Long Polar Fimbriae Research Articles

Role of long polar fimbriae type 1 and 2 in pathogenesis of mammary pathogenic Escherichia coli

Escherichia coli is a leading cause of bovine mastitis worldwide. The bacteria can rapidly grow in milk and elicit a strong lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4)-dependent inflammatory response. Recently, the long polar fimbriae (LPF) were identified as a promising virulence factor candidate widely distributed in mammary pathogenic E. coli (MPEC) strains. Mammary pathogenic E. coli possess 2 lpf loci encoding LPF1 and LPF2, respectively. By deleting the major fimbrial subunit gene, lpfA, we found that both LPF1 and LPF2 contribute to MPEC adhesion, invasion, and biofilm formation in vitro. The lpf1A and lpf2A mutants showed reduced cytotoxicity in our in vitro cell infection model. Furthermore, we observed that LPF2 induced a mild TLR4-independent proinflammatory response. The median lethal dose (LD50) of both ∆lpf2A and ∆lpf1A∆lpf2A mutants to BALB/c mice increased by 0.38 and 0.15 logs, respectively, whereas that of wild-type strain MPJS13 was 8.69 logs. In contrast, LPF1 deficiency significantly enhanced the LPS/TLR4-mediated inflammatory response in mammary epithelial cells, and the LD50 of the mutant decreased to 8.18 logs. In conclusion, our data suggested that LPF are important in MPEC colonization of mammary cells and may provide a benefit to bacterial intracellular survival that induces persistent bovine mastitis.

Murine Adherent and Invasive E. coli Induces Chronic Inflammation and Immune Responses in the Small and Large Intestines of Monoassociated IL-10-/- Mice Independent of Long Polar Fimbriae Adhesin A.

Adherent and invasive Escherichia coli (AIEC) is preferentially associated with ileal Crohn's disease (CD). The role of AIEC in the development of inflammation and its regional tropism is unresolved. The presence of long polar fimbriae (LPF) in 71% of ileal CD AIEC suggests a role for LPF in the tropism and virulence of AIEC. The aim of our study is to determine if AIEC, with or without LpfA, induces intestinal inflammation in monoassociated IL-10-/- mice. We compared murine AIEC strains NC101 (phylogroup B2, LpfA-) and CUMT8 (phylogroup B1, LpfA+), and isogenic mutant CUMT8 lacking lpfA154, with a non-AIEC (E. coli K12), evaluating histologic inflammation, bacterial colonization, mucosal adherence and invasion, and immune activation. IL-10-/- mice monoassociated with AIEC (either CUMT8, CUMT8:ΔlpfA, or NC101) but not K12 developed diffuse small intestinal and colonic inflammation. There was no difference in the magnitude and distribution of inflammation in mice colonized with CUMT8:ΔlpfA compared with wild-type CUMT8. Bacterial colonization was similar for all E. coli strains. Fluorescence in situ hybridization revealed mucosal adherence and tissue invasion by AIEC but not K12. Production of the cytokines IL-12/23 p40 by the intestinal tissue and IFN-γ and IL-17 by CD4 T cells correlated with inflammation. IL-10-/- mice monoassociated with murine AIEC irrespective of LpfA expression developed chronic inflammation accompanied by IL-12/23 p40 production in the small and large intestines and IFN-γ/IL-17 production by CD4 T cells that model the interplay between enteric pathosymbionts, host susceptibility, and enhanced immune responses in people with IBD.

Structural and adhesive properties of the long polar fimbriae protein LpfD from adherent-invasive Escherichia coli.

Crohn's disease (CD) is an inflammatory bowel disease characterized by an exaggerated immune response to commensal microbiota in the intestines of patients. Metagenomic studies have identified specific bacterial species and strains with increased prevalence in CD patients, amongst which is the adherent-invasive Escherichia coli (AIEC) strain LF82. AIEC strains express long polar fimbriae (LPF), which are known to target Peyer's patches in a mouse CD model. Here, the recombinant production of a soluble, self-complemented construct of the LpfD protein of E. coli LF82 is reported and it is demonstrated that it forms the adhesive tip subunit of LPF. The LpfD crystal reveals an N-terminal adhesin domain and a C-terminal pilin domain that connects the adhesin to the minor pilus subunit LpfE. Surface topology and sequence conservation in the adhesin domain hint at a putative receptor-binding pocket as found in the Klebsiella pneumoniae MrkD and E. coli F17-G (GafD) adhesins. Immunohistostaining of murine intestinal tissue sections revealed that LpfD specifically binds to the intestinal mucosa and submucosa. LpfD binding was found to be resistant to treatment with O- or N-glycosidases, but was lost in collagenase-treated tissue sections, indicating the possible involvement of an intestinal matrix-associated protein as the LpfD receptor. LpfD strongly adhered to isolated fibronectin in an in vitro assay, and showed lower levels of binding to collagen V and laminin and no binding to collagens I, III and IV.

30 Role of Long Polar Fimbriae in the Interactions of Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli With Peyer's Patches and Inhibition by a Probiotic Yeast

Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) are food-borne pathogens associated with diarrhea, hemorrhagic colitis and life-threatening complications such as hemolytic-uremic syndrome. EHEC interact with the Follicule-Associated Epithelium (FAE) of Peyer's patches (PPs) of the distal ileum in humans and translocate across the intestinal epithelium via M cells. Molecular mechanisms are still unknown but Long Polar Fimbriae (LPF), which contribute to intestinal colonization, may be involved. Currently no specific treatment is available in EHEC infections and use of antibiotics remains controversial. Probiotic could be an alternative strategy. The objectives of the study were to investigate the role of LPF in EHEC tropism to PPs, and to explore the influence of a probiotic yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, on EHEC interactions with intestinal mucosa. The expression of lpf genes (encoded by two lpf operons) of EHEC O157:H7 strain EDL933 was analyzed using in vitro models of the human upper GI tract and large intestine. To investigate the involvement of LPF in the ability of EDL933 to target PPs, we generated the D lpfA1,DlpfA2, DlpfA1-DlpfA2 isogenic mutants and trans-complemented them with lpf genes. LPF interaction with M-like cells was investigated using an in vitro model of specialized M cells. In vivo interactions of EHEC with murine PPs were analyzed in ileal loop assays. Mice were infected with a mixture of two bacterial strains, and the numbers of PPs-interacting bacteria were determined using a competitive index analysis. To investigate the effect of S. cerevisiae, mice were given the probiotic for 7 days before ileal loops assays were conducted with O157:H7 wild type. Lpf isogenic mutants (i) were not able to interact with ileal biopsies containing PPs compared to the wild type strain in competitive colonization assays and (ii) translocated across M cells at levels significantly lower than those observed for the wild type strain. Trans-complementation of the mutants with the cloned lpf genes restored their ability to interact with PPs and M cells, indicating that expression of lpfA1 or/and lpfA2 genes is required for interactions with PPs. Regarding probiotic strategy, S. cerevisiae exerts a trophic effect on the intestinal mucosa. Bloodshot PPs were macroscopically observed following EHEC infection of murine ileal loops. We showed that pre-treatment with yeast significantly inhibited O157:H7 interactions with PPs and reduced the number of hemorrhagic PPs in murine ileal loops. Yeast cell surface are rich in mannose and the role of such carbohydrates in inhibiting EHEC interactions with PPs will be investigated. We conclude that LPF are involved in the interactions of EHEC with murine PPs and are needed for an active translocation across M cell monolayer. Tropism of EHEC to PPs can be limited by a probiotic S. cerevisiae strain.

Bile salts induce long polar fimbriae expression favouring Crohn's disease‐associated adherent‐invasive Escherichia coli interaction with Peyer's patches

Ileal lesions of patients with Crohn's disease are colonized by adherent-invasive Escherichia coli (AIEC). The earliest lesions of recurrent Crohn's disease are erosions of Peyer's patches (PP). We recently reported the presence of a functional lpf operon in AIEC, encoding long polar fimbriae (LPF), that allows AIEC bacteria to interact with PP and to translocate across M cells. The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of gastrointestinal conditions on LPF expression in AIEC strains. The LF82 bacterial growth in an acid pH medium or at high osmolarity medium had no effect on lpf transcription level, in contrast to bacterial growth in the presence of bile salts, which promoted activation of lpf transcription. When cultured in the presence of bile salt, LF82 wild-type bacteria, but not the isogenic mutant deleted for lpfA, exhibited a higher level of interaction with PP and a higher level of translocation through M cell monolayers. The FhlA transcriptional factor was found to be a key bacterial regulator at the origin of LPF expression in the presence of bile salts.

Crohn disease--associated adherent-invasive E. coli bacteria target mouse and human Peyer's patches via long polar fimbriae.

Crohn disease (CD) is a multifactorial disease in which an abnormal immune response in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract leads to chronic inflammation. The small intestine, particularly the ileum, of patients with CD is colonized by adherent-invasive E. coli (AIEC)--a pathogenic group of E. coli able to adhere to and invade intestinal epithelial cells. As the earliest inflammatory lesions are microscopic erosions of the epithelium lining the Peyer's patches (PPs), we investigated the ability of AIEC bacteria to interact with PPs and the virulence factors involved. We found that AIEC bacteria could interact with mouse and human PPs via long polar fimbriae (LPF). An LPF-negative AIEC mutant was highly impaired in its ability to interact with mouse and human PPs and to translocate across monolayers of M cells, specialized epithelial cells at the surface of PPs. The prevalence of AIEC strains harboring the lpf operon was markedly higher in CD patients compared with controls. In addition, increased numbers of AIEC, but not LPF-deficient AIEC, bacteria were found interacting with PPs from Nod2(-/-) mice compared with WT mice. In conclusion, we have identified LPF as a key factor for AIEC to target PPs. This could be the missing link between AIEC colonization and the presence of early lesions in the PPs of CD patients.

Adherent-invasive E. coli in Crohn disease: bacterial “agent provocateur”

The role of adherent-invasive E. coli (AIEC) in Crohn disease (CD) has been in debate for decades. AIEC bacteria are found in the small intestine of patients with chronic CD, but it has remained unclear whether this infection is causal or secondary to underlying immune deficiencies in CD patients. In this issue of the JCI, Chassaing and colleagues demonstrate that AIEC bacteria express an adherence factor called long polar fimbriae (LPF) that aids in the binding of these bacteria to M cells overlying Peyer's patches and subsequent entry into lymphoid tissue. These findings provide a mechanism of AIEC penetration but do not prove that AIEC is causing a primary infection in the Peyer's patches that is necessary for the initiation or persistence of CD inflammation.

Contribution of the Ler- and H-NS-Regulated Long Polar Fimbriae of Escherichia coli O157:H7 during Binding to Tissue-Cultured Cells

The expression of the long polar fimbriae (LPF) of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) O157:H7 is controlled by a tightly regulated process, and, therefore, the role of these fimbriae during binding to epithelial cells has been difficult to establish. We recently found that histone-like nucleoid-structuring protein (H-NS) binds to the regulatory sequence of the E. coli O157:H7 lpf1 operon and "silences" its transcription, while Ler inhibits the action of the H-NS protein and allows lpf1 to be expressed. In the present study, we determined how the deregulated expression of LPF affects binding of EHEC O157:H7 to tissue-cultured cells, correlating the adherence phenotype with lpf1 expression. We tested the adherence properties of EHEC hns mutant and found that this strain adhered 2.8-fold better than the wild type. In contrast, the EHEC ler mutant adhered 2.1-fold less than the wild type. The EHEC hns ler mutant constitutively expressed the lpf genes, and, therefore, we observed that the double mutant adhered 5.6-fold times better than the wild type. Disruption of lpfA in the EHEC hns and hns ler mutants or the addition of anti-LpfA serum caused a reduction in adhesion, demonstrating that the increased adherence was due to the expression of LPF. Immunogold-labeling electron microscopy showed that LPF is present on the surface of EHEC lpfA(+) strains. Furthermore, we showed that EHEC expressing LPF agglutinates red blood cells from different species and that the agglutination was blocked by the addition of anti-LpfA serum. Overall, our data confirmed that expression of LPF is a tightly regulated process and, for the first time, demonstrated that these fimbriae are associated with adherence and hemagglutination phenotypes in EHEC O157:H7.

Ler and H-NS, Regulators Controlling Expression of the Long Polar Fimbriae of Escherichia coli O157:H7

Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) serotype O157:H7 colonizes the human intestine and is responsible for diarrheal outbreaks worldwide. Previously we showed that EHEC produces long polar fimbriae (LPF) and that maximum expression is observed during the exponential phase of growth at 37 degrees C and pH 6.5. In this study, we analyzed the roles of several regulators in the expression of LPF using the beta-galactosidase reporter system, and we found that H-NS functions as a transcriptional silencer while Ler functions as an antisilencer of LPF expression. Interestingly, deletion of the hns and ler genes in EHEC caused constitutive expression of the fusion reporter protein. Semiquantitative reverse transcription (RT)-PCR was also used to analyze LPF expression in the EHEC ler or hns mutant strain. The hns mutant exhibited an increase in lpf mRNA expression, while expression in the ler mutant was decreased, compared to that in the wild-type strain. Using primer extension analysis, we identified two potential transcriptional start sites within the regulatory region of lpf and located consensus hexamers of -10 (CAAGAT) and -35 (TTCAAA), which are commonly found in sigma(70)-dependent promoters. Further, we determined whether H-NS and Ler interact directly with the lpf promoter region by using purified His-tagged proteins and electrophoretic mobility shift assays. Our data are the first to show direct binding interactions between the H-NS and Ler proteins within the regulatory sequence of the lpf operon. Based on the electrophoretic mobility shift assay, RT-PCR, primer extension, and beta-galactosidase assay results, we concluded that the E. coli O157:H7 lpf operon possesses a promoter dependent on sigma(70), that H-NS binds to the regulatory sequence of lpfA and "silences" the transcription of lpf, and that Ler binds to the regulatory sequence and inhibits the action of the H-NS protein.

Environmental regulation and colonization attributes of the long polar fimbriae (LPF) of Escherichia coli O157:H7

The ability of Escherichia coli O157:H7 to colonize the intestinal epithelia is dependent on the expression of intimin and other adhesins. The chromosome of E. coli O157:H7 carries two loci encoding long polar fimbriae (LPF). These fimbriae mediate adherence to epithelial cells and are associated with colonization of the intestine. In order to increase our knowledge about the conditions controlling their expression and their role in colonization of an animal model, the environmental cues that promote expression of lpf genes and the role of E. coli O157:H7 LPF in intestinal colonization of lambs were investigated. We found that expression of lpf1 was regulated in response to growth phase, osmolarity, and pH; that lpf2 transcription was stimulated during late exponential growth and iron depletion; and that LPF impacts the ability of E. coli O157:H7 to persist in the intestine of infected 6-week-old lambs.

Long polar fimbriae and tissue tropism in Escherichia coli O157:H7

In vitro organ culture has demonstrated the human intestinal tropism of enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 for follicle associated epithelium overlying Peyer's patches of the terminal ileum. Long polar (LP) fimbriae are considered to mediate the attachment of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium to Peyer's patch epithelium and, as homologous genes have been identified in O157:H7, we hypothesised that LP fimbriae in O157:H7 may perform the same function. However, mutation of LP fimbriae in O157:H7 strain 85/170 resulted in the novel phenotype of proximal and distal small intestinal colonisation with attaching/effacing lesion formation, while retaining adhesion to follicle associated epithelium. Application of whole genome DNA array technology did not identify changes in known fimbrial genes that could explain the change in tropism, but highlighted several genes that require further investigation. LP fimbrial genes are the first genes to be identified outside the locus of enterocyte effacement pathogenicity island that influence O157:H7 human intestinal tissue tropism.

The long polar fimbriae genes identified in Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli are present in other diarrheagenic E. coli and in the standard E. coli collection of reference (ECOR) strains

Long polar fimbriae (LPF) are related to type I fimbriae in genetic organization and were first identified in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. Four lpfA genetic variants designated lpfA O157/OI-141, lpfA O157/OI-154, lpfA O26 and lpfA O113 have been identified in Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC). In this study, PCR was employed to determine the distribution of STEC- lpfAs in enteropathogenic, enteroaggregative, enterotoxigenic and enteroinvasive E. coli (EPEC, EAEC, ETEC and EIEC) and in the standard E. coli collection of reference (ECOR). Among the 97 diarrheagenic strains from our collection, only 2 EPEC strains of serotypes O55:H7 and O119:NM were positive for both lpfA O157/OI-141 and lpfA O157/OI-154. lpfA O157/OI-141 was also positive in 1 of 25 ETEC strains. lpfA O113 was present in 51 of 97 strains and lpfA O26 in 13 of 97 strains of diverse diarrheagenic categories. STEC- lpfAs were also present in non-pathogenic ECOR strains of all phylogenetic groups. This study showed that the lpfA genes identified in the genome of STEC strains are not specific to this category. Our results suggest that there is a relationship between the lpfA variant and the phylogenetic group.

동물세포의 부착에 관여하는 살모넬라 유전자의 특성 연구

살모넬라는 질병을 일으키기 위해서 장내의 상피세포에 먼저 부착하여 집락을 이루게 된다. 이에 따라 살모넬라는 부착에 관여하는 세포내 몇 몇 소기관들을 합성한다. 이러한 소기관에는 type 1 fimbriae, plasmid-encoded fimbriae, long polar fimbriae 그리고 thin aggregative fimbriae 등이 있다. 본 논문에서는 type 1 fimbriae, thin aggregative fimbriae, LP fimbriae, 그리고 PE fimbriae 각각을 결손시킨 변이주와 4종류를 모두 결손시킨 변이주를 만들 수 있었다. 변이주들에 대해서 세포배양 부착성 실험을 한 결과, 각각을 결손시킨 변이주들은 몇몇 mammalian 세포주에서 야생형 살모넬라와 동일한 양상으로 부착성을 나타내었고 마우스 실험에서 야생형과 거의 마찬가지로 독성을 가지고 있었다. 반면, 4종류의 fimbriae가 모두 결손된 균주는 닭에서는 독성을 나타내었으나 마우스에서는 매우 약독화되어있음을 확인할 수 있었다. 이상의 결과로부터 오는 차이점은 닭과 비교하여 마우스에서 살모넬라의 부착을 매개하는 표면 구조에 연관성이 있음을 제시하였다. Following ingestion, Salmonella must adhere to and colonize the intestinal epithelium of the host in order to establish infection. S. typhimurium synthesize several appendages that are believed to mediate attachment. These include type 1 fimbriae, plasmid-encoded (PE) fimbriae, long polar (LP) fimbriae, and thin aggregative fimbriae. However, the precise roles of these putative adhesins remain unclear, due to conflicting data in the literature. We constructed strains lacking four different fimbriae including type 1 fimbriae, PE fimbriae, LP fimbriae, and thin aggregative fimbriae, as well as strains lacking each fimbriae alone. In cell culture adhesion assays, these mutants adhered to several mammalian cell lines as well as wild-type S. typhimurium. These strains were also screened for virulence in mice, and all strains were virulent or nearly as virulent as their wild-type parents. In contrast, When a strain lacking four fimbriae was screened for virulence in chicks, it was found to be highly attenuated. This suggests a role for either type 1 fimbriae, PE fimbriae, LP fimbriae or thin aggregative fimbriae or a combination of thease fimbriae in the colonization of chicks. It also suggests that differences exist with respect to the surface structures that mediate attachment of Salmonella in chicks as compared with mice.

Characterization of the second long polar (LP) fimbriae ofEscherichia coliO157:H7 and distribution of LP fimbriae in other pathogenicE. colistrains

Characterization of the second long polar (LP) fimbriae of<i>Escherichia coli</i>O157:H7 and distribution of LP fimbriae in other pathogenic<i>E. coli</i>strains

Characterization of the second long polar (LP) fimbriae of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and distribution of LP fimbriae in other pathogenic E. coli strains

A second region containing five genes homologous to the long polar fimbrial operon of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium is located in the chromosome of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) O157:H7. A non-fimbriated E. coli K-12 strain carrying the cloned EHEC lpf ( lpf2) genes expressed thin fibrillae-like structures on its surface and displayed reduced adherence to tissue culture cells. Neither mutation in the lpfA2 gene in either the parent or lpfA1 mutant strains showed an effect in adherence or in the formation of A/E lesions on HeLa cells. lpfA2 isogenic mutant strains adhere to Caco-2 cells almost as well as the wild-type at 5 h, but they were deficient in adherence at early time points. A collection of diarrheagenic E. coli strains were investigated for the presence of lpfA1 and lpfA2 and results showed that these genes are present in specific serogroups which are phylogenetically related. Our results suggest that LP fimbriae 2 may contribute to the early stages of EHEC adhesion and that genes encoding the major LP fimbrial subunits are present in a small group of EHEC and EPEC serotypes.

Identification and characterization of lpfABCC'DE, a fimbrial operon of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7.

The mechanisms underlying the adherence of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and other enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) strains to intestinal epithelial cells are poorly understood. We have identified a chromosomal region (designated lpfABCC'DE) in EHEC O157:H7 containing six putative open reading frames that was found to be closely related to the long polar (LP) fimbria operon (lpf) of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, both in gene order and in conservation of the deduced amino acid sequences. We show that lpfABCC'DE is organized as an operon and that its expression is induced during the exponential growth phase. The lpf genes from EHEC strain EDL933 were introduced into a nonfimbriated (Fim(-)) E. coli K-12 strain, and the transformed strain produced fimbriae as visualized by electron microscopy and adhered to tissue culture cells. Anti-LpfA antiserum recognized a ca. 16-kDa LpfA protein when expressed under regulation of the T7 promoter system. The antiserum also cross-reacted with the LP fimbriae in immunogold electron microscopy and Western blot experiments. Isogenic E. coli O157:H7 lpf mutants derived from strains 86-24 and AGT300 showed slight reductions in adherence to tissue culture cells and formed fewer microcolonies compared with their wild-type parent strains. The adherence and microcolony formation phenotypes were restored when the lpf operon was introduced on a plasmid. We propose that LP fimbriae participate in the interaction of E. coli O157:H7 with eukaryotic cells by assisting in microcolony formation.

Salmonella enterica serotype typhimurium elicits cross-immunity against a Salmonella enterica serotype enteritidis strain expressing LP fimbriae from the lac promoter.

The biological significance of fimbrial phase variation in Salmonella serotypes is currently unknown. Exposure to long polar (LP) fimbriae of Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium results in selection against lpf phase ON cells of serotype Enteritidis during a subsequent challenge, suggesting that fimbrial phase variation may be a mechanism to evade cross-immunity between Salmonella serotypes. This notion was tested by assessing the effect of an immune response against serotype Typhimurium LP fimbriae on colonization of mice with a serotype Enteritidis mutant in which the lpf promoter region was replaced with the Escherichia coli lac promoter. During a challenge with a serotype Enteritidis mutant carrying the lac promoter in front of the lpf operon, significantly lower numbers were recovered from organs and feces of mice previously immunized with an lpf phase ON culture of serotype Typhimurium than from mice not previously exposed to LP fimbriae. Immunization with the lpf phase ON culture of serotype Typhimurium elicited antibodies that cross-reacted with a purified gluthathione-S-transferase-LpfA fusion protein of serotype Enteritidis. These data suggested that cross-immunity against LP fimbrial proteins cannot be evaded if phase variation on the transcriptional level is prevented by expressing the lpf operon from the lac promoter. These data hence support the idea that phase variation of LP fimbriae is a mechanism to evade cross-immunity between serotypes Enteritidis and Typhimurium.