Zinc Exposure Promotes Commensal-to-Pathogen Transition in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Leading to Mucosal Inflammation and Illness in Mice.

Bibliographic Details
Title: Zinc Exposure Promotes Commensal-to-Pathogen Transition in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Leading to Mucosal Inflammation and Illness in Mice.
Authors: Wu, Tong, Gagnon, Annie, McGourty, Katherine, DosSantos, Rebecca, Chanetsa, Lucia, Zhang, Boce, Bello, Dhimiter, Kelleher, Shannon L.
Source: International Journal of Molecular Sciences; Dec2021, Vol. 22 Issue 24, p13321-13321, 1p
Subject Terms: ZINC, PSEUDOMONAS aeruginosa, QUORUM sensing, INFLAMMATION, BIOSURFACTANTS, EXOTOXIN
Abstract: The opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) is associated gastrointestinal (GI) inflammation and illness; however, factors motivating commensal-to-pathogen transition are unclear. Excessive zinc intake from supplements is common in humans. Due to the fact that zinc exposure enhances P. aeruginosa colonization in vitro, we hypothesized zinc exposure broadly activates virulence mechanisms, leading to inflammation and illness. P. aeruginosa was treated with excess zinc and growth, expression and secretion of key virulence factors, and biofilm production were determined. Effects on invasion, barrier function, and cytotoxicity were evaluated in Caco-2 cells co-cultured with P. aeruginosa pre-treated with zinc. Effects on colonization, mucosal pathology, inflammation, and illness were evaluated in mice infected with P. aeruginosa pre-treated with zinc. We found the expression and secretion of key virulence factors involved in quorum sensing (QS), motility (type IV pili, flagella), biosurfactants (rhamnolipids), toxins (exotoxin A), zinc homeostasis (CzcR), and biofilm production, were all significantly increased. Zinc exposure significantly increased P. aeruginosa invasion, permeability and cytotoxicity in Caco-2 cells, and enhanced colonization, inflammation, mucosal damage, and illness in mice. Excess zinc exposure has broad effects on key virulence mechanisms promoting commensal-to-pathogen transition of P. aeruginosa and illness in mice, suggesting excess zinc intake may have adverse effects on GI health in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of International Journal of Molecular Sciences is the property of MDPI and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Complementary Index
Full text is not displayed to guests.
More Details
ISSN:16616596
DOI:10.3390/ijms222413321
Published in:International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Language:English