R01AI155398

Tryptophan Derivatives in EHEC Pathogenesis - Project Summary

The colon contains tryptophan derivatives such as indole, which is a microbiota-derived signaling molecule, and the host-derived serotonin neurotransmitter that is primarily synthesized in the GI tract. Indole is also known to be absorbed by host cells and helps strengthen the integrity of the intestinal barrier, being regarded as a beneficial chemical cue within microbial/host interactions.

Indole is synthesized by tryptophanase, which is encoded by the TnaA gene. We have shown that the concentration of indole is significantly higher in the lumen of the colon (the compartment where the microbiota resides) compared to colonic tissues (where indole is absorbed by intestinal epithelial cells).

Serotonin is synthesized in enterochromaffin cells by the enzyme tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH1). Upon its synthesis, serotonin is released into the lamina propria and is secreted into the lumen. Serotonin signaling in the intestinal mucosa is terminated by removal of serotonin by the serotonin selective reuptake transporter (SERT), which is expressed by epithelial cells.

We showed that both serotonin and indole converge to decrease virulence gene expression from enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) and Citrobacter rodentium, a murine pathogen employed as a surrogate animal model for EHEC. We also identified the bacterial receptor for these signals as CPXA. Upon sensing serotonin and/or indole, CPXA functions primarily as a phosphatase, dephosphorylating itself and CPXR, that activates virulence in its phosphorylated state. Through transcriptome studies, we also identified the indole sequestering receptor (ISR), which in the absence of indole directly activates virulence expression. However, in the presence of indole, ISR is no longer able to activate transcription of virulence genes.

Using TPH1 pharmacological inhibitors (decrease the levels of serotonin in the gut) and SERT knockout mice (have increased levels of luminal serotonin), we showed that the presence of higher levels of serotonin in the intestine of mice decreased virulence in C. rodentium, while decreased levels of serotonin are conducive to increased pathogenesis. Moreover, we synthetically altered the concentration of indole in the GI tract of mice. This allowed us to assess the role of self-produced versus microbiota-produced indole and show that decreased indole concentrations promote bacterial pathogenesis, while increased levels of indole decrease bacterial virulence gene expression during murine infection.

Altogether, both serotonin and indole decrease virulence of C. rodentium during murine infection. Our studies show that fluctuations in the levels of indole and the serotonin neurotransmitter significantly impact disease prognosis. However, several questions regarding this exquisite signaling regulation of bacterial virulence remain unanswered.

Consequently, the specific aims of this grant are:

AIM 1. Define the CPXA/CPXR and ISR serotonin/indole signaling cascade.

AIM 2. Investigate the intersection of serotonin with endogenous and exogenous indole signaling in bacterial pathogenesis during mammalian infection.

University Of Wisconsin System

TO ASSIST PUBLIC AND PRIVATE NONPROFIT INSTITUTIONS AND INDIVIDUALS TO ESTABLISH, EXPAND AND IMPROVE BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH AND RESEARCH TRAINING IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES AND RELATED AREAS, TO CONDUCT DEVELOPMENTAL RESEARCH, TO PRODUCE AND TEST RESEARCH MATERIALS. TO ASSIST PUBLIC, PRIVATE AND COMMERCIAL INSTITUTIONS TO CONDUCT DEVELOPMENTAL RESEARCH, TO PRODUCE AND TEST RESEARCH MATERIALS, TO PROVIDE RESEARCH SERVICES AS REQUIRED BY THE AGENCY FOR PROGRAMS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES, AND CONTROLLING DISEASE CAUSED BY INFECTIOUS OR PARASITIC AGENTS, ALLERGIC AND IMMUNOLOGIC DISEASES AND RELATED AREAS. PROJECTS RANGE FROM STUDIES OF MICROBIAL PHYSIOLOGY AND ANTIGENIC STRUCTURE TO COLLABORATIVE TRIALS OF EXPERIMENTAL DRUGS AND VACCINES, MECHANISMS OF RESISTANCE TO ANTIBIOTICS AS WELL AS RESEARCH DEALING WITH EPIDEMIOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS IN HOSPITALIZED PATIENTS OR COMMUNITY POPULATIONS AND PROGRESS IN ALLERGIC AND IMMUNOLOGIC DISEASES. BECAUSE OF THIS DUAL FOCUS, THE PROGRAM ENCOMPASSES BOTH BASIC RESEARCH AND CLINICAL RESEARCH. SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH (SBIR) PROGRAM EXPANDS AND IMPROVES PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION IN BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH. THE SBIR PROGRAM INTENDS TO INCREASE AND FACILITATE PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIALIZATION OF INNOVATIONS DERIVED FROM FEDERAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, TO INCREASE SMALL BUSINESS PARTICIPATION IN FEDERAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, AND TO FOSTER AND ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION OF SOCIALLY AND ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS AND WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS IN TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION. THE SMALL BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER (STTR) PROGRAM STIMULATES AND FOSTERS SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION THROUGH COOPERATIVE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CARRIED OUT BETWEEN SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS AND RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS, TO FOSTER TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER BETWEEN SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS AND RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS, TO INCREASE PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIALIZATION OF INNOVATIONS DERIVED FROM FEDERAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, AND TO FOSTER AND ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION OF SOCIALLY AND ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS AND WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS IN TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION. RESEARCH CAREER DEVELOPMENT AWARDS SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF SCIENTISTS DURING THE FORMATIVE STAGES OF THEIR CAREERS. INDIVIDUAL NATIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE AWARDS (NRSAS) ARE MADE DIRECTLY TO APPROVE APPLICANTS FOR RESEARCH TRAINING IN SPECIFIED BIOMEDICAL SHORTAGE AREAS. IN ADDITION, INSTITUTIONAL NATIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE AWARDS ARE MADE TO ENABLE INSTITUTIONS TO SELECT AND MAKE AWARDS TO INDIVIDUALS TO RECEIVE TRAINING UNDER THE AEGIS OF THEIR INSTITUTIONAL PROGRAM.

93.855 - Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) [HHS - NIH]

Madison, Wisconsin 53715 United States

Single Zip Code

NIH Research Project Grant (Parent R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) (PA-20-185)

Amendment Since initial award the total obligations have increased 382% from $627,020 to $3,024,032.