Characterization of proteins secreted from a Type III secretion system of Edwardsiella tarda and their roles in macrophage infection (original) (raw)

Modulation of Vacuolar pH Is Required for Replication of Edwardsiella ictaluri in Channel Catfish Macrophages

Previous in vitro work demonstrated that Edwardsiella ictaluri produces an acid-activated urease that can modulate environmental pH through the production of ammonia from urea. Additional work revealed that expression of the E. ictaluri type III secretion system (T3SS) is upregulated by acidic pH. Both the urease and the T3SS were previously shown to be essential to intracellular replication. In this work, fluorescence microscopy with LysoTracker Red DND-99 (LTR) indicated that E. ictaluri-containing vacuoles (ECV) became acidified following ingestion by head kidney-derived macrophages (HKDM). In vivo ratiometric imaging demonstrated a lowered ECV pH, which fell to as low as pH 4 but subsequently increased to pH 6 or greater. Inhibition of vacuolar H ؉ -ATPases by use of the specific inhibitor bafilomycin A 1 abrogated both ECV acidification and intracellular replication in HKDM. Failure of an E. ictaluri urease knockout mutant to increase the ECV pH in the in vivo ratiometric assay suggests that ammonia produced by the urease reaction mediates the pH increase. Additionally, when the specific arginase inhibitor L-norvaline was used to treat E. ictaluri-infected HKDM, the ECV failed to neutralize and E. ictaluri was unable to replicate. This indicates that the HKDM-encoded arginase enzyme produces the urea used by the E. ictaluri urease enzyme. Failure of the ECV to acidify would prevent both upregulation of the T3SS and activation of the urease enzyme, either of which would prevent E. ictaluri from replicating in HKDM. Failure of the ECV to neutralize would result in a vacuolar pH too low to support E. ictaluri replication.

Modulation of vacuolar pH is required for replication of Edwardsiella ictaluri in channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) macrophages

Infection and Immunity, 2014

Previous in vitro work demonstrated that Edwardsiella ictaluri produces an acid-activated urease that can modulate environmental pH through the production of ammonia from urea. Additional work revealed that expression of the E. ictaluri type III secretion system (T3SS) is upregulated by acidic pH. Both the urease and the T3SS were previously shown to be essential to intracellular replication. In this work, fluorescence microscopy with LysoTracker Red DND-99 (LTR) indicated that E. ictaluri-containing vacuoles (ECV) became acidified following ingestion by head kidney-derived macrophages (HKDM). In vivo ratiometric imaging demonstrated a lowered ECV pH, which fell to as low as pH 4 but subsequently increased to pH 6 or greater. Inhibition of vacuolar H ؉ -ATPases by use of the specific inhibitor bafilomycin A 1 abrogated both ECV acidification and intracellular replication in HKDM. Failure of an E. ictaluri urease knockout mutant to increase the ECV pH in the in vivo ratiometric assay suggests that ammonia produced by the urease reaction mediates the pH increase. Additionally, when the specific arginase inhibitor L-norvaline was used to treat E. ictaluri-infected HKDM, the ECV failed to neutralize and E. ictaluri was unable to replicate. This indicates that the HKDM-encoded arginase enzyme produces the urea used by the E. ictaluri urease enzyme. Failure of the ECV to acidify would prevent both upregulation of the T3SS and activation of the urease enzyme, either of which would prevent E. ictaluri from replicating in HKDM. Failure of the ECV to neutralize would result in a vacuolar pH too low to support E. ictaluri replication.

Regulation of the Edwardsiella ictaluri Type III Secretion System by pH and Phosphate Concentration through EsrA, EsrB, and EsrC

Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 2011

A recently described Edwardsiella ictaluri type III secretion system (T3SS) with functional similarity to the Salmonella pathogenicity island 2 T3SS is required for replication in channel catfish head-kidney-derived macrophages (HKDM) and virulence in channel catfish. Quantitative PCR and Western blotting identified low pH and phosphate limitation as conducive to expression of the E. ictaluri T3SS, growth conditions that mimic the phagosomal environment. Mutagenesis studies demonstrated that expression is under the control of the EsrAB two-component regulatory system. EsrB also induces upregulation of the AraC-type regulatory protein EsrC, which enhances expression of the EscB/EseG chaperone/effector operon in concert with EsrB and induces expression of the pEI1-encoded effector, EseH. EsrC also induces expression of a putative type VI secretion system translocon protein, EvpC, which is secreted under the same low-pH conditions as the T3SS translocon proteins. The pEI2-encoded effector, EseI, was upregulated under low-pH and low-phosphate conditions but not in an EsrB-or EsrC-dependent manner. Mutations of EsrA and EsrB both resulted in loss of the ability to replicate in HKDM and full attenuation in the channel catfish host. Mutation of EsrC did not affect intracellular replication but did result in attenuation in catfish. Although EsrB is the primary transcriptional regulator for E. ictaluri genes within the T3SS pathogenicity island, EsrC regulates expression of the plasmidcarried effector eseH and appears to mediate coordinated expression of the T6SS with the T3SS.

Signature-Tagged Mutagenesis of Edwardsiella ictaluri Identifies Virulence-Related Genes, Including a Salmonella Pathogenicity Island 2 Class of Type III Secretion Systems

Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 2007

Edwardsiella ictaluri is the leading cause of mortality in channel catfish culture, but little is known about its pathogenesis. The use of signature-tagged mutagenesis in a waterborne infection model resulted in the identification of 50 mutants that were unable to infect/survive in catfish. Nineteen had minitransposon insertions in miscellaneous genes in the chromosome, 10 were in genes that matched to hypothetical proteins, and 13 were in genes that had no significant matches in the NCBI databases. Eight insertions were in genes encoding proteins associated with virulence in other pathogens, including three in genes involved in lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis, three in genes involved in type III secretion systems (TTSS), and two in genes involved in urease activity. With the use of a sequence from a lambda clone carrying several TTSS genes, Blastn analysis of the partially completed E. ictaluri genome identified a 26,135-bp pathogenicity island containing 33 genes of a TTSS with similarity to the Salmonella pathogenicity island 2 class of TTSS. The characterization of a TTSS apparatus mutant indicated that it retained its ability to invade catfish cell lines and macrophages but was defective in intracellular replication. The mutant also invaded catfish tissues in numbers equal to those of invading wild-type E. ictaluri bacteria but replicated poorly and was slowly cleared from the tissues, while the wild type increased in number.

Production of monoclonal antibodies specific to major outer membrane protein of Edwardsiella tarda

Comparative Immunology Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, 2010

Edwardsiella tarda is an important cause for hemorrhagic septicemia in fish and gastro and extraintestinal infections in humans. Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were produced against outer membrane proteins (OMPs) of E. tarda ET-7, isolated from diseased snakehead (Ophiocephalus punctatus). Two stable hybridoma clones, designated as 3F10 and 2C3 MAbs were found to be potentially specific for E. tarda by indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). These MAbs recognized major immunogenic OMP band at 44 kDa in Western blotting. Both MAbs belonged to the IgG1 isotype and recognized different epitopes of OMP as seen by competitive ELISA. These MAbs strongly reacted with all 17 isolates of E. tarda used in our study by indirect ELISA and Western blotting. Interestingly, no reaction was observed with the reference strain of E. tarda (MTCC 2400). The sensitivity of 3F10 MAb to detect whole cells of E. tarda was up to a level of 1 Â 10 4 CFU/ml in indirect ELISA. No cross-reactivity of MAbs were seen with Escherichia coli, Salmonella arizonae, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Aeromonas hydrophila, Vibrio cholerae, Flavobacterium ferrugineum and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. These MAbs could be used for specific detection of E. tarda infection in fish by immunoassays. #

Novel type 4 secretion system (T4SS)-related genes of Edwardsiella tarda

2015

Edwardsiella tarda is a Gram-negative bacterium that causes edwardsiellosis, a disease of fish and mammals including humans and characterized by multiple abscesses. Different strains of E. tarda possess a number of virulence, antibioticresistance, and toxin secretion system-related genes that explain in some extent its capacity to survive within phagocytic cells and to infect a variety of hosts. Previously we introduced a virulent E. tarda strain (ETSJ54) isolated from Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) with edwardsiellosis and reported a number of virulence-related genes. In this study we have re-analyzed the sequencing data of ETSJ54 and identified novel type IV secretion system-related genes, most of them were flanked by transposase and plasmid encoding genes. Interestingly, their nucleotide sequence had no identity to those of the genes published in the E. tarda EIB202 genome, a virulent strain isolated from turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) in China. The results suggest dif...

Edwardsiella ictaluri Encodes an Acid-Activated Urease That Is Required for Intracellular Replication in Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) Macrophages

Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 2009

Genomic analysis indicated that Edwardsiella ictaluri encodes a putative urease pathogenicity island containing the products of nine open reading frames, including urea and ammonium transporters. In vitro studies with wild-type E. ictaluri and a ureG::kan urease mutant strain indicated that E. ictaluri is significantly tolerant of acid conditions (pH 3.0) but that urease activity is not required for acid tolerance. Growth studies demonstrated that E. ictaluri is unable to grow at pH 5 in the absence of urea but is able to elevate the environmental pH from pH 5 to pH 7 and grow when exogenous urea is available. Substantial production of ammonia was observed for wild-type E. ictaluri in vitro in the presence of urea at low pH, and optimal activity occurred at pH 2 to 3. No ammonia production was detected for the urease mutant. Proteomic analysis with two-dimensional gel electrophoresis indicated that urease proteins are expressed at both pH 5 and pH 7, although urease activity is detectable only at pH 5. Urease was not required for initial invasion of catfish but was required for subsequent proliferation and virulence. Urease was not required for initial uptake or survival in head kidney-derived macrophages but was required for intracellular replication. Intracellular replication of wild-type E. ictaluri was significantly enhanced when urea was present, indicating that urease plays an important role in intracellular survival and replication, possibly through neutralization of the acidic environment of the phagosome.

Intracellular replication of Edwardsiella tarda in murine macrophage is dependent on the type III secretion system and induces an up-regulation of anti-apoptotic NF-κB target genes protecting the macrophage from staurosporine-induced apoptosis

Microbial Pathogenesis, 2006

Edwardsiella tarda is a pathogen with a broad host range that infects both animals and humans. Resistance to phagocytic killing may be involved in the pathogenicity of this bacterium. Here we show that intracellular replication of E. tarda in murine macrophages is dependent on the type III secretion system and induces an anti-apoptotic effect by up-regulating anti-apoptotic NF-κB target genes. The wild-type strain replicates within the phagosomal membrane of macrophages; whereas the type III mutant does not. Microarray analysis shows the mRNA expression level of NF-κB target genes (e.g. pro-inflammatory cytokines and anti-apoptotic genes) in macrophages infected with the wild-type strain were up-regulated compared to macrophages infected with the type III mutant. Up-regulation of Bcl2a1a, Bcl2a1b, cIAP-2, and TRAF1 genes induced expression of anti-apoptotic proteins to protect macrophages from apoptosis induced by staurosporine. Further, this protection was inhibited by adding kamebakaurin, an inhibitor of NF-κB activation and was confirmed using an NF-κB reporter gene assay. Up-regulation of anti-apoptotic NF-κB target genes is responsible for the anti-apoptotic activity of E. tarda and is 2 required for intracellular replication in murine macrophages.

Edwardsiella tarda mutants defective in siderophore production, motility, serum resistance and catalase activity

Microbiology (Reading, England), 2001

Edwardsiella tarda is a Gram-negative bacterium that causes a systemic infection, edwardsiellosis, in fish. The virulence factors of this pathogen and its genetic determinants have not been systematically examined. In this study, TnphoA transposon mutagenesis was used to construct a library of 440 alkaline phosphatase (PhoA(+)) fusion mutants from a total of 400000 transconjugants derived from Ed. tarda PPD130/91. This library included genes for secreted and membrane-associated proteins normally involved in virulence. The library was screened for four virulence factors: siderophore production, motility, serum resistance and catalase production. Eight mutants deficient in one or more of these phenotypes were grouped into four classes. They were further characterized for their stimulation of reactive oxygen intermediate production by fish phagocytes, for their adhesion to and internalization into EPC (epithelioma papillosum of carp) cells, and for attenuation of virulence in blue gour...

Early Intracellular Trafficking and Subsequent Activity of Programmed Cell Death in Channel Catfish Macrophages Infected with Edwardsiella ictaluri

Early Intracellular Trafficking and Subsequent Activity of Programmed Cell Death in Channel Catfish Macrophages Infected with Edwardsiella ictaluri, 2020

The development of Edwardsiella-containing-vacuoles (ECV) and the ability of Edwardsiella ictaluri to survive and replicate within macrophages suggests a unique process relative to normal phagosomal/lysosomal maturation and programed cell death. Developing ECV showed that endosomal membrane markers Rab5, EEA1, and Rab7 were all detected in both the wild type (WT) and an E. ictaluri type-3 secretion system (T3SS) mutant, 65ST. Co-localization with Lamp1, however, was significantly lower in the WT. The host cell endoplasmic reticulum marker, calnexin, co-localized to 65ST ECV significantly more than WT ECV, while Golgi vesicle marker, giantin, was recruited to WT ECV significantly more than 65ST. The autophagosomal marker LC3 was significantly lower in WT than in 65ST and Western blotting demonstrated significantly greater induction of the membrane localized, lipidated form, LC3-II, in 65ST ECV than in WT ECV. Activity of the apoptosis initiator caspase-8 increased post-infection in 65ST and was significantly lower in WT-infected cells. Executioner caspase-3/7 activity also increased significantly in 65ST-infected cells compared to WT-infected cells. Repression of apoptosis was further demonstrated with flow cytometry using Alexa Fluor 647-labeled Annexin V and propidium iodide. Results indicate that WT ECV fused with early and late endosomes but that phagosomal/lysosomal fusion did not occur. Additionally, WT-infected cells recruited Golgi vesicles for vacuolar size increase and bacterial growth material, and both autophagy and apoptosis were repressed in the WT. This activity was all based on the function of the E. ictaluri T3SS.