Yu-Mei Ge

Identification of Collagenase as a Critical Virulence Factor for Invasiveness and Transmission of Pathogenic Leptospira Species

BACKGROUND  Leptospirosis is a global zoonotic disease. Transmission of Leptospira from animals to humans occurs through contact with water contaminated with leptospire-containing urine of infected animals. However, the molecular basis for the invasiveness of Leptospira and transmission of leptospirosis remains unknown. METHODS  Activity of Leptospira interrogans strain Lai colA gene product (ColA) to hydrolyze different collagenic substrates was determined by spectrophotometry. Expression and secretion of ColA during infection were detected by reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot assay. The colA gene-deleted (ΔcolA) and colA gene-complemented (CΔcolA) mutants were generated to determine the roles of ColA in transcytosis in vitro and virulence in hamsters. RESULTS  Recombinant or native ColA hydrolyzed all the tested substrates in which type III collagen was the favorite substrate with 2.16 mg/mL Km and 35.6 h(-)(1) Kcat values. Coincubation of the spirochete with HUVEC or HEK293 cells directly caused the significant elevation of ColA expression and secretion. Compared with wild-type strain, ΔcolA mutant displayed much-attenuated transcytosis through HEK293 and HUVEC monolayers, and less leptospires in blood, lung, liver, kidney and urine and 25-fold-decreased 50% lethal dose and milder histopathological injury in hamsters. CONCLUSIONS  The product of colA gene is a collagenase as a crucial virulence factor in the invasiveness and transmission of L. interrogans.

p53 signalling controls cell cycle arrest and caspase‐independent apoptosis in macrophages infected with pathogenic Leptospira species

Pathogenic Leptospira species, the causative agents of leptospirosis, have been shown to induce macrophage apoptosis through caspase‐independent, mitochondrion‐related apoptosis inducing factor (AIF) and endonuclease G (EndoG), but the signalling pathway leading to AIF/EndoG‐based macrophage apoptosis remains unknown. Here we show that infection of Leptospira interrogans caused a rapid increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS), DNA damage, and intranuclear foci of 53BP1 and phosphorylation of H2AX (two DNAdamage indicators) in wild‐type p53‐containing mouse macrophages and p53‐deficient human macrophages. Most leptospire‐infected cells stayed at the G1 phase, whereas depletion or inhibition of p53 caused a decrease of the G1‐phase cells and the early apoptotic ratios. Infection with spirochaetes stimulated a persistent activation of p53 and an early activation of Akt through phosphorylation. The intranuclear translocation of p53, increased expression of p53‐dependent p21Cip1/WAF1 and pro‐apoptotic Bcl‐2 family proteins (Bax, Noxa and Puma), release of AIF and EndoG from mitochondria, and membrane translocation of Fas occurred during leptospire‐induced macrophage apoptosis. Thus, our study demonstrated that ROS production and DNA damage‐dependent p53‐Bax/Noxa/Puma‐AIF/EndoG signalling mediates the leptospire‐induced cell cycle arrest and caspase‐independent apoptosis of macrophages.

Identification of Leptospira interrogans Phospholipase C as a Novel Virulence Factor Responsible for Intracellular Free Calcium Ion Elevation during Macrophage Death

Background Leptospira-induced macrophage death has been confirmed to play a crucial role in pathogenesis of leptospirosis, a worldwide zoonotic infectious disease. Intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) elevation induced by infection can cause cell death, but [Ca2+]i changes and high [Ca2+]i-induced death of macrophages due to infection of Leptospira have not been previously reported. Methodology/Principal Findings We first used a Ca2+-specific fluorescence probe to confirm that the infection of L. interrogans strain Lai triggered a significant increase of [Ca2+]i in mouse J774A.1 or human THP-1 macrophages. Laser confocal microscopic examination showed that the [Ca2+]i elevation was caused by both extracellular Ca2+ influx through the purinergic receptor, P2X7, and Ca2+ release from the endoplasmic reticulum, as seen by suppression of [Ca2+]i elevation when receptor-gated calcium channels were blocked or P2X7 was depleted. The LB361 gene product of the spirochete exhibited phosphatidylinositol phospholipase C (L-PI-PLC) activity to hydrolyze phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) into inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3), which in turn induces intracellular Ca2+ release from endoplasmic reticulum, with the Km of 199 µM and Kcat of 8.566E-5 S-1. Secretion of L-PI-PLC from the spirochete into supernatants of leptospire-macrophage co-cultures and cytosol of infected macrophages was also observed by Western Blot assay. Lower [Ca2+]i elevation was induced by infection with a LB361-deficient leptospiral mutant, whereas transfection of the LB361 gene caused a mild increase in [Ca2+]i. Moreover, PI-PLCs (PI-PLC-β3 and PI-PLC-γ1) of the two macrophages were activated by phosphorylation during infection. Flow cytometric detection demonstrated that high [Ca2+]i increases induced apoptosis and necrosis of macrophages, while mild [Ca2+]i elevation only caused apoptosis. Conclusions/Significance This study demonstrated that L. interrogans infection induced [Ca2+]i elevation through extracellular Ca2+ influx and intracellular Ca2+ release cause macrophage apoptosis and necrosis, and the LB361 gene product was shown to be a novel PI-PLC of L. interrogans responsible for the [Ca2+]i elevation.

ChpK and MazF of the toxin-antitoxin modules are involved in the virulence of Leptospira interrogans during infection.

Pathogenic Leptospira species are the causative agents of leptospirosis, a global zoonotic infectious disease. Toxin-antitoxin (TA) modules have been confirmed as stress-response elements that induce prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell-growth arrest or death, but their role in the virulence of Leptospira has not been reported. Here, we confirmed that all the tested leptospiral strains had the chpIK and mazEF TA modules with highly-conserved sequences. The transcription and expression of the chpI, chpK, mazE, and mazF genes of Leptospira interrogans strain Lai were significantly increased during infection of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-induced human THP-1 macrophages. The toxic ChpK and MazF but not the antitoxic ChpI and MazE proteins were detectable in the cytoplasmic fraction of leptospire-infected THP-1 cells, indicating the external secretion of ChpK and MazF during infection. Transfection of the chpK or mazF gene caused decreased viability and necrosis in THP-1 cells, whereas the chpI or mazE gene transfection did not affect the viability of THP-1 cells but blocked the ChpK or MazF-induced toxicity. Deletion of the chpK or mazF gene also decreased the late-apoptotic and/or necrotic ratios of THP-1 cells at the late stages of infection. The recombinant protein MazF (rMazF) cleaved the RNAs but not the DNAs from Leptospira and THP-1 cells, and this RNA cleavage was blocked by rMazE. However, the rChpK had no RNA or DNA-degrading activity. All these findings indicate that the ChpK and MazF proteins in TA modules are involved in the virulence of L. interrogans during infection.

Eosinophils from Murine Lamina Propria Induce Differentiation of Naïve T Cells into Regulatory T Cells via TGF-β1 and Retinoic Acid

Treg cells play a crucial role in immune tolerance, but mechanisms that induce Treg cells are poorly understood. We here have described eosinophils in lamina propria (LP) that displayed high aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity, a rate-limiting step during all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) synthesis, and expressed TGF-β1 mRNA and high levels of ATRA. Co-incubation assay confirmed that LP eosinophils induced the differentiation of naïve T cells into Treg cells. Differentiation promoted by LP eosinophils were inhibited by blocked either TGF-β1 or ATRA. Peripheral blood (PB) eosinophils did not produce ATRA and could not induce Treg differentiation. These data identifies LP eosinophils as effective inducers of Treg cell differentiation through a mechanism dependent on TGF-β1 and ATRA.

A leptospiral AAA+ chaperone–Ntn peptidase complex, HslUV, contributes to the intracellular survival of Leptospira interrogans in hosts and the transmission of leptospirosis

Leptospirosis caused by Leptospira is a zoonotic disease of global importance but it is considered as an emerging or re-emerging infectious disease in many areas in the world. Until now, the mechanisms about pathogenesis and transmission of Leptospira remains poorly understood. As eukaryotic and prokaryotic proteins can be denatured in adverse environments and chaperone–protease/peptidase complexes degrade these harmful proteins, we speculate that infection may also cause leptospiral protein denaturation, and the HslU and HslV proteins of L. interrogans may compose a complex to degrade denatured proteins that enhances leptospiral survival in hosts. Here we show that leptospiral HslUV is an ATP-dependent chaperone–peptidase complex containing ATPase associated with various cellular activity (AAA+) and N-terminal nucleophile (Ntn) hydrolase superfamily domains, respectively, which hydrolyzed casein and chymotrypsin-like substrates, and this hydrolysis was blocked by threonine protease inhibitors. The infection of J774A.1 macrophages caused the increase of leptospiral denatured protein aggresomes, but more aggresomes accumulated in hslUV gene-deleted mutant. The abundant denatured leptospiral proteins are involved in ribosomal structure, flagellar assembly, two-component signaling systems and transmembrane transport. Compared to the wild-type strain, infection of cells in vitro with the mutant resulted in a higher number of dead leptospires, less leptospiral colony-forming units and lower growth ability, but also displayed a lower half lethal dose, attenuated histopathological injury and decreased leptospiral loading in lungs, liver, kidneys, peripheral blood and urine in hamsters. Therefore, our findings confirmed that HslUV AAA+ chaperone–Ntn peptidase complex of L. interrogans contributes to leptospiral survival in hosts and transmission of leptospirosis. Emerging Microbes & Infections (2017) 6, e105; doi:10.1038/emi.2017.93; published online 29 November 2017

vWA proteins of Leptospira interrogans induce hemorrhage in leptospirosis by competitive inhibition of vWF/GPIb-mediated platelet aggregation

Backgroud Leptospira interrogans is the major causative agent of leptospirosis, a worldwide zoonotic disease. Hemorrhage is a typical pathological feature of leptospirosis. Binding of von Willebrand factor (vWF) to platelet glycoprotein-Ibα (GPIbα) is a crucial step in initiation of platelet aggregation. The products of L. interrogans vwa-I and vwa-II genes contain vWF-A domains, but their ability to induce hemorrhage has not been determined. Methods Human (Hu)-platelet- and Hu-GPIbα-binding abilities of the recombinant proteins expressed by L. interrogans strain Lai vwa-I and vwa-II genes (rLep-vWA-I and rLep-vWA-II) were detected by flowcytometry, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). Hu-platelet aggregation and its signaling kinases and active components were detected by lumiaggregometry, Western analysis, spectrophotometry and confocal microscopy. Hu-GPIbα-binding sites in rLep-vWA-I and rLep-vWA-II were identified by SPR/ITC measurements. Findings Both rLep-vWA-I and rLep-vWA-II were able to bind to Hu-platelets and inhibit rHu-vWF/ristocetin-induced Hu-platelet aggregation, but Hu-GPIbα-IgG, rLep-vWA-I-IgG and rLep-vWA-II-IgG blocked this binding or inhibition. SPR and ITC revealed a tight interaction between Hu-GPIbα and rLep-vWA-I/rLep-vWA-II with KD values of 3.87 × 10−7-8.65 × 10−8 M. Hu-GPIbα-binding of rL-vWA-I/rL-vWA-II neither activated the PI3K/AKT-ERK and PLC/PKC kinases nor affected the NO, cGMP, ADP, Ca2+ and TXA2 levels in Hu-platelets. G13/R36/G47 in Lep-vWA-I and G76/Q126 in Lep-vWA-II were confirmed as the Hu-GPIbα-binding sites. Injection of rLep-vWA-I or rLep-vWA-II in mice resulted in diffuse pulmonary and focal renal hemorrhage but this hemorrhage was blocked by rLep-vWA-I-IgG or rLep-vWA-II-IgG. Interpretation The products of L. interrogans vwa-I and vwa-II genes induce hemorrhage by competitive inhibition of vWF-mediated Hu-platelet aggregation.

Distribution of β-lactamase genes of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates in Zhejiang province, China, and regulation of gene expression

Klebsiella pneumoniae is a common causative agent of nosocomial infections with a high level of resistance toward β-lactam antibiotics. Our previous study showed that TEM-1 and SHV-11 are the predominant β-lactamase-encoding genes of K. pneumoniae isolates in the Zhejiang area, China. In this study, more clinical K. pneumoniae isolates were collected for detecting their β-lactamase-encoding gene profiles by PCR and sequencing. qRT-PCR was then performed to determine the role of cefotaxime or penicillin in low concentrations to induce the β-lactamase gene expression of K. pneumoniae isolates. Moreover, the K. pneumoniae isolates were pretreated with closantel (CLO), a histidine kinase inhibitor, before antibiotic treatment, and qRT-PCR and the β-lactamase phenotype confirmatory test were then applied to determine the effect of CLO on the expression of the β-lactamase genes. The results showed that, except for KPC-2, the 1/4 MIC cefotaxime or penicillin induced significant mRNA elevation of the TEM-1, CTX-M-14, SHV-11 and OXA-1 β-lactamase genes, but this induction could be inhibited by CLO. After pretreatment with CLO, 78.4~81.4% of the β-lactam-resistant isolates became sensitive and the positive rate of the β-lactamase production phenotype in the isolates was decreased from 100% to 27.1%. The data indicate that TEM-1 (70.7%), SHV-11 (64.2%) and CTX-M-14 (40.5%) are the predominant β-lactamase genes of the K. pneumoniae isolates in Zhejiang and sublethal dosage of β-lactam antibiotics can induce the β-lactamase gene expression of K. pneumoniae through histidine kinase-mediated two-component signaling systems. https://doi.org/10.2298/ABS160512112Z Received: May 12, 2016; Revised: July 21, 2016; Accepted: August 15, 2016; Published online: October 31, 2016 How to cite: Zhao JF, Wang Q, Ge YM, Tan PL, Chen YM, Yan Jie. Distribution of β-lactamase genes of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates in Zhejiang province, China, and regulation of gene expression. Arch Biol Sci. 2017;69(3):399-407.