IFNs Modify the Proteome of Legionella-Containing Vacuoles and Restrict Infection Via IRG1-Derived Itaconic Acid

Naujoks, Jan; Tabeling, Christoph; Dill, Brian D.; Hoffmann, Christine; Brown, Andrew S.; Kunze, Mareike; Kempa, Stefan; Peter, Andrea; Mollenkopf, Hans-Joachim; Dorhoi, Anca; Kershaw, Olivia; Gruber, Achim D.; Sander, Leif E.; Witzenrath, Martin; Herold, Susanne; Nerlich, Andreas; Hocke, Andreas C.; Driel, Ian van; Suttorp, Norbert; Bedoui, Sammy; Hilbi, Hubert; Trost, Matthias; Opitz, Bastian (2016): IFNs Modify the Proteome of Legionella-Containing Vacuoles and Restrict Infection Via IRG1-Derived Itaconic Acid.
In: PLOS Pathogens 12(2), e1005408

Abstract

Macrophages can be niches for bacterial pathogens or antibacterial effector cells depending on the pathogen and signals from the immune system. Here we show that type I and II IFNs are master regulators of gene expression during Legionella pneumophila infection, and activators of an alveolar macrophage-intrinsic immune response that restricts bacterial growth during pneumonia. Quantitative mass spectrometry revealed that both IFNs substantially modify Legionella-containing vacuoles, and comparative analyses reveal distinct subsets of transcriptionally and spatially IFN-regulated proteins. Immune-responsive gene (IRG) 1 is induced by IFNs in mitochondria that closely associate with Legionella-containing vacuoles, and mediates production of itaconic acid. This metabolite is bactericidal against intravacuolar L. pneumophila as well as extracellular multidrug-resistant Gram-positive and -negative bacteria. Our study explores the overall role IFNs play in inducing substantial remodeling of bacterial vacuoles and in stimulating production of IRG1-derived itaconic acid which targets intravacuolar pathogens. IRG1 or its product itaconic acid might be therapeutically targetable to fight intracellular and drug-resistant bacteria.

• Item Type: Journal article
• Faculties: Medicine > Adolf Butenandt Institute
• Subjects: 600 Technology > 610 Medicine and health
• ISSN: 1553-7366
• Language: English