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Intracellular Theileria annulata promote invasive cell motility through kinase regulation of the host actin cytoskeleton.

ABSTRACT: The intracellular, protozoan Theileria species parasites are the only eukaryotes known to transform another eukaryotic cell. One consequence of this parasite-dependent transformation is the acquisition of motile and invasive properties of parasitized cells in vitro and their metastatic dissemination in the animal, which causes East Coast Fever (T. parva) or Tropical Theileriosis (T. annulata). These motile and invasive properties of infected host cells are enabled by parasite-dependent, poorly understood F-actin dynamics that control host cell membrane protrusions. Herein, we dissected functional and structural alterations that cause acquired motility and invasiveness of T. annulata-infected cells, to understand the molecular basis driving cell dissemination in Tropical Theileriosis. We found that chronic induction of TNF? by the parasite contributes to motility and invasiveness of parasitized host cells. We show that TNF? does so by specifically targeting expression and function of the host proto-oncogenic ser/thr kinase MAP4K4. Blocking either TNF? secretion or MAP4K4 expression dampens the formation of polar, F-actin-rich invasion structures and impairs cell motility in 3D. We identified the F-actin binding ERM family proteins as MAP4K4 downstream effectors in this process because TNF?-induced ERM activation and cell invasiveness are sensitive to MAP4K4 depletion. MAP4K4 expression in infected cells is induced by TNF?-JNK signalling and maintained by the inhibition of translational repression, whereby both effects are parasite dependent. Thus, parasite-induced TNF? promotes invasive motility of infected cells through the activation of MAP4K4, an evolutionary conserved kinase that controls cytoskeleton dynamics and cell motility. Hence, MAP4K4 couples inflammatory signaling to morphodynamic processes and cell motility, a process exploited by the intracellular Theileria parasite to increase its host cell's dissemination capabilities.

SUBMITTER: Ma M

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3953445 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Intracellular Theileria annulata promote invasive cell motility through kinase regulation of the host actin cytoskeleton.

Ma Min M Baumgartner Martin M

PLoS pathogens 20140313 3

The intracellular, protozoan Theileria species parasites are the only eukaryotes known to transform another eukaryotic cell. One consequence of this parasite-dependent transformation is the acquisition of motile and invasive properties of parasitized cells in vitro and their metastatic dissemination in the animal, which causes East Coast Fever (T. parva) or Tropical Theileriosis (T. annulata). These motile and invasive properties of infected host cells are enabled by parasite-dependent, poorly u ...[more]

PMID: 24626571

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Project description:BackgroundTheileria annulata, a transforming parasite, invades bovine B cells, dendritic cells and macrophages, promoting the uncontrolled proliferation of these cells. This protozoan evolved intricate strategies to subvert host cell signaling pathways related to antiapoptotic signaling to enable survival and proliferation within the host cells. However, the molecular mechanisms of the cell transformation induced by T. annulata remain largely unclear. Although some studies have predicted that the subtelomere-encoded variable secreted protein (SVSP) family plays roles in host-parasite interactions, the evidence for this is limited.MethodsIn the present study, the SVSP455 (TA05545) gene, a member of the SVSP gene family, was used as the target molecule. The expression pattern of SVSP455 in different life-cycle stages of T. annulata infection was explored using a quantitative real-time PCR assay, and the subcellular distribution of SVSP455 was observed using confocal microscopy. The host cell proteins interacting with SVSP455 were screened using the Y2H system, and their interactions were verified in vivo and in vitro using both bimolecular fluorescence complementation and confocal microscopy, and co-immunoprecipitation assays. The role played by SVSP455 in cell transformation was further explored by using overexpression, RNA interference and drug treatment experiments.ResultsThe highest level of the SVSP455 transcript was detected in the schizont stage of T. annulata, and the protein was located both on the surface of schizonts and in the host cell cytoplasm. In addition, the interaction between SVSP455 and heat shock protein 60 was shown in vitro, and their link may regulate host cell apoptosis in T. annulata-infected cells.ConclusionOur findings are the first to reveal that T. annulata-secreted SVSP455 molecule directly interacts with both exogenous and endogenous bovine HSP60 protein, and that the interaction of SVSP455-HSP60 may manipulate the host cell apoptosis signaling pathway. These results provide insights into cancer-like phenotypes underlying Theilera transformation and therapeutics for protection against other pathogens.

Project description:Recent technical advances have broadened our understanding of processes that govern mammalian cell migration in health and disease but many of the molecular and morphological alterations that precede and accompany movement of cells - in particular in three-dimensional (3D) environments - are still incompletely understood. In this manuscript, using high-resolution and time-lapse microscopy imaging approaches, we describe morphodynamic processes during rounded/amoeboid cell invasion and molecules associated with the cellular invasion structures. We used macrophages infected with the intracellular protozoan parasite Theileria annulata, which causes Tropical Theileriosis in susceptible ruminants such as domestic cattle. T. annulata transforms its host cell that, as a result, acquires many characteristics of human cancer cells including a markedly increased potential to migrate, disseminate and expand in the body of the host animal. Hence, virulence of the disease is associated with the capability of infected cells to disseminate inside the host. Using T. annulata-transformed macrophages as a model system, we described a novel mode of rounded/amoeboid macrophage migration. We show that filopodia-like membrane extensions at the leading edge lead the way and further evolve in blebbing membrane protrusions to promote progressive expansion of the matrix. Associated with focal invasion structures we detected ezrin, radixin, moesin-family proteins and their regulatory kinase MAP4K4. Furthermore, we linked Rho-kinase activity to contractile force generation, which is essential for infected cell motility. Thus, the motility mode of these parasite-transformed macrophages contrasts with those described so far in human macrophages such as the tunneling or mesenchymal modes, which require engulfment, compaction and ingestion of matrix or proteolytic matrix degradation, respectively. Together, our data reveal protrusion dynamics at the leading edge of invading cells in 3D at unprecedented temporal and spatial resolution and suggest a novel mode of rounded/amoeboid invasive cell motility that exploits actin-driven filopodia formation in combination with pressure-driven membrane blebs.

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Intracellular Theileria annulata promote invasive cell motility through kinase regulation of the host actin cytoskeleton.

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Intracellular Theileria annulata promote invasive cell motility through kinase regulation of the host actin cytoskeleton.

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