Host-Derived Lipids from Tuberculous Pleurisy Impair Macrophage Microbicidal-Associated Metabolic Activity.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) regulates the macrophage metabolic state to thrive in the host, yet the responsible mechanisms remain elusive. Macrophage activation toward the microbicidal (M1) program depends on the HIF-1α-mediated metabolic shift from oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) toward glycolysis. Here, we ask whether a tuberculosis (TB) microenvironment changes the M1 macrophage metabolic state. We expose M1 macrophages to the acellular fraction of tuberculous pleural effusions (TB-PEs) and find lower glycolytic activity, accompanied by elevated levels of OXPHOS and bacillary load, compared to controls. The eicosanoid fraction of TB-PE drives these metabolic alterations. HIF-1α stabilization reverts the effect of TB-PE by restoring M1 metabolism. Furthermore, Mtb-infected mice with stabilized HIF-1α display lower bacillary loads and a pronounced M1-like metabolic profile in alveolar macrophages (AMs). Collectively, we demonstrate that lipids from a TB-associated microenvironment alter the M1 macrophage metabolic reprogramming by hampering HIF-1α functions, thereby impairing control of Mtb infection.

Fatty acid oxidation of alternatively activated macrophages prevents foam cell formation, but Mycobacterium tuberculosis counteracts this process via HIF-1α activation.

The ability of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) to persist inside host cells relies on metabolic adaptation, like the accumulation of lipid bodies (LBs) in the so-called foamy macrophages (FM), which are favorable to Mtb. The activation state of macrophages is tightly associated to different metabolic pathways, such as lipid metabolism, but whether differentiation towards FM differs between the macrophage activation profiles remains unclear. Here, we aimed to elucidate whether distinct macrophage activation states exposed to a tuberculosis-associated microenvironment or directly infected with Mtb can form FM. We showed that the triggering of signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6) in interleukin (IL)-4-activated human macrophages (M(IL-4)) prevents FM formation induced by pleural effusion from patients with tuberculosis. In these cells, LBs are disrupted by lipolysis, and the released fatty acids enter the ß-oxidation (FAO) pathway fueling the generation of ATP in mitochondria. Accordingly, murine alveolar macrophages, which exhibit a predominant FAO metabolism, are less prone to become FM than bone marrow derived-macrophages. Interestingly, direct infection of M(IL-4) macrophages with Mtb results in the establishment of aerobic glycolytic pathway and FM formation, which could be prevented by FAO activation or inhibition of the hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α)-induced glycolytic pathway. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that Mtb has a remarkable capacity to induce FM formation through the rewiring of metabolic pathways in human macrophages, including the STAT6-driven alternatively activated program. This study provides key insights into macrophage metabolism and pathogen subversion strategies.

The Cholinergic System Contributes to the Immunopathological Progression of Experimental Pulmonary Tuberculosis.

The cholinergic system is present in both bacteria and mammals and regulates inflammation during bacterial respiratory infections through neuronal and non-neuronal production of acetylcholine (ACh) and its receptors. However, the presence of this system during the immunopathogenesis of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) in vivo and in its causative agent Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) has not been studied. Therefore, we used an experimental model of progressive pulmonary TB in BALB/c mice to quantify pulmonary ACh using high-performance liquid chromatography during the course of the disease. In addition, we performed immunohistochemistry in lung tissue to determine the cellular expression of cholinergic system components, and then administered nicotinic receptor (nAChR) antagonists to validate their effect on lung bacterial burden, inflammation, and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Finally, we subjected Mtb cultures to colorimetric analysis to reveal the production of ACh and the effect of ACh and nAChR antagonists on Mtb growth. Our results show high concentrations of ACh and expression of its synthesizing enzyme choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) during early infection in lung epithelial cells and macrophages. During late progressive TB, lung ACh upregulation was even higher and coincided with ChAT and α7 nAChR subunit expression in immune cells. Moreover, the administration of nAChR antagonists increased pro-inflammatory cytokines, reduced bacillary loads and synergized with antibiotic therapy in multidrug resistant TB. Finally, in vitro studies revealed that the bacteria is capable of producing nanomolar concentrations of ACh in liquid culture. In addition, the administration of ACh and nicotinic antagonists to Mtb cultures induced or inhibited bacterial proliferation, respectively. These results suggest that Mtb possesses a cholinergic system and upregulates the lung non-neuronal cholinergic system, particularly during late progressive TB. The upregulation of the cholinergic system during infection could aid both bacterial growth and immunomodulation within the lung to favor disease progression. Furthermore, the therapeutic efficacy of modulating this system suggests that it could be a target for treating the disease.

Bacterial RNA Contributes to the Down-Modulation of MHC-II Expression on Monocytes/Macrophages Diminishing CD4+ T Cell Responses.

Brucella abortus, the causative agent of brucellosis, displays many resources to evade T cell responses conducive to persist inside the host. Our laboratory has previously showed that infection of human monocytes with B. abortus down-modulates the IFN-γ-induced MHC-II expression. Brucella outer membrane lipoproteins are structural components involved in this phenomenon. Moreover, IL-6 is the soluble factor that mediated MHC-II down-regulation. Yet, the MHC-II down-regulation exerted by lipoproteins was less marked than the one observed as consequence of infection. This led us to postulate that there should be other components associated with viable bacteria that may act together with lipoproteins in order to diminish MHC-II. Our group has recently demonstrated that B. abortus RNA (PAMP related to pathogens' viability or vita-PAMP) is involved in MHC-I down-regulation. Therefore, in this study we investigated if B. abortus RNA could be contributing to the down-regulation of MHC-II. This PAMP significantly down-modulated the IFN-γ-induced MHC-II surface expression on THP-1 cells as well as in primary human monocytes and murine bone marrow macrophages. The expression of other molecules up-regulated by IFN-γ (such as co-stimulatory molecules) was stimulated on monocytes treated with B. abortus RNA. This result shows that this PAMP does not alter all IFN-γ-induced molecules globally. We also showed that other bacterial and parasitic RNAs caused MHC-II surface expression down-modulation indicating that this phenomenon is not restricted to B. abortus. Moreover, completely degraded RNA was also able to reproduce the phenomenon. MHC-II down-regulation on monocytes treated with RNA and L-Omp19 (a prototypical lipoprotein of B. abortus) was more pronounced than in monocytes stimulated with both components separately. We also demonstrated that B. abortus RNA along with its lipoproteins decrease MHC-II surface expression predominantly by a mechanism of inhibition of MHC-II expression. Regarding the signaling pathway, we demonstrated that IL-6 is a soluble factor implicated in B. abortus RNA and lipoproteins-triggered MHC-II surface down-regulation. Finally, CD4+ T cells functionality was affected as macrophages treated with these components showed lower antigen presentation capacity. Therefore, B. abortus RNA and lipoproteins are two PAMPs that contribute to MHC-II down-regulation on monocytes/macrophages diminishing CD4+ T cell responses.

PD-1/PD-L1 Pathway Modulates Macrophage Susceptibility to Mycobacterium tuberculosis Specific CD8+ T cell Induced Death.

CD8+T cells contribute to tuberculosis (TB) infection control by inducing death of infected macrophages. Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection is associated with increased PD-1/PD-L1 expression and alternative activation of macrophages. We aimed to study the role of PD-1 pathway and macrophage polarization on Mtb-specific CD8+T cell-induced macrophage death. We observed that both PD-L1 on CD14+ cells and PD-1 on CD8+T cells were highly expressed at the site of infection in pleurisy TB patients' effusion samples (PEMC). Moreover, a significant increase in CD8+T cells' Mtb-specific degranulation from TB-PEMC vs. TB-PBMC was observed, which correlated with PD-1 and PDL-1 expression. In an in vitro model, M1 macrophages were more susceptible to Mtb-specific CD8+T cells' cytotoxicity compared to M2a macrophages and involved the transfer of cytolytic effector molecules from CD8+T lymphocytes to target cells. Additionally, PD-L1 blocking significantly increased the in vitro Ag-specific CD8+T cell cytotoxicity against IFN-γ-activated macrophages but had no effect over cytotoxicity on IL-4 or IL-10-activated macrophages. Interestingly, PD-L1 blocking enhanced Mtb-specific CD8+ T cell killing of CD14+ cells from human tuberculous pleural effusion samples. Our data indicate that PD-1/PD-L1 pathway modulates antigen-specific cytotoxicity against M1 targets in-vitro and encourage the exploration of checkpoint blockade as new adjuvant for TB therapies.

Formation of Foamy Macrophages by Tuberculous Pleural Effusions Is Triggered by the Interleukin-10/Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 Axis through ACAT Upregulation.

The ability of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) to persist in its human host relies on numerous immune evasion strategies, such as the deregulation of the lipid metabolism leading to the formation of foamy macrophages (FM). Yet, the specific host factors leading to the foamy phenotype of Mtb-infected macrophages remain unknown. Herein, we aimed to address whether host cytokines contribute to FM formation in the context of Mtb infection. Our approach is based on the use of an acellular fraction of tuberculous pleural effusions (TB-PE) as a physiological source of local factors released during Mtb infection. We found that TB-PE induced FM differentiation as observed by the increase in lipid bodies, intracellular cholesterol, and expression of the scavenger receptor CD36, as well as the enzyme acyl CoA:cholesterol acyl transferase (ACAT). Importantly, interleukin-10 (IL-10) depletion from TB-PE prevented the augmentation of all these parameters. Moreover, we observed a positive correlation between the levels of IL-10 and the number of lipid-laden CD14+ cells among the pleural cells in TB patients, demonstrating that FM differentiation occurs within the pleural environment. Downstream of IL-10 signaling, we noticed that the transcription factor signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 was activated by TB-PE, and its chemical inhibition prevented the accumulation of lipid bodies and ACAT expression in macrophages. In terms of the host immune response, TB-PE-treated macrophages displayed immunosuppressive properties and bore higher bacillary loads. Finally, we confirmed our results using bone marrow-derived macrophage from IL-10-/- mice demonstrating that IL-10 deficiency partially prevented foamy phenotype induction after Mtb lipids exposure. In conclusion, our results evidence a role of IL-10 in promoting the differentiation of FM in the context of Mtb infection, contributing to our understanding of how alterations of the host metabolic factors may favor pathogen persistence.

Parásitos patógenos en arena de playa y su relación con condiciones ambientales, en un balneario de Puerto Cabello, Venezuela, 2012-2013 / Pathogens parasites in sand beach and it´s relation to environmental conditions in a beach from Puerto Cabello, Venezuela, 2012-2013

Venezuela, presenta una gran variedad de playas frecuentadas durante todo el año, por lo que legalmente se establece un monitoreo permanente de niveles de contaminación para su clasificación "apta" o no para bañistas. Sin embargo, esto no contempla la evaluación parasitológica en la arena de playa como criterio para la referida clasificación. Por ello, la presencia de sólo una forma parasitaria patógena indica que existe contaminación fecal dado por personas, animales o acúmulo de basura a lo largo del balneario; además de la influencia de las características geográficas y ambientales en el desarrollo de los parásitos. Esta investigación tuvo como objetivo determinar la presencia de formas parasitarias patógenas para el hombre como indicadores de contaminación fecal en un balneario en Puerto Cabello. Se recolectaron 110 muestras de arena durante un año en diferentes puntos geográficos seleccionados intencionalmente abarcando la extensión de la ensenada, registrándose: temporadas pre o post vacacionales, humedad relativa de la arena, punto geográfico de muestreo y estación climática. Se realizaron los métodos de Lavado con solución salina 0,85%, Rugai modificado y Willis. Resultados: 25% de muestras fueron positivas para parásitos patógenos, distribuyéndose: larvas rabditoides (8,33%) y filarioides (2,08%) de Strongyloides spp., huevos (2,08%) y larvas rabditoides (12,49%) de Anquilostomideos, huevo de Toxocara spp. (4,17%) y Ooquiste de Isospora belli (2,08%), poniendo en evidencia la contaminación fecal de origen animal y humano. Se espera que investigaciones como éstas fomenten la elaboración de normativas de control sanitario y programas de evaluación de niveles de contaminación parasitaria en arena de playa.

A large number of beaches in Venezuela are visited throughout the year, and there is a legal system in place whereby these beaches are monitored and classified as suitable or not for bathing. However, the presence of parasites in the sand on the beaches is not evaluated as part of this classification The presence of only one pathogenic parasite on a beach indicates fecal contamination either by humans, animals or the accumulation of trash, in addition to geographical and environmental characteristics which could influence the development of the parasites. The aim of this study was to determine the presence of parasites pathogenic to humans as indicators of fecal contamination on a beach in Puerto Cabello. A total of 110 sand samples were collected over one year at different geographic locations selected to cover the entire bay area. Samples were registered as collected during the pre or post-holiday seasons, and the relative moisture of the sand, geographic location and season were also noted. Parasites were collected by washing with 0.85% saline solution, and tested using the Rugai method modified by Willis. Overall, 25% of samples showed positive for the parasites as follows: Strongyloides spp.: rhabditoid (8.33%) and filarioid (2.08%) larvae, Ancylostoma spp.: eggs (2.08%) and rhabditoid larvae (12.49%), Toxocara spp.: eggs (4.17%) and Isospora belli: oocysts (2.08%), indicating extensive fecal contamination from both human and animal sources. We hope that investigations such as this will lead to the establishment of hygiene standards and programs for monitoring the levels of parasitic contamination on sandy beaches.