Acinetobacter baumannii outer membrane protein A targets the nucleus and induces cytotoxicity

Acinetobacter baumannii is an emerging opportunistic pathogen responsible for healthcare-associated infections. The outer membrane protein A of A. baumannii (AbOmpA) is the most abundant surface protein that has been associated with the apoptosis of epithelial cells through mitochondrial targeting. The nuclear translocation of AbOmpA and the subsequent pathology on host cells were further investigated. AbOmpA directly binds to eukaryotic cells. AbOmpA translocates to the nucleus by a novel monopartite nuclear localization signal (NLS). The introduction of rAbOmpA into the cells or a transient expression of AbOmpA–EGFP causes the nuclear localization of these proteins, while the fusion proteins of AbOmpAΔNLS–EGFP and AbOmpA with substitutions in residues lysine to alanine in the NLS sequences represent an exclusively cytoplasmic distribution. The nuclear translocation of AbOmpA induces cell death in vitro . Furthermore, the microinjection of rAbOmpA into the nucleus of Xenopus laevis embryos fails to develop normal embryogenesis, thus leading to embryonic death. We propose a novel pathogenic mechanism of A. baumannii regarding the nuclear targeting of the bacterial structural protein AbOmpA.     

Global gene expression patterns and induction of innate immune response in human laryngeal epithelial cells in response to Acinetobacter baumannii outer membrane protein A

The outer membrane protein A of Acinetobacter baumannii (AbOmpA) is an important pathogen-associated molecular pattern that induces host cell death. We determined the gene expression profiles of human laryngeal epithelial HEp-2 cells in response to the sublethal concentration of recombinant AbOmpA (rAbOmpA) and investigated the molecular mechanisms by which rAbOmpA induces an innate immune response. The microarray analysis showed that rAbOmpA sequentially regulated a relatively small set of genes, including those associated with signal transductions and molecules involved in immune response. Among the differentially expressed genes involved in innate immune responses, the surface expression of Toll-like receptor 2 and the production of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were prominently observed. However, rAbOmpA did not induce the production of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines. rAbOmpA activated c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). Inhibition of JNK MAPK suppressed iNOS production in the rAbOmpA-treated HEp-2 cells. These results suggest that interaction of laryngeal epithelial cells with AbOmpA has a significant impact on the induction of innate immunity during the early stages of A. baumannii infection.     

Acinetobacter baumannii secretes cytotoxic outer membrane protein A via outer membrane vesicles

Acinetobacter baumannii is an important nosocomial pathogen that causes a high morbidity and mortality rate in infected patients, but pathogenic mechanisms of this microorganism regarding the secretion and delivery of virulence factors to host cells have not been characterized. Gram-negative bacteria naturally secrete outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) that play a role in the delivery of virulence factors to host cells. A. baumannii has been shown to secrete OMVs when cultured in vitro, but the role of OMVs in A. baumannii pathogenesis is not well elucidated. In the present study, we evaluated the secretion and delivery of virulence factors of A. baumannii to host cells via the OMVs and assessed the cytotoxic activity of outer membrane protein A (AbOmpA) packaged in the OMVs. A. baumannii ATCC 19606(T) secreted OMVs during in vivo infection as well as in vitro cultures. Potential virulence factors, including AbOmpA and tissue-degrading enzymes, were associated with A. baumannii OMVs. A. baumannii OMVs interacted with lipid rafts in the plasma membranes and then delivered virulence factors to host cells. The OMVs from A. baumannii ATCC 19606(T) induced apoptosis of host cells, whereas this effect was not detected in the OMVs from the ΔompA mutant, thereby reflecting AbOmpA-dependent host cell death. The N-terminal region of AbOmpA(22-170) was responsible for host cell death. In conclusion, the OMV-mediated delivery of virulence factors to host cells may well contribute to pathogenesis during A. baumannii infection.     

Outer membrane protein 38 of Acinetobacter baumannii localizes to the mitochondria and induces apoptosis of epithelial cells

Acinetobacter baumannii is an important opportunistic pathogen responsible for nosocomial infection. Despite considerable clinical and epidemiological data regarding the role of A. baumannii in nosocomial infection, the specific virulence factor or pathogenic mechanism of this organism has yet to be elucidated. This study investigated the molecular mechanism of apoptosis on the infection of human laryngeal epithelial HEp-2 cells with A. baumannii and examined the contribution of outer membrane protein 38 (Omp38) on the ability of A. baumannii to induce apoptosis of epithelial cells. A. baumannii induced apoptosis of HEp-2 cells through cell surface death receptors and mitochondrial disintegration. The Omp38-deficient mutant was not as able to induce apoptosis as the wild-type A. baumannii strain. Purified Omp38 entered the cells and was localized to the mitochondria, which led to a release of proapoptotic molecules such as cytochrome c and apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF). The activation of caspase-3, which is activated by caspase-9, degraded DNA approximately 180 bp in size, which resulted in the appearance of a characteristic DNA ladder. AIF degraded chromosomal DNA approximately 50 kb in size, which resulted in large-scale DNA fragmentation. These results demonstrate that Omp38 may act as a potential virulence factor to induce apoptosis of epithelial cells in the early stage of A. baumannii infection.     

Anti-tumor activity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acinetobacter baumannii</Emphasis> outer membrane protein A on dendritic cell-based immunotherapy against murine melanoma

Acinetobacter baumannii outer membrane protein A (AbOmpA) is a major surface protein that is an important pathogen-associated molecular pattern. Based on our previous findings that AbOmpA induced the phenotypic maturation of dendritic cells (DCs) and drove the Th1 immune response in vitro, we investigated the therapeutic efficacy of AbOmpA-pulsed DC vaccines in a murine melanoma model. The surface expression of co-stimulatory molecules (CD80 and CD86) and major histocompatibility complex class I and II molecules was higher in DCs pulsed with AbOmpA alone or with a combination of B16F10 cell lysates than that of DCs pulsed with B16F10 cell lysates. AbOmpA stimulated the maturation of murine splenic DCs in vivo. In a therapeutic model of murine melanoma, AbOmpA-pulsed DCs significantly retarded tumor growth and improved the survival of tumor-bearing mice. AbOmpA-pulsed DCs significantly enhanced CD8+, interleukin-2+ T cells and CD4+, interferon-gamma+ T cells in tumor-bearing mice. These results provide evidence that AbOmpA may be therapeutically useful in adjuvant DC immunotherapy against poorly immunogenic melanoma without tumor-specific antigens.     

Amplification of a single-locus variable-number direct repeats with restriction fragment length polymorphism (DR-PCR/RFLP) for genetic typing of Acinetobacter baumannii strains

In search of an effective DNA typing technique for Acinetobacter baumannii strains for hospital epidemiology use, the performance and convenience of a new target sequence was evaluated. Using known genomic sequences of Acinetobacter baumannii strains AR 319754 and ATCC 17978, we developed single-locus variable-number direct-repeat analysis using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (DR-PCR/RFLP) method. A total of 90 Acinetobacter baumannii strains isolated from patients of the Clinical Hospital in Bydgoszcz, Poland, were examined. Initially, all strains were typed using macrorestriction analysis of the chromosomal DNA by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (REA-PFGE). Digestion of the chromosomal DNA with the ApaI endonuclease and separation of the fragments by PFGE revealed 21 unique types. Application of DR-PCR/RFLP resulted in recognition of 12 clusters. The results showed that the DR-PCR/RFLP method is less discriminatory than REA-PFGE, however, the novel genotyping method can be used as an alternative technique for generating DNA profiles in epidemiological studies of intra-species genetic relatedness of Acinetobacter baumannii strains.     

Nuclear translocation of Acinetobacter baumannii transposase induces DNA methylation of CpG regions in the promoters of E-cadherin gene

Nuclear targeting of bacterial proteins has emerged as a pathogenic mechanism whereby bacterial proteins induce host cell pathology. In this study, we examined nuclear targeting of Acinetobacter baumannii transposase (Tnp) and subsequent epigenetic changes in host cells. Tnp of A. baumannii ATCC 17978 possesses nuclear localization signals (NLSs), (225)RKRKRK(230). Transient expression of A. baumannii Tnp fused with green fluorescent protein (GFP) resulted in the nuclear localization of these proteins in COS-7 cells, whereas the truncated Tnp without NLSs fused with GFP were exclusively localized in the cytoplasm. A. baumannii Tnp was found in outer membrane vesicles, which delivered this protein to the nucleus of host cells. Nuclear expression of A. baumannii Tnp fused with GFP in A549 cells induced DNA methylation of CpG regions in the promoters of E-cadherin (CDH1) gene, whereas the cytoplasmic localization of the truncated Tnp without NLSs fused with GFP did not induce DNA methylation. DNA methylation in the promoters of E-cadherin gene induced by nuclear targeting of A. baumannii Tnp resulted in down-regulation of gene expression. In conclusion, our data show that nuclear traffic of A. baumannii Tnp induces DNA methylation of CpG regions in the promoters of E-cadherin gene, which subsequently down-regulates gene expression. This study provides a new insight into the epigenetic control of host genes by bacterial proteins.     

Platelet-activating Factor Receptor Initiates Contact of Acinetobacter baumannii Expressing Phosphorylcholine with Host Cells

Adhesion is an initial and important step in Acinetobacter baumannii causing infections. However, the exact molecular mechanism of such a step between A. baumannii and the host cells remains unclear. Here, we demonstrated that the phosphorylcholine (ChoP)-containing outer membrane protein of A. baumannii binds to A549 cells through platelet-activating factor receptor (PAFR), resulting in activation of G protein and intracellular calcium. Upon A. baumannii expressing ChoP binding to PAFR, clathrin and β-arrestins, proteins involved in the direction of the vacuolar movement, are activated during invasion of A. baumannii. PAFR antagonism restricts the dissemination of A. baumannii in the pneumonia model. These results define a role for PAFR in A. baumannii interaction with host cells and suggest a mechanism for the entry of A. baumannii into the cytoplasm of host cells.     

Immunostimulatory Activity of Dendritic cells pulsed with carbonic anhydrase IX and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acinetobacter baumannii</Emphasis> outer membrane protein A

Dendritic cell (DC)-based immunotherapy is a potent therapeutic modality for treating renal cell carcinoma (RCC), but development of antigens specific for tumor-targeting and anti-tumor immunity is of great interest for clinical trials. The present study investigated the ability of DCs pulsed with a combination of carbonic anhydrase IX (CA9) as an RCC-specific biomarker and Acinetobacter baumannii outer membrane protein A (AbOmpA) as an immunoadjuvant to induce anti-tumor immunity against murine renal cell carcinoma (RENCA) in a murine model. Murine bone-marrow-derived DCs pulsed with a combination of RENCA lysates and AbOmpA were tested for their capacity to induce DC maturation and T cell responses in vitro. A combination of RENCA lysates and AbOmpA up-regulated the surface expression of co-stimulatory molecules, CD80 and CD86, and the antigen presenting molecules, major histocompatibility (MHC) class I and class II, in DCs. A combination of RENCA lysates and AbOmpA also induced interleukin-12 (IL-12) production in DCs. Next, the immunostimulatory activity of DCs pulsed with a combination of CA9 and AbOmpA was determined. A combination of CA9 and AbOmpA up-regulated the surface expression of co-stimulatory molecules and antigen presenting molecules in DCs. DCs pulsed with a combination of CA9 and AbOmpA effectively secreted IL-12 but not IL-10. These cells interacted with T cells and formed clusters. DCs pulsed with CA9 and AbOmpA elicited the secretion of interferon-γ and IL-2 in T cells. In conclusion, a combination of CA9 and AbOmpA enhanced the immunostimulatory activity of DCs, which may effectively induce anti-tumor immunity against human RCC.     

Identification of an Acinetobacter baumannii gene region with sequence and organizational similarity to Tn2670.

A chloramphenicol resistance gene was cloned from chromosomal DNA prepared from a clinical Acinetobacter baumannii isolate. Sequence analysis of this gene (cat) and the flanking DNA regions shows that this gene is linked to Tn21 and to IS1 in a manner similar to that found in Tn2670.     

鲍曼不动杆菌随机扩增多态性DNA法基因分型的研究

目的 利用随机扩增多态性DNA(RAPD)技术对鲍曼不动杆菌进行基因分型建立DNA指纹图谱,调查该菌在各临床科室的流行情况,并将其与药敏谱进行比较.方法 随机收集中南大学湘雅二医院2007年9月到2008年9月分离出的86株鲍曼不动杆菌,采用WHO推荐的K-B法对鲍曼不动杆菌进行药物敏感试验,建立药敏谱,同时利用随机扩增多态性DNA法(RAPD)技术进行基因分型,建立DNA指纹图谱,对二者进行比较,然后结合药敏谱和指纹图谱分析各临床科室鲍曼不动杆菌的感染情况.结果 药物敏感试验将86株鲍曼不动杆菌分为47型,RAPD技术将其分为14型,其中A、F、D、B和L型为5种优势型,其菌株数分别为22、15、11、9和7株.本院ICU,老年病科,神经内科,呼吸内科,神经外科鲍曼不动杆菌检出率较高.结论 RAPD分型方法优于药敏分型,其在流行病学研究上更能证实菌株的相关性,在早期发现和预防感染暴发流行中起重要作用.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Acinetobacter baumannii</Emphasis> outer membrane protein a induces dendritic cell death through mitochondrial targeting

Acinetobacter baumannii outer membrane protein A (AbOmpA) is a potential virulence factor that induces epithelial cell death, but its pathologic effects on the immune system have yet to be determined. The present study investigated the pathologic events occurring in dendritic cells (DCs) exposed to a cytotoxic concentration of AbOmpA. AbOmpA induced early-onset apoptosis and delayed-onset necrosis in DCs. AbOmpA targeted the mitochondria and induced the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS were directly responsible for both apoptosis and necrosis of AbOmpA-treated DCs. These results demonstrate that the AbOmpA secreted from A. baumannii induces DC death, which may impair T cell biology to induce adaptive immune responses against A. baumannii.     

Role of fibronectin in the adhesion of Acinetobacter baumannii to host cells

Adhesion to host cells is an initial and important step in Acinetobacter baumannii pathogenesis. However, there is relatively little information on the mechanisms by which A. baumannii binds to and interacts with host cells. Adherence to extracellular matrix proteins, such as fibronectin, affords pathogens with a mechanism to invade epithelial cells. Here, we found that A. baumannii adheres more avidly to immobilized fibronectin than to control protein. Free fibronectin used as a competitor resulted in dose-dependent decreased binding of A. baumannii to fibronectin. Three outer membrane preparations (OMPs) were identified as fibronectin binding proteins (FBPs): OMPA, TonB-dependent copper receptor, and 34 kDa OMP. Moreover, we demonstrated that fibronectin inhibition and neutralization by specific antibody prevented significantly the adhesion of A. baumannii to human lung epithelial cells (A549 cells). Similarly, A. baumannii OMPA neutralization by specific antibody decreased significantly the adhesion of A. baumannii to A549 cells. These data indicate that FBPs are key adhesins that mediate binding of A. baumannii to human lung epithelial cells through interaction with fibronectin on the surface of these host cells.     

鲍曼不动杆菌裂解性噬菌体LZ35的 分离及全基因组分析

摘要：目的 通过分离鉴定鲍曼不动杆菌噬菌体并进行遗传信息分析,为今后噬菌体用于治疗鲍曼不动杆菌引起的感染提供依据。方法 以鲍曼不动杆菌临床分离株为宿主菌,从医院污水中分离鲍曼不动杆菌噬菌体并进行纯化、电镜观察形态特征、提取噬菌体DNA,进行全基因组测序,分析全基因组的结构特征,比较基因组分析其进化关系。结果 分离到鲍曼不动杆菌裂解性噬菌体LZ35,电镜观察显示,该噬菌体属于有尾噬菌体目肌尾病毒科。基因组全长44 885 bp,G＋C含量为37.95%,含有83个开放阅读框,其中22个编码序列可预测其功能,61个编码序列为未知基因。噬菌体LZ35的基因组与鲍曼不动杆菌噬菌体IME-AB2和YMC-13-01-C62具有很高的同源性（分别为97%和99%）,与鲍曼不动杆菌噬菌体YMC11/12/R1215的进化关系最近。结论 以鲍曼不动杆菌临床分离株为宿主菌,分离到鲍曼不动杆菌裂解性噬菌体LZ35,明确了其形态和基因组特征,为防治噬菌体疗法奠定基础。     

Spontaneous transformation in mixed cultures of various types of Acinetobacter and during joint growth of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus with Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa

The transfer of chromosomal and plasmid genes was studied via spontaneous transformation is mixed cultures of Acinetobacter spp. It turned out that any Acinetobacter strain, irrespective of its species specificity, serves as chromosomal DNA donor in case the mixed culture contains competent cells of the recipient strain. No transfer took place when non-related bacteria were used as donors. We also studied the transfer into Ac. calcoaceticus competent strain cells of small non-conjugative plasmids having broad host range (RSF1010, pAK1). In these cases, DNA donors could be not only acinetobacters of other species, but bacteria belonging to other systematic groups (families)--E. coli and P. aeruginosa. The transfer of plasmids from cells of unrelated bacteria took place with a frequency of about 10(-5)-10(-6). The possible role of spontaneous transformation in horizontal gene transfer is discussed.     

Host DNA replication is induced by geminivirus infection of differentiated plant cells

The geminivirus Tomato golden mosaic virus (TGMV) replicates in differentiated plant cells using host DNA synthesis machinery. We used 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation to examine DNA synthesis directly in infected Nicotiana benthamiana plants to determine if viral reprogramming of host replication controls had an impact on host DNA replication. Immunoblot analysis revealed that up to 17-fold more BrdU was incorporated into chromosomal DNA of TGMV-infected versus mock-infected, similarly treated healthy leaves. Colocalization studies of viral DNA and BrdU demonstrated that BrdU incorporation was specific to infected cells and was associated with both host and viral DNA. TGMV and host DNA synthesis were inhibited differentially by aphidicolin but were equally sensitive to hydroxyurea. Short BrdU labeling times resulted in some infected cells showing punctate foci associated with host DNA. Longer periods showed BrdU label uniformly throughout host DNA, some of which showed condensed chromatin, only in infected nuclei. By contrast, BrdU associated with viral DNA was centralized and showed uniform, compartmentalized labeling. Our results demonstrate that chromosomal DNA is replicated in TGMV-infected cells.     

耐亚胺培南鲍曼不动杆菌医院内感染流行的分子机制研究

目的研究耐亚胺培南鲍曼不动杆菌的耐药谱特征及其医院内感染流行和耐药性产生的分子机制,为临床防治提供依据.方法4株耐亚胺培南鲍曼不动杆菌分离自2002年10月至2003年1月外科重症监护病房的感染患者,采用纸片扩散法及E-test进行药物敏感性检测及MIC值测定,肠杆菌科基因组内重复一致序列聚集合酶链反应(ERIC-PCR)进行克隆株的DNA分型,耐药质粒转移及消除试验、等电聚焦电泳、PCR扩增β-内酰胺酶基因及其克隆测序以识别其耐药基因和进行质粒定位.结果4株菌除对头孢哌酮/舒巴坦复合制剂的MIC值较低外,对头孢菌素类、氨基糖甙类和氟喹喏酮类等抗生素均显示出了较高水平的多重耐药性;DNA分型证实为同一克隆株;产OXA-23型碳青霉烯酶和PER-1型超广谱β-内酰胺酶(ESBLs);OXA-23定位在质粒上,PER-1定位在染色体上.结论本组耐亚胺培南鲍曼不动杆菌为多重耐药株,同一克隆株在不同感染个体间的相互传播导致了本次医院内感染的流行,产OXA-23和PER-1型β-内酰胺酶是其耐药性产生的重要原因.     

Role of macrophages in early host resistance to respiratory Acinetobacter baumannii infection

Acinetobacter baumannii is an emerging bacterial pathogen that causes nosocomial pneumonia and other infections. Although it is recognized as an increasing threat to immunocompromised patients, the mechanism of host defense against A. baumannii infection remains poorly understood. In this study, we examined the potential role of macrophages in host defense against A. baumannii infection using in vitro macrophage culture and the mouse model of intranasal (i.n.) infection. Large numbers of A. baumannii were taken up by alveolar macrophages in vivo as early as 4 h after i.n. inoculation. By 24 h, the infection induced significant recruitment and activation (enhanced expression of CD80, CD86 and MHC-II) of macrophages into bronchoalveolar spaces. In vitro cell culture studies showed that A. baumannii were phagocytosed by J774A.1 (J774) macrophage-like cells within 10 minutes of co-incubation, and this uptake was microfilament- and microtubule-dependent. Moreover, the viability of phagocytosed bacteria dropped significantly between 24 and 48 h after co-incubation. Infection of J774 cells by A. baumannii resulted in the production of large amounts of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, and moderate amounts of nitric oxide (NO). Prior treatment of J774 cells with NO inhibitors significantly suppressed their bactericidal efficacy (P<0.05). Most importantly, in vivo depletion of alveolar macrophages significantly enhanced the susceptibility of mice to i.n. A. baumannii challenge (P<0.01). These results indicate that macrophages may play an important role in early host defense against A. baumannii infection through the efficient phagocytosis and killing of A. baumannii to limit initial pathogen replication and the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines for the rapid recruitment of other innate immune cells such as neutrophils.     

ARDRA联合RAPD对不动杆菌基因型鉴定的研究

收集多重耐药的不动杆菌10株,以标准参照株作对照,采用扩增核糖体DNA限制性酶切(ARDRA)DNA指纹技术联合随机扩增多态性DNA(RAPD)技术对其基因亚型进行分析;以非加权组间平均法(UPG-MA)进行聚类分析。该法可以有效地鉴定不动杆菌基因亚型;并从10株不动杆菌中鉴定出1株琼氏不动杆菌及9株鲍曼不动杆菌。ARDRA联合RAPD基因指纹分型技术有良好的互补性,可准确鉴定不动杆菌基因型。     

耐碳青霉烯类鲍曼不动杆菌OXA-23-like基因的克隆和表达

扩增耐碳青霉烯类鲍曼不动杆菌(Acinetobacter baumannii) OXA-23-like基因,并表达纯化该蛋白,为深入研究鲍曼不动杆菌亚单位蛋白疫苗提供理论基础。从60份样品中分离并扩增出OXA-23-like基因,构建于p GEX-6p-1表达载体中,用BL21表达宿主细胞诱导表达并纯化蛋白;免疫印迹试验(Western blotting)验证OXA-23-like蛋白保守性。结果显示,成功构建pGEX-6p-1-OXA-23-like质粒,表达并纯化蛋白;Western blotting实验表明临床菌株OXA-23-like蛋白表达阳性。OXA-23-like基因和蛋白表达保守性高,具有免疫原性,是鲍曼不动杆菌疫苗良好的抗原靶点。