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Mycoplasmas are no exception to extracellular vesicles release: Revisiting old concepts

Patrice Gaurivaud1,2, Sarah Ganter1,2, Alexandre Villard1,2

  • 1Université de Lyon, Anses, Laboratoire de Lyon, UMR Mycoplasmoses des Ruminants, Lyon, France.

Plos One
|November 29, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Bacteria release extracellular vesicles (EVs) that may impact host interactions. This study confirms EV release in six important Mycoplasma species, revealing proteins involved in host-pathogen dynamics.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Cell Biology
  • Pathogenesis

Background:

  • Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are increasingly recognized in bacterial communication and host interactions.
  • While common in Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, EV production in wall-less Mollicutes, particularly Mycoplasma, is less understood.
  • Mycoplasma species are significant human and animal pathogens, making their mechanisms of interaction crucial to study.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the release and characteristics of extracellular vesicles (EVs) from clinically important Mycoplasma species.
  • To identify proteins within these EVs to understand their potential role in host-pathogen interactions.
  • To contribute to understanding the complex interplay between Mycoplasma and their hosts.

Main Methods:

  • Culturing six Mycoplasma (sub)species under nutritional stress conditions.
  • Purification of released EVs using ultracentrifugation.
  • Characterization of EV morphology via electron microscopy and protein content analysis using mass spectrometry.

Main Results:

  • All six investigated Mycoplasma (sub)species released EVs, with variable quantities and sizes (30-220 nm).
  • EV purification presented challenges due to the small size of Mycoplasma cells.
  • Mass spectrometry identified key host-pathogen interaction proteins within the EV membranes of three species.

Conclusions:

  • Mycoplasma species release EVs, suggesting a conserved mechanism across diverse bacteria.
  • These EVs carry proteins that likely mediate host-pathogen interactions, adding complexity to disease processes.
  • The findings offer new insights into bacterial extracellular structures and their roles in infection, potentially reinterpreting older concepts like 'elementary bodies'.

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