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Surface expression of ferripyochelin-binding protein is required for virulence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Abstract:
Pseudomonas aeruginosa mutants which do not express ferripyochelin-binding protein (FBP) on the cell surface have previously been isolated. These mutants were used to assess the role of FBP in virulence in an acute and a systemic animal infection model. In a mouse corneal infection model, the pathology of eyes infected with the mutant strains was significantly less than that of eyes infected with the parent strain. The mutants were also cleared more rapidly from the eye. In a burn infection model, the mortality rate in mice infected with mutant FBP-28 was much less than that of mice infected with the parent strain at an inoculum of 10(2) CFU. At higher inocula (10(4) CFU), the mortality rate was not significantly different but the survival time was dramatically longer with the mutant strain. Quantitative bacteriology of blood and tissue homogenates revealed that P. aeruginosa PAO could multiply in the skin and could also be cultured from the blood, livers, and spleens of infected mice. FBP-28 could only be cultured from the skin. Therefore, this mutant could colonize the skin but could not disseminate. These data indicate that functional, exposed FBP is required for virulence of PAO.
Insights
Pseudomonas aeruginosa mutants lacking ferripyochelin-binding protein (FBP) showed reduced virulence in mouse models. These FBP-deficient strains were less pathogenic and cleared more rapidly, indicating FBP is crucial for P. aeruginosa virulence.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Bacterial Pathogenesis
Background:
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen causing various infections.
- Ferripyochelin-binding protein (FBP) is a surface protein involved in iron acquisition.
- The role of FBP in P. aeruginosa virulence has not been fully elucidated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of ferripyochelin-binding protein (FBP) in the virulence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
- To assess the contribution of FBP to infection severity and dissemination in animal models.
Main Methods:
- Generation and characterization of P. aeruginosa mutants lacking FBP expression.
- Evaluation of mutant virulence in a mouse corneal infection model.
- Assessment of mutant pathogenicity and dissemination in a mouse burn infection model using quantitative bacteriology.
Main Results:
- Corneal infection with FBP mutants resulted in significantly less pathology and faster clearance compared to the parent strain.
- In a burn model, FBP mutants exhibited lower mortality rates and longer survival times at higher inocula.
- Quantitative bacteriology showed FBP mutants could colonize skin but failed to disseminate to blood and organs, unlike the parent strain.
Conclusions:
- Functional, exposed ferripyochelin-binding protein (FBP) is essential for Pseudomonas aeruginosa virulence.
- FBP plays a critical role in bacterial dissemination and systemic infection.
- Targeting FBP could be a potential strategy to reduce P. aeruginosa pathogenicity.