Exploring novel virulence strategies in Escherichia coli

• Grant number: 17/14821-7
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• Start date: November 01, 2019
• End date: October 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Microbiology - Biology and Physiology of Microorganisms
• Principal Investigator: Tânia Aparecida Tardelli Gomes do Amaral
• Grantee: Tânia Aparecida Tardelli Gomes do Amaral
• Host Institution: Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São Paulo. São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• City of the host institution: São Paulo
• Principal investigators: Rodrigo Tavanelli Hernandes ; Rosa Maria Silva ; Roxane Maria Fontes Piazza ; Waldir Pereira Elias Junior
• Associated researchers: Ana Carolina de Mello Santos Gheller ; Angela Silva Barbosa ; Beatriz Ernestina Cabilio Guth ; Cecilia Mari Abe ; Emiliano Fernando Navarro Garcia ; Fernanda Fernandes dos Santos ; Mônica Aparecida Midolli Vieira ; Rita de Cássia Ruiz ; Terezinha Knöbl
• Associated research grant(s): 25/08949-7 - 77th Annual Meeting of the German Society for Hygiene and Microbiology (DGHM), AR.EXT
• Associated scholarship(s): 25/06479-3 - Investigation of the variability of type 1 pili in biofilm formation and aggregative adherence pattern in atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli isolates, BP.IC; 24/13700-5 - Dissecting the virulence of an enteropathogenic/enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EPEC/EAEC) Hybrid isolate, BP.DR; 24/06044-4 - Chain-like adherence (CLA): an adherence pattern produced by enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) and mediated by the aggregative adherence fimbria IV (AAF/IV)?, BP.MS; + associated scholarships 24/18112-4 - Research on Pathogenicity Island markers, phylogenetic typing and in Escherichia coli strains of different pathotypes, BP.TT; 24/03219-8 - Investigation of the potential association between a novel autotransporter adhesin (Ema: extracelular matrix-binding autotransporter) and the aggregative adherence fimbriae II (AAF/II) on biofilm formation by enteroaggregative Escherichia coli isolates., BP.IC; 23/01700-8 - Role of the type II toxin-antitoxin system in the bacterial pathogenesis of a hybrid strain: atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli and extraintestinal E. coli, BP.DR; 23/10536-7 - Comparative analysis of isolates belonging to the O3:H2 serotype isolated from different sites of infeccion, and evaluation of the role of AAF/I in the urothelial cells infeccion, BP.MS; 23/10391-9 - Prevalence and phenotypic analysis of the type II toxin-antitoxin (TA) system in Shiga toxin producing Escherichia coli (STEC) strains, BP.IC; 23/04219-9 - Frequency of adhesin-encoding genes and their association with the aggregative adherence pattern (AA) and biofilm formation phenotypes in enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC), BP.IC; 23/03097-7 - Standardization and validation of ex vivo rabbit intestinal loop and in vitro mucinolytic activity assays for investigation of mucus induction and mucinase production during infection with pathogenic Escherichia coli strains, BP.TT; 22/08132-2 - Exploring the pathogenic metamorphosis of Escherichia coli of serotype O3:H2 associated with human infections, BP.DR; 22/16795-1 - Prevalence, molecular characterization and pathogenic potential of hybrid pathogenic Escherichia coli isolates obtained from urinary tract infections, BP.IC; 22/16106-1 - Role of the toxin-antitoxin (TA) system in the virulence and persistence of STEC, BP.TT; 23/00034-4 - Purification of the autotransporter proteins Vat and, BP.TT; 22/12006-2 - Role of cytokines in modulating the induction of mucus production by atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (aEPEC) strains in intestinal cells in vitro, BP.PD; 21/14854-8 - Study on the role of the serine protease Tsh on innate immune system evasion and the pathogenesis of Sepsis caused by Escherichia coli, BP.DR; 22/02861-2 - Role of the autotransporter protein VAT (Vacuolating Autotransporter Toxin) in the pathogenesis of Sepsis caused by Escherichia coli, BP.PD; 21/12754-6 - Evaluation of the co-production of distinct known diarrheagenic Escherichia coli adhesins and a novel autotransporter adhesin identified in atypical enteropathogenic E. coli of serotype O2:H16, BP.IC; 21/04948-5 - Purification of the autotransporter proteins Vat and Tsh, BP.TT - associated scholarships

Abstract

Escherichia coli are characterized by harboring both commensal and / or symbiotic strains, as well as strains that are pathogenic to the intestinal and extraintestinal sites of humans and warm-blooded animals. This plurality of behavior is due, on the one hand, to the fact that most of its virulence determinants are encoded in mobile genetic elements and, on the other hand, the extreme permissiveness of E. coli in acquiring DNA via HGT (Horizontal Gene Transfer). Recent reports on the emergence of hybrid strains, that is, strains that combine virulence factors classically associated with specific pathotypes, as well as evidence of E. coli plasticity, demonstrate that there are many gaps to be filled in understanding the pathogenicity of this species. This project aims to advance the knowledge of different E. coli virulence strategies and to exceed the borders currently established in the definition of the different pathotypes. In this sense, we intend to: explore the the role of different adhesins in the interaction of pathogenic E. coli in different cell models, evaluate the implication of toxin-antitoxin systems on virulence and bacterial persistence in the host, study the role of serine proteases in the evasion of the innate immune system and the role of cytokines in modulating the induction of mucus production in infected cells and, finally, the distribution and expression of pathogenicity islands in various E. coli pathotypes. This information may contribute to improved diagnosis, typing, and disease management. (AU)

Scientific publications

(14)

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

LUIZ, BRUNA M.; CERGOLE-NOVELLA, MARIA C.; DANTAS, STEFANI T. A.; DE LIRA, DAIANY R. P.; DE SOUZA, GUILHERME F. R.; FERNANDES, IRANILDO DO A.; ORSI, HENRIQUE; SOLVEIRA, GUILHERME; RALL, VERA L. M.; DOS SANTOS, LUIS F.; et al. Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) isolates obtained from non-diarrheic children carry virulence factor-encoding genes from Extraintestinal Pathogenic E. Coli (ExPEC). Brazilian Journal of Microbiology, v. N/A, p. 11-pg., 2024-07-31. (17/14821-7)

SILVA, JESSIKA C. A.; MARQUES-NETO, LAZARO M.; CARVALHO, ENEAS; DEL CARPIO, ALEJANDRA M. G.; HENRIQUE, CAMILA; LEITE, LUCIANA C. C.; MITSUNARI, THAIS; ELIAS, WALDIR P.; MUNHOZ, DANIELLE D.; PIAZZA, ROXANE M. F.. Chromosomal Type II Toxin-Antitoxin Systems May Enhance Bacterial Fitness of a Hybrid Pathogenic Escherichia coli Strain Under Stress Conditions. TOXINS, v. 16, n. 11, p. 15-pg., 2024-11-01. (17/14821-7, 19/02305-0, 17/24832-6, 23/01700-8)

NUNES, PEDRO HENRIQUE SOARES; VALIATTI, TIAGO BARCELOS; SANTOS, ANA CAROLINA DE MELLO; NASCIMENTO, JULLIA ASSIS DA SILVA; SANTOS-NETO, JOSE FRANCISCO; ROCCHETTI, TALITA TREVIZANI; YU, MARIA CECILIA ZORAT; HOFLING-LIMA, ANA LUISA; GOMES, TANIA APARECIDA TARDELLI. Evaluation of the Pathogenic Potential of Escherichia coli Strains Isolated from Eye Infections. MICROORGANISMS, v. 10, n. 6, p. 16-pg., 2022-06-01. (17/14821-7, 17/21947-7)

MERINO, VICTOR R.; NAKANO, VIVIANE; DELANNOY, SABINE; FACH, PATRICK; ALBERCA, GABRIELA G. F.; FARFAN, MAURICIO J.; PIAZZA, ROXANE M. F.; AVILA-CAMPOS, MARIO J.. Prevalence of Enteropathogens and Virulence Traits in Brazilian Children With and Without Diarrhea. FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY, v. 10, SEP 25 2020. (17/14821-7, 13/17739-9)

NASCIMENTO, JULLIA A. S.; SANTOS, FERNANDA F.; SANTOS-NETO, JOSE F.; TROVAO, LIANA O.; VALIATTI, TIAGO B.; PINAFFI, ISABEL C.; VIEIRA, MONICA A. M.; SILVA, ROSA M.; FALSETTI, IVAN N.; SANTOS, ANA C. M.; et al. Molecular Epidemiology and Presence of Hybrid Pathogenic Escherichia coli among Isolates from Community-Acquired Urinary Tract Infection. MICROORGANISMS, v. 10, n. 2, p. 17-pg., 2022-02-01. (19/14553-8, 19/21685-8, 17/14821-7, 18/17353-7)

MUNHOZ, DANIELLE D.; SANTOS, FERNANDA F.; MITSUNARI, THAIS; SCHUROFF, PAULO A.; ELIAS, WALDIR P.; CARVALHO, ENEAS; PIAZZA, ROXANE M. F.. Hybrid Atypical Enteropathogenic and Extraintestinal Escherichia coli (aEPEC/ExPEC) BA1250 Strain: A Draft Genome. PATHOGENS, v. 10, n. 4, APR 2021. (18/06610-9, 17/25406-0, 17/14821-7)

CORREA, GABRIEL B.; FREIRE, CLAUDIA A.; DIBO, MIRIAM; HUERTA-CANTILLO, JAZMIN; NAVARRO-GARCIA, FERNANDO; BARBOSA, ANGELA S.; ELIAS, WALDIR P.; MORAES, CLAUDIA T. P.. Plasmid-encoded toxin of Escherichia coli cleaves complement system proteins and inhibits complement-mediated lysis in vitro. FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY, v. 14, p. 10-pg., 2024-02-02. (17/14821-7)

DE MELLO SANTOS, ANA CAROLINA; SANTOS, FERNANDA FERNANDES; SILVA, ROSA MARIA; TARDELLI GOMES, TANIA APARECIDA. Diversity of Hybrid- and Hetero-PathogenicEscherichia coliand Their Potential Implication in More Severe Diseases. FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY, v. 10, JUL 15 2020. (17/14821-7)

SANTOS, ANA CAROLINA M.; SANTOS-NETO, JOSE F.; TROVAO, LIANA O.; ROMANO, RICARDO F. T.; SILVA, ROSA MARIA; GOMES, TANIA A. T.. Characterization of unconventional pathogenic Escherichia coli isolated from bloodstream infection: virulence beyond the opportunism. Brazilian Journal of Microbiology, v. N/A, p. 14-pg., 2022-12-08. (19/21685-8, 17/14821-7, 18/17353-7)

ROMAO, FABIANO T.; SANTOS, ANA C. M.; PUNO-SARMIENTO, JUAN J.; SPERANDIO, VANESSA; HERNANDES, RODRIGO T.; GOMES, TANIA A. T.. Expression of the locus of enterocyte effacement genes during the invasion process of the atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli 1711-4 strain of serotype O51:H40. MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM, v. 12, n. 10, p. 16-pg., 2024-08-27. (17/14821-7, 22/12006-2, 23/05910-7, 11/12664-5)

SANTOS, ANA C. M.; SILVA, ROBERTA S.; VIEIRA, MONICA A. M.; NIERO, CRISTINA V.; RIBEIRO, MATHEUS S. F.; GUTH, BEATRIZ E. C.; GOMES, TANIA A. T.; SILVA, ROSA M.. The diverse virulence potential of atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli isolated from diarrhea: the emergence of a hybrid pathotype?. FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY, v. 16, p. 14-pg., 2025-06-06. (17/14821-7)

DE LIRA, DAIANY R. P.; CAVALCANTI, ADRIENE M. F.; PINHEIRO, SANDRA R. S.; ORSI, HENRIQUE; DOS SANTOS, LUIS F.; HERNANDES, RODRIGO T.. Identification of a hybrid atypical enteropathogenic and enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (aEPEC/EAEC) clone of serotype O3:H2 associated with a diarrheal outbreak in Brazil. Brazilian Journal of Microbiology, v. 52, n. 4, AUG 2021. (17/14821-7)

DEL CARPIO, ALEJANDRA M. G.; FREIRE, CLAUDIA A.; ANDRADE, FERNANDA B.; PIAZZA, ROXANE M. F.; SILVA, ROSA M.; CARVALHO, ENEAS; ELIAS, WALDIR P.. Genomic Dissection of an Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli Strain Isolated from Bacteremia Reveals Insights into Its Hybrid Pathogenic Potential. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES, v. 25, n. 17, p. 18-pg., 2024-09-01. (17/14821-7)

TROVAO, LIANA DE OLIVEIRA; VIEIRA, MONICA APARECIDA MIDOLLI; SANTOS, ANA CAROLINA DE MELLO; PUNO-SARMIENTO, JUAN JOSUE; NUNES, PEDRO HENRIQUE SOARES; SANTOS, FERNANDA FERNANDES; ROCHA, VICTORIA GALDINO PAVLENCO; KNOBL, TEREZINHA; NAVARRO-GARCIA, FERNANDO; GOMES, TANIA APARECIDA TARDELLI. Identification of a genomic cluster related to hypersecretion of intestinal mucus and mucinolytic activity of atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (aEPEC). FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY, v. 14, p. 17-pg., 2024-12-04. (23/03097-7, 22/12006-2, 17/14821-7, 23/05910-7)