Project description:We demonstrated recently that both constitutive and FAS-triggered apoptosis of human neutrophils are profoundly impaired by Francisella tularensis, but how this is achieved is largely unknown. To test the hypothesis that changes in neutrophil gene expression contribute to this phenotype, we used human oligonucleotide microarrays to identify differentially regulated genes in cells infected with F. tularensis strain LVS compared with uninfected controls. In order to examine the effect of F. tularensis on the neutrophil transcriptome, we performed microarray expression analysis on human neutrophils treated with F. tularensis subsp. holarctica live vaccine strain (LVS).
Project description:We demonstrated recently that both constitutive and FAS-triggered apoptosis of human neutrophils are profoundly impaired by Francisella tularensis, but how this is achieved is largely unknown. To test the hypothesis that changes in neutrophil gene expression contribute to this phenotype, we used human oligonucleotide microarrays to identify differentially regulated genes in cells infected with F. tularensis strain LVS compared with uninfected controls. In order to examine the effect of F. tularensis on the neutrophil transcriptome, we performed microarray expression analysis on human neutrophils treated with F. tularensis subsp. holarctica live vaccine strain (LVS). Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) were isolated from the blood of healthy donors. Control and F. tularensis-exposed PMNs were incubated at 37C for 0, 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours.
Project description:Impact of live attenuated F. tularensis vaccine (DVC-LVS) on PBMC poly(A)-RNA expresssion in 10 subjects over time (Days 1, 2 ,7, and 14 post-vaccination) relative to pre-vaccination (Day 0).
Project description:Prior aerosol exposure to F. tularensis subsp. tularensis, but not the live attenuated strain (LVS) of F. tularensis subsp. holarctica or F. novicida, significantly antagonized the transcriptional response in the lungs of infected mice exposed to aerosolized TLR4 ligand E. coli LPS.
Project description:We used transposon insertion sequencing (Tn-Seq) to identify the genes that are required for in vitro growth and intramacrophage growth of the live vaccine strain of F. tularensis (LVS).
Project description:Francisella tularensis is a Gram-negative bacteria responsible for tularemia, a disease for which the high prevalence of failure and relapses is a main concern. Directed evolution experiments carried out in presence of antibiotics revealed that acquisition of fluoroquinolones (FQ) resistance was not exclusively related to mutations in DNA gyrase genes which are the first targets of these molecules. Here, using F. tularensis LVS as model, we investigated the role of FupA/B (Fer-Utilization Protein), whose possible contribution to FQ resistance was suggested by genomic analysis of resistant isolates. Using trans-complementation/mutagenesis approaches we definitely connected FupA/B expression to FQ sensitivity. Furthermore, we showed that the virulent strain F. tularensis subsp. tularensis SCHU S4, lacking the homologous FupA protein, exhibited a lower FQ susceptibility. Importantly, the deletion of this lipoprotein promoted an increased secretion of outer membrane vesicles (OMVs). Mass spectrometry-based quantitative proteomic characterization of OMVs from LVS and LVS-∆fupA/B strains led to the identification of 801 proteins among which a subset of 23 proteins exhibited a differential abundance between OMVs from both strains and may therefore contribute to the observed increased FQ susceptibility. We finally demonstrated that OMVs are structural key elements of F. tularensis LVS biofilms providing protection against FQ. Taken together, these results showed that mutations targeting FupA/B contribute to antimicrobial resistance through quantitative and qualitative modulations of OMV biogenesis and biofilm formation, providing new basis for understanding and fighting against Francisella antibiotic resistance and/or persistence.