Inhibition of macrophage migration by C. botulinum exoenzyme C3

Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol. 2012 Sep;385(9):883-90. doi: 10.1007/s00210-012-0764-9. Epub 2012 May 29.

Abstract

C3-like exoenzymes are produced by various microorganism including Clostridium botulinum (C3bot), Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus. C3bot is the prototype of C3-like exoenzymes that specifically ADP-ribosylates and thereby inactivates Rho(A/B/C). C3-like exoenzymes are not yet regarded as virulence factors, as the lack of cell entry domains results in a poor accessibility of the C3-like exoenzymes to cells. In this study, the sensitivity of various cell lines to C3bot has been reinvestigated. Primary monocytes as well as cultured macrophage-like cells including J774A.1 cells and RAW macrophages exhibit a tenfold higher sensitivity to C3bot than fibroblasts and epithelial cells. RhoA ADP-ribosylation by C3bot resulted in the formation of pronounced bipolar protrusions based on defective tail retraction. The formation of bipolar protrusion resulted in inhibited macrophage migration. These findings suggested that macrophages appear to be target cells of C3bot. Migration of macrophage is a prerequiste for their recruitment to the site of pathogen invasion or tissue damage. Inhibition of macrophage migration likely preserves the survival of C3-producing microorganisms. The observations of this study reinforce the paradigm of a role of C3-like exoenzymes as virulence factors.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • ADP Ribose Transferases / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Botulinum Toxins / metabolism*
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Movement*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Epithelial Cells / metabolism
  • Fibroblasts / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Macrophages / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Monocytes / metabolism
  • rhoA GTP-Binding Protein / metabolism

Substances

  • ADP Ribose Transferases
  • exoenzyme C3, Clostridium botulinum
  • Botulinum Toxins
  • rhoA GTP-Binding Protein