Abstract
Some intracellular bacteria are known to cause long-term infections that last decades without compromising the viability of the host. Although of critical importance, the adaptations that intracellular bacteria undergo during this long process of residence in a host cell environment remain obscure. Here, we report a novel experimental approach to study the adaptations of mycobacteria imposed by a long-term intracellular lifestyle. Selected Mycobacterium bovis BCG through continuous culture in macrophages underwent an adaptation process leading to impaired phenolic glycolipids (PGL) synthesis, improved usage of glucose as a carbon source and accumulation of neutral lipids. These changes correlated with increased survival of mycobacteria in macrophages and mice during re-infection and also with the specific expression of stress- and survival-related genes. Our findings identify bacterial traits implicated in the establishment of long-term cellular infections and represent a tool for understanding the physiological states and the environment that bacteria face living in fluctuating intracellular environments.
Highlights
A number of intracellular bacteria are able to induce lifelong infections in their hosts (Stewart et al, 2003; Monack et al, 2004)
The adaptations that intracellular bacteria undergo during this long process of residence in a host cell environment remain obscure
Selected Mycobacterium bovis BCG through continuous culture in macrophages underwent an adaptation process leading to impaired phenolic glycolipids (PGL) synthesis, improved usage of glucose as a carbon source and accumulation of Received 26 October, 2013; revised 9 April, 2014; accepted 13 April, 2014. *For correspondence
Summary
A number of intracellular bacteria are able to induce lifelong infections in their hosts (Stewart et al, 2003; Monack et al, 2004). Bacteria habiting host cells must somehow adapt to this long-term permanent lifestyle (Honer zu Bentrup and Russell, 2001; Casadevall, 2008) by re-wiring metabolic networks necessary to survive for years within hosts (Honer zu Bentrup and Russell, 2001). This important phenomenon is poorly understood and the phenotypic and genetic changes imprinted in long-term intracellular bacteria are ill defined (Casadevall, 2008)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.