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Goldmann O, Nwofor OV, Chen Q, Medina E. Mechanisms underlying immunosuppression by regulatory cells. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1328193. [PMID: 38380317 PMCID: PMC10876998 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1328193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Regulatory cells, such as regulatory T cells (Tregs), regulatory B cells (Bregs), and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), play a crucial role in preserving immune tolerance and controlling immune responses during infections to prevent excessive immune activation. However, pathogens have developed strategies to hijack these regulatory cells to decrease the overall effectiveness of the immune response and persist within the host. Consequently, therapeutic targeting of these immunosuppressive mechanisms during infection can reinvigorate the immune response and improve the infection outcome. The suppressive mechanisms of regulatory cells are not only numerous but also redundant, reflecting the complexity of the regulatory network in modulating the immune responses. The context of the immune response, such as the type of pathogen or tissue involved, further influences the regulatory mechanisms involved. Examples of these immunosuppressive mechanisms include the production of inhibitory cytokines such as interleukin 10 (IL-10) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) that inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and dampen the activation and proliferation of effector T cells. In addition, regulatory cells utilize inhibitory receptors like cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) and programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) to engage with their respective effector cells, thereby suppressing their function. An alternative approach involves the modulation of metabolic reprogramming in effector immune cells to limit their activation and proliferation. In this review, we provide an overview of the major mechanisms mediating the immunosuppressive effect of the different regulatory cell subsets in the context of infection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Eva Medina
- Infection Immunology Research Group, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
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2
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Lapschies AM, Aubry E, Kohler TP, Goldmann O, Hammerschmidt S, Nerlich A, Eichhorn I, van Vorst K, Fulde M. The type-2 Streptococcus canis M protein SCM-2 binds fibrinogen and facilitates antiphagocytic properties. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1228472. [PMID: 37965557 PMCID: PMC10641296 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1228472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus canis is a zoonotic agent that causes severe invasive diseases in domestic animals and humans, but little is known about its pathogenesis and virulence mechanisms so far. SCM, the M-like protein expressed by S. canis, is considered one of the major virulence determinants. Here, we report on the two distinct groups of SCM. SCM-1 proteins were already described to interact with its ligands IgG and plasminogen as well as with itself and confer antiphagocytic capability of SCM-1 expressing bacterial isolates. In contrast, the function of SCM-2 type remained unclear to date. Using whole-genome sequencing and subsequent bioinformatics, FACS analysis, fluorescence microscopy and surface plasmon resonance spectrometry, we demonstrate that, although different in amino acid sequence, a selection of diverse SCM-2-type S. canis isolates, phylogenetically representing the full breadth of SCM-2 sequences, were able to bind fibrinogen. Using targeted mutagenesis of an SCM-2 isolate, we further demonstrated that this strain was significantly less able to survive in canine blood. With respect to similar studies showing a correlation between fibrinogen binding and survival in whole blood, we hypothesize that SCM-2 has an important contribution to the pathogenesis of S. canis in the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antje-Maria Lapschies
- Centre of Infection Medicine, Institute of Microbiology and Epizootics, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Etienne Aubry
- Centre of Infection Medicine, Institute of Microbiology and Epizootics, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Thomas P. Kohler
- Centre for Functional Genomics of Microbes, Department of Molecular Genetics and Infection Biology, Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Oliver Goldmann
- Infection Immunology Group, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Sven Hammerschmidt
- Centre for Functional Genomics of Microbes, Department of Molecular Genetics and Infection Biology, Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Andreas Nerlich
- Veterinary Centre for Resistance Research (TZR), Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Inga Eichhorn
- Centre of Infection Medicine, Institute of Microbiology and Epizootics, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Robert Koch Institute, Genome Competence Centre (MF1), Berlin, Germany
| | - Kira van Vorst
- Centre of Infection Medicine, Institute of Microbiology and Epizootics, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Marcus Fulde
- Centre of Infection Medicine, Institute of Microbiology and Epizootics, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Veterinary Centre for Resistance Research (TZR), Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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3
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Goldmann O, Medina E. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells impair CD4+ T cell responses during chronic Staphylococcus aureus infection via lactate metabolism. Cell Mol Life Sci 2023; 80:221. [PMID: 37480485 PMCID: PMC10363054 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-023-04875-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/24/2023]
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is an important cause of chronic infections resulting from the failure of the host to eliminate the pathogen. Effective S. aureus clearance requires CD4+ T cell-mediated immunity. We previously showed that myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) expand during staphylococcal infections and support infection chronicity by inhibiting CD4+ T cell responses. The aim of this study was to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the suppressive effect exerted by MDSC on CD4+ T cells during chronic S. aureus infection. It is well known that activated CD4+ T cells undergo metabolic reprogramming from oxidative metabolism to aerobic glycolysis to meet their increased bioenergetic requirements. In this process, pyruvate is largely transformed into lactate by lactate dehydrogenase with the concomitant regeneration of NAD+, which is necessary for continued glycolysis. The by-product lactate needs to be excreted to maintain the glycolytic flux. Using SCENITH (single-cell energetic metabolism by profiling translation inhibition), we demonstrated here that MDSC inhibit CD4+ T cell responses by interfering with their metabolic activity. MDSC are highly glycolytic and excrete large amount of lactate in the local environment that alters the transmembrane concentration gradient and prevent removal of lactate by activated CD4+ T. Accumulation of endogenous lactate impedes the regeneration of NAD+, inhibit NAD-dependent glycolytic enzymes and stop glycolysis. Together, the results of this study have uncovered a role for metabolism on MDSC suppression of CD4+ T cell responses. Thus, reestablishment of their metabolic activity may represent a mean to improve the functionality of CD4+ T cells during chronic S. aureus infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Goldmann
- Infection Immunology Research Group, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, 38124, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Eva Medina
- Infection Immunology Research Group, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, 38124, Braunschweig, Germany.
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4
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Heinz A, Nonnenmacher Y, Henne A, Khalil MA, Bejkollari K, Dostert C, Hosseini S, Goldmann O, He W, Palorini R, Verschueren C, Korte M, Chiaradonna F, Medina E, Brenner D, Hiller K. Itaconate controls its own synthesis via feedback-inhibition of reverse TCA cycle activity at IDH2. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2022; 1868:166530. [PMID: 36038039 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2022.166530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Macrophages undergo extensive metabolic reprogramming during classical pro-inflammatory polarization (M1-like). The accumulation of itaconate has been recognized as both a consequence and mediator of the inflammatory response. In this study we first examined the specific functions of itaconate inside fractionated mitochondria. We show that M1 macrophages produce itaconate de novo via aconitase decarboxylase 1 (ACOD1) inside mitochondria. The carbon for this reaction is not only supplied by oxidative TCA cycling, but also through the reductive carboxylation of α-ketoglutarate by isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH). While macrophages are capable of sustaining a certain degree of itaconate production during hypoxia by augmenting the activity of IDH-dependent reductive carboxylation, we demonstrate that sufficient itaconate synthesis requires a balance of reductive and oxidative TCA cycle metabolism in mouse macrophages. In comparison, human macrophages increase itaconate accumulation under hypoxic conditions by augmenting reductive carboxylation activity. We further demonstrated that itaconate attenuates reductive carboxylation at IDH2, restricting its own production and the accumulation of the immunomodulatory metabolites citrate and 2-hydroxyglutarate. In line with this, reductive carboxylation is enhanced in ACOD1-depleted macrophages. Mechanistically, the inhibition of IDH2 by itaconate is linked to the alteration of the mitochondrial NADP+/NADPH ratio and competitive succinate dehydrogenase inhibition. Taken together, our findings extend the current model of TCA cycle reprogramming during pro-inflammatory macrophage activation and identified novel regulatory properties of itaconate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Heinz
- Department for Bioinformatics and Biochemistry, BRICS, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Rebenring 56, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Yannic Nonnenmacher
- Department for Bioinformatics and Biochemistry, BRICS, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Rebenring 56, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Antonia Henne
- Department for Bioinformatics and Biochemistry, BRICS, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Rebenring 56, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Michelle-Amirah Khalil
- Department for Bioinformatics and Biochemistry, BRICS, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Rebenring 56, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Ketlin Bejkollari
- Department for Bioinformatics and Biochemistry, BRICS, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Rebenring 56, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Catherine Dostert
- Experimental and Molecular Immunology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Shirin Hosseini
- Department of Cellular Neurobiology, Zoological Institute, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Oliver Goldmann
- Infection Immunology Research Group, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Wei He
- Department for Bioinformatics and Biochemistry, BRICS, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Rebenring 56, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Roberta Palorini
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza, Milan, Italy
| | - Charlène Verschueren
- Experimental and Molecular Immunology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Martin Korte
- Department of Cellular Neurobiology, Zoological Institute, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Germany; Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration Research Group, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Ferdinando Chiaradonna
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza, Milan, Italy
| | - Eva Medina
- Infection Immunology Research Group, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Dirk Brenner
- Experimental and Molecular Immunology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg; Immunology and Genetics, Luxembourg Centre for System Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, Belval, Luxembourg; Odense Research Center for Anaphylaxis, Department of Dermatology and Allergy Center, Odense University Hospital, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Karsten Hiller
- Department for Bioinformatics and Biochemistry, BRICS, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Rebenring 56, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany.
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5
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He W, Henne A, Lauterbach M, Geißmar E, Nikolka F, Kho C, Heinz A, Dostert C, Grusdat M, Cordes T, Härm J, Goldmann O, Ewen A, Verschueren C, Blay-Cadanet J, Geffers R, Garritsen H, Kneiling M, Holm CK, Metallo CM, Medina E, Abdullah Z, Latz E, Brenner D, Hiller K. Mesaconate is synthesized from itaconate and exerts immunomodulatory effects in macrophages. Nat Metab 2022; 4:524-533. [PMID: 35655024 PMCID: PMC9744384 DOI: 10.1038/s42255-022-00565-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Since its discovery in inflammatory macrophages, itaconate has attracted much attention due to its antimicrobial and immunomodulatory activity1-3. However, instead of investigating itaconate itself, most studies used derivatized forms of itaconate and thus the role of non-derivatized itaconate needs to be scrutinized. Mesaconate, a metabolite structurally very close to itaconate, has never been implicated in mammalian cells. Here we show that mesaconate is synthesized in inflammatory macrophages from itaconate. We find that both, non-derivatized itaconate and mesaconate dampen the glycolytic activity to a similar extent, whereas only itaconate is able to repress tricarboxylic acid cycle activity and cellular respiration. In contrast to itaconate, mesaconate does not inhibit succinate dehydrogenase. Despite their distinct impact on metabolism, both metabolites exert similar immunomodulatory effects in pro-inflammatory macrophages, specifically a reduction of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-12 secretion and an increase of CXCL10 production in a manner that is independent of NRF2 and ATF3. We show that a treatment with neither mesaconate nor itaconate impairs IL-1β secretion and inflammasome activation. In summary, our results identify mesaconate as an immunomodulatory metabolite in macrophages, which interferes to a lesser extent with cellular metabolism than itaconate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei He
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biochemistry, Braunschweig Integrated Centre of Systems Biology (BRICS), Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Antonia Henne
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biochemistry, Braunschweig Integrated Centre of Systems Biology (BRICS), Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Mario Lauterbach
- Institute of Innate Immunity, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Eike Geißmar
- Institute of Innate Immunity, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Fabian Nikolka
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biochemistry, Braunschweig Integrated Centre of Systems Biology (BRICS), Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Celia Kho
- Institute of Experimental Immunology, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Alexander Heinz
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biochemistry, Braunschweig Integrated Centre of Systems Biology (BRICS), Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Catherine Dostert
- Experimental and Molecular Immunology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
- Immunology and Genetics, Luxembourg Centre for System Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, Belval, Luxembourg
| | - Melanie Grusdat
- Experimental and Molecular Immunology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
- Immunology and Genetics, Luxembourg Centre for System Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, Belval, Luxembourg
| | - Thekla Cordes
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biochemistry, Braunschweig Integrated Centre of Systems Biology (BRICS), Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Molecular and Cell Biology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Janika Härm
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biochemistry, Braunschweig Integrated Centre of Systems Biology (BRICS), Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
- Experimental and Molecular Immunology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
- Immunology and Genetics, Luxembourg Centre for System Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, Belval, Luxembourg
| | - Oliver Goldmann
- Infection Immunology Research Group, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Anouk Ewen
- Experimental and Molecular Immunology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
- Immunology and Genetics, Luxembourg Centre for System Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, Belval, Luxembourg
| | - Charlène Verschueren
- Experimental and Molecular Immunology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
- Immunology and Genetics, Luxembourg Centre for System Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, Belval, Luxembourg
| | | | - Robert Geffers
- Genome Analytics, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Hendrikus Garritsen
- Institute of Transfusion Medicine, Klinikum Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Surface Engineering and Thin Films IST, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Manfred Kneiling
- Department of Dermatology, Eberhard Karls University, Tübingen, Germany
- Werner Siemens Imaging Center, Department of Preclinical Imaging and Radiopharmacy, Eberhard Karls University, Tübingen, Germany
| | | | - Christian M Metallo
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Molecular and Cell Biology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Eva Medina
- Infection Immunology Research Group, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Zeinab Abdullah
- Institute of Experimental Immunology, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- Department of Immunology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Eicke Latz
- Institute of Innate Immunity, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bonn, Germany
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
- Centre of Molecular Inflammation Research, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Dirk Brenner
- Experimental and Molecular Immunology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
- Immunology and Genetics, Luxembourg Centre for System Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, Belval, Luxembourg
- Odense Research Center for Anaphylaxis, Department of Dermatology and Allergy Center, Odense University Hospital, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Karsten Hiller
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biochemistry, Braunschweig Integrated Centre of Systems Biology (BRICS), Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany.
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Goldmann O, Sauerwein T, Molinari G, Rohde M, Förstner KU, Medina E. Cytosolic Sensing of Intracellular Staphylococcus aureus by Mast Cells Elicits a Type I IFN Response That Enhances Cell-Autonomous Immunity. J Immunol 2022; 208:1675-1685. [PMID: 35321877 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2100622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Strategically located at mucosal sites, mast cells are instrumental in sensing invading pathogens and modulating the quality of the ensuing immune responses depending on the nature of the infecting microbe. It is believed that mast cells produce type I IFN (IFN-I) in response to viruses, but not to bacterial infections, because of the incapacity of bacterial pathogens to internalize within mast cells, where signaling cascades leading to IFN-I production are generated. However, we have previously reported that, in contrast with other bacterial pathogens, Staphylococcus aureus can internalize into mast cells and therefore could trigger a unique response. In this study, we have investigated the molecular cross-talk between internalized S. aureus and the human mast cells HMC-1 using a dual RNA sequencing approach. We found that a proportion of internalized S. aureus underwent profound transcriptional reprogramming within HMC-1 cells to adapt to the nutrients and stress encountered in the intracellular environment and remained viable. HMC-1 cells, in turn, recognized intracellular S. aureus via cGMP-AMP synthase-STING-TANK-binding kinase 1 signaling pathway, leading to the production of IFN-I. Bacterial internalization and viability were crucial for IFN-I induction because inhibition of S. aureus internalization or infection with heat-killed bacteria completely prevented the production of IFN-I by HMC-1 cells. Feeding back in an autocrine manner in S. aureus-harboring HMC-1 cells and in a paracrine manner in noninfected neighboring HMC-1 cells, IFN-I promoted a cell-autonomous antimicrobial state by inducing the transcription of IFN-I-stimulated genes. This study provides unprecedented evidence of the capacity of mast cells to produce IFN-I in response to a bacterial pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Goldmann
- Infection Immunology Research Group, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Till Sauerwein
- Institute for Molecular Infection Biology, University of Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
- ZB MED-Information Centre for Life Science, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Gabriella Molinari
- Central Facility for Microscopy, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany; and
| | - Manfred Rohde
- Central Facility for Microscopy, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany; and
| | - Konrad U Förstner
- Institute for Molecular Infection Biology, University of Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
- ZB MED-Information Centre for Life Science, 50931 Cologne, Germany
- TH Köln, University of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Information Science and Communication Studies, 50678 Cologne, Germany
| | - Eva Medina
- Infection Immunology Research Group, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany;
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7
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Dietrich O, Heinz A, Goldmann O, Geffers R, Beineke A, Hiller K, Saliba AE, Medina E. Dysregulated Immunometabolism Is Associated with the Generation of Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells in Staphylococcus aureus Chronic Infection. J Innate Immun 2021; 14:257-274. [PMID: 34763332 DOI: 10.1159/000519306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are a compendium of immature myeloid cells that exhibit potent T-cell suppressive capacity and expand during pathological conditions such as cancer and chronic infections. Although well-characterized in cancer, the physiology of MDSCs in the infection setting remains enigmatic. Here, we integrated single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and functional metabolic profiling to gain deeper insights into the factors governing the generation and maintenance of MDSCs in chronic Staphylococcus aureus infection. We found that MDSCs originate not only in the bone marrow but also at extramedullary sites in S. aureus-infected mice. scRNA-seq showed that infection-driven MDSCs encompass a spectrum of myeloid precursors in different stages of differentiation, ranging from promyelocytes to mature neutrophils. Furthermore, the scRNA-seq analysis has also uncovered valuable phenotypic markers to distinguish mature myeloid cells from immature MDSCs. Metabolic profiling indicates that MDSCs exhibit high glycolytic activity and high glucose consumption rates, which are required for undergoing terminal maturation. However, rapid glucose consumption by MDSCs added to infection-induced perturbations in the glucose supplies in infected mice hinders the terminal maturation of MDSCs and promotes their accumulation in an immature stage. In a proof-of-concept in vivo experiment, we demonstrate the beneficial effect of increasing glucose availability in promoting MDSC terminal differentiation in infected mice. Our results provide valuable information of how metabolic alterations induced by infection influence reprogramming and differentiation of MDSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Dietrich
- Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research (HIRI), Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Alexander Heinz
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biochemistry and Braunschweig Integrated Center of Systems Biology (BRICS), Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Oliver Goldmann
- Infection Immunology Research Group, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Robert Geffers
- Genome Analytics, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Andreas Beineke
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany
| | - Karsten Hiller
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biochemistry and Braunschweig Integrated Center of Systems Biology (BRICS), Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany.,Computational Biology of Infection Research, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Antoine-Emmanuel Saliba
- Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research (HIRI), Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Eva Medina
- Infection Immunology Research Group, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
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8
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Bonifacius A, Goldmann O, Floess S, Holtfreter S, Robert PA, Nordengrün M, Kruse F, Lochner M, Falk CS, Schmitz I, Bröker BM, Medina E, Huehn J. Staphylococcus aureus Alpha-Toxin Limits Type 1 While Fostering Type 3 Immune Responses. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1579. [PMID: 32849537 PMCID: PMC7427519 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus can cause life-threatening diseases, and hospital- as well as community-associated antibiotic-resistant strains are an emerging global public health problem. Therefore, prophylactic vaccines or immune-based therapies are considered as alternative treatment opportunities. To develop such novel treatment approaches, a better understanding of the bacterial virulence and immune evasion mechanisms and their potential effects on immune-based therapies is essential. One important staphylococcal virulence factor is alpha-toxin, which is able to disrupt the epithelial barrier in order to establish infection. In addition, alpha-toxin has been reported to modulate other cell types including immune cells. Since CD4+ T cell-mediated immunity is required for protection against S. aureus infection, we were interested in the ability of alpha-toxin to directly modulate CD4+ T cells. To address this, murine naïve CD4+ T cells were differentiated in vitro into effector T cell subsets in the presence of alpha-toxin. Interestingly, alpha-toxin induced death of Th1-polarized cells, while cells polarized under Th17 conditions showed a high resistance toward increasing concentrations of this toxin. These effects could neither be explained by differential expression of the cellular alpha-toxin receptor ADAM10 nor by differential activation of caspases, but might result from an increased susceptibility of Th1 cells toward Ca2+-mediated activation-induced cell death. In accordance with the in vitro findings, an alpha-toxin-dependent decrease of Th1 and concomitant increase of Th17 cells was observed in vivo during S. aureus bacteremia. Interestingly, corresponding subsets of innate lymphoid cells and γδ T cells were similarly affected, suggesting a more general effect of alpha-toxin on the modulation of type 1 and type 3 immune responses. In conclusion, we have identified a novel alpha-toxin-dependent immunomodulatory strategy of S. aureus, which can directly act on CD4+ T cells and might be exploited for the development of novel immune-based therapeutic approaches to treat infections with antibiotic-resistant S. aureus strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnes Bonifacius
- Department Experimental Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Oliver Goldmann
- Department Infection Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Stefan Floess
- Department Experimental Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Silva Holtfreter
- Department of Immunology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Philippe A Robert
- Department Experimental Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany.,Department Systems Immunology and Braunschweig Integrated Centre of Systems Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Maria Nordengrün
- Department of Immunology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Friederike Kruse
- Department Experimental Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Matthias Lochner
- Institute of Infection Immunology, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research; A Joint Venture Between the Medical School Hannover and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Hanover, Germany.,Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
| | - Christine S Falk
- Institute of Transplant Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany.,DZIF, German Center for Infectious Diseases, TTU-IICH Hannover-Braunschweig Site, Hanover, Germany
| | - Ingo Schmitz
- Department Systems-Oriented Immunology and Inflammation Research, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany.,Institute for Molecular and Clinical Immunology, Medical Faculty, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany.,Department of Molecular Immunology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Barbara M Bröker
- Department of Immunology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Eva Medina
- Department Infection Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Jochen Huehn
- Department Experimental Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
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9
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Nerlich A, Lapschies AM, Kohler TP, Cornax I, Eichhorn I, Goldmann O, Krienke P, Bergmann S, Nizet V, Hammerschmidt S, Rohde M, Fulde M. Homophilic protein interactions facilitate bacterial aggregation and IgG-dependent complex formation by the Streptococcus canis M protein SCM. Virulence 2019; 10:194-206. [PMID: 30829556 PMCID: PMC6527014 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2019.1589362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus canis is a zoonotic agent that causes serious invasive diseases in domestic animals and humans, but knowledge about its pathogenic potential and underlying virulence mechanisms is limited. Here, we report on the ability of certain S. canis isolates to form large bacterial aggregates when grown in liquid broth. Bacterial aggregation was attributed to the presence and the self-binding activity of SCM, the M protein of S. canis, as evaluated by bacterial sedimentation assays, immunofluorescence- and electron microscopic approaches. Using a variety of truncated recombinant SCM fragments, we demonstrated that homophilic SCM interactions occur via the N-terminal, but not the C-terminal part, of the mature M protein. Interestingly, when incubated in human plasma, SCM forms soluble protein complexes comprising its known ligands, immunoglobulin G (IgG) and plasminogen (Plg). Co-incubation studies with purified host proteins revealed that SCM-mediated complex formation is based on the interaction of SCM with itself and with IgG, but not with Plg or fibrinogen (Fbg), well-established constituents of M protein-mediated protein complexes in human-associated streptococci. Notably, these soluble, SCM-mediated plasma complexes harbored complement factor C1q, which can induce complement breakdown in the periphery and therefore represent another immune evasion mechanism of SCM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Nerlich
- a Department of Internal Medicine/Infectious Diseases and Pulmonary Medicine , Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin , Berlin , Germany.,b Department of Medical Microbiology , Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research , Braunschweig , Germany
| | - Antje-Maria Lapschies
- c Institute of Microbiology and Epizootics, Centre of Infection Medicine , Freie Universität Berlin , Berlin , Germany
| | - Thomas P Kohler
- d Department of Molecular Genetics and Infection Biology, Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, Center for Functional Genomics of Microbes , University of Greifswald , Greifswald , Germany
| | - Ingrid Cornax
- e Department of Pediatrics and Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences , UC San Diego , La Jolla , CA , USA
| | - Inga Eichhorn
- c Institute of Microbiology and Epizootics, Centre of Infection Medicine , Freie Universität Berlin , Berlin , Germany
| | - Oliver Goldmann
- f Infection Immunology Group, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research , Braunschweig , Germany
| | - Petra Krienke
- c Institute of Microbiology and Epizootics, Centre of Infection Medicine , Freie Universität Berlin , Berlin , Germany
| | - Simone Bergmann
- b Department of Medical Microbiology , Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research , Braunschweig , Germany.,g Department of Infection Biology, Institute of Microbiology , Technische Universität Braunschweig , Braunschweig , Germany
| | - Victor Nizet
- e Department of Pediatrics and Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences , UC San Diego , La Jolla , CA , USA
| | - Sven Hammerschmidt
- d Department of Molecular Genetics and Infection Biology, Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, Center for Functional Genomics of Microbes , University of Greifswald , Greifswald , Germany
| | - Manfred Rohde
- b Department of Medical Microbiology , Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research , Braunschweig , Germany.,h Central Facility for Microscopy , Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research , Braunschweig , Germany
| | - Marcus Fulde
- b Department of Medical Microbiology , Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research , Braunschweig , Germany.,c Institute of Microbiology and Epizootics, Centre of Infection Medicine , Freie Universität Berlin , Berlin , Germany
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10
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Heck J, Rox K, Lünsdorf H, Lückerath T, Klaassen N, Medina E, Goldmann O, Feldmann C. Zirconyl Clindamycinphosphate Antibiotic Nanocarriers for Targeting Intracellular Persisting Staphylococcus aureus. ACS Omega 2018; 3:8589-8594. [PMID: 31458988 PMCID: PMC6644946 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.8b00637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2018] [Accepted: 07/13/2018] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
[ZrO]2+[CLP]2- (CLP: clindamycinphosphate) inorganic-organic hybrid nanoparticles (IOH-NPs) represent a novel strategy to treat persisting, recurrent infections with multiresistant Staphylococcus aureus. [ZrO]2+[CLP]2- is prepared in water and contains the approved antibiotic with unprecedented high load (82 wt % CLP per nanoparticle). The IOH-NPs result in 70-150-times higher antibiotic concentrations at difficult-to-reach infection sites, offering new options for improved drug delivery for chronic and difficult-to-treat infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joachim
G. Heck
- Institute
of Inorganic Chemistry, Karlsruhe Institute
of Technology (KIT), Engesserstrasse 15, 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Katharina Rox
- Helmholtz-Zentrum
für Infektionsforschung, Inhoffenstrasse 7, D-38124 Braunschweig, Germany
- Deutsches
Zentrum für Infektionsforschung, Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Inhoffenstrasse 7, D-38124 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Heinrich Lünsdorf
- Helmholtz-Zentrum
für Infektionsforschung, Inhoffenstrasse 7, D-38124 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Thorsten Lückerath
- Institute
of Inorganic Chemistry, Karlsruhe Institute
of Technology (KIT), Engesserstrasse 15, 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Nicole Klaassen
- Institute
of Inorganic Chemistry, Karlsruhe Institute
of Technology (KIT), Engesserstrasse 15, 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Eva Medina
- Helmholtz-Zentrum
für Infektionsforschung, Inhoffenstrasse 7, D-38124 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Oliver Goldmann
- Helmholtz-Zentrum
für Infektionsforschung, Inhoffenstrasse 7, D-38124 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Claus Feldmann
- Institute
of Inorganic Chemistry, Karlsruhe Institute
of Technology (KIT), Engesserstrasse 15, 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany
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11
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Strehlitz A, Goldmann O, Pils MC, Pessler F, Medina E. An Interferon Signature Discriminates Pneumococcal From Staphylococcal Pneumonia. Front Immunol 2018; 9:1424. [PMID: 29988532 PMCID: PMC6026679 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2018] [Accepted: 06/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common cause of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Despite the low prevalence of CAP caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), CAP patients often receive empirical antibiotic therapy providing coverage for MRSA such as vancomycin or linezolid. An early differentiation between S. pneumoniae and S. aureus pneumonia can help to reduce the use of unnecessary antibiotics. The objective of this study was to identify candidate biomarkers that can discriminate pneumococcal from staphylococcal pneumonia. A genome-wide transcriptional analysis of lung and peripheral blood performed in murine models of S. pneumoniae and S. aureus lung infection identified an interferon signature specifically associated with S. pneumoniae infection. Prediction models built using a support vector machine and Monte Carlo cross-validation, identified the combination of the interferon-induced chemokines CXCL9 and CXCL10 serum concentrations as the set of biomarkers with best sensitivity, specificity, and predictive power that enabled an accurate discrimination between S. pneumoniae and S. aureus pneumonia. The predictive performance of these biomarkers was further validated in an independent cohort of mice. This study highlights the potential of serum CXCL9 and CXCL10 biomarkers as an adjunctive diagnostic tool that could facilitate prompt and correct pathogen-targeted therapy in CAP patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Strehlitz
- Infection Immunology Research Group, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Oliver Goldmann
- Infection Immunology Research Group, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Marina C Pils
- Mouse Pathology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Frank Pessler
- Institute for Experimental Infection Research, TWINCORE Center for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
| | - Eva Medina
- Infection Immunology Research Group, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
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12
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Goldmann O, Beineke A, Medina E. Identification of a Novel Subset of Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells During Chronic Staphylococcal Infection That Resembles Immature Eosinophils. J Infect Dis 2017; 216:1444-1451. [PMID: 29029332 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jix494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2017] [Accepted: 09/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
We have previously reported that myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC), which are a heterogeneous population of immunosuppressive immature myeloid cells, expanded during chronic Staphylococcus aureus infection and promoted bacterial persistence by inhibiting effector T cells. Two major MDSC subsets, including monocytic MDSC and granulocytic MDSC, have been described to date. Here, we identified a new subset of MDSC (Eo-MDSC) in S. aureus-infected mice that phenotypically resembles eosinophils. Eo-MDSC exhibit eosinophilic cytoplasmic granules and express CD11b, the eosinophil marker Syglec-F, variable levels of CCR3, and low levels of interleukin-5Rα. Furthermore, Eo-MDSC accumulated at the site of infection and exerted a potent immunosuppressive effect on T-cell responses that was mediated by nitric oxide-dependent depletion of l-arginine. Increases in the number of Eo-MDSC by adoptive transfer caused a significant exacerbation of infection in S. aureus-infected mice. This study sheds new light on the heterogeneity and complexity of MDSC during chronic infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Goldmann
- Infection Immunology Research Group, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig
| | - Andreas Beineke
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Germany
| | - Eva Medina
- Infection Immunology Research Group, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig
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13
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Goldmann O, Medina E. Staphylococcus aureus strategies to evade the host acquired immune response. Int J Med Microbiol 2017; 308:625-630. [PMID: 28939437 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmm.2017.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2017] [Revised: 09/01/2017] [Accepted: 09/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus poses a significant public-health problem. Infection caused by S. aureus can manifest as acute or long-lasting persistent diseases that are often refractory to antibiotic and are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. To develop more effective strategies for preventing or treating these infections, it is crucial to understand why the immune response is incapable to eradicate the bacterium. When S. aureus first infect the host, there is a robust activation of the host innate immune responses. Generally, S. aureus can survive this initial interaction due to the expression of a wide array of virulence factors that interfere with the host innate immune defenses. After this initial interaction the acquired immune response is the arm of the host defenses that will try to clear the pathogen. However, S. aureus is capable of maintaining infection in the host even in the presence of a robust antigen-specific immune response. Thus, understanding the mechanisms underlying the ability of S. aureus to escape immune surveillance by the acquired immune response will help uncover potentially important targets for the development of immune-based adjunctive therapies and more efficient vaccines. There are several lines of evidence that lead us to believe that S. aureus can directly or indirectly disable the acquired immune response. This review will discuss the different immune evasion strategies used by S. aureus to modulate the different components of the acquired immune defenses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Goldmann
- Infection Immunology Research Group, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Inhoffenstrasse 7, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany.
| | - Eva Medina
- Infection Immunology Research Group, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Inhoffenstrasse 7, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany.
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14
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Koymans KJ, Goldmann O, Karlsson CAQ, Sital W, Thänert R, Bisschop A, Vrieling M, Malmström J, van Kessel KPM, de Haas CJC, van Strijp JAG, Medina E. The TLR2 Antagonist Staphylococcal Superantigen-Like Protein 3 Acts as a Virulence Factor to Promote Bacterial Pathogenicity in vivo. J Innate Immun 2017; 9:561-573. [PMID: 28858870 DOI: 10.1159/000479100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2017] [Accepted: 06/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling is important in the initiation of immune responses and subsequent instigation of adaptive immunity. TLR2 recognizes bacterial lipoproteins and plays a central role in the host defense against bacterial infections, including those caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Many studies have demonstrated the importance of TLR2 in murine S. aureus infection. S. aureus evades TLR2 activation by secreting two proteins, staphylococcal superantigen-like protein 3 (SSL3) and 4 (SSL4). In this study, we demonstrate that antibodies against SSL3 and SSL4 are found in healthy individuals, indicating that humans are exposed to these proteins during S. aureus colonization or infection. To investigate the TLR2-antagonistic properties of SSL3 and SSL4, we compared the infection with wild-type and SSL3/4 knockout S. aureus strains in an intravenous murine infection model. Direct evaluation of the contribution of SSL3/4 to infection pathogenesis was hindered by the fact that the SSLs were not expressed in the murine system. To circumvent this limitation, an SSL3-overproducing strain (pLukM-SSL3) was generated, resulting in constitutive expression of SSL3. pLukM-SSL3 exhibited increased virulence compared to the parental strain in a murine model that was found to be TLR2 dependent. Altogether, these data indicate that SSL3 contributes to S. aureus virulence in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsten J Koymans
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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15
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Blaschke U, Beineke A, Klemens J, Medina E, Goldmann O. Induction of Cyclooxygenase 2 by Streptococcus pyogenes Is Mediated by Cytolysins. J Innate Immun 2017; 9:587-597. [PMID: 28813715 DOI: 10.1159/000479153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2017] [Accepted: 07/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), an arachidonic acid metabolite regulating a broad range of physiological activities, is an important modulator of the severity of infection caused by Streptococcus pyogenes. Here, we investigated the role of streptococcal cytolysin S (SLS) and streptococcal cytolysin O (SLO) in the induction of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), the rate-limiting enzyme in the synthesis of prostaglandins, in in vitro cultured macrophages and during in vivo infection. Macrophages were infected with S. pyogenes wild type or with the isogenic mutant strains deficient in SLS (ΔSLS), SLO (ΔSLO), or both (ΔSLS/ΔSLO), and the expression of COX-2 was determined at the transcriptional and the protein level. The results indicated that S. pyogenes induced expression of COX-2 and concomitant synthesis of PGE2 in macrophages mediated by the synergistic activity of both SLS and SLO, and involved calcium and the PKC/JNK signaling pathway. These results were validated using recombinant cytolysins. In a murine skin infection model, COX-2-positive cells were found more abundant at the site of S. pyogenes wild-type infection than at the site of infection with ΔSLS/ΔSLO mutant strain. These findings suggest that inhibitory targeting of SLS and SLO could ameliorate the adverse effects of high levels of prostaglandins during S. pyogenes infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrike Blaschke
- Infection Immunology Research Group, Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, Helmholtz Center for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
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16
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Bergmann S, Eichhorn I, Kohler TP, Hammerschmidt S, Goldmann O, Rohde M, Fulde M. SCM, the M Protein of Streptococcus canis Binds Immunoglobulin G. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2017; 7:80. [PMID: 28401063 PMCID: PMC5368172 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2017.00080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2016] [Accepted: 02/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The M protein of Streptococcus canis (SCM) is a virulence factor and serves as a surface-associated receptor with a particular affinity for mini-plasminogen, a cleavage product of the broad-spectrum serine protease plasmin. Here, we report that SCM has an additional high-affinity immunoglobulin G (IgG) binding activity. The ability of a particular S. canis isolate to bind to IgG significantly correlates with a scm-positive phenotype, suggesting a dominant role of SCM as an IgG receptor. Subsequent heterologous expression of SCM in non-IgG binding S. gordonii and Western Blot analysis with purified recombinant SCM proteins confirmed its IgG receptor function. As expected for a zoonotic agent, the SCM-IgG interaction is species-unspecific, with a particular affinity of SCM for IgGs derived from human, cats, dogs, horses, mice, and rabbits, but not from cows and goats. Similar to other streptococcal IgG-binding proteins, the interaction between SCM and IgG occurs via the conserved Fc domain and is, therefore, non-opsonic. Interestingly, the interaction between SCM and IgG-Fc on the bacterial surface specifically prevents opsonization by C1q, which might constitute another anti-phagocytic mechanism of SCM. Extensive binding analyses with a variety of different truncated SCM fragments defined a region of 52 amino acids located in the central part of the mature SCM protein which is important for IgG binding. This binding region is highly conserved among SCM proteins derived from different S. canis isolates but differs significantly from IgG-Fc receptors of S. pyogenes and S. dysgalactiae sub. equisimilis, respectively. In summary, we present an additional role of SCM in the pathogen-host interaction of S. canis. The detailed analysis of the SCM-IgG interaction should contribute to a better understanding of the complex roles of M proteins in streptococcal pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Bergmann
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Helmholtz Center for Infection Research Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Inga Eichhorn
- Institute of Microbiology and Epizootics, Centre for Infection Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin Berlin, Germany
| | - Thomas P Kohler
- Department Genetics of Microorganisms, Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt Universität Greifswald Greifswald, Germany
| | - Sven Hammerschmidt
- Department Genetics of Microorganisms, Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt Universität Greifswald Greifswald, Germany
| | - Oliver Goldmann
- Department of Infection Immunology, Helmholtz Center for Infection Research Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Manfred Rohde
- Central Facility for Microscopy, Helmholtz Center for Infection Research Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Marcus Fulde
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Helmholtz Center for Infection ResearchBraunschweig, Germany; Institute of Microbiology and Epizootics, Centre for Infection Medicine, Freie Universität BerlinBerlin, Germany
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17
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Thänert R, Goldmann O, Beineke A, Medina E. Host-inherent variability influences the transcriptional response of Staphylococcus aureus during in vivo infection. Nat Commun 2017; 8:14268. [PMID: 28155859 PMCID: PMC5296661 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms14268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2016] [Accepted: 12/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The rise of antibiotic resistance calls for alternative strategies to treat bacterial infections. One attractive strategy is to directly target bacterial virulence factors with anti-virulence drugs. The expression of virulence traits by pathogens is, however, not constitutive but rather induced by the level of stress encountered within the host. Here we use dual RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to show that intrinsic variability in the level of host resistance greatly affects the pathogen's transcriptome in vivo. Through analysis of the transcriptional profiles of host and pathogen during Staphylococcus aureus infection of two mouse strains, shown to be susceptible (A/J) or resistant (C57BL/6) to the pathogen, we demonstrate that the expression of virulence factors is dependent on the encountered host resistance. We furthermore provide evidence that this dependence strongly influences the efficacy of anti-virulence strategies, highlighting a potential limitation for the implementation of these strategies. Drugs inhibiting virulence factors of bacterial pathogens are under development. Here, Thänert et al. analyse the transcriptomes of host and pathogen during Staphylococcus aureus infection of two mouse strains, and show that virulence determinants are differentially expressed in different mouse strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Thänert
- Infection Immunology Research Group, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Inhoffenstrasse 7, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Oliver Goldmann
- Infection Immunology Research Group, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Inhoffenstrasse 7, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Andreas Beineke
- Institute for Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Eva Medina
- Infection Immunology Research Group, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Inhoffenstrasse 7, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
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18
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Castiglia V, Piersigilli A, Ebner F, Janos M, Goldmann O, Damböck U, Kröger A, Weiss S, Knapp S, Jamieson AM, Kirschning C, Kalinke U, Strobl B, Müller M, Stoiber D, Lienenklaus S, Kovarik P. Type I Interferon Signaling Prevents IL-1β-Driven Lethal Systemic Hyperinflammation during Invasive Bacterial Infection of Soft Tissue. Cell Host Microbe 2016; 19:375-87. [PMID: 26962946 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2016.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2015] [Revised: 12/19/2015] [Accepted: 02/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Type I interferons (IFN-Is) are fundamental for antiviral immunity, but their role in bacterial infections is contradictory and incompletely described. Streptococcus pyogenes activates IFN-I production in innate immune cells, and IFN-I receptor 1 (Ifnar1)-deficient mice are highly susceptible to S. pyogenes infection. Here we report that IFN-I signaling protects the host against invasive S. pyogenes infection by restricting inflammation-driven damage in distant tissues. Lethality following infection in Ifnar1-deficient mice is caused by systemically exacerbated levels of the proinflammatory cytokine IL-1β. Critical cellular effectors of IFN-I in vivo are LysM+ and CD11c+ myeloid cells, which exhibit suppression of Il1b transcription upon Ifnar1 engagement. These cells are also the major source of IFN-β, which is significantly induced by S. pyogenes 23S rRNA in an Irf5-dependent manner. Our study establishes IL-1β and IFN-I levels as key homeostatic variables of protective, yet tuned, immune responses against severe invasive bacterial infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginia Castiglia
- Max F. Perutz Laboratories, University of Vienna, Vienna Biocenter (VBC), 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Alessandra Piersigilli
- Institute of Animal Pathology (COMPATH), University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland; Life Science Faculty, EPFL, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Florian Ebner
- Max F. Perutz Laboratories, University of Vienna, Vienna Biocenter (VBC), 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Marton Janos
- Max F. Perutz Laboratories, University of Vienna, Vienna Biocenter (VBC), 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Oliver Goldmann
- Infection Immunology Research Group, Helmholtz Center for Infection Research, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Ursula Damböck
- Max F. Perutz Laboratories, University of Vienna, Vienna Biocenter (VBC), 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Andrea Kröger
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Otto-von-Guericke-University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany; Department of Molecular Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Sigfried Weiss
- Department of Molecular Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Sylvia Knapp
- Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, 1090 Vienna, Austria; Department of Medicine I, Laboratory of Infection Biology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Amanda M Jamieson
- Division of Biology and Medicine, Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
| | - Carsten Kirschning
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Ulrich Kalinke
- Institute for Experimental Infection Research, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover Medical School and Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Birgit Strobl
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Mathias Müller
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Dagmar Stoiber
- Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cancer Research, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Stefan Lienenklaus
- Institute for Experimental Infection Research, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover Medical School and Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, 30625 Hannover, Germany; Institute for Laboratory Animal Science, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Pavel Kovarik
- Max F. Perutz Laboratories, University of Vienna, Vienna Biocenter (VBC), 1030 Vienna, Austria.
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Ruiz-Cruz S, Espinosa M, Goldmann O, Bravo A. Global Regulation of Gene Expression by the MafR Protein of Enterococcus faecalis. Front Microbiol 2016; 6:1521. [PMID: 26793169 PMCID: PMC4707282 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2015.01521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2015] [Accepted: 12/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Enterococcus faecalis is a natural inhabitant of the human gastrointestinal tract. However, as an opportunistic pathogen, it is able to colonize other host niches and cause life-threatening infections. Its adaptation to new environments involves global changes in gene expression. The EF3013 gene (here named mafR) of E. faecalis strain V583 encodes a protein (MafR, 482 residues) that has sequence similarity to global response regulators of the Mga/AtxA family. The enterococcal OG1RF genome also encodes the MafR protein (gene OG1RF_12293). In this work, we have identified the promoter of the mafR gene using several in vivo approaches. Moreover, we show that MafR influences positively the transcription of many genes on a genome-wide scale. The most significant target genes encode components of PTS-type membrane transporters, components of ABC-type membrane transporters, and proteins involved in the metabolism of carbon sources. Some of these genes were previously reported to be up-regulated during the growth of E. faecalis in blood and/or in human urine. Furthermore, we show that a mafR deletion mutant strain induces a significant lower degree of inflammation in the peritoneal cavity of mice, suggesting that enterococcal cells deficient in MafR are less virulent. Our work indicates that MafR is a global transcriptional regulator. It might facilitate the adaptation of E. faecalis to particular host niches and, therefore, contribute to its potential virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofía Ruiz-Cruz
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuel Espinosa
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas Madrid, Spain
| | - Oliver Goldmann
- Infection Immunology Research Group, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Alicia Bravo
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas Madrid, Spain
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Goldmann O, Tuchscherr L, Rohde M, Medina E. α-Hemolysin enhances Staphylococcus aureus internalization and survival within mast cells by modulating the expression of β1 integrin. Cell Microbiol 2016; 18:807-19. [PMID: 26595647 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.12550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2015] [Revised: 11/06/2015] [Accepted: 11/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Mast cells (MCs) are important sentinels of the host defence against invading pathogens. We previously reported that Staphylococcus aureus evaded the extracellular antimicrobial activities of MCs by promoting its internalization within these cells via β1 integrins. Here, we investigated the molecular mechanisms governing this process. We found that S. aureus responded to the antimicrobial mediators released by MCs by up-regulating the expression of α-hemolysin (Hla), fibronectin-binding protein A and several regulatory systems. We also found that S. aureus induced the up-regulation of β1 integrin expression on MCs and that this effect was mediated by Hla-ADAM10 (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase 10) interaction. Thus, deletion of Hla or inhibition of Hla-ADAM10 interaction significantly impaired S. aureus internalization within MCs. Furthermore, purified Hla but not the inactive HlaH35L induced up-regulation of β1 integrin expression in MCs in a dose-dependent manner. Our data support a model in which S. aureus counter-reacts the extracellular microbicidal mechanisms of MCs by increasing expression of fibronectin-binding proteins and by inducing Hla-ADAM10-mediated up-regulation of β1 integrin in MCs. The up-regulation of bacterial fibronectin-binding proteins, concomitantly with the increased expression of its receptor β1 integrin on the MCs, resulted in enhanced S. aureus internalization through the binding of fibronectin-binding proteins to integrin β1 via fibronectin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Goldmann
- Infection Immunology Research Group, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Inhoffenstrasse 7, 38124, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Lorena Tuchscherr
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, University Hospital of Jena, Erlanger Allee 101, 07747, Jena, Germany
| | - Manfred Rohde
- Central Facility for Microscopy, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Inhoffenstrasse 7, 38124, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Eva Medina
- Infection Immunology Research Group, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Inhoffenstrasse 7, 38124, Braunschweig, Germany
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Leidinger P, Treptow J, Hagens K, Eich J, Zehethofer N, Schwudke D, Oehlmann W, Lünsdorf H, Goldmann O, Schaible UE, Dittmar KEJ, Feldmann C. Isoniazid@Fe2O3Nanocontainers and Their Antibacterial Effect on Tuberculosis Mycobacteria. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2015; 54:12597-601. [DOI: 10.1002/anie.201505493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2015] [Revised: 07/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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Leidinger P, Treptow J, Hagens K, Eich J, Zehethofer N, Schwudke D, Oehlmann W, Lünsdorf H, Goldmann O, Schaible UE, Dittmar KEJ, Feldmann C. Isoniazid@Fe2O3-Nanocontainer mit antibakterieller Wirkung auf Tuberkulose-Mykobakterien. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2015. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201505493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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Tsatsaronis JA, Ly D, Pupovac A, Goldmann O, Rohde M, Taylor JM, Walker MJ, Medina E, Sanderson-Smith ML. Group A Streptococcus Modulates Host Inflammation by Manipulating Polymorphonuclear Leukocyte Cell Death Responses. J Innate Immun 2015; 7:612-22. [PMID: 25997401 DOI: 10.1159/000430498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2014] [Accepted: 04/15/2015] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) cell death strongly influences the resolution of inflammatory episodes, and may exacerbate adverse pathologies in response to infection. We investigated PMN cell death mechanisms following infection by virulent group A Streptococcus (GAS). Human PMNs were infected in vitro with a clinical, virulent GAS isolate and an avirulent derivative strain, and compared for phagocytosis, the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial membrane depolarization and apoptotic markers. C57BL/6J mice were then infected, in order to observe the effects on murine PMNs in vivo. Human PMNs phagocytosed virulent GAS less efficiently, produced less ROS and underwent reduced mitochondrial membrane depolarization compared with phagocytosis of avirulent GAS. Morphological and biochemical analyses revealed that PMNs infected with avirulent GAS exhibited nuclear fragmentation and caspase-3 activation consistent with an anti-inflammatory apoptotic phenotype. Conversely, virulent GAS induced PMN vacuolization and plasma membrane permeabilization, leading to a necrotic form of cell death. Infection of the mice with virulent GAS engendered significantly higher systemic pro-inflammatory cytokine release and localized infiltration of murine PMNs, with cells associated with virulent GAS infection exhibiting reduced apoptotic potential. Avirulent GAS infection was associated with lower levels of proinflammatory cytokines and tissue PMN apoptosis. We propose that the differences in PMN cell death mechanisms influence the inflammatory responses to infection by GAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- James A Tsatsaronis
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute and School of Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, N.S.W., Australia
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Loof TG, Goldmann O, Naudin C, Mörgelin M, Neumann Y, Pils MC, Foster SJ, Medina E, Herwald H. Staphylococcus aureus-induced clotting of plasma is an immune evasion mechanism for persistence within the fibrin network. Microbiology (Reading) 2014; 161:621-627. [PMID: 25533444 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.000019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Recent work has shown that coagulation and innate immunity are tightly interwoven host responses that help eradicate an invading pathogen. Some bacterial species, including Staphylococcus aureus, secrete pro-coagulant factors that, in turn, can modulate these immune reactions. Such mechanisms may not only protect the micro-organism from a lethal attack, but also promote bacterial proliferation and the establishment of infection. Our data showed that coagulase-positive S. aureus bacteria promoted clotting of plasma which was not seen when a coagulase-deficient mutant strain was used. Furthermore, in vitro studies showed that this ability constituted a mechanism that supported the aggregation, survival and persistence of the micro-organism within the fibrin network. These findings were also confirmed when agglutination and persistence of coagulase-positive S. aureus bacteria at the local focus of infection were studied in a subcutaneous murine infection model. In contrast, the coagulase-deficient S. aureus strain which was not able to induce clotting failed to aggregate and to persist in vivo. In conclusion, our data suggested that coagulase-positive S. aureus have evolved mechanisms that prevent their elimination within a fibrin clot.
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Affiliation(s)
- Torsten G Loof
- 1Department of Clinical Sciences, Division of Infection Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,2Infection Immunology Research Group, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Oliver Goldmann
- 2Infection Immunology Research Group, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Clément Naudin
- 1Department of Clinical Sciences, Division of Infection Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Matthias Mörgelin
- 1Department of Clinical Sciences, Division of Infection Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Yvonne Neumann
- 3Institute of Molecular and Clinical Immunology, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Germany.,4Systems-oriented Immunology and Inflammation Research Group, Department of Immune Control, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Marina C Pils
- 5Mousepathology, Animal Experimental Unit, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Simon J Foster
- 6Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Eva Medina
- 2Infection Immunology Research Group, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Heiko Herwald
- 1Department of Clinical Sciences, Division of Infection Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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Lak A, Dieckhoff J, Ludwig F, Scholtyssek JM, Goldmann O, Lünsdorf H, Eberbeck D, Kornowski A, Kraken M, Litterst FJ, Fiege K, Mischnick P, Schilling M. Highly stable monodisperse PEGylated iron oxide nanoparticle aqueous suspensions: a nontoxic tracer for homogeneous magnetic bioassays. Nanoscale 2013; 5:11447-11455. [PMID: 24056778 DOI: 10.1039/c3nr02197a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Uniformly sized and shaped iron oxide nanoparticles with a mean size of 25 nm were synthesized via decomposition of iron-oleate. High resolution transmission electron microscopy and Mössbauer spectroscopy investigations revealed that the particles are spheres primarily composed of Fe3O4 with a small fraction of FeO. From Mössbauer and static magnetization measurements, it was deduced that the particles are superparamagnetic at room temperature. The hydrophobic particles were successfully transferred into water via PEGylation using nitrodopamine as an anchoring group. IR spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis showed the success and efficiency of the phase transfer reaction. After PEGylation, the particles retained monodispersity and their magnetic core remained intact as proven by photon cross-correlation spectroscopy, ac susceptibility, and transmission electron microscopy. The particle aqueous suspensions revealed excellent water stability over a month of monitoring and also against temperature up to 40 °C. The particles exhibited a moderate cytotoxic effect on in vitro cultured bone marrow-derived macrophages and no release of inflammatory or anti-inflammatory cytokines. The PEGylated particles were functionalized with Herceptin antibodies via a conjugation chemistry, their response to a rotating magnetic field was studied using a fluxgate-based setup and was compared with the one recorded for hydrophobic and PEGylated particles. The particle phase lag rose after labeling with Herceptin, indicating the successful conjugation of Herceptin antibodies to the particles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aidin Lak
- TU Braunschweig, Institute of Electrical Measurement and Fundamental Electrical Engineering, Hans-Sommer-St. 66, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany.
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26
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Rosendahl A, Bergmann S, Hammerschmidt S, Goldmann O, Medina E. Lung dendritic cells facilitate extrapulmonary bacterial dissemination during pneumococcal pneumonia. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2013; 3:21. [PMID: 23802100 PMCID: PMC3689026 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2013.00021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2013] [Accepted: 06/04/2013] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus pneumoniae is a leading cause of bacterial pneumonia worldwide. Given the critical role of dendritic cells (DCs) in regulating and modulating the immune response to pathogens, we investigated here the role of DCs in S. pneumoniae lung infections. Using a well-established transgenic mouse line which allows the conditional transient depletion of DCs, we showed that ablation of DCs resulted in enhanced resistance to intranasal challenge with S. pneumoniae. DCs-depleted mice exhibited delayed bacterial systemic dissemination, significantly reduced bacterial loads in the infected organs and lower levels of serum inflammatory mediators than non-depleted animals. The increased resistance of DCs-depleted mice to S. pneumoniae was associated with a better capacity to restrict pneumococci extrapulmonary dissemination. Furthermore, we demonstrated that S. pneumoniae disseminated from the lungs into the regional lymph nodes in a cell-independent manner and that this direct way of dissemination was much more efficient in the presence of DCs. We also provide evidence that S. pneumoniae induces expression and activation of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in cultured bone marrow-derived DCs. MMP-9 is a protease involved in the breakdown of extracellular matrix proteins and is critical for DC trafficking across extracellular matrix and basement membranes during the migration from the periphery to the lymph nodes. MMP-9 was also significantly up-regulated in the lungs of mice after intranasal infection with S. pneumoniae. Notably, the expression levels of MMP-9 in the infected lungs were significantly decreased after depletion of DCs suggesting the involvement of DCs in MMP-9 production during pneumococcal pneumonia. Thus, we propose that S. pneumoniae can exploit the DC-derived proteolysis to open tissue barriers thereby facilitating its own dissemination from the local site of infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alva Rosendahl
- Infection Immunology Research Group, Department of Medical Microbiology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research Braunschweig, Germany
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27
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Horst SA, Linnér A, Beineke A, Lehne S, Höltje C, Hecht A, Norrby-Teglund A, Medina E, Goldmann O. Prognostic value and therapeutic potential of TREM-1 in Streptococcus pyogenes- induced sepsis. J Innate Immun 2013; 5:581-90. [PMID: 23571837 DOI: 10.1159/000348283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2012] [Accepted: 01/21/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
TREM-1 (triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells) is a surface molecule expressed on neutrophils and macrophages which has been implicated in the amplification of inflammatory responses triggered during infection. In the present study, we have investigated the clinical significance of TREM-1 in Streptococcus pyogenes-induced severe sepsis in both experimentally infected mice as well as in patients with streptococcal toxic shock. We found that S. pyogenes induced a dose-dependent upregulation of TREM-1 in in vitro cultured phagocytic cells and in the organs of S. pyogenes-infected mice. Furthermore, we reported a positive correlation between serum levels of soluble TREM-1 (sTREM-1) and disease severity in infected patients as well as in experimentally infected mice. Hence, sTREM-1 may represent a useful surrogate marker for streptococcal sepsis. We found that modulation of TREM-1 by administration of the TREM-1 decoy receptor rTREM-1/Fc substantially attenuated the synthesis of inflammatory cytokines. More importantly, treatment of S. pyogenes-infected septic mice with rTREM-1/Fc or the synthetically produced conserved extracellular domain LP17 significantly improved disease outcome. In summary, our data suggest that TREM-1 may not only represent a valuable marker for S. pyogenes infection severity but it may also be an attractive target for the treatment of streptococcal sepsis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A Horst
- Infection Immunology Research Group, Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, Helmholtz Center for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
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Abstract
The release of extracellular traps (ETs) is a recently described mechanism of innate immune response to infection. Although ETs have been intensely investigated in the context of neutrophil antimicrobial effector mechanisms, other immune cells such as mast cells, eosinophils, and macrophages can also release these structures. The different ETs have several features in common, regardless of the type of cells from which they originated, including a DNA backbone with embedded antimicrobial peptides, proteases, and histones. However, they also exhibit remarkable individual differences such as the type of sub-cellular compartments from where the DNA backbone originates (e.g., nucleus or mitochondria), the proportion of responding cells within the pool, and/or the molecular mechanism/s underlying the ETs formation. This review summarizes the knowledge accumulated in recent years regarding the complex and expanding world of ETs and their role in immune function with particular emphasis on the role of other immune cells rather than on neutrophils exclusively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Goldmann
- Infection Immunology Research Group, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research Braunschweig, Germany
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Schindler D, Gutierrez MG, Beineke A, Rauter Y, Rohde M, Foster S, Goldmann O, Medina E. Dendritic Cells Are Central Coordinators of the Host Immune Response to Staphylococcus aureus Bloodstream Infection. The American Journal of Pathology 2012; 181:1327-37. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2012.06.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2012] [Revised: 05/06/2012] [Accepted: 06/14/2012] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Ziegler C, Goldmann O, Hobeika E, Geffers R, Peters G, Medina E. The dynamics of T cells during persistent Staphylococcus aureus infection: from antigen-reactivity to in vivo anergy. EMBO Mol Med 2011; 3:652-66. [PMID: 21887823 PMCID: PMC3377109 DOI: 10.1002/emmm.201100173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2011] [Revised: 07/22/2011] [Accepted: 07/25/2011] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is an important human pathogen that can cause long-lasting persistent infections. The mechanisms by which persistent infections are maintained involve both bacterial escape strategies and modulation of the host immune response. So far, the investigations in this area have focused on strategies used by S. aureus to persist within the host. Here, we used an experimental mouse model to investigate the host response to persistent S. aureus infection. Our results demonstrated that T cells, which are critical for controlling S. aureus infection, gradually lost their ability to respond to antigenic stimulation and entered a state of anergy with the progression of infection towards persistence. The T cell hyporesponsiveness was reverted by co-stimulation with the phorbol ester PMA, an activator of protein kinase C, suggesting that a failure in the T cell receptor (TCR)-proximal signalling events underlie the hyporesponsive phenotype. The presence of these anergic antigen-specific T cells may contribute to the failure of the host immune response to promote sterilizing immunity during persistent S. aureus infection and also offers new possibilities for novel immunotherapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Ziegler
- Infection Immunology Research Group, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
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Medina E, Goldmann O. In vivo and ex vivo protocols for measuring the killing of extracellular pathogens by macrophages. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; Chapter 14:Unit 14.19.1-17. [PMID: 21400679 DOI: 10.1002/0471142735.im1419s92] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
This unit describes a series of in vivo/ex vivo combined protocols for investigating the interactions (adhesion, phagocytosis, and killing) of extracellular bacteria with peritoneal murine macrophages. It includes steps needed for in vivo infection of murine peritoneal macrophages after intraperitoneal inoculation with the pathogen of interest, as well as the measurement of bacteria associated with or truly internalized by these phagocytic cells. Several protocols for the ex vivo measurement of the ability of peritoneal macrophages to kill the microorganisms that have been ingested during the in vivo infection assay are included.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Medina
- Infection Immunology Research Group, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
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Abel J, Goldmann O, Ziegler C, Höltje C, Smeltzer MS, Cheung AL, Bruhn D, Rohde M, Medina E. Staphylococcus aureus Evades the Extracellular Antimicrobial Activity of Mast Cells by Promoting Its Own Uptake. J Innate Immun 2011; 3:495-507. [DOI: 10.1159/000327714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2011] [Accepted: 03/22/2011] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
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Goldmann O, Hertzén E, Hecht A, Schmidt H, Lehne S, Norrby-Teglund A, Medina E. Inducible cyclooxygenase released prostaglandin E2 modulates the severity of infection caused by Streptococcus pyogenes. J Immunol 2010; 185:2372-81. [PMID: 20644176 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1000838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Streptococcus pyogenes is a significant human pathogen that can cause life-threatening invasive infections. Understanding the mechanism of disease is crucial to the development of more effective therapies. In this report, we explored the role of PGE(2), an arachidonic acid metabolite, and its rate-limiting enzyme cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) in the pathogenesis of severe S. pyogenes infections. We found that the COX-2 expression levels in tissue biopsies from S. pyogenes-infected patients, as well as in tissue of experimentally infected mice, strongly correlated with the severity of infection. This harmful effect was attributed to PGE(2)-mediated suppression of the bactericidial activity of macrophages through interaction with the G2-coupled E prostanoid receptor. The suppressive effect of PGE(2) was associated with enhanced intracellular cAMP production and was mimicked by the cAMP-elevating agent, forskolin. Activation of protein kinase A (PKA) was the downstream effector mechanisms of cAMP because treatment with PKI(14-22), a highly specific inhibitor of PKA, prevented the PGE(2)-mediated inhibition of S. pyogenes killing in macrophages. The inhibitory effect exerted by PKA in the generation of antimicrobial oxygen radical species seems to be the ultimate effector mechanism responsible for the PGE(2)-mediated downregulation of the macrophage bactericidal activity. Importantly, either genetic ablation of COX-2, pharmacological inhibition of COX-2 or treatment with the G2-coupled E prostanoid antagonist, AH6809, significantly improved the disease outcome in S. pyogenes infected mice. Therefore, the results of this study open up new perspectives on potential molecular pathways that are prone to pharmacological manipulation during severe streptococcal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Goldmann
- Infection Immunology Research Group, Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
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Goldmann O, Lehne S, Medina E. Age-related susceptibility to Streptococcus pyogenes infection in mice: underlying immune dysfunction and strategy to enhance immunity. J Pathol 2010; 220:521-9. [PMID: 20020512 DOI: 10.1002/path.2664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Epidemiological studies have shown that the elderly are at higher risk of severe Streptococcus pyogenes infections. In this study, we used a mouse model that displays the age-related loss of resistance to S. pyogenes infection seen in humans to investigate the impaired immune mechanism underlying the age-associated susceptibility to this pathogen. Young (2-3 months old) and aged (>20 months old) BALB/c mice were subcutaneously or intravenously inoculated with S. pyogenes and their capacity to control infection was compared. Aged mice showed faster progression of disease, earlier morbidity, and increased mortality when compared with young animals. Since macrophages are critical for host defence against S. pyogenes, we investigated whether susceptibility of aged mice may be due to an age-associated decline in the functionality of these cells. Our results showed that macrophages from aged mice were as capable as those from young animals to uptake and kill S. pyogenes, but the number of resident tissue macrophages was significantly reduced in the aged host. Treatment of aged mice with macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) significantly increased the number of resident macrophages and improved their response to infection. Our results indicate that treatment with M-CSF can restore, at least in part, the mechanisms affected by immunosenescence and enhance the natural resistance of aged mice to infection with S. pyogenes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Goldmann
- Infection Immunology Research Group, Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Inhoffenstrasse 7, D-38124 Braunschweig, Germany
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Loof TG, Goldmann O, Gessner A, Herwald H, Medina E. Aberrant inflammatory response to Streptococcus pyogenes in mice lacking myeloid differentiation factor 88. Am J Pathol 2009; 176:754-63. [PMID: 20019195 DOI: 10.2353/ajpath.2010.090422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Several in vitro studies have emphasized the importance of toll-like receptor/myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) signaling in the inflammatory response to Streptococcus pyogenes. Since the extent of inflammation has been implicated in the severity of streptococcal diseases, we have examined here the role of toll-like receptor/MyD88 signaling in the pathophysiology of experimental S. pyogenes infection. To this end, we compared the response of MyD88-knockout (MyD88(-/-)) after subcutaneous inoculation with S. pyogenes with that of C57BL/6 mice. Our results show that MyD88(-/-) mice harbored significantly more bacteria in the organs and succumbed to infection much earlier than C57BL/6 animals. Absence of MyD88 resulted in diminished production of inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-12, interferon-gamma, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha as well as chemoattractants such as monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) and Keratinocyte-derived chemokine (KC), and hampered recruitment of effector cells involved in bacterial clearance (macrophages and neutrophils) to the infection site. Furthermore, MyD88(-/-) but not C57BL/6 mice exhibited a massive infiltration of eosinophils in infected organs, which can be explained by an impaired production of the regulatory chemokines, gamma interferon-induced monokine (MIG/CXCL9) and interferon-induced protein 10 (IP-10/CXCL10), which can inhibit transmigration of eosinophils. Our results indicate that MyD88 signaling targets effector cells to the site of streptococcal infection and prevents extravasation of cells that can induce tissue damage. Therefore, MyD88 signaling may be important for shaping the quality of the inflammatory response elicited during infection to ensure optimal effector functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Torsten G Loof
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, Infection Immunology Research Group, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, D-38124 Braunschweig, Germany
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Goldmann O, Sastalla I, Wos-Oxley M, Rohde M, Medina E. Streptococcus pyogenesinduces oncosis in macrophages through the activation of an inflammatory programmed cell death pathway. Cell Microbiol 2009; 11:138-55. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1462-5822.2008.01245.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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Schulze K, Goldmann O, Medina E, Guzmán CA. The FAI protein of group C streptococci acts as a mucosal adjuvant by the specific targeting and activation of B cells. Int J Med Microbiol 2008; 298:3-10. [PMID: 17884726 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmm.2007.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Adjuvants are usually required to stimulate efficient immune responses after vaccination by the mucosal route. Unfortunately, only a few molecules have been described, which exhibit this property. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop new mucosal adjuvants. Our results demonstrate that the fibrinogen-albumin-IgG receptor (FAI) from group C streptococci is a promising mucosal adjuvant. Strong antigen-specific antibody responses were stimulated at both systemic and mucosal levels when model antigens were co-administered with FAI. Immunizations performed using truncated derivatives demonstrated that the fragment encompassing the IgG- and fibrinogen-binding regions represents the minimal domain possessing adjuvant activity. FAI specifically targets B cells, thereby supporting their activation and antibody production, even in the absence of T cell help. Co-administration of antigens with FAI also resulted in elicitation of strong antibody responses in CBA/N Xid mice, which exhibit a deficiency in humoral immunity. The overcoming of their unresponsiveness by co-administration of FAI suggests that this promising adjuvant can be exploited for the establishment of vaccination strategies in patients affected by immune deficiencies of the B cell compartment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Schulze
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Vaccinology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Inhoffenstrasse 7, D-38124 Braunschweig, Germany
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Goldmann O, von Köckritz-Blickwede M, Höltje C, Chhatwal GS, Geffers R, Medina E. Transcriptome analysis of murine macrophages in response to infection with Streptococcus pyogenes reveals an unusual activation program. Infect Immun 2007; 75:4148-57. [PMID: 17526748 PMCID: PMC1951976 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00181-07] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2007] [Revised: 04/13/2007] [Accepted: 05/15/2007] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The complex response of murine macrophages to infection with Streptococcus pyogenes was investigated at the level of gene expression with a high-density oligomer microarray. More than 400 genes were identified as being differentially regulated. Many of the up-regulated genes encode molecules involved in the immune response and in inflammation, transcription, signaling, apoptosis, the cell cycle, electron transport, and cell adhesion. Of particular interest was the up-regulation of proinflammatory cytokines, typical of the classically activated macrophages (M1 phenotype), such as tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin 1 (IL-1), and IL-6, and as well as the up-regulation of anti-inflammatory mediators, such as IL-1 decoy receptor and IL-10, associated with alternative macrophage activation (M2 phenotype). Furthermore, the gene encoding inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), an enzyme typically implicated in classical activation, was not induced in infected macrophages. Instead, the gene encoding arginase, a competitor for the iNOS substrate arginine involved in the alternative activation pathway, was up-regulated in S. pyogenes-infected cells. Thus, the microarray-based gene expression analysis demonstrated that S. pyogenes induces an atypical activation program in macrophages, with some but not all features of the classical or alternative activation phenotypes. The microarray data also suggested that the bactericidal activity of macrophages against S. pyogenes is mediated by phagocyte oxidase, as p47phox was up-regulated in infected cells. Indeed, the in vivo and in vitro killing of S. pyogenes was markedly diminished in the absence of functional phagocyte (p47(phox-/-)) but not in the absence of iNOS (iNOS(-/-)). An understanding of how macrophages respond to S. pyogenes at the molecular level may facilitate the development of new therapeutic paradigms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Goldmann
- Infection Immunology Research Group, Helmholtz Center for Infection Research, Inhoffenstrasse 7, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
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Klein C, Medina E, Sander L, Dierssen U, Roskams T, Mueller W, Trautwein C, Goldmann O. Contribution of interleukin-6/gp 130 signaling in hepatocytes to the inflammatory response in mice infected with Streptococcus pyogenes. J Infect Dis 2007; 196:755-62. [PMID: 17674319 DOI: 10.1086/520090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2006] [Accepted: 03/21/2007] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sepsis and septic shock caused by gram-positive bacteria have become increasingly frequent clinical problems. These conditions are accompanied by an overwhelming inflammation in which the liver plays a central role as a source and target of inflammatory mediators. Sepsis is still associated with high mortality rates, and new intervention strategies directed at ameliorating the extent of the inflammatory reaction are strongly needed. Here, we investigated whether blockage of the transducer gp130, a receptor involved in the regulation of the inflammatory response, might be useful in the treatment of experimental gram-positive sepsis. METHODS An experimental model of gram-positive sepsis was used in which liver-specific gp130-deficient mice (FVB/n alfpCre+ gp130(LoxP/LoxP)) and wild-type mice (FVB/n gp130(LoxP/LoxP)) were intravenously infected with Streptococcus pyogenes. The following parameters were monitored: mortality, bacterial loads in systemic organs, serum inflammatory cytokine levels, and organ damage. RESULTS We show that infected gp130-deficient mice survived significantly longer, had lower bacterial loads, and developed organ damage more slowly than infected wild-type mice. Furthermore, levels of interferon- gamma , interleukin-6, and the chemokine cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant were significantly lower in gp130-deficient mice than in wild-type mice. Histopathological examination of livers showed lower amounts of neutrophil infiltration, apoptosis, and tissue damage in infected gp130-deficient mice than in wild-type mice. CONCLUSION Our results demonstrate that the gp130 receptor is involved in the regulation of inflammation during gram-positive sepsis and that blockage of gp130 signaling in hepatocytes could constitute a novel target for adjunctive therapy in patients with sepsis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Klein
- Medizinische Klinik III, University Hospital Aachen, Rheinisch-Westfalisch Techniche Hochschule Aachen, Aachen, Germany.
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Goldmann O, Lengeling A, Böse J, Bloecker H, Geffers R, Chhatwal GS, Medina E. The role of the MHC on resistance to group a streptococci in mice. J Immunol 2005; 175:3862-72. [PMID: 16148132 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.175.6.3862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The severity of infection with Streptococcus pyogenes is strongly influenced by the host's genetics. This observation extends to the murine model of streptococcal infection, where the background of the mouse strain determines the infection outcome (BALB/c are resistant, whereas C3H/HeN are susceptible). To determine the extent to which the MHC complex (H2) contributed to diseases susceptibility, the response to S. pyogenes of congenic BALB mice from a resistant background (BALB/c), but carrying the H2(k) region of susceptible C3H/HeN mice (BALB/k), was examined. BALB/k were as susceptible as the H2 donor strain (C3H/HeN). Linkage analysis performed in F(2) backcross ([BALB/c x C3H/HeN] x BALB/c) mice confirmed the presence of a susceptibility locus within the H2 region on proximal chromosome 17. The possibility that modulation of T cell responses to streptococcal superantigens (GAS-SAgs) by different H2 haplotypes may influence disease severity was examined. BALB/k exhibited a significantly stronger response at the level of cell proliferation and cytokine production to GAS-SAgs than did BALB/c mice. However, the fact that T cell-deficient SCID-C3H/HeN mice also exhibited a susceptible phenotype suggests a more important contribution of innate effector cells to disease susceptibility. Lower transcriptional levels of certain inflammation-related regulatory genes located on chromosome 17 were detected in macrophages from susceptible than in those from resistant mice in response to infection. These results suggest that susceptibility to S. pyogenes may be associated with an altered transcription of specific genes that may compromise the endogenous regulatory processes controlling the inflammatory cascade and favor the progression to sepsis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Goldmann
- Infection Immunology Group, Gesellschaft fur Biotechnologishe Forschung-German Research Center for Biotechnology, Braunschweig, Germany
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Goldmann O, Chhatwal GS, Medina E. Contribution of natural killer cells to the pathogenesis of septic shock induced by Streptococcus pyogenes in mice. J Infect Dis 2005; 191:1280-6. [PMID: 15776374 DOI: 10.1086/428501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2004] [Accepted: 10/27/2004] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are critical components of the innate immune system and have been implicated in the pathogenesis of septic shock. In the present study, the relative contribution of NK cells to the development of Streptococcus pyogenes-induced septic shock was investigated in a mouse model of group A streptococcal infection that resembles the development of this condition in humans. C3H/HeN mice were depleted of NK cells by in vivo administration of anti-asialo ganglio-N-tetraosylceramide antibodies and then were examined for their response to infection with S. pyogenes. NK cell-depleted mice exhibited increased survival times and slower development of disease during group A streptococcal infection than did nondepleted control mice. The augmented resistance to S. pyogenes observed in NK cell-depleted mice was associated with serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines such as interferon- gamma, interleukin (IL)-12, and IL-6 during the early phase of infection that were much lower than those detected in nondepleted control mice. NK cell-deficient mutant mice were also more resistant to S. pyogenes than were the corresponding control mice. We conclude that NK cells, by amplifying the inflammatory response, significantly contribute to the progression of S. pyogenes-induced septic shock.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Goldmann
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Vaccine Research, GBF--German Research Center for Biotechnology, Braunschweig, Germany
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Schulze K, Goldmann O, Toppel A, Medina E, Guzmán CA. The FAI protein of group C streptococci targets B-cells and exhibits adjuvant activity. Vaccine 2005; 23:1408-13. [PMID: 15661390 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2004.08.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2004] [Accepted: 08/17/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
We have demonstrated that the fibrinogen-albumin-IgG receptor of group C streptococci (FAI) targets B-cells in vivo. We exploited the targeting properties of FAI to improve the immune responses stimulated by soluble antigens administered by the mucosal route. Enhanced systemic and mucosal immune responses were observed in mice after intranasal immunization when ovalbumin was fused to FAI or truncated derivatives. The FAI fragment encompassing the IgG- and fibrinogen-binding regions was the minimal domain exhibiting optimal carrier/adjuvant properties. The obtained results suggest that the FAI protein represents a useful tool to improve the immunogenicity of vaccine antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Schulze
- Vaccine Research Group, Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Vaccine Research, Division of Microbiology, GBF-German Research Centre for Biotechnology, Mascheroder Weg 1, D-38124 Braunschweig, Germany
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Abstract
Macrophages provide the first line of defense against invading pathogens. The aim of this study was to determine the role of macrophages during infection with group A streptococci (Streptococcus pyogenes) in mice. Here, we report that resident macrophages can efficiently take up and kill S. pyogenes during in vivo infection, as demonstrated by immunofluorescence and electron microscopy, as well as colony counts. To evaluate the contribution of macrophages to the resolution of experimental infection with S. pyogenes, we compared the susceptibility of BALB/c mice rendered macrophage deficient by treatment with carrageenan with that of intact mice. The results show that depletion of macrophages enhanced the susceptibility of BALB/c mice to S. pyogenes infection, as evidenced by 100% mortality of macrophage-depleted mice compared to 90% survival of nondepleted control animals. The in vivo depletion of macrophages strongly enhanced bacterial loads in the blood and systemic organs. Resistance to S. pyogenes can be restored in macrophage-depleted mice by adoptive transfer of purified macrophages. The in vivo blocking of the macrophage phagocytic function by treatment with gadolinium III chloride also resulted in enhanced susceptibility to S. pyogenes. Interestingly, depletion of macrophages prior to or during the first 24 h of infection decreased survival dramatically; in contrast, no mortality was observed in infected nondepleted animals or mice depleted after 48 h of infection. These results emphasize the important contribution of macrophages to the early control of S. pyogenes infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Goldmann
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Vaccine Research, GBF-German Research Centre for Biotechnology, Braunschweig, Germany
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Goldmann O, Chhatwal GS, Medina E. Role of host genetic factors in susceptibility to group A streptococcal infections. Indian J Med Res 2004; 119 Suppl:141-3. [PMID: 15232180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES Epidemiological evidences indicate that host genetic factors might be critical in determining susceptibility to infection with group A streptococci (GAS). The objective of the present study was to determine the extent to which the genetic background of the mouse strain affected induction and resolution of GAS infection. METHODS Several inbred mouse strains were intravenously infected with Streptococcus pyogenes strain A20 and the mean survival times of mice was recorded overtime. Bacterial loads were determined in liver and spleen of infected animals at 48 h postinoculation. RESULTS Different strains of mice exhibited differential susceptibility to GAS infection. After systemic infection with S. pyogenes, inbred mice showed substantial differences in mortality and bacterial loads. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION This study provides further evidences that a genetic component is associated with host susceptibility or resistance to GAS infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Goldmann
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Microbial Pathogenesis & Vaccine Research, GBF-National Research Centre for Biotechnology, Braunschweig, Germany
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Goldmann O, Chhatwal GS, Medina E. Immune mechanisms underlying host susceptibility to infection with group A streptococci. J Infect Dis 2003; 187:854-61. [PMID: 12599060 DOI: 10.1086/368390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2002] [Revised: 10/22/2002] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Different strains of mice differ markedly in their susceptibility to group A streptococci (GAS) infection, with BALB/c mice being much more resistant than C3H/HeN mice. In this study, we examined the mechanisms underlying host resistance/susceptibility to GAS infection in these 2 mouse strains. Resolution of GAS infection in BALB/c mice correlated with effective control of bacterial proliferation and moderate inflammatory response. In contrast, C3H/HeN mice failed to control bacterial growth and, in response to infection, produced a vigorous inflammatory reaction that resulted in extensive tissue destruction, organ failure, and death. In addition, in response to in vitro stimulation with GAS products, spleen cells from C3H/HeN mice had stronger proliferative activity and greater IFN-gamma production than did those from BALB/c mice. Therefore, the failure to restrict bacterial growth, the concomitant high levels of bacterial products, and the genetic predisposition to produce high levels of inflammatory mediators seem to be responsible for the susceptibility of C3H/HeN mice to GAS infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Goldmann
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Vaccine Research, GBF-German Research Centre for Biotechnology, Mascheroder Weg 1, D-38124 Braunschweig, Germany
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Medina E, Goldmann O, Toppel AW, Chhatwal GS. Survival of Streptococcus pyogenes within host phagocytic cells: a pathogenic mechanism for persistence and systemic invasion. J Infect Dis 2003; 187:597-603. [PMID: 12599076 DOI: 10.1086/373998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2002] [Revised: 10/18/2002] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus pyogenes is generally an extracellular pathogen that can survive and persist within the host by circumventing the host defense mechanisms. To achieve this, S. pyogenes has developed a number of strategies to circumvent the host immune system (e.g., virulence factors directed to prevent phagocytosis). By use of a murine model of skin infection, it was shown that survival within host phagocytic cells constitutes an additional strategy used by S. pyogenes to evade the host defenses and disseminate. Viable microorganisms were isolated from mouse phagocytic cells after in vitro or during in vivo infection. The capacity of intracellularly located bacteria to establish infection was demonstrated by the efficiency of gentamicin-treated neutrophils isolated from infected mice to transfer infection when injected intravenously into naive mice. The ability of S. pyogenes to exploit the inflammatory response of the host by surviving inside phagocytic cells may constitute an additional virulence mechanism of this pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Medina
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Vaccine Research, German Research Centre for Biotechnology, Braunschweig, Germany.
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Goldmann O, Rohde M, Medina E. Phagocytosis of bacille Calmette-Guérin-infected necrotic macrophages induces a maturation phenotype and evokes antigen-presentation functions in dendritic cells. Immunology 2002; 107:500-6. [PMID: 12460195 PMCID: PMC1782828 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2567.2002.01536.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The interaction of pathogens with dendritic cells (DCs) seems to play a critical role in the initiation of the immune response. Tissue damage and induction of an inflammatory reaction are events frequently associated with the progression of the infection. Although DCs are very efficient at phagocytosing pathogens, the capacity of these cells to uptake microbes from a necrotic environment has not yet been proven. Here we have investigated the ability of murine bone marrow-derived DCs to maturate and acquire antigen-presentation functions when cocultured with bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG)-infected necrotic macrophages. Immature DCs exhibited a prominent capacity to ingest necrotic material as demonstrated by flow cytometry analysis and confocal microscopy. Furthermore, after exposure to BCG-infected necrotic macrophages, DCs underwent phenotypic changes, including the up-regulation of maturation specific markers (major histocompatibility complex class II, CD40, CD80, and CD86) and the capacity to stimulate antigen-specific CD4+ T cells with higher efficiency than when they were directly infected with a similar number of bacteria. Antigen presentation following phagocytosis of BCG-infected necrotic macrophages was demonstrated by their ability to stimulate in vitro proliferation and interferon-gamma production of antigen-specific CD4+ T cells. These results suggest that the functional changes occurring in DCs after interaction with a pathogen can be favoured when the encounter takes place in a necrotic environment and it may constitute an important mechanism for the amplification of class II-restricted immune responses induced during infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Goldmann
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Vaccine Research, GBF-National Research Centre for Biotechnology, Braunschweig, Germany
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Medina E, Goldmann O, Rohde M, Lengeling A, Chhatwal GS, Chhatwals GS. Genetic control of susceptibility to group A streptococcal infection in mice. J Infect Dis 2001; 184:846-52. [PMID: 11550125 DOI: 10.1086/323292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2001] [Revised: 06/02/2001] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The influence of genetic background on the ability to control infection with group A streptococci was investigated in different inbred strains of mice. Whereas BALB/c, C57BL/10, and DBA/2 mice were the most resistant strains, with lower bacteria loads and higher survival times, C3H/HeN and CBA/J mice exhibited substantially higher bacterial growth and 100% mortality. Differences in susceptibility were not dependent on the inoculum size. Resistance was influenced by sex, with males being much more susceptible than females. B cell- and T cell-deficient mice from the resistant background were as resistant to infection as were immunocompetent mice, which suggests that the effector mechanisms are independent of adaptive immunity. These results demonstrate for the first time the influence of genetic background and sex on susceptibility to infection with Streptococcus pyogenes in mice. The use of this mouse model of group A streptococcal infection will allow for a better definition of parameters involved in the outcome of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Medina
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Vaccine Research, National Research Centre for Biotechnology, Braunschweig, Germany.
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