The outer membrane protein Tp92 of Treponema pallidum delays human neutrophil apoptosis via the ERK, PI3K/Akt, and NF-κB pathways.
Mol Microbiol
; 120(5): 684-701, 2023 11.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-37718557
ABSTRACT
Syphilis is a persistent sexually transmitted disease caused by infiltration of the elusive pathogen Treponema pallidum. Despite the prevalence of human polymorphonuclear neutrophils (hPMNs) within cutaneous lesions, which are characteristic of incipient syphilis, their role in T. pallidum infection remains unclear. Tp92 is the only T. pallidum helical outer membrane protein that exhibits structural features similar to those of outer membrane proteins in other gram-negative bacteria. However, the functional mechanism of this protein in immune cells remains unclear. Neutrophils are short-lived cells that undergo innate apoptosis in response to external stimuli that typically influence this process. In this study, we determined that Tp92 impedes the activation of procaspase-3 via the ERK MAPK, PI3K/Akt, and NF-κB signaling pathways, consequently suppressing caspase-3 activity within hPMNs, and thereby preventing hPMNs apoptosis. Furthermore, Tp92 could also modulate hPMNs apoptosis by enhancing the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Mcl-1, stimulating IL-8 secretion, and preserving the mitochondrial membrane potential. These findings provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying T. pallidum infection and suggest potential therapeutic targets for syphilis treatment.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Sífilis
/
FN-kappa B
Tipo de estudio:
Risk_factors_studies
Límite:
Humans
Idioma:
En
Año:
2023
Tipo del documento:
Article