Project description:Mucosal surfaces provide ideal living conditions for the normal flora but paradoxically, they also serve as attack sites for numerous bacterial pathogens that cause extensive morbidity and mortality. Understanding this dichotomy is critical for efforts to selectively target and remove pathogens without disturbing the commensal flora or its protective effects. The complex nature of disease predicts that virulence is multifaceted and that pathogens need multiple virulence factors to initiate tissue attack, disrupt immune homeostasis and create symptoms and pathology. The urinary tract supports ABU; a commensal-like state, which has been shown to prevent super-infection with more virulent strains. To reproduce this protective effect, we have established a protocol to create ABU, by inoculation with the ABU strain E. coli 83972. The therapeutic efficacy and safety of this procedure has been documented in placebo-controlled studies in patients with incomplete bladder voiding. Genome sequencing of E. coli 83972 has revealed a general “loss of virulence” phenotype, which includes fimbrial genes. E. coli 83972 lacks functional P or type 1 fimbriae, due to attenuating point mutations in the papG adhesin gene and a large, inactivating deletion in the fim gene cluster. Both fimbrial types have been proposed to enhance bacterial persistence in the urinary tract. In an attempt to increase the efficiency of E. coli 83972 inoculation and extend its use to include UTI-prone patients with complete bladder voiding, we restored P- and type 1-fimbrial expression and addressed how fimbriae affect the gene expression in inoculated human hosts.
Project description:Urinary tract infections (UTIs) constitute a highly relevant model of microbial adaptation, in which the contrasting effects of pathogens and commensals on host tissues are clearly displayed. While virulent Escherichia coli cause severe, potentially life-threatening disease by breaking the inertia of the mucosal barrier and infecting the kidneys, the most common outcome of bacteriuria is an asymptomatic carrier state resembling commensalism at other mucosal sites. It remains unclear if the lack of destructive inflammation merely reflects low virulence or if carrier strains actively inhibit disease associated responses in the host. To address this question, we examined the effects of asymptomatic bacterial carriage on host gene expression. Therapeutic urinary tract inoculation with the prototype ABU strain E. coli 83972 is a safe alternative approach in patients with therapy-resistant recurrent UTI. The strain establishes persistent bacteriuria, protecting patients against super-infection with more virulent strains. Using this protocol, we examined if the establishment of asymptomatic bacterial carriage alters host gene expression. After antibiotic treatment to remove prior infection, patients were inoculated with E. coli 83972 through a catheter. Blood samples were obtained before and 24 h after inoculation.
Project description:To analyze the effect of AI-2-dependent quorum sensing on gene expression at the transcriptional level of E. coli 83972, we performed an RNA-seq analysis of wild type strain and the lsr-complemented variant 83972 attB::lsr.
Project description:Gene expression profiling of immortalized human mesenchymal stem cells with hTERT/E6/E7 transfected MSCs. hTERT may change gene expression in MSCs. Goal was to determine the gene expressions of immortalized MSCs.
Project description:Transcriptional profiling of human mesenchymal stem cells comparing normoxic MSCs cells with hypoxic MSCs cells. Hypoxia may inhibit senescence of MSCs during expansion. Goal was to determine the effects of hypoxia on global MSCs gene expression.