Lipopolysaccharide Composition Research Articles

Heterogeneity of Salmonella enterica lipopolysaccharide counteracts macrophage and antimicrobial peptide defenses.

Salmonella enterica is comprised of over 2,500 serovars, in which non-typhoidal serovars (NTS), Enteritidis (SE), and Typhimurium (STM) are the most clinically associated with human infections. Although NTS have similar genetic elements to cause disease, phenotypic variation including differences in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) composition may control immune evasion. Here, we demonstrate that macrophage host defenses and LL-37 antimicrobial efficacy against SE and STM are substantially altered by LPS heterogeneity. We found that SE evades macrophage killing by inhibiting phagocytosis while STM survives better intracellularly post-phagocytosis. SE-infected macrophages failed to activate the inflammasomes and subsequently produced less interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-18, and interferon λ. Inactivation of LPS biosynthesis genes altered LPS composition, and the SE LPS-altered mutants could no longer inhibit phagocytosis, inflammasome activation, and type II interferon signaling. In addition, SE and STM showed differential susceptibility to the antimicrobials LL-37 and colistin, and alteration of LPS structure substantially increased susceptibility to these molecules. Collectively, our findings highlight that modification of LPS composition by Salmonella increases resistance to host defenses and antibiotics.

ВЗАИМОДЕЙСТВИЕ ЛИПОПОЛИСАХАРИД-СВЯЗЫВАЮЩИХ БЕЛКОВ С РАЗЛИЧНЫМИ ФОРМАМИ ЛИПОПОЛИСАХАРИДОВ

Lipopolysaccharide-binding proteins from two common jellyfish species Aurellia aurita and Ropelema asamushi were isolated and purified, and the interaction of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) of various structural types with LBP was studied. By inhibiting the interaction, it was found that both proteins specifically bind to the lipid and core fragments of the LPS molecule. There are two types of binding sites in LBP with Kd = 3,28 × 10-6 M and Kd = 0,13 × 10-6 M (for the protein from A. aurita) and Kd = 3,66 × 10-6 M and Kd = 0,27 × 10-6 M (for protein from R. asamushi). It has been shown by dynamic light scattering that the binding of LBP to R-LPS leads to the dissociation of LPS micelles. The sizes of LPS aggregates decrease from 200 nm to 25–30 nm in the composition of LPS–LSB complexes. The data of electrokinetic measurements indicate the neutralization of the negative charge of Rd-LPS (-42,2 mV) in the LPS-LSB-R. asamushi complex up to -4,4 mV. S-LPS micelles from E. coli do not disaggregate upon binding to LBP, which is apparently due to the shielding of lipid A by O-specific chains in the S-LPS molecule. The binding of LPS to LBP may affect their endotoxic properties.

Signaling through the Salmonella PbgA-LapB regulatory complex activates LpxC proteolysis and limits lipopolysaccharide biogenesis during stationary-phase growth.

Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) controls lipopolysaccharide (LPS) biosynthesis by regulating proteolysis of LpxC, the rate-limiting enzyme and target of preclinical antibiotics. PbgA/YejM/LapC regulates LpxC levels and controls outer membrane (OM) LPS composition at the log-to-stationary phase transition. Suppressor substitutions in LPS assembly protein B (LapB/YciM) rescue the LPS and OM integrity defects of pbgA-mutant S. Typhimurium. We hypothesized that PbgA regulates LpxC proteolysis by controlling LapB's ability to bind LpxC as a function of the growth phase. According to existing models, when nutrients are abundant, PbgA binds and restricts LapB from interacting with LpxC and FtsH, which limits LpxC proteolysis. However, when nutrients are limited, there is debate whether LapB dissociates from PbgA to bind LpxC and FtsH to enhance degradation. We sought to examine these models and investigate how the structure of LapB enables salmonellae to control LpxC proteolysis and LPS biosynthesis. Salmonellae increase LapB levels during the stationary phase to promote LpxC degradation, which limits lipid A-core production and increases their survival. The deletion of lapB, resulting in unregulated lipid A-core production and LpxC overabundance, leads to bacterial growth retardation. Tetratricopeptide repeats near the cytosol-inner membrane interface are sufficient for LapB to bind LpxC, and remarkably, LapB and PbgA interact in both growth phases, yet LpxC only associates with LapB in the stationary phase. Our findings support that PbgA-LapB exists as a constitutive complex in S. Typhimurium, which differentially binds LpxC to control LpxC proteolysis and limit lipid A-core biosynthesis in response to changes in the environment.IMPORTANCEAntimicrobial resistance has been a costly setback for human health and agriculture. Continued pursuit of new antibiotics and targets is imperative, and an improved understanding of existing ones is necessary. LpxC is an essential target of preclinical trial antibiotics that can eliminate multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacterial infections. LapB is a natural LpxC inhibitor that targets LpxC for degradation and limits lipopolysaccharide production in Enterobacteriaceae. Contrary to some studies, findings herein support that LapB remains in complex instead of dissociating from its presumed negative regulator, PbgA/YejM/LapC, under conditions where LpxC proteolysis is enhanced. Advanced comprehension of this critical protein-lipid signaling network will lead to future development and refinement of small molecules that can specifically interfere.

Characteristics of Stenotrophomonas rhizophila Lipopolysaccharide, a Representative of Antarctica

Characteristics of Stenotrophomonas rhizophila Lipopolysaccharide, a Representative of Antarctica

Bacteriophage steering of Burkholderia cenocepacia toward reduced virulence and increased antibiotic sensitivity.

Antibiotic resistance in bacteria is a growing global concern and has spurred increasing efforts to find alternative therapeutics, such as the use of bacterial viruses, or bacteriophages. One promising approach is to use phages that not only kill pathogenic bacteria but also select phage-resistant survivors that are newly sensitized to traditional antibiotics, in a process called "phage steering." Members of the bacterial genus Burkholderia, which includes various human pathogens, are highly resistant to most antimicrobial agents, including serum immune components, antimicrobial peptides, and polymixin-class antibiotics. However, the application of phages in combination with certain antibiotics can produce synergistic effects that more effectively kill pathogenic bacteria. Herein, we demonstrate that Burkholderia cenocepacia serum resistance is due to intact lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and membranes, and phage-induced resistance altering LPS structure can enhance bacterial sensitivity not only to immune components in serum but also to membrane-associated antibiotics such as colistin. IMPORTANCE Bacteria frequently encounter selection pressure from both antibiotics and lytic phages, but little is known about the interactions between antibiotics and phages. This study provides new insights into the evolutionary trade-offs between phage resistance and antibiotic sensitivity. The creation of phage resistance through changes in membrane structure or lipopolysaccharide composition can simultaneously be a major cause of antibiotic sensitivity. Our results provide evidence of synergistic therapeutic efficacy in phage-antibiotic interactions and have implications for the future clinical use of phage steering in phage therapy applications.

Shigella flexneri Adapts to Niche-Specific Stresses through Modifications in Cell Envelope Composition and Decoration.

Shigella flexneri is the primary causative agent of worldwide shigellosis. As the pathogen transverses the distinct niches of the gastrointestinal tract it necessitates dynamic adaptation strategies to mitigate host antimicrobials such as dietary fatty acids (FAs) and the bile salt, deoxycholate (DOC). This study investigates the dynamics of the S. flexneri cell envelope, by interrogating adaptations following FA or DOC exposure. We deciphered the effects of FAs and DOC on bacterial membrane fatty acid and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) compositions. We identified novel LPS-based strategies by the pathogen to support resistance to these host compounds. In particular, expression of S. flexneri very-long O antigen (VL-Oag) LPS was found to play a central role in stress mitigation, as VL-Oag protects against antimicrobial FAs, but its presence rendered S. flexneri susceptible to DOC stress. Collectively, this work underpins the importance for S. flexneri to maintain appropriate regulation of cell envelope constituents, in particular VL-Oag LPS, to adequately adapt to diverse stresses during infection.

O-Polysaccharides of LPS Modulate E. coli Uptake by Acanthamoeba castellanii.

Protozoan grazing is a major cause of bacterial mortality and controls bacterial population size and composition in the natural environment. To enhance their survival, bacteria evolved many defense strategies to avoid grazing by protists. Cell wall modification is one of the defense strategies that helps bacteria escape from recognition and/or internalization by its predators. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is the major component of Gram-negative bacterial cell wall. LPS is divided into three regions: lipid A, oligosaccharide core and O-specific polysaccharide. O-polysaccharide as the outermost region of E. coli LPS provides protection against predation by Acanthamoeba castellanii; however, the characteristics of O-polysaccharide contribute to this protection remain unknown. Here, we investigate how length, structure and composition of LPS affect E. coli recognition and internalization by A. castellanii. We found that length of O-antigen does not play a significant role in regulating bacterial recognition by A. castellanii. However, the composition and structure of O-polysaccharide play important roles in providing resistance to A. castellanii predation.

Https://microbiolj.org.ua/en/archiv/2022-tom-84/6-nov-dec-tom-84/2022-84-6-02

Bacterial wetwood, bacterial dropsy, or bacterial slime is a common disease caused by Lelliottia nimipressuralis, which affects the central core of many conifers and deciduous trees. Representatives of this species have been isolated from a variety of trees showing symptoms of the disease, as well as from water and, less commonly, from clinical samples. Important aspects of pathogenesis is the process of pathogen recognition and the protection mechanisms of bacterial cells from plant’s antimicrobial substances. It is known that lipopolysaccharides (LPS) take an active part in these processes. They provide the barrier function of the outer membrane, helping to protect bacteria from plant antimicrobial compounds, and the attachment of bacteria to plant cells. Therefore, the aim of the work was to study the peculiarities of the chemical composition and functional and biological characteristics of Lelliottia nimipressuralis F9a1 LPS obtained by different methods. Methods. LPS was isolated from dry bacterial mass by phenol-water method (LPS I), extraction method with 0.85% NaCl solution (LPS II), and phenol-water extraction of LPS insoluble in NaCl solution (LPS III). The carbohydrates were analyzed by Dubois method, nucleic acids ‒ by Spirin, protein content ‒ by Lowry and 2-keto-3-deoxyoctonic acid (KDO) ‒ by Osborn. The identification of monosaccharides and fatty acids in LPS preparations was carried out on an Agilent 6890N/5973 inert chromato-mass spectrometry system. The pyrogenicity of LPS was tested keeping the rules of bioethics in rabbits. Serological studies were performed by the Ouchterlony method. Results. LPS II of L. nimipressuralis F9а1 was characterized by low relative yield (2.12%), low content of carbohydrates (9.16%) and nucleic acids (3.7%), and high protein content (26.44%), while the studied preparations of LPS I and LPS III were characterized by a high yield, a rather high content of carbohydrates (46.68 and 38.4%, respectively), an insignificant amount of protein (up to 6.72%) and nucleic acids (up to 4.06%). All LPSs contained up to 0.27% KDO, which is a specific component of the LPS of gramnegative bacteria. The monosaccharide composition indicates that the LPS of the studied L. nimipressuralis strains turned out to be heterogeneous. At the same time, such monosaccharides as fucose, galactose, and glucose were recorded in the LPS of all tested strains. The fatty acid composition of LPS was represented by the presence of fatty acids containing from 12 to 18 carbon atoms. Нydroxylated, saturated, and monounsaturated acids were found. In LPS I and LPS III, the dominant fatty acid was 14:0 (3-OH), which is a kind of marker for the entire family of Enterobacteriaceae. In addition to the marker acid, a 16:1 acid was also predominant in LPS III, whereas in LPS II, 16:1 (32.7%) and 16:0 (22.6%) fatty acids dominated. The pyrogenic effect of L. nimipressuralis LPS studied showed that LPS solutions are pyrogenic. The serological studies showed that tested LPS in homologous systems exhibits antigenic activity. Antisera to L. nimipressuralis F9a1 react with LPS strains IMV 8791, LGK1, and L14b, which may indicate the presence of common antigenic determinants and belonging of these strains to the same serogroup. Conclusions. The LPSs of L. nimipressuralis F9a1 were heterogeneous in both monosaccharide and fatty acid composition, which is explained by the use of different methods for their isolation. To isolate LPS from L. nimipressuralis cells, the water-phenol method is better than sodium chloride extraction since with using the latter, the LPS yield is very low and very contaminated with proteins. At the same time, the isolation method does not affect the serological activity of the studied LPS. The results received during these biological-functional studies of L. nimipressuralis LPS contribute to the biological characteristics of this species.

Factors Impacting Rhizobium-legume Symbiotic Nitrogen Fixation with the Physiological and Genetic Responses to Overcome the Adverse Conditions: A Review

Symbiotic N2 fixation is essential for the plant’s growth because it can fix reactive nitrogen compounds in soil. However, all steps of this process can be hampered by several biotic and abiotic environmental factors. This study mainly focused on discussing the impacts of 12 major factors on this process by reviewing the significant numbers of research works. According to the information from these works, we found some significant physiological and genetic impacts caused by these factors like plasmid deletion, genomic mismanagement, abnormal molecular signals, toxicity, deficiency of minerals, deformation of rhizobial cells, protein denaturation, nucleic acid damage, acetylene reduction and nod factors limitation. Furthermore, expression of heat or acid shock proteins, internal buffering, genes spanning, extracellular immobilization, periplasmic allocation, change of lipopolysaccharides composition, intracellular accumulation of inorganic and organic solutes (Osmolyte) and activation of hydrogenase expression are shown by both micro and macro symbionts as a natural response to adapt to these stress conditions. Though the stress-tolerant strains like HR-3, HR-6, HR-10, HR-12, acta, actP, exoR, lpiA, actR, actS and phrR can be used to sense the external environment and make signals to change gene transcription during the adverse condition, the application of genetic engineering should be expanded more to promote the commercial inoculation by the production of novel stress-tolerant strains or modified genes of rhizobia and legumes.

Characterization of Azospirillum brasilense Lipopolysaccharides

Azospirillum brasilense is a gram-negative, nitrogen-fixing bacterium that colonizes the rhizosphere of various types of grasses and cereals. Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are a class of complex glycolipids present in the cell membrane of gramnegative bacteria and mediate plant-bacteria interactions. Although the effects of LPS of pathogenic plant bacteria on the induction of plant defense mechanisms have been characterized, the role of LPS of beneficial rhizobacteria on plant growth is less clear. Therefore, a very important point is the study of the chemical, biological, and functional activities of A. brasilense LPS, which was the aim of this work. Methods. A. brasilense LPSs were isolated from dry bacterial mass by the phenol-water method. The carbohydrates were analyzed by the Dubois method, nucleic acids — by Spirin, protein content — by Lowry and 2-keto-3-deoxyoctonic acid (KDO) — by Osborn. Pyrogenicity of LPS was tested observing the rules of bioethics in rabbits. Serological studies were performed by the Ouchterlony method. The identification of monosaccharides and fatty acids in LPS preparations was carried out on an Agilent 6890N/5973 inert chromatomass spectrometry system. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS-PAAG electrophoresis) was performed according to Laemmli. Results. LPS of 3 strains of A. brasilense were isolated from dry bacterial mass and purifi ed from nucleic acids by ultracentrifugation. The purified LPSs were characterized by different relative yields from 2.44% to 4.75%, which is slightly higher than other strains of the A. brasilense (1—3%). The studied preparations were characterized by a rather high content of carbohydrates from 50.1% to 72.1%. All LPS contained up to 0.17% KDO, which is a specific component of the LPS of gram-negative bacteria. Analysis of the monosaccharide composition indicates that the LPSs of the studied A. brasilense strains turned out to be heterogeneous. At the same time, such monosaccharides as mannose, galactose, glucose, and heptose were recorded in the LPS of all tested strains. The study of the fatty acid composition of LPS showed the presence of fatty acids containing from 14 to 18 carbon atoms. Нydroxylated, saturated, and monounsaturated acids and their cis isomers were found. In the investigated LPS, the dominant fatty acids were 16:0, 18:1, 14:0(3-OH), and 16:0(3-OH), which coincides with the literature data. The research of the pyrogenic effect of LPS of A. brasilense studied strains showed that LPS solutions are apyrogenic. The double immunodiffusion reaction in Ouchterlon agar showed that all tested LPS in homologous systems exhibited ancultitigenic activity. Serological cross-reactions can be used as an approach in classifying different bacteria. Thus, we found that antisera to A. brasilense 18-2 and 61 react with all LPSs of the studied strains, which may indicate the presence of common antigenic determinants in them and that these strains belong to the same serogroup. The electrophoretic distribution data indicate that A. brasilense produces S-forms of LPS which differ in the length of O-specifi c polysaccharide chains. Conclusions. For the first time, LPS were isolated from cells of A. brasilense 10/1, 18-2 and 61. A characteristic feature of these LPS is their heterogeneity in monosaccharide and fatty acid composition, all of them were apyrogenic. The results obtained during biological-functional studies of three strains of A. brasilense LPS contribute to the biological characteristics of this species.

Lipopolysaccharides and outer membrane proteins as main structures involved in complement evasion strategies of non-typhoidal Salmonella strains

Non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) infections pose a serious public health problem. In addition to the typical course of salmonellosis, an infection with Salmonella bacteria can often lead to parenteral infections and sepsis, which are particularly dangerous for children, the elderly and immunocompromised. Bacterial resistance to serum is a key virulence factor for the development of systemic infections. Salmonella, as an enterobacterial pathogen, has developed several mechanisms to escape and block the antibacterial effects of the complement system. In this review, we discuss the relevance of outer membrane polysaccharides to the complement evasion mechanisms of NTS strains. These include the influence of the overall length and density of the lipopolysaccharide molecules, modifications of the O-antigen lipopolysaccharide composition and the role of capsular polysaccharides in opsonization and protection of the outer membrane from the lytic action of complement. Additionally, we discuss specific outer membrane protein complement evasion mechanisms, such as recruitment of complement regulatory proteins, blocking assembly of late complement components to form the membrane attack complex and the proteolytic cleavage of complement proteins.

Effects of LPS Composition in Escherichia coli on Antibacterial Activity and Bacterial Uptake of Antisense Peptide-PNA Conjugates.

The physical and chemical properties of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria including Escherichia coli have a significant impact on the antibacterial activity and uptake of antibiotics, including antimicrobial peptides and antisense peptide-peptide nucleic acid (PNA) conjugates. Using a defined subset of E. coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and envelope mutants, components of the LPS-core, which provide differential susceptibility toward a panel of bacterial penetrating peptide (BPP)-PNA conjugates, were identified. Deleting the outer core of the LPS and perturbing the inner core only sensitized the bacteria toward (KFF)3K-PNA conjugates, but not toward conjugates carrying arginine-based BPPs. Interestingly, the chemical composition of the outer LPS core as such, rather than overall hydrophobicity or surface charge, appears to determine the susceptibility to different BPP-PNA conjugates thereby clearly demonstrating the complexity and specificity of the interaction with the LPS/outer membrane. Notably, mutants with outer membrane changes conferring polymyxin resistance did not show resistance toward the BPP-PNA conjugates, thereby eliminating one possible route of resistance for these molecules. Finally, envelope weakening, through deletion of membrane proteins such as OmpA as well as some proteins previously identified as involved in cationic antimicrobial peptide uptake, did not significantly influence BPP-PNA conjugate activity.

Cardiolipin Biosynthesis Genes Are Not Required for Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium Pathogenesis in C57BL/6J Mice.

ABSTRACTSalmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium is an intracellular pathogen that parasitizes macrophages from within a vacuole. The vacuolar environment prompts the bacterium to regulate the lipid composition of the outer membrane (OM), and this influences host inflammation. S. Typhimurium regulates the levels of acidic glycerophospholipids known as cardiolipins (CL) within the OM, and mitochondrial CL molecules can prime and activate host inflammasomes. However, the contribution of S. Typhimurium’s CL biosynthesis genes to intracellular survival, inflammasome activation, and pathogenesis had not been examined. S. Typhimurium genes encode three CL synthases. Single, double, and triple mutants were constructed. Similar to other Enterobacteriaceae, ClsA is the primary CL synthase for S. Typhimurium during logarithmic growth, while ClsB and ClsC contribute CL production in stationary phase. It was necessary to delete all three genes to diminish the CL content of the envelope. Despite being devoid of CL molecules, ΔclsABC mutants were highly virulent during oral and systemic infection for C57BL/6J mice. In macrophages, ΔclsA, ΔclsB, ΔclsC, and ΔclsAC mutants behaved like the wild type, whereas ΔclsAB, ΔclsBC, and ΔclsABC mutants were attenuated and elicited reduced amounts of secreted interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), IL-18, and lactate dehydrogenase. Hence, when clsA and clsC are deleted, clsB is necessary and sufficient to promote intracellular survival and inflammasome activation. Similarly, when clsB is deleted, clsA and clsC are necessary and sufficient. Therefore, the three CL synthase genes cooperatively and redundantly influence S. Typhimurium inflammasome activation and intracellular survival in C57BL/6J mouse macrophages but are dispensable for virulence in mice.IMPORTANCE Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium is a pathogenic Gram-negative bacterium that regulates the cardiolipin (CL) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) composition of the outer membrane (OM) during infection. Mitochondrial CL molecules activate the inflammasome and its effector caspase-1, which initiates an inflammatory process called pyroptosis. Purified bacterial CL molecules also influence LPS activation of Toll-like receptor 4 (Tlr4). S. Typhimurium resides within macrophage vacuoles and activates Tlr4 and the inflammasome during infection. However, the contribution of the three bacterial CL synthase genes (cls) to microbial pathogenesis and inflammation had not been tested. This study supports that the genes encoding the CL synthases work coordinately to promote intracellular survival in macrophages and to activate the inflammasome but do not influence inflammatory cytokine production downstream of Tlr4 or virulence in C57BL/6J mice. The macrophage phenotypes are not directly attributable to CL production but are caused by deleting specific combinations of cls gene products.

Comparative Genomic Analysis of Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris Isolates BJSJQ20200612 and GSXT20191014 Provides Novel Insights Into Their Genetic Variability and Virulence.

Black rot is a disease that has a severe impact on cabbage yield and quality in China. Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Xcc) is the causal agent of black rot of Brassicaceae crops. So far, the whole genomic sequences of more than 30 Xcc isolates have been sequenced; however, little information about genomic variability and virulence has been reported. In this study, 12 Xcc isolates were isolated from diseased cabbage leaves in seven Chinese provinces and two municipalities from July 2019 to November 2020. Pathogenicity analysis showed that isolate GSXT20191014 was more aggressive than BJSJQ20200612 and HRIW 3811 on cabbage inbred line 1371. Both BJSJQ20200612 and GSXT20191014 were sequenced and comparatively analyzed. The results showed that BJSJQ20200612 and GSXT20191014 have a single circular chromosome comprising 5,115,975 and 4,975,682 bp, respectively. Compared to the other six sequenced strains, 26 and 47 variable genomic regions were found in BJSJQ2020061 and GSXT20191014 genomic sequences, respectively. The variable genomic regions could be responsible for the genetic variation in Xcc strains and have led to the differences in type III secreted effector repertoires, virulence factors and secreted proteins between these two strains. Among the identified secreted proteins, two copies of peptidase S8/S53 were found in GSXT20191014-specific chromosomal segments. The common effectors xopR, xopH, avrBs1, and xopAH are found in most Xcc genomes, but they are absent in the GSXT20191014 genome. Variations in the composition of exopolysaccharides (EPS) and lipopolysaccharides (LPS) may aid GSXT20191014 isolate infections to evade recognition by the host immune system. Our results revealed a direct correlation between genomic variability and Xcc virulence. We also developed several markers for detecting BJSJQ20200612 and GSXT20191014 isolates and further tested the rest of our other 10 isolates. Finally, the isolated Xcc strains were classified into three genetic subgroups by specific molecular markers and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) approach. BJSJQ20200612 and GSXT20191014 isolates were also classified into two subgroups of Xcc according to the core-genome-based phylogenetic tree. This study extended our understanding of Xcc genomic features and provided the foundation to further characterize the mechanisms for Xcc virulence and a clue for black rot resistance breeding.

Dissecting Lipopolysaccharide Composition and Structure by GC-MS and MALDI Spectrometry.

Lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) are the main components of the external leaflet of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. They exert multiple functions, starting from conferring stability to the bacterial membrane to mediating the interaction of the microbe with the external environment. The composition and the structure of LPSs present tremendous diversity even within bacteria of the same species, and for this reason, the determination of the structure of these molecules is crucial because it can provide information on the motifs key for the virulence of a pathogen or that are associated to a bacterium of the commensal or beneficial microbiota. In addition, structural data disclose the effects triggered from a mutation or from the use of an antibiotic, or they can be used as tools to check the quality of adjuvants and/or medications, as vaccines, that make use of LPS.The structural study of LPSs is complex, and it can be achieved with the right combination of different techniques. In this frame, this chapter focuses on the two MS-based approaches, the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and the matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI).

Galacto-oligosaccharides improve barrier function and relieve colonic inflammation via modulating mucosa-associated microbiota composition in lipopolysaccharides-challenged piglets

BackgroundGalacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) have been shown to modulate the intestinal microbiota of suckling piglets to exert beneficial effects on intestinal function. However, the modulation of intestinal microbiota and intestinal function by GOS in intestinal inflammation injury models has rarely been reported. In this study, we investigated the effects of GOS on the colonic mucosal microbiota composition, barrier function and inflammatory response of lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-challenged suckling piglets.MethodsA total of 18 newborn suckling piglets were divided into three groups, the CON group, the LPS-CON group and the LPS-GOS group. Piglets in the LPS-GOS group were orally fed with 1 g/kg body weight of GOS solution every day. On the d 14, piglets in the LPS-CON and LPS-GOS group were challenged intraperitoneally with LPS solution. All piglets were slaughtered 2 h after intraperitoneal injection and sampled.ResultsWe found that the colonic mucosa of LPS-challenged piglets was significantly injured and shedding, while the colonic mucosa of the LPS-GOS group piglets maintained its structure. Moreover, GOS significantly reduced the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activity of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the LPS-challenged suckling piglets, and significantly increased the activity of total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC). GOS significantly increased the relative abundance of norank_f__Muribaculaceae and Romboutsia, and significantly decreased the relative abundance of Alloprevotella, Campylobacter and Helicobacter in the colonic mucosa of LPS-challenged suckling piglets. In addition, GOS increased the concentrations of acetate, butyrate and total short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the colonic digesta of LPS-challenged suckling piglets. GOS significantly reduced the concentrations of interleukin 1β (IL-1β), interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and cluster of differentiation 14 (CD14), and the relative mRNA expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (MyD88) in the LPS-challenged suckling piglets. In addition, GOS significantly reduced the relative mRNA expression of mucin2 (MUC2), and significantly increased the protein expression of Claudin-1 and zonula occluden-1 (ZO-1) in LPS-challenged suckling piglets.ConclusionsThese results suggested that GOS can modulate the colonic mucosa-associated microbiota composition and improve the intestinal function of LPS-challenged suckling piglets.

New Insights on End-Stage Renal Disease and Healthy Individual Gut Bacterial Translocation: Different Carbon Composition of Lipopolysaccharides and Different Impact on Monocyte Inflammatory Response.

Chronic kidney disease induces disruption of the intestinal epithelial barrier, leading to gut bacterial translocation. Here, we appreciated bacterial translocation by analyzing circulating lipopolysaccharides (LPS) using two methods, one measuring only active free LPS, and the other quantifying total LPS as well as LPS lipid A carbon chain length. This was done in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients and healthy volunteers (HV). We observed both higher LPS concentration in healthy volunteers and significant differences in composition of translocated LPS based on lipid A carbon chain length. Lower LPS activity to mass ratio and higher concentration of high-density lipoproteins were found in HV, suggesting a better plasma capacity to neutralize LPS activity. Higher serum concentrations of soluble CD14 and pro-inflammatory cytokines in ESRD patients confirmed this hypothesis. To further explore whether chronic inflammation in ESRD patients could be more related to LPS composition rather than its quantity, we tested the effect of HV and patient sera on cytokine secretion in monocyte cultures. Sera with predominance of 14-carbon chain lipid A-LPS induced higher secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines than those with predominance of 18-carbon chain lipid A-LPS. TLR4 or LPS antagonists decreased LPS-induced cytokine production by monocytes, demonstrating an LPS-specific effect. Thereby, septic inflammation observed in ESRD patients may be not related to higher bacterial translocation, but to reduced LPS neutralization capacity and differences in translocated LPS subtypes.

Chemical Characterization and Biological Activity of Escherichia coli Lipopolysaccharides

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are specific components of the cell envelope of gram-negative bacteria, located at the external surface of their outer membrane and performing a number of important physicochemical and biological functions. The widespread in nature are representatives of Enterobacteriaceae family. Among them there are saprotrophic, useful human symbionts, as well as causative agents of acute intestinal infections. The role of saprophytic intestinal microbiota is not limited only to its participation in the digestion process. The endotoxin released as a result of self-renewal of the cell pool of Escherichia coli partially enters the portal blood and performs antigenic stimulation of the macroorganism. In addition, a small amount of endotoxin can also be released by live gram-negative bacteria, which, given the large population of E. coli in the intestine, can create a sufficiently high concentration of endotoxin. Aim. The study of composition and biological activity of lipopolysaccharides of new E. coli strains, found in the human body. Methods. The objects of investigation were strains of Escherichia coli, isolated from healthy patients at the epidemiological center in Kharkiv. Lipopolysaccharides were extracted from dried cells by 45% phenol water solution at 65–68°С by Westphal and Jann method. The amount of carbohydrates was determined by phenol-sulfuric method. Carbohydrate content was determined in accordance to the calibration curve, which was built using glucose as a standard. The content of nucleic acids was determined by Spirin method, protein − by Lowry method. Serological activity of LPS was investigated by double immunodiffusion in agar using the method of Ouchterlony. Results. In all studied E. coli LPS (2884, 2890, 2892), glucose was dominant monosaccharide (40.5, 41.1, 67.3%, respectively). LPS also contained rhamnose (1.8, 22.9, 1.6%, respectively), ribose (3.5, 6.1, 3.6%, respectively) and galactose (4.1, 20.2, 18.3%, respectively). E. coli 2884 LPS also contained arabinose (1.0%) and mannose (44.8%), while E. coli strains 2890 and 2892 LPS contained heptose (9.7 and 7.8%, respectively). Lipid A composition was presented by fatty acids with a carbon chain length from C12 to C18. As the predominant components were 3-hydroxytetradecanoic (39.2–51.3%) as well as tetradecanoic (23.1–28.5%), dodecanoic (8.9–10.9%), hexadecanoic (4.3–7.2%) and octadecanoic (1.8–2.4%) acids. Unsaturated fatty acids: hexadecenoic (2.0–17.9%) and octadecenoic (3.4–4.2%) have been also identified. It was found that octadecanoic and octadecenoic acids were absent in the LPS of 2884 and 2892 strains, respectively. In SDS-PAAG electrophoresis, a bimodal distribution typical for S-forms of LPS was observed. The studied LPS were toxic and pyrogenic. Double immunodiffusion in agar by Ouchterlony revealed that the tested LPS exhibited an antigenic activity in the homologous system. In heterologous system E. coli 2892 LPS had cross reactivity with LPS of E. coli 2890 and М-17. Since the structure of the O-specific polysaccharide (OPS) of E. coli M-17 was established by us earlier, the results of serological reactions make it possible to suggest an analogy of the E. coli 2892 and 2890 OPS structures with that of E. coli М-17 and their belonging to the same serogroup. Conclusions. The study of the composition and biological activity of LPS of new strains of Escherichia coli 2884, 2890 and 2892, isolated from the body of almost healthy patients, expands our knowledge about the biological characteristics of the species.

Elucidation of a Novel Role of YebC in Surface Polysaccharides Regulation of Escherichia coli bipA-Deletion.

The BipA (BPI-inducible protein A) protein is ubiquitously conserved in various bacterial species and belongs to the translational GTPase family. Interestingly, the function of Escherichia coli BipA is not essential for cell growth under normal growth conditions. However, cultivation of bipA-deleted cells at 20°C leads to cold-sensitive growth defect and several phenotypic changes in ribosome assembly, capsule production, and motility, suggesting its global regulatory roles. Previously, our genomic library screening revealed that the overexpressed ribosomal protein (r-protein) L20 partially suppressed cold-sensitive growth defect by resolving the ribosomal abnormality in bipA-deleted cells at low temperature. Here, we explored another genomic library clone containing yebC, which encodes a predicted transcriptional factor that is not directly associated with ribosome biogenesis. Interestingly, overexpression of yebC in bipA-deleted cells diminished capsule synthesis and partially restored lipopolysaccharide (LPS) core maturation at a low temperature without resolving defects in ribosome assembly or motility, indicating that YebC may be specifically involved in the regulation of exopolysaccharide and LPS core synthesis. In this study, we collectively investigated the impacts of bipA-deletion on E. coli capsule, LPS, biofilm formation, and motility and revealed novel roles of YebC in extracellular polysaccharide production and LPS core synthesis at low temperature using this mutant strain. Furthermore, our findings suggest that ribosomal defects as well as increased capsule synthesis, and changes in LPS composition may contribute independently to the cold-sensitivity of bipA-deleted cells, implying multiple regulatory roles of BipA.

Intranasal curcumin protects against LPS-induced airway remodeling by modulating toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4) and matrixmetalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) expression via affecting MAP kinases in mouse model.

Bacterial infections can exacerbate asthmatic inflammation depending on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) composition, the outermost component of cell wall, its exposure timings as well as host's immune status. In present study, Balb/c mice were exposed to antigen (ovalbumin) and LPS simultaneously to establish an asthmatic model. Curcumin (diferuloylmethane), well known for its anti-inflammatory potential, was administered through intranasal route 1h before LPS and OVA (ovalbumin) exposure to evaluate its efficacy against airway structural changes. Inflammatory cell infiltration in lungs was measured by flow cytometry and further eosinophils were especially measured by immunofluorescence detection of major basic protein (MBP) as marker of eosinophilc granule protein. We also measured reactive oxygen species (ROS) in BALF by spectrofluorometry. MMP-9 activity was evaluated by gelatin zymography and mRNA expressions of MMP-9, TIMP-1, TGF-β1, IL-13, Collagen-1 and TLR-4 were measured in lungs. Protein expression of MAP kinases (P-ERK, P-JNK, P-p38), TLR-4, Cox-2, Lox-5 and Eotaxin was measured by western blotting. Hydroxyproline level and masson's trichrome staining were used to evaluate collagen deposition in lung. Exposure to LPS (0.1µg) exacerbates airway inflammation and induces structural changes in lungs by enhanced ROS production, collagen deposition, expression of genes involved in airway remodeling and activation of MAP kinases pathway enzymes. Intranasal curcumin pretreatment had significantly suppressed inflammatory mediators and airway remodeling proteins. Our results strongly suggest that intranasal curcumin effectively protects LPS-induced airway inflammation and structural changes by modulating genes involved in airway remodeling in safer way; hence, it can be considered as supplementary alternative towards asthma treatments.