91 research outputs found

    Campylobacter jejuni induces transcellular translocation of commensal bacteria via lipid rafts

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    <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Campylobacter </it>enteritis represents a risk factor for the development of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) via unknown mechanisms. As IBD patients exhibit inflammatory responses to their commensal intestinal microflora, factors that induce translocation of commensal bacteria across the intestinal epithelium may contribute to IBD pathogenesis. This study sought to determine whether <it>Campylobacter </it>induces translocation of non-invasive intestinal bacteria, and characterize underlying mechanisms.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Mice were infected with <it>C. jejuni </it>and translocation of intestinal bacteria was assessed by quantitative bacterial culture of mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs), liver, and spleen. To examine mechanisms of <it>Campylobacter</it>-induced bacterial translocation, transwell-grown T84 monolayers were inoculated with non-invasive <it>Escherichia coli </it>HB101 ± wild-type <it>Campylobacter </it>or invasion-defective mutants, and bacterial internalization and translocation were measured. Epithelial permeability was assessed by measuring flux of a 3 kDa dextran probe. The role of lipid rafts was assessed by cholesterol depletion and caveolin co-localization.</p> <p>Results</p> <p><it>C. jejuni </it>81–176 induced translocation of commensal intestinal bacteria to the MLNs, liver, and spleen of infected mice. In T84 monolayers, <it>Campylobacter</it>-induced internalization and translocation of <it>E. coli </it>occurred via a transcellular pathway, without increasing epithelial permeability, and was blocked by depletion of epithelial plasma membrane cholesterol. Invasion-defective mutants and <it>Campylobacter</it>-conditioned cell culture medium also induced <it>E. coli </it>translocation, indicating that <it>C. jejuni </it>does not directly 'shuttle' bacteria into enterocytes. In <it>C. jejuni</it>-treated monolayers, translocating <it>E. coli </it>associated with lipid rafts, and this phenomenon was blocked by cholesterol depletion.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p><it>Campylobacter</it>, regardless of its own invasiveness, promotes the translocation of non-invasive bacteria across the intestinal epithelium via a lipid raft-mediated transcellular process.</p

    Brucella abortus Induces the Premature Death of Human Neutrophils through the Action of Its Lipopolysaccharide

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    Most bacterial infections induce the activation of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs), enhance their microbicidal function, and promote the survival of these leukocytes for protracted periods of time. Brucella abortus is a stealthy pathogen that evades innate immunity, barely activates PMNs, and resists the killing mechanisms of these phagocytes. Intriguing clinical signs observed during brucellosis are the low numbers of Brucella infected PMNs in the target organs and neutropenia in a proportion of the patients; features that deserve further attention. Here we demonstrate that B. abortus prematurely kills human PMNs in a dose-dependent and cell-specific manner. Death of PMNs is concomitant with the intracellular Brucella lipopolysaccharide (Br-LPS) release within vacuoles. This molecule and its lipid A reproduce the premature cell death of PMNs, a phenomenon associated to the low production of proinflammatory cytokines. Blocking of CD14 but not TLR4 prevents the Br-LPS-induced cell death. The PMNs cell death departs from necrosis, NETosis and classical apoptosis. The mechanism of PMN cell death is linked to the activation of NADPH-oxidase and a modest but steadily increase of ROS mediators. These effectors generate DNA damage, recruitments of check point kinase 1, caspases 5 and to minor extent of caspase 4, RIP1 and Ca++ release. The production of IL-1β by PMNs was barely stimulated by B. abortus infection or Br-LPS treatment. Likewise, inhibition of caspase 1 did not hamper the Br-LPS induced PMN cell death, suggesting that the inflammasome pathway was not involved. Although activation of caspases 8 and 9 was observed, they did not seem to participate in the initial triggering mechanisms, since inhibition of these caspases scarcely blocked PMN cell death. These findings suggest a mechanism for neutropenia in chronic brucellosis and reveal a novel Brucella-host cross-talk through which B. abortus is able to hinder the innate function of PMN.Fondo Especial de la Educación Superior/[0500-13]/FEES/Costa RicaFondo Especial de la Educación Superior/[0504-13]/FEES/Costa RicaFondo Especial de la Educación Superior/[0505-13]/FEES/Costa RicaFondo Especial de la Educación Superior/[0248-13]/FEES/Costa RicaUCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias de la Salud::Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales (CIET)UCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias de la Salud::Instituto Clodomiro Picado (ICP)UCR::Vicerrectoría de Docencia::Salud::Facultad de Microbiologí

    Pathophysiology of intestinal infection with giardia lamblia

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    Bibliography: p. 140-180

    Giardiasis in growing mice

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    Bibliography: p. 38-52

    Host Epithelial Interactions with Helicobacter Pylori: A Role for Disrupted Gastric Barrier Function in the Clinical Outcome of Infection?

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    Infection of the human stomach with Helicobacter pylori may develop into gastritis, ulceration, adenocarcinoma and mucosal lymphomas. The pathogenic mechanisms that determine the clinical outcome from this microbial-epithelial interaction remain poorly understood. An increasing number of reports suggests that disruptions of epithelial barrier function may contribute to pathology and postinfectious complications in a variety of gastrointestinal infections. The aim of this review is to critically discuss the implications of H pylori persistence on gastric disease, with emphasis on the role of myosin light chain kinase, claudins and matrix metalloproteinases in gastric permeability defects, and their contribution to the development of cancer. These mechanisms and the associated signalling events may represent novel therapeutic targets to control disease processes induced by H pylori, a microbial pathogen that colonizes the stomach of over 50% of the human population

    Update on Giardia : Highlights from the seventh International Giardia and Cryptosporidium Conference

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    Although Giardia duodenalis is recognized as one of the leading causes of parasitic human diarrhea in the world, knowledge of the mechanisms of infection is limited, as the pathophysiological consequences of infection remain incompletely elucidated. Similarly, the reason for and consequences of the very specific genome-organization in this parasite with 2 active nuclei is only partially known. Consistent with its tradition, the 7th International Giardia and Cryptosporidium Conference (IGCC 2019) was held from June 23 to 26, 2019, at the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of the University of Rouen-Normandie, France, to discuss current research perspectives in the field. This renowned event brought together an international delegation of researchers to present and debate recent advances and identify the main research themes and knowledge gaps. The program for this interdisciplinary conference included all aspects of host-parasite relationships, from basic research to applications in human and veterinary medicine, as well as the environmental issues raised by water-borne parasites and their epidemiological consequences. With regard to Giardia and giardiasis, the main areas of research for which new findings and the most impressive communications were presented and discussed included: parasite ecology and epidemiology of giardiasis, Giardia-host interactions, and cell biology of Giardia, genomes and genomic evolution. The high-quality presentations discussed at the Conference noted breakthroughs and identified new opportunities that will inspire researchers and funding agencies to stimulate future research in a “one health” approach to improve basic knowledge and clinical and public health management of zoonotic giardiasis.Bien que Giardia duodenalis soit reconnu comme l’une des principales causes de diarrhée parasitaire humaine dans le monde, la connaissance des mécanismes de l’infection est limitée, car ses conséquences physiopathologiques restent incomplètement élucidées. De même, la raison et les conséquences de l’organisation génomique très spécifique de ce parasite à deux noyaux actifs ne sont que partiellement connues. Conformément à sa tradition, la 7ème Conférence internationale sur Giardia et Cryptosporidium (IGCC 2019) s’est tenue du 23 au 26 juin 2019, à la Faculté de médecine et de pharmacie de l’Université de Rouen-Normandie, France, pour discuter des perspectives de recherche actuelles dans ce champ. Cet événement de renom a réuni une délégation internationale de chercheurs pour présenter et débattre des avancées récentes et identifier les principaux thèmes de recherche et les lacunes dans les connaissances. Le programme de cette conférence interdisciplinaire comprenait tous les aspects des relations hôtes-parasites, de la recherche fondamentale aux applications en médecine humaine et vétérinaire, ainsi que les problèmes environnementaux soulevés par les parasites d’origine hydrique et leurs conséquences épidémiologiques. En ce qui concerne Giardia et la giardiase, les principaux domaines de recherche pour lesquels de nouvelles découvertes et les communications les plus impressionnantes ont été présentées et discutées comprenaient : l’écologie parasitaire et l’épidémiologie de la giardiase, les interactions Giardia-hôte, la biologie cellulaire de Giardia, les génomes et l’évolution génomique. Les présentations de haute qualité discutées lors de la conférence ont noté des avancées et identifié de nouvelles opportunités qui inspireront les chercheurs et les agences de financement à stimuler la recherche future dans une approche « une seule santé » pour améliorer les connaissances de base et la gestion clinique et de santé publique de la giardiase zoonotique

    Epidermal Growth Factor Inhibits Campylobacter jejuni-Induced Claudin-4 Disruption, Loss of Epithelial Barrier Function, and Escherichia coli Translocation▿

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    Campylobacter jejuni is a leading cause of acute bacterial enteritis in humans. Poultry serves as a major reservoir of C. jejuni and is thought to act as a principal vehicle of transmission to humans. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is a small amino acid peptide that exerts a broad range of activities on the intestinal epithelium. The aims of this study were to determine the effect of EGF on C. jejuni intestinal colonization in newly hatched chicks and to characterize its effects on C. jejuni-induced intestinal epithelial barrier disruption. White Leghorn chicks were treated with EGF daily, starting 1 day prior to C. jejuni infection, and were compared to control and C. jejuni-infected, EGF-treated chicks. Infected chicks shed C. jejuni in their feces throughout the study period. C. jejuni colonized the small intestine and cecum, disseminated to extraintestinal organs, and caused jejunal villus atrophy. EGF reduced jejunal colonization and dissemination of C. jejuni to the liver and spleen. In EGF-treated C. jejuni-infected chicks, villus height was not significantly different from that in untreated C. jejuni-infected chicks or controls. In vitro, C. jejuni attached to and invaded intestinal epithelial cells, disrupted tight junctional claudin-4, and increased transepithelial permeability. C. jejuni also promoted the translocation of noninvasive Escherichia coli C25. These C. jejuni-induced epithelial abnormalities were abolished by pretreatment with EGF, and the effect was dependent upon activation of the EGF receptor. These findings highlight EGF's ability to alter colonization of C. jejuni in the intestinal tract and to protect against pathogen-induced barrier defects
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