Project description:Ecs is an ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter present in aerobic and facultative anaerobic gram-positive Firmicutes. Inactivation of Bacillus subtilis Ecs causes pleiotropic changes in the bacterial phenotype including inhibition of intramembrane proteolysis. The molecule(s) transported by Ecs is (are) still unknown. In this study we mutated the ecsAB operon in two Staphylococcus aureus strains, Newman and LS-1. Phenotypic and functional characterization of these Ecs deficient mutants revealed a defect in growth, increased autolysis and lysostaphin sensitivity, altered composition of cell wall proteins including the precursor form of staphylokinase and an altered bacterial surface texture. DNA microarray analysis indicated that the Ecs deficiency changed expression of the virulence factor regulator protein Rot accompanied by differential expression of membrane transport proteins, particularly ABC transporters and phosphate-specific transport systems, protein A, adhesins and capsular polysaccharide biosynthesis proteins. Virulence of the ecs mutants was studied in a mouse model of hematogenous S. aureus infection. Mice inoculated with the ecs mutant strains developed markedly milder infections than those inoculated with the wild-type strains and had consequently lower mortality, less weight loss, milder arthritis and decreased persistence of staphylococci in the kidneys. The ecs mutants had higher susceptibility to ribosomal antibiotics and plant alkaloids chelerythrine and sanguinarine. Our results show that Ecs is essential for staphylococcal virulence and antimicrobial resistance probably since the transport function of Ecs is essential for the normal structure and function of the cell wall. Thus targeting Ecs may be a new approach in combating staphylococcal infection.
Project description:In this study we mutated the ecsAB operon in two different Staphylococcus aureus strains, Newman and LS-1, and performed a wide characterization of phenotypic effects of the mutations. A growth defect, increased autolysis and lysostaphin sensitivity, decreased levels of cell wall proteins and altered cell surface texture indicate that Ecs deficiency causes significant changes in the cell wall. The precursor form of staphylokinase was released into the wall in an Ecs-dependent manner. Pathogenicity of the ecs mutants was studied with a mouse arthritis model. Mice inoculated with ecs mutants developed markedly milder infections than when inoculated with the wild-type strains, as was illustrated by a lower mortality, less weight loss, decreased persistence of staphylococci in the kidneys and a milder arthritis. DNA microarray analysis revealed that inactivation of Ecs in S. aureus Newman caused either up-regulation or down-regulation of genes encoding various membrane transport proteins, particularly ABC transporters and phosphate-specific transport (PST) systems. Differentially expressed were also several genes encoding proteins involved in virulence, including the virulence factor regulator protein Rot, protein A, adhesins and capsular polysaccharide biosynthesis proteins. Furthermore, the susceptibility of ecs mutant to ribosomal antibiotics as well as the chelerythrine and sanguinarine plant alkaloids was increased. WT and ecsA mutant strains were hybridized at 3 and 6 hours of growth in rich medium (4-replicates)
Project description:Aim of this project is to identify biomarkers associated with persistance of Candida strains in the host and with virulence/pathogenicity of the different strains
Project description:To define the molecular regulators of metastasis of triple-negative breast cancer, we conducted a rigorous characterization of four populations of MDA-MB-231 human triple-negative breast cancer cells that display a range of intrinsic spontaneous metastatic capacities in immuno-deficient mice, from non-metastatic to highly metastatic to lung, liver, spleen and spine. PAT-Seq gene expression profiling of primary tumor cells identified the fibroblast growth factor homologous factor, FGF13, as a candidate metastatic virulence gene highly upregulated in aggressively metastatic MDA-MB-231HM tumors.
Project description:Approximatively 75% of the genome of S. aureus (“core” genome) are highly conserved between strains, whereas the remaining 25% (“accessory” genome) are composed of variable regions that are mostly composed of mobile genetic elements (MGE), containing virulence and resistance genes. We have developed a composite DNA-microarray (StaphVar Array) which selectively targets 403 genes located on the accessory or core variable genome. Target genes encode antimicrobial resistance factors (35 %), virulence factors (28 %) and adhesins (31%). This microarray was validated with reference strains and used to characterize the genomic DNA of 13 community-acquired methicillin resistant S. aureus (CA-MRSA) strains representative of all the Multilocus Sequence Types (STs) described to date in Belgium. Analysis of gene content of 8 reference strains by the StaphVar Array matched 96 to 99% of the theoretical results. Analysis of CA-MRSA strains showed that 54.4 % of the genes tested were strain-dependent. Strains presented specific exotoxin, enterotoxin, cytolysin and adhesin gene profile by multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) lineage. One exception to these “lineage-specific” gene profile was the variable presence of the Arginin Catabolic Mobile Element (ACME, characteristic of the USA300 clone) within ST8 strains. In conclusion, this novel StaphVar array enables characterization of more than 400 variable resistance and virulence determinants in S. aureus strains. CA-MRSA strains from Belgium displayed extensive diversity in virulence and resistance profile. The presence of the USA 300 clone in our country was confirmed. Although mainly located on MGE, association of virulence genes were highly conserved within strains of the same MLST lineage.
Project description:Gene expression analysis of highly vs. lowly pathogenic P. aeruginosa strains identifies many virulence factors and only a few metabolism genes related to virulence. Functional transcriptomics re-analysis of core metabolism at the pathway level, reveals amino-acid, succinate, citramalate, and chorismate biosynthesis and beta-oxidation as important for full virulence and expression of these pathways indicative of virulence in various strains.
Project description:Intervention 1: Fish oil /intervention. 1200mg (providing omega-3 420 mg EPA and 280 mg DHA) 5 times daily for 8 weeks after starting chemotherapy. Intervention 2: Probiotics/ intervention. 3 gr Granule contains the following probiotic strains: L.acidophilus, L. lactis, L. casei subsp, L. longum, L. bifidum, L. infantis twice a day for 4 weeks after starting chemotherapy. Intervention 3: Sunflower oil /control 1200mg 5 times daily for 8 weeks after starting chemotherapy. Intervention 4: Lactose / control 3 gr Granule contains: Lactose, Maltodextrin, Citric Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Skim Milk Powder, and Sugar twice a day for 4 weeks after starting chemotherapy.;Treatment - Drugs;Treatment - Drugs;Placebo;Placebo;Fish oil /intervention. 1200mg (providing omega-3 420 mg EPA and 280 mg DHA) 5 times daily for 8 weeks after starting chemotherapy;Probiotics/ intervention. 3 gr Granule contains the following probiotic strains: L.acidophilus, L. lactis, L. casei subsp, L. longum, L. bifidum, L. infantis twice a day for 4 weeks after starting chemotherapy;Sunflower oil /control 1200mg 5 times daily for 8 weeks after starting chemotherapy;Lactose / control 3 gr Granule contains: Lactose, Maltodextrin, Citric Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Skim Milk Powder, and Sugar twice a day for 4 weeks after starting chemotherapy
Primary outcome(s): Quality of life. Timepoint: Before starting chemotherapy and supplementationa nd after completion of supplementation and chemotherapy. Method of measurement: EORTC QLQ C-30.
Study Design: Randomization: Randomized, Blinding: Double blinded, Placebo: Used, Assignment: Parallel, Purpose: Prevention.
Project description:Little is known about the extent of genetic variability among Entamoeba strains and potential genotypic associations with virulence. Variable phenotypes have been identified for Entamoeba strains. E. histolytica is invasive and causes colitis and liver abscesses, but only in 10% of infected individuals; 90% of subjects remain asymptomatically colonized. E. dispar, a closely related species, appears to be incapable of causing invasive disease. In order to determine the extent of genetic diversity among Entamoeba strains we have developed an E. histolytica genomic DNA microarray and used it to genotype strains of E. dispar and E. histolytica. Based on the identification of divergent genetic loci, all six strains (four EH and two ED) had unique genetic fingerprints. Genomic regions with unusually high levels of divergence were identified indicating that structural or evolutionary pressures are molding selective regions of the Entamoeba genome. Comparison of divergent genetic regions allowed us to readily distinguish between EH and ED, identify novel genetic regions that may be used for strain and species typing, and identity a number of novel potential virulence determinants. Among these are Androgen Inducible Gene1, a CXXC receptor kinase, a peroxiredoxin 1-related gene, a Ras family member gene, a Rab geranylgeranyltransferase, and a gene with a UPF0034 domain. Among the four EH strains, an avirulent strain EH (Rahman) was the most divergent and phylogenetically distinct raising the intriguing possibility that genetic subtypes of E. histolytica may be at least partially responsible for the observed variability in clinical outcomes. Our approach shows the utility of a microarray-based genotyping assay to identify genetic variability between Entamoeba isolates and can readily be applied to the study of clinical isolates. A genotyping experiment design type classifies an individual or group of individuals on the basis of alleles, haplotypes, SNP's. Keywords: genotyping_design
Project description:Characterization of the transcriptional changes occurring at the single-cell level during the progression of a chronic lymphoid leukaemia treated with Rituximab, Fludarabine and Cyclophosphamide.