Project description:Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A Streptococcus: GAS) is a major human pathogen that causes streptococcal pharyngitis, skin and soft-tissue infections, and life-threatening conditions such as streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS). A large number of virulence-related genes are encoded on GAS genomes, which are involved in host-pathogen interaction, colonization, immune invasion, and long-term survival within hosts, causing the diverse symptoms. Here, we investigated the interaction between GAS-derived extracellular vesicles and host cells in order to reveal pathogenicity mechanisms induced by GAS infection.
Project description:Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococci; GAS) is the main causative pathogen of monomicrobial necrotizing soft tissue infections (NSTIs). To resist immuno-clearance, GAS adapt their genetic information and/or phenotype to the surrounding environment. Hyper-virulent streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin B (SpeB) negative variants caused by covRS mutations are enriched during infection. A key driving force for this process is the bacterial Sda1 DNase. Here, we identify another strategy resulting in SpeB-negative variants, namely reversible abrogation of SpeB secretion triggered by neutrophil effector molecules. Analysis of NSTI patient tissue biopsies revealed that tissue inflammation, neutrophil influx, and degranulation positively correlate with increasing frequency of SpeB-negative GAS clones. Using single colony proteomics, we show that GAS isolated directly from tissue express but do not secrete SpeB. Once the tissue pressure is lifted, GAS regain SpeB secreting function. Neutrophils were identified as the main immune cells responsible for the observed phenotype. Subsequent analyses identified hydrogen peroxide and hypochlorous acid as reactive agents driving this phenotypic GAS adaptation to the tissue environment. SpeB-negative GAS show improved survival within neutrophils and induce increased degranulation. Our findings provide new information about GAS fitness and heterogeneity in the soft tissue milieu and provide new potential targets for therapeutic intervention in NSTIs.
Project description:Streptococcus pyogenes is a major causative agent of tonsillitis or pharyngitis in children, which can lead to more invasive infections and noninfectious sequellae. S. pyogenes can persist in tonsils, while one-third of children treated with antibiotics continue to shed streptococci and have recurrent infections. Mouse nasal-associated lymphoid tissue (NALT) is functionally analogous to human oropharangeal lymphoid tissues. The innate immune responses of naïve cells from a mucosal site to S. pyogenes is not well described; therefore, we infected C57BL/6 mice intranasally with 108 CFU S. pyogenes. Transcriptional responses by NALT after S. pyogenes infection were analyzed by Affymetrix microarray and quantitative RT-PCR. Wild-type S. pyogenes induces transcription of both type I and IFN-gamma-responsive genes, pro-inflammatory genes, and acute phase response plasma proteins within 24h after infection. Invasion of NALT and the induction of the interferon response were not dependent on expression of anti-phagocytic M1 protein. However, infection with an attenuated, less invasive mutant indicated that a robust innate response by NALT is significantly influenced by intra-NALT bacterial load. Granulocytic populations of NALT, cervical lymph nodes and spleen were discriminated by characteristic surface and intracellular markers. Intranasal infection induces systemic release of neutrophils and a substantial influx of neutrophils into NALT at 24h, which decline by 48h after infection. Macrophages do not significantly increase in S. pyogenes-infected NALT. Intranasal infection of IFN-gamma -/- (GKO) C57BL/6 mice did not lead to systemic dissemination of wild type S. pyogenes, despite reduced expression of IFN-gamma-responsive mRNAs in NALT. Infected GKO mice had an unregulated influx of neutrophils into NALT compared to immunocompetant mice and mice treated with an anti-IFN-gamma antibody more rapidly cleared S. pyogenes from NALT. Thus, IFN-gamma-induced responses have a suppressive influence on early clearance of this pathogen from NALT. Experiment Overall Design: C57BL/6 mice (6-10 weeks old), 4 per group, were infected intranasally with log-phase Streptococcus pyogenes, 2 to 4 x 10^8 CFU per 15 µl of pyrogen-free PBS. Sham-infected mice were administered 15 µl of the same PBS. Mice were infected with wild type strain 90-226 (Cue 1998), a 90-226 strain containing an in-frame deletion of M1 protein (90-226 delta emm1) (Zimmerlein 2005) or an attenuated 90-226 which lacks both M1 and SCPA proteins (90-226att). NALT was collected from mice at 24h after infection and stored in RNAlater until RNA could be purified).
Project description:Analysis of the spleen and liver transcriptom of Il1a-/-, Il1b-/- and WT mice 24 h after infection with Streptococcus pyogenes or from untreated animals. The experiment revealed a spatial restriction and non-redundant functions of Il1a and Il1b.
Project description:Rgg-dependent transcriptional regulation in SF370 Streptococcus pyogenes strain was analyzed during post-exponential phase of growth Keywords: rgg mutant