scholarly journals Probing the evolutionary robustness of two repurposed drugs targeting iron uptake inPseudomonas aeruginosa

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiara Rezzoagli ◽  
David Wilson ◽  
Michael Weigert ◽  
Stefan Wyder ◽  
Rolf Kümmerli
Keyword(s):  
Iron Uptake ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Iron Acquisition ◽  
Great Promise ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
Evolutionary Robustness ◽  
Repurposed Drugs ◽  
Opportunistic Human Pathogen ◽  
Iron Delivery ◽  
Conventional Antibiotics

AbstractBackground and objectivesTreatments that inhibit the expression or functioning of bacterial virulence factors hold great promise to be both effective and exert weaker selection for resistance than conventional antibiotics. However, the evolutionary robustness argument, based on the idea that anti-virulence treatments disarm rather than kill pathogens, is controversial. Here we probe the evolutionary robustness of two repurposed drugs, gallium and flucytosine, targeting the iron-scavenging pyoverdine of the opportunistic human pathogenPseudomonas aeruginosa.MethodologyWe subjected replicated cultures of bacteria to two concentrations of each drug for 20 consecutive days in human serum as an ex-vivo infection model. We screened evolved populations and clones for resistance phenotypes, including the restoration of growth and pyoverdine production, and the evolution of iron uptake by-passing mechanisms. We whole-genome sequenced evolved clones to identify the genetic basis of resistance.ResultsWe found that mutants resistant against anti-virulence treatments readily arose, but their selective spreading varied between treatments. Flucytosine resistance quickly spread in all populations due to disruptive mutations inupp, a gene encoding an enzyme required for flucytosine activation. Conversely, resistance against gallium arose only sporadically, and was based on mutations in transcriptional regulators, upregulating pyocyanin production, a redox-active molecule promoting siderophore-independent iron acquisition. The spread of gallium resistance could be hampered because pyocyanin-mediated iron delivery benefits resistant and susceptible cells alike.Conclusions and implicationsOur work highlights that anti-virulence treatments are not evolutionarily robustper se. Instead, evolutionary robustness is a relative measure, with specific treatments occupying different positions on a continuous scale.

scholarly journals Identification of a New Iron-Regulated Virulence Gene,ireA, in an Extraintestinal Pathogenic Isolate ofEscherichia coli

2001 ◽  
Vol 69 (10) ◽  
pp. 6209-6216 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas A. Russo ◽  
Ulrike B. Carlino ◽  
James R. Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Human Urine ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Iron Acquisition ◽  
Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Sodium Dodecyl ◽  
Virulence Gene ◽  
Luria Bertani ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
Reading Frame ◽  
Pathogenic Isolate

ABSTRACT Our laboratory is studying an extraintestinal pathogenic isolate ofEscherichia coli (CP9) as a model pathogen. We have been using human urine, ascites, and blood ex vivo to identify genes with increased expression in these media relative to expression in Luria-Bertani (LB) broth. Such genes may represent new or unrecognized virulence traits. In this study, we report the identification of a new gene, ireA (iron-responsive element). This gene has an open reading frame of 2,049 nucleotides, and its peptide has a molecular mass of 75.3 kDa on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Its expression is increased a mean of 3.6-fold in human urine, 16.2-fold in human ascites, and 6.6-fold in human blood relative to expression in LB medium, and it is Fe repressible. IreA also exhibits peptide similarities (48 to 56%) to previously identified proteins that function as siderophore receptors, suggesting that IreA is involved in iron acquisition. PCR-based analysis ofireA's phylogenetic distribution detectedireA in none (0%) of 14 fecal isolates that represented probable commensal strains, but in 13 (26%) of 50 random urine and blood clinical isolates (P = 0.05) and in 5 (100%) of 5 representatives of the J96-like, clonal group of which CP9 is a member (P < 0.001). In a mouse urinary tract infection model, the presence of ireA contributed significantly to CP9's ability to colonize the bladder (P < 0.02), evidence that IreA is a urovirulence factor. Taken together, these findings demonstrate thatireA encodes a new virulence factor, which is likely involved in Fe acquisition.

scholarly journals Iron Acquisition from Transferrin by Candida albicans Depends on the Reductive Pathway

2005 ◽  
Vol 73 (9) ◽  
pp. 5482-5492 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon A. B. Knight ◽  
Gaston Vilaire ◽  
Emmanuel Lesuisse ◽  
Andrew Dancis
Keyword(s):  
Candida Albicans ◽  
Iron Uptake ◽  
Iron Reduction ◽  
Reductase Activity ◽  
Iron Acquisition ◽  
Systemic Infection ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
Cell Contact ◽  
Dialysis Bag ◽  
Reductive Pathway

ABSTRACT Host-pathogen interactions that alter virulence are influenced by critical nutrients such as iron. In humans, free iron is unavailable, being present only in high-affinity iron binding proteins such as transferrin. The fungal pathogen Candida albicans grows as a saprophyte on mucosal surfaces. Occasionally it invades systemically, and in this circumstance it will encounter transferrin iron. Here we report that C. albicans is able to acquire iron from transferrin. Iron-loaded transferrin restored growth to cultures arrested by iron deprivation, whereas apotransferrin was unable to promote growth. By using congenic strains, we have been able to show that iron uptake by C. albicans from transferrin was mediated by the reductive pathway (via FTR1). The genetically separate siderophore and heme uptake systems were not involved. FRE10 was required for a surface reductase activity and for efficient transferrin iron uptake activity in unbuffered medium. Other reductase genes were apparently up-regulated in medium buffered at pH 6.3 to 6.4, and the fre10 −/− mutant had no effect under these conditions. Experiments in which transferrin was sequestered in a dialysis bag demonstrated that cell contact with the substrate was required for iron reduction and release. The requirement of FTR1 for virulence in a systemic infection model and its role in transferrin iron uptake raise the possibility that transferrin is a source of iron during systemic C. albicans infections.

scholarly journals Characterization of MtsR, a New Metal Regulator in Group A Streptococcus, Involved in Iron Acquisition and Virulence

2005 ◽  
Vol 73 (9) ◽  
pp. 5743-5753 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher S. Bates ◽  
Chadia Toukoki ◽  
Melody N. Neely ◽  
Zehava Eichenbaum
Keyword(s):  
Iron Uptake ◽  
Iron Homeostasis ◽  
Group A Streptococcus ◽  
Iron Acquisition ◽  
Regulatory Protein ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
Complete Medium ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Metal Levels ◽  
Group A

ABSTRACT Group A streptococcus (GAS) is a common pathogen of the human skin and mucosal surfaces capable of producing a variety of diseases. In this study, we investigated regulation of iron uptake in GAS and the role of a putative transcriptional regulator named MtsR (for Mts repressor) with homology to the DtxR family of metal-dependent regulatory proteins. An mtsR mutant was constructed in NZ131 (M49 serotype) and analyzed. Western blot and RNA analysis showed that mtsR inactivation results in constitutive transcription of the sia (streptococcal iron acquisition) operon, which was negatively regulated by iron in the parent strain. A recombinant MtsR with C-terminal His6 tag fusion (rMtsR) was cloned and purified. Electrophoretic mobility gel shift assays demonstrated that rMtsR specifically binds to the sia promoter region in an iron- and manganese-dependent manner. Together, these observations indicate that MtsR directly represses the sia operon during cell growth under conditions of high metal levels. Consistent with deregulation of iron uptake, the mtsR mutant is hypersensitive to streptonigrin and hydrogen peroxide, and 55Fe uptake assays demonstrate that it accumulates 80% ± 22.5% more iron than the wild-type strain during growth in complete medium. Studies with a zebrafish infection model revealed that the mtsR mutant is attenuated for virulence in both the intramuscular and the intraperitoneal routes. In conclusion, MtsR, a new regulatory protein in GAS, controls iron homeostasis and has a role in disease production.

In Vitro, In Silico and Ex Vivo Studies of Dihydroartemisinin Derivatives as Antitubercular Agents

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (8) ◽  
pp. 633-644 ◽  
Author(s):  
Komal Kalani ◽  
Sarfaraz Alam ◽  
Vinita Chaturvedi ◽  
Shyam Singh ◽  
Feroz Khan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bone Marrow ◽  
In Silico ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Virulent Strain ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
Mouse Bone Marrow ◽  
Significant Activity ◽  
Macrophage Infection ◽  
In Silico Studies

Introduction: As a part of our drug discovery program for anti-tubercular agents, dihydroartemisinin (DHA-1) was screened against Mtb H37Rv, which showed moderate anti-tubercular activity (>25.0 µg/mL). These results prompted us to carry out the chemical transformation of DHA-1 into various derivatives and study their antitubercular potential. Materials and Methods: DHA-1 was semi-synthetically converted into four new acyl derivatives (DHA-1A – DHA-1D) and in-vitro evaluated for their anti-tubercular potential against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv virulent strain. The derivatives, DHA-1C (12-O-(4-nitro) benzoyl; MIC 12.5 µg/mL) and DHA-1D (12-O-chloro acetyl; MIC 3.12µg/mL) showed significant activity against the pathogen. Results: In silico studies of the most active derivative (DHA-1D) showed interaction with ARG448 inhibiting the mycobacterium enzymes. Additionally, it showed no cytotoxicity towards the Vero C1008 cells and Mouse bone marrow derived macrophages. Conclusion: DHA-1D killed 62% intracellular M. tuberculosis in Mouse bone marrow macrophage infection model. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first-ever report on the antitubercular potential of dihydroartemisinin and its derivatives. Since dihydroartemisinin is widely used as an antimalarial drug; these results may be of great help in anti-tubercular drug development from a very common, inexpensive, and non-toxic natural product.

scholarly journals Iron Acquisition of Urinary Tract Infection Escherichia coli Involves Pathogenicity in Caenorhabditis elegans

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 310
Author(s):  
Masayuki Hashimoto ◽  
Yi-Fen Ma ◽  
Sin-Tian Wang ◽  
Chang-Shi Chen ◽  
Ching-Hao Teng
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Urinary Tract ◽  
Caenorhabditis Elegans ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Iron Acquisition ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
High Throughput Analysis ◽  
E Coli ◽  
C Elegans ◽  
Tract Infections

Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) is a major bacterial pathogen that causes urinary tract infections (UTIs). The mouse is an available UTI model for studying the pathogenicity; however, Caenorhabditis elegans represents as an alternative surrogate host with the capacity for high-throughput analysis. Then, we established a simple assay for a UPEC infection model with C. elegans for large-scale screening. A total of 133 clinically isolated E. coli strains, which included UTI-associated and fecal isolates, were applied to demonstrate the simple pathogenicity assay. From the screening, several virulence factors (VFs) involved with iron acquisition (chuA, fyuA, and irp2) were significantly associated with high pathogenicity. We then evaluated whether the VFs in UPEC were involved in the pathogenicity. Mutants of E. coli UTI89 with defective iron acquisition systems were applied to a solid killing assay with C. elegans. As a result, the survival rate of C. elegans fed with the mutants significantly increased compared to when fed with the parent strain. The results demonstrated, the simple assay with C. elegans was useful as a UPEC infectious model. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the involvement of iron acquisition in the pathogenicity of UPEC in a C. elegans model.

scholarly journals Bacterial effector targeting of a plant iron sensor facilitates iron acquisition and pathogen colonization

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yingying Xing ◽  
Ning Xu ◽  
Deepak D Bhandari ◽  
Dmitry Lapin ◽  
Xinhua Sun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Syringae ◽  
Iron Uptake ◽  
Iron Acquisition ◽  
Iron Accumulation ◽  
Regulatory Proteins ◽  
Mineral Nutrient ◽  
Effector Protein ◽  
Iron Regulatory Proteins ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Pathogen Colonization

Abstract Acquisition of nutrients from different species is necessary for pathogen colonization. Iron is an essential mineral nutrient for nearly all organisms, but little is known about how pathogens manipulate plant hosts to acquire iron. Here, we report that AvrRps4, an effector protein delivered by Pseudomonas syringae bacteria to plants, interacts with and targets the plant iron sensor protein BRUTUS (BTS) to facilitate iron uptake and pathogen proliferation in Arabidopsis thaliana. Infection of rps4 and eds1 by P. syringae pv. tomato (Pst) DC3000 expressing AvrRps4 resulted in iron accumulation, especially in the plant apoplast. AvrRps4 alleviates BTS-mediated degradation of bHLH115 and ILR3(IAA-Leucine resistant 3), two iron regulatory proteins. In addition, BTS is important for accumulating immune proteins Enhanced Disease Susceptibility1 (EDS1) at both the transcriptional and protein levels upon Pst (avrRps4) infections. Our findings suggest that AvrRps4 targets BTS to facilitate iron accumulation and BTS contributes to RPS4/EDS1-mediated immune responses.

scholarly journals Ultrasound Doppler-guided real-time navigation of a magnetic microswarm for active endovascular delivery

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (9) ◽  
pp. eabe5914 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qianqian Wang ◽  
Kai Fung Chan ◽  
Kathrin Schweizer ◽  
Xingzhou Du ◽  
Dongdong Jin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Flow ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Targeted Delivery ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Dynamic Environments ◽  
Doppler Imaging ◽  
Great Promise ◽  
Mean Velocity ◽  
Ultrasound Doppler ◽  
Flowing Blood

Swarming micro/nanorobots offer great promise in performing targeted delivery inside diverse hard-to-reach environments. However, swarm navigation in dynamic environments challenges delivery capability and real-time swarm localization. Here, we report a strategy to navigate a nanoparticle microswarm in real time under ultrasound Doppler imaging guidance for active endovascular delivery. A magnetic microswarm was formed and navigated near the boundary of vessels, where the reduced drag of blood flow and strong interactions between nanoparticles enable upstream and downstream navigation in flowing blood (mean velocity up to 40.8 mm/s). The microswarm-induced three-dimensional blood flow enables Doppler imaging from multiple viewing configurations and real-time tracking in different environments (i.e., stagnant, flowing blood, and pulsatile flow). We also demonstrate the ultrasound Doppler–guided swarm formation and navigation in the porcine coronary artery ex vivo. Our strategy presents a promising connection between swarm control and real-time imaging of microrobotic swarms for localized delivery in dynamic environments.

scholarly journals Staphylococcus aureus Serves as an Iron Source for Pseudomonas aeruginosa during In Vivo Coculture

2005 ◽  
Vol 187 (2) ◽  
pp. 554-566 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren M. Mashburn ◽  
Amy M. Jett ◽  
Darrin R. Akins ◽  
Marvin Whiteley
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Pathogenic Bacteria ◽  
Iron Acquisition ◽  
Low Oxygen ◽  
Dialysis Membrane ◽  
Opportunistic Human Pathogen ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACT Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a gram-negative opportunistic human pathogen often infecting the lungs of individuals with the heritable disease cystic fibrosis and the peritoneum of individuals undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. Often these infections are not caused by colonization with P. aeruginosa alone but instead by a consortium of pathogenic bacteria. Little is known about growth and persistence of P. aeruginosa in vivo, and less is known about the impact of coinfecting bacteria on P. aeruginosa pathogenesis and physiology. In this study, a rat dialysis membrane peritoneal model was used to evaluate the in vivo transcriptome of P. aeruginosa in monoculture and in coculture with Staphylococcus aureus. Monoculture results indicate that approximately 5% of all P. aeruginosa genes are differentially regulated during growth in vivo compared to in vitro controls. Included in this analysis are genes important for iron acquisition and growth in low-oxygen environments. The presence of S. aureus caused decreased transcription of P. aeruginosa iron-regulated genes during in vivo coculture, indicating that the presence of S. aureus increases usable iron for P. aeruginosa in this environment. We propose a model where P. aeruginosa lyses S. aureus and uses released iron for growth in low-iron environments.

scholarly journals DNA Methylation Changes duringIn VitroPropagation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Implications for Their Genomic Stability?

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela Bentivegna ◽  
Mariarosaria Miloso ◽  
Gabriele Riva ◽  
Dana Foudah ◽  
Valentina Butta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Mesenchymal Stem Cells ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Genomic Stability ◽  
Great Promise ◽  
Human Mscs ◽  
Low Oxygen ◽  
Long Term Culture ◽  
Functional Changes

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) hold great promise for the treatment of numerous diseases. A major problem for MSC therapeutic use is represented by the very low amount of MSCs which can be isolated from different tissues; thusex vivoexpansion is indispensable. Long-term culture, however, is associated with extensive morphological and functional changes of MSCs. In addition, the concern that they may accumulate stochastic mutations which lead the risk of malignant transformation still remains. Overall, the genome of human MSCs (hMSCs) appears to be apparently stable throughout culture, though transient clonal aneuploidies have been detected. Particular attention should be given to the use of low-oxygen environment in order to increase the proliferative capacity of hMSCs, since data on the effect of hypoxic culture conditions on genomic stability are few and contradictory. Furthermore, specific and reproducible epigenetic changes were acquired by hMSCs duringex vivoexpansion, which may be connected and trigger all the biological changes observed. In this review we address current issues on long-term culture of hMSCs with a 360-degree view, starting from the genomic profiles and back, looking for an epigenetic interpretation of their genetic stability.

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