Detection of N-acylhomoserine lactones in lung tissues of mice infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
The pathogenesis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa is associated with expression of virulence factors, many of which are controlled by two N:-acylhomoserine lactone (AHL)-based quorum-sensing systems. Escherichia coli strains equipped with a luxR-based monitor system expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) in the presence of exogenous AHL molecules were used to detect the production of AHLs from P. aeruginosa in vivo. Mice were challenged intratracheally with alginate beads containing P. aeruginosa and E. coli and killed on different days after the challenge. By means of confocal scanning laser microscopy, GFP-expressing E. coli bacteria could be detected in the lung tissues, indicating production and excretion of AHL molecules in vivo by the infecting P. aeruginosa. AHL signals were detected mainly in lung tissues exhibiting severe pathological changes. These findings support the view that expression of AHL molecules by P. aeruginosa during infection coincides with its pathogenesis.
Wu
Hong
H
Department of Clinical Microbiology, University Hospital (Rigshospitalet), Copenhagen Ø, DK-2100, Denmark1.
Song
Zhijun
Z
Department of Clinical Microbiology, University Hospital (Rigshospitalet), Copenhagen Ø, DK-2100, Denmark1.
Hentzer
Morten
M
Department of Microbiology, the Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby,DK-2800, Denmark2.
Andersen
Jens Bo
JB
Department of Microbiology, the Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby,DK-2800, Denmark2.
Heydorn
Arne
A
Department of Microbiology, the Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby,DK-2800, Denmark2.
Mathee
Kalai
K
Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, University Park, Miami, FL 33199, USA3.
Moser
Claus
C
Department of Clinical Microbiology, University Hospital (Rigshospitalet), Copenhagen Ø, DK-2100, Denmark1.
Eberl
Leo
L
Lehrstuhl fur Mikrobiologie, Technische Universitat Munchen, Freising D-85350, Germany4.
Molin
Søren
S
Department of Microbiology, the Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby,DK-2800, Denmark2.
Høiby
Niels
N
Department of Clinical Microbiology, University Hospital (Rigshospitalet), Copenhagen Ø, DK-2100, Denmark1.
Givskov
Michael
M
Department of Microbiology, the Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby,DK-2800, Denmark2.
D015107:4-Butyrolactone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000382:microbiology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D006801:Humans; D008164:Luminescent Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008168:Lung / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D008808:Mice, Inbred CBA; D011552:Pseudomonas Infections / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D015398:Signal Transduction
D008164:Luminescent Proteins; C088386:homoserine lactone; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D015107:4-Butyrolactone