Apoptotic signaling clears engineered Salmonella in an organ-specific manner

  1. Taylor J Abele
  2. Zachary P Billman
  3. Lupeng Li
  4. Carissa K Harvest
  5. Alexia K Bryan
  6. Gabrielle R Magalski
  7. Joseph P Lopez
  8. Heather N Larson
  9. Xiao-Ming Yin
  10. Edward A Miao  Is a corresponding author
  1. Department of Integrative Immunobiology, Duke University School of Medicine, United States
  2. Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University School of Medicine, United States
  3. Department of Cell Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, United States
  4. Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, United States
  5. Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University Pratt School of Engineering, United States
  6. Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, United States
7 figures, 2 tables and 1 additional file

Figures

Figure 1 with 2 supplements
FliCON S. Typhimurium activates apoptotic backup pathways in vitro.

(A) Cell death pathways activated by FliCON S. Typhimurium. (B) Schematic of engineered FliCON construct. (C–F) Bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs) were infected with indicated SPI2-induced S. Typhimurium strains. (C) Western blot analysis of cytosolic and mitochondrial fractions at 5 hpi. Representative image from three independent experiments. (D) Western blot analysis of whole cell lysates at 4 hpi. Representative image from three independent experiments. (E) Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release at 1–8 hpi. Results representative of three independent experiments. Data are represented as mean ± SD of three technical replicates. (F–G) Immunofluorescence and brightfield. Cells were stained with PI, cleaved caspase-3/7, and Hoechst. (F) Representative image from two (brightfield, PI) or one (cleaved caspase-3/7) independent experiments at 4 hpi. 60 x magnification, scale bar 20 µm. Arrows, pyroptotic cells. Carrots, apoptotic cells. (G) Z-stack slices from Figure 1—video 1. Gsdmd–/– BMMs infected with FliCON imaged at 6 hpi. Representative Z-stack from three (brightfield, PI) or one (cleaved caspase-3/7) independent experiments. 60 x magnification, Z-slices 11, 18, 21, and 26 shown. Carrots; selected examples of apoptotic bodies.

Figure 1—figure supplement 1
Vector control S. Typhimurium does not activate apoptotic backup pathways in vitro.

(A–E) Bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs) were infected with indicated SPI2-induced S. Typhimurium strains. (A) Western blot analysis of whole cell lysates at 4 hpi. Results from one experiment. (B) Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release at 1–8 hpi. Results representative of three independent experiments. Data are represented as mean ± SD of three technical replicates. Data performed at the same time as Figure 1E, graphed separately for visualization. (C) LDH release at 1–8 hpi. Results from one experiment. Data are represented as mean ± SD of three technical replicates. (D–E) Immunofluorescence and brightfield at 4 hpi. Cells were stained with PI, cleaved caspase-3/7, and Hoechst. Representative image from two (brightfield, PI) or one (cleaved caspase-3/7) independent experiments. Data performed at the same time as Figure 1F. (D) 60 x magnification, scale bar 20 µm. (E) 20 x stitched image, scale bar 500 µm.

Figure 1—video 1
Engineered FliCON S. Typhimurium activates apoptosis in Gsdmd–/– bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs) in vitro.

Gsdmd–/– BMMs were infected with FliCON SPI2-induced S. Typhimurium strains. Cells were stained with PI, cleaved caspase-3/7, and Hoechst and imaged at 6 hpi. 60 x magnification, scale bar 20 µm. Z-stack of data in Figure 1G (slices 11, 18, 21, 26) and Figure 4B (slice 19). Performed in the same experiment as Figure 3—video 1.

Figure 2 with 1 supplement
Backup apoptosis does not clear FliCON S. Typhimurium in the spleen.

(A) Schematic of competitive index infection model. (B–H) Mice were infected with a 1:1 ratio of FliCON and a vector control S. Typhimurium. Bacterial burdens in the spleen were determined at the indicated timepoints. (B) Timecourse of competitive index infection in indicated mice. Mice were infected with 5 × 102 CFU of each strain. Ratio of vector to FliCON is graphed. Data representative of three (WT, Gsdmd–/–) or two (Nlrc4–/–, Casp1–/–) independent experiments. Line connects mean, n=3–4 mice per genotype per timepoint. Two-way ANOVA n.s. p>0.05; ***p<0.001. (C–F) Individual burdens of vector and FliCON from (B). Paired vector and FliCON data from each mouse are connected by a line. Two-way repeated measure ANOVA. n.s. p>0.05, *p<0.05, **p<0.01 (G) Mice were infected with 5 × 104 CFU of each strain. Bacterial burdens in the spleen were determined at 48 hpi. Ratio of vector to FliCON is graphed. Combined two independent experiments, line representing mean ± SD, n=7–13 mice per genotype. Kruskal-Wallis n.s. p>0.05; ***p<0.001, ****p<0.0001. (H) Individual burdens from (G). Paired vector and FliCON data from each mouse are connected by a line. Two-way repeated measure ANOVA. n.s. p>0.05, ****p<0.0001.

Figure 2—figure supplement 1
Competitive index model can be used to study the clearance of S. Typhimurium in vivo.

(A–B) Mice were infected with a 1:1 ratio of pWSK129 (‘vector’) and pWSK29 (backbone of FliCON and BIDON plasmids) S. Typhimurium. Mice were infected with 5 × 102 CFU of each strain. Bacterial burdens in the spleen were determined at the indicated timepoints. (A) Timecourse competitive index infection in WT mice. Ratio of vector to pWSK29 is graphed. Data from one independent experiment, line connects means, n=4–6 mice per timepoint. (B) Individual burdens of vector and pWSK29 from (A). Paired vector and pWSK29 data from each mouse are connected by a line. Two-way ANOVA n.s. p<0.05 (C–D) Mice were infected with a 1:1 ratio of FliCON and a vector control S. Typhimurium. Mice were infected with 5 × 102 CFU of each strain. Bacterial burdens in the spleen were determined at 48 hpi. (C) Competitive index infection in indicated mice. Data from one independent experiment, line representing mean ± SD, n=3–4 mice per genotype. One-way ANOVA n.s. p>0.05; ****p<0.0001. (D) Individual burdens of vector and FliCON from (C). Paired vector and FliCON data from each mouse are connected by a line. Two-way repeated measure ANOVA. n.s. p>0.05, ****p<0.0001.

Figure 3 with 2 supplements
Engineered BIDON S. Typhimurium activates apoptosis in vitro.

(A) Schematic of engineered BIDON construct. (B) Pathway model showing how BIDON leads to intrinsic apoptosis. (C–G) Bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs) were infected with indicated SPI2-induced S. Typhimurium strains. (C–E) Western blot analysis of whole cell lysates at 6 hpi. Data representative of two (C) or three (D–E) independent experiments. (F) Western blot analysis of cytosolic and mitochondrial fractions at 4 hpi. Data representative from three independent experiments. (G) Brightfield at 6 hpi. Data representative of three independent experiments. 60 x magnification, scale bar 20 µm, carrot, apoptotic blebs. (H) Z-stack slices from Figure 3—video 1. WT BMMs infected with BIDON imaged at 6 hpi. Representative Z-stack from three (brightfield, PI) or one (cleaved caspase-3/7) independent experiments. 60 x magnification, Z-slices 11, 19, 22, and 24 shown. Carrots; selected examples of apoptotic bodies.

Figure 3—figure supplement 1
Production of SspH1SS-HA-BIDBH3 construct does not cause growth defects in BIDON S. Typhimurium.

(A) OD600 growth curve in LB media. Results are combined from two independent experiments, represented as mean ± SD. (B) Bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs) were infected with SPI2-induced S. Typhimurium. Western blot analysis of whole cell lysates at 6 hpi. Double band of endogenous full-length BID and sspH1SS-HA-BIDBH3 resolved.

Figure 3—video 1
Engineered BIDON S. Typhimurium causes apoptosis in WT bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs) in vitro.

WT BMMs were infected with BIDON SPI2-induced S. Typhimurium strains. Cells were stained with PI, cleaved caspase-3/7, and Hoechst and imaged at 6 hpi. 60 x magnification, scale bar 20 µm. Z-stack of data in Figure 3H (slices 11, 19, 22, 24) and Figure 4B (slice 20). Performed in the same experiment as Figure 1—video 1.

Figure 4 with 1 supplement
Apoptosis is induced slower than pyroptosis.

(A–B) Bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs) were infected with indicated SPI2-induced S. Typhimurium strains. (A) Western blot analysis of whole cell lysates. Representative of five independent experiments. (B) Immunofluorescence and brightfield. Cells were stained with PI, cleaved caspase-3/7, and Hoechst and imaged at indicated timepoints. Representative image from three (brightfield, PI) or one (cleaved caspase-3/7) independent experiments. Z-stack of the 6 hr timepoint is represented in Figure 1—video 1 and Figure 3—video 1. Z-stack slice 19 (FliCON in Gsdmd–/–) and slice 20 (BIDON in WT) shown here. 60 x magnification, scale bar 20 µm. Arrows, pyroptotic cells. Carrots, apoptotic cells.

Figure 4—figure supplement 1
Vector control S. Typhimurium does not cause regulated cell death (RCD) in vitro.

(A–B) Bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs) were infected with indicated SPI2-induced S. Typhimurium strains. Cells were stained with PI, cleaved caspase-3/7, and Hoechst and imaged at indicated timepoints. Representative image from three (brightfield, PI) or one (cleaved caspase-3/7) independent experiments. Data performed at the same time as Figure 4B. (A) 60 x magnification, scale bar 20 µm. (B) 20 x stitched image, scale bar 500 µm.

Figure 5 with 1 supplement
Intrinsic apoptosis does not clear engineered S. Typhimurium in the spleen.

(A–D) Mice were infected with a 1:1 ratio of either FliCON or BIDON and a vector control S. Typhimurium. Mice were infected with 5 × 102 CFU of each strain. Bacterial burdens in the spleen were determined at the indicated timepoints. (A) Timecourse competitive index infection in WT mice. Ratio of vector to either FliCON or BIDON is graphed. Data is combined from three independent experiments, line connects means, n=13–14 mice per condition. Two-way ANOVA *** p<0.001, ****p<0.0001. (B) Individual burdens of vector and FliCON or BIDON from (A). Paired vector and FliCON or BIDON data from each mouse are connected by a line. Two-way repeated measure ANOVA n.s. p>0.05; ***p<0.001, ****p<0.0001. (C) Competitive index infection of indicated mice infected with either FliCON or BIDON. Ratio of vector to either FliCON or BIDON is graphed. Bacterial burdens in the spleen were determined at 48 hpi. Data is combined from three independent experiments, line representing mean ± SD, n=10–12 mice per condition. One-way ANOVA n.s. p>0.05, ****p<0.0001. (D) Individual burdens of vector and FliCON or BIDON from (C). Paired vector and StrainON data from each mouse are connected by a line. Two-way repeated measure ANOVA n.s. p>0.05, ****p<0.0001. (E) Schematic of triple competitive index model. (F–G) Mice were infected simultaneously with three strains, 5 × 102 CFU each of CamR vector, KanR FliCON, and AmpR BIDON S. Typhimurium. Bacterial burdens in the spleen were determined at 48 hpi. (F) Triple competitive index infection of WT mice. Ratio of CamR vector to KanR FliCON or AmpR BIDON is graphed. Data is combined from three independent experiments, line representing mean ± SD, n=15. Unpaired two-tailed t-test ****p<0.0001. (G) Individual burdens of CamR vector, KanR FliCON, and AmpR BIDON from (F). Paired vector, FliCON, and BIDON data from each mouse are connected by a line. One-way repeated measure ANOVA **p<0.01, ****p<0.0001.

Figure 5—figure supplement 1
pWSK229 can be used for triple competitive index infection in vivo.

(A–B) Mice were infected simultaneously with three strains, 5 × 102 CFU each of pWSK229 (‘vector (Cam),’ Cam), pWSK129 (Kan), and pWSK29 (Amp) S. Typhimurium. Bacterial burdens in the spleen were determined at 48 hpi. (A) Triple competitive index infection of WT mice. Ratio of vector (Cam) to pWSK129 and vector to pWSK29 is graphed. Data representative of three experiments. Data represented by line at mean ± SD, n=5. Unpaired two-tailed t-test n.s. p>0.05. (B) Individual burdens of vector (Cam), pWSK129, and pWSK29 from (A). Paired vector, pWSK129, and pWSK29 data from each mouse are connected by a line. Repeated measures one-way ANOVA n.s. p>0.05.

Pyroptosis clears FliCON from myeloid compartment in vivo.

(A) Mice were infected with 5 × 104 CFU of each strain. Bacterial burdens in the spleen were determined at 48 hpi. Ratio of vector to FliCON is graphed. Combined two independent experiments, line representing mean ± SD, n=6 mice per genotype. One-way ANOVA n.s. p>0.05; ****p<0.0001. (B) Individual burdens from (A). Paired vector and FliCON data from each mouse are connected by a line. Two-way repeated measure ANOVA. n.s. p>0.05, ****p<0.0001.

Figure 7 with 1 supplement
Apoptotic pathways lead to clearance in the cecum.

(A–D) Mice were orally treated with 20 mg streptomycin, and 24 hr later orally infected with 1 × 107 CFUs total bacteria comprised of a 1:1 ratio of the indicated ampicillin-resistant strain and kanamycin-resistant vector (pWSK129) control S. Typhimurium, all on a flgB mutant background. Bacterial burdens in the cecum, mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN), and fecal samples were determined at 48 hpi. (A) Competitive index is graphed as a ratio of vector to either pWSK29 or FliCON. Data is combined from two (cecum, fecal) or one (MLN) independent experiments (MLN was not harvested in the first experiment, where we harvested the spleen, which had negligible burdens; one additional representative experiment is shown in Figure 7—figure supplement 1A–B), line representing mean ± SD, n=10 (cecum, fecal) or 5 (MLN) mice per condition. Two-way repeated measure ANOVA n.s. p>0.05, ****p<0.0001. (B) Individual burdens of vector and pWSK29 or FliCON from (A). Paired vector and StrainON data from each mouse are connected by a line. Two-way repeated measure ANOVA n.s. p>0.05, *p<0.05, ***p<0.001, ****p<0.0001. (C) Competitive index infection of WT mice infected with either SspH1SS-HA or BIDON. Ratio of vector to either SspH1SS-HA or BIDON is graphed. Data is combined from two independent experiments, line representing mean ± SD, n=10 mice per condition. Two-way repeated measure ANOVA n.s. p>0.05, ****p<0.0001. (D) Individual burdens of vector and SspH1SS-HA or BIDON from (C). Paired vector and StrainON data from each mouse are connected by a line. Two-way repeated measure ANOVA n.s. p>0.05, **p<0.01, ****p<0.0001. (E) Schematic demonstrating the ability of pyroptotic or apoptotic signaling to lead to clearance of engineered S. Typhimurium in either intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) or macrophages.

Figure 7—figure supplement 1
Clearance of FliCON in the cecum is NLRC4-dependent.

(A–B) Mice were orally treated with 20 mg streptomycin, and 24 hr later orally infected with 1 × 107 CFUs total bacteria comprised of a 1:1 ratio of FliCON and vector control S. Typhimurium, all on a flgB mutant background. Bacterial burdens in the cecum, mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN), and fecal samples were determined at 48 hpi. (A) Competitive index is graphed as a ratio of vector to FliCON. Data from one independent experiment, line representing mean ± SD, n=3–5 mice per condition. Two-way repeated measure ANOVA n.s. p>0.05, *p<0.05, **p<0.01, ****p<0.0001. (B) Individual burdens of vector and FliCON from (A). Paired vector and FliCON data from each mouse are connected by a line. Two-way repeated measure ANOVA n.s. p>0.05, ****p<0.0001.(C–D) Mice were infected with a 1:1 ratio of KanR BIDON and SspH1SS-HA vector control S. Typhimurium. Mice were infected with 5 × 102 CFU of each strain. Bacterial burdens in the spleen were determined at 48 hpi. (C) Competitive index infection of WT mice infected with KanR BIDON. Ratio of SspH1SS-HA vector to KanR BIDON is graphed. Data is combined from two independent experiments, line representing mean ± SD, n=10 mice. (D) Individual burdens of SspH1SS-HA vector and KanR BIDON from (C). Paired SspH1SS-HA vector and KanR BIDON data from each mouse are connected by a line. Paired t-test **p<0.01.

Tables

Key resources table
Reagent type (species) or resourceDesignationSource or referenceIdentifiersAdditional information
gene (Mus musculus)BidNCBINM_007544.4 AA79-102 (BH3 domain) used for plasmid construction
gene (Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium)SspH1GenBankACY87967.1 AA1-137 (secretion signal) used for plasmid construction
strain, strain background (Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, 14028s) WT Gift from Samuel I. Miller
strain, strain background (Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, SL1344)flgB Gift from Kelly T. Hughes
strain, strain background (Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, CS401)flgC ΔprgH-K Gift from Kelly T. Hughes
strain, strain background (Mus musculus, C57BL/6 J) WT Jax and Miao lab colony, Jax stock No. 000664 Colony bred WT mice were always used in experiments with colony bred knockout mice. Jax-purchased mice were only used in experiments having only WT mice from Jax.
strain, strain background (Mus musculus, C57BL/6 J)Mrp8-cre Miao lab colony, Jax stock No. 021614
strain, strain background (Mus musculus, C57BL/6 J)Lyz2tm1(cre)Ifo (common name LysM-cre) Miao lab colony, Jax stock No. 004781
strain, strain background (Mus musculus, C57BL/6 J)Casp1fl/fl Miao lab colony, Hu et al., 2016
strain, strain background (Mus musculus, C57BL/6 J)Casp1–/– Miao lab colony, Rauch et al., 2017
strain, strain background (Mus musculus, C57BL/6 J)Casp1–/– Casp11129mt/129mt (referred to as Casp1/11–/–) Miao lab colony, Kuida et al., 1995
strain, strain background (Mus musculus, C57BL/6 J)Gsdmd–/– Miao lab colony, Rauch et al., 2017
strain, strain background (Mus musculus, C57BL/6 J)Nlrc4–/– Miao lab colony, Mariathasan et al., 2004
strain, strain background (Mus musculus, C57BL/6 J)Bid–/– Miao lab colony, Yin et al., 1999
strain, strain background (Mus musculus, C57BL/6 J)Il1b/Il18–/– Miao lab colony, Shornick et al., 1996; Takeda et al., 1998
strain, strain background (Mus musculus, C57BL/6 J)Pycard–/–Gsdmd–/– (referred to as Pycard/Gsdmd–/–) Miao lab colony, crossed in this paper Produced by crossing Pycard–/– (also known as Asc–/–) (Mariathasan et al., 2004) and Gsdmd–/– mice
strain, strain background (Mus musculus, C57BL/6 J)Bid–/–Gsdmd–/– (referred to as Bid/Gsdmd–/–) Miao lab colony, crossed in this paper Produced by crossing Bid–/–and Gsdmd–/– mice
antibodyRabbit anti- cytochrome c monoclonal antibody Cell Signaling Technology11940Western blot 1:750 dilution
antibodyRabbit anti-GAPDH polyclonal antibody AbcamAb9485Western blot 1:10,000 dilution
antibodyRabbit anti-VDAC monoclonal antibody Cell Signaling Technology4661Western blot 1:750 dilution
antibodyRabbit anti-cleaved caspase-8 monoclonal antibody Cell Signaling Technology8592Western blot 1:1000 dilution
antibodyRat anti-BID monoclonal antibody R&DMAB860Western blot 1:500 dilution
antibodyMouse anti-caspase-9 monoclonal antibody Cell Signaling Technology9508Western blot 1:750 dilution
antibodyRabbit anti-cleaved caspase-7 polyclonal antibody Cell Signaling Technology9491Western blot 1:1000 dilution
antibodyRabbit anti-cleaved caspase-3 polyclonal antibody Cell Signaling Technology9661Western blot 1:750 dilution
antibodyRabbit anti-gasdermin D monoclonal antibody AbcamAb209845Western blot 1:1000 dilution
antibodyMouse anti-HA.11 monoclonal antibody BiolegendMMS-101RWestern blot 1:2000 dilution
antibodyGoat anti-rabbit polyclonal antibody Cell Signaling Technology7074Western blot secondary 1:2000 dilution
antibodyGoat anti-rat polyclonal antibody Jackson ImmunoResearch112-035-062Western blot secondary 1:10,000 dilution
antibodyGoat anti-mouse polyclonal antibody Jackson ImmunoResearch115-035-062Western blot secondary 1:10,000 dilution
recombinant DNA reagent pWSK29 (“Vector”)Wang and Kushner, 1991 See “Materials and methods, Table 1”
recombinant DNA reagentpWSK129 (“Vector”)Wang and Kushner, 1991 See “Materials and methods, Table 1”
recombinant DNA reagentpDM001 (“FliCON”)Miao et al., 2010a See “Materials and methods, Table 1”
recombinant DNA reagentpTA007 (“BIDON”) This paper See “Materials and methods, Table 1”
recombinant DNA reagentpTA021 (“SspH1SS-HA”) This paper See “Materials and methods, Table 1”
recombinant DNA reagentpWSK229 (“CamR Vector”) This paper See “Materials and methods, Table 1”
recombinant DNA reagentpTA015 (“KanR FliCON”) This paper See “Materials and methods, Table 1”
recombinant DNA reagentpTA016 (“KanR BIDON”) This paper See “Materials and methods, Table 1”
commercial assay or kit Pierce ECL ThermoFisher Scientific32106
commercial assay or kit SuperSignal West Pico PLUS ECL ThermoFisher Scientific34580
commercial assay or kit SuperSignal West Femto ECL ThermoFisher Scientific34095
commercial assay or kit CytoTox 96 LDH assay PromegaG1780
software, algorithm Prism 9 GraphPad
Other Hoechst 33342 ThermoFisherH3570 Immuno-flourescence, used at 2 µg/ml
Other Propidium Iodide Sigma-AldrichP4864 Immuno-flourescence, used at 1 µg/ml
Other NucView-488 Biotium10402 Immuno-flourescence, used at 5 µM
Table 1
Plasmids.
PlasmidsAliasResistanceNotesReference
pWSK29VectorAmpLow copy vectorWang and Kushner, 1991
pWSK129VectorKanLow copy vectorWang and Kushner, 1991
pDM1FliCONAmppWSK29 expressing fliC fliS from sseJ promotorMiao et al., 2010a
pTA007BIDON or AmpR BIDONAmppWSK29 expressing sspH1SS-HA-mBIDBH3 from sseJ promotorThis work
pTA021SspH1SS-HAAmppWSK29 expressing sspH1SS-HA from sseJ promotorThis work
pWSK229CamR VectorCamLow copy vectorThis work
pTA015KanR FliCONKanpWSK129 expressing fliC fliS from sseJ promotorThis work
pTA016KanR BIDONKanpWSK129 expressing sspH1SS-HA-mBIDBH3 from sseJ promotorThis work

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  1. Taylor J Abele
  2. Zachary P Billman
  3. Lupeng Li
  4. Carissa K Harvest
  5. Alexia K Bryan
  6. Gabrielle R Magalski
  7. Joseph P Lopez
  8. Heather N Larson
  9. Xiao-Ming Yin
  10. Edward A Miao
(2023)
Apoptotic signaling clears engineered Salmonella in an organ-specific manner
eLife 12:RP89210.
https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.89210.3