A. aphrophilus uses a type VI secretion system to modify epithelial cell responses to highly leukotoxic A. actinomycetemcomitans

ABSTRACT: The Type VI secretion system (T6SS) is a bacterial mechanism that delivers effectors to eliminate competitors and modulate host responses. We previously discovered that the oral symbiont Aggregatibacter aphrophilus uses its T6SS to kill the pathobiont Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans. To understand how the T6SS-dependent mechanism of A. aphrophilus affects host cells and A. actinomycetemcomitans, we co-cultured our immortalised epithelial cell line with A. actinomycetemcomitans and various strains of A. aphrophilus: wild-type (HK83 + JP2, n = 6), a T6SS-deficient strain (HK83 Δhcp + JP2, n = 6), and double mutants (HK83 Δtle5 Δglh + JP2, n = 6). As a baseline, we also examined single inoculations of A. aphrophilus (HK83, n = 6), the Δhcp mutant (HK83 Δhcp, n = 6), the Δtle5 Δglh mutant (HK83 Δtle5 Δglh, n = 6), and A. actinomycetemcomitans JP2 (JP2, n = 6). Cells not challenged served as controls. This study aims to identify specific effectors and characterize host responses to A. aphrophilus T6SS.

INSTRUMENT(S):

ORGANISM(S): Homo Sapiens (human)

TISSUE(S): Cell Culture

SUBMITTER: Kai Bao  

LAB HEAD: Nagihan Bostanci

PROVIDER: PXD057672 | Pride | 2025-11-10

REPOSITORIES: Pride