scholarly journals Natural Resistance to Intracellular Infections

2000 ◽  
Vol 192 (9) ◽  
pp. 1237-1248 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nada Jabado ◽  
Andrzej Jankowski ◽  
Samuel Dougaparsad ◽  
Virginie Picard ◽  
Sergio Grinstein ◽  
...  

Mutations at the natural resistance–associated macrophage protein 1 (Nramp1) locus cause susceptibility to infection with antigenically unrelated intracellular pathogens. Nramp1 codes for an integral membrane protein expressed in the lysosomal compartment of macrophages, and is recruited to the membrane of phagosomes soon after the completion of phagocytosis. To define whether Nramp1 functions as a transporter at the phagosomal membrane, a divalent cation-sensitive fluorescent probe was designed and covalently attached to a porous particle. The resulting conjugate, zymosan–FF6, was ingested by macrophages and its fluorescence emission was recorded in situ after phagocytosis, using digital imaging. Quenching of the probe by Mn2+ was used to monitor the flux of divalent cations across the phagosomal membrane in peritoneal macrophages obtained from Nramp1-expressing (+/+) and Nramp1-deficient (−/−) macrophages. Phagosomes from Nramp1+/+ mice extrude Mn2+ faster than their Nramp−/− counterparts. The difference in the rate of transport is eliminated when acidification of the phagosomal lumen is dissipated, suggesting that divalent metal transport through Nramp1 is H+ dependent. These studies suggest that Nramp1 contributes to defense against infection by extrusion of divalent cations from the phagosomal space. Such cations are likely essential for microbial function and their removal from the phagosomal microenvironment impairs pathogenesis, resulting in enhanced bacteriostasis or bactericidal activity.

1999 ◽  
Vol 190 (5) ◽  
pp. 717-724 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Agranoff ◽  
Irene M. Monahan ◽  
Joseph A. Mangan ◽  
Philip D. Butcher ◽  
Sanjeev Krishna

Mammalian natural resistance–associated macrophage protein (Nramp) homologues are important determinants of susceptibility to infection by diverse intracellular pathogens including mycobacteria. Eukaryotic Nramp homologues transport divalent cations such as Fe2+, Mn2+, Zn2+, and Cu2+. Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium bovis (bacillus Calmette-Guérin [BCG]) also encode an Nramp homologue (Mramp). RNA encoding Mramp induces ∼20-fold increases in 65Zn2+ and 55Fe2+ uptake when injected into Xenopus laevis oocytes. Transport is dependent on acidic extracellular pH and is maximal between pH 5.5 and 6.5. Mramp-mediated 65Zn2+ and 55Fe2+ transport is abolished by an excess of Mn2+ and Cu2+, confirming that Mramp interacts with a broad range of divalent transition metal cations. Using semiquantitative reverse transcription PCR, we show that Mramp mRNA levels in M. tuberculosis are upregulated in response to increases in ambient Fe2+ and Cu2+ between <1 and 5 μM concentrations and that this upregulation occurs in parallel with mRNA for y39, a putative metal-transporting P-type ATPase. Using a quantitative ratiometric PCR technique, we demonstrate a fourfold decrease in Mramp/y39 mRNA ratios from organisms grown in 5–70 μM Cu2+. M. bovis BCG cultured axenically and within THP-1 cells also expresses mRNA encoding Mramp. Mramp exemplifies a novel prokaryotic class of metal ion transporter. Within phagosomes, Mramp and Nramp1 may compete for the same divalent cations, with implications for intracellular survival of mycobacteria.


1998 ◽  
Vol 188 (2) ◽  
pp. 351-364 ◽  
Author(s):  
David J. Hackam ◽  
Ori D. Rotstein ◽  
Wei-jian Zhang ◽  
Samantha Gruenheid ◽  
Philippe Gros ◽  
...  

The mechanisms underlying the survival of intracellular parasites such as mycobacteria in host macrophages remain poorly understood. In mice, mutations at the Nramp1 gene (for natural resistance-associated macrophage protein), cause susceptibility to mycobacterial infections. Nramp1 encodes an integral membrane protein that is recruited to the phagosome membrane in infected macrophages. In this study, we used microfluorescence ratio imaging of macrophages from wild-type and Nramp1 mutant mice to analyze the effect of loss of Nramp1 function on the properties of phagosomes containing inert particles or live mycobacteria. The pH of phagosomes containing live Mycobacterium bovis was significantly more acidic in Nramp1- expressing macrophages than in mutant cells (pH 5.5 ± 0.06 versus pH 6.6 ± 0.05, respectively; P <0.005). The enhanced acidification could not be accounted for by differences in proton consumption during dismutation of superoxide, phagosomal buffering power, counterion conductance, or in the rate of proton “leak”, as these were found to be comparable in wild-type and Nramp1-deficient macrophages. Rather, after ingestion of live mycobacteria, Nramp1-expressing cells exhibited increased concanamycin-sensitive H+ pumping across the phagosomal membrane. This was associated with an enhanced ability of phagosomes to fuse with vacuolar-type ATPase–containing late endosomes and/or lysosomes. This effect was restricted to live M. bovis and was not seen in phagosomes containing dead M. bovis or latex beads. These data support the notion that Nramp1 affects intracellular mycobacterial replication by modulating phagosomal pH, suggesting that Nramp1 plays a central role in this process.


1997 ◽  
Vol 185 (4) ◽  
pp. 717-730 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samantha Gruenheid ◽  
Elhanan Pinner ◽  
Michel Desjardins ◽  
Philippe Gros

The Nramp1 (natural-resistance-associated macrophage protein 1) locus (Bcg, Ity, Lsh) controls the innate resistance or susceptibility of mice to infection with a group of unrelated intracellular parasites which includes Salmonella, Leishmania, and Mycobacterium. Nramp1 is expressed exclusively in professional phagocytes and encodes an integral membrane protein that shares structural characteristics with ion channels and transporters. Its function and mechanism of action remain unknown. The intracellular localization of the Nramp1 protein was analyzed in control 129/sv and mutant Nramp1−/− macrophages by immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy and by biochemical fractionation. In colocalization studies with a specific anti-Nramp1 antiserum and a panel of control antibodies directed against known cellular structures, Nramp1 was found not to be expressed at the plasma membrane but rather localized to the late endocytic compartments (late endosome/lysosome) of resting macrophages in a Lamp1 (lysosomal-associated membrane protein 1)-positive compartment. Double immunofluorescence studies and direct purification of latex bead–containing phagosomes demonstrated that upon phagocytosis, Nramp1 is recruited to the membrane of the phagosome and remains associated with this structure during its maturation to phagolysosome. After phagocytosis, Nramp1 is acquired by the phagosomal membrane with time kinetics similar to Lamp1, but clearly distinct from those of the early endosomal marker Rab5. The targeting of Nramp1 from endocytic vesicles to the phagosomal membrane supports the hypothesis that Nramp1 controls the replication of intracellular parasites by altering the intravacuolar environment of the microbe-containing phagosome.


2004 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 1084-1086 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.S. Lapham ◽  
E.S. Phillips ◽  
C.H. Barton

Slc11a1/Nramp1 (solute carrier family 11 member a1/murine natural resistance-associated macrophage protein 1 gene) encodes a divalent cation transporter that resides within lysosomes/late endosomes of macrophages. Nramp1 modulates the cellular distribution of divalent cations in response to cell activation by intracellular pathogens. Nramp1 expression is repressed and activated by the proto-oncogene c-Myc and Miz-1 (c-Myc-interacting zinc finger protein 1) respectively. Here we demonstrate, using a c-Myc mutant (V394D, Val394→Asp) that is incapable of binding Miz-1, that c-Myc repression of Nramp1 transcription is dependent on its interaction with Miz-1. An oligo pull-down assay demonstrates specific binding of recombinant Miz-1 to the Nramp1 Miz-1-binding site or initiator element(s), and Miz-1-dependent c-Myc recruitment.


2001 ◽  
Vol 82 (3) ◽  
pp. 603-607 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ondine J. Silvia ◽  
Geoffrey R. Shellam ◽  
Nadezda Urosevic

Innate resistance to flaviviruses in mice is active in the brain where it restricts virus replication. This resistance is controlled by a single genetic locus, Flv, located on mouse chromosome 5 near the locus encoding the neuronal form of nitric oxide synthase (Nos1). Since nitric oxide (NO) has been implicated in antiviral activity, its involvement in natural resistance to flaviviruses has been hypothesized. Here we present data on NO production before and during flavivirus infection in both brain tissue and peritoneal macrophages from two flavivirus-resistant (Flv r) and one congenic susceptible (Flv s) mouse strains. This study provides evidence that NO is not involved in the expression of flavivirus resistance controlled by Flv since: (a) there is no difference in brain tissue NO levels between susceptible and resistant mice, and (b) lipopolysaccharide-induced NO does not abrogate the difference in flavivirus replication in peritoneal macrophages from susceptible and resistant mice.


2012 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 99-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Thomas ◽  
S. Joseph

Genetic improvement in livestock was achieved earlier by selective breeding of individuals with superior phenotypes. Now due to the advances in molecular genetics and biotechnology candidate genes of economic traits can be included in selection for breeding programmes. Genes responsible for the resistance/susceptibility to infections with various pathogens (Major Histo Compatibility (MHC) genes, Solute Carrier family11 member A1 (SLC11A1) gene, Toll Like Receptor (TLR) genes etc.), have been recently identified and characterized in human beings as well as in many animals. Among these the role of SLC11A1 gene is very important due to its association with resistance/ susceptibility to various intracellular pathogens in human as well as in livestock species. The SLC11A1 gene, formerly known as natural resistance-associated macrophage protein 1 (NRAMP1) encodes an integral membrane protein regulating the activity of macrophages. Genetic resistance/ susceptibility to diseases due to candidate gene polymorphisms could be used in selection and breeding for disease resistance in animals.


1999 ◽  
Vol 189 (5) ◽  
pp. 831-841 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samantha Gruenheid ◽  
François Canonne-Hergaux ◽  
Susan Gauthier ◽  
David J. Hackam ◽  
Sergio Grinstein ◽  
...  

The natural resistance associated macrophage protein (Nramp) gene family is composed of two members in mammals, Nramp1 and Nramp2. Nramp1 is expressed primarily in macrophages and mutations at this locus cause susceptibility to infectious diseases. Nramp2 has a much broader range of tissue expression and mutations at Nramp2 result in iron deficiency, indicating a role for Nramp2 in iron metabolism. To get further insight into the function and mechanism of action of Nramp proteins, we have generated isoform specific anti-Nramp1 and anti-Nramp2 antisera. Immunoblotting experiments indicate that Nramp2 is present in a number of cell types, including hemopoietic precursors, and is coexpressed with Nramp1 in primary macrophages and macrophage cell lines. Nramp2 is expressed as a 90–100-kD integral membrane protein extensively modified by glycosylation (>40% of molecular mass). Subcellular localization studies by immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy indicate distinct and nonoverlapping localization for Nramp1 and Nramp2. Nramp1 is expressed in the lysosomal compartment, whereas Nramp2 is not detectable in the lysosomes but is expressed primarily in recycling endosomes and also, to a lower extent, at the plasma membrane, colocalizing with transferrin. These findings suggest that Nramp2 plays a key role in the metabolism of transferrin-bound iron by transporting free Fe2+ across the endosomal membrane and into the cytoplasm.


2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 472-478
Author(s):  
Wei-tao Gong ◽  
Wei-dong Qu ◽  
Guiling Ning

Two pyridinium amide-based receptors L1 and L2 with a small difference of H-bond position of the amide have been synthesized and characterized. Interestingly, they exhibited a huge difference in sensing towards AcO- and H2PO4 -, respectively. Receptor L1 was found to be ‘naked-eye’ selective for AcO- anions, while receptor L2 showed clear fluorescence enhancement selective to H2PO4 - anion. The recognition ability has been established by fluorescence emission, UV-vis spectra, and 1HNMR titration.


2001 ◽  
Vol 69 (11) ◽  
pp. 6618-6624 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wangjian Zhong ◽  
William P. Lafuse ◽  
Bruce S. Zwilling

ABSTRACT Iron is an important element for the growth of microorganisms as well as in the defense of the host by serving as a catalyst for the generation of free radicals via the Fenton/Haber-Weiss reactions. The iron transporter natural resistance-associated macrophage protein 1 (Nramp1) confers resistance to the growth of a variety of intracellular pathogens including Mycobacterium avium. Recently several other proteins that are involved in iron transport, including the highly homologous iron transporter Nramp2 and the transferrin receptor-associated protein HFE (hereditary hemochromatosis protein), have been described. The relationship of these proteins to host defense and to the growth of intracellular pathogens is not known. Here, we report that infection with M. avium differentially regulates mRNA expression of the proteins associated with iron transport in murine peritoneal macrophages. Both Nramp1 and Nramp2 mRNA levels increase following infection, while the expression of transferrin receptor mRNA decreases. The level of expression of HFE mRNA remains unchanged. The difference in the expression of the mRNA of these proteins following infection or cytokine stimulation suggests that they may play an important role in host defense by maintaining a delicate balance between iron availability for host defense and at the same time limiting iron availability for microbial growth.


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