Project description:We investigated the specific interactions of the most dominant bacterial CF-pathogen, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and the anaerobic bacterium Veilllonella parvula, that has been recovered at comparable cell numbers in the respiratory tract of CF patients. We used our recently established in-vivo murine tumor model to investigate mutual influences of the two pathogens during a biofilm-associated infection process. We found that although P. aeruginosa and V. parvula colonized distinct niches within the tumor, in mice that were co-infected with both bacterial species significant higher cell numbers of P. aeruginosa were recovered from the tumor tissue. Concordantly, in vivo transcriptional profiling implied that the presence of V. parvula supports P. aeruginosa growth at the infected host site, and the higher P. aeruginosa load correlated with clinical deterioration.
Project description:We investigated the specific interactions of the most dominant bacterial CF-pathogen, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and the anaerobic bacterium Veilllonella parvula, that has been recovered at comparable cell numbers in the respiratory tract of CF patients. We used our recently established in-vivo murine tumor model to investigate mutual influences of the two pathogens during a biofilm-associated infection process. We found that although P. aeruginosa and V. parvula colonized distinct niches within the tumor, in mice that were co-infected with both bacterial species significant higher cell numbers of P. aeruginosa were recovered from the tumor tissue. Concordantly, in vivo transcriptional profiling implied that the presence of V. parvula supports P. aeruginosa growth at the infected host site, and the higher P. aeruginosa load correlated with clinical deterioration. We cultivated P. aeruginosa PA14 and V. parvula DSM No.:2008 in mono- and co-cultures in vivo using an established murine tumor model. Corresponding in vitro samples were generated under anaerobe growth conditions.
Project description:Wound infections are traditionally thought to occur when microbial burden exceeds the innate clearance capacity of host immune system. Here we introduce the idea that the wound environment itself plays a significant contributory role to wound infection. We developed a clinically relevant murine model of soft tissue infection to explore the role of activation of microbial virulence in response to tissue factors as a mechanism by which pathogenic bacteria cause wound infections. Mice underwent abdominal skin incision and light muscle injury with a crushing forceps versus skin incision alone followed by topical inoculation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Pseudomonas aeruginosa whole genome transcriptional profiling demonstrated that fascia induced the activation of multiple genes responsible for the synthesis of the iron scavenging protein pyochelin. Ex-vivo murine fascia homogenates were prepared and Pseudomonas aeruginosa MPAO1 was incubated with an inoculum of the fascia homogenate solution. Pseudomonas aeruginosa MPAO1 incubated under the same condtions without the homogenate was used as the control group. Three biological replicates in each group was used.
Project description:Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic human pathogen, infecting immuno-compromised patients and causing persistent respiratory infections in people affected from cystic fibrosis. Pseudomonas strain Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA14 shows higher virulence than Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 in a wide range of hosts including insects, nematodes and plants but the precise cause of this difference is not fully understood. Little is known about the host response upon infection with Pseudomonas and whether or not transcription is being affected as a host defense mechanism or altered in the benefit of the pathogen. In this context the social amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum has been described as a suitable host to study virulence of Pseudomonas and other opportunistic pathogens.
Project description:Pseudomonas aeruginosa airway infection is the primary cause of death in Cystic Fibrosis (CF). During early infection P. aeruginosa produces multiple virulence factors, which cause acute pulmonary disease and are largely regulated by quorum sensing (QS) intercellular signalling networks. Longitudinal clinical studies have observed the loss, through adaptive mutation, of QS and QS-related virulence in late chronic infection. Although the mechanisms are not understood, infection with QS mutants has been linked to a worse outcome for CF patients. By comparing QS-active and QS-inactive P. aeruginosa CF isolates, we have identified novel virulence factors and pathways associated with QS disruption. In particular, we noted factors implicating increased intra-phagocyte survival. Our data present novel targets as candidates for future CF therapies. Some of these targets are already the subject of drug development programmes for the treatment of other bacterial pathogens and may provide cross-over benefit to the CF population. Refer to individual Series. This SuperSeries is composed of the following subset Series: GSE25128: Gene expression data from Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains isolated from cystic fibrosis lung infections GSE25129: Comparative genomic hybridisation data from Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains isolated from cystic fibrosis lung infections
Project description:Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a common bacterium in the terminal plumbing system of buildings and it is from this niche that a substantial fraction of infections are acquired. To better understand P. aeruginosa biology in this environment, we examined the transcriptomes in tap water and pond water.
Project description:To further determine the origin of the increased virulence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA14 compared to Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1, we report a transcriptomic approach through RNA sequencing. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has revolutioned sistems-based analsis of transcriptomic pathways. The goals of this study are to compare the transcriptomic profile of all 5263 orthologous genes of these nearly two strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
