Burkholderia cenocepacia transcriptome during the early contacts with giant plasma membrane vesicles derived from
Andreia I Pimenta1, Nuno Bernardes1, Marta M Alves2
1iBB-Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Biological Sciences Research Group, Av. Rovisco Pais 1, 1049-001, Lisbon, Portugal.
Abstract:
Burkholderia cenocepacia is known for its capacity of adherence and interaction with the host, causing severe opportunistic lung infections in cystic fibrosis patients. In this work we produced Giant Plasma Membrane Vesicles (GPMVs) from a bronchial epithelial cell line and validated their use as a cell-like alternative to investigate the steps involved in the adhesion process of B. cenocepacia. RNA-sequencing was performed and the analysis of the B. cenocepacia K56-2 transcriptome after the first contacts with the surface of host cells allowed the recognition of genes implicated in bacterial adaptation and virulence-associated functions. The sensing of host membranes led to a transcriptional shift that caused a cascade of metabolic and physiological adaptations to the host specific environment. Many of the differentially expressed genes encode proteins related with central metabolic pathways, transport systems, cellular processes, and virulence traits. The understanding of the changes in gene expression that occur in the early steps of infection can uncover new proteins implicated in B. cenocepacia-host cell adhesion, against which new blocking agents could be designed to control the progression of the infectious process.
Insights
Giant Plasma Membrane Vesicles (GPMVs) mimic host cells, revealing how Burkholderia cenocepacia adapts and becomes virulent during early lung infection stages in cystic fibrosis patients.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Burkholderia cenocepacia causes severe opportunistic lung infections, particularly in cystic fibrosis patients.
- B. cenocepacia exhibits significant adherence and interaction capabilities with host cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To utilize Giant Plasma Membrane Vesicles (GPMVs) as a cell-like model to study B. cenocepacia adhesion.
- To identify genes and pathways involved in B. cenocepacia's early interaction with host bronchial epithelial cells.
Main Methods:
- Production and validation of GPMVs from a bronchial epithelial cell line.
- RNA sequencing of B. cenocepacia K56-2 upon initial contact with host cell surfaces (GPMVs).
Main Results:
- Identified genes crucial for bacterial adaptation and virulence-associated functions upon host membrane contact.
- Observed a transcriptional shift in B. cenocepacia, leading to metabolic and physiological adaptations.
- Differentially expressed genes encode proteins involved in metabolism, transport, cellular processes, and virulence.
Conclusions:
- Host membrane sensing triggers significant gene expression changes in B. cenocepacia.
- Understanding early infection gene expression can reveal novel targets for anti-adhesion therapies.
- GPMVs serve as a valuable model for studying host-pathogen interactions and developing new therapeutic strategies against B. cenocepacia infections.
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