Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) is a Gram-negative bacteria responsible for significant morbidity and mortality in young children. EPEC elaborates a type III secretion system (T3SS), which translocates bacterial effector proteins into the host intestinal epithelial cell. To this date, 23 effector proteins are known to be secreted by EPEC. Over the past two decades, traditional studies uncovered the functions of some of these effector proteins. While there was an initial rise in the EPEC effector function discoveries, we now observe a plateau in the identification of host-EPEC interactions. Thus, the aim of my dissertation is to define novel virulence strategies in EPEC pathogenesis, and to demonstrate how traditional reductionist and global systems biology approaches can be utilized in uncovering functions of individual effectors, as well as the complex interplay of effectors in modulating host functions. Specifically, we defined the novel cytoprotective function of a T3SS effector EspZ. We further illustrated the complex interplay of EPEC effectors by defining how EPEC utilizes EspZ and EspF to dynamically regulate the prosurvival epidermal growth factor receptor signaling pathway. Finally, by integrating comparative proteomics and traditional reductionist approaches, we identified a novel function for EspH, and defined the mechanism by which EspH perturbs epithelial cell structure and function.

theresa.j.ochoa@uth.tmc.edu / Article / BACKGROUND: Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) strains are pediatric pathogens commonly isolated from both healthy and sick children with diarrhea in areas of endemicity. The aim of this study was to compare the bacterial load of EPEC isolated from stool samples from children with and without diarrhea to determine whether bacterial load might be a useful tool for further study of this phenomenon. METHODS: EPEC was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of colonies isolated on MacConkey plates from 53 diarrheal and 90 healthy children aged <2 years. DNA was isolated from stool samples by cetyltrimethylammonium bromide extraction. To standardize quantification by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), the correlation between fluorescence threshold cycle and copy number of the intimin gene of EPEC E2348/69 was determined. RESULTS: The detection limit of qRT-PCR was 5 bacteria/mg stool. The geometric mean load in diarrhea was 299 bacteria/mg (95% confidence interval [CI], 77-1164 bacteria/mg), compared with 29 bacteria/mg (95% CI, 10-87 bacteria/mg) in control subjects (P = .016). Bacterial load was significantly higher in children with diarrhea than in control subjects among children <12 months of age (178 vs 5 bacteria/mg; P = .006) and among children with EPEC as the sole pathogen (463 vs 24 bacteria/mg; P = .006). CONCLUSIONS: EPEC load measured by qRT-PCR is higher in diarrheal than in healthy children. qRT-PCR may be useful to study the relationship between disease and colonization in settings of endemicity.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento CientÃfico e TecnolÃgico / FundaÃÃo de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Cearà / Escherichia coli enteropatogÃnica (EPEC) à um importante patÃgeno associado Ãs doenÃas diarreicas. InfecÃÃes intestinais ocasionam comprometimento da barreira intestinal e um dos primeiros mecanismos de resposta à recuperaÃÃo à a migraÃÃo das cÃlulas intestinais. As principais proteÃnas que regulam esse processo sÃo as pequenas GTPases Rho, Rac1, RhoA e Cdc42A. A alanil-glutamina (Ala-Gln) estimula este processo migratÃrio, entretanto os mecanismos envolvidos nesta resposta ainda sÃo desconhecidos. Desse modo, investigou-se o efeito de uma cepa selvagem e padrÃo (E2348/69) de EPEC, e de uma cepa comensal E. coli HS na migraÃÃo celular intestinal, bem como a regulaÃÃo da transcriÃÃo e expressÃo gÃnica das GTPases Rho e o papel da suplementaÃÃo com Ala-Gln no processo de migraÃÃo na presenÃa ou ausÃncia da infecÃÃo. A infecÃÃo pelas cepas de EPEC e pela cepa comensal reduziram significativamente a migraÃÃo celular intestinal. Entretanto, houve uma maior reduÃÃo desse efeito nas cÃlulas infectadas pelas cepas de EPEC quando comparado Ãquelas infectadas pela cepa comensal de E. coli HS. Observou-se um alto percentual de cÃlulas necrÃticas, cerca de 30%, induzido pela cepa padrÃo de EPEC apenas nos tempo de 12 e 24 horas apÃs infecÃÃo. A adiÃÃo da Ala-Gln em cÃlulas nÃo infectadas estimulou significativamente e de modo dose dependente a migraÃÃo apÃs 24 horas. PorÃm, quando esse nutriente foi adicionado durante 12 e 24 horas na presenÃa da infecÃÃo, nÃo houve uma reversÃo do dano. Em relaÃÃo à expressÃo gÃnica das GTPases Rho, observou-se um aumento da transcriÃÃo de rac1 nas cÃlulas que haviam sido infectadas pelas cepas de EPEC e E. coli HS, bem como um aumento da transcriÃÃo de rhoA nas cÃlulas infectadas pela cepa padrÃo de EPEC apÃs 2 horas da infecÃÃo. Todavia, na anÃlise das proteÃnas por imunofluorescÃncia, RhoA e Cdc42 mostraram-se aumentadas nas cÃlulas infectadas pela EPEC padrÃo quando comparado ao controle. Enquanto que as cÃlulas infectadas com a cepa selvagem de EPEC observou-se um aumento de Rac1 e reduÃÃo de RhoA. Esses dados mostraram que a migraÃÃo das cÃlulas intestinais à reduzida principalmente pelas cepas patogÃnicas de EPEC, ao regular a transcriÃÃo e expressÃo gÃnicas das proteÃnas GTPases Rho. A suplementaÃÃo com Ala-Gln em cÃlulas intestinais promoveu a migraÃÃo celular apenas na ausÃncia da infecÃÃo. / Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) is an important pathogen associated with diarrheal diseases. Intestinal infections cause impairment of the intestinal barrier and one of the earliest response mechanisms to recover is migration of the intestinal cells to cover the injured area. The key proteins that regulate cell migration are small Rho GTPases, Rac1, Cdc42 and RhoA. The alanyl-glutamine (Ala-Gln) increases this migration process, however the mechanisms involved in this response are still unknown. Thus, we investigated the effect of a wild type strain and standard (E2348/69) of EPEC strain and a commensal E. coli HS on intestinal cell migration, as well as transcriptional regulation and gene expression of Rho GTPases and the role of supplemental Ala-Gln in the migration process in the presence or absence of infection. Infection by EPEC strains and commensal E. coli HS significantly reduced intestinal cell migration. However, this effect was more pronounced in cells infected by the strains of EPEC compared to those infected by the commensal strain of E. coli HS. We observed a high percentage of necrotic cells, about 30%, induced only by EPEC strain pattern 12 and 24 hours after infection. The addition of Ala-Gln in uninfected cells significantly stimulated in a dose dependent migration after 24 hours. However, when this nutrient was added over 12 and 24 hours in the presence of infection, there was no reversion of the damage. Regarding the gene expression of Rho GTPases, we observed an increase in transcription of rac1 in cells that had been infected by the strains of EPEC and E. coli HS as well as an increase in rhoA transcription in cells infected with EPEC strain pattern at 2 hours after infection. However, the analysis of proteins by immunofluorescence, RhoA and Cdc42 shown to be elevated in cells infected with EPEC pattern when compared to the control. Whereas cells infected with wild EPEC strain was observed an increase of Rac1 and reduction of RhoA. These data showed that cell migration is reduced mainly by the intestinal pathogenic strains of EPEC, in regulating gene transcription and expression of the protein Rho GTPases. Supplementation with Ala-Gln in intestinal cells only promoted cell migration in the absence of infection.

Yes / Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) is usually associated with outbreaks and sporadic cases of severe infantile diarrhoea in the developing world, and less commonly with sporadic cases in developed countries. Very little evidence indicates that EPEC is a food-borne pathogen for adults. In a previous study, two groups of adult travellers became ill, and eae+ E. coli of serogroup O111 was isolated from affected individuals and epidemiologically linked to food consumption. Here the strain responsible was further investigated and characterized as an unusual atypical EPEC. PCR analysis of the designated type isolate showed the presence of the rorf1 and espB genes of the LEE pathogenicity island, which was inserted at the chromosomal selC locus. The isolate was negative for the enteroaggregative E. coli EAST-1 toxin present in other strains of EPEC associated with food-borne outbreaks. The strain adhered sparsely to HEp-2 cell monolayers in a diffuse manner, but fluorescent actin staining demonstrated that it was capable of inducing polymerization of actin at the sites of bacterial attachment. Strain P2583 is the first EAST-negative EPEC to be confirmed as a cause of outbreaks of infection in adults following the consumption of contaminated food or water.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-07-22T20:50:31Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2009-03-25. Added 1 bitstream(s) on 2015-08-11T03:25:54Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 Publico-115.pdf: 983090 bytes, checksum: 7f674d882f7cc66c5e1e6fe6b081c85c (MD5) / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior e Programa Brasil Alemanha / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / Escherichia coli Enteropatogênica (EPEC) produz lesão attaching/effacing (A/E) em células eucarióticas mediada pela adesina de membrana externa intimina. EPEC são sub-agrupadas em típica (tEPEC) e atípica (aEPEC). Recentemente demonstramos que a amostra de aEPEC 1551-2 (sorotipo O não-tipável, não-móvel) invade células HeLa por um processo dependente da expressão de intimina do subtipo omicron. Neste estudo, avaliamos se amostras de aEPEC expressando diferentes subtipos de intimina também são invasoras utilizando ensaios quantitativos de proteção com gentamicina. Também avaliamos se aEPECs invadem células intestinais diferenciadas T84 e Caco-2. Cinco das seis amostras testadas invadiram células HeLa e T84 numa faixa de 13.3%-20.9% e 5.8%-17.8%, respectivamente, do total de bactérias associadas às células. As amostras estudadas foram significantemente mais invasoras que a amostra protótipo de tEPEC E2348/69 (1.4% e 0.5% em células HeLa e T84, respectivamente). A amostra 1551-2 foi ainda testada em células Caco-2 diferenciadas, o que resultou num índice de invasão semelhante àqueles obtidos em células T84 (7,5%±1,7) e também significantemente maior que a tEPEC E2348/69 (1,8%±0,6). A invasão de células T84 foi confirmada por microscopia eletrônica de transmissão. Mostramos ainda que a invasão de células HeLa por aEPEC 1551-2 depende de filamentos de actina, mas não de microtúbulos. Além disso, a infecção de monocamadas não diferenciadas e o rompimento das tight junctions aumentaram a eficiência da invasão de células T84, sugerindo uma via de invasão preferencial pela superfície não diferenciada. Em resumo, amostras de aEPEC podem invadir cultura de células in vitro com eficiência variável e independentemente de subtipo de intimina. / Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) produce attaching/effacing (A/E) lesions on eukaryotic cells mediated by the outer membrane adhesin Intimin. EPEC are subgrouped into typical (tEPEC) and atypical (aEPEC). We have recently demonstrated that aEPEC strain 1551-2 (serotype O non-typable, non-motile) invades HeLa cells by a process dependent on the expression of intimin subtype omicron. In this study, we evaluated whether aEPEC strains expressing other intimin subtypes are also invasive using the quantitative gentamicin protection assay. We also evaluated whether aEPEC invade intestinal differentiated T84 cells. Five of six strains invaded HeLa and T84 cells in a range of 13.3%-20.9% and 5.8%-17.8%, respectively, of the total cellassociated bacteria. The strains studied were significantly more invasive than prototype tEPEC strain E2348/69 (1.4% and 0.5% in HeLa and T84 cells, respectively). aEPEC strain 1551-2 was also tested in differentiated Caco-2 cells, resulting in an invasion index similar to that obtained in T84 cells (7.5%±1.7%). This strain was also significantly more invasive than prototype tEPEC strain E2348/69 (1.8%±0.6%). Invasiveness of T84 cells was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. We also showed that invasion of HeLa cells by aEPEC 1551-2 depended on actin filaments, but not on microtubules. In addition, infection of non-differentiated monolayers and disruption of tight junctions enhanced its invasion efficiency in T84 cells, suggesting preferential invasion via a non-differentiated surface. In summary, aEPEC strains may invade intestinal cells in vitro with varying efficiencies and independently of the intimin subtype. / CAPES - Probral: 281/07 / TEDE / BV UNIFESP: Teses e dissertações

Orientador: Marcelo Palma Sircili / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-24T04:50:38Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Franzin_FernandaMaria_D.pdf: 6490379 bytes, checksum: facd90d2115a20d8eccb498865503103 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013 / Resumo: Escherichia coli enteropatogênica atípica (aEPEC) faz parte de um grupo de patógenos capazes de formar um tipo de lesão em células epiteliais denominada Attaching and Effacing (A/E). Os genes requeridos para a formação da lesão A/E estão localizados em uma ilha de patogenicidade denominada Locus of Enterocyte Effacement (LEE). A regulação da expressão dos genes de LEE é um processo complexo e envolve inúmeros fatores e vias regulatórias, incluindo o sistema de quorum sensing AI- 3/Epinefrina/Norepinefrina. O sensor histidina-quinase QseC é responsável por detectar AI-3 produzido por outras bactérias e epinefrina/norepinefrina produzidas pelo hospedeiro e iniciar uma cascata regulatória que induz a expressão de genes de virulência. Para avaliar o papel desse sistema na regulação de fatores de virulência de aEPEC, um mutante para o gene qseC foi gerado e analisado a nível transcricional e fenotípico quanto a sua motilidade, capacidade de secretar proteínas e induzir lesão A/E, na presença e/ou ausência do sinal epinefrina. Ensaios de qRT-PCR demonstraram níveis transcricionais diminuídos para LEE e para os genes flhD, fliC e nleA no mutante, sugerindo que QseC regula a expressão desses fatores de virulência. Ensaios de motilidade, proteínas secretadas e FAS evidenciaram que a motilidade, a secreção de proteínas e a formação da lesão A/E estavam diminuídas no mutante, comprovando a participação de QseC na regulação desses fenótipos em aEPEC. Os mesmos ensaios realizados na presença de epinefrina demonstraram que esse sinal tem papel importante na regulação dos genes de LEE de aEPEC e que essa regulação não ocorre exclusivamente via QseC, mas envolve outro receptor para esse hormônio. Epinefrina regula a expressão dos genes de LEE, porém, parece não ser um sinal importante na regulação da expressão de NleA e flagelo/motilidade. A análise do transcriptoma da linhagem mutante demonstrou que, além de ter uma importância central na regulação da virulência de aEPEC, QseC age também como um importante regulador global da expressão gênica nessa linhagem, regulando, direta ou indiretamente, a expressão de, aproximadamente, 1505 genes, entre eles genes relacionados ao metabolismo, transporte, quimiotaxia, captação de íons, resistência à stress, formação de biofilme, regulação transcricional, etc. Um modelo geral simplificado da regulação gênica da virulência de aEPEC através do sistema AI-3/Epi/NE e seu sensor QseC foi proposto. Esse trabalho descreve pela primeira vez a regulação do tipo quorum sensing na modulação da expressão da virulência em uma EPEC atípica / Abstract: Atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (aEPEC) is part of a group of pathogens capable of forming a characteristic lesion in epithelial cells called Attaching and Effacing (A/E). Genes required for A/E lesion formation are located on a pathogenicity island called Locus of Enterocyte Effacement (LEE). The regulation of LEE gene expression is a complex process and involves several factors and regulatory pathways, including the quorum sensing system AI-3/Epinephrine/Norepinephrine. The histidine kinase sensor QseC is responsible for detecting AI-3 produced by other bacteria and epinephrine/norepinephrine produced by the host, starting a regulatory cascade that induces the expression of virulence genes. In order to evaluate the influence of this system in the regulation of virulence factors of aEPEC, a qseC mutant has been generated, and transcriptional and phenotypical analyses were performed. Motility, ability to secrete proteins and induce A/E lesion, in the presence and/or absence of the epinephrine signal were analysed. qRT-PCR assays demonstrated reduced transcriptional levels of the LEE operons, and flhD, fliC and nleA genes in the mutant strain, suggesting that QseC regulates the expression of these virulence factors. Motility assays, secreted proteins and FAS have shown that motility, protein secretion and A/E lesion formation were decreased in the mutant, confirming the participation of QseC regulating these phenotypes in aEPEC. The same tests were performed in the presence of epinephrine, and demonstrated that this signal plays an important role in LEE gene regulation of aEPEC and this regulation does not occur exclusively via QseC, but involves other receptor for this hormone. Epinephrine regulates the expression of LEE genes, however, does not seem to be an important signal in the regulation of NleA and flagella/motility gene expression. Transcriptome analysis of the mutant strain has shown that, besides having a central role in the regulation of aEPEC virulence, QseC also acts as an important global regulator of gene expression in this strain, regulating, directly or indirectly, the expression of approximately 1505 genes, including genes related to metabolism, transport, chemotaxis, ion uptake, resistance to stress, biofilm formation, transcriptional regulation, and other. We proposed a simplified general model of virulence gene regulation of aEPEC through the AI-3/Epi/NE system and its sensor QseC. This is the first work describing the quorum sensing gene regulation modulating the virulence expression in atypical EPEC / Doutorado / Microbiologia / Doutora em Genética e Biologia Molecular

No / Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) are considered to be extracellular pathogens, inducing attaching and effacing lesions following their attachment to the surface of eukaryotic cells; however, in vitro and in vivo invasion by EPEC has been reported in several studies. A cloned 4.6 kb fragment of EPEC plasmid pLV501 has been shown to facilitate invasion of E. coli K-12, and here we further investigate the nature of this process. Two of the three complete open reading frames contained within the plasmid fragment have been cloned to E. coli, and in HEp-2 adherence assays both tniA2 and pecM were shown to be expressed during the first 3 h of infection from a plac promoter. Escherichia coli transformants carrying pecM alone or in combination with tniA2 were able to both survive intracellularly and escape eukaryotic cells to re-establish themselves within the medium, whereas those bacterial cells carrying tniA2 alone could not be isolated from within HEp-2 cells after 24 h of infection, but were present in the previously sterile medium surrounding the cells. Bacteria carrying pecM and tniA2 adhered to HEp-2 cells with sites of adhesion characterized by underlying actin polymerization. The invasive potential conferred by these genes may give EPEC strains a survival advantage during prolonged infection.

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Introdução. A pesquisa de Escherichia coli em alimentos é relevante para a Saúde Pública porque indica a contaminação fecal e a qualidade do produto oferecido ao consumidor. A determinação do grupo filogenético e de fatores de virulência de E. coli permite identificar a existência de cepas patogênicas que poderiam causar doença. Objetivos: Determinar o grupo filogenético e fatores de virulência de isolados de E. coli pertencentes aos patotipos ETEC, EIEC, EPEC, STEC e EAEC usando métodos moleculares, obtidos de amostras de queijo Minas, discutir a presença dos patotipos nas amostras e o significado para Saúde Pública. Métodos. 250 isolados de Escherichia coli provenientes de 10 amostras de queijo Minas foram utilizados para a realização do estudo. O DNA genômico foi extraído e neste foi realizado a reação de PCR multiplex. Resultados. Os resultados demonstraram que dos 250 isolados, 93,2% foi classificado como grupo filogenético A, 3,2% como B1, 2,8% como B2 e 0,8% como D. Dos 250 isolados estudados, em 96,8% (242) foram encontrados fatores de virulência, sendo 91,6% de marcadores para ETEC, 0,4% para EPEC e 4,8% para EAEC. Conclusões. Houve predominância de fatores de virulência do patotipo ETEC e do grupo filogenético A. A presença de fatores de virulência indica que as amostras de queijo estavam contaminadas e poderiam causar doença, evidenciando a necessidade de medidas de controle efetivas por parte das autoridades sanitárias, bem como campanhas educativas / Introduction. The search of Escherichia coli in foods is relevant for the Public Health because it indicates the fecal contamination and the product quality offered to the consumer. The determination of phylogenetic group and virulence factors of E. coli, allows the identification of the existence of pathogenic strains that could cause disease. Objectives: Determine the phylogenetic group and the pathogenic of Escherichia coli belonging to the patotipos isolated occurrence ETEC, EIEC, EPEC, STEC and EAEC using molecular methods obtained from Minas cheese samples, to discuss the presence of the patotipos in the samples and the meaning for Public Health. Methods. 250 isolates of Escherichia coli from 10 Minas cheese samples was used for the accomplishment of the study. Genomic DNA was extracted and in this the multiplex reaction PCR was accomplished. Results. The results demonstrated that the isolates 250, 93.2% were classified as phylogenetic group A, 3.2% as B1, 2.8% as B2 and 0.8% as D. Of the isolates 250 studied, in 96.8% (242) were found virulence factors, being 91.6% of markers for ETEC, 0.4% for EPEC and 4.8% for EAEC. Conclusions. There was predominance to virulence factors of the patotipo ETEC and the phylogenetic group A. The presence of virulence factors indicates that the cheese samples were contaminated and they could cause disease, 11 put in evidence the need of effective control measures on the part of the sanitary authorities, as well as educational campaigns.

A serinoprotease Pic é uma proteína autotransportadora que apresenta papel importante na colonização da mucosa intestinal por E. coli enteroagregativa (EAEC). Uma cepa de E. coli enteropatogênica atípicas (aEPEC) albergando o gene pic foi detectada em um estudo prévio. O presente estudo teve como objetivo caracterizar a proteína Pic produzida por essa cepa de aEPEC (BA589). O gene pic em BA589 está presente em um plasmídeo de alto peso molecular (~98 kb) e o sequenciamento desse gene mostrou identidade de 99% com pic de EAEC 042. Pic da cepa BA589 (Pic589) foi capaz de clivar mucina bovina, hemaglutinar eritrócitos de coelho e clivar moléculas das três vias sistema complemento. O mutante BA589Dpic todas essas atividades in vitro. A cepa selvagem foi capaz de colonizar o intestino de camundongos tratados com estreptomicina, o que não foi observado com o mutante BA589Dpic. Desta forma, a serinoprotease Pic representa um fator de virulência adicional na cepa de aEPEC BA589, relacionada às etapas de adesão, colonização e evasão do sistema imune inato. / The serine protease Pic is an autotransporter protein that plays an important role in the colonization of the intestinal mucosa by enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC). An atypical enteropathogenic E. coli (aEPEC) strain harboring the pic gene has been detected in a previous study. The present study aimed to characterize the protein Pic produced by that aEPEC strain (BA589). In BA589 pic is located in a high molecular weight plasmid (~98 kb), and sequencing of this gene showed 99% identity with pic from EAEC 042. Pic from BA589 (Pic589) was able to cleave bovine mucin, hemagglutinate rabbit erythrocytes and cleave molecules of the three complement system pathways. The mutant BA589Dpic lost all these capacities. The wild type strain was able to colonize the intestine of streptomycin treated mice, which was not observed with the mutant BA589Dpic. Thus, the serine protease Pic represents an additional virulence factor in aEPEC strain BA589, associated with adherence, colonization and evasion of innate immune system.