Ultra-structure and localisation of formazan formed by human neutrophils and amoebae phagocytosing virulent and avirulent Legionella pneumophila

Legionella pneumophila (LP) strains of differing virulence were incubated with a solution of nitroblue-tetrazolium (NBT) at a concentration of 1 mg.ml-1 in the presence of Acanthamoeba polyphaga or human polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN). Reduction of NBT to formazan occurred at a faster rate in the presence of virulent strains. Reduction appeared to be temperature dependent; at 37 degrees C the reaction rate was higher than at 20 degrees C. On microscopic examination, deposits of formazan around Legionella cells were observed inside amoebae similar to those deposited in human neutrophils. Electron microscopy revealed electron-dense particles surrounding virulent legionellae, which appeared to be associated with formazan formation. Formazan formation inside amoebae may suggest the presence of a respiratory burst against LP, which is more intense with virulent strains.     

Differences in the respiratory burst of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes induced by virulent and avirulent Legionella pneumophila Serogroup 1

Two strains of Legionella pneumophila of different virulence were examined for their influence on the metabolic oxidative activity of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes. The leukocytes exhibited decreased rates of oxygen consumption and diminished chemiluminescence activity following phagocytosis of a virulent strain of L. pneumophila serogroup 1. In contrast, phagocytosis of its multipassaged derivative rendered avirulent, was accompanied by increased rates of both oxygen consumption and chemiluminescence activity. Although no differences were observed in oxygen uptake induced by the virulent legionellae compared to leukocytes at rest, statistically significant differences were observed in the chemiluminescence responses. These observations were not unexpected, since the luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence assay, is more sensitive than the oxygen uptake assay. In spite of decreased metabolic activity of PMN in the presence of virulent legionellae, electron microscope studies showed higher numbers of intracellular L. pneumophila than the avirulent subtype. Thus, virulent and avirulent L. pneumophila can be differentiated on the basis of oxygen consumption and chemiluminescence assays.     

Free-living freshwater amoebae differ in their susceptibility to the pathogenic bacterium Legionella pneumophila

Legionella pneumophila is known as a facultative intracellular parasite of free-living soil and freshwater amoebae, of which several species have been shown to support the growth of the pathogenic bacteria. We report for the first time the behaviour of two strains (c2c and Z503) of the amoeba Willaertia magna towards different strains of L. pneumophila serogroup 1 and compared it with Acanthamoeba castellanii and Hartmannella vermiformis , known to be L. pneumophila permissive. In contrast to the results seen with other amoebae, W. magna c2c inhibited the growth of one strain of Legionella ( L. pneumophila , Paris), but not of others belonging to the same serogroup ( L. pneumophila , Philadelphia and L. pneumophila , Lens). Also, the different L. pneumophila inhibited cell growth and induced cell death in A. castellanii, H. vermiformis and W. magna Z503 within 3–4 days while W. magna c2c strain remained unaffected even up to 7 days. Electron microscopy demonstrated that the formation of numerous replicative phagosomes observed within Acanthamoeba and Hartmannella is rarely seen in W. magna c2c cocultured with L. pneumophila . Moreover, the morphological differences were observed between L. pneumophila cultured either with Willaertia or other amoebae. These observations show that amoebae are not all equally permissive to L. pneumophila and highlight W. magna c2c as particularly resistant towards some strains of this bacterium.     

Localization of Legionella bacteria within ribosome-studded phagosomes is not restricted to Legionella pneumophila

In this report, we investigate the intracellular fate of selected members of the genus Legionella within the monocytic cell line Mono Mac 6 cells. By means of electron microscopy and immunocytochemistry, we could show that Legionella pneumophila as well as Legionella longbeachae are able to induce ribosome-studded phagosomes which associate with the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER), whereas Legionella micdadei remains to be located within smooth phagosomes but also shows signs of RER association. In addition, we could demonstrate a remarkable correlation between the phagosome type and the morphological phenotype of intracellular bacteria: within ribosome-studded phagosomes, bacteria generally lacked the outer coat of low electron density whereas bacteria within the smooth phagosomes still possessed this outer coat. The virulence factors responsible for inhibition of phagosome maturation and their distribution within the genus Legionella as well as the biological significance of the morphological difference of bacteria within smooth and ER-associated phagosomes remain to be investigated.     

嗜肺军团菌生物膜形成及其影响因素

嗜肺军团菌在自然环境和人工供水系统中普遍存在,能够在阿米巴原虫和其他原生动物体内繁殖,所引起的军团菌病主要表现为严重的呼吸系统疾病。但在自然环境中,嗜肺军团菌的生存和繁殖受到多菌种生物膜形成和繁殖的影响,一些军团菌病的暴发与生物膜的存在相关。因此,阻止自然环境和人工水系统中生物膜的形成显然已成为降低水污染的有效策略之一。根据近年来的报道分别对影响嗜肺军团菌生物膜形成的生化因子和嗜肺军团菌的毒力因子,以及其他生物物种在嗜肺军团菌生物膜形成过程中所起的不同作用等进行综述。     

Isolation and characterization of a lipopolysaccharide mutant of Legionella pneumophila

A mutant unable to bind a monoclonal antibody (mAb 1E6) directed against serogroup 1 lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was isolated from L. pneumophila strain Philadelphia-1. SDS-PAGE analysis of isolated LPS from the mutant and wild type revealed that there were no obvious structural differences between the two LPS. The results from Western-blot experiments showed that the mutant LPS was unable to bind mAb 1E6 but retained the ability to bind polyclonal serogroup 1 antibodies. Loss of the LPS epitope recognized by mAb 1E6 did not alter the ability of the mutant to multiply in human monocyte-like U937 cells. Also, the mutant, like wild type, was resistant to killing by normal human serum. These results show that a minor change in the antigenic composition of serogroup 1 LPS has no effect on the virulence properties of strain Philadelphia-1. Additionally, this mutant may be useful for molecular genetic analysis of serogroup 1 LPS biosynthesis and assembly.     

Micro- and macromethod assays for the ecological study of Legionella pneumophila

The survival of a strain of Legionella pneumophila (Lp-1) inoculated in artificial water microcosms was investigated with and without an amoebal host and varying environmental conditions, such as biofilm formation, amount of nutrients and incubation temperature. The results obtained using short (micromethod) and long (macromethod) term methods showed that L. pneumophila Lp-1 dies rapidly at 4 degrees C in the "macromethod" assay. When the same temperature (4 degrees C) was applied to the "micromethod" assay, L. pneumophila Lp-1 survived for three weeks, although it progressively decreased. At an incubation temperature of 30 degrees C, the aquatic environment was more favourable and better survival emerged in the "macromethod"; in contrast, this favourable temperature condition did not improve the survival of L. pneumophila Lp-1 cultured with the "micromethod". The role of the protozoa Acanthamoeba polyphaga proved to be indispensable for legionella survival only when environmental conditions become unfavourable.     

Structure-function analysis of the C-terminus of IcmT of Legionella pneumophila in pore formation-mediated egress from macrophages

We have recently shown an essential role of the 32 amino acids C-terminus domain of IcmT of Legionella pneumophila in bacterial egress from macrophages. Mutants expressing an IcmT protein with a truncation in the C-terminus, replicate intracellularly but are defective in pore formation-mediated egress. The C-terminus domain of IcmT is the only hydrophilic domain of IcmT that is predicted to be in the cytoplasm while the rest of the protein is in the cytoplasmic membrane. In order to characterize the structure-function of the C-terminus of IcmT in the pore-forming activity and bacterial egress, we constructed 10 icmT missense mutant alleles differing by a single amino acid in the C-terminus of icmT and introduced them into the null icmT mutant. The H58Q, W69L, R71I, R79I and R86I icmT mutant alleles showed significantly lower pore-forming activity as measured by hemolysis of sRBC. The Y59S, R68L and S77L mutant alleles showed significantly lower cytopathogenicity to U937 macrophages. All 10 mutant alleles enabled the icmT null mutant to replicate intracellularly as efficiently as icmT null mutant harboring the wild-type icmT. Seven of the icmT alleles enabled the icmT null mutant to egress from infected macrophages as efficiently as icmT null mutant harboring the wild-type icmT. The other 3 substitutions conferred a partial defect in hemolysis and two of them also conferred a defect in egress from macrophages. Thus, two amino acid residues in the C-terminus of IcmT are required for both pore formation and bacterial egress. However, certain single amino acid substitutions in the C-terminus reduce the pore-forming activity when tested in vitro, but may or may not have a detectable effect on egress of L. pneumophila from U937 macrophages.     

Distinct difference of flaA genotypes of Legionella pneumophila between isolates from bath water and cooling tower water

To investigate the genetic difference of Legionella pneumophila in human‐made environments, we collected isolates of L. pneumophila from bath water (n = 167) and cooling tower water (n = 128) primarily in the Kanto region in 2001 and 2005. The environmental isolates were serogrouped and sequenced for a target region of flaA. A total of 14 types of flaA genotypes were found: 10 from cooling tower water and nine from bath water. The flaA genotypes of isolates from cooling tower water were quite different from those of bath water.     

嗜肺军团菌毒力岛分子分型及其致病性研究进展

嗜肺军团菌是引起社区获得性和医院内感染性肺炎的重要病原体,中央空调冷凝塔水系统是引发军团菌病的重要传染源,在国内外时有暴发流行,病死率较高。嗜肺军团菌的致病性与其毒力岛基因组密切相关。简要概述了嗜肺军团菌毒力岛、分子分型及其致病性。     

带GFP标记嗜肺军团菌的构建和在细胞感染中的应用

【目的】为能实时直观了解嗜肺军团菌感染细胞的过程,研究细菌在细胞内的变化及其与宿主细胞间的相互作用关系。【方法】通过基因敲除、克隆回补等重组构建绿色荧光蛋白(GFP)稳定高表达的嗜肺军团菌株,利用该菌株建立小鼠巨噬细胞Raw264.7的感染模型。【结果】通过荧光显微镜可实时观察细菌感染细胞的全过程,包括细菌在细胞内的形态变化、增殖和裂解宿主细胞等。【结论】重组菌可替代野生菌株在细胞感染中应用,为直观研究嗜肺军团菌与被感染细胞之间的相互作用关系,以及进行相关药物模型的制备、药物筛选、耐药机制研究等提供了新的手段。     

广州地区嗜肺军团菌环境分离株的基因序列分型分析

摘要:【目的】研究广州市嗜肺军团菌的基因特征,对来自不同水域环境的嗜肺军团菌进行分子分型研究。【方法】选择嗜肺军团菌的7个基因flaA、asd、mip、pilE、mompS、proA和neuA 作为目的基因, 对在2006-2009年间广州地区分离的44株嗜肺军团菌进行PCR扩增和测序,并将核苷酸序列上传至欧洲军团菌病感染工作组（EWGLI）数据库进行比对,得到基因型别（Sequence type, ST）,对结果进行基因序列分型（Sequence-Based Typing, SBT）和系统进化分析。【结     

Co-expression and immunity of Legionella pneumophila mip gene and immunoadjuvant ctxB gene

The mip gene of Legionella pneumophila and the ctxB gene of Vibrio cholerae were amplifiedby PCR respectively.The amplified cDNA was ligated to the pcDNA3.1(+)vector.The recombinant plasmidspcDNA3,1-mip and pcDNA3.1-ctxB were identified by restriction analysis and PCR,and further confirmedby sequencing analysis.NIH3T3 cells were transfected with pcDNA3.1-mip and pcDNA3.1-ctxB accordingto the Lipofection method.Transient and stable products of the co-expression of the mip gene and ctxB genewere detected by immunofluorescence and Western blotting.The results showed that NIH3T3 cells weresuccessfully transfected,and that the transiently and stably co-expressed products can be detected in thetransfected cells.To detect the humoral and cellular immune response in immunized mice induced by the co-immunization of the mip and ctxB genes,female BALB/c mice were immunized intramuscularly with pcDNA3.1-mip and pcDNA3.1-ctxB.The results showed that the specific antibody titer and the cytotoxic T-lymphocyteresponse for pcDNA3,1-mip immunization and co-immunization were increased compared with that ofpcDNA3.1(+) immunization.Furthermore,the specific antibody titer and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte responsefor co-immunization were increased compared with that of pcDNA3.1-mip immunization.Statistical analysisusing one-way analysis of variance(ANOVA)showed that there was a significant difference between thegroups(P<0.01).The results indicated that the ctxB gene enhanced the humoral and cellular immune responseto the mip gene immunization.These findings provide experimental evidence to support the development ofthe L.pneumophila DNA vaccine.     

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.     

An oxaloacetate decarboxylase homologue protein influences the intracellular survival of Legionella pneumophila

Abstract Legionella pneumophila is a facultative intracellular parasite which is able to survive in various eukaryotic cells. We characterised a Tn5-mutant of the L. pneumophila Corby strain and were able to identify the insertion site of the transposon. It is localised within an open reading frame which shows high homology to the α-subunit of the oxaloacetate decarboxylase (OadA) of Klebsiella pneumoniae . The OadA homologous protein of L. pneumophila was detected in the wild-type strain by Western blotting. Since the intracellular multiplication of the oad A⁻ mutant strain is reduced in guinea pig alveolar macrophages and human monocytes, it is concluded that the oad A gene product has an effect on the intracellular survival of L. pneumophila .     

Long-term survival of Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 under low-nutrient conditions and associated morphological changes

Abstract Extended survival of Legionella pneumophila , using both a clinical and an environmental isolate, was studied in drinking water, creek water, and estuarine water microcosms. Legionella populations were monitored by acridine orange direct counts (AODC) and viable count on buffered charcoal yeast extract agar amended with alpha-ketoglutarate (BCYEα). Initial colony counts of the clinical isolate in drinking and creek water microcosms were 2 × 10⁸ cfu/ml and, after incubation for 1.5 years, the plate counts decreased to 3 × 10⁶ cfu/ml. The AODC counts, however, did not change significantly. The clinical isolate in estuarine water decreased in plate counts to 10² (cfu/ml) over the same period. After incubation for 1.5 years at 15°C in the microcosms, Legionella plate counts of creek and drinking water decreased by two logs. Direct microscopic examination of aliquots removed from all microcosms revealed the presence of small bacilli, large bacilli and rare filamentous cells. The environmental isolate demonstrated only one colony morphology upon culture on BCYEα. Interestingly, after four months incubation in the microcosm, upon plating the clinical isolate on BCYEα, two distinct colony types were evident. Examination by immunofluorescent staining employing a monoclonal antibody against L. pneumophila revealed both bacillus and filamentous forms. The total cellular proteins of both morphotypes were examined by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylyamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), demonstrating identical protein patterns. Those Legionella cells remaining culturable during 1.5 years of incubation grew rapidly when transferred to BCYEα. Incubation was continued and it was found that some strains of L. pneumophila serogroup 1 can remain viable for longer than 2.4 years under low-nutrient conditions.     

Study of nonculturable Legionella pneumophila cells during multiple-nutrient starvation

Abstract: The nonculturable form of Legionella pneumophila in multiple-nutrient starvation culture was studied. During extended starvation, the total direct counts (TDC) of L. pneumophila did not change significantly, but no colonies were detected on day 50. Quantitative PCR detection of L. pneumophila DNA demonstrated that nonculturable cells retained PCR-detectable DNA even after starvation for 300 days, and part of the nonculturable population possessed nonspecific esterase activity. However, resuscitation trials of nonculturable L. pneumophila on day 100 of starvation recovered no colony-forming units, and electrophoresis of nucleic acids extracted from nonculturable cells revealed rRNA subunit (23S, 16S and 5S) degradation. When legionellae have lost the ability to multiply, at least some DNA and enzyme functions may be retained for prolonged periods.