Campylobacter jejuni permeabilizes the host cell membrane by short chain lysophosphatidylethanolamines

Lysophospholipids (LPLs) are crucial for regulating epithelial integrity and homeostasis in eukaryotes, however the effects of LPLs produced by bacteria on host cells is largely unknown. The membrane of the human bacterial pathogen Campylobacter jejuni is rich in LPLs. Although C. jejuni possesses s...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Xuefeng Cao, Chris H.A. van de Lest, Liane Z.X. Huang, Jos P.M. van Putten, Marc M.S.M. Wösten
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2022-12-01
Series:Gut Microbes
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/19490976.2022.2091371
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Lysophospholipids (LPLs) are crucial for regulating epithelial integrity and homeostasis in eukaryotes, however the effects of LPLs produced by bacteria on host cells is largely unknown. The membrane of the human bacterial pathogen Campylobacter jejuni is rich in LPLs. Although C. jejuni possesses several virulence factors, it lacks traditional virulence factors like type III secretion systems, present in most enteropathogens. Here, we provide evidence that membrane lipids lysophosphatidylethanolamines (lysoPEs) of C. jejuni are able to lyse erythrocytes and are toxic for HeLa and Caco-2 cells. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assays and confocal microscopy revealed that lysoPE permeabilizes the cells. LysoPE toxicity was partially rescued by oxidative stress inhibitors, indicating that intracellular reactive oxygen species may contribute to the cell damage. Our results show that especially the short-chain lysoPEs (C:14) which is abundantly present in the C. jejuni membrane may be considered as a novel virulence factor.
ISSN:1949-0976
1949-0984