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Antagonism toward the intestinal microbiota and its effect on Vibrio cholerae virulence

Wenjing Zhao, Florence Caro, William Robins

  • 1Department of Microbiology and Immunobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA. john_mekalanos@hms.harvard.edu.

Science (New York, N.Y.)
|January 13, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Vibrio cholerae uses its type VI secretion system (T6SS) to kill gut microbes, enhancing its own colonization and virulence. This antagonism toward commensals worsens diarrhea but aids pathogen transmission.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Pathogenesis
  • Bacterial Secretion Systems

Background:

  • The type VI secretion system (T6SS) is a complex molecular machine used by bacteria to deliver effector proteins into target cells.
  • Understanding T6SS function is crucial for developing strategies against bacterial pathogens.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of the *Vibrio cholerae* T6SS in host-microbiota interactions within the gut.
  • To determine how T6SS-mediated antagonism affects *V. cholerae* pathogenicity and transmission.

Main Methods:

  • In vivo mouse models to study *Vibrio cholerae* colonization and interaction with the gut microbiota.
  • Analysis of bacterial virulence gene expression and host innate immune responses.
  • Assessment of diarrheal symptoms and pathogen transmission efficiency.

Main Results:

  • The *Vibrio cholerae* T6SS was found to attack and kill commensal bacteria in the mouse gut.
  • This antagonistic activity enhanced *V. cholerae*'s intestinal colonization and virulence gene expression.
  • TSSB-mediated attacks on commensals led to increased expression of host innate immune genes and more severe diarrhea.

Conclusions:

  • The T6SS-mediated killing of commensal microbiota by *V. cholerae* improves its fitness as a pathogen.
  • Microbiota antagonism facilitates gut colonization, virulence, and potentially enhances transmission to new hosts.

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