Mechanism of action of low recurrence of gastritis caused by Helicobacter pylori with the type II urease B gene

Background. Low recurrence of gastritis is seen in patients infected with Helicobacter pylori carrying the type II urease B gene, compared with H. pylori carrying types I and III. The underlying mechanism has been studied in terms of the urease activity and interleukin (IL)‐8 production capacity of different strains of H. pylori. Materials and Methods. Forty‐five patients infected with different strains of H. pylori (type I; 15, type II; 15 and type III; 15) were enrolled in the study. H. pylori was isolated from gastric mucosa and cultured in the presence of urea at pH 5.5 to evaluate urease activity. The capacity of different strains of H. pylori to induce IL‐8 mRNA and IL‐8 from a human gastric cancer cell line and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells was evaluated. Results. The urease activity of type II H. pylori[523 ± 228 µg of ammonia/dl/10⁸ colony‐forming units (CFU)/ml] was significantly lower than that of type I (1355 ± 1369 µg of ammonia/dl/10⁸ CFU/ml) and type III (1442 ± 2229 µg of ammonia/dl/10⁸ CFU/ml) (p < .05). Gastric cancer cells cocultured with type II H. pylori produced lower levels of IL‐8 mRNA compared with type I and type III H. pylori. The levels of IL‐8 were also significantly lower in cultures induced by type II H. pylori compared with those induced by type I and type III H. pylori. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells also produced lower levels of IL‐8 when cocultured with type II compared with type I H. pylori. Conclusions. These results indicate that both the lower level of urease activity and the low IL‐8‐inducing capacity of type II H. pylori might underlie the lower recurrence rate of gastritis caused by type II H. pylori.     

The atypical response regulator HP1021 controls formation of the Helicobacter pylori replication initiation complex

The replication of a bacterial chromosome is initiated by the DnaA protein, which binds to the specific chromosomal region oriC and unwinds duplex DNA within the DNA‐unwinding element (DUE). The initiation is tightly regulated by many factors, which control either DnaA or oriC activity and ensure that the chromosome is duplicated only when the conditions favor the survival of daughter cells. The factors controlling oriC activity often belong to the protein families of two‐component systems. Here, we found that Helicobacter pylori oriC activity is controlled by HP1021, a member of the atypical response regulator family. HP1021 protein specifically interacts with H. pylori oriC at HP1021 boxes (5′‐TGTT[TA]C[TA]‐3′), which overlap with three modules important for oriC function: DnaA boxes, the hypersensitivity (hs) region and the DUE. Consequently, HP1021 binding to oriC precludes DnaA‐oriC interactions and inhibits DNA unwinding at the DUE. Thus, HP1021 constitutes a negative regulator of the H. pylori orisome assembly in vitro. Furthermore, HP1021 boxes were found upstream of at least 70 genes, including those encoding CagA and Fur proteins. We postulate that HP1021 might coordinate chromosome replication, and thus bacterial growth, with other cellular processes and conditions in the human stomach.     

Characterisation of worldwide Helicobacter pylori strains reveals genetic conservation and essentiality of serine protease HtrA

HtrA proteases and chaperones exhibit important roles in periplasmic protein quality control and stress responses. The genetic inactivation of htrA has been described for many bacterial pathogens. However, in some cases such as the gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori, HtrA is secreted where it cleaves the tumour‐suppressor E‐cadherin interfering with gastric disease development, but the generation of htrA mutants is still lacking. Here, we show that the htrA gene locus is highly conserved in worldwide strains. HtrA presence was confirmed in 992 H. pylori isolates in gastric biopsy material from infected patients. Differential RNA‐sequencing (dRNA‐seq) indicated that htrA is encoded in an operon with two subsequent genes, HP1020 and HP1021. Genetic mutagenesis and complementation studies revealed that HP1020 and HP1021, but not htrA, can be mutated. In addition, we demonstrate that suppression of HtrA proteolytic activity with a newly developed inhibitor is sufficient to effectively kill H. pylori, but not other bacteria. We show that Helicobacter htrA is an essential bifunctional gene with crucial intracellular and extracellular functions. Thus, we describe here the first microbe in which htrA is an indispensable gene, a situation unique in the bacterial kingdom. HtrA can therefore be considered a promising new target for anti‐bacterial therapy.     

Role of Immune Serum in the Killing of Helicobacter pylori by Macrophages

Background: Helicobacter pylori infection can lead to the development of gastritis, peptic ulcers and gastric cancer, which makes this bacterium an important concern for human health. Despite evoking a strong immune response in the host, H. pylori persists, requiring complex antibiotic therapy for eradication. Here we have studied the impact of a patient’s immune serum on H. pylori in relation to macrophage uptake, phagosome maturation, and bacterial killing. Materials and Methods: Primary human macrophages were infected in vitro with both immune serum‐treated and control H. pylori. The ability of primary human macrophages to kill H. pylori was characterized at various time points after infection. H. pylori phagosome maturation was analyzed by confocal immune fluorescence microscopy using markers specific for H. pylori, early endosomes (EEA1), late endosomes (CD63) and lysosomes (LAMP‐1). Results: Immune serum enhanced H. pylori uptake into macrophages when compared to control bacteria. However, a sufficient inoculum remained for recovery of viable H. pylori from macrophages, at 8 hours after infection, for both the serum‐treated and control groups. Both serum‐treated and control H. pylori phagosomes acquired EEA1 (15 minutes), CD63 and LAMP‐1 (30 minutes). These markers were then retained for the rest of an 8 hour time course. Conclusions: While immune sera appeared to have a slight positive effect on bacterial uptake, both serum‐treated and control H. pylori were not eliminated by macrophages. Furthermore, the same disruptions to phagosome maturation were observed for both serum‐treated and control H. pylori. We conclude that to eliminate H. pylori, a strategy is required to restore the normal process of phagosome maturation and enable effective macrophage killing of H. pylori, following a host immune response.     

A putative Toll/interleukin‐1 receptor domain protein from Helicobacter pylori is dimeric in solution and interacts with human Toll‐like receptor adaptor myeloid differentiation primary response 88

Helicobacter pylori, an important human pathogen, is capable of causing persistent infection with minimal immune response. The first line of defense during H. pylori infection is through gastric epithelial cells that present TLR, A family of bacterial proteins that share homology with the Toll/IL‐1 receptor (TIR) domain were identified. Bacterial TIR proteins (BTP) mimic human TIR domain proteins and act on myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 (MyD88) signaling pathways to suppress TLR signaling. H. pylori may also produce a similar protein. A putative H. pylori BTP was found based on sequence homology. The corresponding gene hp1437 was inserted into an expression vector in fusion with an N‐terminal cleavable 6his‐tag. The recombinant protein, 6his‐HP1437, was purified using nickel affinity chromatography with a yield of 8 mg/L culture. Oligomerization of HP1437 was investigated by size‐exclusion chromatography. It was found that HP1437 forms dimers in solution similar to other BTPs. Furthermore, glutathione S‐transferase pull down assays identified an interaction between HP1437 and human TIR domain adaptor MyD88. These findings suggest that HP1437 has the characteristic features of BTPs and may play a direct role in reducing immune response against H. pylori by binding to MyD88 and pave the way for an in‐depth characterization of this putative novel H. pylori virulence factor.     

幽门螺杆菌分子伴侣GroEL相互作用蛋白分析

【目的】获得幽门螺杆菌(Helicobacter pylori,HP) GroEL结合蛋白质组构成谱,为进一步探究GroEL及其与相互作用蛋白在HP致病机制中的作用提供新思路。【方法】在构建HP GroEL原核表达重组大肠杆菌(Escherichia coli) BL21(DE3)⁽pET-28a(+)-groEL)基础上,纯化带有His标签的GroEL蛋白,与HP全菌蛋白提取液共孵育后,利用Protein G磁珠和抗His标签抗体免疫沉淀法对复合物进行捕获,然后对复合物中GroEL及其结合的蛋白质进行质谱法鉴定,根据主要功能对其进行分类,并完成蛋白质相互关系网络分析。【结果】对GroEL蛋白捕获成分进行分析,共鉴定出59种可能与GroEL结合的蛋白质,其中包括19种代谢酶类(KatA、GltA和AhpC等参与氧化还原相关酶类7种,PepA、RocF和HtrA等肽酶5种,以及2种参与脂肪代谢酶、2种参与ATP合成酶、2种尿素酶和HP17＿08079蛋白等)、15种外膜蛋白(黏附素BabA、SabA、HapA及其他膜蛋白等)、8种转录翻译相关蛋白(Tuf、RpoBC...     

Helicobacter pylori downregulates expression of human β‐defensin 1 in the gastric mucosa in a type IV secretion‐dependent fashion

Helicobacter pylori establishes a chronic lifelong infection in the human gastric mucosa, which may lead to peptic ulcer disease or gastric adenocarcinoma. The human beta‐defensins (hβDs) are antimicrobial peptides, hβD1 being constitutively expressed in the human stomach. We hypothesized that H. pylori may persist, in part, by downregulating gastric hβD1 expression. We measured hβD1 and hβD2 expression in vivo in relation to the presence, density and severity of H. pylori infection, investigated differential effects of H. pylori virulence factors, and studied underlying signalling mechanisms in vitro. Significantly lower hβD1 and higher hβD2 mRNA and protein concentrations were present in gastric biopsies from infected patients. Those patients with higher‐level bacterial colonization and inflammation had significantly lower hβD1 expression, but there were no differences in hβD2. H. pylori infection of human gastric epithelial cell lines also downregulated hβD1. Using wild‐type strains and isogenic mutants, we showed that a functionalcag pathogenicity island‐encoded type IV secretion system induced this downregulation. Treatment with chemical inhibitors or siRNA revealed that H. pylori usurped NF‐κB signalling to modulate hβD1 expression. These data indicate that H. pylori downregulates hβD1 expression via NF‐κB signalling, and suggest that this may promote bacterial survival and persistence in the gastric niche.     

The endosomal sorting complex required for transport machinery influences haem uptake and capsule elaboration in Cryptococcus neoformans

Iron availability is a key determinant of virulence in the pathogenic fungus Cryptococcus neoformans. Previous work revealed that the ESCRT (endosomal sorting complex required for transport) protein Vps23 functions in iron acquisition, capsule formation and virulence. Here, we further characterized the ESCRT machinery to demonstrate that defects in the ESCRT‐II and III complexes caused reduced capsule attachment, impaired growth on haem and resistance to non‐iron metalloprotoporphyrins. The ESCRT mutants shared several phenotypes with a mutant lacking the pH‐response regulator Rim101, and in other fungi, the ESCRT machinery is known to activate Rim101 via proteolytic cleavage. We therefore expressed a truncated and activated version of Rim101 in the ESCRT mutants and found that this allele restored capsule formation but not growth on haem, thus suggesting a Rim101‐independent contribution to haem uptake. We also demonstrated that the ESCRT machinery acts downstream of the cAMP/protein kinase A pathway to influence capsule elaboration. Defects in the ESCRT components also attenuated virulence in macrophage survival assays and a mouse model of cryptococcosis to a greater extent than reported for loss of Rim101. Overall, these results indicate that the ESCRT complexes function in capsule elaboration, haem uptake and virulence via Rim101‐dependent and independent mechanisms.     

Cytochrome c biogenesis in Campylobacter jejuni requires cytochrome c6 (CccA; Cj1153) to maintain apocytochrome cysteine thiols in a reduced state for haem attachment

The microaerophilic food‐borne pathogen Campylobacter jejuni uses complex cytochrome‐rich respiratory chains for growth and host colonisation. Cytochrome c biogenesis requires haem ligation to reduced apocytochrome cysteines, catalysed by the cytochrome c synthase, CcsBA. While ccsBA could not be deleted, we showed that the thiol reductase DsbD and the CcsX homologue Cj1207 are involved in, but not essential for, cytochromes c biogenesis. Mutant phenotypic analyses and biochemical studies with purified proteins revealed that the mono‐haem c‐type cytochromes Cj1153 (CccA) and Cj1020 (CccB) and the di‐haem Cj0037 (CccC) are electron donors to the cb‐oxidase (CcoNOQP), with CccC being more efficient than CccA. Remarkably, cccA deletion or site‐directed mutagenesis resulted in an almost complete loss of all other c‐type cytochromes. Cytochrome c structural and biogenesis genes were still transcribed in the cccA deletion mutant and the quinol oxidase genes (cioAB) were up‐regulated. Cytochrome c production could be rescued in this mutant by growth with exogenous dithiothreitol or L‐cysteine, suggesting that in the absence of CccA, apocytochrome c haem binding motifs become oxidised, preventing haem attachment. Our results identify CccA, the most abundant periplasmic c‐type cytochrome in C. jejuni, as a novel and unexpected protein required for cytochrome c biogenesis in this pathogen.     

Characterization of Helicobacter pylori HP0231 (DsbK): role in disulfide bond formation,redox homeostasis and production of Helicobacter cystein‐rich protein HcpE

Helicobacter pylori is a human gastric pathogen that colonizes ～ 50% of the world's population. It can cause gastritis, gastric or duodenal ulcers and also gastric cancer. The numerous side effects of available treatments and the emergence of antibiotic resistant strains are severe concerns that justify further research into H. pylori's pathogenic mechanisms. H. pylori produces secreted proteins that may play a role in virulence, including the Helicobacter cysteine‐rich protein HcpE (aka HP0235). We demonstrate herein that HcpE is secreted in the culture supernatant both as a soluble protein and in association with outer membrane vesicles. We show that the structure of HcpE comprises an organized array of disulfide bonds. We identify DsbK (aka HP0231) as a folding factor necessary for HcpE production and secretion in H. pylori and show that recombinant DsbK can interact with and refold unprocessed, reduced HcpE in vitro. These experiments highlight the first biologically relevant substrate for DsbK. Furthermore, we show that DsbK has disulfide bond (Dsb) forming activity on reduced lysozyme and demonstrate a DsbA‐type of activity for DsbK upon expression in E. coli, despite its similarity with DsbG. Finally, we show a role of DsbK in maintaining redox homeostasis in H. pylori.     

Emergence of clarithromycin-resistant Helicobacter pylori (CRHP) with a high prevalence in children compared with their parents

Background. Clarithromycin‐resistant Helicobacter pylori (CRHP) is increasing worldwide. Clarithromycin resistance in H. pylori from familial members has not been investigated. Materials and Methods. Biopsy specimens were taken from 13 families living in Tokyo, Yokohama, and Niigata between 1998 and 2001. Drug resistance was tested with the replica plating method. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of antimicrobial agents for H. pylori strains were determined by the agar dilution method. Molecular analyses of H. pylori strains were performed by ribosomal RNA gene restriction pattern analysis. The DNA region, associated with clarithromycin resistance, was analyzed by PCR and sequencing. Results. Helicobacter pylori strains isolated from a 5‐year‐old‐son displayed clarithromycin resistance with a mutation (A → G at position 2143) in the 23S ribosomal RNA, whereas H. pylori strains from his parents did not. DNA analyses revealed that the boy was infected with his father's strain. The boy had repeatedly developed otitis media and received clarithromycin since the age of 2 years. Studies on an additional 12 families demonstrated that clarithromycin resistance in the children's strains reached 42.9% and was significantly higher than those of H. pylori strains from their parents (0%) or from adult patients (11.1%) (p < .05). Conclusions. The rate of clarithromycin resistance in H. pylori strains from Japanese children was extremely high, in contrast to those from their parents or adult patients. Prior history of clarithromycin usage in a child suggested development of clarithromycin resistance in resident H. pylori, which was originated from a parent.     

Modulation of Activation-Induced Cytidine Deaminase by Curcumin in Helicobacter pylori-Infected Gastric Epithelial Cells

Background: Anomalous expression of activation‐induced cytidine deaminase (AID) in Helicobacter pylori‐infected gastric epithelial cells has been postulated as one of the key mechanisms in the development of gastric cancer. AID is overexpressed in the cells through nuclear factor (NF)‐κB activation by H. pylori and hence, inhibition of NF‐κB pathway can downregulate the expression of AID. Curcumin, a spice‐derived polyphenol, is known for its anti‐inflammatory activity via NF‐κB inhibition. Therefore, it was hypothesized that curcumin might suppress AID overexpression via NF‐κB inhibitory activity in H. pylori‐infected gastric epithelial cells. Materials and Methods: MKN‐28 or MKN‐45 cells and H. pylori strain 193C isolated from gastric cancer patient were used for co‐culture experiments. Cells were pretreated with or without nonbactericidal concentrations of curcumin. Apoptosis was determined by DNA fragmentation assay. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay was performed to evaluate the anti‐adhesion activity of curcumin. Real‐time polymerase chain reaction was employed to evaluate the expression of AID mRNA. Immunoblot assay was performed for the analysis of AID, NF‐κB, inhibitors of NF‐κB (IκB), and IκB kinase (IKK) complex regulation with or without curcumin. Results: The adhesion of H. pylori to gastric epithelial cells was not inhibited by curcumin pretreatment at nonbactericidal concentrations (≤10 μmol/L). Pretreatment with nonbactericidal concentration of curcumin downregulated the expression of AID induced by H. pylori. Similarly, NF‐κB activation inhibitor (SN‐50) and proteasome inhibitor (MG‐132) also downregulated the mRNA expression of AID. Moreover, curcumin (≤10 μmol/L) has suppressed H. pylori‐induced NF‐κB activation via inhibition of IKK activation and IκB degradation. Conclusion: Nonbactericidal concentrations of curcumin downregulated H. pylori‐induced AID expression in gastric epithelial cells, probably via the inhibition of NF‐κB pathway. Hence, curcumin can be considered as a potential chemopreventive candidate against H. pylori‐related gastric carcinogenesis.     

Haem oxygenase‐1 inhibits phosphorylation of the Helicobacter pylori oncoprotein CagA in gastric epithelial cells

The cytotoxin‐associated gene A protein (CagA) plays a pivotal role in the aetiology of Helicobacter pylori‐associated gastric diseases. CagA is injected into the cytoplasm of host cells by a type IV secretion system, and is phosphorylated on tyrosine residues by the host enzyme c‐Src. We previously reported that the enzyme haem oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1) inhibits IL‐8 secretion by H. pylori‐infected cells. However, the cellular mechanism by which HO‐1 regulates the innate immune function of infected cells remains unknown. We now show that nitric oxide and haemin, two inducers of HO‐1, decrease the level of phosphorylated CagA (p‐CagA) in H. pylori‐infected gastric epithelial cells and this is blocked by either pharmacological inhibition of HO‐1 or siRNA knockdown of hmox‐1. Moreover, forced expression of HO‐1 by transfection of a plasmid expressing hmox‐1 also results in a strong attenuation of CagA phosphorylation. This occurs through the inhibition of H. pylori‐induced c‐Src phosphorylation/activation by HO‐1.Consequently, H. pylori‐induced cytoskeletal rearrangements and activation of the pro‐inflammatory response mediated by p‐CagA are inhibited in HO‐1‐expressing cells. These data highlight a mechanism by which the innate immune response of the host can restrict the pathogenicity of H. pylori by attenuating CagA phosphorylation in gastric epithelial cells.     

Coptisine-induced inhibition of Helicobacter pylori: elucidation of specific mechanisms by probing urease active site and its maturation process

In this study, we examined the anti-Helicobactor pylori effects of the main protoberberine-type alkaloids in Rhizoma Coptidis. Coptisine exerted varying antibacterial and bactericidal effects against three standard H. pylori strains and eleven clinical isolates, including four drug-resistant strains, with minimum inhibitory concentrations ranging from 25 to 50?μg/mL and minimal bactericidal concentrations ranging from 37.5 to 125?μg/mL. Coptisine’s anti-H. pylori effects derived from specific inhibition of urease in vivo. In vitro, coptisine inactivated urease in a concentration-dependent manner through slow-binding inhibition and involved binding to the urease active site sulfhydryl group. Coptisine inhibition of H. pylori urease (HPU) was mixed type, while inhibition of jack bean urease was non-competitive. Importantly, coptisine also inhibited HPU by binding to its nickel metallocentre. Besides, coptisine interfered with urease maturation by inhibiting activity of prototypical urease accessory protein UreG and formation of UreG dimers and by promoting dissociation of nickel from UreG dimers. These findings demonstrate that coptisine inhibits urease activity by targeting its active site and inhibiting its maturation, thereby effectively inhibiting H. pylori. Coptisine may thus be an effective anti-H. pylori agent.