1
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Winstel V, Abt ER, Le TM, Radu CG. Targeting host deoxycytidine kinase mitigates Staphylococcus aureus abscess formation. eLife 2024; 12:RP91157. [PMID: 38512723 PMCID: PMC10957174 DOI: 10.7554/elife.91157] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Host-directed therapy (HDT) is an emerging approach to overcome antimicrobial resistance in pathogenic microorganisms. Specifically, HDT targets host-encoded factors required for pathogen replication and survival without interfering with microbial growth or metabolism, thereby eliminating the risk of resistance development. By applying HDT and a drug repurposing approach, we demonstrate that (R)-DI-87, a clinical-stage anticancer drug and potent inhibitor of mammalian deoxycytidine kinase (dCK), mitigates Staphylococcus aureus abscess formation in organ tissues upon invasive bloodstream infection. Mechanistically, (R)-DI-87 shields phagocytes from staphylococcal death-effector deoxyribonucleosides that target dCK and the mammalian purine salvage pathway-apoptosis axis. In this manner, (R)-DI-87-mediated protection of immune cells amplifies macrophage infiltration into deep-seated abscesses, a phenomenon coupled with enhanced pathogen control, ameliorated immunopathology, and reduced disease severity. Thus, pharmaceutical blockade of dCK represents an advanced anti-infective intervention strategy against which staphylococci cannot develop resistance and may help to fight fatal infectious diseases in hospitalized patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Volker Winstel
- Research Group Pathogenesis of Bacterial Infections; TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a joint venture between the Hannover Medical School and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection ResearchHannoverGermany
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Hannover Medical SchoolHannoverGermany
| | - Evan R Abt
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLALos AngelesUnited States
| | - Thuc M Le
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLALos AngelesUnited States
| | - Caius G Radu
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLALos AngelesUnited States
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2
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Winstel V, Abt ER, Le TM, Radu CG. Targeting host deoxycytidine kinase mitigates Staphylococcus aureus abscess formation. bioRxiv 2023:2023.08.18.553822. [PMID: 37645972 PMCID: PMC10462150 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.18.553822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Host-directed therapy (HDT) is an emerging approach to overcome antimicrobial resistance in pathogenic microorganisms. Specifically, HDT targets host-encoded factors required for pathogen replication and survival without interfering with microbial growth or metabolism, thereby eliminating the risk of resistance development. By applying HDT and a drug repurposing approach, we demonstrate that (R)-DI-87, a clinical-stage anti-cancer drug and potent inhibitor of mammalian deoxycytidine kinase (dCK), mitigates Staphylococcus aureus abscess formation in organ tissues upon invasive bloodstream infection. Mechanistically, (R)-DI-87 shields phagocytes from staphylococcal death-effector deoxyribonucleosides that target dCK and the mammalian purine salvage pathway-apoptosis axis. In this manner, (R)-DI-87-mediated protection of immune cells amplifies macrophage infiltration into deep-seated abscesses, a phenomenon coupled with enhanced pathogen control, ameliorated immunopathology, and reduced disease severity. Thus, pharmaceutical blockade of dCK represents an advanced anti-infective intervention strategy against which staphylococci cannot develop resistance and may help to fight fatal infectious diseases in hospitalized patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Volker Winstel
- Research Group Pathogenesis of Bacterial Infections; TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a joint venture between the Hannover Medical School and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Evan R. Abt
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, United States of America
| | - Thuc M. Le
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, United States of America
| | - Caius G. Radu
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, United States of America
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3
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Schwermann N, Haller R, Koch S, Grassl GA, Winstel V. Pathogen-driven nucleotide overload triggers mitochondria-centered cell death in phagocytes. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011892. [PMID: 38157331 PMCID: PMC10756532 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011892] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is a dangerous pathogen that evolved refined immuno-evasive strategies to antagonize host immune responses. This involves the biogenesis of death-effector deoxyribonucleosides, which kill infectious foci-penetrating macrophages. However, the exact mechanisms whereby staphylococcal death-effector deoxyribonucleosides and coupled imbalances of intracellular deoxyribonucleotide species provoke immune cell death remain elusive. Here, we report that S. aureus systematically promotes an overload of deoxyribonucleotides to trigger mitochondrial rupture in macrophages, a fatal event that induces assembly of the caspase-9-processing apoptosome and subsequent activation of the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis. Remarkably, genetic disruption of this cascade not only helps macrophages coping with death-effector deoxyribonucleoside-mediated cytotoxicity but also enhances their infiltration into abscesses thereby ameliorating pathogen control and infectious disease outcomes in laboratory animals. Combined with the discovery of protective alleles in human CASP9, these data highlight the role of mitochondria-centered apoptosis during S. aureus infection and suggest that gene polymorphisms may shape human susceptibility toward a predominant pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicoletta Schwermann
- Research Group Pathogenesis of Bacterial Infections; TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a joint venture between the Hannover Medical School and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Rita Haller
- Research Group Pathogenesis of Bacterial Infections; TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a joint venture between the Hannover Medical School and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Sebastian Koch
- Research Group Pathogenesis of Bacterial Infections; TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a joint venture between the Hannover Medical School and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Guntram A. Grassl
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Hannover-Braunschweig, Hannover, Germany
| | - Volker Winstel
- Research Group Pathogenesis of Bacterial Infections; TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a joint venture between the Hannover Medical School and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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4
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Guo Y, Du X, Krusche J, Beck C, Ali S, Walter A, Winstel V, Mayer C, Codée JD, Peschel A, Stehle T. Invasive Staphylococcus epidermidis uses a unique processive wall teichoic acid glycosyltransferase to evade immune recognition. Sci Adv 2023; 9:eadj2641. [PMID: 38000019 PMCID: PMC10672168 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adj2641] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
Staphylococcus epidermidis expresses glycerol phosphate wall teichoic acid (WTA), but some health care-associated methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis (HA-MRSE) clones produce a second, ribitol phosphate (RboP) WTA, resembling that of the aggressive pathogen Staphylococcus aureus. RboP-WTA promotes HA-MRSE persistence and virulence in bloodstream infections. We report here that the TarM enzyme of HA-MRSE [TarM(Se)] glycosylates RboP-WTA with glucose, instead of N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) by TarM(Sa) in S. aureus. Replacement of GlcNAc with glucose in RboP-WTA impairs HA-MRSE detection by human immunoglobulin G, which may contribute to the immune-evasion capacities of many invasive S. epidermidis. Crystal structures of complexes with uridine diphosphate glucose (UDP-glucose), and with UDP and glycosylated poly(RboP), reveal the binding mode and glycosylation mechanism of this enzyme and explain why TarM(Se) and TarM(Sa) link different sugars to poly(RboP). These structural data provide evidence that TarM(Se) is a processive WTA glycosyltransferase. Our study will support the targeted inhibition of TarM enzymes, and the development of RboP-WTA targeting vaccines and phage therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinglan Guo
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence “Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections (CMFI)”, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Xin Du
- Cluster of Excellence “Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections (CMFI)”, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Infection Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Janes Krusche
- Cluster of Excellence “Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections (CMFI)”, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Infection Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Christian Beck
- Cluster of Excellence “Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections (CMFI)”, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Infection Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Sara Ali
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Axel Walter
- Cluster of Excellence “Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections (CMFI)”, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Organismic Interactions/Glycobiology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Volker Winstel
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Infection Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Christoph Mayer
- Cluster of Excellence “Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections (CMFI)”, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Organismic Interactions/Glycobiology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | | | - Andreas Peschel
- Cluster of Excellence “Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections (CMFI)”, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Infection Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Thilo Stehle
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence “Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections (CMFI)”, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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5
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Schwermann N, Winstel V. Functional diversity of staphylococcal surface proteins at the host-microbe interface. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1196957. [PMID: 37275142 PMCID: PMC10232760 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1196957] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Surface proteins of Gram-positive pathogens are key determinants of virulence that substantially shape host-microbe interactions. Specifically, these proteins mediate host invasion and pathogen transmission, drive the acquisition of heme-iron from hemoproteins, and subvert innate and adaptive immune cell responses to push bacterial survival and pathogenesis in a hostile environment. Herein, we briefly review and highlight the multi-facetted roles of cell wall-anchored proteins of multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, a common etiological agent of purulent skin and soft tissue infections as well as severe systemic diseases in humans. In particular, we focus on the functional diversity of staphylococcal surface proteins and discuss their impact on the variety of clinical manifestations of S. aureus infections. We also describe mechanistic and underlying principles of staphylococcal surface protein-mediated immune evasion and coupled strategies S. aureus utilizes to paralyze patrolling neutrophils, macrophages, and other immune cells. Ultimately, we provide a systematic overview of novel therapeutic concepts and anti-infective strategies that aim at neutralizing S. aureus surface proteins or sortases, the molecular catalysts of protein anchoring in Gram-positive bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicoletta Schwermann
- Research Group Pathogenesis of Bacterial Infections, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a Joint Venture Between the Hannover Medical School and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Volker Winstel
- Research Group Pathogenesis of Bacterial Infections, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a Joint Venture Between the Hannover Medical School and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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6
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Tantawy E, Schwermann N, Ostermeier T, Garbe A, Bähre H, Vital M, Winstel V. Staphylococcus aureus Multiplexes Death-Effector Deoxyribonucleosides to Neutralize Phagocytes. Front Immunol 2022; 13:847171. [PMID: 35355997 PMCID: PMC8960049 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.847171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [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: 01/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Adenosine synthase A (AdsA) is a key virulence factor of Staphylococcus aureus, a dangerous microbe that causes fatal diseases in humans. Together with staphylococcal nuclease, AdsA generates deoxyadenosine (dAdo) from neutrophil extracellular DNA traps thereby igniting caspase-3-dependent cell death in host immune cells that aim at penetrating infectious foci. Powered by a multi-technological approach, we here illustrate that the enzymatic activity of AdsA in abscess-mimicking microenvironments is not restricted to the biogenesis of dAdo but rather comprises excessive biosynthesis of deoxyguanosine (dGuo), a cytotoxic deoxyribonucleoside generated by S. aureus to eradicate macrophages of human and animal origin. Based on a genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 knock-out screen, we further demonstrate that dGuo-induced cytotoxicity in phagocytes involves targeting of the mammalian purine salvage pathway-apoptosis axis, a signaling cascade that is concomitantly stimulated by staphylococcal dAdo. Strikingly, synchronous targeting of this route by AdsA-derived dGuo and dAdo boosts macrophage cell death, indicating that S. aureus multiplexes death-effector deoxyribonucleosides to maximize intra-host survival. Overall, these data provide unique insights into the cunning lifestyle of a deadly pathogen and may help to design therapeutic intervention strategies to combat multidrug-resistant staphylococci.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eshraq Tantawy
- Research Group Pathogenesis of Bacterial Infections, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a Joint Venture Between the Hannover Medical School and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Hannover, Germany.,Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Nicoletta Schwermann
- Research Group Pathogenesis of Bacterial Infections, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a Joint Venture Between the Hannover Medical School and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Hannover, Germany.,Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Tjorven Ostermeier
- Research Group Pathogenesis of Bacterial Infections, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a Joint Venture Between the Hannover Medical School and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Hannover, Germany.,Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Annette Garbe
- Research Core Unit Metabolomics, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Heike Bähre
- Research Core Unit Metabolomics, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Marius Vital
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Volker Winstel
- Research Group Pathogenesis of Bacterial Infections, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a Joint Venture Between the Hannover Medical School and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Hannover, Germany.,Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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7
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von Köckritz-Blickwede M, Winstel V. Molecular Prerequisites for Neutrophil Extracellular Trap Formation and Evasion Mechanisms of Staphylococcus aureus. Front Immunol 2022; 13:836278. [PMID: 35237275 PMCID: PMC8884242 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.836278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
NETosis is a multi-facetted cellular process that promotes the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). NETs as web-like structures consist of DNA fibers armed with granular proteins, histones, and microbicidal peptides, thereby exhibiting pathogen-immobilizing and antimicrobial attributes that maximize innate immune defenses against invading microbes. However, clinically relevant pathogens often tolerate entrapment and even take advantage of the remnants of NETs to cause persistent infections in mammalian hosts. Here, we briefly summarize how Staphylococcus aureus, a high-priority pathogen and causative agent of fatal diseases in humans as well as animals, catalyzes and concurrently exploits NETs during pathogenesis and recurrent infections. Specifically, we focus on toxigenic and immunomodulatory effector molecules produced by staphylococci that prime NET formation, and further highlight the molecular and underlying principles of suicidal NETosis compared to vital NET-formation by viable neutrophils in response to these stimuli. We also discuss the inflammatory potential of NET-controlled microenvironments, as excessive expulsion of NETs from activated neutrophils provokes local tissue injury and may therefore amplify staphylococcal disease severity in hospitalized or chronically ill patients. Combined with an overview of adaptation and counteracting strategies evolved by S. aureus to impede NET-mediated killing, these insights may stimulate biomedical research activities to uncover novel aspects of NET biology at the host-microbe interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maren von Köckritz-Blickwede
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
- Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses (RIZ), University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Volker Winstel
- Research Group Pathogenesis of Bacterial Infections, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a joint venture between the Hannover Medical School and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- *Correspondence: Volker Winstel,
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8
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Bünsow D, Tantawy E, Ostermeier T, Bähre H, Garbe A, Larsen J, Winstel V. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius synthesizes deoxyadenosine to cause persistent infection. Virulence 2021; 12:989-1002. [PMID: 33779509 PMCID: PMC8018352 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2021.1903691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [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] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP) is an emerging zoonotic pathogen of canine origin that causes an array of fatal diseases, including bacteremia and endocarditis. Despite large-scale genome sequencing projects have gained substantial insights into the genomic landscape of MRSP, current knowledge on virulence determinants that contribute to S. pseudintermedius pathogenesis during human or canine infection is very limited. Using a panel of genetically engineered MRSP variants and a mouse abscess model, we here identified the major secreted nuclease of S. pseudintermedius designated NucB and adenosine synthase A (AdsA) as two synergistically acting enzymes required for MRSP pathogenesis. Similar to Staphylococcus aureus, S. pseudintermedius requires nuclease secretion along with the activity of AdsA to degrade mammalian DNA for subsequent biosynthesis of cytotoxic deoxyadenosine. In this manner, S. pseudintermedius selectively kills macrophages during abscess formation thereby antagonizing crucial host immune cell responses. Ultimately, bioinformatics analyses revealed that NucB and AdsA are widespread in the global S. pseudintermedius population. Together, these data suggest that S. pseudintermedius deploys the canonical Nuc/AdsA pathway to persist during invasive disease and may aid in the development of new therapeutic strategies to combat infections caused by MRSP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorothea Bünsow
- Research Group Pathogenesis of Bacterial Infections; TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a Joint Venture between the Hannover Medical School and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Hannover, Germany.,Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Eshraq Tantawy
- Research Group Pathogenesis of Bacterial Infections; TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a Joint Venture between the Hannover Medical School and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Hannover, Germany.,Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Tjorven Ostermeier
- Research Group Pathogenesis of Bacterial Infections; TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a Joint Venture between the Hannover Medical School and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Hannover, Germany.,Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Heike Bähre
- Research Core Unit Metabolomics, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Annette Garbe
- Research Core Unit Metabolomics, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Jesper Larsen
- Department of Bacteria, Parasites, and Fungi, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Volker Winstel
- Research Group Pathogenesis of Bacterial Infections; TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a Joint Venture between the Hannover Medical School and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Hannover, Germany.,Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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9
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Abstract
Host cell death programs are fundamental processes that shape cellular homeostasis, embryonic development, and tissue regeneration. Death signaling and downstream host cell responses are not only critical to guide mammalian development, they often act as terminal responses to invading pathogens. Here, we briefly review and contrast how invading pathogens and specifically Staphylococcus aureus manipulate apoptotic, necroptotic, and pyroptotic cell death modes to establish infection. Rather than invading host cells, S. aureus subverts these cells to produce diffusible molecules that cause death of neighboring hematopoietic cells and thus shapes an immune environment conducive to persistence. The exploitation of cell death pathways by S. aureus is yet another virulence strategy that must be juxtaposed to mechanisms of immune evasion, autophagy escape, and tolerance to intracellular killing, and brings us closer to the true portrait of this pathogen for the design of effective therapeutics and intervention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominique Missiakas
- Howard Taylor Ricketts Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, University of Chicago, Lemont, IL, United States
| | - Volker Winstel
- Research Group Pathogenesis of Bacterial Infections, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a joint venture between the Hannover Medical School and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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10
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Larsen J, Andersen PS, Winstel V, Peschel A. Staphylococcus aureus CC395 harbours a novel composite staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec element. J Antimicrob Chemother 2017; 72:1002-1005. [PMID: 28088766 PMCID: PMC5400086 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkw544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [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: 08/02/2016] [Accepted: 11/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: CoNS species are likely reservoirs of the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) in Staphylococcus aureus. S. aureus CC395 is unique as it is capable of exchanging DNA with CoNS via bacteriophages, which are also known to mediate transfer of SCCmec. Objectives: To analyse the structure and putative origin of the SCCmec element in S. aureus CC395. Methods: The only MRSA CC395 strain described in the literature, JS395, was subjected to WGS, and its SCCmec element was compared with those found in CoNS species and other S. aureus strains. Results: JS395 was found to carry an unusually large 88 kb composite SCCmec element. The 33 kb region downstream of orfX harboured a type V SCCmec element and a CRISPR locus, which was most similar to those found in the CoNS species Staphylococcus capitis and Staphylococcus schleiferi. A 55 kb SCC element was identified downstream of the type V SCCmec element and contained a mercury resistance region found in the composite SCC element of some Staphylococcus epidermidis and S. aureus strains, an integrated S. aureus plasmid containing genes for the detoxification of cadmium and arsenic, and a stretch of genes that was partially similar to the type IVg SCCmec element found in a bovine S. aureus strain. Conclusions: The size and complexity of the SCCmec element support the idea that CC395 is highly prone to DNA uptake from CoNS. Thus CC395 may serve as an entry point for SCCmec and SCC structures into S. aureus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesper Larsen
- Department of Microbiology and Infection Control, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Paal S Andersen
- Department of Microbiology and Infection Control, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Volker Winstel
- Infection Biology, Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Andreas Peschel
- Infection Biology, Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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11
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Wanner S, Schade J, Keinhörster D, Weller N, George SE, Kull L, Bauer J, Grau T, Winstel V, Stoy H, Kretschmer D, Kolata J, Wolz C, Bröker BM, Weidenmaier C. Wall teichoic acids mediate increased virulence in Staphylococcus aureus. Nat Microbiol 2017; 2:16257. [DOI: 10.1038/nmicrobiol.2016.257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2016] [Accepted: 11/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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12
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Winstel V, Kühner P, Rohde H, Peschel A. Genetic engineering of untransformable coagulase-negative staphylococcal pathogens. Nat Protoc 2016; 11:949-59. [DOI: 10.1038/nprot.2016.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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Li X, Gerlach D, Du X, Larsen J, Stegger M, Kühner P, Peschel A, Xia G, Winstel V. An accessory wall teichoic acid glycosyltransferase protects Staphylococcus aureus from the lytic activity of Podoviridae. Sci Rep 2015; 5:17219. [PMID: 26596631 PMCID: PMC4667565 DOI: 10.1038/srep17219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [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: 09/02/2015] [Accepted: 10/27/2015] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Many Staphylococcus aureus have lost a major genetic barrier against phage infection, termed clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats (CRISPR/cas). Hence, S. aureus strains frequently exchange genetic material via phage-mediated horizontal gene transfer events, but, in turn, are vulnerable in particular to lytic phages. Here, a novel strategy of S. aureus is described, which protects S. aureus against the lytic activity of Podoviridae, a unique family of staphylococcal lytic phages with short, non-contractile tails. Unlike most staphylococcal phages, Podoviridae require a precise wall teichoic acid (WTA) glycosylation pattern for infection. Notably, TarM-mediated WTA α-O-GlcNAcylation prevents infection of Podoviridae while TarS-mediated WTA β-O-GlcNAcylation is required for S. aureus susceptibility to podoviruses. Tracking the evolution of TarM revealed an ancient origin in other staphylococci and vertical inheritance during S. aureus evolution. However, certain phylogenetic branches have lost tarM during evolution, which rendered them podovirus-susceptible. Accordingly, lack of tarM correlates with podovirus susceptibility and can be converted into a podovirus-resistant phenotype upon ectopic expression of tarM indicating that a "glyco-switch" of WTA O-GlcNAcylation can prevent the infection by certain staphylococcal phages. Since lytic staphylococcal phages are considered as anti-S. aureus agents, these data may help to establish valuable strategies for treatment of infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuehua Li
- Infection Biology, Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 28, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - David Gerlach
- Infection Biology, Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 28, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Xin Du
- Infection Biology, Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 28, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jesper Larsen
- Microbiology and Infection Control, Statens Serum Institut, Artillerivej 5, 2300 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Marc Stegger
- Microbiology and Infection Control, Statens Serum Institut, Artillerivej 5, 2300 Copenhagen, Denmark.,Pathogen Genomics Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute, 3051 W Shamrell Blvd, Flagstaff, 86001 Arizona, USA
| | - Petra Kühner
- Infection Biology, Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 28, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Andreas Peschel
- Infection Biology, Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 28, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Guoqing Xia
- Infection Biology, Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 28, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.,Institute of Inflammation &Repair, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Volker Winstel
- Infection Biology, Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 28, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
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Winstel V, Liang C, Sanchez-Carballo P, Steglich M, Munar M, Bröker BM, Penadés JR, Nübel U, Holst O, Dandekar T, Peschel A, Xia G. Wall teichoic acid structure governs horizontal gene transfer between major bacterial pathogens. Nat Commun 2014; 4:2345. [PMID: 23965785 PMCID: PMC3903184 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms3345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [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: 01/28/2013] [Accepted: 07/22/2013] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Mobile genetic elements (MGEs) encoding virulence and resistance genes are widespread in bacterial pathogens, but it has remained unclear how they occasionally jump to new host species. Staphylococcus aureus clones exchange MGEs such as S. aureus pathogenicity islands (SaPIs) with high frequency via helper phages. Here we report that the S. aureus ST395 lineage is refractory to horizontal gene transfer (HGT) with typical S. aureus but exchanges SaPIs with other species and genera including Staphylococcus epidermidis and Listeria monocytogenes. ST395 produces an unusual wall teichoic acid (WTA) resembling that of its HGT partner species. Notably, distantly related bacterial species and genera undergo efficient HGT with typical S. aureus upon ectopic expression of S. aureus WTA. Combined with genomic analyses, these results indicate that a ‘glycocode’ of WTA structures and WTA-binding helper phages permits HGT even across long phylogenetic distances thereby shaping the evolution of Gram-positive pathogens. Horizontal gene transfer of mobile genetic elements contributes to bacterial evolution and emergence of new pathogens. Here the authors demonstrate that the highly diverse structure of wall teichoic acid polymers governs horizontal gene transfer among Gram-positive pathogens, even across long phylogenetic distances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Volker Winstel
- Cellular and Molecular Microbiology Division, Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Straße 6, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
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15
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Winstel V, Xia G, Peschel A. Pathways and roles of wall teichoic acid glycosylation in Staphylococcus aureus. Int J Med Microbiol 2013; 304:215-21. [PMID: 24365646 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmm.2013.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [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: 08/08/2013] [Revised: 10/21/2013] [Accepted: 10/27/2013] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The thick peptidoglycan layers of Gram-positive bacteria are connected to polyanionic glycopolymers called wall teichoic acids (WTA). Pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, or Enterococcus faecalis produce WTA with diverse, usually strain-specific structure. Extensive studies on S. aureus WTA mutants revealed important functions of WTA in cell division, growth, morphogenesis, resistance to antimicrobials, and interaction with host or phages. While most of the S. aureus WTA-biosynthetic genes have been identified it remained unclear for long how and why S. aureus glycosylates WTA with α- or β-linked N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc). Only recently the discovery of two WTA glycosyltransferases, TarM and TarS, yielded fundamental insights into the roles of S. aureus WTA glycosylation. Mutants lacking WTA GlcNAc are resistant towards most of the S. aureus phages and, surprisingly, TarS-mediated WTA β-O-GlcNAc modification is essential for β-lactam resistance in methicillin-resistant S. aureus. Notably, S. aureus WTA GlcNAc residues are major antigens and activate the complement system contributing to opsonophagocytosis. WTA glycosylation with a variety of sugars and corresponding glycosyltransferases were also identified in other Gram-positive bacteria, which paves the way for detailed investigations on the diverse roles of WTA modification with sugar residues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Volker Winstel
- Cellular and Molecular Microbiology Division, Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Straße 6, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Tübingen, Germany
| | - Guoqing Xia
- Cellular and Molecular Microbiology Division, Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Straße 6, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Andreas Peschel
- Cellular and Molecular Microbiology Division, Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Straße 6, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Tübingen, Germany
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Mader D, Liebeke M, Winstel V, Methling K, Leibig M, Götz F, Lalk M, Peschel A. Role of N-terminal protein formylation in central metabolic processes in Staphylococcus aureus. BMC Microbiol 2013; 13:7. [PMID: 23320528 PMCID: PMC3557171 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2180-13-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [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: 05/10/2012] [Accepted: 01/11/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Bacterial protein biosynthesis usually depends on a formylated methionyl start tRNA but Staphylococcus aureus is viable in the absence of Fmt, the tRNAMet formyl transferase. fmt mutants exhibit reduced growth rates indicating that the function of certain proteins depends on formylated N-termini but it has remained unclear, which cellular processes are abrogated by the lack of formylation. Results In order to elucidate how global metabolic processes are affected by the absence of formylated proteins the exometabolome of an S. aureus fmt mutant was compared with that of the parental strain and the transcription of corresponding enzymes was analyzed to identify possible regulatory changes. The mutant consumed glucose and other carbon sources slower than the wild type. While the turnover of several metabolites remained unaltered fmt inactivation led to increases pyruvate release and, concomitantly, reduced pyruvate dehydrogenase activity. In parallel, the release of the pyruvate-derived metabolites lactate, acetoin, and alanine was reduced. The anaerobic degradation of arginine was also reduced in the fmt mutant compared to the wild-type strain. Moreover, the lack of formylated proteins caused increased susceptibility to the antibiotics trimethoprim and sulamethoxazole suggesting that folic acid-dependant pathways were perturbed in the mutant. Conclusions These data indicate that formylated proteins are crucial for specific bacterial metabolic processes and they may help to understand why it has remained important during bacterial evolution to initiate protein biosynthesis with a formylated tRNAMet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Mader
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Cellular and Molecular Microbiology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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Birkenstock T, Liebeke M, Winstel V, Krismer B, Gekeler C, Niemiec MJ, Bisswanger H, Lalk M, Peschel A. Exometabolome analysis identifies pyruvate dehydrogenase as a target for the antibiotic triphenylbismuthdichloride in multiresistant bacterial pathogens. J Biol Chem 2011; 287:2887-95. [PMID: 22144679 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m111.288894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The desperate need for new therapeutics against notoriously antibiotic-resistant bacteria has led to a quest for novel antibacterial target structures and compounds. Moreover, defining targets and modes of action of new antimicrobial compounds remains a major challenge with standard technologies. Here we characterize the antibacterial properties of triphenylbismuthdichloride (TPBC), which has recently been successfully used against device-associated infections. We demonstrate that TPBC has potent antimicrobial activity against many bacterial pathogens. Using an exometabolome profiling approach, a unique TPBC-mediated change in the metabolites of Staphylococcus aureus was identified, indicating that TPBC blocks bacterial pyruvate catabolism. Enzymatic studies showed that TPBC is a highly efficient, uncompetitive inhibitor of the bacterial pyruvate dehydrogenase complex. Our study demonstrates that metabolomics approaches can offer new avenues for studying the modes of action of antimicrobial compounds, and it indicates that inhibition of the bacterial pyruvate dehydrogenase complex may represent a promising strategy for combating multidrug-resistant bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timo Birkenstock
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, Cellular and Molecular Microbiology Division, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
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