Journal article
Pseudomonas aeruginosa Type III secretion system interacts with phagocytes to modulate systemic infection of zebrafish embryos
Cellular microbiology, Vol.11(5), pp.755-768
05/2009
DOI: 10.1111/j.1462-5822.2009.01288.x
PMCID: PMC2933946
PMID: 19207728
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
is an opportunistic human pathogen that can cause serious infection in those with deficient or impaired phagocytes. We have developed the optically transparent and genetically tractable zebrafish embryo as a model for systemic
P. aeruginosa
infection. Despite lacking adaptive immunity at this developmental stage, zebrafish embryos were highly resistant to
P. aeruginosa
infection, but as in humans, phagocyte depletion dramatically increased their susceptibility. The virulence of an attenuated
P. aeruginosa
strain lacking a functional Type III secretion system was restored upon phagocyte depletion, suggesting that this system influences virulence through its effects on phagocytes. Intravital imaging revealed bacterial interactions with multiple blood cell types. Neutrophils and macrophages rapidly phagocytosed and killed
P. aeruginosa
, suggesting that both cell types play a role in protection against infection. Intravascular aggregation of erythrocytes and other blood cells with resultant circulatory blockage was observed immediately upon infection, which may be relevant to the pathogenesis of thrombotic complications of human
P. aeruginosa
infections. The real-time visualization capabilities and genetic tractability of the zebrafish infection model should enable elucidation of molecular and cellular details of
P. aeruginosa
pathogenesis in conditions associated with neutropenia or impaired phagocyte function.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa Type III secretion system interacts with phagocytes to modulate systemic infection of zebrafish embryos
- Creators
- Mark K Brannon - Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WAJ. Muse Davis - Immunology and Molecular Pathogenesis Program, Emory University, Atlanta, GAJonathan R Mathias - Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WIChris J Hall - Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New ZealandJulia C Emerson - Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WAPhilip S Crosier - Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New ZealandAnna Huttenlocher - Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WILalita Ramakrishnan - Departments of Microbiology, Medicine, and Immunology, University of Washington, Seattle, WASamuel M Moskowitz - Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Cellular microbiology, Vol.11(5), pp.755-768
- DOI
- 10.1111/j.1462-5822.2009.01288.x
- PMID
- 19207728
- PMCID
- PMC2933946
- ISSN
- 1462-5814
- eISSN
- 1462-5822
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 05/2009
- Academic Unit
- Stead Family Department of Pediatrics; Infectious Disease (Pediatrics)
- Record Identifier
- 9984093375102771
Metrics
18 Record Views