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Updated: Jun 28, 2026
Legionella pneumophila Outer Membrane Vesicles: Isolation and Analysis of Their Pro-inflammatory Potential on Macrophages
Published on: February 22, 2017
Impact of Airborne Pathogen-Derived Extracellular Vesicles on Macrophages Revealed by Raman Spectroscopy and
Yifei Qin1,2, Zheng Shi2,3, Longji Zhu1
1Xiamen Key Laboratory of Indoor Air and Health, Key Lab of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China.
Abstract:
Long-term exposure to the indoor environment may pose threats to human health due to the presence of pathogenic bacteria and their byproducts. Nanoscale extracellular vesicles (EVs) extensively secreted from pathogenic bacteria can traverse biological barriers and affect physio-pathological processes. However, the potential health impact of EVs from indoor dust and the underlying mechanisms remain largely unexplored. Here, Raman spectroscopy combined with multiomics (genomics and proteomics) was used to address these issues. Genomic analysis revealed that Pseudomonas was an efficient producer of EVs that harbored 68 types of virulence factor-encoding genes. Upon exposing macrophages to environmentally relevant doses of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1-derived EVs, macrophage internalization was observed, and release of inflammatory factors was determined by RT-PCR. Subsequent Raman spectroscopy and unsupervised surprisal analysis of EV-affected macrophages distinguished metabolic alterations, particularly in proteins and lipids. Proteomic analysis further revealed differential expression of proteins in inflammatory and metabolism-related pathways, indicating that EV exposure induced macrophage metabolic reprogramming and inflammation. Collectively, our findings revealed that pathogen-derived EVs in the indoor environments can act as a new mediator for pathogens to exert adverse health effects. Our method of Raman integrated with multiomics offers a complementary approach for rapid and in-depth understanding of EVs' impact.
Insights
Pathogenic bacteria in indoor dust release nanoscale extracellular vesicles (EVs) that trigger inflammation and metabolic changes in immune cells, posing health risks. This study reveals EVs as a novel pathway for indoor pathogens to impact human health.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Microbiology
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Indoor environments harbor pathogenic bacteria and their byproducts, potentially threatening human health.
- Nanoscale extracellular vesicles (EVs) from bacteria can cross biological barriers and influence physiological processes.
- The health effects and mechanisms of indoor dust-derived EVs are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the health impact of pathogenic bacterial EVs found in indoor dust.
- To elucidate the underlying mechanisms of EV-induced physio-pathological effects.
- To evaluate Raman spectroscopy combined with multiomics for EV impact analysis.
Main Methods:
- Genomic analysis to identify EV-producing bacteria and virulence genes.
- Exposure of macrophages to Pseudomonas aeruginosa EVs and assessment of inflammatory responses.
- Raman spectroscopy and unsupervised surprisal analysis for metabolic profiling.
- Proteomic analysis to identify differentially expressed proteins in affected macrophages.
Main Results:
- Pseudomonas was identified as a potent EV producer, with EVs containing numerous virulence factor genes.
- Macrophage internalization of EVs led to the release of inflammatory factors.
- Raman spectroscopy revealed metabolic alterations in proteins and lipids within exposed macrophages.
- Proteomics confirmed inflammation and metabolic reprogramming in macrophages due to EV exposure.
Conclusions:
- Pathogen-derived EVs in indoor environments represent a new mechanism for adverse health effects.
- EV exposure induces macrophage metabolic reprogramming and inflammation.
- Integrated Raman spectroscopy and multiomics provide a rapid, in-depth method for studying EV impacts.
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