Human Cysteine Cathepsins Are Not Reliable Markers of Infection by Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Cystic Fibrosis

Cysteine cathepsins have emerged as new players in inflammatory lung disorders. Their activities are dramatically increased in the sputum of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, suggesting that they are involved in the pathophysiology of CF. We have characterized the cathepsins in CF expectorations and evaluated their use as markers of colonization by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The concentrations of active cathepsins B, H, K, L and S were the same in P. aeruginosa-positive (19 Ps+) and P. aeruginosa-negative (6 Ps−) samples, unlike those of human neutrophil elastase. Also the cathepsin inhibitory potential and the cathepsins/cathepsin inhibitors imbalance remained unchanged and similar (∼2-fold) in the Ps+ and Ps− groups (p<0.001), which correlated with the breakdown of their circulating cystatin-like inhibitors (kininogens). Procathepsins, which may be activated autocatalytically, are a potential proteolytic reservoir. Immunoblotting and active-site labeling identified the double-chain cathepsin B, the major cathepsin in CF sputum, as the main molecular form in both Ps+ and Ps− samples, despite the possible release of the ∼31 kDa single-chain form from procathepsin B by sputum elastase. Thus, the hydrolytic activity of cysteine cathepsins was not correlated with bacterial colonization, indicating that cathepsins, unlike human neutrophil elastase, are not suitable markers of P. aeruginosa infection

Regulation of surfactant protein SP-A activity by pulmonary cysteine cathepsins : consequences on the antibacterial properties of SP-A

Les cathepsines à cystéine (CP) participent à la dégradation du tissu bronchique ainsi qu’à l’inactivation de protéines de l’immunité innée lors de maladies inflammatoires. Lors de la mucoviscidose (CF), on observe un déficit de la protéine du surfactant pulmonaire SP-A, qui participe à la défense antimicrobienne. Nous avons caractérisé les CP dans des expectorations CF et analysé leur capacité à hydrolyser le SP-A. La balance CP/inhibiteurs est déséquilibrée en faveur des CP et la cathepsine B participe à ce déséquilibre en hydrolysant leurs inhibiteurs, les kininogènes. Cependant, les CP ne sont pas des marqueurs de colonisation par Pseudomonas aeruginosa. De plus, la cathepsine S clive sélectivement SP-A dans son site de liaison aux sucres et aux lipides, induisant la perte de ses propriétés antibactériennes et d’agrégation, contribuant au déficit de la défense innée, à la perte d’homéostasie du surfactant et à l’exacerbation de l’inflammation au cours de la mucoviscidose.Cysteine cathepsins (CP) that are implicated in bronchial tissue injuries and inactivation of antibacterial proteins emerge as key players in pulmonary inflammations. A decrease of pulmonary surfactant protein SP-A which is involved in innate host defence has been reported in patients suffering from cystic fibrosis (CF). We characterized sputum CP and their ability to hydrolyze SP-A. There is an imbalance CP/inhibitor tipped in favor of CP proteolytic activities. Furthermore, cathepsin B, which is able to degrade major plasma CP inhibitor, kininogens, favors this imbalance. However, CP are not biomarkers of colonization by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Moreover, Cat S cleaves SP-A specifically in its lectin-like domain (CRD) that conducts to the loss of antibacterial and aggregation properties. So, CP, especially cathepsin S, participate to the deficiency of innate immunity, surfactant homeostasis defect and to the exacerbation of inflammatory response in cystic fibrosis

The role of small adaptor proteins in the control of oncogenic signaling driven by tyrosine kinases in human cancer

International audienceAbstrAct Protein phosphorylation on tyrosine (Tyr) residues has evolved as an important mechanism to coordinate cell communication in multicellular organisms. The importance of this process has been revealed by the discovery of the prominent oncogenic properties of tyrosine kinases (TK) upon deregulation of their physiological activities, often due to protein overexpression and/or somatic mutation. Recent reports suggest that TK oncogenic signaling is also under the control of small adaptor proteins. These cytosolic proteins lack intrinsic catalytic activity and signal by linking two functional members of a catalytic pathway. While most adaptors display positive regulatory functions, a small group of this family exerts negative regulatory functions by targeting several components of the TK signaling cascade. Here, we review how these less studied adaptor proteins negatively control TK activities and how their loss of function induces abnormal TK signaling, promoting tumor formation. We also discuss the therapeutic consequences of this novel regulatory mechanism in human oncology

A rapid method for selecting suitable animal species for studying pathogen interactions with plasma protein ligands in vivo

Species tropism constitutes a serious problem for developing relevant animal models of infection. Human pathogens can express virulence factors that show specific selectivity to human proteins, while their affinity for orthologs from other species can vary significantly. Suitable animal species must be used to analyse whether virulence factors are potential targets for drug development. We developed an assay that rapidly predicts applicable animal species for studying virulence factors binding plasma proteins. We used two well-characterized Staphylococcus aureus proteins, SSL7 and Efb, to develop an ELISA-based inhibition assay using plasma from different animal species. The interaction between SSL7 and human C5 and the binding of Efb to human fibrinogen and human C3 was studied. Affinity experiments and Western blot analyses were used to validate the assay. Human, monkey and cat plasma interfered with binding of SSL7 to human C5. Binding of Efb to human fibrinogen was blocked in human, monkey, gerbil and pig plasma, while human, monkey, gerbil, rabbit, cat and guinea pig plasma inhibited the binding of Efb to human C3. These results emphasize the importance of choosing correct animal models, and thus, our approach is a rapid and cost-effective method that can be used to prevent unnecessary animal experiments

Modulation of Hemostatic and Inflammatory Responses by Leptospira Spp

Leptospirosis is a worldwide spread zoonotic and neglected infectious disease of human and veterinary concern that is caused by pathogenic Leptospira species. In severe infections, hemostatic impairments such as coagulation/fibrinolysis dysfunction are frequently observed. These complications often occur when the host response is controlled and/or modulated by the bacterial pathogen. In the present investigation, we aimed to analyze the modulation of the hemostatic and inflammatory host responses by the bacterial pathogen Leptospira. The effects of leptospires and their secreted products on stimulation of human intrinsic and extrinsic pathways of coagulation were investigated by means of altered clotting times, assembly and activation of contact system and induction of tissue factor. We show that both extrinsic and intrinsic coagulation cascades are modulated in response to Leptospira or leptospiral secreted proteins. We further find that the pro-inflammatory mediator bradykinin is released following contact activation at the bacterial surface and that pro-coagulant microvesicles are shed from monocytes in response to infection. Also, we show that human leptospirosis patients present higher levels of circulating pro-coagulant microvesicles than healthy individuals. Here we show that both pathways of the coagulation system are modulated by leptospires, possibly leading to altered hemostatic and inflammatory responses during the disease. Our results contribute to the understanding of the leptospirosis pathophysiological mechanisms and may open new routes for the discovery of novel treatments for the severe manifestations of the disease

Staphylococcus aureus induced clotting of plasma is an immune evasion mechanism to persist within the fibrin network.

Recent work has shown that coagulation and innate immunity are tightly interwoven host responses that help eradicate an invading pathogen. Some bacterial species including Staphylococcus aureus secrete pro-coagulant factors that in turn can modulate these immune reactions. Such mechanisms may not only protect the microorganism from a lethal attack, but also promote bacterial proliferation and the establishment of the infection. Our data show that coagulase positive S. aureus bacteria promote clotting of plasma which was not seen when a coagulase-deficient mutant strain was used. Further in vitro studies show that this ability constitutes a mechanism that supports the aggregation, survival, and persistence of the microorganism within the fibrin network. These findings were also confirmed when agglutination and persistence of coagulase-positive S. aureus bacteria at the local focus of infection were studied in a subcutaneous murine infection model. In contrast, the coagulase-deficient S. aureus strain which was not able to induce clotting failed to aggregate and to persist in vivo. In conclusion our data suggest that coagulase positive S. aureus have evolved mechanisms that prevent their elimination within a fibrin clot

Active but inoperable thrombin is accumulated in a plasma protein layer surrounding Streptococcus pyogenes.

Activation of thrombin is a critical determinant in many physiological and pathological processes including haemostasis and inflammation. Under physiological conditions many of these functions are involved in wound healing or eradication of an invading pathogen. However, when activated systemically, thrombin can contribute to severe and life-threatening conditions by causing complications such as multiple multi-organ failure and disseminated intravascular coagulation. In the present study we investigated how the activity of thrombin is modulated when it is bound to the surface of Streptococcus pyogenes. Our data show that S. pyogenes bacteria become covered with a proteinaceous layer when incubated with human plasma, and that thrombin is a constituent of this layer. Though the coagulation factor is found attached to the bacteria with a functional active site, thrombin has lost its capacity to interact with its natural substrates and inhibitors. Thus, the interaction of bacteria with human plasma renders thrombin completely inoperable at the streptococcal surface. This could represent a host defense mechanism to avoid systemic activation of coagulation which could be otherwise induced when bacteria enter the circulation and cause systemic infection

Active but inoperable thrombin is accumulated in a plasma protein layer surrounding Streptococcus pyogenes.

Activation of thrombin is a critical determinant in many physiological and pathological processes including haemostasis and inflammation. Under physiological conditions many of these functions are involved in wound healing or eradication of an invading pathogen. However, when activated systemically, thrombin can contribute to severe and life-threatening conditions by causing complications such as multiple multi-organ failure and disseminated intravascular coagulation. In the present study we investigated how the activity of thrombin is modulated when it is bound to the surface of Streptococcus pyogenes. Our data show that S. pyogenes bacteria become covered with a proteinaceous layer when incubated with human plasma, and that thrombin is a constituent of this layer. Though the coagulation factor is found attached to the bacteria with a functional active site, thrombin has lost its capacity to interact with its natural substrates and inhibitors. Thus, the interaction of bacteria with human plasma renders thrombin completely inoperable at the streptococcal surface. This could represent a host defense mechanism to avoid systemic activation of coagulation which could be otherwise induced when bacteria enter the circulation and cause systemic infection