Related Experiment Videos
Isolation and characterization of a human neutrophil aggregation defective mutant of Fusobacterium nucleatum
1Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, 210 Foster Hall, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA.
Abstract:
Fusobacterium nucleatum is known to adhere to human polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) and cause them to aggregate. In this study, we isolated a spontaneously occurring aggregation defective (AGG(-)) mutant and this mutant will be used for future study of the interactions between this bacterium and human PMN. Genomic DNA fingerprinting by random-primed polymerase chain reaction method revealed a difference between the parent strain and the AGG(-) mutant. This mutant also showed an altered phenotype in both microbicidal and phagocytic assays, suggesting that the bacterial factor involved in the aggregation may also be very important for the phagocytosis and, subsequently, the killing by human PMNs. Further study of this mutant may help to clarify the molecular mechanisms of the interaction between this pathogen and human PMNs.
Insights
Fusobacterium nucleatum aggregation defective mutants were studied. These mutants showed altered interactions with human polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs), impacting phagocytosis and bacterial killing.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Bacterial Pathogenesis
Background:
- Fusobacterium nucleatum adheres to human polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs), inducing aggregation.
- Understanding bacterial interactions with host immune cells is crucial for pathogenesis research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and characterize an aggregation-defective (AGG(-)) mutant of Fusobacterium nucleatum.
- To investigate the role of bacterial aggregation in the interaction between Fusobacterium nucleatum and human PMNs.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of a spontaneously occurring AGG(-) mutant.
- Genomic DNA fingerprinting using random-primed polymerase chain reaction.
- Phenotypic analysis using microbicidal and phagocytic assays.
Main Results:
- A distinct AGG(-) mutant of Fusobacterium nucleatum was successfully isolated.
- Genomic analysis revealed differences between the parent strain and the AGG(-) mutant.
- The AGG(-) mutant exhibited altered phenotypes in microbicidal and phagocytic assays.
Conclusions:
- Bacterial factors mediating Fusobacterium nucleatum aggregation are also critical for phagocytosis by human PMNs.
- The AGG(-) mutant provides a valuable tool for elucidating molecular mechanisms of host-pathogen interactions.
- Further studies with this mutant will clarify the interplay between Fusobacterium nucleatum and PMN function.