Project description:Mast cells (MCs) are critical mediators of inflammation; however, their microbicidal activity against invading pathogens remains largely unknown. Here, we describe a nonpreviously reported antibacterial mechanism used by MCs against Coxiella burnetii, the agent of Q fever. We show that C. burnetii interaction with MCs does not result in bacterial uptake but rather induces the formation of extracellular actin filaments named cytonemes. MC cytonemes express cathelicidin and neutrophil elastase and mediate the capture and destruction of entrapped bacteria. We provide evidence that MC cytoneme formation and microbicidal activity are dependent on the cooperation of the scavenger receptor CD36 and Toll-like receptor 4. Taken together, our results suggest that MCs use an extracellular sophisticated mechanism of defense to eliminate intracellular pathogens, such as C. burnetii, before their entry into host cells.
Project description:Transcriptional profiling of Coxiella burnetii phase I (RSA 493) submitting either to Cold and Heat shock comparing to control untreated Coxiella burnetii phase I (RSA 493) grown at 35°C.
Project description:C57BL/6 mice were immunized with Coxiella burnetii vaccine Q-VAX (Seqirus) and monitored for up to 83 days post immunization. Two different routes of immunization were observed - subcutaneous and intramuscular. Subcutaneously immunized animals were boosted on day 67.
Project description:A comparison was made between the THP-1(Human monocytic leukemia cells - TIB-202; ATCC) transcriptional responses of; (i) uninfected versus Coxiella burnetii NMII infected and (ii) uninfected versus Coxiella burnetii NMII infected THP-1 cells transiently treated with bacteriostatic levels (10μg/ml) of chloramphenicol (CAM). Briefly, infections were initiated and cultured in parallel with uninfected cells. At 48 hours post infection (hpi), media containing CAM (10μg/ml) was added to one set of cells (uninfected and infected THP-1 cells) and culturing was continued. The other set of cells were mock treated with normal media. Total RNA was isolated at 72 hpi from all conditions. Microarrays were performed for both condition sets and the results from each of the two microarrays were compared to define the host genes modulated by de novo C. burnetii NMII protein synthesis.
Project description:Transcriptional profiling of Coxiella burnetii phase I (RSA 493) submitting either to Cold and Heat shock comparing to control untreated Coxiella burnetii phase I (RSA 493) grown at 35°C. Four experiments : Cold shock 30 min Vs 35°C; Cold shock 60 min Vs 35°C; Heat shock 30 min Vs 35°C; Heat shock 60 min Vs 35°C 3 biological replicates, independently grown and harvested. Four replicate per array.
Project description:Mast cells (MCs) are critical mediators of inflammation; however, their microbicidal activity against invading pathogens remains largely unknown. Here, we describe a nonpreviously reported antibacterial mechanism used by MCs against Coxiella burnetii, the agent of Q fever. We show that C. burnetii interaction with MCs does not result in bacterial uptake but rather induces the formation of extracellular actin filaments named cytonemes. MC cytonemes express cathelicidin and neutrophil elastase and mediate the capture and destruction of entrapped bacteria. We provide evidence that MC cytoneme formation and microbicidal activity are dependent on the cooperation of the scavenger receptor CD36 and Toll-like receptor 4. Taken together, our results suggest that MCs use an extracellular sophisticated mechanism of defense to eliminate intracellular pathogens, such as C. burnetii, before their entry into host cells.IMPORTANCE Mast cells (MCs) are found in tissues that are in close contact with external environment, such as skin, lungs, or intestinal mucosa but also in the placenta during pregnancy. If their role in mediating allergic conditions is established, several studies now highlight their importance during infection with extracellular pathogens. This study showed a new and effective antimicrobial mechanism of MCs against Coxiella burnetii, an intracellular bacterium whose infection during pregnancy is associated with abortion, preterm labor, and stillbirth. The data reveal that in response to C. burnetii, MCs release extracellular actin filaments that contain antimicrobial agents and are capable to trap and kill bacteria. We show that this mechanism is dependent on the cooperation of two membrane receptors, CD36 and Toll-like receptor 4, and may occur in the placenta during pregnancy by using ex vivo placental MCs. Overall, this study reports an unexpected role for MCs during infection with intracellular bacteria and suggests that MC response to C. burnetii infection is a protective defense mechanism during pregnancy.
Project description:Coxiella burnetii, the agent of Q fever, persists in humans despite specific immune responses: however, its reservoir remains unknown. We detected C. burnetii in adipose tissue from BALB/c and C57/BL6 mice 4 months after infection when no bacteria were found in other tissues. C. burnetii infected cultivated adipocytes, replicated within late phagosomes and induced a transcriptional program that was enriched for the expression of genes associated with inflammatory response, hormonal responses and cytoskeleton.
Project description:Genotyping based on genomic comparative hybridization of different isolates of coxiella burnetii compared to NMI reference strain Two-condition experiment, NMI vs. isolates. One replicate per isolate.