对于军团菌的免疫遏制:宿主能否另辟蹊径?

嗜肺军团菌可引起严重的非典型肺炎,其特殊的Dot/Icm IVB型分泌系统转运近330种效应蛋白(大多数作为蛋白酶发挥功能)至宿主细胞,通过修饰细胞调节因子、抑制细胞凋亡等一系列措施调控宿主免疫应答以逃逸宿主免疫系统的监测,完成自身的增殖与侵染。嗜肺军团菌诱发的病原相关分子模式(pathogen-associated molecular patterns,PAMPs)和效应器触发反应(effector-triggered response,ETR)为探究军团菌与宿主互作提供新思路。该文就军团菌的致病机制、对宿主免疫的应对策略以及宿主的免疫应答等方面进行讨论,旨在探索由军团菌引起的肺部感染的相关免疫机制,利于开发出最优的细菌性肺炎治疗方案。     

嗜肺军团菌效应蛋白质介导的新型泛素化过程

泛素化是真核细胞特有的蛋白质翻译后修饰方式,调节真核细胞内多种重要生理过程,例如蛋白质稳态、细胞周期、免疫反应、DNA修复以及囊泡转运等。鉴于泛素化对于生命活动的重要性,病原菌在与宿主细胞的长期进化过程中衍生出一系列针对宿主泛素化过程的效应蛋白质,调控宿主体内泛素化过程,从而构建有利于病原菌自身生长繁殖的内环境。嗜肺军团菌是一种革兰氏阴性菌,是军团菌肺炎的致病菌,能够引起发热和肺部感染,重型病死率高达15%~30%。Dot/Icm Ⅳ型分泌系统是嗜肺军团菌侵染过程中最主要的毒力系统。在侵染宿主细胞的过程中,嗜肺军团菌利用该分泌系统,分泌超过330种效应蛋白质,协助细菌在宿主胞内生存、增殖和逃逸。多种嗜肺军团菌效应蛋白质通过直接或者间接的方式对宿主泛素化过程进行调控。近年的研究发现,多种效应蛋白质可以介导不同于真核生物经典泛素化的新型泛素化过程。本文介绍了嗜肺军团菌效应蛋白质介导的新型泛素化过程的最新研究进展,为理解泛素化过程在嗜肺军团菌致病过程中的重要作用提供参考依据。     

嗜肺军团菌效应蛋白之间的调控机制

嗜肺军团菌(Legionella pneumophila)是一种革兰氏阴性致病菌,它可以引起人类军团病。嗜肺军团菌的Dot/Icm分泌系统在其致病过程中至关重要,其向宿主细胞内转运约330种效应蛋白,通过修饰细胞调节因子、抑制细胞凋亡等一系列措施操纵宿主细胞的多种生命活动,以完成自身的增殖与侵染。为避免对宿主生理造成不必要的破坏,嗜肺军团菌已进化出复杂而精细的调控机制来平衡嗜肺军团菌毒力与宿主细胞的稳态,以确保嗜肺军团菌在宿主细胞内的生存。军团菌效应蛋白的功能及分子机制的研究近几年取得突破性进展,嗜肺军团菌效应蛋白之间的作用机理也成为我们进一步研究的热点。该文主要对嗜肺军团菌的致病机制及其效应蛋白间的调控机制进行了综述,为进一步了解嗜肺军团菌致病机制提供了一定的参考。     

嗜肺军团菌II型分泌系统及其底物的研究进展

嗜肺军团菌(Legionella pneumophila,L. pneumophila)是研究病原菌-宿主相互作用的重要模式菌株之一,其独特的分泌系统及底物效应蛋白的结构与功能是病原微生物领域的研究热点。II型分泌系统(type II secretion system,T2SS)对促进细菌在环境和人类宿主中的生存至关重要。嗜肺军团菌Legionella secretion pathway (Lsp)系统是革兰氏阴性病原菌中一个典型的T2SS。本文综述了L. pneumophila的T2SS及其底物效应蛋白的研究进展,重点介绍其结构与功能,为深入了解革兰氏阴性病原菌的T2SS功能和作用机制提供参考。     

磷脂酰肌醇类脂质在嗜肺军团菌发病机制中作用的研究进展北大核心

嗜肺军团菌(Legionella pneumophila)是一种能引起被称为“军团病”的严重肺炎的致病菌,其利用自身的IVB型分泌系统(type IVB secretion systems)将效应蛋白转运到宿主细胞中,作用于宿主蛋白质和脂质,以形成军团菌在宿主细胞内生长所需的吞噬泡(Legionella-containing vacuole,LCV)。磷酸酰肌醇(phosphatidylinositols,PIs)作为细胞的重要脂质组成,参与细胞信号转导及囊泡转运等过程。而大量的证据表明嗜肺军团菌利用其效应蛋白调控宿主磷酸酰肌醇类脂质代谢及其LCV膜的脂质组成,以促进LCV的成熟。本文主要从军团菌的致病机制、其效应蛋白对磷酸酰肌醇类脂质的代谢调控及对宿主磷脂酰肌醇代谢酶的招募等方面进行了综述分析,期望对进一步理解军团菌调控宿主脂质代谢分子机制和其致病机制提供参考。     

Ⅲ型分泌系统分子伴侣研究进展

Ⅲ型分泌系统广泛存在于革兰氏阴性致病菌中。通过Ⅲ型分泌系统 ,耶尔森氏菌属、沙门氏菌属、福氏志贺氏菌等革兰氏阴性致病菌注射毒力因子到宿主细胞中 ,被注入的细菌毒力蛋白在宿主细胞中刺激或干扰宿主细胞的代谢过程 ,支配细菌与宿主细胞的相互作用 ,从而引起诸如鼠疫、伤寒、痢疾等许多疾病。Ⅲ型分泌系统分子伴侣在帮助毒力蛋白分泌的过程中起到重要作用。尽管发现Ⅲ型分泌系统分子伴侣至今已近十年 ,但其具体的功能仍不清楚。从分类、功能、与相应底物作用的特点等方面对Ⅲ型分泌系统分子伴侣的研究进展作一简单介绍     

嗜肺军团菌调控宿主囊泡转运的效应因子及其分子机制

嗜肺军团菌通过其特有的Dot/Icm type-IVB分泌系统向宿主胞内分泌多种效应因子,有效俘获了宿主胞内参与囊泡转运的重要蛋白,从而"绑架"了宿主细胞的囊泡运输过程,达到逃避宿主清除机制并大量增殖的目的。这些效应因子包括Sid M、Lid A、Lep B、Ank X、Lem3、Sid D、Ral F、Vip D等,通过对这些效应因子的鉴定、功能试验和结构生物学研究,逐渐揭示了它们较为完整深入的分子作用机制。本文综述了目前已知的参与调控宿主囊泡转运过程的重要效应因子及其空间结构和分子机制,有助于综合了解这种复杂的病原微生物与宿主相互作用的过程。     

嗜肺军团菌调节宿主泛素化途径的效应因子及其分子机制研究进展

嗜肺军团菌是一种胞内寄生菌,其通过特有的Dot/Icm Type-IVB分泌系统向胞浆内分泌大量效应因子,其中已知参与宿主泛素化调控的效应因子有十多种。这些效应因子通过对宿主泛素化途径进行调控来达到逃避宿主免疫系统"监视"并大量增殖的目的。参与调控宿主泛素化途径的效应因子包括AnkB、SidC、LubX、SidH、LegU1、GobX、RavD、DupA、DupB、SidJ、Ceg23、MvcA、MavC及SidE家族蛋白等。随着对嗜肺军团菌效应因子功能及结构研究的深入,它们的作用机制逐渐被揭示。本文对其中几种重要嗜肺军团菌效应因子的生物学结构和分子机制进行系统总结,有利于综合了解嗜肺军团菌参与调控宿主泛素化系统的复杂过程。     

茄科雷尔氏菌的蛋白分泌系统及其特征

茄科雷尔氏菌利用自身的分泌系统能向胞外分泌上百种蛋白, 其中Ⅱ型和Ⅲ型分泌系统通过不同机制将分泌蛋白靶定到胞外或宿主细胞, 是决定茄科雷尔氏菌对宿主产生致病性的主要因素。其中Ⅲ型分泌系统不依赖Sec信号转导系统但必须依赖于宿主细胞的识别激活, 并在病原菌对宿主细胞的特异性识别和细菌在宿主细胞的生长增殖中发挥功能。到目前为止, 已经从茄科雷尔氏菌的GMI1000株系中鉴定出两类在宿主细胞中存在靶标, 并由Ⅲ型分泌系统分泌的效应蛋白Pop2和Gala蛋白家族。主要就茄科雷尔氏菌Ⅲ型分泌系统的基本特征以及效应蛋白及其宿主靶标的相互作用进行综述。     

革兰氏阴性菌Ⅵ型分泌系统及其参与金属离子转运的研究进展

细菌通过其分泌系统将特定的效应蛋白输送到外界环境或进入靶细胞中,从而在细菌和宿主、细菌和微生物群落的相互作用中占据适应性优势。Ⅵ型分泌系统（The type VI secretion system,T6SS）是革兰氏阴性菌中广泛存在的大分子分泌装置,其结构和功能类似于可收缩的噬菌体尾针样,通过细胞间直接接触将细菌各种酶或毒素效应蛋白转运到原核和真核生物中,从而介导细菌间竞争以及对宿主的致病过程。有些效应蛋白还可通过非接触依赖的方式进入胞外环境来帮助细菌获取稀缺金属离子,并且它们对应激条件下细胞内金属稳态的维持至关重要。这篇综述总结了Ⅵ型分泌系统的结构、组装及其分泌的效应蛋白,并重点阐述了Ⅵ型分泌系统在多种金属离子转运机制中作用的研究进展,有助于理解T6SS在细菌间相互作用和细菌感染过程中发挥的重要作用。     

Adaptation of Legionella pneumophila to the host environment: role of protein secretion, effectors and eukaryotic-like proteins

The intracellular pathogen Legionella pneumophila has evolved sophisticated mechanisms that enable it to subvert host functions, enter, survive and replicate in amoebae or alveolar macrophages, and to finally evade these hosts. Protozoa are essential for the growth of Legionella and the interaction with amoeba seems to be the driving force in the evolution of its pathogenicity. This is reflected in the genome of this pathogen, which encodes a high number and variety of eukaryotic-like proteins that are able to interfere in the various steps of the infectious cycle by mimicking functions of eukaryotic proteins. Central to the pathogenicity of L. pneumophila are the many secretion systems delivering these and other effectors to the host cell. Recent studies have highlighted the multi-functional role of these factors secreted by L. pneumophila, in host-pathogen interactions.     

A faster and more accurate assay for intracellular replication of Legionella pneumophila in amoebae hosts

A faster, more sensitive, and more accurate method to study intracellular replication of Legionella pneumophila in amoeboid hosts is described. This assay relies on an automated plate-reader to examine the intracellular growth and release of bacteria in real-time. Our experiments using this method have already revealed new insights into the kinetics of intracellular replication of L. pneumophila in Acanthamoeba castellanii.     

Ecological behaviour of three serogroups of Legionella pneumophila within a model plumbing system

Three Legionella pneumophila strains isolated from water samples and belonging to serogroups (sgs) 1, 6 and 9 were analysed for their capacity to colonise an experimental model simulating a domestic hot water distribution system. Ecological factors that could influence the persistence of the sgs such as intracellular life within protozoan hosts and bacterial interference by the production of antagonistic compounds were also studied. Viable counts of L. pneumophila increased both in the planktonic and in the sessile phases. Sg 6 showed a marked prevalence during the whole experiment and exhibited the highest host infection efficiency. Sg 1 was significantly less represented, but showed the highest capacity to reproduce in the protozoan hosts. Sg 9 was poorly represented and less adapted to intracellular life. Among the 14 bacteria constantly isolated in the system, five (35.7%) produced antagonistic substances against Legionella, with differences according to the bacterial strain and L. pneumophila sgs.     

Legionella pneumophila: an aquatic microbe goes astray

Legionella pneumophila is naturally found in fresh water were the bacteria parasitize within protozoa. It also survives planctonically in water or biofilms. Upon aerosol formation via man-made water systems, L. pneumophila can enter the human lung and cause a severe form of pneumonia, called Legionnaires' disease. The pathogenesis of Legionnaires' disease is largely due to the ability of L. pneumophila to invade and grow within macrophages. An important characteristic of the intracellular survival strategy is the replication within the host vacuole that does not fuse with endosomes or lysosomes. In recent times a great number of bacterial virulence factors which affect growth of L. pneumophila in both macrophages and protozoa have been identified. The ongoing Legionella genome project and the use of genetically tractable surrogate hosts are expected to significantly contribute to the understanding of bacterium-host interactions and the regulation of virulence traits during the infection cycle. Since person-to-person transmission of legionellosis has never been observed, the measures for disease prevention have concentrated on eliminating the pathogen from water supplies. In this respect detection and analysis of Legionella in complex environmental consortia become increasingly important. With the availability of new molecular tools this area of applied research has gained new momentum.     

Receptor-mediated uptake of Legionella pneumophila by Acanthamoeba castellanii and Naegleria lovaniensis

AIMS: Investigation of the attachment and uptake of Legionella pneumophila by Acanthamoeba castellanii and Naegleria lovaniensis, as these are two critical steps in the subsequent bacterial survival in both amoeba hosts. METHODS AND RESULTS: Initially, the mode of Legionella uptake was examined using inhibitors of microfilament-dependent and receptor-mediated uptake phagocytosis. Secondly, the minimum saccharide structure to interfere with L. pneumophila uptake was determined by means of selected saccharides. Bacterial attachment and uptake by each of the amoeba species occurred through a receptor-mediated endocytosis, which required de novo synthesis of host proteins. Legionella pneumophila showed a high affinity to the alpha1-3D-mannobiose domain of the mannose-binding receptor located on A. castellanii. In contrast, L. pneumophila bacteria had a high affinity for the GalNAcbeta1-4Gal domain of the N-acetyl-D-galactosamine receptor of N. lovaniensis. CONCLUSIONS: Our data pointed to a remarkable adaptation of L. pneumophila to invade different amoeba hosts, as the uptake by both amoeba species is mediated by two different receptor families. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The fact that L. pneumophila is taken up by two different amoeba species using different receptor families adds further complexity to the host-parasite interaction process, as 14 amoeba species are known to be appropriate Legionella hosts.     

Balamuthia mandrillaris, free-living ameba and opportunistic agent of encephalitis, is a potential host for Legionella pneumophila bacteria

Balamuthia mandrillaris is a free-living ameba and an opportunistic agent of granulomatous encephalitis in humans and other mammalian species. Other free-living amebas, such as Acanthamoeba and Hartmannella, can provide a niche for intracellular survival of bacteria, including the causative agent of Legionnaires' disease, Legionella pneumophila. Infection of amebas by L. pneumophila enhances the bacterial infectivity for mammalian cells and lung tissues. Likewise, the pathogenicity of amebas may be enhanced when they host bacteria. So far, the colonization of B. mandrillaris by bacteria has not been convincingly shown. In this study, we investigated whether this ameba could host L. pneumophila bacteria. Our experiments showed that L. pneumophila could initiate uptake by B. mandrillaris and could replicate within the ameba about 4 to 5 log cycles from 24 to 72 h after infection. On the other hand, a dotA mutant, known to be unable to propagate in Acanthamoeba castellanii, also did not replicate within B. mandrillaris. Approaching completion of the intracellular cycle, L. pneumophila wild-type bacteria were able to destroy their ameboid hosts. Observations by light microscopy paralleled our quantitative data and revealed the rounding, collapse, clumping, and complete destruction of the infected amebas. Electron microscopic studies unveiled the replication of the bacteria in a compartment surrounded by a structure resembling rough endoplasmic reticulum. The course of intracellular infection, the degree of bacterial multiplication, and the ultrastructural features of a L. pneumophila-infected B. mandrillaris ameba resembled those described for other amebas hosting Legionella bacteria. We hence speculate that B. mandrillaris might serve as a host for bacteria in its natural environment.     

Ultrastructural analysis of differentiation in Legionella pneumophila

Legionella pneumophila is an adaptive pathogen that replicates in the intracellular environment of fundamentally divergent hosts (freshwater protozoa and mammalian cells) and is capable of surviving long periods of starvation in water when between hosts. Physiological adaptation to these quite diverse environments seems to be accompanied by morphological changes (Gardu?o et al., p. 82-85, in Marre et al., ed., Legionella, 2001) and conceivably involves developmental differentiation. In following the fine-structural pathway of L. pneumophila through both in vitro and in vivo growth cycles, we have now discovered that this bacterium displays an unprecedented number of morphological forms, as revealed in ultrathin sections and freeze-fracture replicas for transmission electron microscopy. Many of the forms were identified by the obvious ultrastructural properties of their cell envelope, which included changes in the relative opaqueness of membrane leaflets, vesiculation, and/or profuse invagination of the inner membrane. These changes were best documented with image analysis software to obtain intensity tracings of the envelope in cross sections. Also prominent were changes in the distribution of intramembranous particles (clearly revealed in replicas of freeze-fractured specimens) and the formation of cytoplasmic inclusions. Our results confirm that L. pneumophila is a highly pleomorphic bacterium and clarify some early observations suggesting sporogenic differentiation in L. pneumophila. Since morphological changes occurred in a conserved sequence within the growth cycle, our results also provide strong evidence for the existence of a developmental cycle in L. pneumophila that is likely accompanied by profound physiological alterations and stage-specific patterns of gene expression.     

Lgt: a family of cytotoxic glucosyltransferases produced by Legionella pneumophila

Legionella pneumophila is a facultative intracellular pathogen responsible for severe lung disease in humans, known as legionellosis or Legionnaires' disease. Previously, we reported on the approximately 60-kDa glucosyltransferase (Lgt1) from Legionella pneumophila, which modified eukaryotic elongation factor 1A. In the present study, using L. pneumophila Philadelphia-1, Lens, Paris, and Corby genome databases, we identified several genes coding for proteins with considerable sequence homology to Lgt1. These new enzymes form three subfamilies, termed Lgt1 to -3, glucosylate mammalian elongation factor eEF1A at serine-53, inhibit its activity, and subsequently kill target eukaryotic cells. Expression studies on L. pneumophila grown in broth medium or in Acanthamoeba castellanii revealed that production of Lgt1 was maximal at stationary phase of broth culture or during the late phase of Legionella-host cell interaction, respectively. In contrast, synthesis of Lgt3 peaked during the lag phase of liquid culture and at early steps of bacterium-amoeba interaction. Thus, the data indicate that members of the L. pneumophila glucosyltransferase family are differentially regulated, affect protein synthesis of host cells, and represent potential virulence factors of Legionella.