RESUMO
Objective:To investigate the changes in adaptive phenotypes of Yersinia pestis ( Yp) during successive passages in macrophages. Methods:A Yp strain of 201-MI was induced by 50 successive passages of Yp 201 strain in Raw264.7 cells. Phenotypic characteristics of 201 and 201-MI strains were compared by analyzing their survival rates in macrophages, growth curves, biofilm formation abilities, acid and hydrogen peroxide-stress tolerance, and virulence to mammal cells (Raw264.7 and HeLa cells) and mice. Results:Comparing with 201 strain, 201-MI strain showed various phenotypic changes, including higher survival rate in Raw264.7 cells, faster growth in iron-deficient medium, higher tolerance to acid and hydrogen peroxide, decreased biofilm formation ability, and less damages to Raw264.7 and HeLa cells. More-over, 201-MI strain showed decreased virulence to mice in both subcutaneous and intraperitoneal challenges. Preliminary comparative genomics analysis revealed some indel and nonsense mutations in 201-MI strain, which might account for its phenotype changes.Conclusions:After successive passages in macrophages, Yp showed some phenotypic changes, which might reflect its adaptive evolution under the pressure of macrophages. Detailed multi-omics analysis would be of great help to understand the underlying genetic mechanisms of these changes, and the related Yp-macrophage interaction processes as well.