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Kuehnast T, Kumpitsch C, Mohammadzadeh R, Weichhart T, Moissl-Eichinger C, Heine H. Exploring the human archaeome: its relevance for health and disease, and its complex interplay with the human immune system. FEBS J 2024. [PMID: 38555566 DOI: 10.1111/febs.17123] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
This Review aims to coalesce existing knowledge on the human archaeome, a less-studied yet critical non-bacterial component of the human microbiome, with a focus on its interaction with the immune system. Despite a largely bacteria-centric focus in microbiome research, archaea present unique challenges and opportunities for understanding human health. We examine the archaeal distribution across different human body sites, such as the lower gastrointestinal tract (LGT), upper aerodigestive tract (UAT), urogenital tract (UGT), and skin. Variability in archaeal composition exists between sites; methanogens dominate the LGT, while Nitrososphaeria are prevalent on the skin and UAT. Archaea have yet to be classified as pathogens but show associations with conditions such as refractory sinusitis and vaginosis. In the LGT, methanogenic archaea play critical metabolic roles by converting bacterial end-products into methane, correlating with various health conditions, including obesity and certain cancers. Finally, this work looks at the complex interactions between archaea and the human immune system at the molecular level. Recent research has illuminated the roles of specific archaeal molecules, such as RNA and glycerolipids, in stimulating immune responses via innate immune receptors like Toll-like receptor 8 (TLR8) and 'C-type lectin domain family 4 member E' (CLEC4E; also known as MINCLE). Additionally, metabolic by-products of archaea, specifically methane, have demonstrated immunomodulatory effects through anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative pathways. Despite these advancements, the mechanistic underpinnings of how archaea influence immune activity remain a fertile area for further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Torben Kuehnast
- D&R Institute for Hygiene, Microbiology and Environmental Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Austria
| | - Christina Kumpitsch
- D&R Institute for Hygiene, Microbiology and Environmental Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Austria
| | - Rokhsareh Mohammadzadeh
- D&R Institute for Hygiene, Microbiology and Environmental Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Austria
| | - Thomas Weichhart
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Christine Moissl-Eichinger
- D&R Institute for Hygiene, Microbiology and Environmental Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed Graz, Austria
| | - Holger Heine
- Research Center Borstel - Leibniz Lung Center, Division of Innate Immunity, Airway Research Center North (ARCN), German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Borstel, Germany
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Kuehnast T, Abbott C, Pausan MR, Pearce DA, Moissl-Eichinger C, Mahnert A. The crewed journey to Mars and its implications for the human microbiome. Microbiome 2022; 10:26. [PMID: 35125119 PMCID: PMC8818331 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-021-01222-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
A human spaceflight to Mars is scheduled for the next decade. In preparation for this unmatched endeavor, a plethora of challenges must be faced prior to the actual journey to Mars. Mission success will depend on the health of its crew and its working capacity. Hence, the journey to Mars will also depend on the microbiome and its far-reaching effects on individual crew health, the spaceship's integrity, and food supply. As human beings rely on their microbiome, these microbes are essential and should be managed to ensure their beneficial effects outweigh potential risks. In this commentary, we focus on the current state of knowledge regarding a healthy (gut) microbiome of space travelers based on research from the International Space Station and simulation experiments on Earth. We further indicate essential knowledge gaps of microbial conditions during long-term space missions in isolated confined space habitats or outposts and give detailed recommendations for microbial monitoring during pre-flight, in-flight, and post-flight. Finally, the conclusion outlines open questions and aspects of space traveler's health beyond the scope of this commentary. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Torben Kuehnast
- Institute of Hygiene, Microbiology and Environmental Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Neue Stiftingtalstraße 6, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | - Carmel Abbott
- Department of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University at Newcastle, Northumberland Road, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE1 8ST, UK
| | - Manuela R Pausan
- Institute of Hygiene, Microbiology and Environmental Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Neue Stiftingtalstraße 6, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | - David A Pearce
- Department of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University at Newcastle, Northumberland Road, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE1 8ST, UK
| | - Christine Moissl-Eichinger
- Institute of Hygiene, Microbiology and Environmental Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Neue Stiftingtalstraße 6, 8010, Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed, Graz, Austria
| | - Alexander Mahnert
- Institute of Hygiene, Microbiology and Environmental Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Neue Stiftingtalstraße 6, 8010, Graz, Austria.
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Vorkapic D, Mitterer F, Pressler K, Leitner DR, Anonsen JH, Liesinger L, Mauerhofer LM, Kuehnast T, Toeglhofer M, Schulze A, Zingl FG, Feldman MF, Reidl J, Birner-Gruenberger R, Koomey M, Schild S. A Broad Spectrum Protein Glycosylation System Influences Type II Protein Secretion and Associated Phenotypes in Vibrio cholerae. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:2780. [PMID: 31849912 PMCID: PMC6901666 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.02780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein secretion plays a crucial role for bacterial pathogens, exemplified by facultative human-pathogen Vibrio cholerae, which secretes various proteinaceous effectors at different stages of its lifecycle. Accordingly, the identification of factors impacting on protein secretion is important to understand the bacterial pathophysiology. PglLVc, a predicted oligosaccharyltransferase of V. cholerae, has been recently shown to exhibit O-glycosylation activity with relaxed glycan specificity in an engineered Escherichia coli system. By engineering V. cholerae strains to express a defined, undecaprenyl diphosphate-linked glycoform precursor, we confirmed functional O-linked protein glycosylation activity of PglLVc in V. cholerae. We demonstrate that PglLVc is required for the glycosylation of multiple V. cholerae proteins, including periplasmic chaperones such as DegP, that are required for efficient type II-dependent secretion. Moreover, defined deletion mutants and complementation strains provided first insights into the physiological role of O-linked protein glycosylation in V. cholerae. RbmD, a protein with structural similarities to PglLVc and other established oligosaccharyltransferases (OTases), was also included in this phenotypical characterization. Remarkably, presence or absence of PglLVc and RbmD impacts the secretion of proteins via the type II secretion system (T2SS). This is highlighted by altered cholera toxin (CT) secretion, chitin utilization and biofilm formation observed in ΔpglL Vc and ΔrbmD single or double mutants. This work thus establishes a unique connection between broad spectrum O-linked protein glycosylation and the efficacy of type II-dependent protein secretion critical to the pathogen's lifecycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dina Vorkapic
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Fabian Mitterer
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | | | | | - Jan Haug Anonsen
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis, Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Laura Liesinger
- Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- Omics Center Graz, BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria
| | | | - Torben Kuehnast
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | | | - Adina Schulze
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Franz G. Zingl
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Mario F. Feldman
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Joachim Reidl
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Ruth Birner-Gruenberger
- Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- Omics Center Graz, BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria
- Institute of Chemical Technologies and Analytics, Vienna University of Technology, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Koomey
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis, Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Stefan Schild
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria
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Kuehnast T, Cakar F, Weinhäupl T, Pilz A, Selak S, Schmidt MA, Rüter C, Schild S. Comparative analyses of biofilm formation among different Cutibacterium acnes isolates. Int J Med Microbiol 2018; 308:1027-1035. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmm.2018.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2018] [Revised: 08/13/2018] [Accepted: 09/18/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022] Open
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