Transcriptomics uncovers outer membrane remodeling as conserved strategy for Burkholderia cenocepacia survival in protozoan and macrophage phagosomes
Bacterivorous protists expose bacteria to hostile stress conditions that resemble those encountered within macrophage phagosomes and may therefore act as training grounds for bacterial pathogens. However, the mechanisms enabling bacterial survival within protozoan phagosomes remain poorly understood. Here we characterized the transcriptome of the opportunistic pathogen Burkholderia cenocepacia…
Burkholderia cenocepacia, an opportunistic pathogen, exhibits a remarkable survival strategy within protozoan phagosomes. This survival is achieved through a series of coordinated responses that include metabolic reprogramming, stress response activation, and outer membrane remodeling. The outer membrane, a critical barrier, undergoes remodeling to maintain its integrity and repair any phagosomal damage.
Disrupting antioxidant defenses, the RpoE-dependent envelope stress response, the Mla pathway, and other proteins essential for outer membrane integrity severely hampers B. cenocepacia's ability to survive in both protozoa and macrophages. This adaptive strategy not only ensures the bacterium's survival but also enhances its resistance to chlorhexidine and improves its adhesion to collagen and human lung epithelial cells.
The findings suggest that protozoan phagosomes can prime bacteria for increased resistance and colonization potential, thereby linking adaptation to environmental predators with survival in the human host.
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