Phenotypic and genomic comparison of Mycobacterium aurum and surrogate model species to Mycobacterium tuberculosis: implications for drug discovery.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and represents one of the major challenges facing drug discovery initiatives worldwide. The considerable rise in bacterial drug resistance in recent years has led to the need of new drugs and drug regimens. Model systems are regularly used to speed-up the drug discovery process and circumvent biosafety issues associated with manipulating M. tuberculosis. These include the use of strains such as Mycobacterium smegmatis and Mycobacterium marinum that can be handled in biosafety level 2 facilities, making high-throughput screening feasible. However, each of these model species have their own limitations. RESULTS: We report and describe the first complete genome sequence of Mycobacterium aurum ATCC23366, an environmental mycobacterium that can also grow in the gut of humans and animals as part of the microbiota. This species shows a comparable resistance profile to that of M. tuberculosis for several anti-TB drugs. The aims of this study were to (i) determine the drug resistance profile of a recently proposed model species, Mycobacterium aurum, strain ATCC23366, for anti-TB drug discovery as well as Mycobacterium smegmatis and Mycobacterium marinum (ii) sequence and annotate the complete genome sequence of this species obtained using Pacific Bioscience technology (iii) perform comparative genomics analyses of the various surrogate strains with M. tuberculosis (iv) discuss how the choice of the surrogate model used for drug screening can affect the drug discovery process. CONCLUSIONS: We describe the complete genome sequence of M. aurum, a surrogate model for anti-tuberculosis drug discovery. Most of the genes already reported to be associated with drug resistance are shared between all the surrogate strains and M. tuberculosis. We consider that M. aurum might be used in high-throughput screening for tuberculosis drug discovery. We also highly recommend the use of different model species during the drug discovery screening process.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis exploits the formation of new blood vessels for its dissemination.

The mechanisms by which the airborne pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis spreads within the lung and leaves its primary niche to colonize other organs, thus inducing extrapulmonary forms of tuberculosis (TB) in humans, remains poorly understood. Herein, we used a transcriptomic approach to investigate the host cell gene expression profile in M. tuberculosis-infected human macrophages (ΜΦ). We identified 33 genes, encoding proteins involved in angiogenesis, for which the expression was significantly modified during infection, and we show that the potent angiogenic factor VEGF is secreted by M. tuberculosis-infected ΜΦ, in an RD1-dependent manner. In vivo these factors promote the formation of blood vessels in murine models of the disease. Inhibiting angiogenesis, via VEGF inactivation, abolished mycobacterial spread from the infection site. In accordance with our in vitro and in vivo results, we show that the level of VEGF in TB patients is elevated and that endothelial progenitor cells are mobilized from the bone marrow. These results strongly strengthen the most recent data suggesting that mycobacteria take advantage of the formation of new blood vessels to disseminate.

Ecto-5'-Nucleotidase (CD73) Deficiency in Mycobacterium tuberculosis-Infected Mice Enhances Neutrophil Recruitment.

The immune system needs safeguards that prevent collateral tissue damage mediated by the immune system while enabling an effective response against a pathogen. The purinergic pathway is one such mechanism and finely modulates inflammation by sensing nucleotides in the environment. Extracellular ATP is considered to be a danger signal leading to a proinflammatory response, whereas adenosine is immunosuppressive. CD73, also called ecto-5'-nucleotidase, occupies a strategic position in this pathway, as it is the main enzyme responsible for the generation of adenosine from ATP. Here, we explore the role of CD73 during tuberculosis, a disease characterized by an immune response that is harmful to the host and unable to eradicate Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Using CD73 knockout (KO) mice, we found that CD73 regulates the response to M. tuberculosis infection in vitro and in vivo. Mycobacterium-infected murine macrophages derived from CD73 KO mice secrete more keratinocyte chemoattractant (KC), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) and release less vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) upon ATP stimulation than do those derived from wild-type (WT) mice. In vivo, CD73 limits the early influx of neutrophils to the lungs without affecting bacterial growth and dissemination. Collectively, our results support the view that CD73 fine-tunes antimycobacterial immune responses.

Genetic basis for the biosynthesis of methylglucose lipopolysaccharides in Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Mycobacteria produce two unusual polymethylated polysaccharides, the 6-O-methylglucosyl-containing lipopolysaccharides (MGLP) and the 3-O-methylmannose polysaccharides, which have been shown to regulate fatty acid biosynthesis in vitro. A cluster of genes dedicated to the synthesis of MGLP was identified in Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium smegmatis. Overexpression of the putative glycosyltransferase gene Rv3032 in M. smegmatis greatly stimulated MGLP production, whereas the targeted disruption of Rv3032 in M. tuberculosis and that of the putative methyltransferase gene MSMEG2349 in M. smegmatis resulted in a dramatic reduction in the amounts of MGLP synthesized and in the accumulation of precursors of these molecules. Disruption of Rv3032 also led to a significant decrease in the glycogen content of the tubercle bacillus, indicating that the product of this gene is likely to be involved in the elongation of more than one alpha-(1-->4)-glucan in this bacterium. Results thus suggest that Rv3032 encodes the alpha-(1-->4)-glucosyltransferase responsible for the elongation of MGLP, whereas MSMEG2349 encodes the O-methyltransferase required for the 6-O-methylation of these compounds.

Comparative investigation of the pathogenicity of three Mycobacterium tuberculosis mutants defective in the synthesis of p-hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives.

p-Hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives (p-HBADs) are glycoconjugates secreted by all Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates whose contribution to pathogenicity remains to be determined. The pathogenicity of three transposon mutants of M. tuberculosis deficient in the biosynthesis of some or all forms of p-HBADs was studied. Whilst the mutants grew similarly to the wild-type strain in macrophages and C57BL/6 mice, two of the mutants induced a more severe and diffuse inflammation in the lungs. The lack of production of some or all forms of p-HBADs in these two mutants also correlated with an increased secretion of the pro-inflammatory cytokines tumour-necrosis factor alpha, interleukin 6 and interleukin 12 in vivo. We propose that the loss of production of p-HBADs by tubercle bacilli results in their diminished ability to suppress the pro-inflammatory response to infection and that this ultimately provokes extensive pulmonary lesions in the C57BL/6 model of tuberculosis infection.

DC-SIGN induction in alveolar macrophages defines privileged target host cells for mycobacteria in patients with tuberculosis.

BACKGROUND: Interplays between Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the etiological agent of tuberculosis (TB) in human and host professional phagocytes, namely macrophages (Mphis) and dendritic cells (DCs), are central to immune protection against TB and to TB pathogenesis. We and others have recently shown that the C-type lectin dendritic cell-specific intercellular adhesion molecule-3 grabbing nonintegrin (DC-SIGN; CD209) mediates important interactions between mycobacteria and human monocyte-derived DCs (MoDCs) in vitro. METHODS AND FINDINGS: In order to explore the possible role of DC-SIGN in M. tuberculosis infection in vivo, we have analysed DC-SIGN expression in broncho-alveolar lavage (BAL) cells from patients with TB (n = 40) or with other non-mycobacterial lung pathologies, namely asthma (n = 14) and sarcoidosis (n = 11), as well as from control individuals (n = 9). We show that in patients with TB, up to 70% of alveolar Mphis express DC-SIGN. By contrast, the lectin is barely detected in alveolar Mphis from all other individuals. Flow cytometry, RT-PCR, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay analyses of BAL-derived fluids and cells indicated that M. tuberculosis infection induces DC-SIGN expression in alveolar Mphis by a mechanism that is independent of Toll-like receptor-4, interleukin (IL)-4, and IL-13. This mechanism most likely relies on the secretion of soluble host and/or mycobacterial factors that have yet to be identified, as both infected and uninfected bystander Mphis were found to express DC-SIGN in the presence of M. tuberculosis. Immunohistochemical examination of lung biopsy samples from patients with TB showed that the bacilli concentrate in pulmonary regions enriched in DC-SIGN-expressing alveolar Mphis in vivo. Ex vivo binding and inhibition of binding experiments further revealed that DC-SIGN-expressing alveolar Mphis constitute preferential target cells for M. tuberculosis, as compared to their DC-SIGN- counterparts. In contrast with what has been reported previously in MoDCs in vitro, ex vivo DC-SIGN ligation by mycobacterial products failed to induce IL-10 secretion by alveolar Mphis, and IL-10 was not detected in BALs from patients with TB. CONCLUSION: Altogether, our results provide further evidence for an important role of DC-SIGN during TB in humans. DC-SIGN induction in alveolar Mphis may have important consequences on lung colonization by the tubercle bacillus, and on pulmonary inflammatory and immune responses in the infected host.

Evaluation from start to finish: Incorporating comprehensive assessment into a training program for public health professionals.

This article examines the role of a comprehensive evaluation process in the context of a program to enhance use of the Internet by public health professionals. The Public Health Information Link for Nevada incorporated training and Web site development into a program to raise levels of awareness and competence of the public health professional. Evaluation played a key and ongoing role in the planning and implementation phases and made a marked contribution to the overall effectiveness of the project. Evaluation contributed to the ability to make midprogram adjustments, thereby enhancing user satisfaction and confidence. Participant evaluations indicated significant improvement in self-perceived competence in utilizing the Internet for job-related activities. The authors conclude that the effort to integrate evaluation in an ongoing manner is balanced by the value of continuous feedback. A Web site review checklist, which will be useful to public health professionals who are developing new Web sites, is appended.

Promoting self-directed learning for continuing medical education.

Self-directed delivery modes for continuing medical education (CME) are the most effective approaches for improving physician performance. However, instructor-directed programs are still the most popular methods used for CME. The purpose of the study was to assess the utilization, preferences and barriers to use of nine different CME delivery methods by physicians. A self-administered survey of all licensed physicians in Nevada was conducted over a three-month period. Results were analyzed using SPSS for windows (version 10). In-person conferences (92%) and journal review (64%) were the most frequently utilized modes of instruction. Rural physicians were more likely to use interactive video. The top three ranked preferences were in-person conference, print-based self-study and CD-ROM. It is concluded that computer training, dedicated time in the workplace for self-directed methods, and the development of more interactive CD-ROM and Internet programs will encourage the use of self-directed CME.

New choices for continuing education: a statewide survey of the practices and preferences of nurse practitioners.

Technological innovations in the past decade have made possible several promising new modes for delivering continuing education (CE). Offering a wide variety of educational approaches is necessary to satisfy the different learning needs and preferences of program participants. Continuing education planners need to assess the preferences and practices of Advanced Practitioners of Nursing (APNs) when choosing the modes they will offer for delivering CE programs. A survey was conducted with the entire population of licensed APNs in Nevada to assess practices, preferences, and barriers to use of various CE delivery modes. In-person conferences and live satellite conferences were the most frequently used methods. The top three preferences, in rank order, were in-person conference, print-based self-study, and interactive video conference. Live satellite conference was the least preferred method of earning CE credits. Computer-based modes of CE delivery, which include the Internet and CD-ROM, were among the least used. Findings from this study provide useful information for planners of CE programs for APNs. Data acquired in this study also address the dearth of information related to computer use by APNs for obtaining CE.

Using focus groups to guide development of a public health Web site.

This paper explores a project funded through the National Network of Libraries of Medicine to enhance effective use of the Internet by public health professionals. The processes and outcome of an effort to develop a statewide Web site for public health professionals are described. A series of focus groups was conducted as a preliminary data-gathering tool to evaluate the information needs of the target population. Results of the focus group provided a valuable framework upon which to build a successful schema for Web site development.