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1.
Commun Biol ; 7(1): 551, 2024 May 08.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38720110

Fusobacterium nucleatum, a gram-negative oral bacterium, has been consistently validated as a strong contributor to the progression of several types of cancer, including colorectal (CRC) and pancreatic cancer. While previous in vitro studies have shown that intracellular F. nucleatum enhances malignant phenotypes such as cell migration, the dependence of this regulation on features of the tumor microenvironment (TME) such as oxygen levels are wholly uncharacterized. Here we examine the influence of hypoxia in facilitating F. nucleatum invasion and its effects on host responses focusing on changes in the global epigenome and transcriptome. Using a multiomic approach, we analyze epigenomic alterations of H3K27ac and global transcriptomic alterations sustained within a hypoxia and normoxia conditioned CRC cell line HCT116 at 24 h following initial infection with F. nucleatum. Our findings reveal that intracellular F. nucleatum activates signaling pathways and biological processes in host cells similar to those induced upon hypoxia conditioning in the absence of infection. Furthermore, we show that a hypoxic TME favors F. nucleatum invasion and persistence and therefore infection under hypoxia may amplify malignant transformation by exacerbating the effects induced by hypoxia alone. These results motivate future studies to investigate host-microbe interactions in tumor tissue relevant conditions that more accurately define parameters for targeted cancer therapies.


Colorectal Neoplasms , Epigenome , Fusobacterium Infections , Fusobacterium nucleatum , Oxygen , Transcriptome , Humans , Fusobacterium nucleatum/genetics , Fusobacterium nucleatum/physiology , Fusobacterium nucleatum/pathogenicity , Colorectal Neoplasms/genetics , Colorectal Neoplasms/microbiology , Colorectal Neoplasms/metabolism , Colorectal Neoplasms/pathology , HCT116 Cells , Fusobacterium Infections/genetics , Fusobacterium Infections/microbiology , Fusobacterium Infections/metabolism , Oxygen/metabolism , Tumor Microenvironment/genetics , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
2.
Virulence ; 15(1): 2350904, 2024 12.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38725098

Fusobacterium nucleatum (F. nucleatum) is closely correlated with tumorigenesis in colorectal cancer (CRC). We aimed to investigate the effects of host norepinephrine on the carcinogenicity of F. nucleatum in CRC and reveal the underlying mechanism. The results revealed that both norepinephrine and bacterial quorum sensing (QS) molecule auto-inducer-2 (AI-2) were positively associated with the progression of F. nucleatum related CRC (p < 0.01). In vitro studies, norepinephrine induced upregulation of QS-associated genes and promoted the virulence and proliferation of F. nucleatum. Moreover, chronic stress significantly increased the colon tumour burden of ApcMin/+ mice infected with F. nucleatum (p < 0.01), which was decreased by a catecholamine inhibitor (p < 0.001). Our findings suggest that stress-induced norepinephrine may promote the progression of F. nucleatum related CRC via bacterial QS signalling. These preliminary data provide a novel strategy for the management of pathogenic bacteria by targeting host hormones-bacterial QS inter-kingdom signalling.


Colorectal Neoplasms , Fusobacterium nucleatum , Norepinephrine , Quorum Sensing , Signal Transduction , Quorum Sensing/drug effects , Fusobacterium nucleatum/pathogenicity , Fusobacterium nucleatum/drug effects , Fusobacterium nucleatum/physiology , Animals , Colorectal Neoplasms/microbiology , Norepinephrine/pharmacology , Mice , Humans , Disease Progression , Fusobacterium Infections/microbiology , Virulence , Homoserine/analogs & derivatives , Homoserine/metabolism , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Male , Lactones
3.
Int J Mol Sci ; 25(10)2024 May 07.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38791123

Periodontitis is linked to the onset and progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), an epidemiologically frequent and clinically aggressive malignancy. In this context, Fusobacterium (F.) nucleatum and Porphyromonas (P.) gingivalis, two bacteria that cause periodontitis, are found in OSCC tissues as well as in oral premalignant lesions, where they exert pro-tumorigenic activities. Since the two bacteria are present also in endodontic diseases, playing a role in their pathogenesis, here we analyze the literature searching for information on the impact that endodontic infection by P. gingivalis or F. nucleatum could have on cellular and molecular events involved in oral carcinogenesis. Results from the reviewed papers indicate that infection by P. gingivalis and/or F. nucleatum triggers the production of inflammatory cytokines and growth factors in dental pulp cells or periodontal cells, affecting the survival, proliferation, invasion, and differentiation of OSCC cells. In addition, the two bacteria and the cytokines they induce halt the differentiation and stimulate the proliferation and invasion of stem cells populating the dental pulp or the periodontium. Although most of the literature confutes the possibility that bacteria-induced endodontic inflammatory diseases could impact on oral carcinogenesis, the papers we have analyzed and discussed herein recommend further investigations on this topic.


Fusobacterium Infections , Fusobacterium nucleatum , Mouth Neoplasms , Porphyromonas gingivalis , Humans , Porphyromonas gingivalis/pathogenicity , Fusobacterium nucleatum/pathogenicity , Mouth Neoplasms/microbiology , Mouth Neoplasms/pathology , Fusobacterium Infections/microbiology , Fusobacterium Infections/complications , Carcinogenesis , Bacteroidaceae Infections/microbiology , Bacteroidaceae Infections/complications , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/microbiology , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/etiology , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/pathology , Periodontitis/microbiology , Animals , Cytokines/metabolism
4.
World J Gastroenterol ; 30(14): 2018-2037, 2024 Apr 14.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38681125

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks among the most prevalent malignant tumors globally. Recent reports suggest that Fusobacterium nucleatum (F. nucleatum) contributes to the initiation, progression, and prognosis of CRC. Butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid derived from the bacterial fermentation of soluble dietary fiber, is known to inhibit various cancers. This study is designed to explore whether F. nucleatum influences the onset and progression of CRC by impacting the intestinal metabolite butyric acid. AIM: To investigate the mechanism by which F. nucleatum affects CRC occurrence and development. METHODS: Alterations in the gut microbiota of BALB/c mice were observed following the oral administration of F. nucleatum. Additionally, DLD-1 and HCT116 cell lines were exposed to sodium butyrate (NaB) and F. nucleatum in vitro to examine the effects on proliferative proteins and mitochondrial function. RESULTS: Our research indicates that the prevalence of F. nucleatum in fecal samples from CRC patients is significantly greater than in healthy counterparts, while the prevalence of butyrate-producing bacteria is notably lower. In mice colonized with F. nucleatum, the population of butyrate-producing bacteria decreased, resulting in altered levels of butyric acid, a key intestinal metabolite of butyrate. Exposure to NaB can impair mitochondrial morphology and diminish mitochondrial membrane potential in DLD-1 and HCT116 CRC cells. Consequently, this leads to modulated production of adenosine triphosphate and reactive oxygen species, thereby inhibiting cancer cell proliferation. Additionally, NaB triggers the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway, blocks the cell cycle in HCT116 and DLD-1 cells, and curtails the proliferation of CRC cells. The combined presence of F. nucleatum and NaB attenuated the effects of the latter. By employing small interfering RNA to suppress AMPK, it was demonstrated that AMPK is essential for NaB's inhibition of CRC cell proliferation. CONCLUSION: F. nucleatum can promote cancer progression through its inhibitory effect on butyric acid, via the AMPK signaling pathway.


Butyric Acid , Cell Proliferation , Colorectal Neoplasms , Feces , Fusobacterium nucleatum , Gastrointestinal Microbiome , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Animals , Colorectal Neoplasms/microbiology , Colorectal Neoplasms/pathology , Colorectal Neoplasms/metabolism , Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects , Butyric Acid/pharmacology , Butyric Acid/metabolism , Humans , Mice , Feces/microbiology , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , HCT116 Cells , Male , Mitochondria/metabolism , Mitochondria/drug effects , Fusobacterium Infections/microbiology , Disease Models, Animal , Cell Line, Tumor , Female , Disease Progression , Dysbiosis , Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial/drug effects
5.
Int J Mol Sci ; 25(8)2024 Apr 11.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38673822

Complex microbial communities have been reported to be involved in endodontic infections. The microorganisms invade the dental pulp leading to pulpitis and initiating pulp inflammation. Fusobacterium nucleatum is a dominant bacterium implicated in both primary and secondary endodontic infections. Drugs targeting the molecular machinery of F. nucleatum will minimize pulp infection. LpxA and LpxD are early acyltransferases involved in the formation of lipid A, a major component of bacterial membranes. The identification of leads which exhibit preference towards successive enzymes in a single pathway can also prevent the development of bacterial resistance. A stringent screening strategy utilizing physicochemical and pharmacokinetic parameters along with a virtual screening approach identified two compounds, Lomefloxacin and Enoxacin, with good binding affinity towards the early acyltransferases LpxA and LpxD. Lomefloxacin and Enoxacin, members of the fluoroquinolone antibiotic class, exhibit wide-ranging activity against diverse bacterial strains. Nevertheless, their effectiveness in the context of endodontic treatment requires further investigation. This study explored the potential of Lomefloxacin and Enoxacin to manage endodontic infections via computational analysis. Moreover, the compounds identified herein serve as a foundation for devising novel combinatorial libraries with enhanced efficacy for endodontic therapeutic strategies.


Anti-Bacterial Agents , Fusobacterium nucleatum , Lipopolysaccharides , Fusobacterium nucleatum/drug effects , Fusobacterium nucleatum/metabolism , Humans , Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Anti-Bacterial Agents/chemistry , Lipopolysaccharides/metabolism , Molecular Docking Simulation , Computer Simulation , Fusobacterium Infections/drug therapy , Fusobacterium Infections/microbiology , Enoxacin/pharmacology , Bacterial Proteins/metabolism , Pulpitis/drug therapy , Pulpitis/metabolism , Pulpitis/microbiology
6.
ACS Infect Dis ; 10(5): 1612-1623, 2024 May 10.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38597503

Fusobacterium nucleatum, a pathobiont inhabiting the oral cavity, contributes to opportunistic diseases, such as periodontal diseases and gastrointestinal cancers, which involve microbiota imbalance. Broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents, while effective against F. nucleatum infections, can exacerbate dysbiosis. This necessitates the discovery of more targeted narrow-spectrum antimicrobial agents. We therefore investigated the potential for the fusobacterial enoyl-ACP reductase II (ENR II) isoenzyme FnFabK (C4N14_ 04250) as a narrow-spectrum drug target. ENRs catalyze the rate-limiting step in the bacterial fatty acid synthesis pathway. Bioinformatics revealed that of the four distinct bacterial ENR isoforms, F. nucleatum specifically encodes FnFabK. Genetic studies revealed that fabK was indispensable for F. nucleatum growth, as the gene could not be deleted, and silencing of its mRNA inhibited growth under the test conditions. Remarkably, exogenous fatty acids failed to rescue growth inhibition caused by the silencing of fabK. Screening of synthetic phenylimidazole analogues of a known FabK inhibitor identified an inhibitor (i.e., 681) of FnFabK enzymatic activity and F. nucleatum growth, with an IC50 of 2.1 µM (1.0 µg/mL) and a MIC of 0.4 µg/mL, respectively. Exogenous fatty acids did not attenuate the activity of 681 against F. nucleatum. Furthermore, FnFabK was confirmed as the intracellular target of 681 based on the overexpression of FnFabK shifting MICs and 681-resistant mutants having amino acid substitutions in FnFabK or mutations in other genetic loci affecting fatty acid biosynthesis. 681 had minimal activity against a range of commensal flora, and it was less active against streptococci in physiologic fatty acids. Taken together, FnFabK is an essential enzyme that is amenable to drug targeting for the discovery and development of narrow-spectrum antimicrobial agents.


Anti-Bacterial Agents , Fusobacterium nucleatum , Fusobacterium nucleatum/enzymology , Fusobacterium nucleatum/drug effects , Fusobacterium nucleatum/genetics , Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Anti-Bacterial Agents/chemistry , Humans , Enoyl-(Acyl-Carrier-Protein) Reductase (NADH)/genetics , Enoyl-(Acyl-Carrier-Protein) Reductase (NADH)/antagonists & inhibitors , Enoyl-(Acyl-Carrier-Protein) Reductase (NADH)/metabolism , Microbial Sensitivity Tests , Bacterial Proteins/genetics , Bacterial Proteins/metabolism , Bacterial Proteins/antagonists & inhibitors , Fatty Acids/chemistry , Fusobacterium Infections/microbiology , Fusobacterium Infections/drug therapy , Enzyme Inhibitors/pharmacology , Enzyme Inhibitors/chemistry
8.
Free Radic Biol Med ; 220: 125-138, 2024 Aug 01.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38657754

Fusobacterium (F.) nucleatum is a carcinogenesis microbiota in colorectal cancer (CRC). Growing evidence shows that F. nucleatum contributes to chemoresistance. Ferroptosis is reported to restore the susceptibility of resistant cells to chemotherapy. However, the role of gut microbiota affecting ferroptosis in chemoresistance remains unclear. Here, we examined the CRC tissues of patients using 16S rRNA sequencing to investigate the possible connection between gut microbiota dysbiosis and the relapse of CRC. We found that a high abundance of F. nucleatum in CRC tissue is associated with relapse. We further demonstrated that F. nucleatum induced oxaliplatin resistance in vitro and in vivo. The transcriptome of an F. nucleatum-infected cell revealed ferroptosis was associated with F. nucleatum infection. We perform malondialdehyde, ferrous iron, and glutathione assays to verify the effect of F. nucleatum on ferroptosis under oxaliplatin treatment in vivo and in vitro. Mechanistically, F. nucleatum promoted oxaliplatin resistance by overexpressing GPX4 and then inhibiting ferroptosis. E-cadherin/ß-catenin/TCF4 pathway conducted the GPX4 overexpression effect of F. nucleatum. The chromatin immuno-precipitation quantitative PCR (CHIP-qPCR) and dual-luciferase reporter assay showed that F. nucleatum promoted TCF4 binding with GPX4. We also determined the E-cadherin/ß-catenin/TCF4/GPX4 axis related to tumor tissue F. nucleatum status and CRC relapse clinically. Here, we revealed the contribution of F. nucleatum to oxaliplatin resistance by inhibiting ferroptosis in CRC. Targeting F. nucleatum and ferroptosis will provide valuable insight into chemoresistance management and may improve outcomes for patients with CRC.


Cadherins , Colorectal Neoplasms , Drug Resistance, Neoplasm , Ferroptosis , Fusobacterium nucleatum , Gastrointestinal Microbiome , Oxaliplatin , Phospholipid Hydroperoxide Glutathione Peroxidase , beta Catenin , Ferroptosis/drug effects , Ferroptosis/genetics , Humans , Colorectal Neoplasms/pathology , Colorectal Neoplasms/microbiology , Colorectal Neoplasms/drug therapy , Colorectal Neoplasms/metabolism , Colorectal Neoplasms/genetics , Cadherins/metabolism , Cadherins/genetics , Oxaliplatin/pharmacology , beta Catenin/metabolism , beta Catenin/genetics , Phospholipid Hydroperoxide Glutathione Peroxidase/metabolism , Phospholipid Hydroperoxide Glutathione Peroxidase/genetics , Animals , Fusobacterium nucleatum/pathogenicity , Mice , Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects , Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/drug effects , Male , Antigens, CD/metabolism , Antigens, CD/genetics , Female , Cell Line, Tumor , Fusobacterium Infections/microbiology , Fusobacterium Infections/drug therapy , Fusobacterium Infections/metabolism , Fusobacterium Infections/genetics , Fusobacterium Infections/pathology , Dysbiosis/microbiology , Transcription Factor 4/metabolism , Transcription Factor 4/genetics , Mice, Nude
9.
Cells ; 13(8)2024 Apr 20.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38667331

Gynecological and obstetric infectious diseases are crucial to women's health. There is growing evidence that links the presence of Fusobacterium nucleatum (F. nucleatum), an anaerobic oral commensal and potential periodontal pathogen, to the development and progression of various human diseases, including cancers. While the role of this opportunistic oral pathogen has been extensively studied in colorectal cancer in recent years, research on its epidemiological evidence and mechanistic link to gynecological diseases (GDs) is still ongoing. Thus, the present review, which is the first of its kind, aims to undertake a comprehensive and critical reappraisal of F. nucleatum, including the genetics and mechanistic role in promoting adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs) and various GDs, including cancers. Additionally, this review discusses new conceptual advances that link the immunomodulatory role of F. nucleatum to the development and progression of breast, ovarian, endometrial, and cervical carcinomas through the activation of various direct and indirect signaling pathways. However, further studies are needed to explore and elucidate the highly dynamic process of host-F. nucleatum interactions and discover new pathways, which will pave the way for the development of better preventive and therapeutic strategies against this pathobiont.


Fusobacterium nucleatum , Pregnancy Outcome , Humans , Female , Fusobacterium nucleatum/pathogenicity , Pregnancy , Fusobacterium Infections/complications , Fusobacterium Infections/microbiology , Genital Diseases, Female/microbiology , Neoplasms/microbiology
10.
BMC Infect Dis ; 24(1): 218, 2024 Feb 19.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38373919

BACKGROUND: Fusobacterium necrophorum (F. necrophorum)-induced necrotizing pneumonia is a rare but severe pulmonary infection. Insufficient microbiological detection methods can lead to diagnostic difficulties. METHODS: We report a case of F. necrophorum lung abscess diagnosed by next-generation sequencing (NGS) of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). RESULTS: BALF-NGS detected F. necrophorum, guiding subsequent targeted antibiotic therapy. With active drainage and metronidazole treatment, the patient's condition was effectively treated. CONCLUSION: BALF-NGS is a valuable tool for the rapid diagnosis of infections caused by difficult-to-culture bacteria. It played a decisive role in the early identification of F. necrophorum, enabling timely and targeted antibiotic intervention. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are crucial for the management of F. necrophorum pneumonia.


Fusobacterium Infections , Lung Abscess , Humans , Fusobacterium , Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid , Lung Abscess/diagnosis , Lung Abscess/drug therapy , Fusobacterium Infections/diagnosis , Fusobacterium Infections/drug therapy , Fusobacterium Infections/microbiology , Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use , Fusobacterium necrophorum , High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing
11.
Anaerobe ; 86: 102831, 2024 Apr.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38369049

Tonsillar Fusobacterium necrophorum PCR Ct-values were higher in participants with asymptomatic tonsillar carriage than patients with pharyngeal infections. However, Ct-values were not associated with severity of disease or predictive of development of complications and hence lacked clinical usefulness. The reporting of F. necrophorum Ct-values in clinical samples is not recommended.


Fusobacterium Infections , Fusobacterium necrophorum , Palatine Tonsil , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Humans , Fusobacterium necrophorum/genetics , Fusobacterium necrophorum/isolation & purification , Fusobacterium Infections/microbiology , Fusobacterium Infections/diagnosis , Male , Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods , Female , Adult , Middle Aged , Palatine Tonsil/microbiology , Young Adult , Adolescent , Aged , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , Carrier State/microbiology , Carrier State/diagnosis
12.
Carbohydr Polym ; 329: 121797, 2024 Apr 01.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38286561

The abundance of Fusobacterium nucleatum (F. nucleatum) is highly associated with the development and poor prognosis of colorectal cancer (CRC), which is regarded as a promising target for CRC. However, until now, the novel strategy to clear F. nucleatum in the colon and CRC has not been well proposed. Herein, a probiotic strain Enterococcus faecium (E. faecium, EF47) is verified to secrete various organic acids and bacteriocins to exert superior antimicrobial activity towards F. nucleatum. However, the oral delivery of EF47 is affected by the complex digestive tract environment, so we design the hyaluronic acid-inulin (HA-IN) coated EF47 for colon-targeted delivery to fight F. nucleatum. IN can protect EF47 from the harsh gastrointestinal tract environment and is degraded specifically in the colon, acting as prebiotics to further promote the proliferation of EF47. The exposed HA can also enhance the targeting effect to the tumor area via the interaction with the CD44 receptor on the tumor cells, which is confirmed to increase the adhesive ability in tumor tissues and inhibit the growth of F. nucleatum. Therefore, this colon-targeted delivery system provides a novel platform to realize high-activity and adhesive delivery of probiotics to assist the therapeutic efficiency of CRC.


Colorectal Neoplasms , Enterococcus faecium , Fusobacterium Infections , Humans , Fusobacterium nucleatum , Colorectal Neoplasms/pathology , Hyaluronic Acid/pharmacology , Inulin , Fusobacterium Infections/complications , Fusobacterium Infections/microbiology
13.
Infect Disord Drug Targets ; 24(4): 53-57, 2024.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38178665

Background: Infections caused by anaerobic bacteria occur frequently and can be serious and life-threatening. Anaerobes are a rare cause of community-acquired pneumonia with Streptococcus pneumonia and respiratory viruses being the most frequently detected pathogens. We, herein, report a case of Fusobacterium/Peptostreptococcus parapneumonic effusion with empyema in a patient without risk factors for aspiration pneumonia. This case presents an opportunity to discuss an unusual case of community-acquired empyema secondary to anaerobic infection in a patient without the common risk factors for aspiration.

Case Presentation: A 59-year-old male patient without significant past medical history apart from a twenty-five-year history of smoking presented due to left flank pain and shortness of breath. Findings of a complicated parapneumonic effusion were found on imaging, resulting in surgical decortication and prolonged antibiotic therapy.

Discussion: Parapneumonic effusions and empyema are relatively common complications of pneumonia. It is important to note that the incidence of anaerobic empyema has been on the rise due to more modern culturing techniques.

Conclusion: This case highlights an unusual presentation of community-acquired empyema secondary to anaerobes without any risk factors for aspiration pneumonia. Therefore, clinicians should consider the possibility of anaerobic coverage in the treatment of community-acquired empyema in the appropriate setting.

.


Anti-Bacterial Agents , Community-Acquired Infections , Fusobacterium , Peptostreptococcus , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use , Community-Acquired Infections/microbiology , Community-Acquired Infections/drug therapy , Peptostreptococcus/isolation & purification , Fusobacterium/isolation & purification , Empyema, Pleural/microbiology , Empyema, Pleural/drug therapy , Empyema/microbiology , Fusobacterium Infections/drug therapy , Fusobacterium Infections/microbiology , Fusobacterium Infections/complications , Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections/drug therapy , Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections/microbiology
14.
Mol Oral Microbiol ; 39(1): 1-11, 2024 Feb.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38171827

Breast cancer is among the most prevalent malignancies in women worldwide. Epidemiological findings suggested that periodontal diseases may be associated with breast cancer, among which Fusobacterium nucleatum is considered an important cross-participant. In this work, we comprehensively summarize the known mechanisms of how F. nucleatum translocates to, colonizes in mammary tumors, and promotes the carcinogenesis. Specifically, F. nucleatum translocates to mammary tissue through the mammary-intestinal axis, direct nipple contact, and hematogenous transmission. Subsequently, F. nucleatum takes advantage of fusobacterium autotransporter protein 2 to colonize breast cancer and uses virulence factors fusobacterium adhesin A and lipopolysaccharide to promote proliferation. Moreover, the upregulated matrix metalloproteinase-9 induced by F. nucleatum does not only trigger the inflammatory response but also facilitates the tumor-promoting microenvironment. Aside from the pro-inflammatory effect, F. nucleatum may also be engaged in tumor immune evasion, which is achieved through the action of virulence factors on immune checkpoint receptors highly expressed on T cells, natural killer cells, and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. Taking breast cancer as an example, more relevant research studies may expand our current knowledge of how oral microbes affect systemic health. Hopefully, exploring these mechanisms in depth could provide new strategies for safer and more effective biologic and targeted therapies targeted at breast cancer.


Breast Neoplasms , Colorectal Neoplasms , Fusobacterium Infections , Humans , Female , Fusobacterium nucleatum/metabolism , Colorectal Neoplasms/metabolism , Colorectal Neoplasms/pathology , Adhesins, Bacterial/metabolism , Virulence Factors/metabolism , Fusobacterium Infections/microbiology , Fusobacterium Infections/pathology , Tumor Microenvironment
15.
Auris Nasus Larynx ; 51(2): 320-322, 2024 Apr.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38042699

Mycoplasma hominis is a bacterium that colonizes the genital tract of some females and males, as well as their respiratory tracts. Although only two cases of deep neck infection have been reported, the associations between the onset and sexual intercourse have not been reported. A healthy 19-year-old female was diagnosed with a left peritonsillar abscess. The patient had sexual intercourse with a new partner, including oral sex, two days prior to symptom onset. It was not known whether the male partner had urethritis symptoms. M. hominis and Fusobacterium necrophorum were isolated from the abscess culture. The patient's condition improved after drainage, and sulbactam ampicillin was switched to oral clindamycin.


Fusobacterium Infections , Peritonsillar Abscess , Female , Humans , Male , Young Adult , Adult , Peritonsillar Abscess/drug therapy , Fusobacterium necrophorum , Mycoplasma hominis , Fusobacterium Infections/drug therapy , Fusobacterium Infections/diagnosis , Fusobacterium Infections/microbiology , Sexual Behavior , Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use
16.
Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis ; 43(3): 423-433, 2024 Mar.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38112966

PURPOSE: Anaerobic bacteria, existing on human skin and mucous membranes, can cause severe infections with complications or mortality. We examined the clinical characteristics of patients infected with Fusobacterium spp. and assessed their antibiotic susceptibility. METHODS: Clinical data were collated from patients diagnosed with Fusobacterium infections in a Japanese university hospital between 2014 and 2023. Antibiotic susceptibility tests were conducted following the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. RESULTS: We identified 299 Fusobacterium isolates. The median age was 61 years (range, 14-95 years), with females constituting 43.1% of the patients. Most infections were community-acquired (84.6%, 253/299). Multiple bacterial strains were isolated simultaneously in 74.6% of cases. One-fourth of the patients had solid organ malignancies (25.4%, 76/299), and 14.5% (11/76) of those had colorectal cancer. The 30-day mortality rate was 1.3%. Fusobacterium species were isolated from blood cultures in 6% (18/299) of the patients. Patients, aged 75 years or older, with cerebrovascular disease or hematologic malignancy exhibited significantly higher prevalence of blood culture isolates in univariate analysis. Each Fusobacterium species had its characteristic infection site. Approximately 5% F. nucleatum and F. necrophorum isolates showed penicillin G resistance. Moxifloxacin resistance was observed in varying degrees across strains, ranging from 4.6 to 100% of isolates. All isolates were sensitive to ß-lactam/ß-lactamase inhibitors, carbapenems, and metronidazole. CONCLUSION: We show a link between Fusobacterium species and solid organ malignancies. We observed resistance to penicillin, cefmetazole, clindamycin, and moxifloxacin, warranting caution in their clinical use. This study offers valuable insights for managing Fusobacterium infections and guiding empirical treatments.


Fusobacterium Infections , Neoplasms , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Fusobacterium , Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use , Moxifloxacin , Japan/epidemiology , Microbial Sensitivity Tests , Fusobacterium Infections/epidemiology , Fusobacterium Infections/microbiology , Hospitals
17.
BMJ Case Rep ; 16(12)2023 Dec 14.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38097280

Pyogenic liver abscesses are potentially fatal conditions that require prompt treatment with drainage and appropriate antimicrobial therapy. Fusobacterium necrophorum is a gram-negative rod that is found in the oral cavity, gastrointestinal tract and female genital tract. It is an extremely rare cause of liver abscess, particularly in the absence of risk factors or exposures. We describe an unusual case of a cryptogenic F. necrophorum hepatic abscess without a clear source despite extensive investigation in a young, immunocompetent patient without known risk factors or exposures for such an infection.


Fusobacterium Infections , Liver Abscess, Pyogenic , Humans , Female , Liver Abscess, Pyogenic/diagnosis , Liver Abscess, Pyogenic/drug therapy , Liver Abscess, Pyogenic/microbiology , Fusobacterium necrophorum , Fusobacterium Infections/diagnosis , Fusobacterium Infections/drug therapy , Fusobacterium Infections/microbiology , Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use , Drainage
18.
J Transl Med ; 21(1): 704, 2023 10 09.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37814323

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common malignant tumor. Fusobacterium nucleatum (F. nucleatum) is overabundant in CRC and associated with metastasis, but the role of F. nucleatum in CRC cell migration and metastasis has not been fully elucidated. METHODS: Differential gene analysis, protein-protein interaction, robust rank aggregation analysis, functional enrichment analysis, and gene set variation analysis were used to figure out the potential vital genes and biological functions affected by F. nucleatum infection. The 16S rDNA sequencing and q-PCR were used to detect the abundance of F. nucleatum in tissues and stools. Then, we assessed the effect of F. nucleatum on CRC cell migration by wound healing and transwell assays, and confirmed the role of Matrix metalloproteinase 7 (MMP7) induced by F. nucleatum in cell migration. Furthermore, we dissected the mechanisms involved in F. nucleatum induced MMP7 expression. We also investigated the MMP7 expression in clinical samples and its correlation with prognosis in CRC patients. Finally, we screened out potential small molecular drugs that targeted MMP7 using the HERB database and molecular docking. RESULTS: F. nucleatum infection altered the gene expression profile and affected immune response, inflammation, biosynthesis, metabolism, adhesion and motility related biological functions in CRC. F. nucleatum was enriched in CRC and promoted the migration of CRC cell by upregulating MMP7 in vitro. MMP7 expression induced by F. nucleatum infection was mediated by the MAPK(JNK)-AP1 axis. MMP7 was highly expressed in CRC and correlated with CMS4 and poor clinical prognosis. Small molecular drugs such as δ-tocotrienol, 3,4-benzopyrene, tea polyphenols, and gallic catechin served as potential targeted therapeutic drugs for F. nucleatum induced MMP7 in CRC. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that F. nucleatum promoted metastasis-related characteristics of CRC cell by upregulating MMP7 via MAPK(JNK)-AP1 axis. F. nucleatum and MMP7 may serve as potential therapeutic targets for repressing CRC advance and metastasis.


Colorectal Neoplasms , Fusobacterium Infections , Humans , Fusobacterium nucleatum/genetics , Matrix Metalloproteinase 7/genetics , Colorectal Neoplasms/pathology , Molecular Docking Simulation , Fusobacterium Infections/complications , Fusobacterium Infections/diagnosis , Fusobacterium Infections/microbiology
19.
J Control Release ; 363: 43-56, 2023 11.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37734673

The gut microbiota is closely associated with the progression of colorectal cancer (CRC) in which Fusobacterium nucleatum (F. nucleatum) was found to induce cancer resistance to chemotherapeutics. To relieve F. nucleatum-induced drug resistance, herein, we found that short-chain fatty acid butyrate can inhibit the growth, enrichment and adhesion of F. nucleatum in colorectal cancer tissues by downregulating the expression of adhesion-associated outer membrane proteins, including RadD, FomA, and FadA, to reduce the colonization and invasion of F. nucleatum and relieve the chemoresistance induced by F. nucleatum. Leveraging the killing effect of butyrate on F. nucleatum, sodium butyrate (NaBu) was encapsulated in liposomes or prepared as NaBu tablets with Eudragit S100 coating and administered by intravenous injection or oral administration, respectively. Interestingly, both intravenous administration of NaBu liposomes and oral delivery of NaBu tablets could effectively inhibit the proliferation of F. nucleatum and significantly improve the therapeutic efficacy of oxaliplatin in mice with subcutaneous colorectal tumors, orthotopic colorectal tumors and even spontaneously formed colorectal tumors. Thus, our work provides a simple but effective formulation of NaBu to relieve F. nucleatum-induced chemoresistance, exhibiting ideal clinical application prospects.


Colorectal Neoplasms , Fusobacterium Infections , Animals , Mice , Fusobacterium nucleatum/metabolism , Butyrates , Drug Resistance, Neoplasm , Liposomes/metabolism , Fusobacterium Infections/complications , Fusobacterium Infections/metabolism , Fusobacterium Infections/microbiology , Colorectal Neoplasms/drug therapy , Colorectal Neoplasms/metabolism
20.
Infect Immun ; 91(8): e0010223, 2023 08 16.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37404144

Fusobacterium nucleatum colonization contributes to the occurrence of portal vein thrombosis in patients with gastric cancer (GC). However, the underlying mechanism by which F. nucleatum promotes thrombosis remains unclear. In this study, we recruited a total of 91 patients with GC and examined the presence of F. nucleatum in tumor and adjacent non-tumor tissues by fluorescence in situ hybridization and quantitative PCR. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) were detected by immunohistochemistry. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) were extracted from the peripheral blood and proteins in the EVs were identified by mass spectrometry (MS). HL-60 cells differentiated into neutrophils were used to package engineered EVs to imitate the EVs released from NETs. Hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) and K562 cells were used for megakaryocyte (MK) in vitro differentiation and maturation to examine the function of EVs. We observed that F. nucleatum-positive patients had increased NET and platelet counts. EVs from F. nucleatum-positive patients could promote the differentiation and maturation of MKs and had upregulated 14-3-3 proteins, especially 14-3-3ε. 14-3-3ε upregulation promoted MK differentiation and maturation in vitro. HPCs and K562 cells could receive 14-3-3ε from the EVs, which interacted with GP1BA and 14-3-3ζ to trigger PI3K-Akt signaling. In conclusion, we identified for the first time that F. nucleatum infection promotes NET formation, which releases EVs containing 14-3-3ε. These EVs could deliver 14-3-3ε to HPCs and promote their differentiation into MKs via activation of PI3K-Akt signaling.


Extracellular Vesicles , Fusobacterium Infections , Stomach Neoplasms , Humans , Fusobacterium nucleatum/metabolism , In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence , 14-3-3 Proteins/genetics , 14-3-3 Proteins/metabolism , Megakaryocytes/metabolism , Megakaryocytes/pathology , Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism , Fusobacterium Infections/metabolism , Fusobacterium Infections/microbiology , Fusobacterium Infections/pathology , Extracellular Vesicles/metabolism
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