Urinary tract infections (UTIs) continue to be the second most common bacterial infections in man. Most of these infections are caused by uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) that gain access into bladder epithelial cells and persist intracellularly, where they are inaccessible to the immune system and also antibiotics. Remarkably, recent in vivo and in vitro studies on infected bladder epithelial cells have revealed that these cells have a powerful capacity to exocytose large proportions of infecting UPEC without loss of cell viability. These observations point to a powerful capacity of BECs to sense intracellular bacteria and initiate bacterial exocytosis. They also suggest that if the underlying mechanism were understood, it may be possible to utilize drugs targeting this pathway to boost this cellular defense mechanism. To date, using biochemical and molecular approaches, we have determined that a key molecule responsible for recognizing intracellular UPEC is the imunosurveillance molecule, Toll like Receptor (TLR) 4. We have also identified several key mediators of bacterial exocytosis, which include components of the exocyst complex a Rab GTPase, Rab11 and the SNARE complex. Additionally, we have implicated subcellular microdomains called caveolae in this exocytic process, in the extrusion of bacteria through the plasma membrane. Here we propose to examine how these various signaling components, pathways and subcellular microdomians integrate and achieve bacterial expulsion. We plan to confirm and extend this observation in the following specific aims: (i) Elucidate how intravesicular UPEC are detected by TLR4 in BECs. (ii) Determine how cellular machinery for vesicle trafficking mediates bacterial exocytosis. (iii) Investigate the role of SNARE proteins to docking and discharge of intravesicular UPEC (IV). Identify novel bacterial expulsion components using proteome mining approach.

Public Health Relevance

Recently we discovered that bladder epithelial cells have the innate unique capacity to expel infecting uropathogenic E. coli. We propose to examine how bladder epithelial cells sense intracellular E. coli and mediate bacterial expulsion without loss o cell viability. These studies are directed at an overlooked aspect of the host cell's innate immune response and could potentially lead to the development of novel strategies to combat urinary tract infections.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01DK101456-01
Application #
8668381
Study Section
Host Interactions with Bacterial Pathogens Study Section (HIBP)
Program Officer
Mullins, Christopher V
Project Start
2014-08-07
Project End
2018-03-31
Budget Start
2014-08-07
Budget End
2015-03-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2014
Total Cost
$336,863
Indirect Cost
$119,363
Name
Duke University
Department
Pathology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
044387793
City
Durham
State
NC
Country
United States
Zip Code
27705
Miao, Yuxuan; Bist, Pradeep; Wu, Jianxuan et al. (2017) Collaboration between Distinct Rab Small GTPase Trafficking Circuits Mediates Bacterial Clearance from the Bladder Epithelium. Cell Host Microbe 22:330-342.e4
Mehershahi, Kurosh S; Abraham, Soman N; Chen, Swaine L (2015) Complete Genome Sequence of Uropathogenic Escherichia coli Strain CI5. Genome Announc 3:
Choi, Hae Woong; Abraham, Soman N (2015) Mast cell mediator responses and their suppression by pathogenic and commensal microorganisms. Mol Immunol 63:74-9
Miao, Yuxuan; Li, Guojie; Zhang, Xiaoli et al. (2015) A TRP Channel Senses Lysosome Neutralization by Pathogens to Trigger Their Expulsion. Cell 161:1306-19
Chang, Jui-Chih; Leung, Jason; Tang, Tao et al. (2014) Cromolyn ameliorates acute and chronic injury in a rat lung transplant model. J Heart Lung Transplant 33:749-57
Miao, Yuxuan; Abraham, Soman N (2014) Peeing pentraxins. Immunity 40:460-2
Miao, Yuxuan; Abraham, Soman N (2014) Kidney ?-intercalated cells and lipocalin 2: defending the urinary tract. J Clin Invest 124:2844-6
St John, Ashley L; Ang, W X Gladys; Huang, Min-Nung et al. (2014) S1P-Dependent trafficking of intracellular yersinia pestis through lymph nodes establishes Buboes and systemic infection. Immunity 41:440-450
Choi, Hae Woong; Brooking-Dixon, Rhea; Neupane, Subham et al. (2013) Salmonella typhimurium impedes innate immunity with a mast-cell-suppressing protein tyrosine phosphatase, SptP. Immunity 39:1108-20
Chan, Cheryl Y; St John, Ashley L; Abraham, Soman N (2013) Mast cell interleukin-10 drives localized tolerance in chronic bladder infection. Immunity 38:349-59

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