toward impaired Complement Factor H (CFH) binding and function on desialylated membranes. Removal of neuraminic acid residues converts (protected) self to non-self surfaces that supports membrane attack complex (MAC) assembly. Complement activation is potentially exacerbated by decreased CFH availability following tight CFH binding to pneumococcal evasion proteins and/or by the presence of genetic variants of complement regulator proteins. Detailed clinical and experimental investigations are warranted to better understand the role of unregulated complement activation in pnHUS. Instead of avoidance of plasma, a new, integrated model is evolving, which may include short-term therapeutic complement blockade, particularly where genetic or functional APC dysregulation is suspected, in addition to bacterial elimination and, potentially, neuraminidase neutralization.
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33
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Brooks LRK, Mias GI. Streptococcus pneumoniae's Virulence and Host Immunity: Aging, Diagnostics, and Prevention. Front Immunol 2018; 9:1366. [PMID: 29988379 PMCID: PMC6023974 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 124] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2018] [Accepted: 06/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus pneumoniae is an infectious pathogen responsible for millions of deaths worldwide. Diseases caused by this bacterium are classified as pneumococcal diseases. This pathogen colonizes the nasopharynx of its host asymptomatically, but overtime can migrate to sterile tissues and organs and cause infections. Pneumonia is currently the most common pneumococcal disease. Pneumococcal pneumonia is a global health concern and vastly affects children under the age of five as well as the elderly and individuals with pre-existing health conditions. S. pneumoniae has a large selection of virulence factors that promote adherence, invasion of host tissues, and allows it to escape host immune defenses. A clear understanding of S. pneumoniae's virulence factors, host immune responses, and examining the current techniques available for diagnosis, treatment, and disease prevention will allow for better regulation of the pathogen and its diseases. In terms of disease prevention, other considerations must include the effects of age on responses to vaccines and vaccine efficacy. Ongoing work aims to improve on current vaccination paradigms by including the use of serotype-independent vaccines, such as protein and whole cell vaccines. Extending our knowledge of the biology of, and associated host immune response to S. pneumoniae is paramount for our improvement of pneumococcal disease diagnosis, treatment, and improvement of patient outlook.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lavida R. K. Brooks
- Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
- Institute for Quantitative Health Science & Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - George I. Mias
- Institute for Quantitative Health Science & Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
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34
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Engholm DH, Kilian M, Goodsell DS, Andersen ES, Kjærgaard RS. A visual review of the human pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2018; 41:854-879. [PMID: 29029129 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fux037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2017] [Accepted: 09/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Being the principal causative agent of bacterial pneumonia, otitis media, meningitis and septicemia, the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae is a major global health problem. To highlight the molecular basis of this problem, we have portrayed essential biological processes of the pneumococcal life cycle in eight watercolor paintings. The paintings are done to a consistent nanometer scale based on currently available data from structural biology and proteomics. In this review article, the paintings are used to provide a visual review of protein synthesis, carbohydrate metabolism, cell wall synthesis, cell division, teichoic acid synthesis, virulence, transformation and pilus synthesis based on the available scientific literature within the field of pneumococcal biology. Visualization of the molecular details of these processes reveals several scientific questions about how molecular components of the pneumococcal cell are organized to allow biological function to take place. By the presentation of this visual review, we intend to stimulate scientific discussion, aid in the generation of scientific hypotheses and increase public awareness. A narrated video describing the biological processes in the context of a whole-cell illustration accompany this article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ditte Høyer Engholm
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Mogens Kilian
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - David S Goodsell
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.,Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, NJ 08901, USA
| | - Ebbe Sloth Andersen
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark.,Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
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35
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Liu YT, Pan Y, Lai F, Yin XF, Ge R, He QY, Sun X. Comprehensive analysis of the lysine acetylome and its potential regulatory roles in the virulence of Streptococcus pneumoniae. J Proteomics 2018; 176:46-55. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2018.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2017] [Revised: 01/18/2018] [Accepted: 01/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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36
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Multi-functional mechanisms of immune evasion by the streptococcal complement inhibitor C5a peptidase. PLoS Pathog 2017; 13:e1006493. [PMID: 28806402 PMCID: PMC5555575 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2017] [Accepted: 06/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The complement cascade is crucial for clearance and control of invading pathogens, and as such is a key target for pathogen mediated host modulation. C3 is the central molecule of the complement cascade, and plays a vital role in opsonization of bacteria and recruitment of neutrophils to the site of infection. Streptococcal species have evolved multiple mechanisms to disrupt complement-mediated innate immunity, among which ScpA (C5a peptidase), a C5a inactivating enzyme, is widely conserved. Here we demonstrate for the first time that pyogenic streptococcal species are capable of cleaving C3, and identify C3 and C3a as novel substrates for the streptococcal ScpA, which are functionally inactivated as a result of cleavage 7 amino acids upstream of the natural C3 convertase. Cleavage of C3a by ScpA resulted in disruption of human neutrophil activation, phagocytosis and chemotaxis, while cleavage of C3 generated abnormally-sized C3a and C3b moieties with impaired function, in particular reducing C3 deposition on the bacterial surface. Despite clear effects on human complement, expression of ScpA reduced clearance of group A streptococci in vivo in wildtype and C5 deficient mice, and promoted systemic bacterial dissemination in mice that lacked both C3 and C5, suggesting an additional complement-independent role for ScpA in streptococcal pathogenesis. ScpA was shown to mediate streptococcal adhesion to both human epithelial and endothelial cells, consistent with a role in promoting bacterial invasion within the host. Taken together, these data show that ScpA is a multi-functional virulence factor with both complement-dependent and independent roles in streptococcal pathogenesis. The complement pathway is critical in the innate immune response to bacterial pathogens. It consists of a self-perpetuating proteolytic cascade initiated via three distinct pathways that converge at the central complement protein, C3. Pathogens must evade complement-mediated immunity to cause disease, and inactivation of the C3 protein can dampen all effectors of this pathway. Streptococcal species are the causative agents of an array of infections ranging from the benign to lethal. Using the human pathogen Group A Streptococcus as a representative species, we show that the enzyme ScpA, which is conserved amongst the pyogenic streptococci, cleaves human C3a and also C3, releasing abnormally sized and functionally-impaired fragments. As a result, invading streptococci were less well opsonized and host immune cells not properly activated, reducing bacterial phagocytosis and clearance. Despite manifest in vitro activity against complement factors and human neutrophils, ScpA was still able to contribute to systemic bacterial spread in mice lacking C3 and C5. ScpA was also demonstrated to mediate streptococcal adhesion to both epithelial and endothelial cells, which may enhance bacterial systemic spread. Our study highlights the likely importance of both complement-independent and complement-dependent roles for ScpA in streptococcal pathogenesis.
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37
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Kanwal S, Jensch I, Palm GJ, Brönstrup M, Rohde M, Kohler TP, Somplatzki D, Tegge W, Jenkinson HF, Hammerschmidt S. Mapping the recognition domains of pneumococcal fibronectin-binding proteins PavA and PavB demonstrates a common pattern of molecular interactions with fibronectin type III repeats. Mol Microbiol 2017; 105:839-859. [PMID: 28657670 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.13740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Colonization of mucosal respiratory surfaces is a prerequisite for the human pathobiont Streptococcus pneumoniae (the pneumococcus) to cause severe invasive infections. The arsenal of pneumococcal adhesins interacts with a multitude of extracellular matrix proteins. A paradigm for pneumococci is their interaction with the adhesive glycoprotein fibronectin, which facilitates bacterial adherence to host cells. Here, we deciphered the molecular interaction between fibronectin and pneumococcal fibronectin-binding proteins (FnBPs) PavA and PavB respectively. We show in adherence and binding studies that the pneumococcal interaction with fibronectin is a non-human specific trait. PavA and PavB target at least 13 out of 15 type III fibronectin domains as demonstrated in ligand overlay assays, surface plasmon resonance studies and SPOT peptide arrays. Strikingly, both pneumococcal FnBPs recognize similar peptides in targeted type III repeats. Structural comparisons revealed that the targeted type III repeat epitopes cluster on the inner strands of both β-sheets forming the fibronectin domains. Importantly, synthetic peptides of FnIII1 , FnIII5 or FnIII15 bind directly to FnBPs PavA and PavB respectively. In conclusion, our study suggests a common pattern of molecular interactions between pneumococcal FnBPs and fibronectin. The specific epitopes recognized in this study can potentially be tested as antimicrobial targets in further scientific endeavours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sajida Kanwal
- Department Genetics of Microorganisms, Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, D-17487, Germany
| | - Inga Jensch
- Department Genetics of Microorganisms, Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, D-17487, Germany
| | - Gottfried J Palm
- Department of Structural Biology, Institute for Biochemistry, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, D-17487, Germany
| | - Mark Brönstrup
- Department of Chemical Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research and German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Braunschweig, D-38124, Germany
| | - Manfred Rohde
- Central Facility for Microscopy, ZEIM, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, D-38124, Germany
| | - Thomas P Kohler
- Department Genetics of Microorganisms, Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, D-17487, Germany
| | - Daniela Somplatzki
- Research Center for Infectious Diseases, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, D-97070, Germany
| | - Werner Tegge
- Department of Chemical Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research and German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Braunschweig, D-38124, Germany
| | - Howard F Jenkinson
- Department of Oral and Dental Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Sven Hammerschmidt
- Department Genetics of Microorganisms, Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, D-17487, Germany.,Research Center for Infectious Diseases, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, D-97070, Germany
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38
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Alves LA, Harth-Chu EN, Palma TH, Stipp RN, Mariano FS, Höfling JF, Abranches J, Mattos-Graner RO. The two-component system VicRK regulates functions associated with Streptococcus mutans resistance to complement immunity. Mol Oral Microbiol 2017; 32:419-431. [PMID: 28382721 DOI: 10.1111/omi.12183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2016] [Revised: 03/07/2017] [Accepted: 03/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Streptococcus mutans, a dental caries pathogen, can promote systemic infections upon reaching the bloodstream. The two-component system (TCS) VicRKSm of S. mutans regulates the synthesis of and interaction with sucrose-derived exopolysaccharides (EPS), processes associated with oral and systemic virulence. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms by which VicRKSm affects S. mutans susceptibility to blood-mediated immunity. Compared with parent strain UA159, the vicKSm isogenic mutant (UAvic) showed reduced susceptibility to deposition of C3b of complement, low binding to serum immunoglobulin G (IgG), and low frequency of C3b/IgG-mediated opsonophagocytosis by polymorphonuclear cells in a sucrose-independent way (P<.05). Reverse transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis comparing gene expression in UA159 and UAvic revealed that genes encoding putative peptidases of the complement (pepO and smu.399) were upregulated in UAvic in the presence of serum, although genes encoding murein hydrolases (SmaA and Smu.2146c) or metabolic/surface proteins involved in bacterial interactions with host components (enolase, GAPDH) were mostly affected in a serum-independent way. Among vicKSm -downstream genes (smaA, smu.2146c, lysM, atlA, pepO, smu.399), only pepO and smu.399 were associated with UAvic phenotypes; deletion of both genes in UA159 significantly enhanced levels of C3b deposition and opsonophagocytosis (P<.05). Moreover, consistent with the fibronectin-binding function of PepO orthologues, UAvic showed increased binding to fibronectin. Reduced susceptibility to opsonophagocytosis was insufficient to enhance ex vivo persistence of UAvic in blood, which was associated with growth defects of this mutant under limited nutrient conditions. Our findings revealed that S. mutans employs mechanisms of complement evasion through peptidases, which are controlled by VicRKSm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Livia A Alves
- Department of Oral Diagnosis, Piracicaba Dental School - State University of Campinas, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Erika N Harth-Chu
- Department of Oral Diagnosis, Piracicaba Dental School - State University of Campinas, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Thais H Palma
- Department of Oral Diagnosis, Piracicaba Dental School - State University of Campinas, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Rafael N Stipp
- Department of Oral Diagnosis, Piracicaba Dental School - State University of Campinas, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Flávia S Mariano
- Department of Oral Diagnosis, Piracicaba Dental School - State University of Campinas, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | - José F Höfling
- Department of Oral Diagnosis, Piracicaba Dental School - State University of Campinas, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Jacqueline Abranches
- Department of Oral Biology, College of Dentistry - University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Renata O Mattos-Graner
- Department of Oral Diagnosis, Piracicaba Dental School - State University of Campinas, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
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39
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Querol-García J, Fernández FJ, Marin AV, Gómez S, Fullà D, Melchor-Tafur C, Franco-Hidalgo V, Albertí S, Juanhuix J, Rodríguez de Córdoba S, Regueiro JR, Vega MC. Crystal Structure of Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenase from the Gram-Positive Bacterial Pathogen A. vaginae, an Immunoevasive Factor that Interacts with the Human C5a Anaphylatoxin. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:541. [PMID: 28443070 PMCID: PMC5385343 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.00541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2016] [Accepted: 03/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The Gram-positive anaerobic human pathogenic bacterium Atopobium vaginae causes most diagnosed cases of bacterial vaginosis as well as opportunistic infections in immunocompromised patients. In addition to its well-established role in carbohydrate metabolism, D-glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) from Streptococcus pyogenes and S. pneumoniae have been reported to act as extracellular virulence factors during streptococcal infections. Here, we report the crystal structure of GAPDH from A. vaginae (AvGAPDH) at 2.19 Å resolution. The refined model has a crystallographic Rfree of 22.6%. AvGAPDH is a homotetramer wherein each subunit is bound to a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) molecule. The AvGAPDH enzyme fulfills essential glycolytic as well as moonlight (non-glycolytic) functions, both of which might be targets of chemotherapeutic intervention. We report that AvGAPDH interacts in vitro with the human C5a anaphylatoxin and inhibits C5a-specific granulocyte chemotaxis, thereby suggesting the participation of AvGAPDH in complement-targeted immunoevasion in a context of infection. The availability of high-quality structures of AvGAPDH and other homologous virulence factors from Gram-positive pathogens is critical for drug discovery programs. In this study, sequence and structural differences between AvGAPDH and related bacterial and eukaryotic GAPDH enzymes are reported in an effort to understand how to subvert the immunoevasive properties of GAPDH and evaluate the potential of AvGAPDH as a druggable target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Querol-García
- Integrated Protein Science for Biomedicine & Biotechnology and Ciber de Enfermedades Raras, Center for Biological Research (CIB-CSIC)Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco J Fernández
- Integrated Protein Science for Biomedicine & Biotechnology and Ciber de Enfermedades Raras, Center for Biological Research (CIB-CSIC)Madrid, Spain.,Department of Immunology, Complutense University School of MedicineMadrid, Spain.,Hospital 12 de Octubre Health Research InstituteMadrid, Spain.,Abvance Biotech srlMadrid, Spain
| | - Ana V Marin
- Department of Immunology, Complutense University School of MedicineMadrid, Spain.,Hospital 12 de Octubre Health Research InstituteMadrid, Spain
| | - Sara Gómez
- Integrated Protein Science for Biomedicine & Biotechnology and Ciber de Enfermedades Raras, Center for Biological Research (CIB-CSIC)Madrid, Spain
| | - Daniel Fullà
- ALBA Synchrotron, Cerdanyola del VallèsCatalonia, Spain
| | - Cecilia Melchor-Tafur
- Integrated Protein Science for Biomedicine & Biotechnology and Ciber de Enfermedades Raras, Center for Biological Research (CIB-CSIC)Madrid, Spain
| | - Virginia Franco-Hidalgo
- Integrated Protein Science for Biomedicine & Biotechnology and Ciber de Enfermedades Raras, Center for Biological Research (CIB-CSIC)Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - Santiago Rodríguez de Córdoba
- Integrated Protein Science for Biomedicine & Biotechnology and Ciber de Enfermedades Raras, Center for Biological Research (CIB-CSIC)Madrid, Spain
| | - José R Regueiro
- Department of Immunology, Complutense University School of MedicineMadrid, Spain.,Hospital 12 de Octubre Health Research InstituteMadrid, Spain
| | - M Cristina Vega
- Integrated Protein Science for Biomedicine & Biotechnology and Ciber de Enfermedades Raras, Center for Biological Research (CIB-CSIC)Madrid, Spain
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40
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Zhao L, Chen J, Sun J, Zhang D. Multimer recognition and secretion by the non-classical secretion pathway in Bacillus subtilis. Sci Rep 2017; 7:44023. [PMID: 28276482 PMCID: PMC5343618 DOI: 10.1038/srep44023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2016] [Accepted: 02/02/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-classical protein secretion in bacteria is a common phenomenon. However, the selection principle for non-classical secretion pathways remains unclear. Here, our experimental data, to our knowledge, are the first to show that folded multimeric proteins can be recognized and excreted by a non-classical secretion pathway in Bacillus subtilis. We explored the secretion pattern of a typical cytoplasmic protein D-psicose 3-epimerase from Ruminococcus sp. 5_1_39BFAA (RDPE), and showed that its non-classical secretion is not simply due to cell lysis. Analysis of truncation variants revealed that the C- and N-terminus, and two hydrophobic domains, are required for structural stability and non-classical secretion of RDPE. Alanine scanning mutagenesis of the hydrophobic segments of RDPE revealed that hydrophobic residues mediated the equilibrium between its folded and unfolded forms. Reporter mCherry and GFP fusions with RDPE regions show that its secretion requires an intact tetrameric protein complex. Using cross-linked tetramers, we show that folded tetrameric RDPE can be secreted as a single unit. Finally, we provide evidence that the non-classical secretion pathway has a strong preference for multimeric substrates, which accumulate at the poles and septum region. Altogether, these data show that a multimer recognition mechanism is likely applicable across the non-classical secretion pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liuqun Zhao
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin 300308, P. R. China.,Key Laboratory of Systems Microbial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin 300308, P. R. China
| | - Jingqi Chen
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin 300308, P. R. China.,Key Laboratory of Systems Microbial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin 300308, P. R. China
| | - Jibin Sun
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin 300308, P. R. China.,Key Laboratory of Systems Microbial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin 300308, P. R. China
| | - Dawei Zhang
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin 300308, P. R. China.,Key Laboratory of Systems Microbial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin 300308, P. R. China.,National Engineering Laboratory for Industrial Enzymes, Tianjin 300308, P. R. China
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41
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Luu LDW, Octavia S, Zhong L, Raftery M, Sintchenko V, Lan R. Characterisation of the Bordetella pertussis secretome under different media. J Proteomics 2017; 158:43-51. [PMID: 28242451 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2017.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2016] [Revised: 02/13/2017] [Accepted: 02/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Our understanding of the Bordetella pertussis secretome remains limited including the role of different growth conditions in the secretome. In this study the secretome of L1423, a clinical isolate from the 2008-2012 Australian epidemic, cultured on Stainer-Scholte (SS) and Thalen-IJssel (THIJS) media for 12h was characterised using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). In the supernatant, LC-MS/MS identified 260 proteins with 143 bioinformatically predicted to be secreted. Eighty percent of proteins were identified in both media. Proteins secreted were functionally associated with cell surface (41%), pathogenicity (16%) and transport (17%). The most abundant proteins identified were pathogenic proteins including toxins (PtxA and CyaA), adhesins (TcfA) and type III secretion (T3SS) proteins. There were 46 proteins found uniquely in THIJS including 8 virulence associated proteins. These included T3SS proteins, adhesins (FhaL and FhaS) and a putative toxin (BP1251). Nine proteins were found uniquely in SS and these were metabolic and transport-related proteins. None of the unique proteins detected in SS were known to be virulence associated. This study found that THIJS promotes secretion of virulence factors based on the number of unique virulence proteins found and may be a growth media of choice for the study of B. pertussis virulence and vaccine development. BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE Over the past two decades, the number of B. pertussis notifications has risen despite vaccination. There is a greater need to understand the biology behind B. pertussis infections. The secretome of B. pertussis in two different media was characterised using LC-MS/MS. The results showed that THIJS promotes secretion of importance virulence factors which may be important for the development of vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurence Don Wai Luu
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sophie Octavia
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ling Zhong
- Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Mark Raftery
- Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Vitali Sintchenko
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology-Public Health, Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research - Pathology West, Westmead Hospital, New South Wales, Australia; Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ruiting Lan
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
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42
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Andre GO, Converso TR, Politano WR, Ferraz LFC, Ribeiro ML, Leite LCC, Darrieux M. Role of Streptococcus pneumoniae Proteins in Evasion of Complement-Mediated Immunity. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:224. [PMID: 28265264 PMCID: PMC5316553 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.00224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2016] [Accepted: 01/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The complement system plays a central role in immune defense against Streptococcus pneumoniae. In order to evade complement attack, pneumococci have evolved a number of mechanisms that limit complement mediated opsonization and subsequent phagocytosis. This review focuses on the strategies employed by pneumococci to circumvent complement mediated immunity, both in vitro and in vivo. At last, since many of the proteins involved in interactions with complement components are vaccine candidates in different stages of validation, we explore the use of these antigens alone or in combination, as potential vaccine approaches that aim at elimination or drastic reduction in the ability of this bacterium to evade complement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greiciely O Andre
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular e Molecular de Microrganismos, Universidade São Francisco Bragança Paulista, Brazil
| | - Thiago R Converso
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Instituto ButantanSão Paulo, Brazil; Programa de Pós-graduação Interunidades em Biotecnologia, Universidade de São PauloSão Paulo, Brazil
| | - Walter R Politano
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular e Molecular de Microrganismos, Universidade São Francisco Bragança Paulista, Brazil
| | - Lucio F C Ferraz
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular e Molecular de Microrganismos, Universidade São Francisco Bragança Paulista, Brazil
| | - Marcelo L Ribeiro
- Laboratório de Farmacologia, Universidade São Francisco Bragança Paulista, Brazil
| | | | - Michelle Darrieux
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular e Molecular de Microrganismos, Universidade São Francisco Bragança Paulista, Brazil
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43
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Hovingh ES, van den Broek B, Jongerius I. Hijacking Complement Regulatory Proteins for Bacterial Immune Evasion. Front Microbiol 2016; 7:2004. [PMID: 28066340 PMCID: PMC5167704 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.02004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2016] [Accepted: 11/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The human complement system plays an important role in the defense against invading pathogens, inflammation and homeostasis. Invading microbes, such as bacteria, directly activate the complement system resulting in the formation of chemoattractants and in effective labeling of the bacteria for phagocytosis. In addition, formation of the membrane attack complex is responsible for direct killing of Gram-negative bacteria. In turn, bacteria have evolved several ways to evade complement activation on their surface in order to be able to colonize and invade the human host. One important mechanism of bacterial escape is attraction of complement regulatory proteins to the microbial surface. These molecules are present in the human body for tight regulation of the complement system to prevent damage to host self-surfaces. Therefore, recruitment of complement regulatory proteins to the bacterial surface results in decreased complement activation on the microbial surface which favors bacterial survival. This review will discuss recent advances in understanding the binding of complement regulatory proteins to the bacterial surface at the molecular level. This includes, new insights that have become available concerning specific conserved motives on complement regulatory proteins that are favorable for microbial binding. Finally, complement evasion molecules are of high importance for vaccine development due to their dominant role in bacterial survival, high immunogenicity and homology as well as their presence on the bacterial surface. Here, the use of complement evasion molecules for vaccine development will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elise S. Hovingh
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center UtrechtUtrecht, Netherlands
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the EnvironmentBilthoven, Netherlands
| | - Bryan van den Broek
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center UtrechtUtrecht, Netherlands
| | - Ilse Jongerius
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center UtrechtUtrecht, Netherlands
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the EnvironmentBilthoven, Netherlands
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44
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Salazar N, Souza MCLD, Biasioli AG, Silva LBD, Barbosa AS. The multifaceted roles of Leptospira enolase. Res Microbiol 2016; 168:157-164. [PMID: 27989763 DOI: 10.1016/j.resmic.2016.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2016] [Revised: 09/30/2016] [Accepted: 10/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
A previous study had demonstrated that Leptospira enolase is secreted extracellularly by a yet unknown mechanism and reassociates with the bacterial membrane. Surface-anchored leptospiral enolase displays plasminogen binding activity. In this work, we explored the consequences of this interaction and also assessed whether Leptospira enolase might display additional moonlighting functions by interacting with other host effector proteins. We first demonstrated that enolase-bound plasminogen is converted to its active form, plasmin. The protease plasmin targets human fibrinogen and vitronectin, but not the complement proteins C3b and C5. Leptospira enolase also acts as an immune evasion protein by interacting with the negative complement regulators C4b binding protein and factor H. Once bound to enolase, both regulators remain functional as cofactors of factor I, mediating cleavage of C4b and C3b. In conclusion, enolase may facilitate leptospiral survival and dissemination, thus contributing to bacterial virulence. The identification and characterization of moonlighting proteins is a growing field of bacterial pathogenesis, as these multifaceted proteins may represent potential future therapeutic targets to fight bacterial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natália Salazar
- Laboratório de Bacteriologia, Instituto Butantan, Av. Vital Brasil 1500, 05503-900 São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | | | - Amanda Gameiro Biasioli
- Laboratório de Bacteriologia, Instituto Butantan, Av. Vital Brasil 1500, 05503-900 São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - Ludmila Bezerra da Silva
- Laboratório de Bacteriologia, Instituto Butantan, Av. Vital Brasil 1500, 05503-900 São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - Angela Silva Barbosa
- Laboratório de Bacteriologia, Instituto Butantan, Av. Vital Brasil 1500, 05503-900 São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
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45
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Jusko M, Miedziak B, Ermert D, Magda M, King BC, Bielecka E, Riesbeck K, Eick S, Potempa J, Blom AM. FACIN, a Double-Edged Sword of the Emerging Periodontal Pathogen Filifactor alocis: A Metabolic Enzyme Moonlighting as a Complement Inhibitor. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2016; 197:3245-3259. [PMID: 27638863 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1600739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2016] [Accepted: 08/20/2016] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Periodontal disease is one of the most common inflammatory infectious diseases worldwide and it is associated with other syndromes, such as cardiovascular disease or rheumatoid arthritis. Recent advances in sequencing allowed for identification of novel periodontopathogens such as Gram-positive Filifactor alocis, but its virulence mechanisms remain largely unknown. We confirmed that F. alocis is a prevalent species in periodontitis patients, and we also observed strong correlation of this bacterium with clinical parameters, highlighting its role in the pathogenesis of the disease. Further, we found that preincubation of human serum with F. alocis resulted in abolished bactericidal activity and that F. alocis was surviving readily in full blood. We demonstrated that one of the key contributors to F. alocis complement resistance is a unique protein, FACIN (F. alocis complement inhibitor), which binds to C3, resulting in suppression of all complement pathways. Interestingly, FACIN is a nonclassical cell surface protein, a cytosolic enzyme acetylornithine transaminase, for which we now identified a moonlighting function. FACIN binds to C3 alone, but more importantly it also captures activated complement factor 3 within the complex with factor B, thereby locking in the convertase in an inactive state. Because of the indispensable role of alternative pathway convertase in amplifying complement cascades, its inhibition by FACIN results in a very potent downregulation of activated complement factor 3 opsonization on the pathogen surface, accompanied by reduction of downstream C5 cleavage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Jusko
- Section of Protein Chemistry, Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, 205 02 Malmö, Sweden
| | - Beata Miedziak
- Section of Protein Chemistry, Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, 205 02 Malmö, Sweden
| | - David Ermert
- Section of Protein Chemistry, Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, 205 02 Malmö, Sweden
| | - Michal Magda
- Section of Protein Chemistry, Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, 205 02 Malmö, Sweden
| | - Ben C King
- Section of Protein Chemistry, Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, 205 02 Malmö, Sweden
| | - Ewa Bielecka
- Section of Protein Chemistry, Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, 205 02 Malmö, Sweden.,Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Kristian Riesbeck
- Section of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, 202 13 Malmö, Sweden
| | - Sigrun Eick
- Laboratory of Oral Microbiology, Department of Periodontology, University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland; and
| | - Jan Potempa
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Krakow, Poland.,Centre for Oral Health and Systemic Diseases, University of Louisville School of Dentistry, Louisville, KY 40202
| | - Anna M Blom
- Section of Protein Chemistry, Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, 205 02 Malmö, Sweden;
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46
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Rahi A, Matta SK, Dhiman A, Garhyan J, Gopalani M, Chandra S, Bhatnagar R. Enolase of Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a surface exposed plasminogen binding protein. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2016; 1861:3355-3364. [PMID: 27569900 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2016.08.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2016] [Revised: 08/12/2016] [Accepted: 08/24/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Enolase, a glycolytic enzyme, has long been studied as an anchorless protein present on the surface of many pathogenic bacteria that aids in tissue remodeling and invasion by binding to host plasminogen. METHODS Anti-Mtb enolase antibodies in human sera were detected using ELISA. Immunoelectron microscopy, immunofluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry were used to show surface localization of Mtb enolase. SPR was used to determine the affinity of enolase-plasminogen interaction. Plasmin formation upon plasminogen binding to enolase and Mtb surface was measured by ELISA. Mice challenge and histopathological studies were undertaken to determine the protective efficacy of enolase immunization. RESULTS Enolase of Mtb is present on its surface and binds human plasminogen with high affinity. There was an average of 2-fold increase in antibody mediated recognition of Mtb enolase in human sera from TB patients with an active disease over control individuals. Substitution of C-terminal lysine to alanine in rEno decreased its binding affinity with human plasminogen by >2-folds. Enolase bound plasminogen showed urokinase mediated conversion into plasmin. Binding of plasminogen to the surface of Mtb and its conversion into fibrinolytic plasmin was significantly reduced in the presence of anti-rEno antibodies. Immunization with rEno also led to a significant decrease in lung CFU counts of mice upon infection with Mtb H37Rv. CONCLUSIONS Mtb enolase is a surface exposed plasminogen binding protein which upon immunization confers significant protection against Mtb challenge. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE Plasminogen binding has been recognized for Mtb, however, proteins involved have not been characterized. We show here that Mtb enolase is a moonlighting plasminogen binding protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit Rahi
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering, School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India.
| | - Sumit Kumar Matta
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering, School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India.
| | - Alisha Dhiman
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering, School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India.
| | - Jaishree Garhyan
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering, School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India.
| | - Monisha Gopalani
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering, School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India.
| | - Subhash Chandra
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering, School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India.
| | - Rakesh Bhatnagar
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering, School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India.
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47
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Abstract
Streptococcus pneumoniae is an opportunistic pathogen globally associated with significant morbidity and mortality. It is capable of causing a wide range of diseases including sinusitis, conjunctivitis, otitis media, pneumonia, bacteraemia, sepsis, and meningitis. While its capsular polysaccharide is indispensible for invasive disease, and opsonising antibodies against the capsule are the basis for the current vaccines, a long history of biomedical research indicates that other components of this Gram-positive bacterium are also critical for virulence. Herein we review the contribution of pneumococcal virulence determinants to survival and persistence in the context of distinct anatomical sites. We discuss how these determinants allow the pneumococcus to evade mucociliary clearance during colonisation, establish lower respiratory tract infection, resist complement deposition and opsonophagocytosis in the bloodstream, and invade secondary tissues such as the central nervous system leading to meningitis. We do so in a manner that highlights both the critical role of the capsular polysaccharide and the accompanying and necessary protein determinants. Understanding the complex interplay between host and pathogen is necessary to find new ways to prevent pneumococcal infection. This review is an attempt to do so with consideration for the latest research findings.
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48
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Ermert D, Blom AM. C4b-binding protein: The good, the bad and the deadly. Novel functions of an old friend. Immunol Lett 2015; 169:82-92. [PMID: 26658464 DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2015.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2015] [Revised: 11/26/2015] [Accepted: 11/27/2015] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
C4b-binding protein (C4BP) is best known as a potent soluble inhibitor of the classical and lectin pathways of the complement system. This large 500 kDa multimeric plasma glycoprotein is expressed mainly in the liver but also in lung and pancreas. It consists of several identical 75 kDa α-chains and often also one 40 kDa β-chain, both of which are mainly composed of complement control protein (CCP) domains. Structure-function studies revealed that one crucial binding site responsible for inhibition of complement is located to CCP1-3 of the α-chain. Binding of anticoagulant protein S to the CCP1 of the β-chain provides C4BP with the ability to strongly bind apoptotic and necrotic cells in order to prevent inflammation arising from activation of complement by these cells. Further, C4BP interacts strongly with various types of amyloid and enhances fibrillation of islet amyloid polypeptide secreted from pancreatic beta cells, which may attenuate pro-inflammatory and cytotoxic effects of this amyloid. Full deficiency of C4BP has not been identified but non-synonymous alterations in its sequence have been found in haemolytic uremic syndrome and recurrent pregnancy loss. Furthermore, C4BP is bound by several bacterial pathogens, notably Streptococcus pyogenes, which due to inhibition of complement and enhancement of bacterial adhesion to endothelial cells provides these bacteria with a survival advantage in the host. Thus, depending on the context, C4BP has a protective or detrimental role in the organism.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Ermert
- Lund University, Department of Translational Medicine, Division of Medical Protein Chemistry, Inga Marie Nilssons Street 53, Malmö, 20502, Sweden.
| | - Anna M Blom
- Lund University, Department of Translational Medicine, Division of Medical Protein Chemistry, Inga Marie Nilssons Street 53, Malmö, 20502, Sweden.
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Bittaye M, Cash P. Streptococcus pneumoniae proteomics: determinants of pathogenesis and vaccine development. Expert Rev Proteomics 2015; 12:607-21. [PMID: 26524107 DOI: 10.1586/14789450.2015.1108844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Streptococcus pneumoniae is a major pathogen that is responsible for a variety of invasive diseases. The bacteria gain entry initially by establishing a carriage state in the nasopharynx from where they migrate to other sites in the body. The worldwide distribution of the bacteria and the severity of the diseases have led to a significant level of interest in the development of vaccines against the bacteria. Current vaccines, based on the bacterial polysaccharide, have a number of limitations including poor immunogenicity and limited effectiveness against all pneumococcal serotypes. There are many challenges in developing vaccines that will be effective against the diverse range of isolates and serotypes for this highly variable bacterial pathogen. This review considers how proteomic technologies have extended our understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms of nasopharyngeal colonization and disease development as well as the critical areas in developing protein-based vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mustapha Bittaye
- a Division of Applied Medicine , University of Aberdeen , Aberdeen , Scotland
| | - Phil Cash
- a Division of Applied Medicine , University of Aberdeen , Aberdeen , Scotland
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Breda LCD, Hsieh CL, Castiblanco Valencia MM, da Silva LB, Barbosa AS, Blom AM, Yung-Fu C, Isaac L. Fine Mapping of the Interaction between C4b-Binding Protein and Outer Membrane Proteins LigA and LigB of Pathogenic Leptospira interrogans. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2015; 9:e0004192. [PMID: 26517116 PMCID: PMC4627802 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0004192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2015] [Accepted: 10/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The complement system consists of more than 40 proteins that participate in the inflammatory response and in pathogen killing. Complement inhibitors are necessary to avoid the excessive consumption and activation of this system on host cells. Leptospirosis is a worldwide zoonosis caused by spirochetes from the genus Leptospira. Pathogenic leptospires are able to escape from complement activation by binding to host complement inhibitors Factor H [FH] and C4b-binding protein (C4BP) while non-pathogenic leptospires are rapidly killed in the presence of fresh serum. In this study, we demonstrate that complement control protein domains (CCP) 7 and 8 of C4BP α-chain interact with the outer membrane proteins LcpA, LigA and LigB from the pathogenic leptospire L. interrogans. The interaction between C4BP and LcpA, LigA and LigB is sensitive to ionic strength and inhibited by heparin. We fine mapped the LigA and LigB domains involved in its binding to C4BP and heparin and found that both interactions are mediated through the bacterial immunoglobulin-like (Big) domains 7 and 8 (LigA7-8 and LigB7-8) of both LigA and LigB and also through LigB9-10. Therefore, C4BP and heparin may share the same binding sites on Lig proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leandro C. D. Breda
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ching-Lin Hsieh
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | | | | | | | - Anna M. Blom
- Department of Translational Medicine, Division of Medical Protein Chemistry, Lund University, Malmo, Sweden
| | - Chang Yung-Fu
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Lourdes Isaac
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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